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Unity Church of North Easton News
(Unitarian Universalist)
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"We Pledge to Walk Together..."
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Volume 2, No. 7, September 28, 2012
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 Minister Musings
Some say the two major learning tasks in life are learning how to say "hello" and learning how to say, "goodbye." I have observed that people die better, and their families grieve better, if everyone has a chance to say all that needs to be said beforehand - expressing appreciation and thanks as well as forgiveness for any unresolved hurts.
After someone dies, I know that a family is probably going to "be okay" when they can tell stories of both the person's strengths and failings, laughing and crying. Holding up both honors the whole human being, and the breadth of our experience.
A minister leaving is a sort of loss, and the wisdom of how to say goodbye is the same. It will go best if we can find some time to share appreciation and forgiveness, if we can tell stories of success and failure, laugh and maybe even cry.
The better congregations say "goodbye" to a departing minister, the better able they are to say "hello" to the next minister. So in these last two weeks, let us make time to say what needs to be said, because from that we will grow in one of the major tasks in life - learning how to say goodbye. One thing is sure, I will miss you.
To give us more chances to say farewell, I will hold extended office hours at the following times. Of course, I can meet you at other times if these do not work for you.
Saturday September 29th, 11 am to 2 pm Wednesday October 3rd, 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Saturday October 6th 1 pm to 3 pm
Blessings,
Tess
So You Can Move Forward... Ministry is a strange profession. You have the chance to get closer to people than you do in almost any other job. Also unlike almost any other job, when you leave you have to sever those ties. This means that after October 15th we can have no intentional contact.
Just what does "no intentional contact" mean? It means no more emails, phone calls, or visits between me and the friends, members, and staff of Unity Church after October 15th. We can no longer be "friends" on Facebook or connect through other social media. However, if we run into each other by chance, we don't have to pretend we do not know each other. We can chat, briefly, about our lives but we cannot discuss the church or any new minister.
This does not mean I do not care for you - I do, and always will. It means that I want you to move forward in the best possible way. Many faith traditions recommend this practice based on years of experience showing that congregations do better if clergy make a full departure. As the UU Ministers Association Guidelines say, congregations are especially vulnerable during ministerial transition. Departing ministers must minimize their influence and presence in the congregation, so it can move forward.
When a new minister is settled, he or she may choose to establish a covenant with former ministers that may allow some contact. Such agreements typically prohibit talk of what's going on in the church or about the new minister. The former minister supports the congregation's well being by not interfering with the new ministry. So again, this boundary does not mean I do not care for you - it means I care greatly for you. It means I want you to move forward in the best possible way.
A Stitch in Time A while back I promised to teach some kids and adults how to knit, and would like to make good on that promise. So if you're interested, we'll have a "Sit and Knit" in the conference room at Holly House from 10 am to Noon on Saturday October 13th. No experience necessary! Please bring your own yarn and needles.
Sunday Services
Office and Minister Hours
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A New Congregational Discussion
This past Sunday at the Special Congregational meeting, the 38 members who attended voted to move to part-time ministry in order to balance our budget. With Rev. Tess' impending departure in October, this brings a great challenge and perhaps an opportunity to Unity Church.
This year is going to be a transition to a different way of doing things, and we need to plan our future.
To explore our many options, the Executive Committee will hold three congregational discussions over the next two months. They will be similar to the budget discussions held over the summer, and hopefully just as well attended. I know they will be just as productive.
The Executive Committee will spell out the differences between the types of Ministry so that everyone can understand them and we will all have a good basis for discussion. I think that once everyone is comfortable with the economics of the various choices, a very productive exchange of ideas on how to direct our funds and our energy will happen.
This will be a challenge but in the end I believe that the circumstances that we face together will help define us for the better.
Congregational Discussion Dates
- Wednesday, October 24 at 7 pm
- Thursday, November 8 at 7 pm
- Tuesday, November 27 at 7 pm
If you have any questions, please contact me at cbpender@comcast.net or 508-238-9181.
Respectfully,
Chris Pender, President
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And a Farewell Luncheon for Tess
There will be a farewell luncheon for Rev. Tess Baumberger following her last service at Unity Church on Sunday October 14, 2012. All are invited to attend, to celebrate the four years Tess has been our minister.
Homemade desserts are a welcome addition to our meal. We are looking for a few more people to help in the kitchen with setting up, serving and clean up. Please call Audrey Davies 508-238-3516 or Cheryl Brigante 508-261-9446 to volunteer or ask questions.
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Get to Know the Children of Unity Church!
by Deanna Greenstein, Coordinator of Lifespan Religious Education (LRE)
This year, we will be running the fall Religious Education program a bit differently! Each classroom will have one "permanent" teacher who is there every week, and one "revolving" substitute, who may be a different person each week. In this way, people interested in working with the children, but unable to commit to the full ten weeks, will have the opportunity.
This also enables the children to form connections with a wider range of adults in the church, and the adults to get to know all of those munchkins who are running around at coffee hour!
We need four volunteers each week to work with the children. Volunteer for just one week or all ten - we would love to have you!
To sign up, please see our Religious Education Coordinator, Deanna Greenstein at deanna.greenstein@gmail.com or 857-829-3285, or add your name to the signup sheets in the Chaffin Room.
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Mark Your Calendars Now for Some Fun!
The Fellowship Committee has been busy scheduling some fun events in the upcoming months. Please put these on your calendar now, and be sure to bring your friends and families, too!
- Oct. 27, 2012 - Halloween Party, 5 pm - 8 pm in Parish Hall. Costumes welcome on all ages. Volunteers needed to assist and donations gladly accepted. Contact Cheryl Brigante at cherylbrigante@hotmail.com or Sally MacIsaac at alexdanmac@yahoo.com
- Nov. 18, 2012 - Thanksgiving Luncheon
- Dec. 8, 2012 - Adult Holiday Party
Look for more information soon. In the meantime, if you have questions, please contact Cheryl Brigante, Fellowship Committee Chair, at cherylbrigante@hotmail.com.
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Lost and Found
A cell phone has been found in the Nursery Room in Holly House. It has a cute little boy photo on it. If you think it might be yours, please call Gail our Office Manager at 508-238-6373.
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Corn Chowder Recipe Revealed
Before th e Special Congregational meeting last week, you could hear people exclaiming, "Hey, who made that corn chowder?" It turns out that David Olson treated us to a homemade favorite recipe. Not only that, but he is willing to share it with us! Give David a big thank you when you see him, and click here for his recipe.
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The Rodman Ride for Kids is Tomorrow...
But you can support the School on Wh eels team until the end of November. The Rodman Ride will match 10% of every dollar donated to the SOWMA team via the Ride donation page until that date. Click here to learn more or make a donation. |
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Big THANK YOU to Our Sunday Helpers!
Thanks to our volunteers who recently helped to make our service and Social Hour wonderful:
- Jannelle Codiani, Chris Pender, Mark Kunemund, the Executive Committee, the Fellowship Committee.
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Unity Church Aiding Neighbors (UCAN)
Click the link above to learn about Social Justice at Unity Church.
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The Fundraising Corner
Click the link above to see fundraising opportunities for Unity Church.
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Contact Info
For questions or comments regarding this message, please contact Cathy Adler, Unity News Managing Editor & Web Administrator, at welcome2ucne@gmail.com . |
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