Unity Church of North Easton News
(Unitarian Universalist)

"Welcoming people into community to grow in  thought, spirit, and service to others.
"

Volume 4, No. 15, May 29, 2015
In This Issue
Trusting the Path Ahead

Dear Unity Church,

As some of you have now heard, after more than a week of meeting with and preaching for the Unitarian Church of Harrisburg, my husband Christian and I ultimately chose not to accept the call to serve as their Senior Co-Ministers. We wish the good people of that congregation well, but ultimately felt that their needs were not a good match for the kind of ministry we feel called to do in the world together. Sometimes it stinks to do the right thing, and this was definitely one of those times. And though the decision was tough, we are agreed that it was absolutely the right one. 

Martin Luther King Jr. once wrote that "Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase." And while Christian and I may not know exactly how or where we will land next year, we approach this in-between time praying for that kind of hopeful faith, trusting that a path to serve will open out ahead of us.

This congregation finds itself in a somewhat similar place, not knowing exactly what form your ministry will take into the future, not really sure what church will feel like next year. But I want you to know that even though my time with and among you will conclude at the end of June, I will always be so proud to have been your minister. I will always be proud to have served with a people so committed to doing the right thing, even if at times it is hard, and so thoughtful in discerning what that right thing is. 

Christian and I have a wonderful support system, and feel confident about our future ministry, whatever shape it might take. But if all of this upcoming change at church has you wishing for someone to talk to, I hope you will let me know. I will be keeping my regular office hours through the end of June, and am happy to meet by appointment on Tuesdays or Thursdays to listen, to say goodbye, or to share prayers for the journey forward. 

In faith,
Rev. Kristin
Executive Committee News
by Melanie D'Aiello and Jannelle Codianni

Help Define Professional Ministry at Unity Church
During the Congregational Meeting on May 17th, it was agreed that a series of Cottage Meetings (a small group subject-specific meeting) would be held to explore and define what Unity Church members want to establish as priorities for professional ministry in the coming year(s).

The first of these meetings will be held on Sunday, June 7th from Noon to 1 p.m. 

The purpose of the first meeting is to brainstorm the many desires and options professional ministry could be for Unity Church and also options for Sunday's Services. 

This "storming session" will inform the following Cottage Meetings to help us "form" priorities for a search committee.

We hope to see you there!

Affirmations
At the beginning of every Executive Committee meeting, we go around the table and ask if there are any special affirmations anyone would like to make. Though they do make it into the EC meeting minutes every month, we thought it would be nice to express this appreciation in a more public way.
 
So, they are included in our Unity News regularly! Here are the
recent affirmations:
  • Jason Gold for his wonderful Sunday service and for leading annual meeting.
  • Melanie Willis D'Aiello for taking the minutes during annual meeting.
  • Katelyn Haven for doing a great Mother's Day Service.
  • Greg Wolfe for his hard work on the Safe Congregation Committee.
  • Steve Cook who, for the second time this year, has served this congregation for pastoral care in Kristin's absence.



Looking for Executive Committee and Church Meeting Agendas, Warrants, Minutes, or Member Contact information?
You can find it all on our web site under the Member Access menu, after you log in as a member.

Here is the Member Login 

If you have any trouble logging in, just send a note to the Web Administrator  using the instructions on the Member Login page.



Upcoming Fellowship Events

June 13: Circle Dinner at Ken and MaryLu Love's Please sign up on sign-up sheet in Parish Hall if you plan to attend.

 

June 14: June Jubilee: Please bring your lunch and a dessert to share. Fellowship will provide beverages. See the article below for more detail.

 

June 21: Farewell Luncheon for Rev. Kristen. This will be a pot-luck salad and sandwich luncheon with our traditional sundaes for dessert. Please sign up on the sign up sheet in Parish Hall.

 

June 26: Theater Night at the Black Box Theater in Mansfield. The musical 1776 will be performed. Since this is our first attempt at a group theater event, we would like to know in advance how many are interested. For those who would like to join us, we will have dinner at  McGuire's Bar & Grill which is on the way. However, that is optional.

 

Please RSVP no later than June 10. The theater is very small and we will need to purchase tickets ahead of time. The ticket price is $29. RSVP to Audrey Davies by email or call at 508-238-3516. 

 

The Fellowship Committee

Audrey Davies, Chair

Cheryl Brigante, Donna Hobart, Carol Heap, Edie Marsden,

Anne Fredericks, and Susanne Rogers



Hands & Flames
RE Notes
by Deanna Greenstein, Coordinator of Religious Education

As the Religious Education program comes to a close for the summer, the children are thrilled to report that they love Spirit Play! The launch of the program has been very successful!

Spirit Play will continue in the fall. I plan to work from home for a week or two once the newest Greenstein makes his appearance, and would like to arrange for a number of adults from the congregation to lead the stories in the Spirit Play classroom during the fall.

All that is needed is a ONE WEEK commitment, and all stories and props will be prepared and waiting for you! Who among us can't spare one week for our children? 

I will lead a brief Spirit Play introduction in June. Please contact me by email if you are interested in participapting.


Join us for a Community Clothing Swap!
Is your home full of clothing that is no longer your style? Are your children outgrowing their clothes practically before you can take the tags off? We can help!

Bring your gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to Unity Church of North Easton on Saturday, June 20 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and exchange them for things your family can use!

This event will be held on the front lawn of the church, weather permitting. In case of rain, the swap will take place indoors.

The event is FREE and open to the public! All items not taken during the exchange will be donated to families within our community who are in need *.

* If you are a family in need, please feel to join us and take items your family is in need of, no donations necessary.

Contact Deanna Greenstein for more information.


Chalice Only
In Worship 

Come to June Jubilee!
On Sunday, June 14, we will hold our annual June Jubilee service at the Governor Ames Estate at 35 Oliver St. in North Easton (directions and a downloadable map below), outdoors, weather permitting. 

If weather does not cooperate, the service will be as usual at the church sanctuary. This is a casual and celebratory service, with music provided by the Unity Church Band.

Until recently, the Governor Ames Estate was the home of Unity Church member Elizabeth Ames. For many years the Ames family graciously invited us to enjoy an outdoor Spring service on the beautiful estate grounds. The property is now owned by the Trustees of Reservations and we are once again able to hold June Jubilee at the estate.  

The service begins at 10:30 a.m., followed by lunch and time to enjoy the 36-acre surroundings. Please dress casually and bring lawn chairs, your lunch, and a dessert to share. 

Volunteers will be needed at the church at 9:30 a.m. to help bring supplies: card tables, music stands, podium, audio equipment, trash buckets, etc. Please contact Dick Hill if you can be a Unity "roadie".

Approaching Unity Church from Main Street, take the right turn onto Oliver Street before the church driveway. Follow Oliver St. to a 90-degree left turn. At the turn, go straight onto the driveway into the Gov. Ames Estate. If approaching the church from Elm Street, take a left onto Oliver Street before the YMCA and go left into the Estate when the street turns right. On-site parking is available.

Joys and Sorrows
The Worship Committee has been using a new approach for sharing our joys and sorrows at church services this year. Rather than have a line of congregants light candles and personally express themselves, we have had joys and sorrows recorded in a book at the back of the sanctuary and the service leader incorporates these into a community prayer each week.

We have received some feedback - from those who like this those who don't - over the past few months. We are requesting feedback from the congregation over the next few weeks to be considered before the Worship Committee decides what, if any, changes to make moving forward next year. Please contact any Committee member with your thoughts and ideas.

The Worship Committee


UUnited Youth Group Perspective
by Victoria Gold

I enjoy UUnited* for many reasons. One reason is because I am free to be who I am, knowing that nobody is going to judge me.

I asked another member of the group what their favorite thing about this youth group was, and she answered with, "I like how everyone is welcome and friendly. Everyone will be welcomed in and treated nicely. I have a hard time making friends but I have an easy time doing it there! That's one reason why I love it so much!" (Lexie Williams) and I completely agree. Michael Gold says "Some things I enjoy about being in the group is connecting with the other members through worship and socializing while enjoying snacks and playing foosball." 

But youth group is not just about having fun. At the beginning of each meeting, we do a religious lesson. One that I really enjoyed was a lesson that helped to show us that nothing can hurt you if you have courage inside. We blew up a balloon, tied it up, and put over a fire. Naturally, it popped. We then took another balloon and this time, before putting air into it, we put some water inside. The water represented the courage we have inside of us. This time when it was put over the fire, the balloon was fine, and the fire was extinguished.

Another thing about the group that I really enjoy is how I get to go and have fun with other kids who are Unitarian Universalists. I used to think that me, my brother, and my other friend were the only teenagers in the state that were UUs, but when I joined UUnited, I got to see that there were other kids that were UUs and that was really cool for me.

*UUnited is a Regional Youth Group of seven local area congregations, including Unity Church.


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Photo/Graphics/Video Credits for this Issue of the Unity News
Ellen Dehm and Cathy Adler

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