Do not believe in anything simply because it is found written in your religious books.
Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders.
Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations.
But after observation and analysis, when you find that anything agrees with reason
and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it.
~Gautama Siddhartha, the Buddha
Dear Friends, We are moving from a season where many of our celebrations and rituals are based on scripture. For this month of January, we will reflect on the definition of scripture and the role of scripture in our lives. Some narrowly define scripture as the books of the Bible, consisting of the Hebrew and Christian bibles, otherwise known by Christians as the Old Testament and New Testament. Some widen the definition to include the sacred writings of any religion. And some go further to include any body of writings considered sacred or authoritative. One definition in an internet source defines scripture as anything that is written, noting that once something is written it takes on an authority that it may not have had in oral transmission. The word "scripture" comes from the Latin scriptura "written material" and scribere "to write". The Buddha's guidance on scripture, authority, and tradition resonates with our Unitarian Universalist "living tradition". We are called "to see for ourselves" through reading, experience, conversation with friends and teachers, and knowing our own minds. So this topic of scripture relates to authority, and we are invited to reflect on what holds authority for us. What is the hierarchy of values we live by and why. As the Buddha teaches, we are called to observe, analyze, reason, and ask the question, "Is this conducive to the good, and will it benefit all beings?" Take a look at this month's Scripture theme resource packet on our website. Also, the Family Resource Packet on Scripture authored by Sandy Frades has a definition of scripture and good questions for people of all ages to consider. For example: "Do you know the 10 Commandments? Do you think they are relevant today? Is there anything missing?" The 10 commandments are listed there for your easy reference. The materials also include a list of famous Bible stories. Do you and your family know them? There is also a list of children's books - many by Rabbi Sandra Eisenberg Sasso. You won't want to miss three programs related to this month's theme. After worship on January 4, I will lead a conversation about Scripture in the Fireside room. Popcorn Theology on January 9 will screen Godspell (rated G), based on the Gospel of Matthew. Nancy Baker's Light Left On series continues with a session on Scripture on January 11. And always there are opportunities to reflect on these themes in our Small Groups. I wish you much joy in your contemplation and may the New Year bring you and your precious ones health and happiness, Barbara Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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Sunday, January 4 at 10:30am - Scripture
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
This service launches our month of contemplating the role of scripture in our individual lives and cultures around the world. How can scripture nourish your spiritual life and what are the limits? This Sunday also begins our month of considering what we will each pledge to next year's budget to support the life of our congregation and the good work we do together in our shared ministry. Each Sunday, an individual will give a personal testimony about the meaning of this spiritual community in their lives.
12:00-1:00pm - Meet & Greet with Rev. Barbara in the Fireside Room and a discussion of this month's theme.
Sunday, January 11 at 10:30am - Stained Glass Stories
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
The stained glass windows in our sanctuary depict key teaching stories from the New Testament. What stories do they tell? How did they ground our forebears' faith and continue to be relevant for us today?
12:00-1:30pm - Join Rev. Barbara for today's UU&You topic on the history of our congregation, including the building and the bylaws.
Sunday, January 18 at 10:30am
Martin Luther King Sunday: Sustaining Scriptures
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
What scriptures sustained Martin Luther King and continue to sustain many African Americans and other oppressed people in their struggle for freedom and civil rights?
Sunday, January 25 at 10:30am
Tao Te Ching: The Power of Flow
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
As Huston Smith writes, Taoism counsels "a way of life that would have us enter more deeply into the world...With water as its teacher, it invites us to see that much of our flailing in life's river stems from our thinking that we must labor mightily to stay afloat. We do not realize how much its water supports us of its own accord." This Sunday, we celebrate the gifts of this wise scriptural source.
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You can contact our music director, Carolyn McCreary (music@uucm.org 978-772-5870), for more information about our music programs.
"Sing for Your Supper" - January 21 After the Community Supper - 6:15-7:00pm in the Sanctuary
This month we'll sing favorites from the best of Broadway: songs from The Sound of Music, West Side Story, South Pacific, Oklahoma and many others. All are welcome. Please join us!
Choir Happenings
In January we will begin preparations for our spring music service scheduled for late March. We so enjoyed preparing "They Called Her Moses" for last year's music Sunday and anticipate another inspiring service this spring.
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Lifespan Religious Education
LRE Events for all ages -- children, youth, adults -- are listed here.
See other church events in the UUCM News & Activities section.
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From Our DLRE, Cyn Fennelly
The New Year is truly a time to count my blessings as we all move forward. A dear friend once shared with me an excellent way to do so. She and her family would save requests for donations all year in a special box the children had decorated. On New Year's Day the family would gather around the box and go through it together. No matter how small their donations might need to be in that year, each letter was a chance to take stock of their blessings. Sometimes the donations were money, sometimes materials, and sometimes hours, but the family would decide together what they would support and how throughout the New Year, and gave thanks that they could offer help.
I share this because it helped me and my family through many hard times as well as warming us in the good times. I feel that same spirit here at UUCM, and wish to support that spirit throughout 2015! Our curriculum for this half of 2015, beginning January 4, is designed to help involve our children in social justice activities, which I know our congregation and families will be happy to share in. Our children's sense of justice and desire to help is very strong, and I credit the families and congregation for their support. If you would like to share our journey and have lots of fun along the way, please contact me at dlre@uucm.org or 603-716-0327. I wish you peace and joy, Cyn In Our Hands: This Social Justice Program prepared by the UUA is full of fun activities, games, and stories designed to move good thoughts and feelings toward action. We will slightly change the age ranges for the groups to even them out. Purple People Group will now be K - Grade 3, and Green Youth Group will be Grades 4-6. OUUL (Our Unitarian Universalist Life) Group will continue exploring their own attitudes, beliefs, questions, and culture while considering how Unitarian Universalism can support them on their journey. Middle School Youth Group will celebrate the New Year with a swimming outing on January 11. YRUU will reschedule the Dessert Dash Kickoff event and will gather on January 25 at the Concord UU church from 5:30 to 7:30 for a cooperative youth meeting to explore reactivating our youth group. Friendship Finders and our Nursery continue to supply a loving and safe space for our youngest congregants.
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Middle School  Youth Group Gathering (Grades 5-8)
Sunday, January 11 - Noon
Youth will gather at noon to have lunch together, followed by a short check-in and sharing. Then we will go to Hampshire Hills for an afternoon of swimming. Everyone should bring a bag lunch, a bag (for clothes), a bathing suit, and a towel. We expect to return to UUCM around 3:30-4:00pm. Contact Beth Soederberg (bsoederberg@sunriselabs.com or 472-3376) or Sandy Frades (sandyfrades@comcast.net or 673-2955) with any questions or suggestions.
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UUCM Family Resource Materials
The Religious Education Committee (REC) provides a UUCM Family Resource each month for parents to use to enhance our themed RE program. It is similar to what Rev. Barbara provides each month, but shorter and geared toward children and youth. It provides information to parents on what the children/youth will be doing in their circles and classes as well as other events. It provides activities and resources that families can enjoy together related to the monthly theme. Link to the January UUCM Family Resource materials on Scripture here.
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Popcorn Theology - Godspell
Friday, January 9, 7-10pm
In keeping with our theme of Scripture, we will be screening Godspell. This G-rated musical from 1973 is based on the gospel according to St. Matthew. It's a series of stories and songs, like the Bible is. Join us for this irreverent, wacky look at the scriptures and for a lively discussion afterwards. Cider, wine, and popcorn will be available to share.
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UU & You - UUCM History - January 11, 12-1:30pm
Led by Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
This is a great way for folks who are new and those who have been around for awhile to learn about our congregation's history dating back to the 1820's. We will learn how our building was funded and how the site was chosen. We will also gain a deeper understanding of our current Bylaws and the governance structure of our congregation. The best part is that we will get to know one another in the process. (This program was rescheduled from December 14, because of a death in Rev. Barbara's family.)
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The Light Left On: A Monthly Exploration of the History of Theology and the Search for Spirituality
Sunday, January 11, 5-7pm
This month we will look at some of the famous sets of scripture in world religions, looking for commonalities and enjoying the ways scripture is illustrated in art. We will also explore the art of translation as we see how a passage evolves from the original language through many attempts at translation, some of which do not go back to the original, but are "translations" of translations within the same language. Finally, you will learn to read and write a little in Sanskrit as we take a close look at this beautiful language that is used in the Hindu, Buddhist, and Jainist traditions. All are welcome, but please sign up in Barnum if you plan to come so we can plan food for sharing a simple meal together. Questions? Contact Nancy Baker at ntbaker@att.net.
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Sermon Seminar Beginning in JanuaryThis adult ed program prepares individuals to offer a worship service. More than 60 people have done this over the past 20 years and found it to be an enriching and positive experience. You don't have to be an experienced public speaker. You don't have to have a special area of expertise. All you need is a desire to feel a deeper connection with the congregation and be open to sharing some of your life experience or spiritual journey. We are looking for people to join a small group in a monthly seminar beginning in late January to prepare for services offered in March and April. You will get all the support you need - from brainstorming ideas to practicing in the pulpit. Please think about it! We like to offer this opportunity to those who have not done it before first, but if you have done it and would like to do it again, please let me know! Sharing your experience in the seminar group will be helpful to others. If you have questions, contact Nancy Baker at ntbaker@att.net.
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A Prison Ministry Workshop
Sunday, January 18 - 12:15-3:00pm
With Rev. Beth Richeson, Chaplain at the Women's Prison in Goffstown
This workshop grew out of a meeting with Jeanne Nieuwejaar after her sermon about prison reform. As you know, Jeanne volunteers at the Women's Prison in Goffstown. At that meeting, we at UUCM expressed a lot of interest in helping women as they leave prison with little more than the clothes on their back. In preparation for an action project in support of recently released prisoners in our area, Jeanne has arranged for Beth Richeson to offer us this workshop.
We will be joined by folks from neighboring UU congregations as well as by one or more women who have served time in the Goffstown prison. The program will lead us to reflect on some of our own assumptions and feelings, will help us to clarify how we can best be of support to released prisoners, and will offer a time to begin our plan of action. A light lunch will be served. Please contact Sandy Frades (673-2955 or sandyfrades@comcast.net) with any questions.
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Sunday, January 25 from 12-2pm
UUCM Celebration of Annual Giving
When you let your money move to things you care about, your life lights up. That's really what money is for. -- Lynne Twist, The Soul Of Money Think about abundance. Imagine that UUCM receives plenty each month from members and friends to cover our operating expenses and more. Imagine NOT having an annual giving campaign! This is the vision at UUCM-and we are not alone. Many UU congregations are finding ways to set up automatic giving and eliminate annual campaigns. Let's try it! With this in mind, we have two goals this year:- To engage everyone in the annual giving process.
- To encourage all who can to give on an automatic, recurring basis by setting up recurring payments from your bank to UUCM.
We will conduct an Express Annual Giving Campaign in January 2015 for the church year beginning on July 1, 2015. Here's the plan:- We will send letters and pledge cards to members and friends inviting them to attend a 2-hour conversation after church on January 25.
- Those who cannot attend will be invited to return their pledge cards in advance.
- On January 25, we will enjoy lunch, explore UUCM finances, talk about how money frees us to put plans into action, and ask attendees to complete and submit their pledge cards.
- We will reach out to those who do not pledge by January 25.
That's it. Simple. Direct. Easy. We expect this new, streamlined approach will free us to undertake meaningful projects-strengthening and deepening our connections with each other and with the wider world. If you have questions or want to be more involved, please reach out to Leslie Bennett (leslieyingling1@aol.com; 603-672-4865)
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News from UUCM's Trustees of the Endowment
Delegates to the 2014 UUA General Assembly approved divesting the UUA Endowment of most stock investments in fossil fuel companies. The resolution permits the UUA to keep some fossil fuel stocks in companies with which the UUA is engaged in shareholder advocacy actions seeking environmental justice.
At UUCM, the Trustees have been discussing whether to make any investment changes to our endowment along the same lines. Part of our charter is to address social justice issues when possible. The UUCM endowment is mostly invested in mutual funds; we own no individual stocks. Almost all mutual funds own stocks in the energy sector of the U.S. economy, and most of those companies are involved with fossil fuels.
At our November meeting, we took these actions:
- We decided to divest a mutual fund that had about 15% of its stocks in the energy sector. The fund has not been performing well and it is growth-oriented rather than value-oriented - and we need more balance between growth and value.
- We made an initial investment in the Green Century Equity Fund, which invests primarily in stocks and bonds of environmentally responsible and sustainable U.S. companies. It does not invest in fossil fuel companies; it does invest in companies with high environmental standards. We will monitor this fund closely for financial performance and for the results of its shareholder advocacy.
If you have not yet made a contribution to UUCM's endowment in response to our Christmas appeal letter, the Trustees ask you to consider doing so to honor the environmental justice spirit of these investment changes.
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Holiday Fair Thank You from Marti Kennedy
As the Holiday Fair Coordinator, I am primarily responsible for organizing people and finding a lot of tables. But those things don't make a Holiday Fair. The things those people do with all those tables are what make a Holiday Fair.
I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to:
- Everyone who shared precious hours of their time staffing the fair, preparing body and soul-warming food, and creating remarkable gifts to help make our fair successful. Your spirit of volunteerism inspires me.
- Lisa Rothman, our Crafts Lead; Nancy Iannuzzelli and Cammie Opre, our Bakery Leads; Dona Eaton, our Café Lead; and Elise deMichael, our Ritzy Boutique Lead. You are all such strong women, committed to making each part of the Fair the best it can be.
- Scott Bennett, the Brawny Bunch Lead, all the men, women, and teens who came out to help set up and take down all those tables, and Peggy Stokes for lending us about half of those tables.
- Claudia Everest for bringing the beauty and magic of the season to life with fresh, wonderful garlands and colorful decorations.
- Lois Hermann, Hospitality Lead, who kept the warm cider flowing and had a wide smile for everyone, and Ray Iannuzzelli, who kept the cider crockpot full and sold raffle tickets at the same time.
- Cynthia Treen, for spending the day with us, and donating the gorgeous raffle assortment.
- Sue Wahlen and Erna Johnson, for being busy elves behind the scenes, making tables appear, and toys and books disappear.
- The Laurel Wreath Team, led by Bob and Dona Eaton, who went out under less than ideal conditions, gathered laurel from beneath cold, hard snow, and turned it into lovely handmade wreaths.
- The Monday morning Crafts group, who are as generous with their time and wisdom as they are talented with their hands.
- The sisterhood of the Ritzy Boutique, who bring a festive energy and a wicked sense of humor to one of the biggest, most time-consuming jobs of the Fair.
- Betty Sweeney, my partner in this endeavor. You were always there when I needed you, willing to do anything I asked, and are a joy to work with.
- Finally, a personal thank you to Linda Higgs, Dona Eaton, and Barbara Smith. Not only did I stand on your shoulders, I leaned on them, and cried on them a little, too.
Thank you all so much!
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Save Those Christmas Cards!
The craft group would love to have your used Christmas cards at the end of the season. We use them to make recycled gift tags. Give them to any craft group member at church or leave them on top of the coat closet shelf for us. Thank you!
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UUCM Library News - Featured New Book
The newest addition to the UUCM library is Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence by Laurence Steinberg. Direct questions or thoughts about the UUCM libraries to Erna Johnson efj3@cornell.edu
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UUCM to Host SHARE Community Supper
Tuesday, January 6
UUCM will be the sole host for the Jan. 6 Community Supper at SHARE. That's coming up soon, so we need to line up volunteers ASAP! Can you fill one of these slots?
Monday, January 5
3:15pm - Food prep in UUCM kitchen - 4 volunteers
Tuesday, January 6
3:15pm - SHARE kitchen - 2 cooks needed to join Carl Olsen & Peter Lippitt
4:00pm - Setup Crew - 6 needed
5:15pm - Greet & mingle with guests; do a head count - 2 needed
5:15 - 6:30pm - 2 servers & 2 runners needed
6:00pm - 2 dishwashers needed
6:30pm - Dining Room & Kitchen Clean up - 4 needed
Please consider volunteering as we continue our Community Outreach, furthering our mission to Honor Each and Enrich All. Contact the Community Supper Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Danzinger (ndanzinger@comcast.net, 673-9561).
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| Volunteer at the Nashua Soup Kitchen - Jan. 11
We need 5 volunteers each month on the second Sunday from 10:30am to 2:00pm. Contact Nancy Iannuzzelli for more information or to volunteer (672-2701, niannuzzelli@hotmail.com).
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UUCM Community Supper - Weds., Jan. 21
Our suppers are becoming ever more popular! To learn more or to join the pool of volunteers, please contact Nancy Danzinger, UUCM Community Supper Coordinator, (ndanzinger@comcast.net, 673-9561), Barbara Smith (673-6629, brbsmith@me.com), or Dona Eaton (donageaton@gmail.com, 673-7526).
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Circle Supper - Saturday, March 7
For Circle Suppers, hosts provide the main dish, and guests are asked to bring other courses. Please consider hosting a supper for a minimum of six people, including hosts, and a maximum number of your choosing. If you live in a small space, you could join another person or couple with a larger place to host. We're also looking for a family or two to host Circle Suppers for families with children. Signups for hosts and attendees will begin in mid-January.
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Weather Cancellations Cancellations on Sunday It's Snowing - Are Church Services and/or Children's Programming Cancelled?
To find out whether church is closed: - Check the uucm.org website
- Call the Church office at 673-1870
- Check WMUR-TV or www.wmur.com
- Check the websites of: WZID.com, 965THEMILL.com and WFEA1370.com (no on-air announcements on these three stations)
- And listen or look for the "Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Milford."
Closings on Other DaysIf the office is closed, there will be a message on the answering machine. It is best to call ahead to assure someone is in the office. For meetings or activities, check with the group leader.
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SHARE - Contribute to the Food Pantry
Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Canned fruit, apple juice, condiments, cooking sauces & seasonings, cooking oils. Guidelines: Bringing Food & Serving Alcohol at UUCM
Please observe UUCM's Food Allergen and Alcohol policies on the UUCM Policies page.
Parking at UUCM
Please park ONLY in marked spaces to allow for the 20' fire lane required by law. For more parking information (including a printable map), click here.
UUCM Directory (updated Nov 20)
In the Members & Friends section on the UUCM website, you will find the latest directory, committee listings, and info about people who've moved. Or you can get a directory from the UUCM office. If your contact information is incorrect, email office@uucm.org with 'Directory Changes' in the subject line.
Services provided by UUCM members & friends, rides to the airport or bus terminal, recipes, how to buy or consign clothing and goods with the proceeds going to UUCM -- plus links to hundreds of shopping sites where your purchase benefits UUCM, and much, much more!
So Many Ways to Volunteer! Signup sheets in Barnum.
- UUCM coffee hour cleanup.
- Nashua Soup Kitchen, 2nd Sunday each month. Contact Nancy Iannuzzelli (672-2701)
- Contact Nancy Danzinger (673-9561, ndanzinger@comcast.net) to help with:
- UUCM's Community Suppers, 3rd Weds. every month.
- Community Suppers at SHARE, 4 hrs. one Tuesday every other month.
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