The Accessibilities and Inclusion Working Group asks your support and affirmative vote for two amendments that are being proposed at the Annual Meeting.

Bylaw Article XII. Section 6, on the Minister currently reads, "... shall not be restricted on the behalf of age, national origin, race, color, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, or physical challenge."

Article 4, Section 2 of the Constitution, referring to membership reads, "No test of creed, of faith, of national origin, of race or color, or of gender, or sexual or affectional orientation or physical challenge or similar test shall be imposed as a condition of membership."

We believe the language "physical challenge" in these non-discrimination statements, while the preferred phrasing at a previous time, is now seen as both incomplete and inaccurate. It suggests, for instance, that if only the wheelchair user would try harder, s/he could meet the challenge and walk. It also does not cover discrimination against those with psychological or emotional disabilities in calling a minister or setting conditions for membership. We suggest the simple "disability" be substituted. It would be both inclusive and accurate.

The Bylaw article would then read, "... shall not be restricted on the behalf of age, national origin, race, color, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, or disability."

The Constitution article would read, "No test of creed, of faith, of national origin, of race or color, or of gender, or sexual or affectional orientation or disability or similar test shall be imposed as a condition of membership."

The two amendments will need to be voted separately because a three-quarters approval is required to amend the Constitution and a two-thirds vote to amend the Bylaws.

Thank you for your consideration.

Please mark your calendar and plan to join us for our ANNUAL ALL CHURCH PICNIC, Sunday, June 14 following the Sunday morning Worship Service.  Cost is $5 per adult and a dish (not dessert) to share if you can.  We will provide the entrée (burgers, veggie burgers, hot dogs, etc.) , lemonade, and watermelon. Please join us for this fun annual event! The picnic is on rain or shine-we'll eat in Fellowship Hall if necessary. Please be prepared to help with cleanup before you leave.

We need a people to help in four ways:

PREP TEAM: to help with set up, light food prep service-slicing tomatoes, making drinks,  We will start about 9:00 am and be finished prior to the service at 10:00 am.

GRILLING TEAM: to set grill and run entrée items to the serving table (to start about 10:30 am)

STAFFING TEAM: set out food and monitor serving line, replenish food items and clear serving area (11:00 AM)

CLEAN UP TEAM:  to clean up tables and area, store left overs, clean a few dishes, etc. (to start about 12:45).

If you are willing to serve on any of the teams above, please sign up HERE or email Aaron Payson (arpayson@charter.net)

I know this is a time of year that is full of celebrations and endings and beginnings.  Let us celebrate the time we had together in Religious Education with a RE Fun Day this coming Sunday, June 7th.  RE Fun Day  will be activities to keep all ages and abilities engaged during the regular morning hours.  We will learn a song and make some "props" for our final RE Sunday service which in on June 14th.  We will also have some outside bubbles, chalk and games.

June 14th will be the Sunday where we thank all of our teachers for the wonderful worked they have done all year here at church.  I hope all the children can be involved with singing the song and the thank yous on that date.  Please keep it open.  Our annual picnic will follow.

Want to help your kids learn the song at home?  Click HERE

Thanks to the Youth Group and our wonderful chaperones : Bruce Leshay and Paul and Diane Vigneau...we had a fabulous trip to New York City this past weekend!

10 am All Children begin in the sanctuary and will be dismissed to fellowship hall for RE Fun Day following the children's coin collection. 

You can pick your children up in fellowship hall or out in the back playground following the service.  There will be childcare provided if you attend the annual meeting at 11:30. 

6 - 8:30 pm Youth Group Bridging.

Many of us begin the church year with a weekend of retreat, reunion, and reflection at Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine (http://www.ferrybeach.org).  The weekend is affordable and open to everyone. We join together with friends from First U, the downtown church, for beach walks, volleyball, time to rest, a talent show, and even a campfire!

Mark your calendars now for September 18th-20th.  Registration forms (CLICK HERE) can be collected through mail or after services in May and June.

Prices include dorm style accommodations, food and activities.

Camping is also available! We hope you'll join us this year! Please be sure to register by June 14th to assist us in the planning process.

The Annual Men's Mentoring & Camping Weekend is scheduled for August 29/30. If you are itching to cook some meat in a real campfire... or maybe just some s'mores with games and story-telling while getting to know other men & boys in the congregation, then come to Trout Brook Reservation in Holden for a pot luck cook-out, campfire, and camp-out. All ages are welcome, but boys under 13 should be accompanied by an adult (men are encouraged to bring sons/nephews/godsons/family friends). Talk to Dave Schowalter as soon as possible if you are interested (schowalter_david@hotmail.com, 508-829-1980).