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March
2005
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.
March
2005 Clarion
Headlines:
All Souls UU Church Welcomes You - UU Greenfield MA All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church
The
caring coordinator
for March is Jana Cummings.
From
the Minister
A
Calvin
& Hobbes cartoon depicts Calvin calling out to
his teacher, "Is 'desk' masculine?
Is 'chair' feminine?
Foreign kids know, but we don't!
No wonder we can't compete in a global
market! I
demand sex education!"
The
complications involving gender and sex are infamous;
the cartoon makes light of that.
But more basic conversation stems from issues
related to educating about sexuality at All souls.
Is it appropriate? I think so, when issues around our sexuality and our
relationship to our own body are so central to our
identity and our sense of self-worth and dignity.
To promote the free and informed search for
truth or the interconnected web of all existence
while ignoring issues of human sexuality would
invite a dis-integrated spirituality.
Out in the culture and in a way damaging to
all of us, we and our children face an onslaught of
messages which commodify and desacralize sexuality.
Intermixed with promiscuity and violence in
the media, things seems to be worsening while
cutbacks and religious challenges in the schools
mean health/sexuality curricula are more narrow,
meager, and superficial than ever.
I
believe it behooves us to continue our
denomination's efforts to offer an alternative, and
the UU curriculum "Our Whole Lives" (OWL -
be wise!) is a life-span approach developed from
experience and trial in hundreds of churches.
All Souls programs for youth and adults have
begun, and I'm grateful to church members Meg Baker
and Suzanne Gluck-Sosis for their trained approach
to leading these programs.
Feel
free to approach Meg and Suzanne about your issues
as well as to raise them with me.
We must be sensitive and respectful -
particularly around the children - in conducting
such programs.
But in talking with youth after a recent OWL
program, their calm sense of becoming better
informed and having their own perspective and
questions fully respected was apparent.
As difficult as it is to meet social demands
like sexuality education, it was one example of UU
work where it is plain we do it better!
To our enlightened good health -
Jon
Rehmus
(Top
of Page)
Ministry
Notes and Programs
Easter
service child dedication: If you are interested in
having your child dedicated, call me (624-3025) or
our Director of Religious Education Eve Brown-Waite
(772-0043). The
service involves a set of ritual elements and
opportunities to share suiting children of all ages
as well as families of diverse religious background
and practice. Eve
and I would be happy to explain this beautiful
occasion of recognition and celebration.
Sunday
morning Adult Discussion Group will finish its
current series on Fundamentalism and Universalism
March 20 (all sessions meet at 9 a.m. in the
minister's study).
The spring series will begin April 3 and will
involve a study-group approach to the Tao Te Ching
(the Books of the Way and Virtue, by Lao Tse).
This will be a wonderful chance for drop-in
reflection and conversation as each week we explore
a chapter of this ancient text of wisdom.
Mid-March
Family Fun Night
Let's
beat those cold, crankies with a mid-March Family
Fun Night! Friday, March 18, 6 - 8:30 P.M. in the
Parish Hall. We'll supply the pizza and beverages
and a selection of games. You bring your family, a
simple snack to share and some favorite games of
your own.
Everyone is welcome to this truly
Intergenerational Event.
(Top
of Page)
Notes
from the DRE
Beauty
Tips (attributed to Audrey Hepburn)
For
attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.
For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.
For
beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers
through it once a day.
For
poise, walk with the knowledge that you never
walk alone.
People,
even more than things, have to be
restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed;
never throw out anyone.
Remember,
if you ever need a helping hand, you'll
find one at the end of each of your arms.
As
you grow older, you will discover that you have two
hands -
one
for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
It's
good advice!
In
Love and Light, Eve
(Top
of Page)
Choir
Announcement
The
All Souls choir will be singing four times this
spring. Please come and sing with us.
March
27 (Easter)
April 17
May 15 (with Jim Scott)
June 5 (New Member Sunday)
Our
plan is to meet for rehearsal at 9:30 a.m. on the
three Sundays preceding the weeks we are going to
sing. For Easter this means we will have our first
rehearsal on March 6. We will work on parts for the
first two rehearsals, and then work on putting it
together at the third Sunday rehearsal. We will also
have a rehearsal on the Thursday before the day we
sing and one rehearsal at 9 a.m. the day we sing.
If
you want to sing with the choir but can't make it to
all the rehearsals, please call or talk to Carol
Flandreau (863-4201) to get copies of the music to work
on at home. We plan to do music that is fun to sing
but not too difficult to learn. Hope you can join
us!
Drum
with Ellen Clegg on March 20
Master
drummer and All Souls member Ellen Clegg will have a
workshop on Sunday, March 20, 4:30 - 6 p.m. in the
Parish Hall.
All levels of experience are welcome. Bring
your own drum if you have it. Ellen has some extras.
$10. For more information, call 648-9845.
(Top
of Page)
Zen
Judaism
Let
go of pride, ego, and opinions. Admit your errors
and forgive those of others. Relinquishment will
lead to calm and healing in your relationships. If
that doesn't work, try small claims court.
Though
only your skin, sinews, and bones remain, though
your blood and flesh dry up and wither away, yet
shall you meditate and not stir until you have
attained full Enlightenment. But, first, a little
nosh.
Accept
misfortune as a blessing. Do not wish for perfect
health or a life without problems. What would you
talk about?
Be
here now. Be someplace else later. Is that so
complicated?
There
is no escaping karma. In a previous life, you never
called, you never wrote, you never visited. And
whose fault was that?
The
Torah says, "Love thy neighbor as
thyself." The Buddha says there is no
"self." So, maybe you are off the hook.
If
there is no self, whose arthritis is this?
Wherever
you go, there you are. Your luggage is another
story.
Do
not let children play contact sports like football.
These only lead to injuries and instill a violent,
warlike nature. Encourage your child to play
peaceful games, like "sports doctor."
The
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
"oy."
(Top
of Page)
Wheel
of Life
Congratulations
to Julia, Chris and Bea Ellingboe on the arrival of
their newest family member, Ingrid
Solveig, born February 5 and weighing in at
8'10".
Ruth
Sterling has taken a job with an agency that
supplies nurses to hospitals, etc. all over the US.
She accepted a 13 week contract at a psychiatric
hospital and is now
in California just east of San Francisco,
living in Union City which is noted for
having the most diverse population of anywhere in
the US, (an attribute that she loves. "Hope all
are well and the children are flourishing."
Irmarie
and Brud Jones were each presented framed
certificates of appreciation from Greenfield
Community College president Robert Pura for their 15
years of being volunteer conversation partners in
the English-for-Speakers-of-Other-Languages
department. They were honored at a potluck lunch of
the ESOL students in February.
Cyril
Thomason is currently at the Buckley Nursing Home.
She was an All Souls member for many years and
particularly active in the Social Action Committee
and Choir.
It's
so nice to see the welcome flag up again at the
front of the church on Sunday morning. It was made
for us about ten years ago by Felicity Poole.
We
extend sympathy to Richard Towle, whose biological
mother, Diane Tetreault, died on February 21.
The
informal church history committee is planning to
complete its purpose this spring. Can anyone think
of some subject about the last 50 years of the
church that should be covered? See Cynthia or George
Bluh if you have any ideas.
The
narcissus bulbs planted as part of the Imbolc
worship service on January 29 are in bloom.
(We
extend concern and appreciation for all of you
taking care of family members and friends in times
of illness and need.
If you would like prayers, a healing
contemplation, or just good vibrations offered, feel
free to make a recognition or prayer request of the
minister, the Caring Coordinator of the month
(see the Clarion) or through Joys &
Concerns.
Please
help keep the community informed of significant
events affecting our members. If you have any
information you would like included in Wheel of Life
please speak to Diane Dix.)
(Top
of Page)
Tag
Sale April 23
The
Annual Spring Tag Sale is scheduled for April 23.
Let's make this the best one ever. Household items,
sports equipment, bicycles, good books (not
textbooks) collectibles, toys and jewelry ...
whatever you think will sell. NO clothing. If
you can help set up or work at the sale, or
both, see Irmarie Jones.
Donations
to Survival Center
Needed
The Franklin Area Survival Center needs spring
clothing for its thrift shop. In the pantry, soups
and cereals are especially needed, but all
nonperishable foods would be welcome. Leave in the
basket in the narthex.
(Top
of Page)
Membership
Committee Needs More Involved Individuals
The
Membership and Hospitality Committee is in desperate
need of new members and/or volunteers to assist us
in the many tasks we are responsible for at All
Souls. More
specifically, we need individuals or groups to:
— Host
a coffee hour
— Host
a Friendship Luncheon
— Be
a Caring Coordinator for a month
— Organize
a Circle Dinner (or progressive dinner)
— Make
a reminder call to the Coffee Hour host each week
— Assist
with Newcomer Orientation
— Assist
with New Member packets
— Help
launch Small Group Ministry
— Help
make sure visitors and Newcomers feel welcomed,
especially during Coffee Hour
We
meet regularly on the 3rd Sunday of each month after
Coffee Hour in the Chapman Room.
You are welcome to join us any time.
We also welcome volunteers who want help out
but choose not to attend the meetings.
Please
contact Martha Elliott or Margo Campbell for more
information or to offer your help.
Thank you!
(Top
of Page)
Mid-Week
Music Resumes
March
16 - Rosemary Caine and friend, Celtic harp and
other music to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
March
23 - Jerry Noble, piano and Bob Sparkman, clarinet
March
30 - Northside Saxophone Quartet
(every
Wednesday, 12:15 - 12:45 p.m.)
(Top
of Page)
Anti-Racism
Film Festival Part II
Saturday, March 12th, 2005, at All Souls
Schedule:
4:30 - 6:00 - I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy
of Brown vs. the Board of Education,
Executive Producer Tonya Lee Lewis. Genre:
Documentary. Not rated, but this documentary is
meant for high school students and older. The film
follows a diverse group of high school students as
they grapple with social segregation in their
school, and participate in a project to take action
to change it.
Facilitated by Molly Chambers
6:00
- 7:00 - Dinner (Donations requested)
7:00
- 9:30 - Mississippi Masala, directed by
Mira Nair. Genre: Romance/Drama. Director Nair
concocts a fascinating picture of Mina, an Indian
woman whose father pines for his native Uganda,
where his family lived prosperously until the evil
Idi Amin took power. Transplanted to rural
Mississippi, the family struggles to make ends meet
by running a string of motels, but they don't yet
feel at home. When Mina falls for an African
American entrepreneur, complications arise.
Facilitated by Angel Russek
(Top
of Page)
Music
for All Souls on March 13th
The Music for All Souls concert on Sunday afternoon,
March 13th, at 3:00 PM, will feature José Gonzalez
and Criollo Clasico, who perform Latin American,
classical, pop, jazz and original music on Spanish
guitars, Puerto Rican cuatro, flute and Latin
percussion.
If
you can help with the Music for All Souls
reception please speak to Diane Dix or Marty
Ortiz (625-9305). Also, spread the word, please!
When was the last time Puerto Rican music was
featured in Greenfield? We hope to have a large
audience to show our support for multi-cultural
events.
Patty
Larkin at Coffee &
Soul on March 19th
Brilliant singer-songwriter (and equally brilliant
guitarist) Patty Larkin will be headlining the Coffee & Soul show on
March 19. The show starts at 7:30 PM with special
guests Bassett, Bartone and Clegg. Larkin has been
called "one of the best musicians on the
planet. Her concerts are don't-miss events. Larkin
combines great singing with excellent songwriting
and skilled guitar playing to create a haunting
sound of her own." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
Tickets are $20.00 in advance,
$22.00 at the door. Buy tickets online at www.uugreenfield.org/coffeeandsoul
There
are no discounts for this show. However, we need a
limited number of bakers. If you would like to bake
for this show, your admission will be $10. If
interested, contact Maureen Moore or speak to
Maureen or Diane Dix on Sunday mornings.
The
Clarion deadline for the March issue is March
20th. Submissions
can be in writing, on disk, faxed by using the
church number or sent to "newsletter" or
"administrator" or "music" @uugreenfield.org.
(Top
of Page)
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