The Clarion deadline coincides with the monthly Friendship Potluck Luncheons on the third Sunday of the month. Submissions can be in writing, on disk, faxed (773-5018) or e-mail at newsletter@uugreenfield.org.

Past issues of The Clarion can be found by clicking here.

September 2004 Clarion Headlines:

• Caring Coordinator for September
• From the Minister
• Board Notes
• Notes from the DRE
• Ministry Program and Notes
• Proposed Accessibility Statement
• Wheel of Life
• A Note from Ellen Carvill
• Volunteers Needed
• Program Fair September 19
• Rethinking the Choir
• Belated Annual Report from the Charity Fund
• Social Action Committee
• More from the Social Action Committee
• Membership Ministry
• Youth Group Activities
• Kitchen Cleanup
• Survival Center
• Knitting Circle
• Women's Tea at All Souls
• Midweek Music
• Coffee and Soul
• Music for All Souls
• Clarion Deadline

The Caring Coordinator for September is Martha Elliott.

From the Minister
Welcome Back to All Souls Community Members!
So many good folk make up a congregation. So many good citizens make up a nation. How stimulating it is to begin the year as a UU, faced with what seems to be a lot of causes for concern and a watershed election. With 1 likely and perhaps more Supreme Court justices having delayed retirement to await "the people’s choice" (and we can all remember 2000’s lessons), every vote for president in 2004 is an important statement.

Even in this lopsided Massachusetts district, a strong turnout by registered voters will help express where we stand. It’s an effort to have the voice of all the voters heard, and it’s true for minorities as well as majorities, locally and nationally. That’s why it’s great to have a new member like Pam Kelly so deeply committed to voter registration and activism. Pam helped get UU registration campaigns underway in 5 states and is now coordinating the New Hampshire effort. As UU energies were key in earlier civic organizations like the League of Women Voters, it seems right again to be active. We have cared before about extending good government with democratic rights and freedoms to all people: look at the UUA principles. And it starts on the home front.

How about starting with home and friends or maybe a long-distance phone call? Maybe with neighbor chat? Maybe you can help carry a clipboard with me to register people along the county parade route. Moral support is a good start, along with joining in the "Thanks for the effort, Pam (and to the others involved)!" Good (religious?) folk and good citizens often come hand in hand; our voice and vote are needed as the nation calls for a choice and some sense from the people. I look forward to seeing you amidst peaceful, political hubbub

— Jonathan Rehmus

Board of Trustees
Your Board of Trustees had their first meeting on Tuesday, August 10, 2004. The first thing on our agenda was to introduce and welcome our two new members to the Board, Kyle Weaver and Bill Bickford. Just in case you’d forgotten, Mark Gradijan was a mid term replacement who agreed to run for a full term. Next on our agenda was to nominate and elect the chair and vice chair for the coming. I was elected to be chair for the coming year and Julia Ellingboe was elected to be the vice chair. The balance of the returning board will be Barbara Weeks, Angela Russek and Gary Fentin.

Next we discussed the importance of carrying forward any old business from prior meetings. It seems like we always have unfinished business at the end of the meeting which needs to be carried forward and like many groups unless each item is listed we tend to forget.

The next item for discussion related to immediate church repairs. Many of you know that a portion of the ceiling tiles in the basement have fallen. Two estimates for the ceiling repair were obtained. The board voted and approved to have the common area of the basement replaced. Repairs are scheduled to begin October 4, 2004 and should take approximately 3 days.

The rest of the evening was spent discussing committee liaisons with an emphasis on potential nominations for the treasurer’s position. Unfortunately the only potential candidate will be unable to commit to this position at this time. We have lined up two assistant treasurers who will share in the Sunday responsibilities. As of yet we do not have a candidate for the treasurer’s position. This position is vital and necessary to the operation of our church. Without a candidate we will be forced to hire someone to take over those responsibilities.

The board is still planning on having a meeting in October to take care of these needs. The plan is to schedule it to take place immediately after church services. In the mean time if anyone has any suggestions as to how we can remedy this situation please feel free to contact any of the board members.

I look forward to seeing everyone on September 12, 2004.

Respectfully your chair person,

— Marty Ortiz

Notes from the DRE
Oh, how I love a summer with at least one life-changing experience! Well, this summer’s life-changing experience was attending the North East Leadership School (NELS). I’m not sure what I expected when Christine Bates, Martha Elliott and I signed up for this weeklong training back in the spring. I guess I thought it would be like RE Week at Ferry Beach. But it was nothing like a relaxing week on the beach talking about religious education. It was a unique – and sometimes grueling – opportunity to explore how my way of doing things both helps and hinders me. I won’t give away too much of what went on, because it is my sincere hope that more of you will choose to attend NELS in the future. In fact, I think we should consider allocating money in each year’s budget for sending an All Souls delegation. But I do want to share several of my "take-home" lessons from my NELS experience.

Lesson One: Never forget the reason that we come together in the first place – to create a loving community where each of us can be nurtured and supported on our spiritual journey. Yet, how many of us remember that when we are mired in budget woes; or whether or not we liked – or agreed with – what was said from the pulpit; or our concerns about the building; or, in my case, getting through another year of Sunday School. Sure, these concerns – and more – are an inevitable by-product of our coming together. But we must never let these issues obscure the fact that we are here to support and to love – yes love – one another!

Lesson Two: Face up to conflicts. At NELS, I learned that conflict could be a wonderful opportunity for growth. If we can create relationships where we can safely address and work through our conflicts, we can become a stronger and more spiritually nurturing community. Simple tools such as covenanting, and correctly using check-ins and checkouts can really help.

Lesson Three: It really does take all kinds. My NELS experience taught me an enormous amount about my leadership style and how this both helps and hinders me when I’m working in a group. I learned how to make room for others whose styles are different from mine. And I experienced the joy of synergy when I let go and let others.

I returned to All Souls with a commitment to remember why we really gather each week – and make that the focus of my work. I know that Martha, Christine and I are eager to share our NELS experience with the rest of All Souls by modeling, teaching and talking about what we learned and by encouraging others to attend.

Here’s looking forward to an amazing year of awakenings –

Eve

All willing, able and available hands
are requested to report to
the Annual RE Clean-Up Day
Saturday, September 11
from 10 a.m. until the work is done
(Remember, many hands make light work)
Please show your support for the RE Program
and our fabulous teachers
by helping to make the classrooms fresh and clean
for the year ahead.
Any questions – call Eve (772-0043)

• Sunday morning Adult Discussion Group begins again on September 19 with the topic: "The Meaning and Effect of Fundamentalism." We meet most Sundays at 9:00 a.m. in the minister’s study. Short and article-length readings from various sources will be optional. As we examine various religious manifestations of this significant movement, we will also reflect on our own personal responses to fundamentalism. The topic will shift with some notice as the fall progresses: along with newcomers, drop-ins for 1 or two sessions are welcome. Led by Dan Tinen and Jon Rehmus.
• Parents and young people feeling the trauma of the murder in Turners Falls are welcome to contact church support staff for talk and sharing perspective. Please feel encouraged to approach or call me along with Eve and Martha, and it’s good also to talk with parents, trusted peers, and councilors as part of dealing with this troubling situation. Those from schools, mediation/counseling teams, police, and other organizations are meeting and consulting actively on how to support the community as it suffers such loss and ponders healing, justice and reconciliation. Along with offering an ear to youth especially, I ask the All Souls community’s consideration and prayer for the young people, families, and school communities affected.
• A computer changeover has caused me to be less available on-line, and this will continue for a number of weeks. It is always best to call me on the telephone with regard to emerging matters, because I do not generally check and respond to e-mail daily.
• Board members are asked to bring a joke to their next meeting, and it’s in line with how we might try simply in-joying/joying-in a lot of existing church activities. If you don’t have your own favorite joke book, try How to Keep Laughing (Even Though You’ve Considered All the Facts). A sample, from students’ musical essays, "A refrain in music is the part you better not try to sing," "I know what a sextet is, but I’d rather not say," and "A virtuoso is a musician with real high morals." ‘Tis good to keep our own inner mirth in mind!

— Jon

Proposed Accessibility Statement
The UUA Accessibility Allies strongly recommend that we include an accessibility statement in all our advertising, website, order of worship, etc. Following is a statement Diane and Jon have composed. Any critique or suggestions are invited:

The sanctuary of All Souls Church is handicapped accessible and work is underway to make the whole facility accessible. Currently, the downstairs Parish Hall is three steps down from the outside street level. The bathrooms are downstairs and are not handicapped equipped. Headphone amplification is available in the sanctuary.

Please let us know in advance if you need large-print materials; a ride to or from an event: or any other way we can be of assistance.

Wheel of Life
The Bluh family is recovering with sighs of lingering stress and strong relief after a late-June car accident that could have been much worse. Cameron Bluh Derricotte had her neck brace removed in early August and has prognosis of complete recovery from a broken vertebra. Cynthia, who was driving and injured less severely, and George, who was also in the car and jarred, are also feeling mostly well and recovered. All the family appreciates the prayers and well-wishes.

Ruth Sterling and Mike Chrisman were on hand in Spain this summer for opening ceremonies of the Parliament of World Religions as well as to participate with Moriah and Bethany Sterling-Chrisman in the Barcelona Forum, a 4-month exposition dedicated to global peace, cultural diversity, and sustainable economic development.

We extend condolence and love to Dorothy McIver at the death of her mother, Irene McIver.

Blessings and hopes for good health are offered Ali Wicks-Lim, Julia Ellingboe, and their partners and families. Ali and Julia are both pregnant and expecting babies this winter. Greta Shultz along with partner Judith Kocik have begun as foster parents, and Carl Romboletti and partner Marty Ortiz along with Susan and Gary Fentin have also become new grandparents over the summer. The best in all regards!

All Souls accompanist Robin Stone and the Four Seasons Orchestra (which includes Sallee Garland and plays at Mid-Week Music) were the focus of a large, full-color story on the cover of a summer Recorder "Diversions" section.

Angel Russek has been appointed to a full-time faculty position at Greenfield Community College teaching in environmental fields. Mark Gradijan is also enjoying new work with Cornucopia Natural Food Market in Northampton. Congratulations and let us keep in mind those community members looking for employment!

The handsome stone bench in the Greenfield Energy Park "In appreciation of Irmarie and Wallace Jones" was dedicated on August 25, with family and friends gathered for the occasion. Donations were made at Irmarie’s 80th birthday celebration at the church in February to pay for the bench. "It was like a second 80th birthday gift. Thanks to all my church friends who contributed," Irmarie said.

A photo of Monica Sharp appeared in the July 22 PALISADIAN-POST accompanying an article about the third anniversary celebration of Sunrise Assisted Living in Pacific Palisades, where Monica resides. John Raitt entertained with songs and stories of his illustrious Broadway career. Monica said it was a very enjoyable event. The article is posted on the wall in the Parish Hall.

Dear All Souls,

I’m writing to say a good-bye of sorts. I decided recently to move to Chicago. Mostly this is a happy decision—I’m moving for love. But, I am very sad to be moving away from All Souls’. I wanted to write all of you a letter to let you know that my time with you has meant a lot to me. I grew up Unitarian Universalist and have been looking for a church like yours since leaving home. This search has been lonely, frustrating, and very saddening. In All Souls’ I found a church community that welcomed me in, found room for my voice, and that I could love. I am sorry to be leaving. I am also sorry to be leaving the assorted ongoing projects and committees in which I had become involved. This move is not permanent, I may be back in New England next year, perhaps even nearby; and I will visit. If you want to get hold of me, you can find me at: 413.222.4241 (cell), ellen@carvill.net, or 6053 S Drexel Apt 3, Chicago IL 60637.

I hope that your upcoming church year is rich, beautiful, and loving.

Ellen Carvill

Volunteers Needed
Looking for, ah, um, er… a whole bunch of good people! Important church bodies need your vitality and for you to get in touch with us! One need not be a formal All Souls member to participate.

Program Fair September 19
Sunday, September 19th, following the service, Membership & Hospitality will help run a Program Fair downstairs during Coffee Hour. This is the opportunity for the various church committees to set up a display and talk to people about their committee functions and needs. It's your chance to make your committee stand out and invite new people to participate and get more involved in the church community. We want this early in the fall because that's when we typically have many new visitors and high attendance of our regular members and friends.

If you have any ideas, suggestions, or want to help out making this a success, please call Margo Campbell, 773-8664, or Martha Elliott, 774-5601 (Membership & Hospitality Committee Co-Chairs).

SPEAKING OF BIRTHDAYS…….Emma Mae Cummings celebrates her 7th birthday on September 14th.To celebrate life, Emma is holding a fund raiser called Pennies for the Planet with all proceeds to be donated to the World Wildlife Fund. Emma plans to perform a concert at her birthday party with her group The Galaxy Girls. The one and only performance in this or any solar system will feature their hit song "Inter Planet Janet" (she's a Galaxy Girl). Appearing as a special guest on Galactic Keyboards will be George 'Daddy' Jetson.

If you would like to contribute some Pennies for the Planet, you can be a Galaxy Girl sponsor! Seriously though folks, if you would like to make a contribution, you can give Emma some spare change on September 12th or 19th. We might even get a mention in National Geographic Kids. Save the Spotted Heffalumps!

Rethinking the Choir
September 26th, following Sunday service
An invitation to all who have an interest in music, as we debate the style and substance of this year's programs, especially related to the choir. If you would like to devote your voice and energies to enhancing our music, please come, and bring your ideas.

Belated Annual Report from the Charity Fund
Since the report of the All Souls Charity Fund was omitted in the 2004 annual report, I thought there should be some mention publicly about our banner year. The fund, which is autonomous, helps needy people of Greenfield…

This year we were notified of $70,000 in one of our holdings. Cynthia Bluh, a member of the committee, invested the money in an annuity which is paying us $350 a month. This means that any committee coming after us will have this money coming in, in addition to our usual dividends.

As began last year, we now provide money to the First Call for Help at Franklin Community Action Corp., a move voted by the trustees of All Souls. FCAC dispenses the funds to the needy of Greenfield, as stipulated by Charles Allen, who founded the Charity Fund in 1906. The committee chair sends a check to FCAC every quarter...and with the new addition is much more sizable than it was last year.

Members of the committee have been, in addition to Cynthia and me, Anne Hare, Marsha MacVicar and Virginia Short. Ginny was not re-elected, by choice, and is replaced by Cassie Walker. Ginny gave many years of thoughtful service to the Charity Fund.

Irmarie Jones, Chair

(Charity Fund Committee Chair Irmarie Jones handed in her report so early that it was forgotten when reports were collated. Mea culpa. Diane Dix)

Social Action Committee
I am pleased to announce a schedule of meetings for the fall. Regular meetings will take place at 7:00 p.m. on the first Monday of the month unless it happens to fall on a Holiday. Dates for the remainder of 2004 are: September 13, October 4, November 1 (the day before The Election) and December .6. The Sept. and Oct. meetings will take place at 52 Country Club Rd., Greenfield (Mark and Margos new digs.) The Nov. meeting will be at Toni Eaton’s. Decembers meeting site has yet to be determined. As there are many activities to be involved in it is my hope that at the September meeting we can determine the direction that this committee will take this year The community meals program, the Anti-Racism Film Festival, the involvement with our Partner Church are ongoing. The committee needs a focus for the year outside of the above listed activities. Come join us for the deeply satisfying social and spiritual work that we do. Come see us at the Program Fair on September 19 after the service.

There will also be a special meeting on October 2 at Toni Eaton’s at 5:30 pm. We will be previewing and continuing the selection process for the 4^th Annual Anti-Racism Film Festival. Any suggestions and/or recommendations of suitable films will be graciously accepted. See Toni, Molly Chambers or myself for further details.

With a Thankful Spirit,
Mark Gregory

1. All members and friends of All Souls are asked to bring in notices about multicultural musical, dance, fairs, lectures and workshops in the community. The notices will be posted on the bulletin board in the parish hall.

2. ADVANCE NOTICE.....The Fourth All Souls Anti-Racism Film Festival will be Saturday afternoon and evening, January 22 nd, 2005. Please save the date.

3. We are looking for possible titles of films for the Festival. The films should deal with racism in the United States (preferred) or internationally. Please contact Molly Chambers (772-0003 or mchambers@fchcc.org ) with your suggested titles.

4. Film Preview Night, Saturday October 2nd at the home of Toni and Bob Eaton in Gill. Call for directions or transportation. We will share a potluck meal to be followed by previewing of the films for the Anti-Racism Film Festival. Everyone is welcome to attend to help decide which films we will show at this year's Festival.

HOLD THIS DATE: Western Mass. Palestinian Film Festival October 1 — 3, Noho, details next month.

Heaven's Unitarian Population
Why are there are no Unitarians in Heaven? Because they heard there was a choice between going to Heaven or a discussion group about the existence of Heaven.

Membership Ministry
Would you like to restore your spirit? Have a positive focus? Build lasting relationships? Help to create a beloved community? Welcome newcomers? Think about joining the "Membership Ministry" as a dedicated greeter. Talk to Margo Campbell, Christine Bates or Martha Elliott about this exciting new program. We will be having a mini retreat to kick off the program on October 9^th from 1 till 6. Join us for a day of community building, games, food and fun! Child care, hearty Vegetarian fare and a decadent dessert will be provided.

Youth Group Activities Resume September 19
The Youth Group will have its first meeting Sunday September 19^th right after the program fair. This is an important meeting as we will be creating a covenant and planning out our year. The following week we will be taking our second annual trip to the corn maze!

Kitchen Cleanup Saturday, October 16
Let’s have a kitchen clean-up on Saturday, October 16. If 6-8 people volunteer we can have the job done in one morning. Contact Irmarie Jones if you can help.

Survival Center Needs Donations
Cold weather clothing is now needed for children and adults. Put donations in the basket in the front hall and they will be delivered

Knitting Circle Proposal
Susan Garfield-Wright is suggesting a "loosely knit" knitting circle , to meet occasionally or regularly, on Sunday mornings before or after church. Susan says the circle can provide a place for knitters converse and enjoy ech others company as well as to help each other or even teach new people how to knit. If you are interested, call Susan (625-8114).

Women’s Tea at All Souls, Thursday, September 23, 2 — 4 p.m.
Last month women met at Jean Cumming's and enjoyed a number of member's readings of their vignettes from their pasts. Next month will be a continuing discussion of what direction we wish to go in, and a sharing of how we grow older gracefully. We'll meet at the church Sept. 23rd from 2-4. Call Anne Hare (773-8466) or Nancy Buchanan (773-8523) for specifics.

If music be the song of love, play on!" (Shakespeare)
We begin this year poised for success and celebration in presenting great music at All Souls Church. Dedicated volunteers are needed for Coffee & Soul and Music for All Souls. Please speak to Diane Dix if you can help with one or both of these programs.

Mid-Week Music Resumes
September 15 — Ken Forfia, classical piano
September 22 — Jerry Noble, piano and Bob Sparkman, clarinet, jazz
September 29 — Barry Higgins, Native American flute

Coffee & Soul Starts New Season September 18
The Stone Coyotes will be back for one more fabulous concert at All Souls Church before leaving the next day for sell-out crowds in Texas. This local group is a family band that ROCKS. Up and comer Marsia Shuron Harris will open the show at 7:30 p.m. This year the Hope Street door will open at 6:30 p.m. to allow people time for refreshments before the sanctuary opens for seating at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.uugreenfield.org, at World Eye Book Shop in Greenfield, Sunday mornings during Coffee Hour, or by calling the church. Prices are $10 in advance, $12 at the door, half-price for under 18 and over 65.

Volunteers are needed to hang posters in neighboring towns. Dedicated, regular posterers will be given free admission to the shows. A couple more regular volunteers are needed the nights of the shows. Bakers are needed each month on a show-by-show basis.

This show is more affordable than some of our mid-season shows. We are working out a plan to offer discounts to church members. Look for more on this in the next The Clairon.

Music for All Souls Starts October 3
Noriko Suzuki will be giving a solo performance on Sunday, October 3, at 3 p.m. at All Souls Church. Ms. Suzuki, a native of Japan, made her New York debut at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall in 2001. Ms. Suzuki won "The Most Distinguished Musician Award" and "Kabalevsky Special Award" at IBLA Grand Prize International Competition in 2002. She was also the Second Prize winner of the Soulima and Françoise Stravinsky New Millennium International Competition in 1999. As the recipient of The Japan International League of Artist's "Young Musician Award", she was presented in its "Young Artist Concert" in 1994, and also in its "Twentieth Century Concert" in the subsequent season. She was invited by them again in 2002 to perform with Czech Wihan String Quartet at Toppan Hall in Tokyo, Japan.

Ms. Suzuki began her piano studies in her native Japan at Kunitachi Music High School. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Kunitachi College of Music. She holds her Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music. Ms. Suzuki has been performing extensively as a solo recitalist and chamber musician throughout the United States, Europe and Japan. She is featured as a "Yamaha rising star" and has recorded for the Yamaha player piano "Disklavier".

Ms. Suzuki is Music Director and Principal Pianist of New York Theatre Ballet. . Ms. Suzuki is also a piano faculty member at Westerhoff School of Music and Art in New Jersey. $10 at door, $7 students and over 65.

The Clarion deadline for the October issue is September 19. Submissions can be in writing, on disk, faxed by using the church number or sent to "newsletter" or "administrator" or "music" @uugreenfield.org.

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