Highlights May 11

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Winchester Unitarian Society
Highlights
May 11, 2017
Sunday, May 14th: Youth Sunday: Growing Up and Going Forth
With Sam Wilson and WUSYG Youth

Youth will lead this Sunday’s service, focused on growth, identity formation, transformation, and how the WUS community has impacted our youth as they prepare to go forth and spread their wings in the world. The service will feature wisdom from WUSYG’s sole senior this year, Kate McPhee, pay tribute to mothers by lifting up the nurturing qualities within each of us, and encourage attendees to spread their own “seeds of hope” as well.

This week’s Share the Plate will support Mariposas Sin Fronteras (Butterflies Without Borders), a group that seeks to end the systemic violence and abuse of LGBTQ people held in prison and immigration detention. They “envision a society that no longer finds solutions in the system of immigration detention or the prison industrial complex,” and are one of the organizations that Kate and other WUSYGers were deeply impacted by on their recent Immigration Justice Trip to Tucson.

Music News.

The Children’s Chorale celebrates another spectacular year of singing with an end of year concert on Tuesday, May 23rd at 6:30 p.m. in the Chapel. Come hear them perform favorite songs from the past year along with a few new tunes as well. All are invited.

Children’s Chorale meets every Tuesday from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. in the Spirit Play room in the RE wing. This is a wonderfully spirited group of young singers (grades 2-6) who meets weekly to sing, play games, and learn about music. All are welcome and no previous singing experience is necessary. If you know of any young person interested in having a great time while making music, please be in touch with music director John Kramer atjohn.kramer@winchesteruu.org.

Musicians Needed for Summer Services. Anyone is welcome to join the choir which will sing a few times, or sing a solo or in a duet, trio, quartet. Those who play the piano, guitar, violin, any instrument are also wanted. Please see our Music Director John Kramer if you would like to participate sometime between June 18 and Sept. 3. He will have this organized by the end of May, so tell him soon what you would like to do and what dates you will be available.
Religious Education

Family Worship: Mothers and other Magical Creatures: Please join us in the chapel for this family centric, 20 minute interactive service.

This month, Embodiment: In our Worship services we will be exploring the theme of embodiment, the shape of ourselves, the work we do with our hands, the relationships we form, the physical realities of our world and our participation in it.

Religious Education Morning: Butterfly and Cocoon: Like butterflies we need to become strong enough to fly.  If the weather is fine, we will be out of doors today, if not planting strawberry seeds inside. At any rate, please dress for the mess. Ages fifth grades and up are invited to stay for the high school youth led service. Religious Education Assistant and High School Senior Kate McPhee offers the reflection this week.

Childcare for babies and tots is available in the playroom with Juanita Simms.

Afternoon Programs:

Our Whole Lives and F8th in Action Are invited to come to the 10:30 service, designed and led by our Senior High school youth members. This will be yourgroup one day soon!

Mark your calendars

Next Religious Education Committee Meeting June, 7th 9:00 AM Michelsen room.
Garden Blessing, May 21st
Memorial Day wreath laying, May 28th
Community Dance and end of program year celebration June 11th!   

And Don’t Forget: We have a Parents Resource bookshelf in the Michelsen Room and a Little Library for children’s books outside of the Religious Education office. These are curated for you and your family. Please borrow and return, feel free to add anything you’d like to share with others and let us know what else might be of interest.

GROWTH AND LEARNING:

Soul Collage May 25th 7:00 PM Winchester Unitarian Society: Listen to the Whispers of your Soul

Access your inner voice of wisdom and guidance in this playful, yet purposeful, facilitated practice. It is a gentle, accessible, and surprising tool for unlocking emotional obstacles and stepping into the most authentic expression of yourself. It is a path for artist and non-artist alike to explore self and spirit through the non-judgmental mirror of Soul Collage.  Soul Collage facilitator Rebecca Kelley-Morgan leads the group. Please RSVP to Betsy Bowles at bebowles13@gmail.com to reserve your spot – group size will be limited.

2017- 2018 Programming: It’s never too soon to start thinking about next year.  We’re inviting input and feedback on possibilities for next year’s programming. Is there something you’d like more of? Less of? Let any member of the Growth and Learning Committee know, or send along comments to Rebecca Kelley Morgan at Rebecca@winchesteruu.org

Next Growth and Learning Meeting June 14th , 7:00 PM Michelsen Room

Looking Ahead: Winchester Unitarian Society will be hosting a Thoreau Bicentennial Celebration this fall, as part of the Walden Woods statewide Thoreau Read. We have many Thoreau readers among the congregation, and we’d love to hear from you about what might be accessible and thought provoking. Please be in touch with Rev. Heather or Rebecca Kelley Morgan.
WUSYG: Winchester Unitarian Society Youth Group

Upcoming Events:

5/13: Youth Sleepover. 7:30 pm. Bring sleeping bag/blanket, pillow, toiletries, nice outfit for Youth Sunday and something for potluck breakfast (sign up here: http://www.perfectpotluck.com/meals.php?t=KKSV1460)

5/14: Youth Sunday, Service at 10:30 AM. Please arrive by 9 if you are in the service but do not attend the sleepover. No 4:30 meeting: do things with Mom!

Please email the Director of Youth Ministries, Sam Wilson, for further information about WUSYG and Youth Ministry atWUS: sam.wilson@winchesteruu.org or WUSYouth@gmail.com

To subscribe to our newsletter and/or for more detailed information about contacting Sam and following him/WUSYG on social media, please Click Here.
Congregational News
White Supremacy
Teach In

WUS joined more than 600 congregations in participating in the White Supremacy Teach In on May 7th. More than 30 people participated! If you weren’t able to attend, you may read the packet of materials here: https://tinyurl.com/jwr9j7e
A couple questions emerged from the congregation about the Teach In: Why was space made available for people-of-color to meet as a caucus?Caucusing is a common practice in anti-racism work. It can be difficult for people-of-color to be present when a predominately-white community is exploring white supremacy. POC-only space insures that one will not be asked to be an “expert” and provides opportunities to build community with those who have similar identities. The Teach In organizers strongly recommended offering such a space. Why were people-of-color asked to meet separately? All were welcome to participate in the White Supremacy Teach In in the Parlor; the caucus space was offered as an option, as described in this Highlightsannouncement: While all are welcome at the Teach In, people-of-color are also welcome to caucus together in the Minister’s Study. Contact Rev. Heather if there are specific requests to support such a gathering. We regret there was confusion about this practice.
This intentional work to dismantle racism continues. If you would like to be part of future programs and initiatives, contact Rev. Heather or leaders in WUS‘s Racial Justice Task Force, Patty Shepard and Claire McNeill.
A CELEBRATION FOR DEB MORGAN BENNETT SUNDAY MAY 21st

Sunday, May 21st, will be Deb’s final Sunday leading worship at WUS while serving her year of ministerial internship with us. After the service and before the Annual Meeting, join us in Symmes for lunch and cake as we recognize Deb and give thanks for her service and for the many talents and qualities she brought toWUS.

There will be a basket in Symmes if you would like to write a card or note to Deb, who will be away from May 22 through June. Deb will return on Sundays and one day in the week in July and August as our Summer Minister before resuming her final year of studies at Starr King Theological Seminary.

Your Internship Committee and Standing Committee and Rev. Heather.
Social Action and Outreach
Louis D. Brown Mothers Day Walk for Peace: May 14, 2017
Every year people walk together to support families in Boston who have lost loved ones to violence. Since we are not sending a group, you may wish to walk with the UU Urban Ministry team: It will meet about 8:30 am at UUUM, contact Marvin at MVenay@UUUM.org You need to register for this fundraiser at: http://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org/
Do you think racism is an inherent part of the fabric of America? Winchester Multicultural Network is screening “American Denial” on Thursday, May 11, 2017  7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Next Door Theater, 40 Cross Street, Winchester. “American Denial” looks back to 1944, and asks, “How much has changed in race relations since Gunnar Myrdal conducted his study?” To register for a seat at this free event, please click HERE.
UU Urban Ministry: “We are expanding our services for survivors of domestic violence with a Job Readiness program.” Volunteers Needed: mentor, teacher, career coach, career panel participant, gardener, practice interviewer. To learn more, contact Rev. Susan Chorley: schorley@uuum.org  Training sessions will be held May 13th 10 am – 1 pm
You are also invited to the Annual Meeting of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 6:30 (dinner), meeting begins at 7:00. First Church 10 Putnam St., Roxbury, MA Click here to Register

WUS Garden Herb

What’s Happening In The Herb Garden?? (It’s out back!)

New raised beds were built (thanks Steve Forcucci) and installed, ready for more soil and some plantings.

But there are herbs ready now for anyone to pick for cooking and some could be transplanted at home.

  • Ready now: chives, oregano, thyme, mint and sage.
  • Available to take some for a home garden: thyme and mint

Anyone interested in helping with the garden, we will be there this Saturday morning and early afternoon. Feel free to stop by, get your hands a little dirty and see what’s growing!

Last year, our F8th in Action group picked and frozen herbs from the garden, then made soups for our Soup & Conversation events. We also made bundles of “Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme” that went with each of the Thanksgiving Baskets to the Woburn Council for Social Concern. Let us know if you’d like to garden with us!

“Building and Enjoying Community” – 

Your Stories Needed!

June 4th is our last Vision Statement Sunday, exploring the Vision of “Building and Enjoying Community: All newcomers and members feel welcome, comfortable, and appreciated for who they are. A wide variety of programs and activities help us deepen our involvement in the community, discover our shared passions and concerns, learn from our differences, and connect across generations and all traditional barriers.” Please send your thoughts and experiences about how WUS lives into this vision to Rev. Heather atheather.janules@winchesteruu.org by May 26th.
Meditation News

Meets almost every Wednesday from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. in the Meyer Chapel. Sitting from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. Walking from 7:00 to 7:15 p.m. Discussion 7:15 to 7:30 p.m. Contact Ron Denhardt (rondenhardt@gmail.com) for info.
From the Office

Office Hours Week of May 15th (Next week):

Monday: 9:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Tuesday: 9:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 8:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Thursday: 8:00 – 2:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Monday Night Candlelight Yoga

6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Meyer Chapel

April 3 – June 19 

Find ease and flow in your body in our Spring Session of gentle Kripalu-style yoga with teacher Jamie Sokolowski. Jamie gently guides us through a flow of deep breathing (pranayama) and body awareness, yoga postures (asanas) leading to a final shivasana, a deeply restful integration of the practice.  Postures gently stretch and strengthen, enhance balance and counter patterns of daily tension. Connecting breath and movement deepens self-awareness and enlivens our sense of being! If you have never done yoga before, or only just a bit, Jamie gives clear guidance through a slow flow of postures, offering support as we go. If you have more experience, you are invited to take the postures to your own depth of challenge. Ten-class ($150), 5-class ($75) and drop-in ($15) options available. Questions? Email fritzie.nace@gmail.com.

Joys, Sorrows and Transitions

If you are facing a time of joy, sorrow or transition in your life, our ministers and the Pastoral Care Associates are available to offer a listening ear, compassionate presence and, if applicable, resources.

We celebrate with John and Rebecca Keller with the birth of their newest grandchild, Serena Jolene Stokes!

You may reach the Rev. Heather Janules or Intern Minister Deborah Morgan Bennett through the

office at 781.729.0949. They can also connect you with a Pastoral Care Associate or the Caring Network (providing short-term, practical support like rides and meals.) To learn more about the PCAs, pick up a brochure when you are in the church.
Woburn Food Pantry

For the month of May, the Woburn Food Pantry needs cereal, hot or cold. Every month the director of the pantry lets us know which items are in low supply so that our contributions can have the most impact. Please place your donations in the bin under the new-and-improved Social Action area in the Symmes Room. For additional information contact Mary Saudade at msaudade@comcast.net.
Community News 
Civic Gathering No.3 – Building Momentum in Service of a Caring and Inclusive Community

The Winchester Multicultural Network, the Board of Selectmen, and the School Committee invite you to the town’s third Civic Gathering, scheduled for Thursday, May 18, from 7 – 9 pm at the Sanborn House (15 High Street, Winchester).

All are welcome to join us for this important opportunity to become informed and connected to these efforts to strengthen our community.

Immigration Awareness – Upcoming Events

120 Days Undocumented in America
Friday, May 19 @ 7:00pm
First Parish Unitarian Universalist
75 The Great Road, Bedford, MA

A look at the lives of a family of undocumented immigrants whose father is given 120 days to put his affairs in order before he will be returned to Mexico after  living and working in the US for over twelve years.
Community Conversations: Immigrant Community Needs in Boston
Saturday, May 20th, 2017 10:30 am – 12 pm
Boston Cares Office, 90 Canal St, Suite 610, Boston, MA 02114
Orange Line/Green Line (North Station or Haymarket)

Join Boston Cares, MIRA (Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition) and Gilbert Albert Community Center for a look at the needs and opportunities to support immigrant communities in Boston. This event is open to all. To register a guest email Kayla at kparker@bostoncares.org
Coffee Hour Refreshments
For the upcoming church year, we need volunteers to bring refreshments for coffee hour on Sundays. Please go tohttp://winchesteruu.org/hospitality-171.html  and click on ‘Volunteer Sign Up Form’ to sign up, or use the sign up sheets in the Symmes Room.
Flower Dedications
Dates are available for flower dedications. You may dedicate flowers in celebration of, in memory of, or in honor of someone and it will appear in the Order of Service. The cost is $45.00 (or you can bring your own flowers, but let the office know). Please go to http://winchesteruu.org/hospitality-171.html  and click on ‘Volunteer Sign Up Form’ to sign up, or use the sign up sheets in the Symmes Room.