The Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

September 26, 2024

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In This Issue

We Are Planet Partners:

A Climate Engagement Weekend Sep. 26-28

UUs around the country are participating in a Climate Justice Revival to focus on creating communities of support for our climate. FPN is joining this effort with a Climate Engagement Weekend.

Join us on Friday, September 27th at 6pm for a plant-based pot-luck dinner (drinks and dessert provided) and discussion about FPN's past, present, and future climate action steps. This will be an opportunity for multigenerational discussion of the current state of the climate, the possible future of the climate and how climate change intersects with social justice. Over dinner, a climate justice team member at each table will help guide the discussion. There will be special programming for kids at the same time.

On Saturday, September 28th, spend some time outdoors connecting with your love for nature! Join us for a walk in the Norris Reservation (leaving First Parish at 1pm) with a chance to observe the ‘Triangle Property’ woods which the Climate Justice Team is hoping to develop into a space for meditation and appreciation of the importance of protecting the natural beauty of the planet. If you are unable to join us, we encourage you to appreciate the beauty of the earth on your own. We'll share our photos on social media to connect our experiences. Post your photos in the comments section of our FPN Facebook page, on the Friends and Members Facebook group, or on Instagram with the hashtag #FPNplanetpartners.

On Sunday, September 29th, our special climate-themed worship service will be led by activist Claire/Karl Muller, with a conversation to follow in the Fogg Parlor.

Are you coming to Friday night's plant-based potluck and discusssion?

LOCATION

Parish Hall

DATE AND TIME

09/26/24 6:00pm - 09/26/24 8:00pm US/Eastern

Share a dish and a dream as we talk about hopes and plans for our land stewardship. Kids will participate in a cool maker space activity.

I'll Be There!

Maybe

I Can't Make It

Introducing Amanda Buron, FPN's new Operations Coordinator

First Parish of Norwell has hired a new Operations Coordinator to run the front office. Meet Amanda Buron, in her own words:

Hello! I am excited to introduce myself as the new FPNUU Operations Coordinator. For the last five years, I have been at home with my two girls (Bella, 7 and Colette, 5) while my husband splits his time at home and travels for his Event Production company for a lot of the calendar year. It has been lovely to watch the girls grow and be home with them. Now that Colette has started full-time Kindergarten, I am ready to be back in a part-time work environment and community. Prior to staying at home, I have sixteen years of experience in HR/ Executive Administrative roles. I have spent my work life in New York, Minneapolis and Connecticut supporting all different level executives.

That said, I am somewhat familiar with FPNUU because both of my girls have completed the Playgroup, Preschool and Pre-K programs at First Parish Preschool. We love the school and made lifelong friendships there. I look forward to my start date (Oct 1) at FPNUU and being a support to members of the parish and staff. Please come say hello anytime the month of October as I settle in!

Old Stables Market - September 28 9am-3pm

On September 28th, FPN will host "The Old Stables Market," a pop-up artisan market. The carriage sheds and surrounding areas will be transformed into a shopping destination!

Vendors will feature their vintage, artisan and floral items. There will also be food trucks on site. Organized by Tami Lynch and Patricia Gill.

Want to join our Worship Service online?

Our Worship Services can be found at this zoom link:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83606479122?pwd=T3MWcC9L51bgKuiYXXC2c6i9SsDT02.1

Meeting ID: 836 0647 9122

Passcode: SundayAM

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Meeting ID: 836 0647 9122

Courageous Conversation this Sunday

After Sunday's service there will be a Courageous Conversation led by Claire/Karl Muller in the Fogg Parlor to discuss climate activism. Childcare will be provided until 12:45 on the playground.

For a one-page poster listing all our October events, scroll down to the very bottom of the newsletter!

Worship Services in October

In October we will expand on our annual theme of “Free to Be You and Me” with a focus on building a community that is Authentically Accessible. Join us!

Sunday, October 6th Justice: Our Sacred Responsibility

Sunday, October 13^th Being Fully Alive

Sunday, October 20^th Celebrating Differences

Sunday, October 27^th guest minister, Rev. Evin Carvill-Ziemer, UUA New England Regional Lead

Caring Corner

Celebration of Life for John Carpenter will take place at First Parish Norwell on Saturday October 5^th at 11am with a reception to follow in the Parish Hall

For those who are not able to join in person, here is the Zoom link

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 856 0364 7665

Passcode: 137793.

Bring Your Own Mug

Though we are using compostables on Sunday, feel free to bring your own to-go coffee mug to use on Sundays to reduce waste.

Let's make it a thing! Bring a mug with personality! Then take it home and bring it back next week.

Blood Drive Tuesday 1-6

There is a nation-wide emergency blood shortage, and First Parish of Norwell will help! We are hosting a blood drive on October 1st from 1-6pm.

Please sign up to donate and tell your friends! The donations are desperately needed now.

Joyful Songs Pick-Up Choir

Are you interested in dipping your toe into singing?

Do Thursday nights not work for you to come to rehearsal?

Here's something for you!

The second Sunday of every month (beginning in October) anyone can come and practice with Gingy and the choir at 9:30am and sing the anthem that Sunday.

Parish Committee Update

Welcome aboard to the 2024-2025 Parish Committee and thank you for volunteering to serve our community!

The following church members are serving on Parish Committee for the 2024-2025 term

Dave Traggorth (treasurer)

Derek Sulc (co-chair)

Gabrielle Millins (co-chair)

Kristen Babcock

Debbie Chase

Tom Yardley

Bernie Perry

Parish Committee meetings are open to church members. We meet in the Fogg Parlor at noon. A PC representative will be available at coffee hour. The remaining PC dates of this fiscal year are as follows October 20, November 17, January 12

February 9, March 23, April 27, and Monday May 12th via Zoom

All-Congregation Meeting

Our Fall congregational meeting will by October 20th at 11:30. We will vote to a new members.

More information about other voting issues will be coming soon.

Side With Love Overpass Gathering

Meet us on the River Street overpass of Rt 3 Saturday morning Oct 5th from 8-10am to send a message of love and positivity to the South Shore. Colorful clothing and signs of positivity are welcome! Parking available at the North River Theater. The FPN LGBTQIA+ Action Team is proud to lead this initiative!

Printed Directories at the Welcome Table

The Welcome Table in the Parish Hall is not just for newcomers! Here's a list of some of the things you can do there:

get a printed copy of the directory if you need one - or just get help accessing the one online to save a tree
request a nametag
grab a printed monthly calendar for your fridge
check or update your information in the ONLINE CHURCH DIRECTORY - or get your photo taken and uploaded
sign-up for many ways to help and get involved: usher, RE volunteer, worship associate, food for the next potluck or Community Dinner, etc.
take home directions for using the First Parish online calendar
chat with friendly folks who will help track down the answer to any question

Stop by the table every time you're at Coffee Hour to see what's new and what's needed!

Alliance Program Next Wednesday

Join us on Wednesday, October 16 at 10 am in the Parish Hall for a program on The Boston Tea Party of 1773 and its connection to the South Shore, by John Galluzzo of the Hanover Historical Society. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome. Bring a friend.

You can help support our programming by joining the Alliance for $15.

OCTOBER IS LGBT HISTORY MONTH (WHICH ALSO INCLUDES NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY)

LGBT History Month is an annual month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. LGBT History Month in the U.S. was first celebrated in 1994 when it was declared a national history month by President Barack Obama in 2009. The goal is to encourage openness and education about LGBT history and rights.

LGBT History Month provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. In the United States, along with several other countries, it is celebrated next month to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11th.

National Coming Out Day is an annual observance dedicated to celebrating and supporting individuals in the LGBTQ+ community as they share their authentic selves with the world. This day aims to raise awareness about the importance of coming out, challenge stereotypes and prejudices, and promote acceptance and inclusion. It encourages people to embrace their true selves and live openly, free from fear and discrimination.

First Parish of Norwell is proud to recognize and honor these October observances in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

First Parish of Norwell Book Group

Please join us for any or all of our monthly book discussions. We meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 pm on Zoom.

Sept. 16 – “Honor" - Thrity Umrigar

Honor is a novel about two couples and the challenges of love across a cultural divide in India.

Oct. 21 – “ Sandwich” - Catherine Newman (local author) This slice-of-life novel follows Rocky and her family on their annual week-long summer vacation in Cape Cod. Her two children are now young adults, her parents are aging, and her husband remains a steady presence in her life throughout their highs and lows. ⁣

Nov. 18 - "The Comfort of Ghosts” -Jacqueline Winspear

Maisie Dobbs, a psychologist and investigator, uncovers a wartime mystery involving her first husband in this historical mystery fiction the 18th and last book in the award-winning series.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 847 0898 5879

Passcode: Bookworms

Youth Group and Middle School

The High School Youth Group, led by Jon Babcock and Karen Bernier, meets several times per month to play games and plan events. Their first event will be a Halloween Not-too-Spooky Activity Night for kids during our Costume Potluck on October 19th.

The Junior Youth Group, a combination of middle school students from FPN and First Parish Cohasset, is led by Becky Smock, Kate Sullivan (from FPC) and Amanda Adams and will meet once per month at Norwell. Their first meeting is 10/20 from 5-6:30.

Middle school students can also participate in Coming of Age, also in collaboration with First Parish Cohasset. The class is taught by Reverend Dan Harper and former DRE Tracey Newman and will meet once per month at Cohasset. Their first meeting is 9/29 from 5-6:30. This class will help students to reflect on their beliefs and craft statements of religious identity. They will share their statements at Norwell during a special Sunday service on May 11th.

Sharing the Meeting House for John Hughan's Memorial

Rev. Leanne Walt and UCC Norwell express their profound gratitude to us for hosting some members of their congregation and community members for the Celebration of Life of John Hughan. Upon leaving, many attendees expressed the comfort of sitting in our Meetinghouse and participating in the service via livestream. Thanks to Mike Sanborn for handling the tech and all of the volunteer ushers including Bob Cullum, Bernie Perry, Derek Sulc.

Social Justice Soiree

It's time to share our big ideas for service projects and social justice goals! WHAT CHANGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE WORLD? Let's dream together.

Our service on October 6th will focus on the possibilities that come from our engagement in social justice - then, during coffee hour, we will carry that momentum into plans and action steps by brainstorming service ideas and signing up for social justice action teams.

You might find your passion one one of our existing action teams: (or you might have new ideas!)

Racial justice action team
Food justice action team (runs our community dinners)
Climate justice action team
LGBTQ justice action team
Mental health action team

Plan to spend some time learning about the work people are engaged in at FPN and finding your own passion.

The Holiday Fair: It's Time to Prepare!

Sat., Nov. 23 - 9:00 – 2:00

Mark your calendar right away: We need your help with this major fundraiser.

We will need you to bake, make handcrafts, clean out your closets and bring your clean, good toys, books/CDs and household treasures to the church the week before.

All Tables need help. Contact any chair or Peg Kitchenham781-635-0007 to volunteer. If you are new, let us know your interests! The Jewelry Table has put out a special call for good jewelry items. Thanks to Bob Gramarossa for helping with the Silent Auction.

Be a part of this year’s fair and make special memories! Be sure to bring a good appetite for lunch and don’t miss the fun of this important all church activity.

Themed Gift Baskets to be Sold at the Holiday Fair!

Every year, we ask for congregants to help make the gift baskets that we sell at the fair.

Be creative! Use your own basket or use one of ours which will be at Coffee Hour along with a list of possible suggestions and the sign-up list. YOU provide the items on a theme of your choice. (Be sure to keep a copy of all the receipts or make a list with the price you paid for each one as we will need them to price your basket! To keep the price of your basket low, we are asking that you spend approximately $15-$40+). When done, bring in your empty basket with your items and a list with the price of those items, so we can wrap it and make a tag for it. WE will wrap your basket with our supplies.

If you have any unwanted medium, large or gigantic baskets, please donate them to the cause - bring to Coffee Hour!

Thank you: Bev Gardner, Noel Constantino, Debb Welsh, and Heather Comeau

Plant Table

We want to start a plant table this year. Small to medium house plants were sold at Grandma's Attic last year and did quite well! We would like them to have a table of their own! This would need one or two people to volunteer to be the "co-ordinator(s)" of the House Plants Table." VERY fun and easy table to co-ordinate! Contact Peg K.