Volume 6, Issue 2 December’s Theme is Stillness Stillness December 1, 2020 By Rebecca Kelley-Morgan, Director of some fashion. Keeping, as the poet Lifespan Religious Education Neruda writes, “our lives moving”. Reading, cleaning, exercising, baking Usually this season, December is a sourdough breads, household projects, rush of activity, gifting, cooking, plan- parenting, and home schooling, all on ning, and taking advantage of the steroids. I was encouraged to keep a many different times and ways to pandemic journal, so that a future Ken gather. Not this December. I have Burns has material to describe these always believed the many festivals times. I declined to accept the chal- during the winter were an instinctive lenge. push back at the darkness, finding

consolation for the short days in cele- There are others who found a different bration with each other. Not this De- focus, falling into a sort of inertia, while

cember. The pandemic has forced a doom scrolling through the news and

protracted pause on our accustomed pandemic statistics, perseverating up- rhythms of living. on them.

A couple of months ago, I found this Whatever our reactions and responses, poem by Pablo Neruda and promptly they all become exhausting. and at posted it above my computer screen. some point, the weight of keeping busy forces us into stillness. Stillness borne “Now we will count to twelve on fatigue, when the mind goes blank, when the hands grow idle. But are we and we will all keep still ever still? Our hearts beat on, our bod- for once... ies go about their business and we If we were not so single-minded about keeping our lives moving, and for once could do nothing, perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never understanding ourselves…”

(Continued on page 2) These last 9 months have been, for Mystic Messenger Mystic many of us, a time of trying to make

Inside this issue: sense of the abrupt and continuing

disruption to them. Observing my Stillness│ 1

A Publication of the Winchester Unitarianown Society and other’s reactions to the ini- www.winchesteruu.org 478 Main St Winchester MA 01890 tial lockdown, once the shock wore Imagination│ 3

The off, I watched (and took part) as many Beloved Community│ 4 careened from one activity to anoth- The Power of Service (excerpt) | 5 er, trying to make this time work in African American Classical Music | 6

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 1

December’s Theme is Stillness

cradle and grave? things that must be done. And Am I still while an even more so in intensive care infinitesimal bit of settings, where seconds might RNA and protein save lives. But that pause just wreaks havoc on might connect the many faces and our lives? Probably hands of care to their calling, to not. My breath their humanity and even to their continues, my body failures. goes about its busi- ness while I am Those seconds of stillness might deeply and pro- save souls. foundly aware of the unknown and This year, we are beset by the im- unknowable. pulse toward movement, urgency, of all the things that must be It is not stillness we done. Doing in a new way, trying seek, perhaps, but a on, seeking new normal while try- breathe in and we breathe out. pause. A shift in awareness, a si- ing to keep as much of the “usual” lent celebration of the air I alive in our vocations and homes. I have any number of spiritual breathe, the warmth of my skin, What if we were to take the poet’s practices and I fall deeply into one the subtle pulses of blood moving advice, and count to twelve, let or the other for an intense period to and from my beating heart. A ourselves keep still. Pausing that and then move on. But whatever moment within liminal spaces be- movement in our lives, so that we I am doing, whether journaling, or tween sunset and full dark, and could just be. Settling into the practicing asanas, or praying, or, within full dark to the bleaching of pause, the stillness that connects or, or, or I always come back to the sky. But always, always, I re- us to our triumphs and our fail- my breath. Back to, not a rhythm turn to my breath, and that tiny ures, our connections to each oth- – I come back to the pause, the pause between inhale and exhale. er, and our humanity. That pause, moment when the inhale ends, those precious seconds of stillness before the exhale begins. That There is a custom expanding that we can gather, just might tiny moment, that pause, is the through-out the medical profes- save souls. stillness that both honors my life sions in hospitals – The Pause. and my being, but also honors my The Pause was introduced by the impermanence. One day the in- Cleveland Clinic a few years ago, hale will not be followed by an to humanize the medical moment exhale, and I will be no longer. It is when someone dies. When a a poignant and profound truth death occurs, whether sudden or that I return to, particularly this not, the medical staff and family time of year, when the wheel of members, if they are present, stop the seasons turns to darkness and and pause for 15-30 seconds, rec- the greyness of the landscape ognizing the profound passage reaches into my soul. Am I still from life to death. Hospitals and when the wind takes my hair and most health care settings are plac- adorns it with leaves? Am I still es of movement, where light and watching the spiders weave up noise are a constant hum against their art, their webs that are both the backdrop of urgency, of all the

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January’s Theme is Imagination

By Sam Wilson, Director of the “Imagination Ball” was planting Winchester Unitarian Society Imagine What “seeds of hope” in a “Garden of Youth Group Dreams.” We Could Do 4 years ago, WUSYG hosted an So, here, I offer you the wisdom “Imagination Ball” for this congre- if We Could from those same seeds: respect gation: a free, all-ages event on for all; be the change you wish to the eve of Trump’s inauguration to Do What We see; love is key; science is real; “celebrate community, lift up love stay calm and be cool; vaccines & diversity, and resist hate!” Imagine!! keep loved ones healthy; you can There was food, music, dancing, make a difference; stay awesome; face-painting, a costume contest, love one another; resistance, com- and various interactive ways for soon-to-be-8 principles1). Alt- munity & more love. May you con- people of all ages to share their hough, thankfully, this year’s elec- tinue to nurture these seeds, and hopes and dreams and focus on tion results largely leave all of us may we all continue to reap the the positive. What fun we all had, feeling a bit less far away from our benefits. imagining a better world! Many of “goal of community with peace, us certainly knew what was in liberty and justice for all,” we still store for us over the next 4 years, know that our country has a long 1 - Black Lives of UU Organizing to some extent, but I don’t think way to go toward achieving true Collective Urges Adoption of 8th that any of us could have possibly “justice, equity and compassion” Principle in Unitarian Universal- predicted to what extent the in our relations with one another. ism: “inherent worth and dignity” of Indeed, in the past several human beings would be repeated- months, this goal has felt more “We, the member congregations ly questioned and challenged, or unattainable to me than at any of the Unitarian Universalist Asso- even how much the “democratic other point in my life. And yet, ciation, covenant to affirm and process” would have been rou- where there are progressive reli- promote: journeying toward spir- tinely eroded. In other words, how gious folx such as ourselves who itual wholeness by working to much damage there would be to recommit ourselves to the work - build a diverse multicultural Be- basic tenets of our collective the- and continue to hold out hope by loved Community by our actions ology and everything that we hold imagining what could be - there is that accountably dismantle racism sacred as Unitarian Universalists a way forward. One of the activi- and other oppressions in ourselves (per, of course, our 7 hopefully- ties for participants at our and our institutions.”

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February’s Theme is Beloved Community

By The Rev. Heather Janules through the challenging, human decide to join a Unitarian Univer- work of non-violent advocacy. salist congregation is that they are In “The Role of the Church in Fac- joining a community that will sus- ing the Nation's Chief Moral Di- Creating the Beloved Community lemma,” the Rev. Dr. Martin Lu- is not possible without individual ther King Jr. wrote in 1957 that, and collective conflicts. But, de- “the end is reconciliation; the end spite and perhaps through con- is redemption; the end is the crea- flict, bridges are built between tion of the beloved community. It differing minds. As I understand it, is this type of spirit and this type the Beloved Community is the em- of love that can transform oppos- bodiment of words (falsely) ers into friends…It is an overflow- attributed to Dávid Ferenc: “We ing love which seeks nothing in need not think alike to love alike.” return. It is the love of God work- ing in the lives of men [and all “This is the love that may well be people.] This is the love that may the salvation of our civilization.” well be the salvation of our civili- King’s statement certainly rang zation.” true in his time and it rings true today. This is definitely a time The King Center notes that the when all of us would benefit from learning how to “transform op- vision of “Beloved Community” tain them and disappoint them. pressors into friends.” was first imagined by philosopher They will meet “like-minded peo-

Josiah Royce but amplified ple” and people who will shatter Every journey begins at a starting through King’s public ministry. As that assumption. With so many place. When I think of “building they envision it, the Beloved Com- different theological perspectives, the Beloved Community” – as we munity is not the product of divine our primary collective spiritual state in our weekly affirmation – I practice is living into our congre- think of something a Unitarian gational covenant, of learning to Universalist leader once told me stay connected even when feel- from her experience in education. ings are hurt, tempers are high Every school needs, she said, and values collide. “mirrors and windows.” Of course,

she means this in the figurative All of this is to say that I have sense. Every student needs an en- come to understand “building the vironment where they can both Beloved Community” as a way of see themselves and encounter living that affirms that even those opportunities to experience “the miracle, where all suffering gives who challenge us have something other.” Affirmation of our reality way to contentment and peace. It to offer. It means that things will and an opportunity to learn an- is, however – to our ears – some- not always go our way or meet other’s truth help us grow and thing of a utopia, a world free of our needs…and that is a good mature. deprivation, violence and oppres- thing; someone else has been sion. Such a world is made satisfied instead. It means that One thing I often say when people

Imagination Pictures: The Garden of Dreams. The Costume Contest winners: Lauri, Aidan and Rhea Clark. And, John & Maggie Russell dancing under the disco ball.

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February’s Theme is Beloved Community even when we are in conflict, each Excerpt from Thomas Slack’s Vet- who served this great country person is worthy of love because erans Day Sermon, “The Power of that we all love. It’s important to we all come from, and will return Service” - November 15, 2020 note that Veterans Day is espe- to, the same compassionate cially a time to honor and show source. John McCain wrote, “Nothing in appreciation to those veterans life is more liberating than to who are still living. Memorial Day I do not think I will see the Beloved fight for a cause larger than your- (the last Monday in May) is the Community writ large in society, as self, something that encom- holiday dedicated to paying re- Royce and King describe it, in my passes you but is not defined by spect to those who have fallen in lifetime. And I know that building your existence alone.” service to this country. This morn- the Beloved Community is work ing, I intend to talk about the im- that is never complete. But I have All veterans of the United States portance of honoring the service seen glimpses sometimes, brief military know this feeling of liber- and sacrifice of veterans, and how moments. This brings me hope. ation through service, even if it by emulating their devotion to And, as “Beloved Community” is may not have registered at the service and duty we can all create the theme for February, so often time of their Oath of Enlistment better communities and strength- focused on love, these moments (or in the case of officers, their en our country as we transition show me what love can look like Oath of Office). Through the pro- from the chaotic period we’ve re- when it transcends the bonds of cess of basic training the individu- cently endured. family and friendship. al is broken down and rebuilt in the image of their respective While I cannot speak for the other May you, like moments of grace, branch: a soldier, a marine, a sea- branches, in the Air Force we had see glimpses of the Beloved Com- man, a guardsman, or an airman. the core values of “Integrity First, munity. And may we continue to Each branch instills in its members Service Before Self, and Excel- strive to bring it into being. their core values and each lence in All We Do.” From the day branch’s core val- I learned them they were instru- ues are slightly mental in helping me to find the different. Howev- purpose of my life; to serve my er, they all speak fellow human beings in the best to the concepts way possible. Many other veter- of honor, duty, ans have a similar reaction. They devotion, and either continue on as “lifers” in service some- the military or separate and pur- where in their sue lives dedicated to serving oth- lists. Service is er people or causes that make a what brings us difference in this world. Veterans here today. Vet- are our police officers, our fire- erans Day is a fighters, and first responders. time when we They are nurses, doctors, and express our grati- dentists. They are teachers, politi- tude to all mem- bers of the Unit- ed States military (Continued on page 9)

Beloved Community Pictures: “Group Hug” Photo by Vonecia Carswell on Unsplash , “MLK Jr. Monument” Photo by WUS Member Sean Crowley, “Community Heart” Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 5

African American Classical Music By John Kramer, Music Director A version of this article appeared as the reflection during the service on October 25, 2020.

I know I am in good company when I express a heightened sense of urgency when it comes to matters of racism in this country. Events of this summer seemed to have tipped the scale, altered the conversation, and there is new hope for a true anti-racist reality. We are deeply listening, perhaps in a new way. And I am finding new stories and histories being told about how white supremacy has affected African Americans; much of this history seems to be things I wish I had learned before. And I know many institutions, here at WUS and the school I teach at, Berklee College of Music, are looking at ways to address these histories and chart a path to healing. History is so important because it shapes our present. res of music before thinking of been taught and also what I’ve classical music. We are all cultural- been willing to explore and learn And there are histories of music ly conditioned to think of classical on my own. that have been overlooked and music as white European music. forgotten by the White majority. We have even witnessed recent Thanks to the support of this con- Beautiful music that speaks to the calls to “cancel” Beethoven. gregation, I have been pleased to human condition and music that be a member of the Association of can both calm and terrify us. Over And yet there are many amazing Unitarian Universalist Music Min- the last few years I have been ex- Black musicians who have and cur- istries. Your support, in the form ploring, and in turn have been rently work in the Classical music of my professional development, richly fed by, the music created by tradition, the tradition of through has allowed me to attend their Black classical composers from the composed art music. This is a mu- annual conference, usually held in early 20th century. sic whose story has not been told, the summertime. I have found and that story tells us a lot about these conferences to be rich expe- My guess is that most people our current situation. This is also a riences, both in content and for reading this, when prompted to personal story for me, as I find the relationships with my fellow think about African American mu- myself astonished that I am only UU colleagues. A few summers sic, would think of jazz, hip-hop, now learning so much of this glori- ago, this organization asked us to rap, gospel, and a few other gen- ous music. This tells me quite a deeply consider what music we few things both about what I’ve were programming; urged us to

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African American Classical Music “decenter whiteness” in our music heard the call to decenter white- raise his prodigy. Mozart was programs. Two summers ago the ness in our music program, I be- raised to be a phenomenon and conference featured only works gan afresh looking for musical rewarded both by his family and composed by people of color. It sources. I found that many of the by the cultural elite who support- has been a remarkable journey. composers and arrangers of the ed his artistry. Everything was Spirituals were also fantastic pia- done to create a musical genius. I have been serving churches for nists and wrote amazing works for As an aside, it is important to note over 25 years now and in nearly all the piano - why had I never that Wolfgang’s sister was also a that time I have enjoyed program- thought to look before. You have very capable musician and she ming Spirituals. We did a service heard many selections in our ser- wasn’t encouraged to genius, but here about 10 years ago that was vices from piano suites by artists that is a topic for another reflec- dedicated to the Spirituals. This is such as Harry T. Burliegh and Na- tion. Mozart’s genius has been thaniel Dett. My search has coin- propagated through history so the music that was created by en- slaved Africans in the United cided with a growing national that he is still a household name States and then carefully crafted movement to rediscover these and a standard bearer for music in into works of art by composers “lost” artists - although there are general. such as Harry T. Burliegh, Willam many who have cherished their Dawson, and many others. It is a music the entire time - and that Florence Price, born in 1887 in Ar- living testimony to the power of led me to discover composers kansas, was also a musical prodi- the human spirit to rise above op- such as Florence Price or her stu- gy, playing her first piano perfor- pression and hardship. dent Margaret Bonds whose work mance at the age of 4 and had The Ballad of the Brown King we music published when she was 11. performed last December. It is also a “check the box” kind of And Price was prolific - four sym- musical programming that White phonies, countless piano pieces, people - including myself- have Music exists in a culture and sig- songs, chamber music. However, been doing for a long time. And nificant forces determine its suc- the culture of the United States this is not to say that it is inappro- cess. If the culture supports the was much less welcoming and priate for white choirs to sing this music and the artist, it can suc- nurturing of her talent. She did music or that we shouldn’t - we ceed to some part regardless of have some success, in 1933 the should, because it is of its power the degree of its artistic worth. Chicago Symphony premiered her and history. And also because This is how much of contemporary Symphony in e minor making her Black creators have encouraged its music works - it is propagated by the first African American woman performance. But; we shouldn’t an entire industry and certain to have a work played by a major stop there - telling ourselves that elites make decisions about who U.S. orchestra. And yet though she we are programming works by Af- will be a star and what will be a went to school here in Boston at hit. If the culture does not support the New England Conservatory, rican Americans because we sing Spirituals - and not exploring the the artist, no matter how strong the Boston Symphony Orchestra full spectrum of musical creation. I the quality, it will be very difficult only just programmed her music will confess here that I have also for the artist to thrive. for the first time in 2018. In 1943 felt that because I play jazz and she wrote to the then music direc- ragtime, I have explored the Afri- When Mozart was born in Salz- tor, Serge Koussevitzky - heralded can American tradition fully. There burg in 1756, there was a very as a champion of new music, and is so much that I have missed! well established musical culture in asked that her work be considered for performance. In this letter she Europe and Mozart’s father, being And this is a lesson for me. When I a musician himself, knew how to (Continued on page 8)

Volume 6, Issue 2 Page 7

African American Classical Music (Continued from page 7) So this summer I took a dive into There has been of late, some con- acknowledges the twin handicap the piano repertoire of African sternation expressed about re- of being a woman and being Black American composers and was very writing history. My recent evi- in America. William Grant Still, the pleased to present this music to dence suggests that in doing so, Dean of African American com- you in a performance on Saturday, we are only going to make our col- posers goes on to say: “ It is unfor- November 14th. I have been lective story stronger and more tunate for a man of color who is deeply moved and inspired by beautiful. I am still astonished and ambitious to live in America.” these works by Florence Price, Na- saddened to think that my teach- thaniel Dett, William Grant Still ers never assigned any of this mu- It is beyond the scope of this re- and Margaret Bonds. And this is sic to me; but also astonished and flection to chart the entire history the thing… Koussevitzky and oth- saddened that I did not look for it ers may have had good reasons myself. However, it is never too that kept this music from thriving. But I do want to point out that the for not programming this music, late to start, and I am very thank- musical establishment didn’t dis- they may be justly accused of ful for that little nudge from the criminate against Black classical propagating white supremacy, UU musicians and also the culture musicians alone - Jazz did not gain however we all lose by not know- of this congregation that has been recognition as a serious art form ing this music better. I do not curious along with me. in the U.S. until it was widely her- think it hyperbole to call it a na- alded in Europe. tional tragedy.

African American Classical Music Picture: Robert Nathaniel Dett (top left), Florence Price (top right), Wil- liam Grant Still (bottom left), Margaret Bonds (bottom right) Stillness Pictures: “Icelandic Stillness” Photo by Rebecca Kelley-Morgan (on p. 1), “Breathing” Photo by Eli DeFaria on Unsplash and “Sunshine Stillness” Photo by Melissa Askew on Unsplash (on p. 2)

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(Continued from page 5)

cians, and faith leaders. Veterans are our neighbors, colleagues, family, and friends.

I am reminded of last year’s Veterans Day service here at Win- chester Unitarian Society, where Pete Rogers, a Vietnam veteran and educator committed to helping people understand the struggles of veterans, asked us all to raise our hands if we were veterans, were related to veterans, friends with veterans, or generally knew a veteran. Having been seated in the back of the Sanctuary, it was a truly moving moment as a wave of emotion engulfed me while watching the growing wave of your hands held high in honor of the veterans you all know and love. It is important to remember these honorable servants, especially on Veterans Day, because they have given so much of their time and energy in all efforts made through selfless service to us as U.S. citizens...

...Today, I serve this great community at the Winchester Unitari- Winchester Unitarian Society an Society, which is full of so many hardworking and generous 478 Main St Winchester MA 01890 people who are committed to improving all kinds of aspects of (781) 729-0949 the local and national communities. It is kind of funny, because I www.winchesteruu.org need to mention how it is important to observe and imitate the devotion to service exhibited by veterans, but I find myself ad- Minister and Staff miring so many of you for all of the work you do in service to The Rev. Heather K. Janules, Minister your fellow human beings. I am not going to name drop, be- [email protected] cause there are a lot of you and I would practically be reading the member directory. However, I would just like to say that I Kye Flannery, Sabbatical Minister see the efforts you make regarding social and environmental jus- [email protected] tice, in raising well-educated and socially active youths. Your Rebecca Kelley-Morgan, dedication to serving and making a difference is admirable and Director of Lifespan Religious Education I’m sure the UUs at Winchester Unitarian Society and my fellow [email protected] veterans can learn a lot from each other and our shared appreci- John Kramer, Music Director ation for service. [email protected] Colin Powell said “Indeed, we’re the strongest when the face of Sam Wilson, Director of Youth Ministries America isn’t only a soldier carrying a gun but also a diplomat [email protected] negotiating peace, a Peace Corps volunteer bringing clean wa- Thomas Slack, Coordinator of ter to a village, or a relief worker stepping off a cargo plane as Administration and Communications floodwaters rise.” [email protected] Jenny Goh, Administrative Assistant May peace and blessings find their way into the [email protected] hearts and minds of all veterans. May we as The Rev. Charles Reinhardt, Americans find our way out of the chaos and into a Minister Emeritus more stable future through our service.

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