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UUCM
September
Newsletter
2015
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August Greetings! What gorgeous summer days we have been having! Our southern New Hampshire landscape has been stunning. John O'Donohue says that "a beautiful landscape is a wild invitation to extend your imagination. It invites you to cast off the shackles of time as you wonder at the mystery of the universe within yourself and beyond". Our theme for September is INVITATION - an opportunity to reflect on the many ways life invites you to grow. It's time to invite each other back into the circle of community - an open circle to which we invite other seekers on their path toward wholeness and connection. Let's assure each other that we belong, no matter what. Click here for the Invitation resource packet. I've been enjoying seeing many folks over this summer, as we participate together in Summer Services, Family/All Ages events and circles of volunteers preparing for our programs for children and youth. I look forward to seeing more of you in September!
As always, blessings of love and joy to you, Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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Our Summer Services are smaller in scale and less formal than our regular services. They provide a way to keep our connections alive through the summer. More aptly called "significant Sunday sharing", these sessions provide a time to share our joys, concerns, thoughts, and inspirations in a meaningful way. The leader usually supplies a word, phrase or theme, which leads to a group discussion that can evolve in any direction. There's no sermon and little ritual, but there is a wonderful feeling of nurturing our spirits by sharing our thoughts and experiences.
As part of our annual congregational retreat at Ferry Beach, Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord, Kali Fyre (Ministerial Intern) and Carolyn McCreary (Music Director) will lead a multigenerational worship service in the Grove with song, readings, and opportunities to connect. Come to the peace of tall pines and the seashore. Join the Multigenerational Choir, which will rehearse after this service to prepare for Sunday morning's service.
Another Ferry Beach multigenerational worship in the Grove with Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord, Kali Fyre, and Carolyn McCreary. We'll notice the connections between "Invitation" and "Earth." The Multigenerational Choir will sing.
Linda Goodman & Nancy Baker The invitations we offer as individuals are different from the ones we issue as a congregation. At UUCM we reach out in more than just a welcome, for our voices are many, varied, and experienced in fellowship. We call newcomers to our special place and enjoy sharing stories of our community life and vision. Every year we welcome each other to a new adventure in living our mission together. This service will celebrate our welcoming spirit as we begin to explore what invitation truly is.
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord and Kali Fyre, Ministerial Intern As we begin our new congregational year, everyone will gather for this multigenerational service of homecoming in our sanctuary. Please bring water collected during the summer to be mingled in our common vessel. As we mingle our various contributions of water from the summer, each of us will share our name, the source of the water, and what we will bring to this beloved community in the year to come. After the worship service, we'll share in the fellowship of our first coffee hour of the new congregational year. Read more about the Water Communion Ritual.
NOTE LOCATION: 66 Brook Rd, Amherst, NH Rev. Barbara Mckusick Liscord & Others We will open our service by gathering in a large circle of community. Then you will have options for guided explorations - walking the trails, exploring the pond, music, or gathering inside the building with Mimi Moulton for a circle of reflection on the role nature plays in our spiritual maturity. You are invited to bring your picnic lunch so that we can break bread together after our explorations. More about Peabody Mill Environmental Center.
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Would you be interested in receiving a bit of intellectual stimulation each week in your email that looks at the theme of each church month in a thought provoking way? The little tidbit would be brief - a short poem or prose passage, a visual image, or a link to a bit of music, accompanied by a question to consider. These tidbits would explore the ways we use abstraction to sort out the essentials in our lives. The tidbit would be "live" for a week, allowing you to enjoy it by yourself or respond to the question. (Naturally, any conversation would be thoughtful, civil and limited to those who "subscribe.") Over the course of a month, there would be four different tidbits on the theme.
The idea of this posting is to try another type of adult education offering that doesn't require leaving your home or making a specific time commitment to participate. It's just another way to connect in a meaningful way and learn from each other. If you'd like to be added to the email list to receive the tidbits, send me an email to sign up. Nancy Baker ntbaker@att.net
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Lifespan Religious Education
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Last spring we talked about RE-imaging our RE program without a Director of Religious Education. The reality is here and the experiment begins! We are excited about the events and activities we have planned. But we will need support and help from you!
We are embarking upon a cooperative RE program. There is no fee associated with our program, but we do expect our parents to participate in a variety of ways throughout the year. We are also reaching out to non-parents to volunteer. We have opportunities in the following areas:
- Circle Leaders (see ages and curriculums below)
- Sunday Assistant to make sure everything is ready for the Circles
- Organizing or helping with special events
- Provide childcare for special events
Members: Scott Bennett, Genevieve Coursey, Leslie Formby, Cathy Goldwater, Erna Johnson, Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord, Debbie Maloney, Sue Olsen, Donna Ryan, and Beth Soederberg
This summer Rev. Barbara and Genevieve Coursey started the All Ages Gatherings, which have been a big hit and will continue during the church year in the form of Family Small Group Ministry and other family activities.
Calling all parents, children, youth, circle leaders, RE Committee members, and anyone interested in finding out what is happening this year. We will introduce the curriculum for the year, explain how things will work, what's different, and how you can be involved. You can talk to the circle leaders or a member of the REC. You can register your kids as well. We will provide pizza, salad, dessert and beverages, play games and have fun.
The Curriculum Team (led by Sue Olsen with Sandy Frades, Cathy Goldwater and Linda Higgs) met during July to find the right curriculum for each age group.
Nursery: Heather Trono has been hired again this year to be the constant in our nursery. The nursery will be available starting Sept. 20th.
Friendship Finders: For 2 to 4.5 year olds. This will start Sept. 20th.
Circles for K through 8th grade will begin on Sunday October 4th. All Circles through Grade 6 do not rely upon a child having been present at previous sessions.
Spirit Play: For K-1st grade. After an opening circle, the Circle Leader tells a story using concrete materials/props. This is followed by a time for wondering out loud, and then an art response and a work time. Selected materials are available for the children to work with until the closing circle. During the closing circle children reflect on how the story relates to one of the seven UU principals.
Spirit of Adventure: For 2nd-3rd grade. Learning UU identity and principles with an emphasis on movement, games, and exploratory activities with limited use of arts and crafts, fine motor activities and lengthy listening. This program will appeal in particular to active children. The lessons focus on eight larger themes: Sports, Medicine, Food, Winter Holidays, Science, Building, Exploring, and Web of Life. Each session is built around positive actions and focuses on UU's who were active, inventive, and adventurous
Traditions with a Wink: For 4th-6th grade. Teaches our UU traditions, while adding some fun to help children connect to issues and stay enthusiastic about their church experience. Some lessons invite other folks to participate: the minister, musicians, members with particular interests or skills, etc. The time spent together will include activities for group building, introducing the tradition of the day, hands on activities, asking questions and sharing reflections.
Neighboring Faiths: For 7th-8th grade. This curriculum involves visiting churches, temples, synagogues and other places of worship. The group chooses the places to visit. They learn about the faith the week before they go, then visit, and the following week hold a debrief.
The OWL coordinators are Rev. Barbara, Kim Lavine and Beth Soederberg. In an effort to provide a vibrant 7th - 9th grade OWL experience for our youth, UUCM will be joining forces with Peterborough Unitarian Universalist Church. By combining the two Congregations we can offer our youth more diversity and a social community that goes beyond UUCM.
Each congregation will have two OWL Leaders. UUCM is so fortunate to have Kristin Rounds and Paul Liscord to lead the OWL program.
The plan is to have each Congregation hold six individual OWL sessions with the youth from their own Congregation. We will then join together at one of the Congregations for a multi-session gathering along with a social component. This pattern will repeat 3 times throughout the church year for a total of 18 individual sessions and 3 multi-sessions.
Our individual sessions will meet at UUCM on Sunday at 4:30pm.
OWL for K-2nd Grades and 5th-6th Grades
These OWL sessions are 8 weeks long and will begin in January. More information will be available later.
The Senior high school group, facilitated by Rev. Barbara and Paul Lavertu, will be meeting Sunday evenings starting in the fall.
The Middle School Youth Group (MSYG), led by John Dowd and Crista Burrel, will meet monthly. More information will be available later.
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UUCM  News & Activities |
We are sad to say goodbye to our fabulous Office Administrator, Stacey Morison. But what joy to celebrate her top notch service with UUCM and the upcoming birth of her first child. Join us for a potluck lunch on Friday August 28 at noon and send Sandy Frades a pledge toward our parting gift for Stacey. We are delighted to announce that we have hired Jamie Ferrier for the new position of Office and Religious Education Administrator, and she joined the UUCM staff in August 2015. Stacey and Jamie are working together to assure a smooth transition. Jamie attended the University of Vermont, where she received her bachelor's in mathematics. She has worked in several fields, including medicine, statistical research, and hospitality, in addition to owning her own art business.
Jamie is a new resident of New Hampshire, but is originally from New England. She spends most of her time with her daughter, Evalina, creating art, or gardening. Jamie is really looking forward to becoming part of and serving the UUCM community. Jamie can be reached at office@uucm.org and at 603-673-1870 ext. 1.
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- The deadline to submit items for our Monthly Newsletter email is the 20th of each month. Send items for the monthly newsletter to news@uucm.org.
- Weekly Update emails are usually sent out each Wednesday. The deadline to submit items for the weekly update is Monday of that week. Send items for the weekly email to office@uucm.org. The weekly emails will begin again the week of Sept. 14th.
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In September, we'll think of our Partners as they celebrate the Transylvanian Thanksgiving; a time of celebration and harvest.  In September 2016, we plan to join them in person in Romania for this celebration. The trip includes visits to historic UU sites and a 3-4 day stay housed with families in our Partner Church village. The Partner Church Committee had a fundraising event earlier this year to support Rev. Barbara's travel.
If you are interested in learning more about this trip, or other Partner Church activities, please contact PeggyStokes@comcast.net or 321-4686.
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We need 5 volunteers each month on the second Sunday from 10:30am to 2:00pm. Contact Meghan Hoye for more information or to volunteer (424-3431, meghan_jeff@comcast.net)
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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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November 7, 2015 will be our first Celebrating Our Connections gathering! Similar to Circle Dinners, these gatherings are organized by the Congregational Development Committee. Small groups will connect in members' homes to broaden and deepen our connections. Sign-up sheets will be available in Barnum--but mark your calendar now! You don't want to miss what promises to be a great evening of fellowship! Child care will be available. If you have questions, please contact Leslie Bennett (603-672-4865).
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August: John Bigl 603-554-5620
Sept: Marti Kennedy 603-673-6164
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs:Canned fruit, baking supplies (flour, sugar, etc.) & boxed mixes, coffee, tea & juices.
Please observe UUCM's Food Allergen and Alcohol policies on the UUCM Policies webpage.
Weekdays before 6pm and Saturdays before 5pm: Park only behind the church or in the circular driveway in front (and NOT in front of the Garden Door). For more parking information (including a printable map), click here.
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.
Minutes from Council meetings and Treasurer's reports, 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!
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