spirit of life nsl May 2018 - Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South … · 2018. 4. 28. · Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire Spirit of Life May 2018 Mission: We

Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire

Spirit of Life

May 2018

Mission: We come together from diverse traditions as a welcoming, religious community with shared values, seeking spiritual growth, lifelong religious education, and fellowship. We strive to promote justice, acceptance, and compassion in the world.

Music: Trustee/Greeter:

Greeter: Hospitality:

Hosp./Chalice:

Music: Trustee/Greeter:

Greeter: Hospitality:

Hosp./Chalice:

Music:

Trustee/Greeter: Greeter:

Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice:

Music:

Trustee/Greeter: Greeter:

Hospitality: Hosp./Chalice:

5-6-18

“I Wanna Hold Your Hand”: Rev. Carol Allman-Morton

How do our bodily connections relate to our faith lives?

5-13-18

“Healthy Gratitude”: Rev. Rich Hayes Rev. Rich Hayes is a chaplain with Hospice Care in the Berkshires

5-20-18 “Single-tasking”: Rev. Carol Allman-Morton Today we explore attention as spiritual practice

Share the Plate

with Berkshire Interfaith Organization

UUMSB ANNUAL MEETING

5-27-18 “Finding a Home”: Leyn Burrows Leyn is a member of our congregation.

Marian Rose Bill Young Al Blake Phlox Laucher Marion Jansen Hilda Banks Shapiro Bill Young Al Blake Bob Rausch Jon Greene Ron Hanft, organ UUMSB Choir Bill Young Al Blake Ed Chastain Jennifer Owens Ed Chastain and Marian Rose Bill Young Al Blake Dianna Downing Connie Canty

Reverend: Carol Allman-Morton

Mailing address: PO Box 783, Housatonic, MA 01236 Tel: 413-358-3877

Residence: 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, MA 01236 Click here for map and directions

Jus ce, love, and compassion in spiritual community

www.uumsb.org [email protected] Spirit of Life May 2018 1 of 10

Rev. Carol’s Column

“Love Will Guide Us”

The snow keeps coming this April, and spring flowers are struggling a bit, but I am hoping all this extra snow is going to mean a really green spring and summer… once it gets here. I am in the second spring in my new home in the Hilltowns, and it is such a gi to be surrounded by such beau ful views, woods, and fields. As we do all we can to protect our planet, may the changing seasons be a reminder to name our gra tude for the wonder of the earth and our par cular place on it.

In May and June we start welcoming back our friends who are only with us in the summer months, and we see lots of visitors from around the country visi ng us while they explore the beau ful Berkshires. For those on their way to their summer spots, we welcome you back! It will be so great to worship and be with you. For those of us who are here year‐round, please remember to especially keep your eyes open for any new faces to help us welcome them.

Blessings on the journey. ‐ Carol

See Carol’s sermons: h p://www.uumsb.org/worship/past‐worship‐services/

If you have any pastoral concerns, please call me to set up an appointment. I am available to meet on Sundays and weeknights. 413‐717‐5097 or [email protected].


Message from our President, Martha Page

It’s Annual Mee ng Time Again!

On Sunday May 20th, directly a er the service, we will be holding one of

our annual tradi ons that is generally short but cri cally important to our

democra cally run and autonomous congrega on. At the annual mee ng,

we will be hearing briefly about the year in review, about the progress on

our strategic plan, and a li le about what we can expect in the year ahead,

which for us begins on July 1.

This year, there are two primary items of business that will need a

congrega onal vote. Specifically, we will need to adopt the annual budget

and we will need to vote on a slate of leadership posi ons. For each of

these items to be successfully moved forward, we will need a majority vote

of the members in a endance at the mee ng; however, these votes can

only occur if there is a quorum which consists of at least 50% of the

membership. Your presence as members at this mee ng is needed in order

for UUMSB to conduct this essen al business. Please plan to a end…we

need you and we need your voice! (By the way, I have heard a rumor that

there may be cake a er the mee ng!) ‐ Martha

Happy May!


UUMSB Social Justice Committee— update for May 2018

The UUMSB collec on plate in May will be shared with Berkshires Interfaith Organizing (BIO). < h ps://www.berkshireinterfaithorganizing.org/ >

Share the Plate Sunday for BIO will be on May 20.

The mission of BIO is to alleviate the root causes of poverty in our Berkshire community – with a

current focus on three specific issues: food security, transporta on and immigrant support. There are 17 faith‐based organiza ons in BIO’s all‐county coali on working together to make social jus ce real in our community, while improving the quality of life for par cularly low‐income people living in the Berkshires. BIO’s website states their intent is to bring together people of faith and values so that there is increased power as collec ve ac on is taken together for jus ce! A current south county organizing drive – is to bring a mid‐sized food store into Lee to replace the loss of Price Chopper. Currently UUMSB does not have a representa ve in this faith‐based coali on. Come and hear more about the strategy of BIO from its south county community organizer, Jeff Lowenstein (who lives in Housatonic), You may want to ask Jeff ques ons directly following the service. BIO believes strongly about making systemic changes in Berkshire County.

The UUMSB People’s Pantry Team just completed our

most recent work day during the last Thursday of April. As a reminder the People’s Pantry has moved back to St. James Place on Main Street in Great Barrington. If you would like to join our UUMSB pantry team feel free to reach out to Valerie Bluhm or Erin McNamara.

Regarding another social responsibili es coali on effort ‐ on Saturday, May 5, the Berkshire County NAACP Branch has organized a huge progressive coali on “Standout” in Pi sfield at

Park Square from noon to 2pm. The purpose is to have many progressive community voices standing together as we protest the con nuing na onwide police killings and unnecessary use of force against unarmed people of color. The Standout has been named Speak Truth to Power!


UUMSB Social Justice Committee— update for May 2018 At the close of this community ac on we will walk together to the Pi sfield Police Headquarters as a final gesture of a community coming together to Speak Truth to Power. Enough is enough! Come see first hand the many examples that will be shown of police having the capacity to disarm threatening white community members but people of color are being killed/beaten/embarrassed when police feel threatened. There are hundreds of examples that the facts show over and over – there was no weapon, there was no real threat. Same police training but different outcomes for people of color. Racial biases must be acknowledged and properly dealt with in our na on! Come join the UUMSB Social Jus ce Team in this community ac on. Ask us about our work. Your interest and/or ques ons are important to us.

Onward, Tommie Hutto-Blake for the UUMSB Justice Team ~ Ricky Bernstein, Al Blake, Valerie Bluhm, Karen Clark, Stu Dalheim, Sheryl Davies, Ray Garnett, Gwendolyn Hampton VanSant, Erin McNamara, Sandy Noyes, Martha Page, Sue Protheroe, Gary Shaw.

Save the date: Saturday, May 5: 11 a.m. ‐ 5 p.m. Noho Pride Parade and Fes val 2018

This is a great year to show some Berkshires support for the Pride March in Northampton. We will not be in the parade this year (the parade roster filled in February!!), but if a con ngent would like to ride together to watch the parade and go to the fes val that would be great! If there are folks who really want to march, let Rev. Carol know and we can probably join in with another congrega on. More info: h p://www.nohopride.org/home.html


June is Pride month and for the second year, there will be a Berkshire Pride Festival in Pi sfield

at the First Street Commons! Everyone is invited on June 2nd, from 2‐5:30 PM. There will be fes vi es, speakers, a community resource fair, entertainment and more! As I did last year, I (Ray Garne ) will be there with a table and informa on about UUMSB, and I would also like to invite folks to help sit at the table. It was a lot of fun last year and I hope that many of you can make it

this year!

Save the date facebook event: h ps://www.facebook.com/events/145063942874128/

Berkshire Pride facebook page: h ps://www.facebook.com/berkshirelgbtqpride/

Second Sunday School This Month (On the First Sunday - 5/6): Earth-Centered Traditions Part II

Lifespan Faith Development for all ages. This

month we continue our conversation about our 6th

Source: “Spiritual teachings of Earth‐centered

traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life

and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms

of nature.” Come join in the conversation after

coffee hour!

Learn more about the sources of our living tradi on: h ps://www.uua.org/beliefs/what‐we‐believe/sources


The Caring Committee, a part of the Membership and Growth Committee, coordinates and delivers caring services to members experiencing difficulties. We are available for anyone needing assistance in life or family situations that seem to come to everyone from time to time. Our committee finds volunteers from the congregation to help provide visits, food, transportation, and other services, depending on the situation. Whether you or someone you know may need information, encouragement, a hand or a ride, please call:

Valerie Bluhm (413) 394-4309 Zoe Dalheim (413) 243-3617 Phlox Laucher (413) 281-8351 Sharon Meyer (413) 528-0956

Sue Montague (518) 321-5102

May 3 Win Haas 16 Molly Clark

8 Melissa Greene 17 Brian Stewart

12 Lizzie Meier 19 Sarah Hardcastle

15 Tadd Allman‐Morton

Any one else have a May birthday?

Email Sheena and let her know!

Would you like to join?

Come and sing with us! We rehearse at 9:15 a.m. before worship on the Sundays we will be

singing. Contact Marian Rose for informa on.

We come together May 20

Facebook/uumsb

and share our events

and announcements.

Thank you!

UUMSB Community News: If you have any personal joys or concerns that you would like to share, send them to Sheena at [email protected]. Thanks!

Membership Directory! If you are part of our community, but have not yet officially joined the congrega on, we would love to add you to our member directory as a friend, so that folks can be in touch with you and we can call you in case of cancella ons. Just send an email to our administrator Sheena with your contact info at [email protected]!

We are in the process of crea ng a new more personal directory that will include photographs. Those who have not yet had their photograph taken, please have someone take it for you and email it to Sheena at [email protected].


Tag Sale

8:30am to 2:30pm Drop off items – through the front door

Every Sunday from now to May 20 look for our core crew of organizers: Marion, Dianna, Laurie, Valerie, Jan, Lana, and Sheena, any one of which will find someone to take your dona ons up to the tower room.

During the week leading to the tag sale items (no clothing) may be delivered during the setup and pricing mes: Wednesday morning – May 23 (8:30 to 12:30), and Friday – May 25 (9:00 to noon).

We are looking for dona ons of vintage items that can be sold at moderate prices. Call Dianna Downing if you have ques ons about your possible vintage item dona ons.

Volunteer to help at the Tag Sale, Saturday, May 26; look for the sign‐up sheet in the social hall.

The tag sale is an important fund raiser for UUMSB and always a fun get-together!


UUMSB Social Media ‘Go To’ Page

Online UUMSB Google Calendar! You do not have to be signed in to anything to see it. The calendar will reflect our programs, mee ngs, and worship informa on for each Sunday.

Click on this link: UUMSB calendar

Let Sheena know! Email her at [email protected]

Jan Hutchinson’s Raggedy Prayers and Crooked Ladders.

WHERE DO I FIND INFORMATION ON EVENTS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY? The most comprehensive lis ngs are: In the newsle er (print, email and web); On our website (uumsb.org) On our Google calendar: (h ps:/www.google.com/calendar/[email protected]&ctz=America/New_York) Updates and changes are sent out over email and posted on Facebook In the weekly insert at worship; On the bulle n board in the social hall If you have any announcements to go out by email or to be printed in the Sunday insert, send them to [email protected] by Tuesday each week. If you have something to be posted to Facebook, you can send that to [email protected] any me, or post from your account on the UUMSB page.

CLICK ON THE LINK:

Clara Barton District

Construct Inc

Unitarian Universalist Associa on

UU Mass Ac on

UUMSB

UUSC

HospiceCare

RSYP Railroad Street Youth Project

Hands in Outreach

Mul cultural BRIDGE

350.org

Twi er/uumsb

Facebook/uumsb

Tumblr/uumsb

Side with Love

Commit2Respond PFLAG

Are you a Facebook user? Check out UUMSB on Facebook, including a calendar of all our events!

“Like US” and help spread our messages to your friends.

Four Freedoms: www.4freedomscoali on.org

Not In Our Town: www.niot.org


Our congregation’s first meeting was in 1995 with 6 people in attendance. We are a chartered congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We currently have 67 members and maintain strong ties to our community. We are a growing congregation in the liberal tradition that respects ideas, values diversity, and encourages the exploration of spirituality and life’s meaning.

UUMSB Church, Housatonic Click here for map and directions-

UUMSB Board

President: Martha Page (860) 597-2612 Vice President: Mike Thiemann (413) 344-6969 Secretary/Clerk: Dennis Downing (413) 528-3381 Treasurer: Bill Young (860) 597-2627

Trustees at Large: Ray Garnett (413) 232-0248 Chuck Pierce (413) 528-7910 Laurie Shaw (413) 528-0343

All gatherings held at UUMSB in Housatonic unless specified otherwise Click on this link to go to UUMSB calendar

South County Race Task Force 7:00pm: Thursday May 3

Noho Pride Parade and Festival 2018 11:00am: Saturday May 5

Membership and Growth Committee meeting 9:30am: Sunday May 6

Second Sunday School (1st Sunday this month) 12Noon: Sunday May 6

Facility Use Committee meeting 9:00am: Sunday May 13

Choir Rehearsal 9:15am: Sunday May 20

UUMSB ANNUAL BOARD MEETING—attendance required

12Noon: Sunday May 20

UUMSB Annual Tag Sale 8:30am: Saturday May 26


Lifespan Faith Development at the Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire2017-2018 Schedule

Lifespan Faith Development programs at UUMSB are designed to offer opportunities for deepening and exploring our personal faith, traditions, history, scriptures, and practices in a Unitarian Universalist context including our congregational covenant and our UU Purposes and Principles. We offer programs that allow for intergenerational growth and learning along with space for peer development. Our programis small, but warm and thoughtful.

For All Ages (Feel free to bring your lunch or snacks to any post-worship programs.)Second Sunday School - Each month on the second Sunday we offer a class for all ages. Families are encouraged to come together. Sessions run from 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m. This year we are studying the Sources of our Living Tradition

2017November 12 – Wisdom of world religions, part IDecember 3 (Not second Sunday) – Wisdom of world religions, part II2018January 14 – Loving our Neighbors as OurselvesFebruary 11 - HumanismMarch 11 – ReasonApril 8 – Earth-centered, part IMay 6 (Not second Sunday)- Earth-centered, part IIJune 10 - Spiritual practices

Living by Heart – Second Wednesdays each month in the evening - Explore memorizing poetry as a meditation tool and spiritual practice. Jan Hutchinson is the facilitator and we meet at her house in South Egremont. If you would like to participate, please let Jan know ([email protected]).

For Children ages 7 and under – Child care and age appropriate activities are available each week in ourspace for younger children. We also invite parents with young children to have them be a part of our worship service. Quiet toys are available at the welcome table at the back of the sanctuary.

Children and youth older than 7 are encouraged to take part in the Second Sunday School program, and to participate in worship. If there is ever a worship topic, or a wiggly day, when they do not wish to be inthe service, they are welcome to join our youngest kids in the nursery to read to or play with our youngest members. Children of all ages are also welcome to pick up entertainment packets at the back ofthe sanctuary to color, draw, or read in worship.

Other ways to connect:Small Group Ministry - The Small Group Ministry program deepens and broadens personal spiritual growth. A group usually consists of 8-10 members who meet at each others’ homes, usually once each month. Each meeting is focused on a spiritual or religious topic. Check with Rev. Carol for more info.

Social Justice ministries - There are wonderful opportunities for doing justice work in our community and with rare exception are for all ages (sometimes outside groups have minimum age requirements for some tasks, i.e. Habitat for Humanity). We encourage everyone in the community to look at upcoming social justice programs including work days, marches, and interfaith worship and programs. If you have any questions, see Tommie Hutto-Blake or Rev. Carol.

Worship - If you or your family would like to participate in worship through music, lay readings, or even planning a service, there are lots of opportunities! Talk with Rev. Carol to learn more.

For More Information: Please contact Rev. Carol Allman-Morton at 413-717-5097 or [email protected]

We worship at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday, 1089 Main Street, Housatonic, Great Barrington, MA

Documents

spirit of life nsl May 2018 - Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South … · 2018. 4. 28. · Unitarian Universalist Meeting of South Berkshire Spirit of Life May 2018 Mission: We