FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN MAY 2014
A Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation The Arbella CAPTAIN’S LOG WORSHIP SCHEDULE
First Parish is fortunate to have two staff members who are both working towards Sermons/Services in May official accreditation with our larger denomination, the Unitarian Universalist May 4, 2014 10:30am Association. Part of Charlyn’s program to become an accredited Music Director is her “The Family Story” major project, the preparation and Andrea Greenwood production of the Missa Gaia, which will be performed here on Saturday, May 17. Please Did your family tell certain stories join us for this wonderful event, which the Mark Harris, about itself? Sometimes we use choir has been working on all year. this as a way to define ourselves; Minister say who fits and who doesn’t. Then, a little more than a month ago, I received a letter from the When the Coming of Age group UUA indicating that Lauren had completed 75 hours of Renaissance modules. Finishing these workshops means that she toured Orchard House, and the is half way to her goal of becoming an accredited Director of guide mentioned that Louisa May Religious Education, On Youth Sunday, we were publicly able to Alcott went off to the Civil War say congratulations to Lauren, and tell her how proud we are of herself, but wrote Little Women her for this accomplishment. as if her father had, it got me thinking about personal strength, One personal goal I have would be to learn to appreciate people family strength, and how the two more. Instead of acknowledging a great job, I often think what relate. program can we do next, or what are we accomplishing, or how can we do more, or even what is wrong with what we are doing. Greeters: John Chamberlain and But we could stop more often, and say thanks for what you did. Sarah McSweeney This has been an extraordinarily busy year that has now Social Hour:John Portz and Meredith culminated in our annual meeting and report. If you have not Montague done so, please pick up a copy of the report. If you have the report, please read it. Here you not only see the zillion things our church accomplished, but you also hear from some of the staff who helped make so many of these programs possible. They all continues on next page... help carry out what you dream to do.
Very often we have high expectations of staff in limited hours, but it always seems like everything gets done. I want to point to the symbolic value of these accreditation programs, because it reflects on all our staff. First, all our staff want to do well and be recognized. They also have 125 bosses who often say exactly what they don’t like or want to improve. That may be part of the bargain with congregational polity, but it also means there are a
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CAPTAIN’S LOG continued... WORSHIP SCHEDULE from previous page... lot of disparate opinions. There is also a desire to please people with endless needs, who may not respond to May 11, 2014 10:30am deadlines or protocols. There are always more meetings and more emails. Music Sunday “Social Activism, Missa Gaia, and Respect Our staff also want a larger connection. With for the Interdependent Web of all accreditation this may be obvious. They want the UUA Existence” stamp of approval, but it is more than jumping through a hoop or being able to look for other positions. First Parish Choir will be singing. Accreditation is another way of saying I am working Greeters: Clint and Sue Sours towards a larger vision for Unitarian Universalism that I Social Hour: Silke and Andreas Plesch want to help fulfill at this particular church. Nancy is sensitive to every Wright Fund applicant because she wants to be fair and helpful, but she also envisions our May 18 , 1014 10:30am church as the church which helps those in need, and she “How Did We Get Here?” will make sure it happens. She has helped make it true Mark W. Harris that when someone needs help in Watertown, the first and natural community response is, “Go to First Parish.” They will welcome you and respond to you. I am lucky to Do you ever see someone when you least work with such a great staff, and sometimes don’t wake up expect them to show up? Once when I to that fact until the end of the church year when we are was in the Phoenix airport by accident all very tired. No one is perfect, and we are all learning (because a flight to Albuquerque from how to be in right relationship with each other – Oakland had been cancelled), I saw former respectful, understanding and honest. I sometimes say FPW member Wendell Refior. In those more than I should, or say the wrong thing. We all make situations, we always say, “What are you mistakes. Today I celebrate all our staff and the effort doing here? This is a service about our they make for our church community. From Lauren and history, our endowments and the legacy of Charlyn, to Nancy and David and Guy, and on to Brigitte, First Parish you are helping to create. It youth staff and paid teachers alike. They are here for you. will include a congregational timeline On May 4 I am preaching in Framingham on behalf of the asking members to place important events District Sabbatical Leave Council. I am giving the along the 384 year + span of our history. sermon I gave here, “Everything a Compliment.” After I gave that sermon Andrea Gruber gave me a little sign for my desk, “Please pose all questions in the form of a Greeters: Michael and Marianne Co ins compliment.” Please remember that when you see our Social Hour: Martha Pederson and Mae Deluca staff. It will make their day and year. May 25, 2014 10:30am Someone asked about the minister’s availability. I hold regular office hours all week (Monday to Friday) from 9-3 "Pass the Steak Sauce" p.m. I am happy to make appointments with members Tracy Johnson, Ministerial Intern during those times and at other times during the week, including evenings. I am also happy to visit people in their Join us for an alternative worship service homes. If you would like to discuss weaving memory and identity into our a personal, religious or church celebration. issue, please let me know. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in Greeters: Andreavoluptate Gruber velit esse molestaie cillum. Tia non ob ea soluad incommod quae egen Social Hour: Janeium improb Knuttunen fugiend. and Brigitte Mark Bender and TBA
PAGE 2 FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN MAY 2014 RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS
Happy Spring!
I am looking out my window onto blooming trees and flowers. The little maple in the Zen Garden is covered in buds, and green things pervade. Did anyone other than me doubt it might come this year? I spent some time reflecting, as the winter seemed to drag on and on, that people in ancient times who prayed to gods and created rituals to make sure that the seasons continued to turn in the circle of time might not have been too far off-base. My logical brain knows that spring will come again. My heart felt as if Lauren Strauss, it were in the throes of everlasting winter. But spring has sprung again! DRE April was wonderful! The Coming of Age retreat to Ferry Beach was a weekend full of laughter, friendship, and joy. The Youth Service… I can’t say enough about our Youth. Please remember to tell the Youth Group if you were impressed by last Sunday’s service, because they were the planners and implementers. I was quite proud of my Video Editing prowess though. It’s nice to grow new skills sometimes.
May will be full as well. The Whalemingos (grades 5-7) will be embarking on a few weeks of fun learning activities before classes end on June 1. We’ll honor one First Mentor candidate who wasn’t able to join us in the fall on May 4, and a new batch of participants will begin meeting with their Mentors on May 11 to get ready for their ceremony in the fall. The Coming of Age group has its tour of historic Unitarian Universalist sites in Boston on May 10. Throughout this month they’ll be writing their Credos/Statements of Belief in preparation for their service on June 8.
Regular RE classes end on June 1, which will also be Teacher Appreciation day and the RE Open House. That’s a day when you all will have a chance to come for a brief time into the classrooms and hear what our kids have been learning about this year. While you’re there, take a moment to appreciate the adults and teens who give their time every week to make sure the children have loving, caring people in their classrooms, giving them a chance to explore their ideas in a safe, fun environment. UU Youth like the fine soon-to-be high school graduates we saw Sunday morning don’t get that way in a vacuum. Our teachers— parents and other volunteers, many of whom have no education or theology background—provide a safe and loving place where our children can grow, explore their ideas about faith, and feel cared for. We are the gardeners, carefully tending our crops, and when they bloom into wonderful, energetic youth and young adults, the whole world reaps the benefits.
Here’s a glimpse of the COA class in Ferry Beach, where it was warm and wonderful and nourishing for our growing souls.
Joyfully,
Lauren
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MUSICALLY SPEAKING
“Send forth your spirit And renew the face of the Earth” (written on the ceiling of the National Shrine in Washington DC, from the Psalms)
May is a time of renewal. At long last, the weather is warmer. We see green lawns and colorful flowers. The earth has rested, as it does in winter, and now it is time to grow again. What comes to us as we replace winter warm clothing Charlyn Bethe , with lighter summer wear is that it is time for our spirits to be renewed as well. Music Director Our choir sings Missa Gaia on May 17th. We have worked on this piece all year and it is time to share it in its entirety. You will enjoy the sounds of wolves, whales, birds, and seals as an equal part to the notes we sing. If the music inspires you to renew your commitment to doing what you can to maintain our environment in Watertown, our efforts will be affirmed. Our instrumental ensemble will include: percussion, cello, soprano saxophone, oboe/English horn, bass, and keyboard. We are grateful for the efforts of Carole Katz, who created a poster for us using the photography of Carole Berney! There will be familiar new voices to add to our choir and you will recognize most of the instrumentalists as well.
This project has forced me to learn music that is totally new to me. I will conduct the whole ensemble along with singers, and that is something I have never done. While I have played my oboe in such pieces, I have not been on the other side of the baton. I am excited and a little scared, but the support from the whole church community has been sustaining. I will take a deep breath prior to the concert and think of how exciting it is to share this wonderful piece of music with you. I hope it will move you and renew you.
Charlyn
Here are some additional musical happenings in May:
May 4th is the Walk for Hunger, and I am planning on walking this year. If you need someone to sponsor, just let me know! Guy will be at the service that day.
May 11th is Music Sunday. The service will be about one of our principles: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. The choir will sing and I am hoping that some instrumentalists will play. And we will say Happy Mother’s Day that day.
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SOUNDINGS
In the spare room at my home we placed a low table in front of the window late last fall. I wanted to enjoy my potted geraniums a little longer! I remember as a child seeing the geraniums in front of the living room window during the winter months, sheltered from the cold and lovingly tended to, brightening up our darkest season. I thought, perhaps, I could affect the same feeling here, so many years later.
Tracy Johnson The good news is that they have wintered over just fine. In fact, they have Ministerial Intern been producing flowers since the beginning of April! After a little pruning mid-winter they began to sprout new leaves; a vibrant spring green. It made me hopeful just to wander in and check them out every so often. Sometimes they would catch me unaware; a new shoot; a tiny bud hinting of color, bringing a smile to my face. Soon I will carry the pots downstairs and outside to the bench beside the porch. One more trimming and they will be ready to greet the warmth of the outdoor sun; a fresh start as they settle in to greet the summer.
The other good news is that we have wintered over just fine too! Activities that have been in the works are coming to life here at First Parish. Our Capital Campaign is under way, our Coming of Age class is preparing to celebrate the completion of their studies together, new officers, committee leaders and members, are in place. Work that we have been doing in the quiet of these months, bursts forth into the light, full of energy and growth. All of this the culmination of planning and pruning; of hopefulness; of wanting to renew the joy of community. We greet the coming days with anticipation; with the promise we garner from the flourishing out of which we rise.
I have wintered over also, and enter into this season with gratitude and expectation. I am nearing the end of my first year as ministerial intern at First Parish; a year filled with new relationships, with an ever increasing sense of my call to ministry, with good work in the midst of dedicated people. This month I will graduate from Andover Newton Theological School with a Master of Divinity degree; a goal that I have been working toward for many years. I can come out of my office now and into the light of summer, ready to greet the warmth that awaits me, allowing it to nourish me as I continue on this path.
May we greet this time of flowering and renewal with open hearts and ready hands. May we tend to our community lovingly, ensuring that is thrives into the coming seasons.
Blessed be,
Tracy
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SOCIAL ACTION CORNER May/June Giving Box Animal Shelter Goods Drive, Food, Litter, Toys and Supplies Needed!
FIDO and FELIX face poverty and hunger, and sickness too, and they need your help! The final giving box of the year is helping poor families to feed and care for their pet animals, who are in need when their owners are facing hard times. We are collecting pet food, pet toys, shoo!Flea tags for cat flea repellent, anti- tick collars for dogs, healthy chews and treats, combs and brushes, and safe cleaning supplies for households with pets. Over Memorial Day weekend, the Helping Hands Sunday activity will be to make felt comforters for dog and cat kennels. Carrier crates welcome too!
AMONG US
Congratulations to Jeri Bayer and Valy Congratulations to Carole Katz whose McDonald who were married in the sanctuary daughter Kim Katz McCready gave birth on on Saturday,April 5, 2014 with Mark Harris April 4, 2014. Kim and her husband Scott conducting the service. McCready became parents of a 9lb 5 oz baby girl named Kenzie Isla McCready at 3 am. FPW member, Will Twombly was pictured on the front page of the Cape Cod Times hanging an exhibit of Cape Cod Canal memorabilia at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Will also played a role in the wonderful exhibit at the Massachusetts Historical Society: “Tell It with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens' Shaw Memorial.” This show can still be seen until May 23.
A warm welcome to Michelle Munroe who recently joined the church.
PAGE 6 FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN MAY 2014 GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Pledge Drive - Thanks Charles River Clean up Congratulations to EVERYBODY who made a On Saturday, April 26 a number of First Parish contribution to our pledge drive for the members helped with the Charles River Clean- 2014-2015 year. We exceeded our goal of up despite a rainy, cold day. This effort, $145,000 with a current total of $147,275 (April organized by Aaron Dushku, included Will 23) with a few more to come in. Thank you to Twombly, David Morrison, Asher Harris, Brian everyone for your generosity, and thanks to the Hebeisen, Carole Berney, Nick Woebke, Finance Committee for organizing this year’s Elisabeth Strekalovsky, Carole Katz, Eliza effort, along with the Fellowship Committee Dushku, Emily Pendergast and Kurt Donovan. for hosting a wonderful soup luncheon in Thanks for helping to give us a cleaner river March. We will publish a list of all our pledge and community units at a later date. The Rummage Sale is Here! Bikes Not Bombs Drop-off times are Friday evening May 2 from A special thank you to those who made this 6PM to 9PM, and Saturday morning May 3 year's collection for Bikes Not Bombs such a from 8AM to 10AM. The sale runs from 10AM great success. David Downes, from the World - 3PM. We have people to work the sale but in Watertown, brought out the sun by welcome more, especially to speed pack-up at threatening to bring his tent - we couldn't have 3PM. For any last-minute questions, check asked for a better day! . Special thanks are due with Missy Shay ([email protected]) or to our younger volunteers, Rowan Hart, Roane Gretchen Brown (781-454-8118). Morton, Kyle Gonzales, and Maddie Teeven. B&G Clean-up Day is Saturday, May 10 from We collected $475 to send to Bikes not Bombs. 9am to 1pm. Please join us for even an hour or A total of 75 bikes were collected, and the two as you go about your Saturday. The focus is group also unloaded, flattened, and reloaded an on grounds: raking, mulching, pruning, and additional 40 bikes from the drive in Boxboro, clean-up. Please bring a rake, gloves, pruners, and thus prepared a grand total of 115 for whatever you may need. shipment. Adults who helped included: Will Twombly, Eileen Ryan, Mike Anctil, Aaron and Celebrate the 125 anniversary of our Leni Dushku , David Benson, Kelly Morton, building Johanna Swift Hart, and Mark Harris with PR; David Russo, a local attorney and the chair of from other groups: Larry Raskin, Remy Ugirase the Watertown Historical Commission will Mujigiti, Nan Decker and David Downes speak at First Parish on “The Legacy of Charles Brigham in Watertown” on May 14. Charles The day after the bike drive, all those bikes Brigham a notable local architect designed our were to be loaded in a container for shipment current meetinghouse as the Unitarian to Guatemala, where some of them may be Building, a parish hall for the large Gothic made into pedal-powered machines to help church which once stood next door. The rural farmers, while others will be fixed up and Unitarian Building was completed and distributed to people in need of transportation. dedicated in March 1889. In honor of our 125th anniversary the Town Council recently passed a resolution honoring our building, and the congregation did the same at the annual meeting on April 27. Thank you to Kathy
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Button for initiating this process, and also to Community Dinner Volunteers needed! Aaron Dushku, our FPW member who is a town We are hosting another free dinner for our councilor, for shepherding the resolution fellow residents of Watertown on Saturday, May through the council process. 31 6 – 8 PM . The main dish will be macaroni and cheese prepared by FPW. Come join us! We Brigham was a member of First Parish, and will need volunteers to help with set up and provided his architectural services for the clean up, and to prepare the macaroni and Unitarian Building free of charge. David Russo cheese (recipe provided), salad, and brownies will be here on Wednesday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. that we will be serving that evening. Signup to tell us all about Brigham’s legacy in sheets will be available at social hour during the Watertown. Go here for a brief biography of Sundays preceding this event, or speak to Brigham: Martha Scott, Barbara Farrell, or Jill Shaw. http://fpwatertown.org/our-congregation/first- Thanks to all who can help. parish-history Brigham designed the old Watertown High FPW Book Group School (now Brigham House), the Watertown Several book group regulars have requested one Savings Bank (the old part of the building), and on computers in society -- particularly on the many of the homes on Garfield Street. He is social networking culture. Thus the next book is most famous for the Mother Church of the entitled “Digital Vertigo” (2012) by Andrew Christian Science religion, the Massachusetts Keen. The group will meet on June 10 for State House extension (both in Boston), and the discussion, led by Liz Kolster. The book is Fairhaven Unitarian Church (MA) available at modest cost via Amazon, and several copies are in the Minuteman Library System. A reception will follow the presentation and the Q and A. Memorial Garden Breakfast The Capital Fund Drive Planning Committee is Planned Giving hosting an informal breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on You are invited on Sunday evening, May 18 at Sunday, May 25 to solicit ideas about what 6:30pm. Missy and Bob Shay are hosting a members want to see in a Memorial Garden. potluck for church members to introduce the Let’s talk about memorials on the weekend we topic of Planned Giving and how we might help devote to remembering! We will begin in the provide for the future of the church through parish hall for breakfast, and perhaps look legacy gifts. Gifts of this type made by those outside to see what we can envision. who came before us enabled First Parish to survive many “lean years” in the not-so-distant Ministerial Dialogue /Feedback Session past, and it is up to us to ensure that resources As part of its purpose to foster an effective are there if needed again in the future.The ministry at First Parish, the Ministry Committee discussion will suggest various ways this might will moderate a dialogue/feedback session for be done, according to our individual Mark and members of the congregation on circumstances. (Charmian says, “It’s not too Sunday, June 1 after the service. Those who are early to think about dying (ha ha)!”) This will be not able to attend that session may contact a light-hearted, fun-filled evening! This event is Ministry Committee members with questions sponsored by the Trustees. If you can come and comments that will be passed on to Mark. please RSVP to Bob at 617.926.9830 or Committee members are: Carole Berney, Sue [email protected] Location: 139 Russell Ave. Demb, and Judy Kamm. Watertown.
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Summer Services … please help us find 3. What about music? lay service leaders! Answer: You can choose to have hymns accompanied by Guy or a substitute The Worship Committee is beginning to musician, if that’s what you want. Or you organize the lay-led worship services for the coming summer season. Our goal is to have a can arrange for your own music / musicians. service every Sunday from June 22 through Just let us know. August 24 – excluding July 4th and Labor Day weekend. That’s 9 Sundays! 4. What about set-up of the space? Would I have to do it myself? So that means we need at least 9 volunteers to Answer: There will be a Summer Worship help us organize and conduct the services. Assistant (from the Worship Committee) Please consider the possibilities (e.g., doing it yourself or with someone else, suggesting to help you – but you would decide how the someone, helping with music) … and contact seating should be arranged. The Worship either Jane Knuttunen or Norah Mulvaney- Assistant will help you get it set up … and Day (co-chairs of the Worship Committee) or will also be early to open up the building. Mark, if you have ideas or suggestions. 5. What about social hour after the Here are some typical questions and answers service? that might be helpful if you (or someone else) were to consider leading a service: Answer: You don’t have to worry about that. The Worship Assistant will arrange 1. What could I do for a summer for liquid refreshments to be served after service? the service. Answer: Almost anything you want … as long as you plan it, intentionally, as a If you are interested (or just have questions), worship experience. In the past, we’ve had please be in touch with Mark, Norah or Jane. a wide variety of services – meditative, Thank you! musical, nature or animal-oriented, Lecture at Harvard Divinity School on spirituality, healing practices, and Unitarians, Universalists and Slavery reflections on personal experiences (e.g., travel, life-changing events). The variety Mark Harris has arranged a lecture at Harvard and creativity are what make these services Divinity School on Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. special. Interested members are welcome to attend. Here are the details: 2. How long are the services? Dr. Christopher Cameron will speak on Answer: Services typically are between “Unitarians, Universalists and Slavery” on 30-45 minutes – although there have been a Tuesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sperry few that have been an hour or more. But Room at the Harvard Divinity School, 45 we recommend keeping it at an hour or Francis Ave., Cambridge. Dr. Cameron is an less. Assistant Professor of History at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte.
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Chris has been a Fellow with the Massachusetts American parents, born and raised in Boston, Historical Society this academic year. He has a Massachusetts. After graduating Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina at from Northeastern University with a Bachelors Chapel Hill, 2010. His first book is entitled To and Masters Degree in Business Administration, Plead Our Own Cause: African Americans in he began a 30-year career with Verizon Massachusetts and the Making of the Antislavery Communications. Following his early retirement Movement Here he argues that African from Verizon, David worked for Spaulding and Americans were central to the development of Slye, Colliers, a regional Real Estate the antislavery movement in America. Development Company. He is currently working on two monographs. As a parent, grandparent and out gay man, David The first of these, Black Freethinkers, explores has been an active member of the Gay, Lesbian, African American humanism, agnosticism, and Bisexual, Transgender community for over 20 atheism from the late-18th century to the years. He is former Chair of the Mass Equality present. The second book, Liberal Religion and Board, the Human Rights Campaign board, the Slavery in Early America, examines the rise and MA LGBT Youth Commission and currently growth of liberal religious sects such as the serves on the Board of GLAD, Gay and Lesbian Unitarians, Universalists, and Transcendentalists Advocates and Defenders and the National HRC in 18th and 19th century America and the ways Business Council. in which adherents to these disparate traditions engaged with the institution of slavery. David and his husband, Rob Compton, were one of the seven same-sex couples that sued the This event is co-sponsored by the Unitarian Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the right Universalist History and Heritage Society, and to marry in Goodridge vs. The Department of HUUMS, the Harvard Divinity School UU Public Health. The case was settled in favor of student group. the plaintiff couples by the Massachusetts UU Mass Advocacy Day - Tuesday, May 13 Supreme Judicial Court on 11/18/03 opening the Join other UU’s from across the state to door for David and Rob to be one of the first advocate for social change.This year we are same-sex couples in the United States to legally celebrating the ten year anniversary of marriage marry on 5/17/04. equality in Massachusetts. We plan to deliver David currently is a diversity consultant ‘wedding cupcakes’ to each legislator to specializing in race, gender and LGBT diversity commemorate this anniversary. Mark Harris and inclusion training. His client base includes attended this last year, and found it very Corporate, Non-profit and Community meaningful, BUT he cannot attend this year, as organizations offering Local, State-wide and he will be out of town with his Study Group. National diversity and inclusion programs. Go to : http://www.uumassaction.org/uuma/ advocacyday/ to register Advocacy Day – 10:30am Here is the schedule: 10:30 Welcome to Advocacy Day. Worship. Acts of Faith Breakfast / Lecture – 9:30am 11 – 1 Speaker for each issue; lunch; walk Arlington Street Church, 351 Boylston St., over to the Mass State House. Boston 1 – 1:30 Marriage equality celebration. Featuring David Wilson, plaintif in the 1:30 – 3 In teams, visit legislators at the State 2004 marriage equality case. House. Debrief. David Wilson is the only child of African
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Focus Issues Temple Beth Elohim Congregants to • Help Raise the Minimum Wage Prevent Gun Violence: Join us on Wednesday, • Continue to Gather Support for the Jobs Not May 7, 2014, from 7:30-9:00 pm at Temple Beth Jails Campaign Elohim in Wellesley for a special evening of • Work Towards Immigration Reform learning and action to prevent gun violence. This incredible evening will feature Rev. Liz Chemical Free Yard and Garden Tour Walker, Senior Pastor of Roxbury Presbyterian Spring has arrived just in time for the 12th Church, Professor Matthew Miller of the Chemical Free Yard and Garden Tour which will Harvard Injury Control Research Center, and be held onMothers’ Day, Sunday, May 11 from two Boston youth mentors who have personal 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM. Sponsored by Watertown experience with gun violence and are now Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment working to help others in their community. In and Watertown Community Gardens, the tour is this follow-up to our event with Harvard School meant to invite visitors to any growing space, of Public Health Professor David Hemenway however humble, where no synthetic chemicals last year, we will continue to learn about the have been used for at least a year. (Better for multi-faceted nature of gun violence and hear beleaguered hone-bees and other important personal stories from men who have experienced pollinating creatures!)For more details, please violence. We will also have the opportunity to contact Louise Forrest at [email protected] or take concrete action – both with respect to the Henrietta Light at 617-926-2545. pending MA legislation directed at gun violence prevention and to help support summer coffee Forum on Healthy Aging in Watertown houses sponsored by the Roxbury Presbyterian The Watertown Community Foundation, Church Social Impact Center – coffee houses Marshall Home Fund and WatertownTogether in which will provide "at risk" youth with a safe cooperation with the Tufts Health Plan place to be and express themselves as well as Foundation are holding a forum on Healthy mentoring and support. Please join us to Aging in Watertown. Tufts will be presenting learn and make a diference in our the findings about how Watertown residents community and our state! To register, over 65 are faring compared with those in other please click here: https://www.formstack.com/ Massachusetts communities on key health forms/tbewellesley-prevent
measures based on a year long study they For more information, please contact Charmian recently commissioned. WatertownTogether Proskauer 617.965.5747 will then present a high level summary of our research last summer into unmet needs of The Greater Boston Intergenerational Watertown residents 60 and above. Chorus invites you to their delightful spring concerts in Watertown Square. 65 singers from We want to follow up these presentations with a 23 towns, directed by Joanne Hammil, will discussion of the implications of the findings for present an eclectic array of music at First Parish the services that should be available to older on two dates this spring: Tues May 20th from Watertown residents in the future. We view 7:00-8:00 and Sun June 1st from 4:00-5:00. $10 this as the kickoff for a series of public suggested donation at the door. Songs in many discussions about how we can make Watertown styles (contemporary folk, oldies, multi-cultural, a place where residents want to stay as they get classical, novelty, gospel, etc), humorous to older. We are holding the forum onWednesday, heart-moving, in multi-part harmonies. May 7 at 6:45 pm at the Coolidge Apartments auditorium.
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Thinking about joining us in the fall?. Best way free. A woman asked me if I was wearing to check out this unique chorus is to come see perfume. I mumbled something about shampoo one of our concerts. Contact membership chair and looked for another seat.) Cindy with any questions at [email protected] or 617-547-0441, or In Watertown, I will never be mistaken for a www.bostonchorus.net townie, even though I have I lived here since 1982. In Maine, I will always be from away. My partner would love to live in Franklin Maine Needs Massachusetts (population 1,370) year round; the cottage my Massachusetts Needs Maine parents built is winterized. I, however, prefer When in Maine, don't say, “In Maine, everybody the life of a snowbird. I need my critical mass of is from Massachusetts.” During social hour at people. I need my walkable destinations – the Rockland UU church, I introduced myself as library, bank, post office, pharmacy, UU church, a visitor from Watertown, Massachusetts. “Oh,” espresso drinks. In Franklin, I must drive 12 the lovely person said, “I'm from Lexington.” miles to Ellsworth for all those needs. While Then I blurted out those dreadful words, an Maine is slowly becoming more diverse, with insult to the other lovely woman who grew up in Portland the shining example, Maine holds the Darmiscotta. She walked away from our title for the whitest state in the Union. Even at conversation. I must find a way to apologize for the Common Ground Fair, the Maine Organic my unkindness. Farmers & Growers Association's signature event, the vast majority of people are white. And yet, I do meet Mainers from Massachusetts Sometimes I get the creeps when everybody all the time. My friend Charlie who supplies me looks too much like me. with eggs and goats' milk. The reflexologist who sells foot massages at the Ellsworth farmers ' In Maine, I don't have to read Stephen King to market. The handyman who made repairs on my feel as if I am living in one of his novels. In house in Franklin. The proprietor of Hog Bay Maine, the dark side and the awesome beauty Pottery said he has lived in Maine so long he co-mingle. To reach Charlie’s farm, off a dirt doesn't care when people learn he is from away. I road in Monroe (population 890), I pass a won't tell you in writing what Mainers call crumbling church building. Several years ago, people from Massachusetts. It's not pretty. I before the roof collapsed, I walked inside – asked a friend, the contractor for my log home trespassed – and was overwhelmed by the notes (where once stood a rotting trailer), the of gratitude. Alas, the heirs to this Sanctified definition of a Mainer. Cliff replied, “somebody Church of God cannot agree among themselves who lives in the state six months plus one day the right kind of Christians worthy of out of the year.” Snowbirds beware, if you don't worshiping at the church. Now the historic want to pay the higher income tax rates of building is becoming one with the earth. Maine compared to those of Florida. Mark Glovin, the minister of the First Universalist Charles Clark, the author of “Maine: a History,” Church (UU) in Rockland said a sure sign of wrote, “Massachusetts imperialism, to give it a Spring is when it becomes too hot in Florida and harsh but accurate name, began...even before the snowbirds return. (The first Sunday there was a Massachusetts Bay Colony.” My attending the UU church in Rockland, I arrived alleged ancestor, John Alden, of Plymouth uncharacteristically early. The second Sunday, I Colony, early on was heavily involved in trading screwed up and was late. I found a seat way in with the Abanaki people of Kennebec. The the back, a section reserved for the fragrance- Separatists depended on goods from Maine to
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pay their debts to the English bankers. Trade plumber. For a foodie like me, Maine is paradise, wars among various English settlements in a parallel universe that operates in spite of poor Maine and Massachusetts ensued. In 1634 John economics and governance. When my log home Alden was accused of murdering John Hocking is complete, perhaps some of you will visit me in of Piscataqua. Myles Standish came to Alden's Franklin. Expect good food, but don't expect rescue. I am not good enough of an historian to TV, internet, or your cell phones to work. summarize the many ways Massachusetts Maine, the way life ought to be. exploited Maine in the 17th Century. One way or another Massachusetts claimed dominion. Katherine Button What clinched the deal, if I read correctly, is Church Historian that after losing their charter in 1684 for obstreperous behavior, Massachusetts became a May Calendar royal province governed by the king, and in 1692, William III sent over a new charter which rolled May 1 Choir at 7pm Massachusetts, Plymouth and Maine into one May 3 Rummage Sale at 10am official province. Poor Maine, stuck to May 4 Worship Committee at 12:15pm Massachusetts until 1820, when it was finally May 5 COA Mentors at 7pm admitted to the Union. Statehood, too, did not May 7 Parish Committee at 7pm come easy, because of the “S” word. As part of May 8 Choir at 7pm the Missouri Compromise, Maine joined the May 10 COA Boston Tour Union a free state, while Missouri was allowed to May 14 David Russo Lecture on Charles continue practicing slavery. Then, as now, the Brigham 7pm black population in Maine was minimal, and May 15 Choir at 7pm slavery was already forbidden by the B&G at 7pm Massachusetts Constitution of 1780. May 17 Missa Gaia at 7:30pm Independence from Massachusetts started off May 18 HRW at 9am with a bitter taste while the compromise Social Action at 12:15pm legalized the growth of slave labor in other parts Planned Giving (Shays) 6:30pom and territories yearning to join the Union. May 19 RE Committee at 7pm Fellowship at 7pm The last time my parents summered in Maine May 21 Capital Campaign at 7pm was 2001. The following Spring, my father said, May 25 Memorial Garden Discussion/ “Kathy, you take care of the place.” But, oh Breakfast at 9am Franklin is so far away. When I drive it takes all May 31 Community Dinner at 6pm day as I wander back routes to visit farms and to shop at the Belfast Co-op. In Maine, I can purchase in a bunch of locations - including the Franklin Trading Post - raw, unhomogenized Jersey milk with the cream on top - the taste of my childhood in Medway, when my grandparents raised cows. In Maine, I can trade blueberries for eggs. Once my neighbor offered a gift of bear meat. (Tasted great stewed with blueberries.) The guy who sold me his home- made maple syrup for $10.00 a quart also handed me a parcel of fish, which I gave to my
PAGE 13 FIRST PARISH OF WATERTOWN The Arbella Newsletter of the First Parish of Watertown
First Parish of Watertown Minister ■ Mark Harris 35 Church Street Affiliate Minister ■ Andrea Greenwood Watertown, MA 02472 Ministerial Intern ■Tracy Johnson 617.924.6143 Church Administrator ■ Nancy Dutton Religious Education Director ■ Lauren Strauss [email protected] Music Director ■ Charlyn Bethell www.fpwatertown.org Accompanist ■ Guy Urban Parish Chair ■ Chuck Dickinson Co-Treasurers ■ Jean Merkl & Martha Scott
First Parish of Watertown 35 Church Street Watertown, MA 02472