What Does It Mean To Be A People of Expectation?
God give us rain when we expect sun.
Give us music when we expect trouble.
Give us tears when we expect breakfast.
Give us dreams when we expect a storm.
Give us a stray dog when we expect congratulations.
God play with us, turn us sideways and around.
- Michael Leunig
Pray for our expectations to be turned on their heads? Give us tears when we expect to be fed? Give us wild obligations when we expect congratulations? Turn us sideways? You want us to pray for this? Hope for this? That's a bit nuts! And a bit UU.
We all know the common mantra: "You get what you expect." That, most certainly, is part of what it means to be a people of expectation from a UU perspective. We believe that human beings have tremendous power to shape and create their own experience. If you expect people to be good, you will discover and notice goodness. If you believe life is on your side, you will see opportunities unfold over and over again. This form of relating to expectation is about reminding ourselves that we have control. It's about noticing we have options. It's about taking hold of the situation and putting our stamp on it.
And yet there are also moments when letting the situation take hold of us is good for the soul. Sometimes holding too tightly to our desired expectations leaves us blind. Sometimes getting what we expect leads to expecting to always get what we want. Sometimes the most important question is not "Are you ready to take control of the reality in front of you?" but instead "Are you willing to let go of expectation and be led by the unknown?"
The November-December holidays can be loaded with expectations: about community and family traditions, about the gifts to be received, about how the gifts we give are received by others, and more. This is a good time to practice just being present to the moments and days as they unfold. Lighten up on expectations of yourself. Give until it feels good. And notice all the joys of the season that gladden the mind. As you live from a core of kindness and peace, trust that all will be well. This month, may you grow from noticing your expectations. May you be inspired by them and then let them go in the unfolding moments of this season.
I wish you and your dearest ones love, warmth, peace, joy, and beautiful moments during this season of lights in the dark,
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
For spiritual practices, questions, quotes, and other resources on December's theme of EXPECTATION, click here. These resources come from the Soul Matters Sharing Circle, which Rev. Barbara contributes to.
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Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
For your own contemplations, check out the Resource Packet on December's Theme of EXPECTATION. After the service, you are invited to join Rev. Barbara in her study for a conversation about our personal religious roots and our "expectation" theme. This is a good opportunity for newcomers to meet Rev. Barbara and some folks from our congregation.
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord & Carolyn McCreary, Music Director Music of the Hanukkah and Christmas season manifests light and hope during this darkest time of the year. This is a service for all ages! (Note: If this service is snowed out, it will be held on Sunday, December 20 at 10:30am.)
Linda Goodman with
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord A special ceremony filled with wonder, seasonal music, and quiet anticipation for all ages, especially children. You will be invited to walk a large spiral path laid out in evergreen boughs. At the center, you will receive a gift of candle's light by an "angel." As you walk the spiral path, you will place your light on a star along the path. After everyone has walked the path the room is filled with the light of many candles shining on sparkling crystals. Come share the wonder. Please call Linda Goodman (673-6567) with questions or to offer assistance with planning and set up. (Note: If the Holiday Music service is delayed by weather until this morning, then this Winter Solstice Spiral will be held at 4pm this afternoon.)
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord & Sandy Frades  The best Christmas Eve service for families with children and those young at heart. We will share a Christmas story, sing some Christmas carols, and light candles for all babies born since last Christmas Eve. As is our tradition, at the close of the service, we will light candles while singing Silent Night.
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord & Carolyn McCreary, Music Director Candles, music, and readings to celebrate enduring light in a dark season. Candles will be lighted for babies born since last Christmas Eve. As is our tradition, at the close of the service, we will light candles while singing Silent Night.
Kali Fyre, Ministerial Intern
Today, we will meet at the intersection of December's theme of Expectation and January's theme of Resistance. Can expectations shape our behavior? How are we affected by the expectations of others? Is our response different when the expectations are our own?
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Lifespan Religious Education
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UUCM is offering several multigenerational services this holiday season for our children and youth.
- December 13 - Holiday Music Service for all ages. An alternative activity will be offered for those too young to enjoy this service.
- December 20 - Our annual Winter Solstice celebration
- December 24 at 5pm - Family Christmas Eve service
- 7-9th grade OWL
- Dec 6 at Peterborough from 1-5pm
- Dec 13 & 20 from 4-5:30pm.
- HSYG - Dec 6, 13 & 20 from 5:30-7:30pm (NOTE time change)
- MSYG - Dec 28 from 1-3pm at Souhegan High School for an indoor climbing adventure. Click here for more MSYG events throughout the year.
- RE Circles on Dec 6 only; multigenerational services on Dec 13 and 20; and a game day on Dec 27.
- Nursery and Friendship Finders available every Sunday
- Children's Choir (ages 5-10) rehearsal on Sundays from 10-10:20am
will start on January 10, in place of Circles. Parents will be contacted soon with information about the mandatory parent meeting. More about this program. especially for children will no longer be provided in Circles or in Barnum Hall during coffee hour. If food is available at coffee hour, parents must be aware of possible allergens. Occasionally snacks will be offered during special RE events or special circle events.
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A great opportunity for newcomers. Gather in Rev. Barbara's study after the morning's worship for a conversation about our personal religious roots and the expectation theme of the morning service.
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Potluck with Childcare - Dec 19 from 5-7:30pm
Bring a dish to share. All enjoy a communal dinner, and then children are cared for while adults share conversation around a topic. (You don't have to have children to join this group!)
Sign-up forms are available on the Garden Door shelf or sign up online. Contact Genevieve Coursey or Rev. Barbara for more information.
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UUCM  News & Activities |
We celebrate the Turning of the Light with lovely magical music and simple dances around a center of candles and greens, all wearing white or light clothing. Teens and adults welcome. No experience necessary. All dances are taught. Donation: $5 to $10 to share rental cost. Contact Mary Koon 487-2732;
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Yes, a good potluck is hard to resist, even on Christmas Day. So spread the word among family and friends to join us yet again. The kitchen will open at 3pm and feasting will commence at 5pm, followed by a regifting Yankee Swap for those who wish to participate. Contact John Bigl.
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A congregational meeting was held on November 8th.
- Following a thoughtful and spirited discussion, the budget, which could only be provisionally approved at the annual meeting, was finalized.
- A resolution was adopted charging the council to review the policy of rentals for memorial services. The council is to report back to the congregation with the results of this review
More than 25% of those who made a pledge last spring have yet to make any payment. It's important that everyone make periodic payments toward their pledges so the congregation can meet its monthly obligations. Many members have set up automatic weekly or monthly payments using online banking at their financial institution. If you have questions regarding the status of your pledge, please contact our Treasurer, Curtis Hermann at treasurer@uucm.org or Jamie at office@uucm.org. Thanks, everyone!
The Council has approved sabbatical time for Reverend Barbara to occur in two parts: 4 weeks in February 2016, and 8 weeks in October and November 2016. Our congregation's agreement with Rev. Barbara provides for the accrual of 1 month of sabbatical time for every year of service. Barbara's last sabbatical occurred in 2012-2013. She has since accrued 3 months. Her sabbatical time is intended to be used for study, education, professional and religious growth, and other forms of spiritual and professional renewal. An ad hoc subcommittee of the Council has been formed to organize the February sabbatical. A pamphlet will be available to let congregants know more about the sabbatical, and where to turn for pastoral support during Rev. Barbara's time away. The Council is recruiting congregants to be part of a committee to plan for the second segment of Rev. Barbara's sabbatical in the Fall of 2016. Anyone interested can contact Mark Schwartzberg (603-494-5607 or mark.schwartzberg@outlook.com) or Tricia Jalbert ( 603-673-8797 or triciajalbert@gmail.com).
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- Enjoy breakfast or lunch in the Cafe.
- Shop beautiful handmade crafts and laurel wreaths
- Discover one-of-a-kind items in the Ritzy Boutique
- Buy luscious baked goods and preserves
Pi  ck up a coupon from the Garden Door shelf or at the Holiday Fair -- or print out your own. A percentage of all purchases (including gift cards) made at Toadstool Bookshop in Milford on Saturday, December 12 will go to UUCM. Get the coupon and help UUCM!
If you shop online, you can help UUCM earn money. It costs you NOTHING except one extra click. That takes you to the store's website, and your shopping experience is exactly the same as always. UUCM gets a percentage of all sales that start at 2ClickFundraising and Amazon Smile. More Information.
Read more useful tips from the Communication Team.
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House too small to host your holiday gathering? Need a venue for your office party? Consider renting space at UUCM. Members get discounted rates. Contact Jamie office@uucm.org
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- Contact Northern New England District (NNED) congregations directly to determine their needs and help identify resources to help, calling this a Listening Campaign.
- Serve as a catalyst for connections among congregations, encouraging and fostering "cluster interactions."
- Provide opportunities to ask big questions about how to live Unitarian-Universalism in different and sustainable ways.
- Facilitate faith-based community building for unchurched folks who find that UU values resonate with them.
- Provide an information resource center so we can be best practice innovators.
- Read the announcement from NNED.
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 At the June 2015 Annual Meeting, UUCM voted to oppose the Northeast Energy Direct Pipeline. Act now - rally and march to petition Gov. Hasson to STOP the NED pipeline. Register here. Read more information. |
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 Volunteers are still needed, especially for Ritzy Boutique and the Cafe'. - Bring your plastic grocery bags and bubble wrap for wrapping purchases; leave them in the sleigh in Barnum.
- Make a laurel wreath at one of our workshops (Sat., Nov. 28 at 1:00, or Sun., Nov. 29 at noon -- both in Barnum).
To volunteer, sign up at Coffee Hour or contact Marti Kennedy 673-6164, or Betty Sweeney (575) 636-4302, or email Marti (mamamarti@mac.com).
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Take a star (or two) from the Christmas tree in Barnum Hall, and buy a gift to give to a SHARE family member. Instructions are on the stars.
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Each year, the Milford Methodist Church helps the Salvation Army raise funds which are used to serve those in need locally. More bell ringers are needed to stand for an hour at Shaw's or Market Basket. If you can help, please contact Tami Davis-Betelak (martin.betelak@comcast.net, 672-9082, or 801-5256).
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Members of the Women In Transition Team (WITT) meet monthly to plan ways to support women as they leave the NH State Women's Prison in Goffstown. Current activities:
- In December, Jeanne Nieuwejaar and WITT members will run workshops, open to all women in the prison. These December workshops have been well attended in past years.
- WITT continues to provide transportation to women as they are released from prison, giving each woman a toiletry bag and offers of continued support.
WITT wants to expand the scope of our efforts to include working on political advocacy for a more humane criminal justice system. If this is of interest to you, please contact one of our co-chairs: Donna Ryan or Linda Higgs. |
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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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December: Barbara Smith 603-493-2927
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Canned fruit, apple juice, condiments, cooking sauces & seasonings, cooking oils.
That time of year might soon be upon us. In the event of bad weather, you can check whether the church is open in several different ways.
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, newsletter archive, 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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