First Parish, Hingham

Old Ship Church

Unitarian Universalist

14 Main Street Hingham, MA 02043

(781) 749-1679

office@oldshipchurch.org  www.oldshipchurch.org

February Newsletter

Monthly theme:

Living Love Through the Practice of Inclusion

SUNDAY SERVICES

February 2      “Broken Hallelujahs”                            Rev. Carie Johnsen

Exploring the human contradictions. How do we practice inclusion in a world where we are encouraged to exclude, erase, forget, and ignore that which “doesn’t serve” our sense of self, our desire for comfort, and our image of what life should be like. The young people will leave the Meeting House for Religious Education Class.

February 9       “The Cost of Exclusion?”          Rev. Carie Johnsen

This intergenerational worship will explore the human experience of belonging and the concept of pre-emptive radical inclusion.

February 16      Lessons from Mycelium Mushrooms    Rev. Carie Johnsen

 It takes courage to bring our trust forward and invite another person to meet us there. This sometimes sure, often shaky, surrender is an opportunity to discover something deeper than the confines of our individual experience. ~ Adaku utah The young people will leave the Meeting House for Religious Education Class.

February 23   “What Can I Do”                        Laura Burns

 What Can I DO? Responding to climate change in our daily lives Accepting reality, as it is, has always been challenging for human beings, but never before has it been as difficult as it is today. Staying in awareness of what the future surely holds can lead to paralysis, denial, or depression. Everyone must find their own answer. Laura Burns will share her very personal answer in the hope that others will seek their own. The Children will leave the Meeting House for a Social Justice Project/Father Bill's.

** Following the service, the answer to the question, “What can I do?” will become concrete and specific with a presentation about personal and community action in the Meeting House, and discussion 

Laura Burns, Pulpit Guest  Laura Burns has lived in Hingham since 1987 and is a member of Old Ship since 2002. She and her husband raised two children in a small house on Hersey Street. She has served in a variety of roles in town government and in the community, including as a co-founder of Hingham Net Zero. She is currently the chair of the Hingham Light Board.

EVERYDAY ORDINARY THEOLOGIES

From the desk of Rev. Carie

They tried to bury us. They didn’t know we were seeds.

~ Mexican Proverb

As we step into unprecedented times, I offer you a glimpse into the circle of some inspirational leaders and activists who ground and guide my days…

In Blessed and Merciful, the Rev. Dr. Jacquie Lewis reflects on the sermon preached by Right Reverend Mariann Edgar Budde at the National Cathedral after the Inauguration of Donald. J. Trump. She closes her bog, praying for a transformation of Trump’s heart, from callous and cold to merciful and kind. AND while I pray, I am not over this election; I am not trying to acquiesce and obey. I am going to fight every day for my communities, for the truth, and for love.



Acclaimed author and visionary civil rights leader Valarie Kaur inspires and equips people to build beloved community centered on the ethic of love in her memoir and manifest, See No Stranger. Her Ted Talk Revolutionary Love reclaims love as a force for justice, healing and transformation.

In Heresy and Checkpoints, Nadia Bolz Weber reflects on Christian Zionism with her Palestinian Lutheran colleague, Munther Issac. She closes her blog: I am genuinely sending my love. Please pray this ceasefire holds. And for those waiting on the side of a road right now to return to the rubble of their homes. And for the hostages and prisoners who were released yesterday. I cannot imagine the trauma.

Transgender journalist, Erin Reed, reports on LGBTQ+ legislation and, news and life. Visit Post Election 2024 Anti-Trans Risk Assessment Map. Subscribe to Erin in the Morning to stay up to date on news and discussion on trans legislation and life.

In her book “Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change,” indigenous attorney, activist, and author from the Penobscot Nationm Sherri Mitchell -Weh’na Ha’mu Kwasset, writes about interrelatedness. From birth, we are taught to be aware of the expanded kinship networks that surround us, which include other human beings along with the beings of the land, water, and air, and the plants, trees, and all remaining unseen beings that exist within our universe. 

In his newsletter White Too Long Robert P Jones, President/founder of Public Religion Research Institute, writes about religion, white Christian nationalism, & protecting pluralistic democracy. Drawing the phrase “White Too Long” from a searing New York Times op-ed James Baldwin write in the months following the assassination of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., as he saw the muted response coming from white Americans, and white Christians in particular.



“I will flatly say that the bulk of this country’s white population impresses me, and has so impressed me for a very long time, as being beyond any conceivable hope of moral rehabilitation. They have been white, if I may so put it, too long; they have been married to the lie of white supremacy too long; the effect on their personalities, their lives, their grasp of reality, has been as devastating as the lava which so memorably immobilized the citizens of Pompeii. They are unable to conceive that their version of reality, which they want me to accept, is an insult to my history and a parody of theirs and an intolerable violation of myself.”

His newsletter is intended to be a space for responding to this indictment honestly with an eye toward repentance and repair.

And finally, I begin my day, with Letters from an American from Heather Cox Richardson, a professor of nineteen century American history at Boston College. She writes, Historians are fond of saying that the past doesn’t repeat itself; it rhymes. To understand the present, we have to understand how we got here.

I am curious to hear who grounds your spirit, guides your living, and inspires you to action. Please share with me a link, a quote, or the name of the person who is influential in helping you to keep Love at the Center. As an incentive to share the wisdom that keeps you forever hopeful, or at lease engaged, I have a Valentine’s gift for all who respond to this invitation.

Together, one breath at a time, one conversation at a time, one action at a time, one movement at a time, we walk toward a world that reflects creations Love for life in a broken and beautiful universe.

With Love at the Center,

Rev. Carie 

RevCarie@OldShipChurch.org

Office phone 781-749-1679

Cell Phone 508-221-5295 

Office Hours: Thursday 1:00 - 4:00

TELLING A 

CONGREGATION’S STORY

STORYTELLING AND BRUNCH

FEBRUARY 1, 2025

10:00 A.M. – 1:00 P.M.

HINGHAM CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH 

378 MAIN STREET, HINGHAM

Members and friends of First Parish in Hingham (Old Ship) are invited to gather with the Transitional Ministry Team for community storytelling.  This time of remembering, sharing, and weaving a community narrative helps a congregation to understand its history, culture, achievements, joy, grief and loss.

 Please register by Tuesday, January 28th by emailing Office@oldshipchurch.org Click here for the zoom link

February Board Update

The Board of Trustees met this month on January 8th. Below are some items of note;

Minister Contract Extension - The Board and Rev. Carie Johnsen have agreed to renew Rev. Carie's contract at least through the next church year. The terms of the contract are currently being negotiated. We expect a signed contract by the end of the month.

Board Meeting Time Change - The Board approved a proposal to move the start time of the Board's monthly meeting from 7:00 to 6:30 pm. This change will begin with the February 6 meeting. Note: The February 6th meeting will be held on Zoom only.

Merrie Market 2025 - Carol Valentine, co-chair of 2024 Merrie Market- requested the date for Merrie Market 2025 be the second December Saturday, December 13th. The motion to schedule Merrie Market on 12/13/2025 was approved. Further it will be explored to make wreaths as in the past but sell wreaths earlier. Further Carol is stepping down as co-chair and seeking a new chair. The Board thanks Carol for her great work in support of Merrie Market.

Board Covenant - Rev. Carie Johnsen encouraged the Board to consider amending the Board covenant to include a general governing principle when there is no unanimity on a decision. It was agreed that the BOT covenant should include language which acknowledges member points of view while respecting BOT majority decisions. Clerk Elaine Cusker will draft language for consideration at the next meeting to capture the intent of this discussion in the current covenant.

Congregational Size - Rev. Carie advised that the size of a congregation is important when adopting models of organization for congregational life. Old Ship congregational size currently suggests a different model of organization for a smaller community. Rev. Carie has arranged a webinar that can offer guidance for us. The program is from Hilary Allen of the UUA on February 18th as a Zoom and will be open to the wider congregation.

Building Committee Report – Vice President Janice McPhillips, building and grounds committee liaison, reported that Building Committee Chair Tom Wilson is stepping down after 25 years of extraordinary service. A new chair is essential and recruitment from the congregation should proceed. Janice also raised the concern that the line item for maintenance for the MH is not adequate, and should be reviewed. Currently the budget model has been to use reserves for maintenance emergencies that arise.  

Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Clayton Handleman reported the following; 

Diana Gay Gift – A little over $67,000 was received and has been deposited. The BOT needs to offer guidance on how it will be allocated. It would be unusual to drop it into operations. Some guidance is provided by work done during the January 2020 Next Steps Weekend Report. Merrie Market Total - This year’s Merrie Market raised over $11,000. We are waiting for a few checks before providing a total figure. This is the gross and does not include the cost of the rented space. Though the 2023 Merrie Market gross was $14,500, the 2024 total is relatively comparable as we did not sell wreaths this year. Pledges - Pledges for FY 24/25 seem to be on track. As of 1/2/25, $179K has been collected of a total of the $265 which has been pledged.

As always, we welcome your comments and suggestions by emailing us at President@oldshipchurch.com

Your Board of Trustees,



Trish McAleer, President

Janice McPhillips, Vice President

Clayton Handleman, Treasurer

Elaine Cusker, Clerk

Karen Churchill, Dennis Hogan, Corey Fitz-Marquez; Trustees-at-large

The Pastoral Care Leadership Team

invites you to our

Valentine’s Day Open House

in the parlor on Friday, February 14th

from 2:30-4:30

for fellowship, music, and seasonal refreshments.  

No agenda; all are welcome!

New Children's RE Teacher Hired

A big welcome to Addy Handleman, who has been hired as our children's RE teacher. Addy grew up attending UU children's and youth programs and studying early childhood education at Curry College. Addy will be co-teaching with veteran RE teacher Judi Flaherty starting this month. To register your child for children's RE please contact Trish McAleer at president@oldshipchurch.org.

Also, beginning in February, we are shifting our RE programming to the first and third Sundays (Feb. 2nd & 16th). The final Sunday (Feb. 23rd) will remain our multi-generational Social Justice project day. On Feb. 23, all are welcome to join us to make and pack 80+ individual bagged lunches for Father Bill's/Mainspring Quincy Center, in support of people experiencing homelessness. For more information on Social Justice Sunday please contact Maureen Butler at butlermcginnis18@gmail.com.

Pastoral Care Leadership Team



We are all on the pastoral care team, but our “Pastoral Care Leadership Team” meets each month to share any concerns about parishioners who are ill, in the hospital, or facing other significant challenges, and to coordinate responses. If you have a pastoral concern to share with our Team, please feel free to contact any member of the group:

Ralph Brown

Liz Flint 508-560-1572

Elaine Gomez 781 820 4077.

Fan Leonard 781-749-2852

Claire Petrie 617-642-2438

Joan Wilson 617-947-4664

Louise Smith 781-690-1165

Carie Johnson 508-221-5295 

Musical Notes



Dear Old Ship, 

In recent days I've found myself searching for sources of hope and courage. I imagine that there are many people feeling similarly right now. Naturally, I turned to music in that search. I always gravitate to music with meaningful lyrics, words that engage not only my mind, but my heart and soul. One of the songs I turn to in times like this is called "Show Us How to Love" by Mark Miller. The lines that resonate with me the most right now are: "Hearts open, minds awake, change us now for heaven's sake. / Leave us not alone in hatred's wake." The undercurrent of fear and hate is rapidly rising to the surface for us to see more clearly. We can't let ourselves get swept away. We are not alone in hatred's wake. 

 Show Us How to Love https://youtu.be/X6ldZWYhAuk?feature=shared

I am especially thankful right now to have the Old Ship community as a source of comfort, hope, and inspiration. Let's lean on each other and keep the vision of a better tomorrow alive. We're in this together. 

Musically,

Christopher

WISDOM OF THE POETS

ORBIT

Go where it's warm

is perhaps the best advice

we can offer each other

in times of distress -

a pair of arms held out

in the hospital room,

or mugs of mint tea

taken together at the table

of mourning. You feel it

as a force field, an orbit

you slip into as soon

as you meet someone new

and sense that small,

blazing star pulsing

in their chest, drawing

you closer until you know

you'll be circling that

source of light and heat

for the rest of your life.

• James Crews (Vermont poet and teacher)

responses always welcome:  elizabethtorrey@hotmail.com

         Community Space Team Update and Info on Next Meeting

In January, we worked hard to refine the floor plans to best configure the first floor parlor and adjacent space for adult classes and RE; reworked the Admin and Office spaces; addressed the best orientation for the kitchen and ways to maximize its space; located a needed janitor’s sink and closet in the basement; and determine the need for 1^st and 2^nd floor storage space. Our architect David Torrey assisted with several revisions to the floor plans. In February, we hope to finalize the floor plans so the architect can begin work on a cost estimate. Our historic preservation consultants, PAL, Inc., completed a draft Pre-Construction Protocol for contractors in January which is awaiting approval by Mass. Historic Commission.

The Community Space Team will hold its next open meeting on Zoom on January 28 at 7:00 pm.  We hope to have architect David Torrey in attendance. We are approaching a vote to recommend a set of floor plans to the Board of Trustees and welcome comments from the congregation.

Please use the following link to join:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85668053025?pwd=aGL8YDwh6KmialbL69NAeD1prFqc4w.1

Meeting ID: 856 6805 3025 / Passcode: 903535

Thank you for your continued interest.

The Community Space Team

Stuart Patterson, Facilitator; Ron Pollara, Jack Gomez, Elaine Gomez and Laura Harbottle 

TRANSITIONAL MINISTRY EVENT:

A Leadership and Congregational Webinar

Learning and Growing Together: Conversations on Church Size with Hilary Allen, (she/her) Congregational Life Consultant, New England Region, Unitarian Universalist Association

February 18, 2024 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm 

Click here for the zoom link     

Family, pastoral, program. You may have heard these terms tossed around through your time at Old Ship. Please join your fellow leaders for an interactive webinar to learn more about church sizes and what difference they make in our congregational life. Together with facilitator Hilary Allen, our UUA New England Region Primary Contact, we will explore how congregational size changes over time.

Life Learning Offerings

Our Life Learning Committee has completed the schedule of classes and groups for 2024-2025.

Please click here for the schedule.

Ceilidh! – Gathers on the first Tuesday of each month. This means our next monthly song/poem circle will be on Tuesday evening, February 4th at 7:00 p.m. We are currently planning to gather in the Parlor as well as on Zoom. Email Eric Cornetta with any questions about Ceilidh. The zoom link is: https://zoom.us/j/92888235659

The Gathering

The Gathering will meet every Wednesday at 1:00p.m. in 14 Main Street Parlor. All women are welcome! For info contact Diane Elliott or Carol Valentine.

Religious Right–Secular Left

Dennis Hogan, moderator

Six Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m., beginning January 8th

The terms “religious right” and “secular left” are used routinely in the media, politics, and elsewhere to describe our societal divide. In this course, we will explore these polarities: their origins, philosophy, rationale, and implications. We’ll look at the history, politics, and issues (from religious freedom to school funding, integration, abortion rights, government regulation, etc.). We’ll also look at the mythology around both concepts and how realistic it is to consider these groupings as cohesive entities. We’ll explore their impact on the current and future political conversation and how/whether they can co-exist. Readings will be from various journal articles and selections from books. Anyone interested in taking the class should contact Dennis Hogan at dennish104@verizon.net. Click here for the zoom link

Sacred Texts Meditation Group

Next gathering: Thursday, February 13th

4:00 - 5:30 p.m., Zoom  

Second and fourth Thursday afternoons

​Each session will have a reading, a 15-minute meditation, and exploration of one chapter from the Tao Te Ching (including its meaning to each of us), as well as related writings, poetry or art. Newcomers are welcome. Gatherings will be Zoom only. For information and the Zoom link, contact Rich Elliott. 

Bodhisattva Study Group - Every Sunday morning, 8:30 AM. Zoom only. Twenty minutes of sitting meditation followed by discussion of a Buddhist or related text, facilitated by members of the group. For questions and Zoom link, email Lisa Sawyer.

Men’s Breakfast – Meets on the Fourth Sunday morning of each month at 8:30 a.m. in 14 Main St. Parlor and on Zoom. Our next gathering will meet on Sunday, February 23rd. Contact Ralph Brown or Rich Elliott for information and a Zoom, link.

Fellowship Hour & Snacks

Fellowship Hour will be held at 14 Main Street. Last names beginning I - P are asked to bring cold drinks and a snack on Sunday, February 2nd. Some type of finger or toothpick food that can be placed on a napkin is best. We don’t have volunteers to hand wash dishes and are going to keep things simple. Please bring your food item ready to go. Food can be left in it’s box or served on a paper plate. Thanks everyone.

News from the Social Justice

Council (SJC) 

Our Next Meeting is Saturday, February 8, at 9 a.m. on Zoom. All are welcome! Here is the link to the meeting: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87682042836?pwd=50w3sbTXPdNbKY7SSqD5mKwR75HlfU.1

February Special Plate/Outreach Collection: HEET —  HEET is a Boston area non-profit that is advocating for geothermal energy to replace natural gas. The organization "believes in an equitable energy transition that meets the needs of all, from low-income communities to gas utility workers to future generations." To accomplish this, HEET works to build collaborative networks based on trust, bringing uncommon partners together to find common ground, and to develop solutions supported by science. This group also trains underrepresented persons for jobs and careers in the geothermal industry. You can learn more about the organization at HEET Networking Thermal Energy

    Donations can be made as part of the special plate collection in the Meeting House on a date to be determined later, or at anytime throughout the month through the Old Ship website. Click the donate button and then designate your donation for the Outreach Offering:. Thanks in advance for your support of this important work that puts our values out into the world.

Our Commitment to Anti-Racism Work at Old Ship  — We are excited to announce that we will be showing the film, Who We Are, on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. at the Shipyard Theaters. This will be a free community event; we are co-sponsoring the film with the Hingham Unity Council. This documentary film examines our national history of racism. It is a compelling film and we are grateful for the support of the Shipyard Theater in donating the space and staff to share it with the community.

  We have two other upcoming events related to our anti-racism work that will be scheduled soon. First, we plan to show a video lecture from the Hingham Historical Society on slavery in Hingham. This lecture led to several of us learning that our Old Ship Minister Ebenezer Gay had enslaved people. Secondly, members of the SJC have researched the history of enslaved and native people at Old Ship, including the history of our early ministers who enslaved people. We will be releasing that report and its information soon and hosting a forum to discuss its findings. We look forward to sharing these events with the congregation. 

Anti-Racism/Social Justice Drop In Book Group next meeting on February 16 at 7:00 p.m. on Zoom — We will be discussing 1001 Voices on Climate Change: Everyday Stories of Flood, Fire, Drought, and Displacement from Around the World by Devi Lockwood. Brenda Black will lead the discussion. Here is the Zoom link for the book group discussion: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86370352137?pwd=kfa5rVtJoZ3nqdXJZt4TKUbokLDZr6.1

November and December Outreach Results — Thanks to everyone who supported our outreach offerings in November and December. In November, we raised a total of $1220.37 for the Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore in November. After reimbursing the expenses for the Holiday Dinner for the families living in FHSS shelters, we sent them a check for $784.93. In December, we raised a total of $5647.10 for the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee through their Guest At Your Table program. Thanks to everyone who supported these organizations that put our UU values into the world.

Hingham Food Pantry  — This month, the food pantry is in need of the following items: cookies, healthy cold cereal, minute rice, two pound bags of sugar, granola bars, decaf ground coffee, and pasta sauce. Items may be donated each week during Sunday services at the Meeting House or dropped off anytime the office is open at 14 Main Street. There also are drop off boxes for the food pantry at Stop & Shop (near the Beal Street Entrance/Exit), at Jack Conway and at Coldwell Banker. 

Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME)

Old Ship Social Justice Action Alert Network — Join this network to find out about specific advocacy opportunities such as letter writing, advocacy calls, and participating in educational and advocacy events with local legislators. Send your email address to Davalene Cooper, Keeper of the List.

Sunday Flowers Donor

Interested in being a donor for the Sunday flowers? March 2 & March 30 are available! You may provide your own arrangement, or the Sunday Flowers Committee will create a lovely arrangement for a $50 charge. Contact Sharon Prehn (prehn@verizon.net or 781-925-0101).

A Successful Merrie Market!

Thank you to all who volunteered their time, donated treasures, baked goods, created and crafted items, prepared baskets, provided good cheer and shopped at this year’s Merrie Market. After expenses, the final result was $11,700, a very merrie number!

This was the second year Merrie Market was held at The Hingham Community Center, and it proved to be once again a great community and member event. We couldn’t have the success if not for the dedication of our Old Shippers.

Thank you from the Merrie Market Committee.

Hingham Historical Society's

Lincoln Day Commemoration

Saturday, February 8 at 10:00 AM

Lincoln Day activities will begin at 10:00 AM with a muster of the Hingham Militia Company at the Hingham Memorial Bell Tower (90 Main Street) and wreath-laying ceremonies in Hingham Cemetery at the gravesites of General Benjamin Lincoln and Massachusetts’ Civil War governor, John Albion Andrew. The speaking program will begin at 11:00 AM at Old Ship Church (90 Main Street) featuring a keynote address from Jonathan Lane, Executive Director of Revolution 250, as well as remarks by state and local representatives and the presentation of winning essays from the Hingham Middle School Lincoln Day Essay Contest. The Military Order of the Loyal Legion, the 22nd Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Company, Hingham’s Scout Troop 1, and other civic organizations will also participate. All Lincoln Day events are free and open to the public Our own Christopher Nickelson-Mann will lead the music

Save the Date!

Pot-Luck Dinner

Saturday, March 1st

All Old Shippers are invited to a pot-luck dinner on Saturday March 1. Please mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details coming soon. 

• Community Space Team - Tuesday, January 28, 7:00 P.M. Zoom
• Choir Rehearsal - Sunday, February 2, 9:30 AM, Meeting House
• Worship and Music - Sunday, February 2, 12:15 P.M. 14 Main St Conference Room
• Board of Trustees - Thursday, February 6, 7:00 p.m. Zoom/Parlor Click here for the zoom link The agenda will be sent out next week
• Social Justice Committee - Saturday, February 8, 9:00 AM., Zoom

Printer Cartridge Collection

Please bring your used printer cartridges to 14 Main St and help raise funds for our office supplies. In 2024, we were able to convert used cartridges into almost $500 of office supplies! Drop off your cartridges in the 14 Main Street office. Any brand or type of cartridge is fine. Thank you!

Scam Emails and Texts

Scammers count on the fact you are distracted. Many scams are started with a text or an email, asking you to follow a link they sent you. DO NOT CLICK on that link! You may be giving a scammer access to your phone/computer and all the information stored. Do NOT respond or click on any links sent to you through a scam email or text. They are trying to grab data or install malware.

Always remember that Rev Carie would never ask you to purchase gift cards! Do not respond to such emails! Delete and mark them as spam!

Happy

from your friends at Old Ship Church