What Does It Mean to Be a People of Letting Go?
When cast into the depths, to survive, we must first let go of things that will not save us. Then we must reach out for the things that can.
- Rev. Forrest Church
All [of us] must leave room for the acts of the spirit. - Ursula LeGuin
We cling. You name it, we've wrapped our grasping fingers and anxious hearts around it: success, safety, society's standards of beauty, personal desires to be accepted, perfectionism, duty, fear, grudges, hurts, beliefs, hopes, stuff, shame, and privilege. Whether the object of our grasping is good or bad is not, as we learn, truly the issue. It's the grasping itself. That's the real problem. Holding on too tightly is not good for our relationships or our soul. So our faith pleads with us, "Let it go!"
But here's the twist: Our faith follows that up quickly with "Let it in!" This spiritual dance takes a two-step. As Forrest Church puts it, "letting go must be followed up by reaching out. Or maybe it's better to say opening up. Indeed, the tragedy of grasping so tightly is not simply that we anchor ourselves to that which burdens us, but that we end up shutting out that which is trying to save and feed us. Letting go is ultimately about letting in. It's really about making room".
And the great gift of Unitarian Universalism is its claim that this is what "salvation" is all about. With all due respect to our orthodox Christian brothers and sisters who see salvation as a process of becoming cleansed or purified, we join with those who see it as a journey of remaining open. To some, the world may appear a place chock-full of temptations to keep out, but to us the world is full of gifts, second chances, and new starts desperately trying to get in! However, because of our clinging, there is no room.
All of which means that letting go is really an act of faith. Yes, it takes strength, resolve, discipline, and courage. But mostly it requires we believe that, once we release our grips, life will not leave us empty-handed.
So friends, do you believe? Do you trust that making room will be worth it? Do you have faith that letting go will be met with a life-giving coming in? This month, let's find out.
Throughout this packet you will find spiritual practices, questions, and quotes to consider. Whether or not you are part of a Small Group Ministry, find someone in our community to talk with about your contemplations.
With love and abundant blessings to you as you dance this spiritual two-step!
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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Worship Services - Sundays at 10:30am
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Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord Most religious traditions teach some form of "letting go" as a spiritual practice. This service begins our month of reflecting on our theme of "letting go," including how much we can "let in" when we are willing to let go of many of the things we grasp for. Coffee Hour: Volunteer Fair Linda Goodman & Kali Fyre, Ministerial Intern
On Monday, October 12, many people will celebrate Columbus Day, but our faith calls us to fully understand the legacy of Christopher Columbus, just as it calls us to respect and learn from indigenous peoples and support their struggles for social justice and religious freedom. That is why Unitarian Universalists instead will be honoring Indigenous Peoples' Day. Rev. Jeanne Nieuwejaar, Minister Emerita These words that we sing each week graciously capture the mission of UUCM's recently formed team to support Women in Transition from Prison to the Community. In this service we will reflect on the deep spiritual and social challenge of this mission and will hear from several of our volunteers, sharing moments from their experiences with women we have assisted. Coffee Hour: Kickoff for Sharing Friends Kali Fyre, Ministerial Intern
The spiritual life is not a life before, after, or beyond our everyday existence. No, the spiritual life can only be real when it is lived in the midst of the pains and joys of the here and now. --Henri Nouwen
We will explore the roots of theological diversity, how our understanding deepens, and what makes us shift in our beliefs -- or not -- in the face of challenge.
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Many people brought to the Worship Committee's attention that despite the fact that our mission statement includes the words "care for our shared earth", the Affirmation that we share each Sunday has no mention of our honor for and care of the earth. Starting on September 13, we have a new affirmation that includes this important value. Here's the new affirmation:
Love is the doctrine of this church, the quest of truth is its sacrament, and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace, to seek knowledge in freedom, to serve human need --- to the end that all souls shall grow into harmony with the earth and with the sacred -- this do we affirm and covenant with each other.
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Lifespan Religious Education
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Lifespan RE offers programs for children, youth, and adults.
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Religious Education Committee (REC)Chair: Sandy Frades ( sandyfrades@comcast.net, home 603-673-2955, or cell 603-533-2995) Members: Genevieve Coursey, Jamie Ferrier, Leslie Formby, Erna Johnson, Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord, Debbie Maloney, Sue Olsen, Donna Ryan, and Beth Soederberg The RE program for children and youth will be in full swing starting Oct. 4. We are excited to welcome several new families with children and youth to our community this fall. You will see a new term this year -- RE Sunday Coordinator. This person will do much of what our DRE used to do on Sunday morning. In most cases it will be Jamie Ferrier, our new Office & RE Administrator. On her Sundays off, a member of REC will perform her duties. Each Sunday the white board at the Garden Entrance will say who the RE Sunday Coordinator is for that day. Children & Youth RE Calendar for October10/1 6pm REC/Potluck Meeting 10/3 5:30-8pm Family Small Group Ministry 10/4 10:45-11:45am Circles for K thru Grade 8 begin 4-5:30pm OWL 7th-9th grade 10/10 12pm Family Small Group Ministry @ the Pumpkin Festival 10/1110:45-11:45am Circles 10/17 5:30-8pm Family Small Group Ministry 10/18 10:45-11:45am Circles Noon Sharing Friends Kickoff 4-5:30pm OWL 7th-9th grade 10/24 5:30-8pm Family Small Group Ministry 10/25 10:45-11:45am Circles 4-5:30pm OWL 7th-9th grade Nursery: Heather Trono has been hired again this year to be the constant in our nursery. Joe Bennett will be assisting her. Friendship Finders (1.5 to 4.5 year olds)Spirit Play (K-Grade 1) After an opening circle, the Circle Leader tells a story using concrete materials/props, followed by more interaction with the children. Spirit of Adventure (Grades 2-3) Children learn 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. Traditions with a Wink (Grades 4-6) This circle teaches our UU traditions while adding fun to help kids connect to issues and stay enthusiastic about their church experience. Neighboring Faiths (Grades 7-8) This curriculum involves visiting churches, temples, synagogues, and other places of worship. This fall we will again have a month of Sharing Friends. We need adults to sign up to be paired with a child or youth. (High school youth can also participate as adults.) We'll have a kickoff event after church on October 18 where you will meet your sharing friend, have some food, and play some games. After that, SF mailboxes will be put out in Barnum Hall where you can leave notes or little surprises for each other. On November 1, we will prepare a breakfast for ourselves and family members. Sharing Friends will formally end at noon on November 15, but we hope sharing friends will continue to talk and meet at coffee hour for a long time. (See Sandy on Sunday to sign up.) The group met with their advisors, Crista Burrel and John Dowd, during the RE Kickoff to discuss what they wanted to do this year. Plans will be announced soon! The UUCM Children's Choir is open to all children (ages 5-10ish) who love to sing. Songs will be taught by ear (no reading needed) and the choir will sing for the congregation every 4-5 weeks. Facilitated by Cathy Goldwater, they will meet every Sunday morning at 10:00am, starting Oct. 11 (location to be announced). Questions? Contact Cathy ( cathy.goldwater@gmail.com or 465-7933). Each Sunday we provide snacks for our children/youth in their Circles. We follow the UUCM Allergen Policy. We continue to ask that parents and others bring in snacks. Our RE Sunday Coordinator will divide up the food for each Circle meeting that day and augment it when necessary from our cupboard. Pat Schmitz will be making sure we have volunteers signed up for each Sunday. To get a list of snacks that meet our allergen policy, ask Pat or Jamie Ferrier. If you wish, you can submit your expenses for reimbursement to Jamie. Sign up to bring snacks at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044cacaa2eaa8-snack/
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Our Small Groups at UUCM offer a chance to connect with others, sharing matters of the soul. We come to UUCM seeking spiritual growth, to know ourselves better, to grow in our capacity to handle the ups and downs of life, and to grow in our understanding of others and the wider world. We come to ponder the age-old questions of faith: how to live, and what beliefs and spiritual practices sustain us. We also come for the comfort of company along the journey. We seek "ultimacy and intimacy," as theologian James Luther Adams described it. Many of us gain depth and support from sharing in small groups. Our Small Groups foster a quality of relationship among us that beckons forth hidden possibilities. You are invited into a deeper, more constant, more reverent relationship with the world and with one another.
In 2015-2016, we will have several group meeting options. If you have been meeting with a group, now is the time to sign up again or change to a new group. Some people find it meaningful to change groups yearly as a way to get to know different people. Groups will begin meeting at the end of September and early October. Signup forms are available on the Garden Door shelf or sign up online.
If you have any questions, please give me a call at 603-673-1870 x2.
Love and abundant blessings to you on your soul journey,
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
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(music@uucm.org or 978-772-5870)
We have wonderful, enthusiastic, committed musicians in our congregation who are ready to launch a new church year with some new musical offerings aimed at including singers and instrumentalists of all ages.
Choir: Our dedicated choir will support Sunday worship with heartfelt, meaningful anthems. We rehearse every Weds. from 7 - 8:30 and most Sundays from 9:15 - 10:00. We have already welcomed several new members and look forward to more. Please join us!
Singing for All Ages: Cathy Goldwater has offered to direct a children's choir. Learn more here.
On Sundays when we have multi-generational worship, Linda Goodman will lead a muti-gen "pick-up" choir. See the weekly newsletter for rehearsal times.
Our "Sing for Your Supper" sing-along will resume Oct. 21, 6:15 - 7:00, following the community supper. Join us in the sanctuary every third Wednesday after the supper for this informal gathering.
Instrumentalists: Two instrumental groups will enhance our service music. The UU Toots, a trio of recorder players, will have their 2015-16 debut at the Peabody Mills program on September 27. The UU Ukes, a group of ukulele players will join us at a later date. If you would like to be part of these ensembles or have other musical talent to share, please notify me. Will Coursey will enhance our worship services with his drumming.
Amy Conley is creating a list of school-age instrumentalists. Contact her to be included in worship participation. (amy@amyconleymusic.com or 249-9560)
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UUCM  News & Activities
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Minister's Schedule Rev. Barbara will be away from October 5 through October 15. In case of emergencies while she is away, please contact Mark Schwartzberg (603-494-5607), Lynn Coakley (603-204-8873), or Donna Ryan (603-809-6507).
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Could you use a good laugh? We welcome back Roy Zimmerman to UUCM with his well-traveled guitar. "This Machine drives neocon, jingoistic, war-mongering, xenophobic crypto-fascists from the room!" "What can one person do about climate change, torture, racism, gun violence, fracking, ignorance, war and greed? Write funny songs", says Roy Zimmerman. "The Faucet's on Fire!" is ninety minutes of Zimmerman's hilarious, rhyme-intensive original songs. His songs have been heard on HBO and Showtime. He's shared stages with Bill Maher, Robin Williams, Ellen DeGeneres, John Oliver, Kate Clinton and George Carlin. He's been profiled on NPR's "All Things Considered," and he's a featured blogger for the Huffington Post. $18 or pay what you can (and he really means this).
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We are a congregation of many talents! Find out how to lend yours to enrich our ministry by visiting our Volunteer Fair. Committee representatives will be manning tables and providing information about the projects we're planning for the coming year. We hope you will come learn more about all the ways we serve together at UUCM. The day promises to be fun and informative. Questions? Contact Leslie Bennett at 603-672-4865 or leslieyingling1@aol.com.
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These festive gatherings in members' homes offer the chance for people to connect in small groups, share light appetizers and beer/wine/softdrinks, and deepen our connections through appreciative inquiry. Child care will be available if requested.
The evening will be casual and fun (similar to Circle Dinners), and our hope is that each gathering will also include a structured time to talk through bigger ideas related to church life, including What brought you to UUCM, Why do you continue coming? How can we work together to make a more connected congregation?
Sign-up sheets are available in Barnum. Looking forward to seeing you there! If you have questions, please contact Leslie Bennett (603-672-4865).
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Thanks to the dedicated work of John Shonle, Bob Baker, John Miller, Lou Springer and Jack Conaway, the granite foundation blocks of the Shelley house have been transformed into retaining walls, perfect for sitting.
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A student minister is not only mentored by the minister, whom she/he meets with at least once a week, but also by a teaching team. Our student minister, Kali Fyre, will meet with her teaching team once a month (without the minister). Many thanks to those have agreed to serve on Kali's team during this 2015-2016 congregational year: Nancy Baker, John Shonle, Ellen Groh, Hal Sands, and Carolyn Opre. Of course, Kali will be learning from everyone in the congregation. That's what it means to be a teaching congregation.
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Jamie joined UUCM as the office and RE administrator in August 2015. She 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 will generally be in the office on Tue-Thurs from 9:30am-5pm. Check here. On Sunday mornings, she will be at church to help ensure that the RE program moves smoothly. Jamie can be reached at office@uucm.org or 673-1870 ext. 1
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Our former office administrator, Stacey, is celebrating the arrival of daughter Sophie Anne Morison (6lbs. 10oz.) at 4:05am on Sunday, September 20. Sophie and Mom are doing well.
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We send our warmest wishes to Rev. Tamas Tofalvi and his wife, Kinga, who welcomed their daughter Fanni (pronounced Fawn'ee) on September 3. We hope all three of them will be visiting us in Milford in the spring of 2016. This would mark an exciting time in the life of our partnership, allowing deeper understanding of our Unitarian history and contemporary issues in the village.
Picture yourself celebrating a Transylvanian Thanksgiving in our Partner Church village at this time next year. The trip includes visits to historic UU sites and a 3-4 day stay housed with families in our Partner Church village - details to be shaped by those making the trip. To learn more about this trip or to stay current with Partner Church activities, please contact Peggy Stokes at PeggyStokes@comcast.net or 321-4686. You can also stop by our table at the Volunteer Service Fair to learn more!
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Four new books in the UUCM library in the Founders/Fireside Room:
- Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman, given by Jeanne Nieuwejaar
- A Religion of One's Own by Thomas Moore, given by Ruth Heden
- Peace Pilgrim, Her Life and Work in Her Own Words, given by Pat Nelson - There are also some small, 32-page booklets, Steps Toward Inner Peace by Peace Pilgrim, that are free for the taking. If the container is empty, contact Erna or Pat.
- Dancing With Fireflies by Clemens Carl Schoenebeck, given by Linda Higgs.
Books in the UUCM library may be checked out by filling out the card in the pocket and putting the card in the blue box on the shelf. When returning the book please place it in the basket on the shelf. Questions? Contact Erna Johnson efj3@cornell.edu
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Don't throw it away! Instead, put it in the rack near the kitchen door at the church. Anyone who would like to read a copy may take it.
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Amazon and other online stores will donate a percentage of their profit to UUCM. There is no cost to you and it is quite easy. The most popular site is Amazon, and there are two ways to interact with them.
- Amazon Smile - You pick the charity and each time you go to Amazon, it reminds you that you are supporting UUCM. More info.
- 2ClickFundraising - You start on the 2ClickFundraising site, then choose Amazon. If you already have items in your basket, exit, and then re-enter from 2ClickFundraising to proceed and trigger the donation. More info.
- In either case, your Amazon experience is unchanged. Smile returns a smaller percentage than 2ClickFundraising, but every little bit helps.
There are links to both Amazon Smile and 2ClickFundraising on the UUCM home page. Ask Bryan Higgs or Dona Eaton for help, if needed. See other ways you can support UUCM.
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UUCM's WITT continues its work to support women as they are released from the Women's Prison in Goffstown. Over the summer, we held three trainings for volunteers and prepared a WITT brochure. You can read much more about WITT here. If you are interested in working with WITT, contact Donna Ryan ( djryan105@aol.com) or see us at the Volunteer Fair on Oct. 4.
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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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October: Carole Treen (treencarole24@gmail.com or 603-493-3561)
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Canned meats, side dishes (seasoned pasta mix, hamburger helper, etc), sandwich bread, apple juice.
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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