The Catalyst Advent Can Be for Uus Too Rev

December Services Sunday, December 4 The Catalyst Advent can be for UUs too Rev. Bill Zelazny The religious ritual of December 2016 Advent isn’t something that Unitarian Universalists generally celebrate every year. In the Christian tradition, Advent is the season of waiting and expectant hope. Unitarian Universalist can live with waiting and expectant hope too. Bill will talk about The Committee on Ministry how the spirit of Advent can be (COM) will hold an Open Forum a useful concept for Unitarian on December 11, after the Universalists even though we worship service, to gather may not be awaiting the birth of information and do a progress check on how the congregation is Jesus or coming of Christ at the doing. Please plan to attend so your voice can be heard. end of the age. The COM has progress to report on 2 of our 3 goals for the year (the This Sunday we will also hold rd 3 goal dealing with programs and committees was not addressed this a new member recognition past month): ceremony and launch our

Goal 1: Focus on healing our church. 2016 Guest at Your Table Reports on the 3 Meet & Greets with Rev. Zelazny which were held campaign. in October and early November were all very positive. Forty to forty- Sunday, December 11 five people attended, which represents about 25% of the congregation. Because of the interest in this format, the Committee is considering The Elephant in the Room Guest Speaker: Rev. Thomas Schade doing more in January to give others the chance to attend such a great A sermon based on the way to learn more about Rev. Bill, more about others in the ancient story of blind congregation, and more about the congregation itself. people and the The Listening Circle held on October 27 by Rev. Bill, with about 15 elephant. It provides a people in attendance, offered people a powerful way to listen to each springboard into the intellectual other and to be heard. Those in attendance were able to hear others history of UUism since the mid- views and found it helpful and informational about the events of this 20th century. past year. Sunday, December 18 Goal 2: Educate the congregation in right relationships, Light and Hope identify techniques and promote them. Rev. Bill Zelazny, Jessica Thomas, The COM and the Board, with the help of Chris Ariel, will begin Children, Youth, and Adult training on how to hold difficult conversations. We hope to bring this Members of the Congregation learning to the congregation as well. Many religions – If you would like to contact the COM you can talk to any member of Christianity, Judaism, the committee, Barbara Coppola, Judie Porter, Sam Jernigan, Susan Pagan, Zoroastrianism, VanDerhoof, Sondra Gold or David Pedrick. You can also reach the and African-American Committee on Ministry by emailing us at traditions, use the symbol of [email protected]. light in the midst of the dark of

~ Submitted by Barbara Coppola, Chair, COM winter to remind their followers 1 MINISTRY TOGETHER December Services continued: FROM THE MINISTER A Holiday Message from that there is hope. This Sunday, The holiday Rev. Bill Bill and Jess, along with children, season is I know that for some people youth and adult members of the upon us. the holidays are difficult times congregation will join together in There will because they engender bad a multi-generational service to be much to memories or the recent loss of explore the symbol of light and do to get a loved one is making them feel its connection to hope. ready. Unfortunately there is numb. If you feel the need to something that we often forget talk about the emotions that Sat., December 24, 5:00pm to do to get ourselves ready -- the holiday brings up don’t A Christmas Eve take time for ourselves. You hesitate to call me. Celebration know, do something that we

Channing Choir, Rev. Bill Zelazny & want to do that will make us feel members of the congregation good about the season, like A service of lessons and perhaps stopping to really look carols concluding with at the decorations, stopping to listen to holiday music, stopping the traditional singing of DECEMBER GREETERS Silent Night with the to take a walk to look at the stars in the winter night, December 4: Calvin Pierce congregation holding December 11: Mary Benson candles. The Channing Choir and stopping to sit in quiet reflection. But, there is something else that December 18: Ruth Jernigan members of the congregation will bring music and texts of the we should do this time of the DECEMBER USHERS season. Come at 4:45 to join year – be mindful of what we are December 4: Milly Jessen in pre-service caroling. doing and experiencing, both the December 11: Cynthia Skelton “self-times” and the “busy & David Cooper No worship Service Sunday, times.” Being mindful means to December 25th! December 18: Judy Byrnes observe thoughts and feelings Sunday, January 1 without judging them to be good DECEMBER CHIMERS Creative Sparks: or bad, without believing, for December 4: Linda Beall Channing Celebrates the instance, that there’s a right or December 11: Jim Freess New Year wrong way to think or feel in a December 18: Christine Ariel New Year’s Day this given moment. December 24: TBD th year falls on a Sunday, When we practice mindfulness, Dec. 25th: Our 6 and our service will be we can tune into what we’re Annual "I Heard the a joyful celebration of sensing in the present moment Bells on Christmas friendship and our community’s rather than either rehashing the Day" Concert, 11 to creative energies. Is there a past or imagining the future. 12 noon – with Linda creative spark in you? Do you Instead of letting life pass by and Beall & Chris Ariel Come to make music? Write poetry? Can saying in January, “I don’t know Touro Park and clap or honk you tell a story or collect your where the time went” or “I if you like the chiming! thoughts into a reading that will hardly remember the holidays”, DECEMBER inspire us as we look to the year live fully into and through the CAREGIVERS

ahead? Audience or performer, holidays and appreciate the gifts December 1-15: on January 1 at 10:00 we’ll all be of life. Ruth Jernigan in it together. For more May your Holidays December 15-31: Jim Freess information about "Creative be filled with joy and good cheer Please call with any personal needs Sparks: Channing Celebrates the and the New Year bring you and/or needs among our church New Year,” please connect with peace and happiness. Eleanor Doumato. community ~Rev. Bill 2

BOARD OF TRUSTEES FROM THE PRESIDENT be half-way through our church On behalf of the entire It’s Time for a Check-Up year. So it’s time for a check-up. congregation, the Worship

It’s been a busy In January the Board will review Committee would like to give its fall for the our shared ministry goals and thanks to the many Channing Channing Board assess our progress to date. So members who contribute to the of Trustees. We how are we doing? We’d like delivery of our services week b e g a n b y your suggestions and opinions. after week. Ushers, greeters, establishing a challenging list of You can send the Board a sound assistants, flower lady, goals for both the Board and our letter or email: candle lady, sexton, office new minister and we’ve been [email protected], administrator and others give working hard! Necessarily much or speak with any member of essential support to the Worship of what we do concerns the the Board or Committee on Leader, Associates, Music “nuts and bolts” of keeping the Ministry. You can also attend Director and choir. Channing’s Church running smoothly. We the open forum hosted by the volunteers for Sunday services negotiated renewed contracts COM after service on Sunday are generous in their time and December 11th. So please take a with our hard-working staff spirit, and are much appreciated. minute and tell us what you members, formed a new think. Notwithstanding so much Communications Team and, with ~Barbara Nowicki, Co-President, volunteerism, though, we would their guidance, approved a new Channing Board of Trustees like to find 2 or 3 new volunteers website, social media and to share serving as Worship communications policy for WORSHIP COMMITTEE Associate. Taking an active part Channing. We are working on in delivering services with Rev. upgrading our various technology UPDATE Bill once every 6 weeks or so is systems so that whether it’s The latter weeks of the year are very satisfying, takes little time, sermons in the Sanctuary or a time of giving – recently giving and is easy to learn. It does not emails from the Church office thanks for the people and good require committee membership – our message comes across loud fortune in our lives, and now just your interest and enthusiasm. and clear. Very soon we will be giving thoughtfulness to family Please speak with Eleanor rolling out a new property and friends, sprinkled with some Doumato, David Cooper or Master Plan (stay tuned!) and we gifts, as Christmas and other David Pedrick if you’re curious are beginning to work on a Safe seasonal celebrations approach. about finding out more. Channing will celebrate Congregations Policy to ensure ~David Pedrick, that everyone feels safe and Christmas with a service of Worship Committee Chair comfortable at Channing. Beyond Lessons and Carols all our necessary “nuts and bolts” on Christmas Eve, MISS MANNERS ON policy decisions, what we really S a t u r d a y , December 24th at hoped to accomplish this year CHURCH ETIQUETTE 5:00 pm. Because was to bring folks back to It is enjoyable to the 25th falls on Channing, to affirm and greet each other Sunday, there will not be a strengthen our community with prior to the start of service on Christmas Day. the Sunday service, but please “irresistible Sunday services and extra –curricular activities that New Year’s Day is be mindful that we have come feed the desire for community”. on the following together for a religious service. We’ve been working in concert Sunday. Instead of a When Janet begins playing the with the Committee on Ministry regular service, there Prelude just before 10:00 am, it to forge a strong shared ministry will be a “Creative Sparks” is time to stop talking and with Reverend Bill and to rebuild ceremony to welcome the New become in spiritual community trust and transparency within our Year at 10:00 am. Please see the with the others present. Please congregation. Believe it or not, separate announcement about it listen to the Prelude quietly as by the end of this month we will on page two. it opens the service and our minds. 3

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

the following events for all ages:  Holiday Movie Night and PJ drive – Saturday,

RELIGIOUS December 3, 5:30-8:00 PM

EDUCATION NEWS  Annual Holiday Cookie

In RE (Religious Education) our Contest and Sale – Sunday, To spread the joy, the entire children and youth continue to December 11 during Channing community is invited explore the 7 UU principles fellowship to participate in these through story and discussion Please see the weekly upcoming events: based on the book, “What if electronic announcements,  Giving Tree: Nobody Forgave?”. Look for website, and RE facebook page November 27 through our principles posters hanging for details. December 11 in the green room of the Parish The Coming of Age (COA)  Holiday Caroling at Hall for a refresher. program, a rite of passage for Blenheim – Wednesday, Additionally, the Channing Youth in grades 8-12 has December 14 at 7:00pm Youth co-hosted a fun-filled begun. We are looking forward  Holiday Caroling at the game night on to mentoring and supporting Community Meal at November 12th three Channing Youth who will Channing Parish Hall – along with the be making this journey for the Monday, December 19 at Channing Board reminder of the church year. 5:00pm and the Committee on Ministry. Other youth are still invited to

join. Please consider being a

mentor if asked.

To offer your support and/or participation in RE programs for children and youth, please contact Jessica Thomas at [email protected] or TEACHING ASSISTANTS Our very active Youth Group any member of the RE NEEDED: Please consider (grades 6 and up) continues to Committee. We always need volunteering as an assistant meet two Sunday evenings per volunteers and we make it easy to the Sunday morning RE month (2nd and 4th Sundays and fun. classes. You may sign up for except on holidays ). This -Kathy Takata single or multiple classes via month, on Sunday, December Religious Education Committee our sign-up sheet on the RE 11th, they will be shopping for table in the Parish Hall. youths in need. Additionally, the Youth Group is sponsoring 4

SPIRIT OF COMMUNITY

CAREGIVING UPDATE Ginny Spaulding continues to Many thanks to Tonia Croce and recover from months of Susan Kieronski, who so ably chemotherapy and radiation. served as Caregiving She has been able to return to coordinators for November! work, which is great news! She PRAYER SHAWL Without our dedicated too is grateful for all the support MINISTRY volunteers, we just wouldn’t be of Channing members she has Sue VanDerhoof is starting a able to offer the support and received to date. “Prayer Shawl Ministry”, a group comfort to those in need in our Emily Pederson is back in the of knitters who meet and knit congregation. As always, if you’d U.S. after spending time in shawls for those who are sick or like to help, please contact either Mexico researching and filming are going through a difficult time. Nickie Kates or Barbara Russell- her documentary on the fates of They can also be given for happy Willett, the Caregiving chairs, 43 southern Mexican college occasions too, such a marriage and they’ll be thrilled to hear students who went missing or new baby. Once the shawls from you! are finished the minister can during a school trip in 2014. To Our love and condolences go to watch this stirring 18-minute bless them or they can be passed Sherrill Warch and her family, film, go to www.fieldofvision.org. around the congregation so they who are coping with the sudden can absorb all the caring Our Caregiving coordinators of her 21-year-old grandson Alex thoughts. for December are Ruth from a suspected drug overdose. If you are interested in joining Jernigan from December 1-15 this new group, please contact Many of us remember Alex as he and Jim Freess from grew up attending church and RE Susan VanDerhoof. Our first December 15-31. Please call organizational meeting will be at Channing, and are deeply them with any caregiving needs saddened by his tragic death. held on Saturday, December 10, within our congregation. All of at 10:00am, in the Channing Besides Sherrill, Alex is survived us involved with Caregiving wish by his mother Kathy and his House Library. you a joyful Christmas and brother Adam. At the time of holiday season enjoying the DECEMBER this writing, a funeral date is not company of family and friends. SHARE THE PLATE confirmed, but a service at ~Linda Beall, Memorial Funeral Home and a This month for Channing Caregiving half of our reception afterwards at c a s h Channing are planned. Please keep Sherrill and her family in offerings and your hearts with cards, notes, or checks with offers of food and other the memo “Share the Plate” will be shared with Greenlock assistance at this sad time. COMMUNITY MEAL Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc. , We are keeping Cal Pierce in Monday, December 19, a favorite charity of our beloved our thoughts as well as his sister 3:30-6:15pm, in the Parish Hall member, the late Loie Kessler. continues cancer treatments and Many thanks to all who helped It’s a non-profit organization that his daughter is struggling with with the November Community partners with its horses to offer poor health. Meal. It was a wonderful meal, as both Hippotherapy and

Julie Herrick suffered a bad fall usual, prepared by Joan Therapeutic Riding that teaches recently but is progressing with Dermody. If you would like to specific riding skills to physically, the help of a cane and supports volunteer in the future, please developmentally, mentally, and for her fractured wrist and leg. contact Meal Manager, Joy emotionally-challenged persons She would like to thank all her Benson, to see what's needed: from throughout RI and Channing friends for their communitymeal@channingch Southeastern MA. assistance and emotional urch.org support. 5

SOCIAL ACTION GREEN CORNER 5. Support organizations serving change." (There are MANY Disaster! other threatened groups. Some of more examples from “the world Trump repeated that word ad my choices are ACLU, GLAD, and according to Trump” but we’ll nauseam about all things Clinton International Rescue Committee. leave it here for now.) during the campaign and debates. And wear lots of safety pins! He also generally questions

His election is the genuine Thank you, Val Larkin, for science as a basis for disaster for the climate. I wish I forwarding this Angela Davis implementing policies and making had a sliver of hope for its future quote: "I am no longer accepting funding decisions to benefit and under a Trump administration, the things I cannot change. I am improve health. Here are just a but I still can't muster any, and changing the things I cannot couple of examples of his more I'm still devastated. The timing accept." flippant remarks: couldn't be worse. But I'm trying ~Beth Milham, Chair,  On numerous occasions, DT has to find positive things we can do, Green Congregation Committee linked vaccines with Autism, because WE CAN'T JUST GIVE ECO-BITS & TIPS stating during a Republican UP AND GIVE IN! debate in 2015, “We’ve had so Election Special: Trump, Some initial thoughts: many instances. . . . A child conspiracies & anthropogenic 1. Stay active, especially on the went to have the vaccine, got global warming local and state level. It's now our very, very sick, and now is I remain in shock best hope for the environment. autistic.” from last week’s  And, a couple more examples 2. Stay with the divestment process, election. Rather of anti-science rhetoric: DT and keep upping your energy than having the called the National Institutes of efficiency and alternatives source first woman president who Health “terrible.” He has also usage. We can't break fossil fuel voiced support for international companies financially, but we can cooperation to reduce the impact said that he would eliminate the give them as little money and of global warming, a vast swath of E.P.A. because, in part, of their backing as possible. middle America and the southern plans to regulate carbon dioxide (also backed by the Supreme 3. Give strategically. Support US voted for Donald Trump Court), the major contributor of organizations that pledge to work (DT). As a reminder, DT has greenhouse gas emissions by with broad coalitions, with real clearly stated that he “believes” percentage, and long known plans to thwart Trump's goals. Two global warming: since the Nixon, Carter and of my choices: Friends of the Earth  And "the concept of global Reagan years, when scientific (FOE.org) and 350.org. Right after warming was created by and research was both supported the election, I was deluged with for the Chinese in order to and valued. emails from groups saying, "we can make U.S. manufacturing non-  I'm all for giving someone a fix this if you send us money right competitive." (Tweet, July 6, chance to govern, even if he's now!" Uh-uh! I'm also generously 2012) on the opposite end of the supporting Planned Parenthood,  Hypothesizing that President political spectrum from me, but whose funding will surely be "Obama's talking about all of DT deserves a VERY SHORT slashed. (And I'm joining the this with the global warming leash because of his dangerous thousands giving in Mike Pence's and … a lot of it's a hoax. It's a hoax. I mean, it's a money- opinions. DT is not only anti- name, so he gets informed of his science, but is also anti- "generosity.") making industry, okay? It's a environment and anti-human. 4. Keep telling the Trump hoax, a lot of it." (Myrtle Beach, South Carolina presidential Protesting and civil disobedience administration whenever you of these alarming views are not disapprove of an environmental campaign rally, December 30, 2015). only our right, but our policy. It might be a spit in the obligation.  And in the September 24, wind, but at least we'll be on ~Craig Gaspard, 2015, edition of CNN’s New record. Green Congregation Committee Day: "I don’t believe in climate 6

ANNOUNCEMENTS

want to talk and develop ideas about our overarching approach and plan for ministry, or family ministry, or outreach to Gen- Xers and Millennial, or 100 QUESTIONS partnering with other ABOUT UNITARIAN AN INVITATION TO organizations in Newport, or PARTICIPATE IN THE UNIVERSALISM campus ministry, or any other Sunday, December 4, 11:30am, CHANNING GROWTH topic that participants want to Ladies’ Parlor in the Parish Hall CONVOCATION discuss together. After the Worship Service on

There is a lot of conversation Put Saturday, January 21, Sunday, December 4, there is an informal chance to address those here at Channing about growing 9:00am to 12:30pm on your our church, which excites me. questions you have always calendar. wondered about! How do you join One of the reasons I became a ~Rev. Bill UU minister was to work to the congregation? What is Channing’s connection to our grow Unitarian Universalism. JOIN IN AN INTERFAIT H church? Do UU’s believe in an Where there are things the MEMORIAL VIGIL FOR afterlife? Grab a cup of coffee minister can do to help growth THOSE LOST TO GUN and join Rev. Bill and our happen, I firmly believe growing VIOLENCE Membership Committee in the a congregation is everyone’s The Religious Ladies’ Parlor, located in the Parish Hall behind the church! work, not just the minister or Coalition for a Membership Committee. Violence Free Rhode HOLIDAY Everyone has a part. I want to Island, of which I was get all of us working as a growth an organizing member, is OFFICE HOURS team. sponsoring an Interfaith The Church Office will be closed To start this I am hosting a Memorial Vigil on Thursday, Tusday, December 13, and Growth Convocation, and all December 15, at 7:00 p.m. will be closed for the holidays congregation members and at the First Unitarian December 24-Jan 2 friends are invited to come. Church of Providence, 1 It will be on Saturday, January Benevolent St, to remember JANUARY CATALYST 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. to the individuals who were victims DEADLINE of gun violence and to affirm our 12:30 p.m. Due to the holiday commitment to non-violence We will start in the Parish Hall hours the January and mutual respect. The with coffee and breakfast snacks. Catalyst Deadline is Memorial Vigil is co-sponsored At 9:30 we will gather in the Wednesday, by Faiths United Against Gun Sanctuary for a presentation and December 14. Violence with the support of the general discussion about the Many thanks for your early RI N.A.A.C.P., the Board or elements of church growth. submissions! Rabbis, the RI Council of Then, using an open space Churches and other religious technology format, we will break The Holiday and civic organizations. A quilt into small discussion groups Sanctuary made from clothing of gun where participants can dig Decorating will be violence victims will be dedicated deeper into specific growth and done Saturday as part of the service. We UUs outreach topics. The goal is to December 10th at 6:30 pm. If are invited to wear our come up with ideas, and you wish to help Barbara “Standing on the Side of Love” commitments to work on the Richter with this project you shirts. Join me at this memorial ideas, on ways we can grow are welcome. Please bring vigil. Channing. For example, we may gloves, many thanks! ~Rev. Bill 7

ANNOUNCEMENTS THE GIVING TREE The holiday giving tree is an annual t r a d i t i o n sponsored by Channing RE. We have a tree set up with suggested The 9th Annual “Singing for Shelter” gifts listed on slips of paper. Acoustic Christmas Concert Select one or more gifts and For the benefit of the McKinney Shelter and St Lucy’s Hearth return your purchases to the Thursday, December 8, 7:00pm Parish Hall Dec 4, 11, or 18 (doors at 6:30pm), in the Sanctuary with the tag attached. These gifts Tickets are $18 in advance/$20 at the door/ support teens in care and Children accompanied by an adult are free. families we selected who are Tickets available: struggling this holiday season.  by calling 401-835-7209, Thanks for your support.  Emailing [email protected] or  At Lucy’s Hearth, 19 valley road, Middletown, RI TOILETRIES We will be raffling off a brand new Washburn acoustic guitar COLLECTION (valued at $1000) that evening!! For our holiday This year’s performers include: Zanricky Duo, December 19th Ray Davis and Mike Purcell, Jack Casey, Chief Community Meal, RE Noda, Rand Bradbury, Ed Ledwith, Dan and will give our guests a Donna O’Neill, Toni and Chuck Ciany, David gift bag to take with Dragone, Jonathan and Chris Meyers, Jimmy them. There are boxes set up Winters, Rick Jones, The Slackwater String Band, Al Fresco Flutes, to accept your donations of Leslie Grimes and Matt Bruneau and Mike Jackson. toiletries, [shampoo, deodorant, Making her first Singing for Shelter appearance is RI Musicians shave lotion, toothpaste etc ] Hall of Fame inductee Brenda Bennett. As a member of warm socks, hats, gloves, or superstar Prince’s Vanity 6 and Apollonia 6, Bennett earned small treats by Sunday, both a gold record and a platinum record. December 18th. Helpers needed Dec 18 after church REGIFTING SALE FAIR TRADE to fill the bags. Clean out your closets SHOP and check your drawers O n S u n d a y s , HOLIDAY CAROLING for that polka dot tie December 11 and All are invited to from Aunt Flo or 18, fair trade items the Holiday gorgeous purple vase will also be available Caroling Event on from cousin Ronnie. Channing for sale for your holiday gift Wednesday, will once again offer its Regifting giving. Hand crafted items December 14th sale for your holiday shopping support families around the 7:00 pm, in the Community fun. Donations can be world working to feed, clothe Room at Blenheim Newport dropped to large classroom and build schools for their (303 Valley Rd., Middletown). in Parish Hall on Dec 4, and families. Food products grown in The Community Room is on the the store will be open Dec a sustainable manner and which 2nd floor. Cookies and hot 11 and 18. Shop, shop, shop. provide the farmers with a drinks will be served afterwards [Items can also be dropped on livable wage will be offered, for a short social gathering with Sally's porch.] Funds raised will including coffee, jam and the residents. support a school for Native chocolates. American children. 8 The Alt-Right With June S. Speakman, Professor of Political Science, Roger Williams University

Wed. Dec 14, 7:00 PM, Channing Parish Hall Dessert and Decaf $5 Suggested Donation

According to a definition from the Southern Poverty Law Center, The Alternative Right, commonly known as the Alt-Right, is a set of far-right ideologies, groups and individuals whose core belief is that “white identity” is under attack by multicultural forces using “political correctness” and “social justice” to undermine white people and “their” civilization. Characterized by heavy use of social media and online memes, Alt-Righters eschew “establishment” conservatism, tend to be young, and embrace white ethno- nationalism as a fundamental value.

Our speaker, June Sager Speakman, will shed some light on this rising movement and the ideas it stands for. Dr. Speakman has taught at Roger Williams University since 1995. Her areas of expertise include American Politics, Public Policy, and Public Administration. She holds a B.A. in Economics from UMass/Amherst, an M.A. in Economics from the New School for Social Research, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from City University of New York. She has served for 10 years on the Barrington Town Council, and was president of the council. We will save a good amount of time for Q & A

A DECEMBER MESSAGE FROM THE LEARNING CENTER : Greetings of the season, and warm best wishes to all.

Your friends at TLC are so appreciative of your continuing support of our programs! We have been gratified, too, to see the increasing number of people from the greater community who have been finding their way to our events.

We are looking forward to offering some exciting and informative programs in 2017. As always, please suggest programs, instructors, lecturers – your ideas are always welcome.