Highlights May 4

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Winchester Unitarian Society
Highlights
May 4, 2017
Sunday, May 7th: Building Capacity to Lead: The Questions of Authority
With Rev. Heather Janules
Worship Associate: Phyllis Preston

The WUS Vision Statement includes a goal of “empowering strong leadership.” This goal raises the question of authority. To whom do we delegate our collective power? And for what? How do we ensure that authority is used with integrity? Drawing from events in the congregation’s history and a current controversy within the Unitarian Universalist Association, this service will explore the spiritual questions of power, authority and leadership.

Music News.

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.

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.
Religious Education

Family Worship: What’s an Elephant? There are many ways to see the same reality. 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: Who will make the Pizza? We’ve been cooking this year, in service to our caring network and our pastoral care programs. Why would we make a meal that we do not share? Some of us will be in the kitchen for our final day of Community Cooks, others will be creating a community garden (portable).

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

Afternoon Programs:

Our Whole Lives and F8th in Action meet at 9:00 am to embark on our annual canoe outing – paddling down the Aberjona, picking up trash along the way and carpooling back from Boston Harbor with a planned return between4:30 and 5:00 p.m. Heavy rains or high winds cancel the trip so stay tuned to the weather forecast. Fritzie Nace coordinates.

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:

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.orgNext Growth and Learning Meeting May 10th, 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:

5/7: 4:30 pm Meeting. Youth are also strongly encouraged to attend the White Supremacy Teach-In at noon.

5/13: Youth Sleepover

5/14: Youth Sunday, Service at 10:30 AM (no 4:30 meeting): F8thers will join WUSYG to make soup from 4.30-6:00 (then WUSYG will do check-in from6:00-6:30).

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
Help Close Budget the Gap!
As many of you may already know, we have a significant deficit this year despite the generous (Thank you!) Annual Pledge Drive contributions.

This Gap of some $42K is a result from the following combined unanticipated changes – approximately an $11K decrease in revenues and about $31K of unforeseen increases in expenses. More detailed information is available.

With the endorsement of many congregants, the Stewardship and Finance Committee, and the Standing Committee, we are asking for your extra help.

An anonymous church member has already generously offered to match $10,000 of pledge increases or contributions dollar-for-dollar.
Please increase your pledge or make a one-time gift using one of the ways below:
– filling out the online Close the Budget Gap form
– emailing ebbott@comcast.net,
– stopping by the church office to fill out a Close the Budget Gap form (we will have them available on Sunday, May 7th at church as well).

The Standing Committee is recommending that the congregation use the upcoming year to examine our programs, our physical space, and how we reach out to the world beyond our doors.  We hope to identify new ways for both spiritual, and yes, financial growth while increasing membership. Let us work together this coming year bringing spiritual enrichment to ourselves, outreach to our greater community, and balance to our budget.

You make this possible!
White Supremacy
Teach In, May 7th, 
Noon – 1:00 or 1:15 pm in the Parlor
A controversy has emerged
within the UUA:
In response to selection of a white male ministerial candidate over a Latina female lay leader for a key position within the Association, a choice reinforcing a pattern privileging white people over people-of-color and ministers over lay leaders, UUs-of-color and white allies have called for change. This call led to UUA President Peter Morales writing a letter in response. While this letter sought to foster unity, it increased anger and distress. Rev. Morales then resigned the Presidency and UUA staff – COO, the Rev. Harlan Limpert and Director of Congregational Life, the Rev. Scott Tayler – also resigned. The minister chosen for the position then withdrew his interest. You may learn more through this article in UU World: http://tinyurl.com/ke6spxz
As part of this discussion within the UU faith family, a campaign has emerged for congregations to offer a White Supremacy Teach In this Sunday..
In preparation, we encourage you to explore some resources provided by Black Lives of UU: http://www.blacklivesuu.com/teach-in-resources/
The resources include a definition that may be helpful: “Why ‘white supremacy’ as the term here? It conjures up images of hoods and mobs. Here, we mean: ‘White supremacy as a set of institutional assumptions and practices, often operating unconsciously, that tend to benefit white people and exclude people of color.’ In 2017, actual ‘white supremacists’ are not required in order to uphold white supremacist culture. Building a faith full of people who understand that key distinction is essential as we work toward a more just society in difficult political times.”
This understanding of “white supremacy” as a spectrum of beliefs, practices and behaviors is illustrated in this graphic: http://tinyurl.com/ls6n4dg
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.

-Rev. Heather, planning with Claire McNeill, Patty Shepard, Sam Wilson, Sarah Kelley, Rebecca Kelley Morgan and friend of WUS Marianne DiBlasi
We Believe in Dog Resumes!
Saturday, May 6th, 10 a.m.

Want to enjoy the outdoors with your canine best friend and folks at WUS? Rev. Heather invites anyone who wants to go on a short hike to bring their (friendly and vaccinated) dog and join in the fun. (You don’t have to have a dog to participate!)
Our next walk will be Saturday, May 6th. We will meet at the second of three entrances to the Middlesex Fells on Hillcrest Parkway at 10:00 am and start walking around 10:05. If you intend to come, contact Rev. Heather (heather.janules@winchesteruu.org) with your cell number (if applicable) so she can call you if you are not there at walking time.
Hope to see you there…And wear your WUS t-shirt if you have one!
JOIN US FOR SOUP & CONVERSATION, WED., MAY 10, 12:30 p.m. WITH YOUR PCA AND ALLIANCE HOSTS

All are invited (and feel free to bring a friend who might like to learn more about WUS!) to our nextSoup & Conversation, hosted by the Pastoral Care Associates and The Alliance, on Wednesday, May 10, at 12:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Come spend time with old friends and meet new ones while enjoying conversation and bowls of delicious and healthful soups, freshly prepared by a team of WUSyouth and chef master Rebecca Kelley-Morgan. If you know in advance you will be able to attend, please RSVP to Sara Delano at 781-729-6800 orsdelano1@msn.com so we have an approximate head count. (Last-minute drop-ins are also very welcome.) Please let Sara know if you will need a ride.
Green Sanctuary News
The Green Sanctuary Committee continues to host the 350.MetroNorth chapter of 350.Mass every other Wednesday from noon until 1:30 pm in Michelsen Room. All are welcome to join us next on May 10th. We are currently focusing on Clean Energy legislation and reaching out to our local representatives. We are seeking more representation from surrounding towns, particularly Woburn and Stoneham.
We also continue to engage the congregation in our UUA Green Sanctuary Action Plan (see the Earth poster at coffee hour). If you have particular interests in supporting our congregation’s environmental activities, please contact Fritzie Nace at fritzie.nace@gmail.com.
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. For several years we have coordinated carpools from WUSto this area event. See sign-up at the Social Action and Outreach table. You also 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.
Or you may walk with the UU Urban Ministry team: It will meet about 8:30 amat UUUM,  contact Marvin at MVenay@UUUM.org. Teams will be walking from either Field’s Corner in Dorchester, or Madison Park High School, which is across the street from UUUM.

Action: Send Messages of Support for the “Safe Communities Act” to the members of the Joint Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security.On April 28, opponents of the Safe Communities Act began a letter-writing opposing this bill. These letters are full of misinformation. You may email Claire McNeill for a sample note and people to contact.

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 9th 6 pm – 9 pm or May 13th 10 am – 1 pm
Sanctuary & Solidarity, Wed May 10 at 7:00 PM, First Parish Church in Bedford, 75 Great Rd.
Attorney and President of the American Immigration Lawyers’ Association, Susan Church. The presentation is designed to inform immigrants and their allies of their rights and to empower them in the era of significant ICE enforcement. If you plan to attend; so, please email Vito at vito@deblam.net
You are cordially invited to the Annual Meeting of the
Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry
Thursday, May 18, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm
at the First Church in Roxbury
10 Putnam St. Roxbury, MA 02119
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
Join us for a conversation and support….

WUS (Winchester Unitarian Society) Mental Health Awareness & Support Initiative (MHASI)

WUS Mental Health Awareness & Support Initiative (MHASI)
Creating ways to support one another whether we are living with a mental illness, facing a mental health challenge, or are close to someone who is.

UPCOMING PEER SUPPORT GROUPS:

WUS Family & Caregiver Support Group, a drop-in group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness, facilitated by Jacquie Serebrani-Kesner, of the National Alliance on Mental Illness and co-facilitated by WUS members, Rebecca Kelley-Morgan and Maria Shepherd.

Tuesday, May 9th, 6:45-8:45 pm in Michelsen

Peer to Peer Support Group, a drop-in group for those living with mental illness, facilitated by a NAMI facilitators and Reverend Heather.

Tuesday, May 9th 6:45-8:45 pm in the Parlor

All WUS support groups are co-facilitated by NAMI and provide a safe and confidential setting for mutual support and the sharing of resources.
Looking for other local support groups or resources? MHASI recommends contacting the Massachusetts chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), www.namimass.org/NAMI

If you have any questions, or would like to speak with someone about groups or our initiative, please contact:
Maria Shepherd mandmshepherd@comcast.net or
Maury Wood mowood60@gmail.com

The Winchester Unitarian Society is located at 478 Main St, Winchester, MA
on the corner of Main St and Mystic Valley Parkway and is a large stone church.
(park in the lot behind or on the street)
Enter through the circular drive on Main St.
For the Caregiver Group, turn left and go up the small set of stairs.
For the Peer to Peer Group turn right and enter the Parlor via the vestibule.
Questions: Call Maria at 781-258-8823

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!
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.
Something to share

Check out this cool video. It is the chalice of New England Region UUA. Enjoy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSBFIrMqRnw&feature=youtu.be

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.

Hats off to Betsy Bowles for organizing a team for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation walk in memory of her spouse Pat Meny. She writes: “‘Pat’s Pilgrims’ raised over $6,000. Look at the wonderful expressions on the faces of my wonderful walkers. 16 sweet people walked…Thank you, thank you to both contributors and walkers. Pat is grateful.” (Another walker was Karen Erikson, raising money in memory of her dear friend Carla.) Good work, everyone!

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.