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'The Universalist' Newsletter |
he event that a Sunday Service is cancelled, check the following resources: On
the Web... On
TV... On
the Radio...
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Note: Please refer to the Church Directory for all member contact information.
FROM THE MINISTER
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” James Dent Not that long ago Marilynn Legg began our “Fathers and Flowers” service singing: “Summertime, when the livin’ is easy, fish are jumpin, and the cotton is high …”, and we set off into summer time. That was about a month ago. Who knew then what summer would bring? Who’d have imagined that one heat wave after another would roll in? Usually it’s only now that the so-called “dog days” of summer begin – those hottest, muggiest days of the season which, according to the Romans, extend from July 24 through August 24. I have recently learned that the Romans believed this period to be “an evil time, when the seas boiled, wine turned sour, dogs grew mad, and all creatures became languid, …” I don’ t know about the seas, wine, or dogs, but I can sure identify with the “languid creatures!” Despite or because of the heat, it has been a glorious summer for growing. My neighbor’s garden is burgeoning with flowers, squash and cucumbers. My kitchen window boxes of marigolds and impatiens are flourishing, bringing enormous pleasure. Early in July a friend from England arrived. Because she’d arrived just before the fourth of July we decided to take in the events being offered in Boston in celebration of Independence Day. I’ve never gone to Boston during Harborfest, but there’s nothing like an out of town guest to inspire you to try something new. So, on July 3 we joined crowds of Boston tourists and local enthusiasts stepping back into history. A whole array of events. You could, for example, witness the Redcoats ”invading the city, arriving by sea and marching to Boston Common” where they would “perform military demonstrations and skirmish with Colonial militia.” At the Old South Meeting House you could participate in a re-enactment of the final historic debate leading up to the Boston Tea Party. Everywhere you could hear the rousing sound of drum and fife groups sounding forth. The spirit of history was alive and afoot in Boston. We took part in an event at the Old State House: a re-enactment of the Continental Congress’ debate leading up to the signing of The Declaration of Independence. Sound dry and dull? It was amazing how it came to life. There sat John Hancock, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Participants took the parts of the other representatives, and were given a short bio of the person you’d represent and how his vote was cast. Though this was simply a re-enactment, one became totally caught up in the unfolding drama. There was something thrilling about hearing the arguments, pro and con, hammering out a document that could finally be agreed upon. No easy process. At the end of the debate, one stood up as a “representative” from your state and, when called upon by “John Hancock,” declare “yea” or “nay” to the signing of the Declaration. As hokey as it may sound, I found myself surprisingly moved by the momentousness of this process that declared the Colonies’ independence. I left this experience with a renewed appreciation for the democratic process, freshly aware of the inevitable messiness of democracy; how it almost always involves complex compromise; and how slow a process it is. Thanks to my visitor, I thoroughly celebrated the birthday of this country!! Glad to be a part of a country founded on democratic principles. Glad to be part of a faith that believes so deeply in the democratic process; that understands that freedom -- of thought, belief, speech -- is incredibly precious. It was a memorable and meaningful summer experience, heat and all!
Be well and safe. And I will see you, container of water in hand, stories in heart, on September 12. With love, Sandra
The Rev. Sandra D. Fitz-Henry has written some
guest columns
for the local newspaper.
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Please visit the
Religious Education page for more
information.
The
Religious Education blogsite: http://murraychurchre.blogspot.com/
ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
GROUPS & ACTIVITIES
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Yoga / Meditiation Group The Yoga & Meditation group meets on Monday evenings from 7-8:30 PM. Our routine is an hour of yoga using the Kripalu Center's "Gentle Yoga" tape followed by a 20-minute meditation. Come for one or both. On Thursdays at 6:30PM this summer we’ll also do a more challenging Kripalu yoga routine for those who want to try it out. PLEASE NOTE that during the summer months we may take an occasional vacation! Be sure to contact Barbara Clark or Karla Bassler to confirm we are meeting. If you'd like to join us, wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat, towel or blanket. Both groups meet in the John Murray Room. All are welcome. Contact: Barbara Clark Murray Church Member contact information is in the church directory or call the church office at 508-222-0505. |
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Healing Resources for Depression The Healing Resources for Depression group meets next on Friday, August 27th from 7-8:30 pm. This group is open to members and friends who are dealing with depression or anxiety in their lives and want a confidential group to share their journey with. If you want more information call Gretchen Robinson, facilitator.Gretchen also has e-articles on men and depression, and many other topics. Member contact information is in the Murray Church Directory or call the church office at 508-222-0505. |
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Parent of Teens Support Group Will meet on Wednesday, August 4th from 7 to 8:30pm in the Youth Group Room. Newcomers are always welcome. We meet on the first Wednesday evening of each month. For more information, contact Barbara Clark. For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505. |
HOLIDAY FAIR CRAFT WORKSHOPS
Join
us at Inki’s house on Wednesday, August 25 from 6:30-8:30pm
for a fun and crafty evening, and to help us make Gift Room
items to sell at the 2010 Holiday Fair. For directions or to
let us know you’re interested, contact Inki Hasselbaum: inki@hasselbaum.net,
508-695-3955 or Dawn Casstevens: dawn.hasselbaum@mindspring.com,
508-226-1978.
People Who Like Making Stuff: We would be deeply grateful to anyone who is willing to make and donate gift items and festive seasonal items for the Fair. Or, if you have an idea for a group project and would be willing to lead a workshop, please let us know!
For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505.
THURSDAY EVENING EXCERCISE GROUP
Want to exercise but can't get going? Exercise but want some company? Join us Thursday evenings, 6:30-7:30, in the John Murray Room. Bring your favorite exercise video/DVD and a mat. To date we've done firming, pilates and yoga routines. For more information call Barbara Clark.
For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505.
COURSE
IN MIRACLES GROUP
How do we experience peace? One way is by practicing the Course in Miracles principles. We discuss Course concepts each week as they relate to our everyday lives. Daily workbook lessons and related articles aid our practice. This is an informal group for beginners and advanced students alike. We meet every Thursday evening from 7:30-9:00 PM at Janet and Richard’s home in Norton. Contact: Richard or Janet Plumb
For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505.
Please visit the Adult Religious Education page for more information on all ongoing Adult RE opportunities.
ADULT ACTIVITIES - Summer Excursion!
On
Saturday, July 31, we will leave from Murray Church at 8:45
am (NOTE REVISED SCHEDULE) for Hingham, where we will board
a ferry to Bumpkin Island in Boston Harbor.
Bumpkin Island is a great place to explore nature on a summer day, and this weekend is extra special because a group of artists will be unleashing their imaginations through temporary sculptures, installations, and happenings throughout the island.
We'll catch a return ferry at 4:10 pm and should be back in Attleboro by 5:45 pm, unless, of course, we stop for ice cream.
The ferry fare is: Adult: $14; Senior (65+): $10; Child (ages 3–11): $8; Children under 3 yrs: Free; Family four pack (2 adults & 2 children): $39
Contact Barbara Clark or Charlie Adler at 508-222-6164 or email barbjclark@gmail.com. They will send you a list of what to bring and other details.
~ Charlie Adler and Barbara Clark
For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505.
For more information about the Adult Activities Commitee, click here.
ADULT ACTIVITIES
On Saturday, May 22, a contingent of 12 Murrayites and 2 dogs hiked the Great Woods Conservation Area in Mansfield. Everyone seemed to enjoy an opportunity to socialize, get in some exercise, and commune with nature.
DENOMINATIONAL NEWS
UU Camps, Conferences, Travel and Learning Opportunities
Visit the bulletin board to the left of the Minister’s Study for information on Ferry Beach, Rowe, Unirondak, Star Island, UU Bed & Breakfasts, Whale Coast Alaska, Wine Country Excursions, Yoga & Meditation retreats.
Standing on the Side of Love
There will be a "Stand Witness in Arizona" rally
in Phoenix, AZ July 28-30. 'Standing on the Side of Love' supporters
will join activists, labor leaders, concerned citizens, and
faith leaders -- including UUA President Peter Morales and Moderator
Gini Courter -- in Phoenix. There are lots of ways to take part:
public witness actions, visibility events, flyering, rallies,
and interfaith worship services. The purpose of the rally is
to witness and advocate on behalf of immigrants prior to enactment
of Arizona S.B. 1070. Additional info and the link to the UUA
for those who may want to participate is at:
http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/join-the-arizonasummer-for-human-rights/
Volunteers Needed for to help with the Local Food ‘N Friends Soup Kitchen
Murray Church
coordinates the Food n' Friends Soup Kitchen on the last Saturday
of each month. This month we are scheduled for August 28th
from 8:30am-12:15pm at the Centenary United Methodist Church located on the
corner of 39 North Main and 15 Sanford Street, across from the Attleboro
YMCA.
Even if you can only come for an hour or two during that time, it would be greatly appreciated. Help is especially needed to set up and take down tables -- can you spare 30 minutes?
When you come, please use the entrance located down the ramp at the side of the building. If you're interested in volunteering at the soup kitchen, please contact one of the coordinators: Mary Basilone, Theresa Mahoney or Kevin Dumont If you can't help this month, contact one of the coordinators to be added to the group email for future volunteer opportunities.
For contact information, please refer to the Church Directory or call the Church Office at 508-222-0505
Please contact one of the coordinators if you want to be added to the group email.
Please visit the Advocacy and
Service home page for more
information
The food pantry provides bags of non-perishable
groceries to local community members in need on Monday and Thursday mornings from 9:30-11:30am.
Our food supplies are picked-up and re-stocked by volunteers on the second Wednesday of each month. Towards the end of the month, food supplies run low on: hearty soups, canned meats, pasta, peanut butter, Parmalat milk, toilet paper, soap and other toiletries are not a part of the food bank pick-ups, but are always needed. Please consider donating one or two items whenever you can. We also are often in need of full-size brown paper grocery bags and clean plastic grocery bags. Items are collected in the marked boxes near the front foyer and Blue Room.
We thank you for donating needed items, and we thank the many dedicated volunteers who work together to keep this valuable service open to the community.
Please visit the Food Pantry Page for more information.
“$3 for $1 for Haiti”
Thanks to a generous matching program of the Large Grants Program of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY, every dollar donated to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund will be matched with an additional $3, up to $500,000. To learn about UUSC’s response, or to make a donation, please visit www.uusc.org/haiti where you can also read the latest update of July 26, “Basic Needs in Haiti: Why They Are Still a Challenge”.
Creating Peace: 2010 Statement of Conscience - Lauralyn Smith represented UUSC in a workshop presented by the Commission on Social Witness and UU Peace Ministry, on implementation of “Creating Peace,” the statement of conscience adopted during General Assembly. To learn more, go to the UUA webpage: http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/socialjustice/statements/13394.shtml
Peace Ministry webpage: http://www.uupeacemakers.org/
~Submitted by Lauralyn Smith, UUSC Representative
UUSC COFFEE PROJECT - An Organic Solution
Supporting Small Farmers in their Efforts to Build a Better Future for their Families & Communities
Equal Exchange currently works with small farmer organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the United States. Our trading partners are small farmer co-operatives — businesses owned and governed democratically by the farmers themselves. Decisions are made within the co-op, on their terms.
Training programs for women in Guatemala, an ecotourism project in Nicaragua, new classrooms in El Salvador — these are all examples of the initiatives that co-ops have taken in their own communities with the income and support of Equal Exchange and other Fair Trade organizations. These farmer co-ops help keep rural communities healthy and strong, and keep local cultures vibrant.
Look for Equal Exchange Fair Trade bananas at Stop and Shop! Fair Trade matters!
Liz Lamoureux
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We're looking for Memorial Gardeners!
We will be doing summer maintenance in the Memorial Garden on the last Tuesday of each month. The next meeting will be Tuesday, August 31 at 6:30PM. Please join us for fellowship as well as work. Bring pruning shears as well as your rake and shovel. For more info, contact Rusty Morrow.
Helping to Work the Vision
The Story Behind The Memorial Garden Committee Garden Path
Project
Members of the Memorial Garden Committee wish to express
gratitude and appreciation to all of those who helped make the
purchases of the new stone monument and the pavestone path
materials possible and to those who have turned an already
lovely garden into an even more sacred place in which to
remember those members and friends of Murray Church who have
gone before us.
The hard, physical labor of laying the path was done by an
all-volunteer group who met more than 400 hours over some of
the hottest days of summer to complete the work in time for
the opening of the 2008-09 Church year. If you are interested
in following the progress of the work,
please click here!
MURRAY NEWS & UPDATES
Church Meeting & Events Information
Please send your 10-11 church meeting and event dates to the office. The new calendar is being prepared for the upcoming church year and we want to be sure all committee meetings and events can be scheduled without date conflicts. Send date info to Murray.ch@verizon.net or call 508-222-0505 and leave a detailed message.
Key Returns
If you have any church keys that you no longer need, please return them to the office or let Dawn know you have them. We need a few keys to give to incoming committee and board members. Please return any keys you no longer use on a regular basis.
New Contact Info?
If you have moved, changed your email address or phone number over the summer, please let us know. New Murray Directories will be published in September.
MINISTER AND OFFICE SUMMER HOURS
During the summer months, the Murray Church office will be open on Tuesday mornings from 8:30am-11:30am, (and often on Thursday or Friday morning) starting the week of June 21st. Church voicemail, email, and mail will be checked regularly.
Our minister, The Rev. Sandra D. Fitz-Henry will not hold regular office hours during July and August, but if you have a pastoral emergency or just need to talk, please call. She’ll receive messages at both her home and church numbers, and via email. Our Moderator, Donna Palmer and Office Administrator, Dawn Casstevens will know how to reach Sandra at all times.
We’ll publish a short, midsummer newsletter at the end of July – please send any announcements for inclusion by Wednesday, July 21st. We’ll send occasional email bulletins during the summer. Send your email address to Murray.ch@verizon.net if you’re not already on our list.
Have a wonderful summer!
We have arrived at the
end of another year of the music year (technically speaking, there is no
Music Director at Murray from mid-June to Labor Day, as I am not employed at
the church during that time). The summer months will be used preparing for
the following (keeping the “chops” active). Hopefully, the majority of my
dissertation will be written during this time.
Cranberry Coast Summer Concert Series Continues...
Come join us for the Cranberry Coast Concert series in celebration of “The Year of the Piano” this summer. CCC Ticket prices are: $20 general admission / $18 seniors / $100 for season tickets. Murray events are continue as follows:
Sunday, August 1, 2010 4:00 PM
- Chris Brown Presents
Pianist Chris Brown
returns to Cranberry Coast Concerts to present a rich concert of works from
the traditional chamber repertoire with special guest artists.
Sunday, August 8, 2010 4:00 PM
- The United Nations Piano Quartet – a.k.a. “The U.N.P.Q.”
Kirk Whipple &
Marilyn Morales are joined by the European duo Frédéric Chauvel & Mark
Solé-Lerís in a rare concert of works for 2 pianos / 8 hands – that’s 40
fingers! The program will consist of arrangements of Beethoven’s “Egmont”
Overture and the complete Symphony 5 in C Minor, Whipple’s now
internationally acclaimed work, “Fives,” Concerto for 2 Pianos / 8 Hands and
Whipple’s arrangement of Ravel’s Bolero. This final work will also feature
the endurance of Brian Montgomery on the solo snare drum.
Sunday, August 15, 2010 4:00 PM
- Piano Concertos at Two Pianos
Pianists Chris
Brown, Kirk Whipple, Marilyn Morales and Marilyn Brown close Season 5 in a
stellar performance of piano concertos with orchestral accompaniment
performed at the second piano.
The program:
Piano Concerto in A
Minor by Edvard Grieg, performed by Marilyn Brown
Piano Concerto 1 in
C Major, performed by Marilyn Morales
Intermission
Piano Concerto 1 in
E Minor by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Chris Brown
Piano Concerto 2 in
F Minor by Frédéric Chopin, performed by Kirk Whipple
MORE CRANBERRY COAST CONCERT INFO:
Phone: (508) 491-8888 Email: ccc@whipple.com
Web: www.cranberrycoastconcerts.com
IF YOU WISH TO HONOR SOMEONE OR A SPECIAL OCCASION, YOU MAY MAKE A SPECIAL DONATION TO MURRAY CHURCH
If you’d like a unique way to publicly mark an anniversary, a
special event, memorial date, birthday, with a donation to our
church, simply fill out an
Honoring Gifts
Form
and turn it into the office with your check attached. Later,
the honoree and reason for your tribute will be listed in the
newsletter. Please contact the church office to
participate.
Please remember to shut off lights, close and lock windows, lock doors and pull them tightly closed behind you after your meetings and activities at Murray Church. Your assistance with building security and energy conservation is greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!
More Murray Church Parking Available!
DID YOU KNOW? Murray Church has extra parking space
available at the medical office building located diagonally across from the
church at 550 North Main Street. If you arrive and cannot find a space here on the
main lot, don't turn around
and go back home! Please use this additional lot where you will surely be able to find
a spot and park as close to the street as possible. Please be very careful
crossing North Main Street as you approach and exit from the church property.
Thanks for your cooperation and we are glad you come to Murray Church!
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via email, saving the church office a considerable amount in postage,
supplies and time. The newsletter format will remain the same for now, making
it easy for you to print at home if you prefer to have a paper copy in hand
for reading away from the computer. 
We are an
active congregation who come
together in fellowship to
maintain an environment that promotes
spiritual growth for individuals and
families and affirms diversity of
We
are mid-way in the summer now. I hope you are finding time
for some of what restores your soul. For some folks the
summer has brought the unexpected -- health concerns, life
transitions. Summer’s “easy livin’” surely does not exempt
us from life’s changes and challenges! Whatever your summer
has been so far, may you still find time for rest and renewal.
As we turn the corner into the second half summer, may there
yet be moments to consider what it is you want to do right
now, and this fall, and this coming year, with your “one
wild and precious life.”
