The topic for our 10:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, January 31, 2010, is “Ninety-nine Names Of God”.

Sunday’s worship topic has been changed to make space for a reflection on and response to the earthquake in Haiti. We will return to “Foot Washing and Facials” next week. We will also be accepting a special collection to put toward relief efforts in Haiti.

When people we care about are going through hard times, it can be difficult
to know what exactly will comfort them. How do we resist the urge to try to simply solve their problems and instead bear witness to their suffering?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Tags: Foxborough Universalist Church, Katie Lawson, Religious Education, UUA, Worship

Annual Holiday Breakfast Fundraiser

Join us for food, fellowship, and fun at our annual Holiday Breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on January 3, 2010. If you have any special requests for breakfast or would like to help, please contact Dick or put a note in the Chairman’s mailbox in the church office. There is a voluntary contribution of $4.00/adult and $2.00/child – completely voluntary. Please put your donation for the breakfast in the basket downstairs, not the collection plate upstairs in the Sanctuary; this is essential for our bookkeeping efforts. All the food is donated to the church, and all the money collected goes to the church.

Women’s Group Meeting

A Women’s Group Meeting will be held from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. on January 8. This is a BYOL (bring your own lunch) meeting. Please contact Leah or Nancy for additional details.

January 2010 Holidays

1 Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian 1 Feast of St Basil – Orthodox Christian 1 Gantan-sai (New Years) – Shinto 5 Twelfth Night – Christian 5 Guru Gobindh Singh birthday – Sikh 6 Epiphany – Christian 6 Feast of the Theophany - Orthodox Christian 6 Nativity of Christ – Armenian Christian 7 Nativity of Christ – Orthodox Christian

10 Baptism of the Lord Jesus – Christian 14 Maghi – Sikh 17 World Religion Day – Baha’i 18-25 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Christian 19 Timkat – Ethiopian Orthodox Christian 20 Vasant Panchami – Hindu 24 Triodion begins – Orthodox Christian 25 Conversion of St. Paul – Christian 30-February 1 Mahayana New Year – Buddhist 30 Tu B’Shevat – Jewish

Many Thanks!

Thank you to everyone who: helped decorate the church for the Winter holiday season; participated in our beautiful Christmas Eve worship service; contributed to the Holiday Fund; purchased items through our partner programs!

Standing On The Side Of Love News

• SSL Grants For Congregations: Matching grants of $500-$1,500 are available to UUA congregations participating in the Standing on the Side of Love campaign. These grants will support congregations mobilizing at critical times to take action in a broad range of arenas where people are excluded, oppressed, or attacked based on real or perceived identities. Applications are available via www.standingonthesideoflove.org.

• National Standing On The Side Of Love Day: The SSL campaign is asking congregations to participate in a National Standing on the Side of Love Day on Feb 14, and to help them reimagine Valentine’s Day. National Standing on the Side of Love Day empowers each congregation to take action on issues that matter locally, and to pursue strategies that are effective and meaningful to them.

• SSL Web-Cast Calls in 2010: Join the SSL on Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 1:00 p.m. EST and Wednesday, Jan. 20 at 8:00 p.m. EST for 45 minute web-cast conference calls. For more information, go to http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/ssl-webcast-calls/.

Reflecting On Who Are Our Neighbors?

The Unitarian Universalist Justice Action network is working to reform of our immigration system. UUA congregations are encouraged to find out more about our immigrant neighbors: What are our relationships? Does our congregation offer “welcome to the stranger”? Please see “Welcoming Our Neighbors: A UU Guide to Immigrant Justice” and www.uua.org/socialjustice/.

A Few New Year’s Traditions And Superstitions

• “First Night” community celebrations began in 1976 in Boston.

• Some people believe loud noises or lighting off fireworks will frighten evil spirits away.

• Some food related customs observed for good luck in the New Year: many Dutch consume doughnuts on this day to ensure good fortune throughout the year; common among American Southerners, black-eyed peas are eaten, often with hog jowls or ham, for luck and to attract money; consuming cabbage is also thought by some to bring good luck.

• “Polar Bear” swims are undertaken perhaps to ensure open eyes to face the New Year.

Let us know how you celebrate the New Year (www.uufoxborough.org/How_We_Observe.htm).

About Tu B’Shevat

This year is 5770 according to the Jewish calendar. The word “Tu” is the number 15 in Hebrew and “Shevat” is the eleventh month in the Jewish calendar. Thus, we find Tu B’Shevat (according to Beit Hillel) always occurring on the 15^th day of the eleventh month. This year that date falls on January 30, 2010 C.E. Tu B’Shevat marks the beginning of Spring in Israel and is the new year for the purpose of calculating the age of trees for tithing. According to Leviticus 19:23-25, the fruit from trees which were grown in the land of Israel may not be eaten during the first three years, the fourth year’s fruit is for G-d, and, after that, the fruit can be eaten by you. Each tree is considered to have aged one year as of Tu B’Shevat, no matter when in the year it was planted. Therefore, if you planted a tree on Shevat 14, it begins its second year the next day, but if you plant a tree two days later, on Shevat 16, it does not reach its second year until the next Tu B’Shevat. There are not many customs or observances related to this holiday. One custom is to eat a new fruit on this day. Some people plant trees on this day. Many Jewish children collect money for trees for Israel at this time of year.

January Worship Services

All services begin at 10:00 a.m. and are followed by a Friendship Hour.

Jan. 3: Finding Innocence

How can adults regain the lost innocence of youth and rediscover a world full of possibility and immeasurable beauty?

Jan. 10: TBD

Jan. 17: TBD

Jan. 24: TBD

Jan. 31: TBD

Other Notices And Events

• Jan. 6 and Feb. 3: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at Pike’s Peak Mining company in Mansfield. Please contact Rick for details. Newcomers are welcome!

• Jan. 7 and Feb. 4: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church. Area residents are invited to participate!

• The Worship Committee will be meeting in early January to plan the upcoming Worship Schedule. If you’re interested in helping plan the church’s course of Worship, participating in a service as a Worship Associate or Lay-Leader, or have anything to contribute or that you’ld like to have included in worship services, please contact Neda or Minister Katie Lawson.

• Please contact LeeAnn or Nancy if you’re interested in the Interior Design Committee.

• Jan. 10: (7:00 p.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.

• Jan. 12: (4:00 p.m.) Retirement party for Dot Embree, longtime Executive Director of the Attleboro Area Council of Churches. Please visit www.attleborocouncilofchurches.org for details.

• Jan. 14 & 21: (7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.) “Financial Literacy For Young People” will be held at First Parish Universalist Church in Stoughton. This is a two part, free workshop for ages 15 and over. Preregister via Pamela McCarthy at 781-344-7125 or PMcCarthy2007@gmail.com.

• Jan. 21: MassEquality Lobbying Day at the State Building. Details at www.massequality.org.

• Please contact the UU-United Nations Office if you’re interested in becoming an “UU-UNO Envoy”.

• Contact rentals@uufoxborough.org to reserve the church for your ceremony, meeting, or other event. Payments are made through the Treasurer.

In The Community

Monday – Friday – Crossroads Children’s Center at the church (8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.); Mondays & Wednesdays – Belly Dance classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Tuesdays – Yoga classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Jan, 12 & 26 – Board Of Selectmen’s Meetings; Jan. 7 – Grades 5-8 Orchestra Concert at Ahern (7:00 p.m.); Jan. 14 – 8th Grade Concert Band and Junior Jazz Band at Ahern (7:00 p.m.); Jan. 18 & 29 – No School at FPS; Jan. 19 – U.S. Senate Special Election Day in Massachusetts; Jan. 21 – 6th & 7th Grade Concert Bands at Ahern (6:30 p.m.); Jan. 30 – Divine Drums and Sassy Sword Stylings workshops at the church; Jan. 31 – “A Mid-Winter Medley: Beginner To Professional Belly Dance Showcase” at the church (2:00 p.m.); The Restocking The Shelves collection box is on the church’s second level – please contribute!

World Religion Day: World Religion Day is a Baha’i observance celebrated on the third Sunday of every January. Begun in 1950, the day “provides the opportunity to seek a unified approach to the spiritual challenges that confront humanity, and recognizes that the Earth is but one country and mankind its citizenry.”

Bird’s Eye View

Newsletter of Foxborough Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist Association

6 Bird Street * On The Common * Foxborough, MA 02035-2301 * 508-543-4002

Worship Service & Religious Education Classes, Sundays at 10:00 A.M.

Katie Lawson, Minister * www.uufoxborough.org * All Are Welcome!

Minister’s Message

Dear Friends,

It was such a joy that so many of you were able to come to be together at the Potluck thisNovember. The conversation that occurred after dinner was productive, and it will beinteresting to see where it takes us next.

Amidst all of that productivity and hard work, what was most inspiring was simply seeing you talking and laughing and eating together. I was so glad to be reminded that in the midst of all each of you do on behalf the church and the community, it is so important to also just have funtogether. Laughter and relaxation, after all, are key components to any spiritual life. Thefact that Friendship Hour is such an integral part of life at the church is an indication of how critical opportunities for pure fellowship are to our ministry.

As we consider some of the wisdom offered to us by Bill Zelazny at the potluck and begin tocreate a strategic plan, I hope we all remember the ministry of good, clean fun. Let’s continue to look for new ways to enjoy being together.

Faithfully,
Katie

Chairman’s Ramblings

December!!! – At one point it seemed that December would be four months late this year. I was still waiting for summer when I found out that it was Halloween already. Somehow, despite the calendar, I’m still looking for summer to show up, a season when you plant things like tomatoes that grow to be larger than a half dollar in diameter, where it doesn’t take three to make one sandwich. We’ve settled in to our church year with weekly services, routine RE for the kids,and our winter holiday program planned.

I would like to challenge you to bring in food and grooming items for the food pantry. All of the Boston area food pantries are running way ahead in applicants looking for minimal food fortheir families. As soon as we get a reasonable quantity we will bring it over, and please -remember that the need does not end at Christmas dinner, it is needed throughout the year.

Also, one of our members works at Lemmuel Shattuck hospital – she says that they can always use adult clothing; again, at any time of year. Clients arrive with little and have needs for coats,gloves, sweaters, shirts, pants, etc, etc. Don’t throw away those outdated items; bring them in, and we will see to it that they get to a good home. Thanks!

Dick

Fundraising Through Partner Programs

We’re Amazon.com and Powell’s Books Associates. If you click through their links on the homepage of the church Web site (www.uufoxborough.org) and then shop at either of these on-line stores, part of your purchase price comes back to us. Please keep this in mind as you shop during the year!

Inclement Weather Days

As soon as any change in the church schedule is known on snowy or other inclement weather days, an announcement will be posted on Channel 5 (WCVB). If there’s another media method you think would be advantageous to utilize, please let thePublic Relations Committee know – thanks!

Wayside Pulpit

We can begin by doing small things at the local level, like planting community gardens or looking out for our neighbors. That is how change takes place in living systems, not from above but from within, from many local actions occurring simultaneously.

~ Grace Lee Boggs

Religious Education

From The RE Director

On a shopping trip with my daughter before Halloween, she noted how the Christmas displays were in full force. On our way to my sister-in-laws on Thanksgiving morning, my husband noticed that several homes had their Christmas lights up and ready to go – something we haven’t even thought of yet, never mind dig out of the attic! Every year, it seems “Christmas” starts earlier. At least at the retail and grocery stores it does. Those of us who bemoan the commercialization of this holiday may cringe at the constant reminders to buy, buy, buy! Yet what have we as UU’s done to respond to this?

We receive the daily newspaper at our house, and, normally, I rifle through the paper and quickly remove the ever constant store sale flyer and dispose of them in the recycling bin before my kids arrive at the kitchen table. For some reason, the past few weeks, I have been remiss in this task – and, as a result, my kids have dutifully studied the numerous store flyers that have flooded the newspapers. My son suddenly has endless ideas for his “list” when he is perusing the pages of Toys”R”Us. Funny how he couldn’t come up with much just a few weeks before.

Over the years, I have tried to talk to my children about how we have so much more than most people on this earth. How we should be and are grateful for all we have. How so many others are living hand to mouth or in need of the most basic things especially in today’s economic climate. We talk about this throughout the year (or should I say, I mention it to them when it seems appropriate without trying to belabor the point). Each holiday season, we have typically made a donation to some organization or other – The Heifer Project is a popular one the kids like, or anything to do with animals. We give to the food pantry, donate some toys at the “Toys for Tots” collection box at their Karate Dojo. Dig up old coats for a coat drive, and so on. All of this and my kids still think of this season as one where they expect to receive “things”. Of course they do receive things – from family and from us and even a few token items from “Santa”. So, thus the tug of war I have with trying to find some balance.

Over the last several years in church and RE, we have focused on the Solstice – learning about how the different cultures from around the world and throughout history have celebrated this season. We touch on the traditional Christmas/Nativity story. If you are like me, these are traditions from somewhere else – they are not “our” traditions, not UU traditions. Yet, I cannot articulate UU traditions for my kids – they are a rehash of the others.

Just recently, I came across some interesting information about efforts to start a new (unofficial) UU holiday tradition called Chalica. This is what I found:

CHALICA is an unofficial holiday in the Unitarian Universalist tradition that celebrates each of the faith’s Seven Principles – one a night, for seven nights. The celebration begins on the first Monday of December, and is marked by the lighting of a chalice each day (or evening). Gifts that reflect the particular day’s principle may be given, but the focus tends to be more on mindfulness and action.

• Monday: We light our chalice for the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
• Tuesday: We light our chalice for justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
• Wednesday: We light our chalice for acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
• Thursday: We light our chalice for a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
• Friday: We light our chalice for the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
• Saturday: We light our chalice for the goal of world peace, liberty, and justice for all.
• Sunday: We light our chalice for respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

I have found this proposal of a tradition intriguing and have been considering how we can incorporate this tradition into our holiday season at home. While I have yet to put it into practice, it is one that appeals to me and one my kids can consider as part of “our” faith while still respecting and acknowledging other traditions. I’m considering lighting a candle at the beginning of each day to meditate on that principle and discuss how we can focus on it throughout the day. We may not start on the first Monday – but to do it during a week that works for us – the beauty of a non-creedal, non-dogmatic faith – no?

What are your traditions? How do you make this holiday meaningful for your family? Does the concept of a UU tradition interest you? I would love to know!

Peace and Blessings for a holiday full of love,
Lisa

The Hogwarts

On November 13 the Hogwarts Group went to see “Joseph And His Technicolor Dreamcoat” put on by the Norton Singers. The Norton Singers is a group of actors/singers ages 7 to 70 from towns all around our area. Every year they choose a different musical to perform. This musical was playful as it provided a medley of musical styles. One of the kids’ favorite numbers was the “Pharaoh’s” Elvis imitation. As a special surprise, they provided each of our group members with a picture book of the story and a Joseph bead doll.
Leah

December 2009 Holidays
6, 13, & 20 – Sundays of Advent – Christian
6 Saint Nicholas Day – Christian
8 Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) – Buddhism
8 Immaculate Conception – Catholic Christian
12 Feast day – Our Lady of Guadalupe – Catholic Christian
12-19 Hanukkah – Jewish
16-25 Posadas Navidenas – Christian
18 Hijra – New Year – Islam
21 Solstice
21 Yule – Christian
21 Yule – Wicca northern hemisphere
25 Christmas – Christian
26 Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) – Zoroastrian
27 Feast of the Holy Family – Catholic Christian
27 Ashura – Islam
28 Holy Innocents – Christian
31 Watch Night – Christian

You and Me by the Christmas Tree

Jazz vocalist and musician Krisanthi Pappas and her band of piano, bass, drums, guitar, saxophone, and flute perform holiday favorites on Krisanthi’s CD “You and Me by the Christmas Tree”. This CD has been receiving great reviews from national magazines and radio station personalities. Normally $15, Kris is selling them for just $10 for the month of December. Please ask her for more details and log onto her web site to hear sound clips of the CD at www.krisanthi.com.

Ballou Channing District Young Adults

Jennifer Shattuck is our district’s new Young Adult Ministry Consultant. During the next few months, she will be providing information for Unitarian Universalists under forty and promoting avenues for UU Young Adults to connect with each other through programs, gatherings, social justice activities, and workshops. If you have any questions about the future of young adult ministry in the District, please don’t hesitate to contact her at 617-763-2799 or jennytuck81@gmail.com.

Also, beginning in mid-January, program notices, ministry resources, and short essays written by young adults and allies from around the District will be available on the BCD’s new Young Adult Ministry Blog at bcd-ya.blogspot.com.

UUA Social Witness Opportunities

Unitarian Universalists can participate in the UUA’s Social Witness process in a variety of ways including: voting in the Congregational Poll before February 1, 2010, submitting comments on the Draft SOC “Peacemaking” before February 1, 2010, and submitting comments on the Draft CSAI “Ethical Eating” before March 1, 2010. Comment forms for the latter two options are on-line at www.uua.org/socialjustice/issuesprocess/.

As a congregation, we are also encouraged to vote for five of the six proposed SAI s for the 2010-2014 Social Witness Cycle. The proposed SAIs are:

• Ending Slavery
• Energy, Peace, and Justice
• Immigration as a Moral Issue
• National Economic Reform: A Moral Imperative
• Nuclear Disarmament
• Revitalizing American Democracy

The five proposals that recieve the most votes will be presented at the 2010 General Assembly; there they will be debated and then, once again, voted on in order to choose the next SAI.

December’s Global Chalice Lighting

Knowing we must die, we question what life means.

Final answers may elude us, but by living the questions,
we create and discover meaning where we can.

~ Rev. Forrest Church
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

First Thursdays Peace Vigils

Get involved in the ongoing Social Action project hosted from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm. at the church the first Thursday of every month. The First Thursdays Peace Vigils community would like you to join them; candles and signs are provided. Stay for as long or as short as your schedule allows. Upcoming dates: Dec. 3, Jan. 7, and Feb. 4. December will mark the 3rd Anniversary of First Thursdays Peace Vigils.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee News

• December 10 – Annual Rights Night: Mel King will be honored with UUSC’s Eleanor Roosevelt Human Rights Award for his commitment to social justice and human rights. Attendees are invited to stay after the 7:00 p.m. ceremony to join activists from across Boston’s many communities in conversation about carrying the legacy of King’s work forward. All are welcome! The event is free, but please RSVP by e-mailing rsvp@uusc.org or calling 617-301-4381.

• PECAN, DO IT! UUSC’s Holiday Fair Trade Promotion: Purchase delicious pecan candies and fairly traded pecans from UUSC’s partner, the Southern Alternatives Agricultural Co-operative (SAAC), by visiting www.uusc.org/content/holiday_pecans.

• Don’t let your investment dollars fund genocide!: UUSC and their colleagues at Investors Against Genocide (IAG) need your help to end the practice of investing in genocide. Previous actions have successfully pressured TIAA-CREF and others to divest, so we know the efforts are making a difference! Please visit www.uusc.org and www.investorsagainstgenocide.net to find out about several ways you can help support this important work.

• Learn about and support immigrant rights!: See “Made in L.A.”, an Emmy award-winning feature documentary that follows three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops as they embark on a three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections from a trendy clothing retailer. Please visit the film’s web site (www.madeinla.com) to learn more.

Vigil For Survival

After the successful International Day Of Climate Action in October, 350.org and Bill McKibben are asking folks to also hold a candlelight vigil on December 11 or 12 to send a clear message to world leaders deciding the fate of the planet’s future. Mid-way through the climate talks in Copenhagen, people around the world will gather in solemn solidarity with the nations and peoples who will be first to face the challenge to their very survival posed by climate change and for whom delay on climate action could mean extinction. To help plan a vigil or find out where one is happening in our area, visit www.350.org/vigil.

December Worship Services

(Worship Service & Religious Education Classes begin at 10:00 a.m. on Sundays, except as noted. Sunday morning events are followed by a Friendship Hour.)

Dec. 6: When To Say When
Our natures have a tendency to hold behavioral and attitudinal ruts (like saying ‘yes” to every invitation). Sometimes the ways we have come to respond to the world don’t necessarily work to bring us closer to the holy. How do we catch ourselves in the act of reacting automatically and free ourselves to a different way of being?

Dec. 13: Yes, And…
Often life calls upon us to hold two seemingly disparate ideas, realities, or possibilities at the same time. Our nature, however, is better able to manage either/or scenarios. How can we exercise our ability to accept paradox and ambiguity in our lives?

Dec. 20: Christmas Pageant – Intergenerational
The congregation is pulled into living theater to tell the Christmas story and sing carols.

Dec. 24: In The Deep Midwinter – Intergenerational Candlelit Christmas Eve Service (4:30 p.m.)

Dec. 27: Poetry Sunday
It has been said that the poets come closest to speaking in God’s native tongue. Come ready with the poem that has most moved or inspired you lately and discover new poets and poems to help illuminate your spiritual path.

Bird’s Eye View

Foxborough Universalist Church,Unitarian Universalist Association

6 Bird Street | On The Common | Foxborough, MA 02035-2301 | 508-543-4002

Worship Service & Religious Education Classes, Sundays at 10:00 A.M.

Katie Lawson, Minister | www.uufoxborough.org | All Are Welcome!

December 2009

The location for December's meeting has been moved from StoneForge Pub to Pike's Peak Mining Company (31 Hampshire Street, Mansfield, Mass.)

The Men's Group meets at 7:30 p.m the first Wednesday of every month at a local venue. Join us there to socialize and plan community service and church events. The group welcomes new members. Please contact RickB. for more information.

Nov. 4 – Men’s Group Meeting (7:30 p.m.)

Nov. 5 – First Thursdays Peace Vigils (6:00 p.m.)

Nov. 8 – Bring A Friend Sunday

Nov. 8 – Newcomer’s Orientation (11:15 a.m.)

Minister’s Message

Dear Friends,

What does it mean to be Unitarian Universalist? How do I explain it? I am hearing these question more and more from you. You want a way to explain yourself to your friends, to your family, to your children, and to people you think might be enriched by participating in our congregation. You have rightly ascertained that Unitarian Universalism has evolved into something that is hard to explain to people who have only experienced more conventional Christianity. However, the difficulty of explaining it mostly comes from the fact that the conventional terms in which we talk about individual religions do not apply to Unitarian Universalism. Inevitably, when someone is looking for you to explain Unitarian Universalism, what she seems to be asking is, “So, what exactly do you believe?” which actually is not what Unitarian Universalism is about. My colleague, Thom Belote, said it well I think when he was explaining Unitarian Universalism to reporters from a fundamentalist Christian magazine:

….we are a covenantal faith, not a creedal faith. We share a covenant of how we try to be together, not a creed of what we all must believe together.

Then the questions really began: “Well, does your church believe in the Bible?”

My response: That is a creedal question. We are a covenantal church. We share a covenant of how we try to be together, not what we are expected to believe together.

This answer is not a flakey cop-out. This answer emerges out of a history throughout which people struggled with what it means to be Christian, what it means to be religious, and what it means to be “saved.” These people often risked their livelihoods, if not their lives, to say, “I am a thinking person, close to God by virtue of being born, and I should not need to be told what to believe by other mere human beings.”

Thom’s answer emerges out of the first action of the pilgrims when they landed in Massachusetts which was to form a covenant on how to live together as religious people. This answer emerges from the thoughts of devout early Congregational ministers who read the Bible and thought, “This is less about worshipping one man and about walking a path encompassing love.” This answer emerges out of religious philosophers like Ralph Waldo Emerson who could not believe that God was the possession of only those sitting under one kind of roof, who read the newly translated works from the East and thought, “We are trying to say the same thing: Life is full of blessings and injustice and God is everywhere.” This answer emerges from the fervent hopes of the humanists, who thought, “With or without God, our duty is to be good to each other and work for justice in THIS life.”

In the weeks to come, let us help each other find ways to articulate this beautiful, flawed, challenging, and brave tradition. It is worthy of our faith.

Faithfully,
Katie

Chairman’s Ramblings

It’s the start of the holiday season already, and each year the time seems to get compressed: too many activities going on, too much commercialism. This would be a good time to bring in non-perishable food or other items for the Foxborough Discretionary Fund. Their need is year-round but a little extra heavy this time of year. There are many families that need help with food and other items at this time of year, and your help is always appreciated.

If you have extra adult clothing, winter coats, shoes, etc., please bring them in to church. The patients at Shattuck Hospital always need clothing and Ginger Bailey will bring items in to the hospital. They should be clean and gently used. Ginger kindly took the leftover clothes from the yardsale, and they were appreciated. It would be nice to have members remember to bring in both food and clothes each Sunday.

Last, we will be doing the Guest At Your Table program again this year, but in a little different fashion. Instead of taking home the boxes to place at your table, we will set out a collection for the program at coffee hour. We hope you will be equally generous and appreciate the convenience.
Dick

Newcomer’s Orientation
If you have recently started attending services at Foxborough Universalist Church or are contemplating doing so, this short introduction provides information about the church, how to become more involved (including how to become a member), and a brief history of Unitarian Universalism. From 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. on November 8, the minister and a board member will be in the church office to answer your questions. You do not have to be ready for membership to attend this orientation.

Wayside Pulpit
“The world is like a mirror, you see? Smile, and your friends smile back.”
~ Japanese Zen saying

RE Happenings
After several rained-out attempts at a fall outdoor excursion, the RE classes finally switched to an indoor field trip. On October 18, despite rain, all the classes visited the Haunted Theater at the Orpheum. Amongst other activities, they danced in a 3-D room, visited a basement dungeon, and walked through a sparkly, spinning cylinder. A good time, and many treats, were had by all.

The Hogwarts

The Hogwarts group started learning the bible story of Joseph. The first lesson talks about his coat of many colors, his brothers’ jealousy, and leaves us hanging with Joseph being sold into slavery by his brothers. My favorite comment of the day came from Russell, who predicted that the brothers would kill Joseph because that’s how all the biblical people handle jealousy. While listening to the story, the kids made their own coat of many colors.

On November 13, the Hogwarts group will be going on their own field trip. After having learned about Joseph and his Coat of Many Colors, they will travel to Norton to see the Norton Singers’ version of “Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
Leah

Milestones
Vashti Cromwell McCollum, Kate Olivia Sessions, Edna May Oliver, James Luther Adams, Sir Charles Lyell, Charles Hudson, Mary Tyler Peabody Mann, Orello Cone, Lotta Hitschmanova, and John Haynes Holmes.

The First Thanksgiving
Interested in the facts and myths about the “First Thanksgiving” at Plimoth Colony? Log-on to www.plimoth.org/education/olc/ to use “You Are The Historian”, an interactive presentation created by the folks at Plimoth Plantation.

The Living Tradition
The Wheel Turns – Samhain

I would guess that most of you call October 31 Halloween, but for some of us it is the holiday of Samhain, the Witch’s New Year. It is a very magical night, when the veils between the worlds are thin. While we can and do celebrate Halloween with costumes, candy, and parties, there is always a private ritual or celebration where we honor our loved ones who have passed on and to invite them to join us once again on this sacred night.

Samhain actually means “Summer’s End” and was when the last of the harvesting was done. Some current Halloween traditions derive from the ancient Celtic traditions. The carving of pumpkins was actually the carving of turnips and they were used for light when many households let their fires go out so that they could be re-lit with the night’s bonfires. The Druids lit huge bonfires and the people gathered, sometimes wearing the skins of animals, which could be considered the source of dressing up for Halloween. The Romans had their own feast to honor the dead and also a day to honor Pomona, the Goddess of fruit and trees. When they conquered Celtic lands, these traditions blended. Pomona’s symbol, the apple, was incorporated into these celebrations, hence possibly this is where “bobbing for apples” comes from. The influence of Christianity also adds to the tradition of Halloween. As they were taking over the old Pagan rituals to influence people to convert, they called the day after Samhain, All Hallows or All Saints Day, a day to honor the dead saints, followed by All Soul’s Day, a day to honor all of the dead. The night before became known as All Hallows Eve, shortened to Halloween.

For those who follow a Wiccan spirituality, this is a very important night. Gathered together, or as solitaries, we honor our loved ones, we set out what is called “The Dumb Supper”, leaving a plate for those from beyond the veil who may be walking the night. We use the signs of autumn on our altars – leaves, acorns, pumpkins, apples. This is a night for divination, as Samhain night is known to be “the night that exists outside of time”.

No matter how you celebrate, may your Samhain be blessed and know that every ending is but a beginning in the Wheel of the Year.

Goddess Blessings,
Susan Morgaine

November 2009 Holidays
1 All Saints’ Day – Christian
1 Samhain – Wicca Northern hemisphere
1 Beltane – Wicca Southern hemisphere
2 All Souls’ Day – Catholic Christian
2 Guru Nanak Dev Sahib birthday – Sikh
12 Birth of Baha’u'llah – Baha’i
15 Nativity Fast begins (through Dec 24) – Orthodox Christian
22 Christ the King – Christian
24 Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom – Sikh
25-28 Hajj – Islam
26 Thanksgiving – Interfaith – USA
26 Day of Covenant – Baha’i
26 Waqf al Arafa – Hajj Day – Islam
27 Eid al Adha – Islam
28 Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Baha – Baha’i
29 First Sunday of Advent – Christian
30 Saint Andrew’s Day – Christian

International Day Of Climate Action
Our church hosted and participated in a successful “International Day Of Climate Action” event on October 24, 2009. Minister Katie Lawson, Pastor Paul Sangree of Bethany Congregational Church, Rev. Rebecca S. Brown of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, members of FACT (Franklin Area Climate Team), and Foxborough Selectman Paul Mortenson each spoke briefly of the need to take actions to reduce global warming. About 40 people attended the event, including church members and the public. There was a display of 390 ping pong balls (350 white and 40 black) to simulate the current atmospheric level of carbon dioxide of 390 ppm. The goal of the day’s activities focused on the number 350 and each participant was encouraged to take one of the black ping pong balls to represent both their intention to reduce their carbon usage and the need to bring the CO2 levels back down to the currently desired level of 350 ppm.

We were one of twenty-six Massachusetts UUA congregations to participate in the day’s activities, and one of more than 5,200 actions around the globe in 181 countries! Many thanks are extended to: the day’s emcee and guest speaker, Minister Lawson; Lisa Benoit for coordinating the event, making signs, setting up the sound system, and more; Madison for doing face painting. If you want more information about the ongoing work of 350.org or UUMFE, our Green Sanctuary efforts and related literature, and/ or the upcoming COP15 United Nations Climate Change Conference Copenhagen, please visit green.uufoxborough.org.

Stand Up For Climate Justice
Discussions about climate change usually focus on mitigation (reducing the production of carbon). But these efforts leave unaddressed the impact on people already experiencing the effects of climate disruption — communities around the world that had very little to do with creating the problem in the first place. Supporting these communities is a matter of justice. As part of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s (UUSC) engagement with the global 350.org campaign, they have launched “Climate Justice Offset Program”.

UUSC’s partners around the globe can help advance social justice and develop methods to deal with the effects of climate change. For example, in Darfur, dwindling rainfall over the last several decades has caused more frequent droughts which has meant less water for people to grow their crops. The resulting increase in competition for land and water has exacerbated existing conflicts in the region, playing a major role in the genocidal war that has raged in Darfur for over six years. From your donations, equipment and materials can be provided to help a woman secure alternatives to leaving the safety of displaced persons camps in order to make a living. Please visit www.uusc.org/climatejustice to find out other locations UUSC is focusing on and how UUSC and its partners can help protect the environment by planting native trees, bringing together voices from the Global South concerned about climate change, and more.

First Thursdays Peace Vigils
Get involved in the ongoing Social Action project hosted from 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 pm. at the church the first Thursday of every month. The First Thursdays Peace Vigils community would like you to join them; candles and signs are provided. Stay for as long or as short as your schedule allows. Upcoming dates: Nov. 5, Dec. 3, and Jan. 7. December will mark the 3rd Anniversary of our First Thursdays Peace Vigils.

Notices

• Nov. 1: (2:00 a.m.) Daylight Savings Time ends! Turn your clocks back one hour.
• Nov. 1: Work party after church. Bring your favorite tool to help clean the church grounds.
• Nov. 4: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at StoneForge Pub in Foxborough.
• Nov. 5: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigils outside at the church.
• Nov. 7: “Supporting LGBT and Questioning Youth: Creating Safety and Building Resiliency” free workshop at First Parish in Bedford. Visit www.uubedford.org to register.
• Nov. 16: Deadline for submitting UUA General Assembly 2010 Program Proposal forms to the Program Development Group.
• Dec. 2: (7:30 p.m.) Men’s Group Meeting at StoneForge Pub in Foxborough.
• Dec. 3: (6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.) First Thursdays Peace Vigil at the church.
• Dec. 6: (7:00 p.m.) Board Of Trustees Meeting at the church. All are welcome to attend.
• April 8-10, 2010: UU-UNO Intergenerational Spring Seminar, “A Climate Of Change: Head, Heart, And Hands Around The Planet” in New York City, New York.
• Contact rentals@uufoxborough.org to reserve the church for your ceremony, meeting, or other event.

Holdeen India Program
A new DVD resource, which gives an introductory overview of UUHIP, is available for free! Please visit www.tinyurl.com/UUHIP-DVD for more information.

Charter For Compassion
The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is one among a diverse group of interfaith religious organizations that have partnered with the “Charter for Compassion” community. This collaborative effort seeks to be a witness to the centrality of compassion in all of the world’s religions – and to help build a more “peaceful and harmonious global community” through that witness. The finalzed version of the Charter for Compassion will be “launched” in a major event on November 12, 2009. Religious people from around the world are invited to join in this launch by sponsoring special events and activities. Unitarian Universalist congregations are welcome to participate in any way that they choose. Learn more about how our congregation can participate by visiting www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/151228.shtml Additional details about the Charter For Compassion can be found on-line at www.charterforcompassion.org.

Minister Emerita
On October 18, 2009, we presented our former Minister, Reverend Fayre Stephenson, with the title of Minister Emerita of the Foxborough Universalist Church.

Reaching Out
While we’ve held drives to help send items to military personnel serving overseas, there are other ways to reach out any time to those far from home. Operation Dear Abby (https://wwwcfi.cnet.navy.mil/dearabby/), USO’s Operation Mail Call (www.uso.org/mailcall), and Operation USO Care Package (www.uso.org/oucp) are three on-line methods of bringing some Holiday cheer to the women and men serving our country around the globe.

UUSC Holiday Cards
This year, send more than holiday greetings in the mail to loved ones; send support to courageous human-rights defenders around the world with UUSC holiday cards! These cards are a colorful way to promote social justice during the season of goodwill. Order your UUSC holiday cards today via www.uusc.org.

Standing On The Side Of Love Friday Calls
Join in on the 45 minute Web-cast conference calls every Friday at 1:00 p.m. Each call features a presentation by Campaign Staff and Advisors, a Q & A, and discussion. Topics include: how to get your congregation involved; how to develop a local campaign; how to use new media; how to bring SSL to interfaith colleagues and allies; and more! For more details and connection requirements, go to www.standingonthesideoflove.org/fridaycalls/.

Families: Weave A Tapestry Of Faith
In the Fall, 2009 issue, UU World magazine launched a unique lifespan faith development resource to use at home. The new four-page insert in UU World’s centerfold space is geared for the whole family and draws from the stories, activities, and faith development guidance in “Tapestry Of Faith” curricula published by the Lifespan Faith Development staff group. The next issue will feature a story about Mahatma Gandhi’s quest for his own truth and a West African/Caribbean story about the spider, Anansi, to remind us, as we follow our own faith paths, to seek out our six Unitarian Universalist Sources and harvest their wisdom.

Worship Services

Nov. 1: Day Of The Dead by Lay-leader Neda Joury-Penders
On this day we come together to remember those who have died. We will explore what it means to live in the presence of death and how knowing that the people we love will die affects how we relate to them while we live.

Nov. 8: Bring A Friend Sunday by Minister Katie Lawson and Worship Associate Ginger Bailey
This service will be especially geared for those who may want to visit the church for the first time and will explore what it means to be a good a friend and what it means t to be a good neighbor.

Nov. 15: Health And Happiness by Katie Lawson and Virginia Sanders
In the presence of the debate over health care legislation and so much information about what it means to be healthy, we will explore the ways in which physical health is entangled with our spiritual health and religious lives.

Nov. 22: The Attitude Of Gratitude
As Thanksgiving approaches, we devote our worship to reasons for and ways of cultivating gratitude in our lives. We will also celebrate with a Cornbread Communion.

Nov. 29: Decking Your Halls
As we move into the winter holiday season, how do we retain the spirit of reverence that is their inspiration. How do we enter the holiday season with intention and hold
that intention throughout?

In The Community
Month – Free mulch and compost for residents from DPW; Mondays & Wednesdays – Belly Dance classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Tuesdays – Yoga classes at the church (6:30 p.m.); Nov. 1. 8, & 22 – Events at the stadium; Nov. 10 & 24 – Board Of Selectmen’s Meetings; Nov. 6 – “Three Mill Girls” at Chapel Meetinghouse (7:00 p.m.); Nov. 11, 26, & 27 – No School (FPS); Nov. 12 – “Dinosaurs” at Orpheum Theatre (9:30 a.m.); Nov. 12 – Fall Jazz Concert at FHS (7:00 p.m.); Nov. 14 – “Belly Cat” Fundraiser for Felines Of Foxborough (6:30 p.m. at SFCC); Nov. 21 – Jaycees Craft Fair at American Legion (10:00 a.m.); Nov. 21 – Mother Goose On The Loose at Boyden; Nov. 21 – Handbell Festival at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church (3:00 p.m.); Nov. 24 – FMA Young Artist Recital at FHS (7:00 p.m.).

Other November Holidays And Observances
2 Deviled Egg Day
4 King Tut Day
11 Veteran’s Day/Remembrance Day
15 America Recycles Day
20 Transgender Day of Remembrance
27 Buy Nothing Day

November is Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month; Adoption Awareness Month; Alzheimer’s Disease Month; Diabetes Month; and Native-American Heritage Month. Nov. 1-7 Animal Shelter Appreciation Week; Nov. 9-15 World Kindness Week; Nov. 15-21 Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week; Nov. 22-28 National Game & Puzzle Week.

International Day Of Climate Action Event
Let your family, friends, and neighbors know that Foxborough Universalist Church, UUA, will be holding an event at the church to encourage global stewardship and actions that promote a sustainable planet and environment for all.

The activities will begin at 3:00 p.m. If necessary, the event will be held inside the church.

More details:

Join the Foxborough community to observe International Day Of Climate Action beginning at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 24, at the Foxborough Universalist Church, UUA, (6 Bird Street/On The Common). The public is invited to this free, environmentally focused event that will include interactive demonstrations, an activity that will encourage people to reduce their carbon usage, educational handouts, FACT members, face painting, guest speakers including a Foxborough Selectman and minister Katie Lawson, and more!

This “Unite For Climate Action” event will be one of thousands of activities being held around the globe in more than 140 nations to urge world leaders to take fast and effective action on global warming during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, in December 2009. Organized by 350.org, this is the first global campaign ever organized around a scientific data point: 350 parts per million (ppm) of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). 350 is the safe upper limit of CO₂ for the atmosphere, according to the latest scientific data.

Grounded in the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) 7^th Principle “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part”, this weeks activities are part of the congregation’s ongoing Green Sanctuary efforts centered on environmental stewardship. For more than 40 years, Unitarian Universalists have promoted environmental awareness, embraced individual responsibility to create a sustainable planet for all, and urged leaders around the world to create policies that would result in reducing harmful impacts on our environment from human activities.

All are welcome to participate in the October 24 activities at the church (6 Bird Street, Foxborough). If you want more information or need directions, please call the church at 508-543-4002 or visit on-line at http://green.uufoxborough.org.

Here are the latest numbers: On Oct. 24, 2009, the International Day Of Climate Action, over 3,700 actions will happen around the world, in over 162 countries.

Tags: 7th Principle, Green Sanctuary

Postponed: 10/18 church work party & BBQ. We still will be sprucing up the interior; please bring your favorite cleaning tool and help out!