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December
2005
The
Clarion deadline
is 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.
October
Clarion
Headlines:
The
Caring Coordinators for December is Margo Campbell.
From
the Minister
They
look-ed up, and saw a star / shining in the East
beyond them far …
In
early December, I’ll be attending a
storytellers’ workshop at Rowe Camp and Conference
Center. Following
a Lake Wobegon yarn, Garrison Keillor once
reflected:
“These
stories are meant for you to enjoy, but it gets
harder and harder to tell them for a storyteller,
‘cause the more you tell ‘em, the more you
realize how far wide of the mark you really are.
I know that I’ve said probably 2-3 things
now, just ‘bout the last 15 minutes, that are
gonna bother me, inaccurate things.
I’ll think about them tomorrow, I’ll
think ‘bout them all week….
It’s
sort of God’s judgment on people who are ambitious
about telling lies, you see.
It doesn’t bother you when you start out
telling lies; you know, you’re just grateful to be
able to get through ‘em without fainting up here.
But when you become as accomplished a liar as
I am, then you’re troubled by inaccuracies in your
lies, because the reason you tell lies about a
wonderful place, is that you believe, that if you
get every detail right – absolutely right, and
every character in that story has exactly as many
hairs on his or her head as she’s supposed to
have, or him -- if you get it absolutely perfect,
that you will be lifted out of this life and you
will be set down in that wonderful place that
you’ve told lies about, and all your lies become
true.”
I
can relate: exactly how many points were on that
star? And
to the Earth, it gave great light, and so it
continued both day and night.
Merry
Christmas,
Jon
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Like
a Rose e’er Blooming
Greetings! Thanksgiving has passed for another cycle
of the seasons.
It is my wish that we never let go of
gratitude for all the fine gifts and talents we
have, and which are shared amongst us.
On
November 6th a benefit was held in our Sanctuary to
raise funds for those afflicted by the recent
flooding in Franklin County.
Over $900.00 was raised on the afternoon.
It is truly a sacred task doing good
utilizing the talents within this community
During
the November meeting the Board of Trustees voted to
“create and empower an executive committee
comprised of the chair, vice-chair, treasurer and
clerk – to act on behalf of the board in between
meetings on an emergency basis and any action taken
by the executive committee will be reported back to
the full board”.
As always financial concerns were a big
part of the meeting.
The Board continues to discuss many matters
in conjunction with Jon ‘s Sabbatical this late
Winter/early Spring.
A reminder to all members – there is a
Warrant for a special Congregational meeting on
December 4th
(full text is in the November issue of
the Clarion.) Come
one, come all.
There is important business to be done and it
takes all to build our Beloved Community.
We
all have gifts and talents to share with All Souls
and the world beckoning outside our doors.
As many wise folk have reminded us it is
never easy to accomplish anything of lasting value
within community without joint action of committed
individuals sharing common dreams.
Who we are, why we choose to be a community
in this time and place, and other important
questions we ask ourselves and reflect on. The
answers which arise from these Holy Conversations
can continue to carry all of us through the trials
and challenges called Life.
The Dark never lasts – it is but part of
the cycle. Change
is ever with us and is a friend to walk with on our
many paths. Let us all hold up the flames of hope
and community and faith.
Love
is a splendid thing to hold up to each other.
With Love comes forgiveness: of ourselves, of
loved ones, of friends, of enemies.
Forgiveness is a powerful medicine and the
only way to Peace and Community.
In
faith, love and service
Mark Gregory
(Top
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Warrant
for Special Congregational Meeting Dec 4th
Members
of All Souls Church (Unitarian Universalist), the
Third Congregational Society of Greenfield are
hereby notified that a Special Meeting of the
Congregation will be held on Sunday,
December 4 following the Sunday service in the
sanctuary of the church to act on the following
articles:
1.
Hear the Report of the Board Chair
2.
Hear and act on information from the Finance
Committee and the Board about budgetary shortfalls;
the raising of money for budgetary and other
purposes.
3.
Hear and act on any other information that comes
before the Special Meeting.
Respectfully
submitted,
Annie Winkler,
Clerk of the Board of Trustees
Minister’s
Programs and Notes
For
those just getting acquainted with All Souls, a New Comers’ Circle will be held immediately after service on Sunday,
Dec. 18. This
is an excellent opportunity to share some of your
own journey and to ask the minister and others
questions about All Souls and Unitarian
Universalism. We
will meet in the Chapman Room which is just off the foyer, and light refreshment will
be served.
Adult
Discussions continue with their focus on our
sense of identity – individually and as a church
-- within the American UU movement. These meet most Sundays
from 9:00-10:15 a.m. in the minister’s study. All are welcome!
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Meeting
Notices
The
Religious Education Committee will meet at 4 p.m. on Saturday,
December 17, at Elizabeth Bonney’s in Northfield.
The
Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 31, 7 p.m., at
Lynn Lee’s house, 19 Orchard Street in Greenfield.
Calling
all Singers!
The
All Souls Choir will be singing again at the
Christmas Eve service on December 24th. This will be
a service centered around the singing of Carols. The
choir will be rehearsing for the service on
Thursdays December 15 and December 22 from 7 to 9
P.M. Please come and join with us in singing some
familiar Carols to celebrate the season. Thanks!
Carol Flandreau (863-4201)
(Top
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Greetings
from the DRE
What’s
been happening in RE?
We
have nearly completed our time exploring the pillar
“Our relationships with others”
In this theme we focus on developing strong
bonds within the church and our extended community
of children, youth and adults in mutual exploration
of what it means to live religiously. Towards that
goal we had our first children’s chapel on Nov
13th. We all had a great time with singing, a responsive reading
and sharing the work everyone had done in their
small groups. The
children from the Rainbow room shared their “snow
globes”, the explorers shared the collages that
they have been working on including why these images
were important to them and we all got a chance to do
some improvisation with the Jr Youth. The entire RE program will meet together to sing carols for a
short time each Sunday in December in anticipation
of participating in the Christmas Eve service. On
the 11th we will have our annual spiral of the
seasons, in celebration of solstice. Our last RE
gathering of 2005 will be on the 18th, the entire
group will participate in a Service project
collecting canned goods for those in need; as well
as having an opportunity to help out with coffee
hour.
We
have been having great fun while building a
wonderful sense of community! Each child brings
something very special to their group and they are
missed when they are not here. Please come and join
us.
Martha
*The Junior Youth finished their series of workshops on
improvisation with Amy Swisher and Lynn Nichols. A great time was had by all, thanks Amy and Lynn!
Attention
Jr Youth! The December 4th meeting is very important; we want your
ideas for the program thru the rest of the year.
This is your opportunity to really shape
what you do on Sunday mornings.
If you can not attend share your wants and
needs with another Jr youth or call Martha, drop me
an email or just slip a note into my office.
*The
Explorers had great weather for their field trip to
the Greenfield Energy Park; there was quite a crowd
with 14 children and 4 adults!
*The
children in the rainbow room have been enjoying the
decorations that were left up after enchanted
Kingdom. They
have also been making special “snow globes” in
celebration of one of their group becoming a big
brother soon.
We have a new book, including a new sign up
sheet for leaders in this room.
At the moment it is empty so please take a
minute to come in and find some dates that work for
you!
*The
Senior Youth group has been having fun playing games
together. They
will be meeting on the 4th and 18th of December.
December 18th we hope to go to the standing
stones at U Mass to celebrate and learn about the
solstice.
Wanted:
Fun loving adults to help out one Sunday a
month in with a great group of active and
interesting children! There is a place for you in
RE!
Let
me help you find the right opportunity! Call Martha.
Have you registered your child for RE?
If you have the papers all filled out at home
please bring them in, or you can grab an extra copy
of the registration form from the folder on the RE
bulletin board.
Last
call for Trick or Treat for UNICEF boxes!
Please bring them in ASAP
For
the calendar:
December
4th
Jr youth visioning during RE
Youth group meeting 12:30 -3
December 11th
Spiral of the seasons
December
17th, 4p
RE committee meeting at Elizabeth Bonney’s
December
18th
Canned food drive
Youth group meeting/trip to standing
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Have
you been a Caring
Coodinator this year?
Have
you had a special volunteer role in welcoming
newcomers or organizing hospitality events?
Are
you serving on the sabbatical Caring Committee?
Then
it's about time somebody threw YOU a party!
What:
Fun and Refreshment
When: 5:30-7:00 p.m., Friday, December 30
Where:
All Souls Parish Hall
What to bring: Just yourselves (+ partners, friends,
and family if you like!)
RSVP:
Jon Rehmus (624-3025) or Margo Campbell (773-8664)
Membership
and Hospitality
As we begin the winter season, we might all try to
watch over each other and our neighbors as the
temperatures dip and perilous driving conditions
arise. Some
of us could offer a ride to church or shopping to
those who normally walk or don’t drive in winter.
Or perhaps one could pay a visit to
someone who doesn’t get out much in the
winter. (Just
one more way to serve this wonderful community of
All Souls.)
On
most Sundays, it seems like we are seeing quite a
few visitors and new attendees.
It is the responsibility of all of us to make
all feel welcome and engage newcomers in
conversation. Let’s
try not to just talk about church business with our
various committee members during Coffee Hour.
Each week, maybe everyone could try to talk
with at least 1 person you haven’t talked with
recently.
Two
Circle Dinners will be held later this month.
It’s too late to sign up for these but we
will offer them again in January/February.
If you’d like more information about what
these are or if you’d like to help me organize
these, please call me at 773-8664.
Wishing
all of you a peaceful, joyous (and simple) holiday
season.
Faithfully
yours,
Margo Campbell, Chairperson
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UUSC
Holiday Cards and UUA Books on Sale This Month
We
can help support the work of the Unitarian
Universalist Service Committee by purchasing their
holiday cards and support the Unitarian Universalist
Association by buying books from the UUA Bookstore.
Look for the display during
Coffee Hours this month.
Wise
Women Meeting December 15
The
meeting of the “Wise Women” group will take
place on Thursday, December 15, at 2 p.m. in the
second floor meeting room of Greenfield Acres (10
Congress Street) in Greenfield. Please remember to
bring hats and mittens to place on the mitten tree
at the church.
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Wheel
of Life
Thank
you to all who helped the Manwell family in their
celebration of Eleanor, a long-time Unitarian and
All Souls member.
Eleanor died on Nov. 4 at the age of 91.
Our
sympathy to Tom Gajewski, whose mother Katherine
died recently. Condolences also to Kristen and Max
Johl. Kirsten’s father, Peter, also died last
month. Peter, a professional singer, performed at
All Souls several times to very appreciative
audiences.
Exhibiting
and selling his pottery, Cliff Daniels was one of
the artists/craftspeople featured as part of “The
Tour of Colrain.”
Cliff was originally taught to throw by
another All Souls member, Leslie DeGraff.
Julia
Ellingboe has recently taken a job working for the
Greenfield architect Margo Jones.
Congratulations!
For
efforts on the soccer field, Della Hoberman-Sorenson,
Isaac Baker, Justin Peterson-New, and Sophia Rehmus
all received awards at the Academy at Charlemont
fall sports assembly in November.
Linda
McMahon and Lynne Lennon travel to Florida soon to
oversee the construction of their new winter home
there. We
are jealous, will miss you ‘til Spring, and wish
you the best!
Carl
Romboletti is recovering successfully from a brief
stress-related hospitalization which occurred while
tackling other health challenges: thank you to those
who keep Carl and his wife Marty Ortiz in mind
during this difficult period.
Rev.
Waitstill Sharp, late husband of Monica Sharp, and
Martha Sharp, Waitstill’s late wife, were awarded
the title of “Righteous Among the Nations” for
help rendered to Jewish persons during the period of
the Holocaust, at considerable risk to themselves. A
medal and certificate was mailed to the Israeli
Consulate in New York, which will organize a
ceremony in their honor. Their names will soon be
added to the Righteous Honor Wall at Yad Vashem.
Martha is the first American woman to be so honored
and Waitstill the second American man.
Waitstill was the first Executive Director of
the Unitarian-Universalist Committee. Monica Sharp
gave the handicapped ramp in front of All Souls in
memory of Waitstill.
It
is wonderful to welcome five new members to All
Souls Church: Rebecca Bluh, Kathy Hale, Ed and Emma
Stamas and Tina Waldron.
The
benefit concert held at All Souls for Greenfield
flood relief raised just over $1000. The money was
put into All Souls Charity fund and given to First
Call for Help specifically for Greenfield flood
victims.
(Top
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All
Souls Day at World Eye
Bookshop Big Success
Many thanks to everyone who shopped at World Eye
Bookshop on November 20. All Souls members bought
$1808.99 worth of merchandise and 20% of that,
$361.80, was given to All Souls Church.
UUA-UUSC
Gulf Coast Relief
Update
The
response from individuals and UU congregations has
been so tremendous that contributions now exceed
$2.6 million. Recognizing that the need is great and
will continue for many months, the UU Congregation
at Shelter Rock is matching gifts made after October
2, up to $500,000 — boosting the total to $3.1
million. All funds received will be distributed
under the auspices of a special panel which includes
representatives for the UUA, the UUSC, and the
Southwest and Mid-South Districts to address the
needs of the most disadvantaged
and marginalized communities in the affected
areas as they rebuild their lives and livelihood and
to support UU congregations and professional leaders
as they continue their ministries in the region. At
least 95% of contributions will be used for disaster
response and recovery efforts. Visit www.uua.org for
news about the work of the UUA-UUSC Gulf Coast
Relief Fund Panel and other UU efforts in the
region.
Coming in January: After
Service Luncheon Round Tables
The
All Souls Renaissance Committee is organizing a
series of after-service luncheon roundtables for
January 8th, 15th, and 22nd. The luncheons each of
those Sundays will be for three groups of 8-12
church members to gather, break bread together, and
engage in holy conversations on the present and
future of our congregation. The format for these
luncheons, following the alternate services for
January in the Parish Hall, was discussed in depth
and endorsed at a recent Worship Committee meeting.
Each table of people at the luncheon will be joined
by a Renaissance Committee member whose role will be
to facilitate lively and inclusive conversations
that help us get to know each other, and to learn
more deeply what we each bring to and get from our
church membership.
In
December, members of the Renaissance Committee will
be circulating at Coffee Hour after each service to
ask people to sign up for first, second, and third
choices for a luncheon date. Those who do not sign
up during coffee hour, including those members who
are not in attendance for December services, will be
contacted by phone.
Even
if you don't plan to come to church services in
January, we urge you to accept invitation to one of
the luncheons. Joining in holy conversation about
who we are as a congregation, what are our goals,
and how we fit in our community lies at the core of
our commitment as members of All Souls. As a
congregational community, we are the church: Sharing
our abilities, our passion and our dreams clarifies
our vision and helps focus our actions for the
future.
I
heartily invite and strongly urge you to join us!
On
behalf of the Renaissance Committee and the future
of All Souls,
Paul Flandreau
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Announcement
of the formation
of the UU White Allies Organization
During the weekend of November 4-6, 2005, thirty-six
individuals who identify as white people gathered
together in Tom's River, New Jersey to develop a
formal organization of white allies with a clear
leadership structure, in direct response to a
request from our sisters and brothers of color in
DRUUMM. The planning team who organized the
conference, Minton Brooks, Beth Dana, Julian Sharp,
Annette Marquis, Hannah Stampe, and Gini Courter,
asked the Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris, UUA staff, to
facilitate the business meetings to help us
accomplish our goal. We knew going in that it was an
aggressive agenda and, as a member of the planning
team, I am here to announce that we were successful
in reaching our primary objectives.
By
the end of the weekend, we adopted a vision,
mission, and organizational structure; affirmed
DRUUMM's understanding of our relationship, adopted
an organizational structure, developed a proposed
list of short term and longer term objectives,
elected a steering committee, and began a membership
drive.
Steering
Committee members (elected for a one-year term):
Facilitator: Annette Marquis; At-Large Youth, Age
14-18: Elisabeth Moore; At Large Young Adult, Age
18-35: Ashley Satorius At Large Member: Kathryn
Hope; Secretary/Treasurer: topher west; Ordained
Minister: Rev. Wendy von Zirpolo; Communications
Coordinator: Becca Brown; Membership Coordinator:
Paul Phillips Program Coordinator: Nancy Lawrence
The
steering committee will begin meeting immediately to
prepare for a very visible presence at General
Assembly 2006 to assure that people of color have an
effective system of white allies in place when and
if
issues arise that must be addressed. If you are
interested in being a part of this effort, I invite
you to join with us. We will be posting membership
forms and volunteer opportunities as soon as we have
set up
the White Allies website.
Below
you will find the details our accomplishments.
Please feel free to contact me directly if you have
any questions or input about our work.
In
faith,
Annette Marquis
Submitted by
Molly Chambers
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Coffee
& Soul Update
After
eight years, we have decided to suspend concerts
during the winter. We have one concert planned for
April 8 with Modern Man:
Bridging the gap between the Three Stooges and theThree Tenors is Modern
Man! A cross between Crosby, Stills & Nash
and the Marx Brothers -
David Buskin, Rob Carlson and George
Wurzbach are three celebrated singers and
songwriters, "terrific instrumentalists with
gorgeous voices and hilarious wits." Together
they are fast redefining something-or-other and
delighting audiences as they interweave themes
ranging from God to Godzilla, from manliness to
cluelessness, from ESPN to the FBI with a vocal
blend that has not been heard since Ella and F.
Scott Fitzgerald went their separate ways. Look for
more in the spring.
Coffee
& Soul paid the $1000 promised to the church
budget for this year and an additional $2000 was
given toward the overall goal of Ways & Means.
Many talented, dedicated and energetic volunteers
made this series such a success. Thank you all.
Surviving
the Vernon Reactor:
Health is a Human Right!
Human
Rights Day Conference, 1-6 p.m., December 10, 2005
, Greenfield
Community College Cafeteria
Keynote
Speaker Ernest Sternglass 1 p.m.:
Survive and thrive at panel discussion
and workshops on Radiation Monitoring, Evacuation
Planning, the Mechanics of Radiation Health Effects,
Healing and Recovery, and the Powers of Individual
and Concerted Nonviolent Action. The nuclear age is
at our door. See crucial news: www.traprockpeace.org
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Worship
Workshop Postponed Until January 14
Do
you have concerns and suggestions for the minister
and committee responsible for worship? Are you
interested in discussing what worship means in a
Unitarian Universalist context? Would you be
interested in a quick practicum on how to lead
worship at All Souls?
If
the answer to any of these is “yes,”
join us for
the Worship Workshop:
Saturday, January 14
from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
We
will combine meeting downstairs with some work in
the sanctuary and finish by sharing a light lunch.
All are welcome, especially newcomers!
Questions?
Contact:
Paul
Flandreau (863-4201) or Jon Rehmus (624-3025)
Fifth
Annual Anti-Racism Film
Festival January 21st
As
you may know, this will be Our Fifth Annual
Anti-Racism Film Festival on January 21st at All
Souls. The films and discussion leaders are:
Hurricane
from 2-4 pm with a following discussion with Diane
Smith from 4-4:30 pm (Not for young children).
Hurricane is the true story of boxer Ruben
"Hurricane Carter," who was unjustly
imprisoned for murder. Denzel Washington stars.
I
Sit Where I Want To from 4:30-5:30 pm with a
following discussion with Molly Chambers from
5:30—-6pm (The film would be suitable for family
viewing with older children.)
Supper
will be served with pizza and salad from 6-7pm with
a donation requested..All are welcome.
Crash
will be shown from 7-9 pm with a following
discussion with Rev. Jon Rehmus. (For mature
audience only) One of the best films of 2005 (and a
likely Oscar contender for best picture), Crash
is a provocative, unflinching look at the
complexity of racial conflict in America. A fine
ensemble multi-ethnic cast (including Sandra
Bullock, Don Cheadle and Thandie Newton).
For
more information, call Molly Chambers or download
this PDF
flyer.
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Hear
the roar! Feel
the mist! See
the mighty Falls!
July 16-29, 2006
Come experience the wonder of Niagara Falls
including some great educational opportunities while
being taken care of like royalty.
The UU Church of Niagara is conducting a four
day UU Niagara Experience which is a lifetime
opportunity to encounter the Falls up close from
every prospective, even safely riding beneath a
tethered balloon. Spend four days with us exploring
the rich historical and natural
wonders
around the Falls. For information, visit their web
site: http://www.uunex.net/
Mardi
Gras Dinner and Auction at All Souls –
February 25, 2006
Seafood
and Sausage Jambalaya…Vegetarian Gumbo…Bananas
Foster…are you hungry yet??? Plans are just
beginning for a follow up to last year’s
successful Holiday Auction and Dinner. This year,
we’re moving the event to Saturday, February 25th,
2006 (snow date: February 27th) with a Mardi Gras
theme. We’ll have Creole and Cajun food, jazz, a
children’s Mardi Gras parade through the church
and a silent and live auction. A portion of the
proceeds will go to the UUA Gulf Coast Relief Fund,
which is collecting money to help UU churches
distressed by hurricanes Katrina and Rita (and the
rest will go to help us meet our budget goals at All
Souls). It should be a really fun evening!
Can
you help plan this event? We need:
-
people to solicit auction items from community
businesses
- decorators (to turn All Souls into the French
Quarter for the
night)
- people to help the children make Mardi Gras masks
and costumes
- musicians to entertain and lead the children’s
parade
- cooks and cooks’ helpers
- set up and clean up crew
Call
Lynn Nichols or email her if you can help.
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Mitten
Tree
Please
remember this is the season decorate the mitten tree
put up yearly in the sanctuary. It will be erected
by December 14 when the Greenfield High School
Chorus performs for Mid-Week Music and be there
through the holiday season. Donations are divided
between the Family Inn and the Franklin Area
Survival Center.
Survival
Center Reminder
There
is a real need for warm winter clothing at the
Franklin Area Survival Center, especially
children’s clothing. Mittens are always needed. If
you can contribute, there is a basket in the
narthex. Whatever you leave will be delivered to the
center in Turners Falls. Of course, no matter what
the season, food is always welcome.
Shop
Western Mass
When
looking for that special holiday gift, you will find
unique locally made items on this wonderful web site
created by All Souls members Lynn Nichols and Don
Krüger. The URL is www.shopwesternmass.com
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Story Circle December 1st
A
Story Circle will take place on Thursday,
December 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at All Souls. The topic
will be "Gathering
Meaning and Power from Katrina" and led by
Curtis Mohammed.
Using
methods developed by nationally-recognized Junebug
Productions of New Orleans, Curtis Mohammed will
lead us in story-telling and reflection about what has happened there and the challenge of dismantling systemic
racism. There
is no cost to this program and refreshments will be
served. Space is limited so registration is
required.
"When
we tell stories, we are sharing with each other how
we put things together. When we share stories, we
share whole parts of ourselves… The use of a
circle
where
everyone can see each other is critical, as it
implies an equal, active and democratic role for
each participant." – John O’Neal
There
are many different approaches to the use of story,
but one particularly well-known and influential
approach is Story Circles, formalized by John
O’Neal, Artistic Director of Junebug Productions
based in New Orleans. Story Circles is the
foundation of Junebug’s artistic and activist
work, often dealing with issues
of
systemic racism, as in their recent national
initiative, the Color Line Project. John O’Neal
was also the founder of The Free Southern Theater
and a dedicated organizer through the Civil Rights
Movement to the present day, including recent
responses to Hurricane Katrina (along with fellow
organizer Curtis Mohammed).
This
event is part of the Nov. 28 – Dec. 6 a series of
events. New WORLD Theater in partnership with
Dismantling Racism in the Valley organizers, will
host a series of Story Circles and events addressing
the topic of systemic racism in our communities,
institutions and nation. This includes Friday and
Saturday December 2-3, performances by John
O’Neal, Northampton Center for the Arts.
Story
Circles use the age-old tradition of story telling
as a way to bring people together and to build
relationships among them. By telling our stories,
listening to one another and gaining understanding,
we can reflect on our lives in relation to our
community. Mutually
agreed-upon guidelines ensure that everyone
can
participate to the extent that he or she would like
in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Equal time for
everyone to speak equalizes power dynamics and
allows all voices to be heard.
The
story circle serves as an integral tool for building
and encouraging communication and knowledge. The
premise behind the process is that by allowing
people to hear each other’s viewpoints or
experiences in the form of stories, they gain a much
fuller understanding of alternative ideas and
experiences without unnecessary confrontation, and
without feeling that their own ideas are being
threatened or rejected. In arguments, we often end
up, at the end of the argument, confirmed in our
differences. But when we tell stories, we come to
different places. Communication between opposing
groups becomes possible, common problems can be
identified, and solutions can be developed.
The
process, like the stories that people use it to
share, is essentially oral in nature. When things
are written down, we have a tendency to treat them
as more
final
than they need to be. In story telling (and story
circles), listening is always more important that
talking. If you're thinking about your story while
someone else is telling theirs, you won't hear what
they say. If you trust the circle, when it comes
your turn to tell, a story will be there.
There
is time at the end to reflect on the stories shared,
whether you summarize all, or focus on a particular
story. Dialogue then results from, and is based in,
personal knowledge, experience and connections.
Organizers and artists alike have testified that the
use of Story Circles allows participants to speak
freely about feelings, connect with civic issues on
a very intimate, visceral level, gain respect and
empathy for each other and form lasting bonds.
The
Clarion deadline for the January issue is
December 28th. 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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