What Does It Mean To Be a People of Resistance?
The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls.
-- Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Our January theme -- RESISTANCE -- carries both internal and external meanings. The Buddha said "Change is never painful. Only resistance to change is painful." And yet, being a people of resistance means we do not passively accept violence, cruelty, injustice. Each act of kindness can be an act of resistance against a culture or power that would have you choose fear over life and love.
Sometimes being a people of resistance involves struggle and requires us to disobey; other times it asks us to just be ourselves and not hide who we really are. Sometimes it involves defeating the enemy; other times it is a matter of noticing that treating them as the enemy defeats us all.
It certainly takes the form of speaking our truth. But more often than not, it's about the harder task of speaking the truth in love. And it takes remembering that we are not alone.
Two people can keep each other
sane, can give support, conviction,
love, massage, hope, sex.
Three people can join to form
a committee, a wedge. ..
A dozen make a demonstration.
A hundred fill a hall.
A thousand have solidarity and your own newsletter,
ten thousand, power and your own paper,
a hundred thousand, your own media,
ten million, your own country.
It goes on one at a time,
it starts when you care
to act, it starts when you do
it again after they say no,
it starts when you say We
and know who you mean, and each
day you mean one more.
--Marge Piercy, from "The Low Road"
Think about all those New Year's resolutions that try to overcome our personal inertia? Who of us ever accomplishes that without help? Without someone holding us accountable or cheering us on?
In January, we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. as a great leader, but he himself preached that change requires a movement. None of us resists alone. None of us has to resist alone.
May this be the gift we give each other this month. Let's help each other remember to start by saying "We"!
Love and abundant blessings to you in the New Year,
Barbara
Rev. Barbara McKusick Liscord
For spiritual practices, reflection questions, poems, books, movies, and more, check out the January 2016 RESISTANCE resource packet.
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Worship Services - Sundays at 10:30am
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Rev. Barbara McKusick LiscordThis Sunday kicks off our January theme of RESISTANCE. What does it mean to be a people of resistance? ________________________________________ Nancy Baker, Sermon SeminarToo often we resist change or circumstances because we assume that answers to uncertainty must come from a reality that is verified by others. We miss the point that no lasting answer for ourselves can come from someone else's good intent or life experience. People don't really resist change. They resist being forced into a change that is not their idea. This service will explore the ways we use resistance to see the big picture of how we relate to the demands of right now. New members of this year's Sermon Seminar program will participate as readers, and you can anticipate their own reflections in the coming months. ________________________________________ Rev. Shayna AppelWe welcome back Rev. Shayna Appel, a beloved member of UUCM and a gifted worship leader. Rev. Shayna is currently serving the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Peterborough, where our Rev. Barbara will be leading worship this Sunday. ________________________________________ Carl Olsen, Sermon SeminarGrowing up Catholic, the certainty of God as Creator was without question. As a child, questioning parents, family, and community was unthinkable. With the passage of time, what happens when you not only question the concept of God, but reject it? We live in a culture where the word "God" is ever present with the attached expectation of belief in a supreme creator. But when you don't believe in God, what then? What then is faith, spirituality? Where do we find meaning and purpose? Come and explore the questions and the possibilities. ________________________________________ Rev. Kathy SchmitzLife gives us challenges, big and small. When this happens, it is possible to just survive or it is possible to thrive. Contemporary research can help us know how to make the difference Rev. Kathy Schmitz is the daughter of UUCM member Pat Schmitz. She grew up in Amherst and graduated from Milford Area Senior High in 1976. After graduating from Cornell University, she worked as a software engineer until deciding to enter the UU ministry and enrolling at Andover Newton Theological School. She has served congregations in Massachusetts, Texas, and Miami as both a settled and an interim minister. She has served First Unitarian Church of Orlando, Florida since 2010. Rev. Kathy is married with two adult daughters and three wonderful grandsons.
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Lifespan Religious Education
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Thanks from Sandy Frades, RE Committee Chair
I had two evenings of fun with the High School Youth Group as we organized for the SHARE Adopt-a-Family program. UUCM provided gifts for three families (including eight children). Thanks to those of you who donated gifts for our families. And special thanks to the youth group for really getting into the spirit of the program.
Sundays in January, starting Jan. 3:
* RE Circles
* Neighboring Faiths for Grades 7-8
* Nursery and Friendship Finders for infants and Pre-K
* Children's Choir (ages 5-10) rehearsal from 10-10:20am.
* High School Youth Group 5:30-7:30pm.
* OWL for Grades 7-9 at 4-5:30pm except January 24 (see below)
Other dates:
* Jan. 10 - OWL begins for Grades K-2 and Grades 5-6.
* Jan. 10 - Spirit of Adventure begins for Grades 3-4.
* Jan. 10 - Youth & Parent information session on NYC Service Trip (4/29-4/30)
at 5:30 in Barnum. Fundraising to help defray the cost will be discussed.
Registrations due 2/10/15 with $50 deposit (scholarships available).
* Jan. 16 - MSYG meets at 6:00pm at Souhegan High School for a movie.
See more upcoming MSYG events online.
* Jan. 23 - Family Small Group from 5-7:30pm.
* Jan. 24 - 1:00pm OWL for Grades 7-9 hosts Peterborough OWL at UUCM
For more information about all RE programs for children and youth, visit
The new year brings changes to our curriculum for some of our children and youth. We are excited to be offering Our Whole Lives (OWL) for K-2nd grade and 5th-6th grade starting on January 10th with a joint child and parent gathering. These workshops will start at 10:30am so these children will not be in the Sanctuary at the beginning of the service. Plans are in the works to provide something for all children even if they do not choose to participate in the OWL program.
Light the chalice and lead the affirmation on Sunday morning. We welcome anyone, and especially like our children/youth to participate. Sign up in Barnum Hall or at http://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c044cacaa2eaa8-chalice/
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UUCM  News & Activities |
 January 9 at 6:00pm
Pretend for a few wintry hours that you are on a Mediterranean vacation in Italy. Bring Italian or Mediterranean food to share. BYOB. After dinner, Bob and Dona Eaton will present a short travelogue from their trip to Italy this year.
Thursdays, beginning January 14, 6:30 - 8:00pm in Emerson Hall
Singers of all ages, faiths, and skill levels are invited to join this new singing community for the benefit of the community. Bring your kids! Bring your grandparents! Our mission is to provide an inclusive vehicle to let your voice be heard, to sing songs about things that matter, and to make a difference. When we sing from the place where we are all connected, we change who we are. When we change who we are, we change the world. Donation: $5 to $10 to share rental cost. Contact: Linda Goodman (603-673-6567 or linda.purpleturtle@gmail.com)
In honor of 100 years since the birth of Frank Sinatra, we will sing songs he made famous. Please join us for the sing-along in the Sanctuary after the Community Supper.
In anticipation of Reverend Barbara's sabbatical during February 2016, we have prepared a sabbatical brochure to let congregants know more about the sabbatical and where to turn for pastoral support during this time. The Council is now 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 ( mark.schwartzberg@outlook.com or 603-494-5607) or Tricia Jalbert (603-673-8797 or triciajalbert@gmail.com). During the first quarter of each calendar year, we ask members and friends to consider UUCM and make a financial commitment for the coming church year. That time will be coming around soon, and a team of committed stewards is preparing for the 2016/2017 pledge drive. Details are still being worked out, but we expect the campaign to feature the following components: - A leadership giving event on Saturday, January 30, where top givers, committee chairs, Council members, and hosts of the cottage meetings come together to kick off the giving.
- Cottage meetings during February where members and friends are invited to come together to talk about how much UUCM means to them, review UUCM's goals, and make their pledges. Sign-ups for the cottage meetings will be available in Barnum beginning January 24.
Our hope is that this simple process will be completed by early March, offering the Council and Finance Committee plenty of time to complete the budgeting process. If you have questions or want to get involved, please contact Leslie Bennett (603-672-4865 or LeslieYingling1@aol.com). Reminder: Council Minutes are in the Members section of the website at http://uucm.org/members/governance/governance-council/. Those Christmas cards you received can be made into gift tags for next year's UUCM Holiday Fair! In January, look for a shoebox on the church coat room shelf to place them in. The Monday morning craft group thanks you! At UUCM, food is frequently served in conjunction with meetings and other gatherings. We all love it! But, PLEASE:
- Take home all leftovers from these events. This means anything you would normally store in the refrigerator: all fresh foods, salad dressing, ice cream topping, mustard, mayonnaise, ketchup, soda, etc. Otherwise, it will be discarded. You may leave half-and-half and juices that can be served at coffee hour.
- You are encouraged to leave cookies, brownies, crackers, which can be served at coffee hour. Thanks!
- We prefer to use silverware and china. But there is also much leftover plasticware and many, many paper cups in the lower cabinets to the left of the commercial refrigerator. Feel free to use them -- and please do not bring more to church!
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Make a New Year's Resolution to...
Volunteer at the Nashua Soup Kitchen
Every month we need 3 volunteers to help Meghan Hoye (424-3431 or meghan_jeff@comcast.net) serve Sunday lunch at the Nashua Soup Kitchen. When: 2nd Sunday of every month Time: 10:30am-2:30pm Duties: Setup, simple food prep, serving, cleanup Who: Adults and youth 14 and older (accompanied by a responsible adult) Click here to volunteer for a Sunday. Thanks so much!
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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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January: Linda Higgs (603-673-7601 or lbhiggs@yahoo.com)
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Please leave contributions in the SHARE basket in Barnum. This month's needs: Stuffing, Instant Potatoes, Gravy (canned or dry), Yellow cake mix, Frosting, Apple Juice.
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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