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Unity Church of North Easton News
(Unitarian Universalist)
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"Welcoming people into community to grow in thought, spirit, and service to others."
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Volume 5, No. 13, Feb. 12, 2016
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In Memoriam
Reverend Jeanne "Holly" Bell (1930 - 2016)
Minister Emeritus 1974-1999
Reverend Jeanne Holly (Millett) Bell, 85, of Eden Trail and a resident of the Charlene Manor Extended Care Facility, Greenfield, passed peacefully on Friday morning, January 22, 2016, at the nursing facility following a period of declining health. She was born in Everett, December 9, 1930, to Robert N. and Leonora (Mann) Millett and was named Jeanne Hollyberry Millett in honor of the Advent Season.
Holly received her education attending Keene Public Schools, graduating from Keene High School at the age of 16. She attended Smith College in Northampton, where she obtained her BA in 1951. It was there that she found her passion for the Unitarian Universalist church. She earned her MA in Religious Studies along with the Stevens-Gesner Project at the Hartford Seminary Foundation in 1973. This Stevens-Gesner Project was a special program of the Unitarian Universalist Associations to educate religious leaders without a theological school.
Holly was the Director of Religious Education at the All Souls Church, Greenfield, from 1956-1970. She was ordained at All Souls Church after receiving her preliminary ministerial fellowship from the UUA in 1973 and where she built many lifelong friendships. In 1974 she became the minister of Unity Church in North Easton, retiring from her post in 1999 after 25 years of service.
She joyously moved back to Bernardston to be closer to family, friends and old neighbors. She was very happy to reunite with her first beloved Unitarian Universalist Church, All Souls in Greenfield. Holly enjoyed many activities that included the outdoors, hiking, camping, canoeing, bird watching and gardening. She spent many summers at Star Island and Rowe Camp which gave her a sense of purpose and spiritual refreshment. She was an avid reader and a dog lover.
Throughout her life, Holly outwardly demonstrated her social conscience by advocating and protesting for fair and equitable treatment of all. She continued to find deep and profound connections to the natural and physical world and was comforted and supported thinking that at death she would ultimately go back to the universe from which she came.
She is lovingly remembered by her children, Peter M. Bell and his wife Mary of Bernardston, Rebecca H. Becky Bell and her husband Edward Green of Castleton, N.Y., and Elizabeth M. Libby Kellard and her husband Robert of Danvers. Additionally she leaves her adoring grandchildren, Emily Bell Springett and her husband Doyle, Christopher H. Bell, Meghan E. Kellard and Alyssa M. Kellard. Holly was predeceased by her son, Marc A. Bell, as well as by her sister, Cheryl Herman. Several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews will remember her with great affection. She was the spouse of the late Hubert W. Bell and the late Gerald C. Bailey.
In keeping with Holly's social consciousness and desire for simplicity, she will be cremated. A memorial service will be observed to celebrate her life at a future date.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Holly to the Unitarian Universalist Association, 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210 (giving.uua.org/friends). The McCarthy Funeral Homes of Greenfield and Turners Falls, have been entrusted with the arrangements. Guest book and condolence message available at www.mccarthyfuneralhomes.com. Condolences may be sent to Rebecca Bell, 1603 Tina Lane, Castleton, NY 12033.
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 Religious Education Reminder
Children's Chapel is Coming!
and your help is needed.
The theme of this year's service is Our Principles in Action. The children have examined our seven principles, and come up with ways in which they can help others by putting the principles into action. The children have created posters to explain their projects, which you can find hanging in Parish Hall. If you haven't seen them, this is a list of the amazing things our youth are doing, and how you can help!
Abbie, Samantha and Hunter are collecting old blankets and towels to donate to the animal shelter, so that the animals can use them as beds to sleep on.
- How can you help? They are looking for donations of blankets and towels.
Damon, Ashton and Sadie are collecting spare change to buy new coloring books for the family room at the hospital.
-How can you help? They are looking for donations of spare change or new, unused coloring books.
Henry and Naomi are creating shopping bags for the CommUnity Closet.
-How can you help? They are collecting donations to purchase bags, or donations of unmarked fabric shopping bags.
Winnie and Liam are organizing a food drive for the food pantry.
-How can you help? They are collecting non perishable food items.
Athena is organizing a sock drive for refugees.
-How can you help? She is looking for donations of clean socks (new or used), or financial donations with which to purchase socks.
Ryn is planting a garden, so that she can donate the vegetables to the food pantry.
- How can you help? She is looking for donations of seeds.
Colin, Jack, Chloe and Anthony are making cards and pictures which they will deliver to nursing home residents.
- How can you help? They are looking for donations of card making supplies, or you can make hand made cards and pictures for them to deliver.
Solana is asking people to sponsor her for each mile that she runs this winter, and she will donate the money she raises to the food pantry.
- How can you help? Talk to Solana or her mom Illona.
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 CommUnity Closet update
The CommUnity Closet, a shop in Holly House that will provide free gently used clothing to families in need, is coming to life! We're on our way to creating a beautiful shop together. Here are some things we need:
- We need some folks to do the Laundry! Up in the White Room are pre-bagged loads of laundry, inside the bag you will find another bag for you to place the clean and folded clothes in and bring back to church. If you decide to take more than one (thank you!) please keep them separate, as the clothes have already been sorted into types.
- We need hangers!
- Mailing letters and following up with local businesses!
- Money! Have no time, but a bit of spare cash? There are a few items needed that will need to be purchased. If you would like to donate the money to purchase the items off the Wish List, please send your check to Unity with CommUnity Closet in the memo line.
I am so excited about this project! I am wrapped in the joyful feeling of helping to create a space that will hopefully help people who are in the middle of a struggle feel loved and cared for, while bringing our Church Mission to life in a truly tangible way. I encourage you to take the opportunity to be involved in this powerful ministry. - Jannelle Codianni
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Affirmations
We start every Executive Committee meeting by affirming those who particularly stood out during the previous month. 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:
- Greg Wolfe, Katelyn Haven, Nicola Wilbar and Adam Greenstein for the music they have provided at services.
- Lori Miller-Freitas, Deanna Greenstein, Katelyn Haven, Anna Linzi and Rev. Jim Robbins for the services they led.
- All of the people who from the 5 Points Clusters who participated in the Music Service at Unity on December 27th.
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 Fundraising Fun
We will once again host them, April 15 - 17, 2016. Church members register to provide a bed and/or floor space, a shower, and a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday mornings for a nominal charge that goes directly to Unity Church. This was a wonderful success last year, generating good will and funds for our community. This is our fifth successful year. You can find more details about this event on the NEFFA page of the Unity web site under the Calendar & Events menu.
You can talk to Hosts who've done it before. Last year we made $1185, can we top that? Contact Anna Linzi if you are interested or have questions.
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Mark your calendars for these important dates !
Children's Chapel : Our Principles in Action. Sunday, March 13, 2016 @ 10:30.
Unity Church Annual Meeting: Sunday, May 22, 2016 @ 12:00 - Parish Hall. This is one of the year's important meetings to attend. Lunch and childcare will be provided.
All Committee reports are due by Wednesday, May 4, 2016 to Gail Bruno, in the church office. These reports provide information for the Annual Meeting.
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 5 Points Potluck and Sing-a-long
Saturday, February 27, 2016 at Unitarian Church of Sharon, 4 North Main St., Sharon, MA 02067
Join the UU churches from our 5 Points Cluster (Easton, Stoughton, Canton, Sharon, Foxboro) at the next potluck and sing-a-long. Bring a dish to share, bring instruments, sing your favorite songs and hymns. We'll have a "singspiration". No RSVP or sign-up required. Childcare will be provided. Food at 5:00, music at 6:30.
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Keeping in touch across the miles
- Bernie Champagne (our former Sexton) suffered a stroke last week and has been in Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket. Bernie would appreciate receiving emails. His home address can be found in the Unity Contact list.
- Carolyn McCafferty is very busy deployed in Abu Dabi. She recently updated her blog.
- Don't forget that Lyn and Ed White are enjoying the warmth(?) in Florida and their address is in the contact list.
The Contact List is on our web site under the Member Access menu, after you log in as a member.
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 In Worship
February Theme: Non-Violence
February 14, 2016 : Unity Church will participate in a 5 Points Cluster shared worship service hosted by the First Parish Universalist Church of Stoughton at 10:30 am. Unity Church will be closed that day. "These Three: Love". Reverend Stephen Cook, preaching. Reverend Cook completes a three-sermon series on the theological virtues of faith, hope, and love. First Parish will hold its annual Chocolate Auction following the service - all are sweetly invited. The church is located at 790 Washington Street, Stoughton Center, Stoughton, MA 02072. February 21, 2016 : Lay Leader: Deanna Greenstein - Sermon Title :"Imagine."
In this service, we will ponder the words of the popular Beatles song. Would our world really be a more peaceful place if there was "no religion too"?
February 28, 2016 : Guest Leader: Laura Wagner, preaching Sermon Title: Social Justice as a Spiritual Practice. Our wholeness as individuals in realized in connection with other human beings. It is through this connection that we define our values. Being aware of the struggles of others and then engaging in social justice allows us to put our values into action. Living our values through social justice helps us to create a living, meaningful spiritual practice that both heals the world and ourselves at the same time. After the service there will be a conversation about social justice activities and a substantial snack in the Chaffin Room. Contact Cheryl Brigante with questions or dietary restrictions. March 6, 2016 Daryl Bridges preaching, Sermon title : Spiritual Charity.
For more detailed information,
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Volunteers needed at Sunday Services
Host Social Hour in Parish Hall on Sunday after service. T here is no one signed up until March 13th. This is an easy way to meet new people. Set out supplies for beverages and snacks, make the coffee and clean up after. More detail here. Time commitment is Sunday 10 am - 12:30. To volunteer contact Anne Fredericks.
Be a Worship Associate and guide us through the morning worship service. Follow the prepared worship script and get to know the worship leader of the day. Time commitment is Sunday 10 am - 11:30. To volunteer contact Cheryl Brigante.Help with children's Religious Education. Follow the children into the Chaffin Room and offer to help.
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Shorter term housing needed.
Frank Smith's house has sold and Frank is commuting to work from Westboro. Frank is looking for short term housing in the Easton area. Please email Frank |
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When the Weather Outside is Frightful
For the safety of our friends and members, in case of extreme weather conditions, please call the church office (508-238-6373) after 8:00 a.m. on the day of the Service or church event for a message about whether the Service or event has been canceled.
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Shopping at Amazon? Start at Unity homepage first.
Do you shop on Amazon.com? Be sure to visit Amazon through Unity's homepage first. Every time you use the Amazon widget, Unity Church receives up to 8.5% of what you've spent at Amazon! During this crazy shopping season, or any other time of the year, 8.5% can add up to a lot for Unity!
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Events at First Parish Universalist Church(Stoughton)
Monday evening from 7 to 8 pm, a Buddhist meditation group meets. Anyone interested in silent meditation is welcome. Contact Denise
for more information.
2nd Friday of the month : 7 to 8:30 pm, Drumming Circle. Contact Kelley with questions 781-341-1213781-341-1213. There are extra drums to share.
First Parish Universalist Church of Stoughton, 790 Washington St. Stoughton. Enter using the door in the parking lot behind the church.
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"Piglet noticed that even though he had a very small heart, it could hold a rather large amount of Gratitude." A. A. Milne
We are grateful and say Thank You for all who contribute to our Unity Church community, those before us in a Sunday service and those unseen whose presence is a service for all.
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 Church Office Newsby Gail Bruno, Office Manager
January Office Hours.
Regular Office Hours: 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (Office closed 1/14 and 1/18) Please feel free to leave messages at the church office, 508-238-6373, or email Gail directly. *If you plan to visit the office, please call ahead as Gail's schedule may change monthly.
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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.
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New to Unity Church?
New to Unity Church or want to Join Our Mailing List?
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Photo/Graphics/Video Credits for this Issue of the Unity News
Ellen Dehm, Cathy Adler, and Deanna Greenstein
Unity News Contact Info
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