Starr King View

February 2010 Newsletter

Sunday Services - 9:30 a.m

February 7: “ Say Yes”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching.

 

February 14: Guest Unitarian Universalist Preacher

                       

February 21:“Anti-Racism ”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching.
The collection this morning will be dedicated to the
Unitarian Universalist Association’s Association Sunday.

 

February 28: “Evangelical Rationalism ”
The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart preaching

 

  

 

 Adult Ed Programs Sunday at 11:00

 

February 7: Rev. Sarah Stewart: Sermon Discussion.  

Say Yes.  A colleague of mine has challenged groups she works with to “like an idea for five minutes.”  Let’s talk about why it can be so hard to hear and adopt other people’s ideas, and the liberation that we can find when we do.  How can saying yes help our fellowship grow?

February 14 (at 10:45): Film, Made in LA

            Join us for the film documentary Made in LA about three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles sweatshops as they embark on a three year odyssey to win basic labor protections from trendy retailer, Forever 21.   There will be a short discussion after.

February 21: Committee Meetings (No Adult Ed)

 

February 28 (at 10:45): What Moves Us

            We will be exploring Forrest Church’s ideas related to a Universalist Theology for the Twenty-First Century.   Church emphasized the role of awe and humility as well as his “one Light, many windows” theological metaphor.   (Church’s sermon on this was read by Paul Tierney in our service on November 15.)

 

In Fellowship                                                                                                  February 2010

The Rev. Sarah C. Stewart

 

      Didn’t you love our Christmas Pageant?  If you weren’t there, our 5:30 Multigenerational Christmas Eve service featured a pageant which combined the traditional Christmas story with a modern tale for the winter solstice.  All the kids who showed up were encouraged to participate.  I narrated the story from the pulpit and the kids acted it out.  We had Mary and Joseph, an angel, and the shepherds.  We also had the Dragons of the Solstice, and the Wise People they brought with them.  It was wonderful.

 

      Because it was so great, I wanted to let you know how it came to be.  Last February, one of our newer members and mother of two, Kim Batchelder, let Cindy Spring, our Director of Religious Education, know that she would like to see two changes to the Christmas Eve service: a pageant and more familiar hymns.  Cindy passed this on to me, and I met with Kim to hear her ideas.  She wanted something the children could participate in, and something they would remember from year to year.  She wanted there to be costumes.  She offered to help and thought other parents would also want to help.

 

      Two things really grabbed me about Kim’s idea: her enthusiasm and her willingness to help.  I also liked that she had a vision of what she wanted our Christmas Eve service to be.  Before that meeting, my vision had been different.  But Kim’s idea was so compelling that I was willing to give it a try.

 

      I’m really glad we did.  After I got back from sabbatical, I planned a meeting with Kim and anyone else in the congregation who was interested in working on the pageant and the Christmas Eve service in general.   At the meeting, we discovered that everyone was excited about the pageant.  Other priorities included inviting the children to share their musical talents during the service, including a choral anthem in the service, singing Starr King Fellowship’s traditional carol “Christmas Morning,” and singing well-known hymns.  We really care about our Christmas music!  We also wanted to avoid lengthy rehearsals and include costumes.  Kim and fellow new member and mother Mary Joyce said they would work on costumes and organizing the children.  I said I would write the pageant.  Mary Hazelton organized the choir and offered to accompany the hymns.

 

      Over the month between that meeting and our Christmas Eve service, the excitement and organization grew.  Kim Batchelder and Mary Joyce did a fantastic job of organizing the children.  They consulted with several other parents, including Kree Woolley and Elizabeth Becker.  Cindy Spring helped make sure all our families knew about the pageant, and that their children would have the chance to participate.  Marcia VanderMast prepared the small candles for the candlelighting ceremony.  Many people in the Religious Education program and the Worship and Music committee lent a hand.  And our children were fantastic--from the tiniest shepherds and wise people, to Mary and Joseph, to the angel, to the dragons--they all really got into the joy and sanctity of the moment.

 

      There are so many reasons I love being a Unitarian Universalist.  This story highlights two of them: the empowered members of our congregations, and the celebration of different religious traditions side by side.  We plan to do the pageant again next year.  I hope if you have ideas for things we could do differently or better here at Starr King, you’ll let me know.  Who knows what wonderful things we can do together?

 

In fellowship,

            Rev. Sarah

 

Religious Education Program

 

I want to begin this month’s article with a little story.  On Sunday, January 17, we welcomed three adults into membership.  Two of the adults had young children with them, so we welcomed the children as well.  Julia Miller and Lola McQueeney stood in front while President Eric spoke to the adults.  Then I asked the children of the Fellowship to stand and welcome Julia and Lola  “...into your fellowship of play, growth, learning and love.”  As I spoke I noticed three year old Sabina Casale listening intently and moving up toward the girls.  As I finished she reached out and gave them both a hug - what a wonderful welcome!

 

      And here’s another story - at the last DRE cluster folks were talking about how nice it would be to have long time UUs working and playing with the children.  Instead, it is usually the new parents who agree to teach.  On the way home I started counting in my mind the number of RE teachers we have who are not currently parenting.  I realized that just over half of our teaching staff are non-active parents.  Many have kids who are grown and gone, but some have never had children.  And many are “long-time UUs” -- we are so fortunate!

 

            RE Thanks this month go to:

 

            Sam Miller and Don Crowell for donating CD players to our program

            Sally Davis for all the oatmeal boxes that became drums

            Anna Wilken for donating the animal magazines and Walt Mayshark for

                         the animal calendars

            Margaret Salt and Gary Walker for leading a Youth Group session on

                        Small Group Ministry

            Kree Woolley for all her work on the SKUUF Youth Protection Policy

            Barbara Lambert for substituting in the Creating Home Class

            Allison Browne and Amy MacDonald for helping out in the Nursery.

                          (Amy is also the leader for our Storytelling Group and our Fellowship’s Secretary - great role-modeling!)

 

            Want to be part of the fun?  Just give me a call.

 

            Cindy Spring, DRE

 

 

 

 RE Calendar

 

Date	Story Time	Creating Home	Neighboring Faiths
February 7	Family Daddy Makes the Best Spaghetti	Community Making Valentines	Learning about the Episcopal Faith
February 14	Love Runaway Bunny	Universalism Story of John Murray	Learning about the Episcopal Faith
February 21	Cooperation The Little Red Hen	Unitarianism Henry David Thoreau	Learning about the Episcopal Faith
February 28	Family Winter Hike to Rainbow Falls

 

Thanks to all the volunteers who help on a weekly basis.  We couldn’t do it without you.

 

            Mary Crowell         

 

  

 

 “From the Prez”…

           

Hello everyone,

 

 January is usually a quiet time for me at work, but this year I’ve been quite busy teaching a course. It’s been a rewarding, if hectic, experience. I hope that everyone else’s new year has started well and that you’re able to enjoy the winter season.

 

The governing board was sorry that one of our trustees, Gail Smith, had to resign her position. Of course we all wish her well and hope she can return to full health soon.  In the meantime, Kim Batchelder has agreed to be appointed to the Board to fill Gail’s seat until elections at our annual May meeting. Please join the Board in thanking Kim for volunteering for this role.

 

The spring is shaping up to be very busy for the fellowship with lots of fundraising and just plain fun activities. I invite you to join us when and where you are able. See you there!

 

 

      Eric Hoffman

 

     

 

SKUUF Finances Snapshot as of January 13, 2010

 

Fiscal Year to Date, Operating:                         Change from Last Month                                                

                        Income            $  79,305.18                                 + $   12,966.14                                                                              

                        Expenses                     $  76,388.93                                + $   11,962.31                                                                  

 

Important Balances

                   Operating Funds    $    19,694.67                     + $     1,272.65                              

                   Building Funds**               $  109,368.64                    + $    13,175.11     

                   Endowment Funds*          $    12,005.87                     + $             1.50                   

 

This snapshot shows only selected funds.  This is not a full accounting of assets or liabilities.  If you would like more detailed information feel free to contact Nancy Chaddock, or me.

*These funds represent multiple accounts grouped together.

** This includes the principal from the new mortgage.

 

            Accurately submitted,

            Mark Becker

 

 

 

 Office Hours

 

            Our minister, Sarah Stewart, is in the office  Tuesday through Thursday.    You can reach her at: 536-8908 or  sstewart@starrkingfellowship.org.                        

 

            Our Office Assistant, Regina Knowlton, is in the office Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

 

 Governing Board Meeting

 

            The Governing Board will meet on Wednesday, February 10 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Committee Chairs Meeting

 

            Committee Chairs will meet on  Tuesday, February 16 at 5:00 p.m.

 

Announcements:

 

Office Closed

            The SKUUF Office will be closed on Monday, February 15 for Presidents’ Day

 

New Directory

            The 2010 SKUUF Directories are available!  If you do not already have your new directory, please pick up one on the table in the foyer.

 

 

Admin Ad-Libs

 

Remember to contact the office if you plan on changing your meeting location.  The heating is programmed according to the SKUUF Calendar so if a group no longer meets in its scheduled area, SKUUF is wasting both natural and financial resources.

 

Why is it important to have a Newsletter Deadline?  The deadline is set to give Barbara Avery ample time to type, copy and have the newsletter distributed, as we know.  But after Barbara’s process takes place, the Newsletter needs to come to the office prior to the last full week of the month so that we can have the “SKUUF Calendar” in the order of service and paper copies of the calendar available to the congregation.  Not to mention the multitude of information that must be manually entered on the website each month!  Getting your articles to Barbara Avery on time is an important link to the chain of information.   Thank you.

     

Regina Knowlton

Office Assistant

 

 

Social Justice

Social Justice at SKUUF

Those in attendance at our Social Justice pot-luck and priority setting event on January 22 have begun the work of setting the goals for Social Justice at SKUUF as we move into a new stage in SKUUF development.   I thought the following words from the UUA’s Social Justice Workbook , Inspired Faith, Effective Action Version 2009-02-1, might help us all reflect on the social justice component of our mission.

 

Whatever one identifies as the “beginning” of Unitarian Universalism, the ideas and theology inevitably had significant political implications.  Consider the words spoken in 1568 by Frances David, court preacher to the Unitarian king of Transylvania, John Sigismund.   At the height of the Spanish Inquisition, he was preaching that “We need not think alike to love alike!”  Unitarians and their beliefs were a major influence in the founding of the US political system.  Universalists and their beliefs were a major influence on US religion and culture.

Ours is a theology of engagement.  We draw inspiration and truth from experiencing each other and the world around us.   In doing so, we necessarily witness both the beauty and brokenness of our larger community and environment.   We are here because we want to help heal the brokenness. We have chosen to do social justice work in our Unitarian Universalist congregations; in our religious community.

 

Therefore it is important to remember that:

· Unitarian Universalist congregations are religious communities, not secular activist organizations. Seeking social change may be a major part of what we do, but fostering personal growth and building relationships are also critically important.

· How the work is done is as important as the end goal of promoting justice. If the justice work we do fails to build community—or worse yet, destroys it—then we will not have served our congregations or Association well.

· Any congregational decision can be divisive if done badly, which typically means that it was done too fast and congregants felt that their voices were not heard.  The solution is not to avoid the decision, but to use an appropriate, healthy process that gives everyone a voice.

· This is about personal transformation. Our ability to create social transformation is linked with our willingness to go through personal transformation in the process.  How can we expect the world to change if we’re not willing to?

· We learn from reflection. Educator and writer Paulo Freire, author of Pedagogy of the Oppressed, argued that we learn not from action, but from reflection on action. The cycle of action-reflection is often referred to as “praxis.”

· We need strong relationships. The more we are in relationship with each other, and approach social justice in ways that value this relationship, the better off we’ll be as a community.  This type of sharing, namely personal, ethical, emotional, spiritual, and/or theological, is necessary both for effective justice work, and for personal and congregational development.

 

Inspired Faith, Effective Action Version 2009-02-19

 

Be Aware

            There are now at least two bills in Committee for the New Hampshire Legislature seeking to overturn our hard fought law to open marriage to all committed adults.  In addition there are Articles being added to many Town Meeting Agendas  asking for Constitutional Convention to redefine marriage as between a man and a woman.  Please be present to speak and vote against these Articles in your Town and contact your legislators to say you do not favor any changes in present law.

            Betty Ann Trought

 

 

Plymouth Affordable Housing

 

On January 21, after two public hearings and a lot of deliberation,  the Plymouth Planning Board approved the site plan and subdivision plan for the twenty-four units of affordable housing planned for the end of Allen road, diagonally across Fairgrounds Road from our building. The plan was found to conform to the subdivision regulations that provide the legal framework for the planning board’s decisions.

 

The next hearing on Tuesday, February 2 at 7:00 p.m. is before the Zoning Board of Adjustment (ZBA).  This board has more discretion, and is able to consider more subjective factors.  Public support from Plymouth residents is important, and your presence, whether you choose to speak or not would be helpful.  Sarah will be speaking in favor of the development.

 

Martha Copithorne

For the Social Justice Committee

 

 

 

Last Call for Share-A-Book Donations

            Books have already been purchased for our friends in Nicaragua, but there is such a shortage that we will be happy to accept your donation for Spanish language materials for both children and adults. These books will be delivered by the PSU students who will be traveling to Managua in May.   Look for our annual report next month. For questions, check with Margaret Salt.

 

Heath Hint

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is trying help consumers recognize and avoid being taken in by products bearing fraudulent health claims. Web sites and TV advertising make all sorts of claims but many, perhaps most, are bogus.  To help, the FDA has produced a short video ( http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm194727.htm ) to teach us what to look for.

The video alerts us to commonly misrepresented products, such as bogus cancer cures and ridiculous weight-loss products. It also offers tips on how to spot disreputable Web sites.

Some of this should be obvious: It’s difficult to imagine falling for a product advertised for fixing flat feet or a shampoo said to combat H1N1 influenza. But as Victorian-era banker David Hannum said, there’s a sucker born every minute. Lets not be one of them.

 

Betty Ann Trought

 

 

 

Association Sunday is

February 21!

 

Join together with thousands of Unitarian Universalists in affirming our common bonds and purposes on the  third annual Association Sunday!  Our liberal faith is needed to help heal our wounded world, and now is the  time to pool our resources to help Grow Our Diversity, through new programs to develop spiritual communities that are more welcoming to ALL people.  Funds raised by this Sunday’s collection will be used by the Unitarian Universalist Association as part of the ongoing effort to Grow Our Faith. 

 

With your participation in Association Sunday, we will continue our efforts to build the beloved community.  Through this year’s Growth in Diversity funding initiatives, we will:

1. Expand the Building the World We Dream About curriculum and associated resources and training,

2. Support congregations that are working to create a Unitarian Universalism that is racially, culturally, and economically diverse; a part of this support will be in the form of grants, and

3. Enable UU congregations and districts to minister effectively to youth and young adults who identify as people of color or multiracial, and to their families, in the areas of spiritual development, racial/cultural identity development, and leadership development.   

 

Come ready to give generously to help grow our diversity and faith; we are better together! 

 

            Rev. Sarah Stewart

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nominating Committee

 

What Does the

Nominating Committee Do?

 

Whether or not you’ve volunteered your services on a committee or in a leadership capacity, you may not know the responsibilities of SKUUF’s Nominating Committee – I sure didn’t.   When asked to serve, I said “yes.”  Why not?  I enjoy our fellowship, our members, and know it requires the talents of many to achieve our spiritual and secular goals.  While not steeped in Nominating Committee tradition, I’ve certainly researched its functions.   The Bylaws specify its duties and a prior committee member provided us an overview of expectations.  Perusing the rules and opinions, it is clear the Committee is a lynchpin binding the fellowship to our success and permits those wanting to participate in our communal life to make SKUUF what it is.

 

According to our Bylaws:

 

* The Nominating Committee shall consist of five members elected to staggered three year terms

* The Nominating Committee shall propose one or more candidates for each vacant Board position and vacant Nominating Committee position. 

* Members may nominate candidates by presenting a written  petition signed by five members of the Fellowship to the  Nominating Committee at least three weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. 

* No persons shall be nominated without his or her prior consent. 

* The Nominating committee shall announce its slate of candidates and present a short biographic sketch of each candidate two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting. 

* The Nominating Committee may announce its slate by mail, email,  announcement at the two Sunday services prior to the Annual Meeting, newsletter article, or some other means designed to make the information generally available to the membership.

 

 

These six sentences govern how our fellowship nominates members to serve on the Board and the Nominating Committee. This committee also tries to help replace chairs of various committees when a current chair wishes to leave that position and the committee hasn’t been able to find a replacement from within the committee.   The Nominating Committee also seeks to enhance member’s leadership skills by sending members to District conferences or workshops for training.

 

Currently we are looking for folks interested in filling the following important roles:

 

· Extending Families:  Replace co-chair Marilyn Ashley - Sue Brothers will continue as the other co-chair.

 

· Publicity Committee: Replace Beverly Seavey who writes the weekly column in the Record Enterprise describing the topics of our Sunday service and community involvement.  Bev has done this since 1999, and wants to offer the opportunity to others.

 

· Newsletter columnist: Replace Walt Mayshark  who writes the monthly News Notes column letting us know of members’ accomplishments, travel, or health challenges.  Walt has done this for a quarter century (WOW!) and wants a well-deserved break.

 

If you are interested in any of the above positions, let us know.   Additionally, if you would like to know more about what any particular committee does or would like to confer with us about how you can best contribute your skills to help SKUUF, please get in touch with us. We will find a place for you. We’d be delighted to. The Nominating Committee will be busy in the next few months, doing our part in keeping SKUUF running effectively and smoothly by making nominations to the Board and to our own committee for next year (by the way, that starts on July 1, 2010) and seeking help from the fellowship for various committees as chairs inform us of their needs.

 

Hoping to hear from you,

The Nominating Committee

Carole Estes, Co-Chair

Barbara Lambert, Co-Chair

Stew Weldon

Betty Nicholson

Mary Tierney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities Committee
  

Colonial Brass at the Silver Center.  

            February 11:   Experience this United States Air Force Band of Liberty’s brass ensemble at 7:00 p.m. (free).  Join us for a Siam Smile dinner at 5:oo p.m. Contact Phyllis or Mitch, if you want a place at the table.

 

Snowshoe Hike
            February 14:   Snowshoe Hike at Flume Gorge.   Join Paul and Gigi, and Mitch, for a gentle winter (and free) visit to one on Franconia Notch’s popular tourist attractions in a less popular season.  Bring your sweetheart.  We’ll leave SKUUF at high noon. If you register with Mitch beforehand by e-mail, he’ll keep you abreast of any changes due to weather or conditions.

 

 

            Sledding Party at Doners (rescheduled from January)

            February 20:    From 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Doners home, sledding party with ongoing potluck.  Something warm would be good.  Come join the fun.  Any questions, contact Jules and Janet Doner.

 

Open Mike/Hymn Sing/Potluck (evolving concept)

            February 27:    Join Bev Walker for a fun, beat-cabin-fever event. More information will follow.

 

Committee Meeting

            The Actvities Committee will meet next at 11:00 a.m.  on March 21, SKUUF Special Celebration permitting.

 

            Mitch Manseau

            Committee Chair

 

Fundraising Committee

           

            Auction in March

 

Our SKUUF Auction is scheduled for March 20.  We’ll need volunteers for desserts and coffee set up.  Please look around your house and identify items that you would like to contribute.  You can bring them in early since we have lots of space to store them before the auction.  Tell all your friends and relatives and sort of ‘get them to the church on time’!

 

        Line Dancing

            A line dancing group is forming that will meet once a month in the Fellowship Hall. This is a nice low key cardio exercise that almost anyone can do.  If interested please sign up in the foyer or call or email George Maloof.  This group is not restricted to Skuffers so if you know of others that might be interested let them know about it as well and have them get in touch.  We will keep everyone posted as this new event unfolds.  No time has been set but will probably be on a weekday evening.  Let  me know your preferences.

 

George Maloof

 

 

 Remember to notify the SKUUF Office if...

 

 you change your:

* name

* mailing address,

* phone number

* email address 

 

Just call or email Regina with the corrected information.

 

            Thank you,

            Mary Tierney

 

 

               

Worship and Music Committee

 

Each week at the Sunday service, as I pick up the hymnal to sit down, I open it to see who donated it or to whom it is dedicated.  One hymnal I had recently, was donated by the Traunsteins, Louise, Russell and Steven.  Prompted by seeing their names, I enjoyed a few moments remembering them and their various contributions to the Fellowship.

 

The Worship and Music Committee has recently purchased several new hymnals.  For the price of the hymnal, twenty-five dollars, you may donate a hymnal in your own name, or the name of someone who is special to you, or you may dedicate it in the memory of someone you have lost.  Please speak with Sarah or any member of the Worship and Music Committee for more information.

 

Committee members are:  Mary Hazelton, Marcia VanderMast, Paul Tierney, Eva Nagorka-Ellsworh, Leslie Livingstone and Christie Faella.

 

            Marcia VanderMast

 

 

Worship and Music

 

Sunday readers for February and March are: 

 

 

Robert Gannett—February 7

Leslie Livingstone—February 14

Darlene Nadeau—February 21

Darlene Nadeau—February 28

 

Paul Tierney—March 7

Gary Walker—March 14

Danni Simon—March 21

Gigi Estes—March 28

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Membership Committee

 

Thank you for all of you who extend friendly, warm, and welcoming greetings to our visitors.  We now invite visitors to complete a green guest card if they have interests in receiving more information about SKUUF.  Please find these cards on the Welcome Table near the entrance and feel free to offer cards to new folks you meet.

 

New Member

 

            We are happy to welcome a returning member of our congregation:

            Valerie McQueeney

 

            Darlene Nadeau

            Membership Committee

Circle Dinners

Hosts for February, March and April are still being sought!  Why not consider hosting an event at your home.  They are great fun and require very little work on the part of the host/hostess. 

 

Please contact Sue Appleton to get details of what

 is involved and to book a date .

 

Suzanne Appleton

Membership Committee

  

 

Play Bridge Thursday

 Afternoons at SKUUF

 

            If you are a bridge player interested in the Thursday afternoon bridge game at Starr King Fellowship, please see Anna Wilken.

 

 

 

Extending Family

 

 

Sue Brothers invites all SKUUF’ers to list any way they might be able to assist the “extending family” of SKUUF when a need arises from one of our members or friends. As in the past, we will have a sign-up sheet in the foyer; since it is time to update our information, this might be a good time to reach those who may not have seen the list in the past.

 

The most important needs seem to be rides (to doctors, etc) when someone is not able to drive, visits when ill or not able to get out, and sometimes meals, or rides to supermarket, or possibly doing some grocery shopping.

 

We need a new list of those willing and able to help.  Usually, the help is needed for a short time.  If you feel that you have something to offer, please contact Sue Brothers, or Regina Knowlton.

 

Remember, we are here when you might need a helping hand.

 

Sue Brothers

 

Wise Women in Training

Wise Women in Training is a women’s study group which meets to discuss issues of women and aging.  Members share experiences, questions and concerns about improving their lives while optimizing their happiness.  Generally this group is recommended for any women over fifty years of age but younger women are welcome.  Questions will be researched and discussed by various members.  Meetings will be held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month from 10:00  to 11:30 a.m.  at SKUUF.  Please direct questions to Betty Ann Trought or Marceline Boomer.

Betty Ann Trought

 

Newsletter Deadline

 

            The deadline for the March Newsletter is Sunday, February 14. 

            Please send all items, committee reports, notice of events and activities to Barbara Avery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starr King View

 

Minister:  Rev. Sarah Stewart    -  sstewart@starrkingfellowship.org  

 

Office Administrator: Regina Knowlton - admin@starrkingfellowship.org

 

Office: (603) 536-8908      

Website—www.starrkingfellowship.org

 

Pres.:  Eric Hoffman  

Vice Pres.: Paul Tierney  

Treasurer: Nancy Chaddock    

Secretary: Amy MacDonald  

Trustees:

            Marcia VanderMast  

            Gail Smith   

            Don Crowell