Benefit Your Health While Benefiting the IHN

Benefit Your Health While Benefiting the IHN

Erika Slater is a Certified Hypnotherapist based in Upton/Grafton area and is offering an affordable weight loss hypnosis program to members of IHN of Greater Worcester congregations or friends of the IHN. This is a 4 session group class and limited to only ten (10) people. It is an opportunity to help others while at the same time providing you a means to make your weight loss journey just once to reach a thinner you, and stay your right size. This comprehensive weight loss program isn’t just another diet. If you’re planning to lose weight then here’s a chance to do that while donating to help others. IHN Advisory Board Chair, Jan Gregory-Charpentier, will be participating, too.

Erika has run hypnosis based programs in the past for charities and will donate her time so all profits go to The Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Worcester. Erika regularly donates her time to the community - she hosts a weekly radio program for the blind at audiojournal.net - as she believes it’s important to give back, and has also found it a great way to obtain referrals for her hypnotherapy business.

Her private successful weight loss program is usually $800 but you can participate in this group program for a fraction of the cost: $400/4 sessions or $100/session ($375 if paid in full up front). Registration information and much more information about Erika and her practice available at the website below.

For more information about this program check out the special page here: http://www.freeatlasthypnosis.com/janc. Healthy, safe and effective weight loss.

Because of the equipment used and optimum size to ensure success, Erika only does small group sessions and so once the limit of 10 participants is reached the class will close.

The four sessions will run four Saturdays, starting in January, 2 hours per session. Saturdays, January14 and 21, February 4 and 11, at 2:00 to 4:00 pm, (Location in Worcester area, still TBA)

Christmas Pageant 2011

Halloween Celebration at First Unitarian

Task Force Appointments

Prudential Committee will be appointing two task forces later this month, to work through the winter gathering information and framing recommendations on two key areas of concern in the church. Each task force will have six members who should bring a diversity of perspectives. The work will be organized and done according to the preferences of the task force members, with the goal of presenting thier findings and recommendations to Prudential Committee in March or April of 2012.


If you are interested in potentially being appointed to serve on either one of these task forces, please email David Spanagel by Wednesday October 12, 2011. davidspanagel@comcast.net

Brief descriptions of the two task force areas:

Caring Community Task Force - To review how we as a church currently provide care and outreach to the hospitalized, shut-ins, the suddenly or chronically ill, the injured or convalescant, and/or those among our community who are feeling physically or emotionally overstretched. One important consequence of halving our ministerial staff has been to shift the burden of hospital visits and parish services to volunteers, but our existing committee structures have not sufficiently made up the difference. This task force will gather congregational input and information, discuss alternatives, and recommend what systems or structures we might institute to better address this need. Note: six  women have already indicated some interest in serving on this task force; men, members of young families, and youth are highly encouraged to step forward and offer to participate in this important planning effort.

Building our Vision - A Vision for Our Building - To review and assess the current capacities of our church property and building, in terms of what we foresee as the requirements needed to fulfill our Vision for 2015 and beyond. The church building is overdue for some important deferred maintenance issues (steeple painting, etc.), but before we plunge into expensive repairs and capital improvements, it makes sense to dust off recent capital campaign project proposals, consult with the congregation thoroughly, and determine what the priorities should be for plans to reconfigure or otherwise improve our building and physical infrastructure, in order to support all the activities and programs that our Vision requires. Recommendations of this task force will feed directly into the case to be made for the next capital campaign. Note: so far, two men (one longtime member and one from a young family) have indicated some interest in serving on this task force; women and youth are highly encouraged to step forward and offer to participate in this important planning effort; more male volunteers are also welcome.

Opportunity Fair

Get Involved in Building Liberal Religion in the Worcester Area.

After church this week, there will be an Opportunity Fair in Unity Hall. There will opportunities there for you to get involved in building the Liberal Religious movement in Worcester for the future.

There will be opportunities to work with others to meet the three goals for the church that have been identified:

1. Becoming more visible and active in the Worcester Community.

Do you want to work with our Homeless Ministry, which supports the Interfaith Hospitality Network and our Skilled Volunteer Program, which works through Jericho Road Worcester.

How about an outdoor community-wide event to be held in the Spring. This project is just in the dreaming stages, so we need your ideas.

2. Building our First Unitarian Community.

Do you want to work on our programs for growing faith for all ages, everything from our Sunday Morning programs for children and Youth to all of the offerings for spiritual practice and learning during the week? Work with Jessica Gray, Lesa McWalters and lay leaders to make First Unitarian a center for spiritual growth and faith development for the whole community.

Do you want to help make the church a more welcoming place where people can grow together: We need volunteers in the Membership process, hosting our many visitors on Sunday morning, facilitating people sharing their lives. 

How do we become a caring community which helps each other in times of trouble and need? A comprehensive planning process is starting for this all important question. Get involved at the Opportunity Fair.

3. Making our beautiful building a powerful asset for furthering liberal religion in Worcester.

How do we use our building? How does it help us reach our goals? How does it get in the way? How should we use it differently? A comprehensive review and planning process about the building is getting started. You can get involved at the Opportunity Fair. There are also lots of volunteer opportunities in caring for our building and grounds right now. Meet members of the Building and Grounds Committee and the Garden Committee at the Fair. 

Groups and organizations throughout the church will be at the Opportunity Fair to talk with you about your interests and answer questions about how the church works.

There will be coffee and food, too. 

www.firstunitarian.com 

Mt Wachusett Climb, Sunday, October 9th After Worship

On Sunday October 9 we’re climbing Mt Wachusett after Church. We’ll use Mountain House Trail -- an easy trail, about a mile long, on the easterly side of the mountain. Little ones, senior citizens, and everyone in between can do this walk, which is a gradual trail with lots of stopping places for anyone who needs to catch a breath. It takes about 30 minutes, or a little longer if you stop frequently to admire the view on the way up. The other option is to take the chair lift from the ski area, but there’s a fee. In the past, some folks drove to the top, but the road is being reconstructed, and is closed at the moment.

When we get to the top, views of the countryside should be magnificent. Fall foliage should be at its peak. If you bring binoculars, you’ll probably see migrating hawks, and possibly eagles. Little ones (and others) will enjoy hunting for garnets that have eroded out of the rock – not gem quality, but still fun to find.

Mt Wachusett is in Princeton, about 25 minutes north of Worcester. I-190 to Route 140 is the quickest route, but Route 31 through Holden is also an option. Maps will be available. We’ll start from the parking area for Mountain House Trail, on Mountain Road at the intersection with Gregory Road.

The plan is to leave the First Unitarian Church shortly after noon in individual cars. Pack a lunch and eat it when you’re hungry – before leaving the Church, on the way to Mt Wachusett, or on top. The Church will provide cider and cookies on top of the mountain.

Wear boots or sneakers. Dress in layers, with sweaters or sweatshirts and windbreakers. A small backpack is handy for carrying extra coverings, a water bottle, and lunch. If it’s a really chilly day, you may want a hat and gloves. It can be windy and chilly on top. Mt Wachusett is the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River, so the wind comes sweeping up the westerly side. Princeton’s Municipal Light Department has two wind turbines on the westerly slope, which supply about 40% of the Town’s electricity.

For those who want a more rigorous climb, there are many other trails up the mountain. Don’t feel that you have to take the short route, but look for us on top when you get there.

Rain Date: We’ve been blessed with good weather this fall, but if it rains on October 9, we’ll push the mountain climb to the following Sunday, October 16.

Questions? Call John Mirick 978-464-2313

Summer Music News

Changes and transitions in my life are often difficult for me. I was raised in an academic environment but also, over the years, much of my adult employment has been subject to the school-year calendar. What always affects me the most is the uncertainty that looms with the transition into the summer and back into the fall. Finding a way to fit myself back into the old and the new routines, after the stimulus of the new experiences and travels of the summertime, fills me with a sense of anxiety. What will my life look like now? Will I like the new people that are appearing in my life? Will they like me? Or perhaps, even more importantly, will I like my self?


This summer I had the opportunity to explore a part of my self that makes me happy and makes me feel fulfilled. With the gracious encouragement and support of Rev. Schade, Will Sherwood, the Prudential Committee and the church community, I attended the U.U. Musician’s Network Conference held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington (UUCA) for a week.

Over 300 Unitarian-Universalist music leaders gathered. We shared our experiences and expertise as well as talked about our visions of the future. We welcomed newcomers and to reconnected with friends and colleagues. We sang together for hours at a time: reading through new songs, hymns and music for choirs, and new compositions by Unitarian composers. We even read through a wonderful ‘Mass’ composed to express our own Unitarian beliefs, written in Latin, no less.

I was one of fourteen music leaders that arrived two days early, for a specific purpose. We were enrolled in the UUA Music Leadership Credentialing Program. Our course of study consisted of two workshops: Tools and Techniques for Leading A Successful Choral, Ethics and Care, and a lecture entitled “Lyric Theism”. In his talk, the Rev. Robert Hardies outlined his views of the important role that preachers, poets and, yes, musicians must play in shaping a compelling Unitarian Universalist theology. The week in Virginia was inspiring and I look forward to next summer for round two.

Speaking of rounds, on the third Monday of each month, as part of the MNAC programs, we will have multi-generational sing-alongs. The first one, September 19th, will be an evening of singing UU rounds. Subsequent third Mondays will feature other song repertoires such as spirituals, “Sing Out!” folk songs and seasonal caroling. “Come, come whoever you are!” And bring your vocal chords.

We also should recognize the wonderful group of singers and musicians that brought their energy, talent, and enthusiasm to lift up the summer worship services. The following participated in the Court Hill Singers reaching out with spirit, song and love: Cindy Bizzaro, Dave Blodgett, Brenna Ewing, Kris Johnson, Donna Lamura, Marcia Leonard, Kim McCoy, Phil Nigro, Ellen ONeall, Rosel Patton, Susan Peckitt, Deb Veraneau, Linda Wyatt, David Spanagel. Deepest thanks to all of you!

…Jerry Bellows
Music Director for Summer Services

"An Early Morning Reflection" by Linda Pauline Chatalian Wyatt

I have received many blessings since April.  July 10, 2011 was particularly exhilarating with a shower of them.

That Sunday, you permitted me to comfortably request, as if a close family member, to keep my daughter in your mind since “as we prayed she played tennis” toward a goal  in Dallas she’d strived to attain for two years.  In the early afternoon, she accomplished her goal, winning her tennis tournament!  I jumped up and down, congratulating her profusely, clutching the phone. It felt like she was beside me, not 1500 miles away. Joy defied distance. This accomplishment opened the door for her to play tennis at a more advanced level.  She had “champed” in the TX USTA lingo!

That afternoon, I hosted a party for the Court Hill Singers.  They gifted me with laughter, song, assistance, play, good food—let your hair down appreciation of each other.  We revived our love of the Beatles in our voices and musical instruments.

And you, the congregation, that morning, cheered me on with your gleaming eyes and beaming smiles, as I read three poems by a personally meaningful author, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

And yes!  We were propelled by the Court Hill Singers’ rendition of Building a New Way by Martha Sandefer.   The words confirmed Longfellow’s urging to: Act—act in the living Present!  Heart within, and God o’erhead! Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait.

The music and poetry lingered in me early the next morn, leading me to two poems I’d written for my grandparents.  First, I read Musical Transcendence, a warm, sweet memory of attending an Armenian concert with my grandmother on Sunday afternoon long ago.  Then I read The Candle of My Soul, composed and read to my grandfather the day prior to his passing.  I had wanted him to know the non-materialistic gifts of his life were gold.  As I had read to him by his bedside some twenty-nine years past, I gave my best dramatic performance-- to an audience of one—but an extraordinary one.  I was determined he’d be absolved of any guilt he had about leaving his grandchildren with meager material wealth.  In the poem, he lauds his wrinkles as “a testimony to the struggles I outwitted and outlived.” 

Outwitted and outlived--an orphan, a survivor of the Armenian Genocide; a brilliant, self-educated, hard-working man; progressive before his time in his treatment and respect of women.  He was not afraid to be an equal partner and share domestic responsibilities.  He had already liberated the women in his family.

 

I recalled your compliments of the day.  I wept tears of joy and gratitude.  What had you given me?  You, like my grandparents, had complimented my inherent talents—writing, speaking, singing, dancing, my work ethic.  You had augmented a void of the past when I received minimal compliments—compliments limited to looking good in an outfit and excelling at making some Armenian foods.  You outshined what I’d expected in the most sacred bond between a man and woman.  What a gift!

Let the dead Past bury its dead!  Longfellow shouts at us. If my voice left no other message to you as I resounded A Psalm of Life, I wanted it to be this one.  I planned for it to jolt and permeate the very atoms of your being.

You and my grandparents had reminded me the non-materialistic entities of life endure.  We spoke thus in our Common Prayer by Jacob Trapp:  Grant us to see the things that bear the mark of the eternal…loving kindness…wisdom and understanding…the divine impulse given and received.

To conclude my morning reflection, in vogue with the Court Hill Singers, I turned to a holy book of Beatles songs.  There's an Armenian tradition that whatever page you open to of a publication-that's what you are supposed to read. I opened to the tune, Tell me What You See. We can interpret the song as an intimate romantic request, or also, for this purpose, a general “I acknowledge the light in you summons”.

Big and black the clouds may be, time will pass away. If you put your trust in me, I’ll make bright your day.  Look into these eyes now, tell me what you see.  Don’t you realize now, what you see is me.

 

You told me what you saw and brightened my past, present, and future.  Shnorhagal em--"Thank you" in Armenian.

July 14, 2011

Interfaith Hospitality Network at First U in July - Volunteers Needed

An appeal went out in June from the Interfaith Hospitality Network,  a shelter program for children and families that has been a major mission of First Unitarian.  Two churches that had been scheduled to host families this summer had to drop out, and IHN asked for others to step forward.  I talked with Joonu-Noel Cost, our coordinator for IHN.  She was not able to coordinate for a week in July, but I am, so, after checking with church staff, I agreed to host for July 17-24. 

I am looking for volunteers to stay overnight, to make suppers and to open up the church.  I will be glad to train anyone who has not yet done volunteer work for IHN. 

Please contact me at gustavsonliz@hotmail.com, or on my cell at 508-517-4315 if you can help.

Thank you!
Liz Gustavson

Jericho Road Worcester Needs Volunteers

Jericho Road Worcester connects professional level volunteers with community-based nonprofit organizations to promote community development and strengthen social services.  JRW was founded by First Unitarian and First Baptist Churches of Worcester to provide a way for people with professional skills to use them in service to the community.  We are a non-sectarian organization that enables volunteers of all viewpoints to help nonprofits improve our pluralistic Worcester community.

If this description sounds interesting to you, please complete the JRW Volunteer Interest Form by clicking here and email it to Mary Frandsen. Contact Mary Frandsen at 508-852-8122 or mkfrandsen@charter.net if you have any questions.

Geshe Dondup Tsering at First Unitarian

Geshe Dondup Tsering, a Tibetan Buddhist monk and resident teacher at the Kushi Ling Meditation Center, is coming to the United States for the first time and will be teaching in Worcester in the Bancroft Room of First Unitarian Church on Wednesday evening, June 29th at 7 p.m.

He will give teachings on Lojong practice (seven-point mind training).    

This a great opportunity to receive teachings from a Tibetan Buddhist teacher. All are welcome. There will be no charge, but dana (gratitude donations) will be accepted.

Kundalini Yoga June 5th Event

Kundalini Yoga and Meditation with the Gong

Fundraiser for the Worcester County Food Bank

Sunday June 5 6-8 pm

Unity Hall

Looking for something different to ground your Sunday night? Want to change your consciousness in a new and different way?

Please join us, even if you have never practiced yoga in the past!

We will start off with breathing to relax the mind, and then a gentle yoga set. Then we will deeply relax the body, resting lying down ( or in a chair for anyone who is not comfortable on the floor) while the gong is played. We will end with a meditation, followed by snacks, tea, and friends

The mind has no defense against the sound current of the gong, which carries the universal sound of "ong"-- the creative, infinite lifeforce which dwells in us and all around us. Relaxation with the gong helps clear the past and eliminate the blockages which hold us back from fulfilling our full human potential.

What to bring:

Please come prepared to do yoga either on a mat or in a chair. Wear loose/comfortable clothing, and bring an extra layer or a blanket to cover yourself for the deep relaxation. If you have a special meditation tool such as a shawl or mala this is appropriate as well. Bring a water bottle. It is best to also have a sitting pillow and yoga mat; but we do have extras if you do not own one.

Suggested donation: $15, but any amount accepted. No one is turned away for inability to pay. Proceeds will be donated to the Worcester County Food Bank

Feel free to call or reply to this email with any questions

Diane/Hari Kirin Kaur

774-287-2233

dmpinge@gmail.com

kundaliniyogforall.com

Yogi Bhajan On the Effects of the Gong:

"The gong is very simple. It is an inter-vibratory system. It is the sound of Creativity itself. The gong is nothing more, nothing less.

One who plays the gong plays the universe.

The gong is not an ordinary thing to play.

Out of it came all music, all sounds, all words.

The sound of the gong is the nucleus of the Word."

What is "Adult Faith Development"?

What is "adult faith development?" "Is it more than attending Sunday Worship?" Good questions!

Are you currently involved with any adult faith development activities at church? Would you like to know more about what is possible for adult faith development at First Unitarian? Would you like to be part of creating the vision for the future of adult faith development programming?

Please come to a sharing session hosted by your Lay Leadership Council on Monday, May 16th at 7:00pm following the Monday Night at Church dinner!

The purpose of the meeting is to continue creating a shared vision for Adult Faith Development at First U, building upon the vision set forth by the Religious Education Faith Development Director Search Team and the Faith Development Team regarding "Adult Faith Development/Adult Ministries." 

In the past our assistant minister had involvement with programming as well as dedicated individuals at First U. With Rev. Merritt's departure, we now have a single minister.  Additionally, we will welcome a new Director of Faith Development in September. We're moving in the direction of having the new DFD work closely with the faith development team and current/future lay leaders to facilitate adult faith development opportunities at First Unitarian.

The session is open to anyone who wishes to attend. Additionally, we specifically invite current lay leaders who implement adult faith development activities at First Unitarian to attend and share their experience.

If you are unable to attend but have questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to a member of the Lay Leadership Council or the RE FDD Search Team.

See you on Monday the 16th!
Joonu Coste
co-chair of Lay Leadership Council

The Power of a Peaceful Mind

The Power of a Peaceful Mind

With Guru Jiwan Singh

KRIYAS* AND MEDITATION

This course is based on the science of Kundalini Yoga

as taught by Yogi Bhajan

8 week Course: every Friday May 6^th through June 24

7 - 8:30 PM

Unity Hall at the First Unitarian Church,90 Main St, Worcester, MA

Park in the upper State Street lot and enter there

Mastering Kriyas will bring you the sense of grace, the power and the ability to complete things. You will act both timelessly and timely. In the central power of your

Thought and the projected ability of your mind, there is a stillness within you where

You do not react; this stillness often calms the flow of the mind and creates a quiet space in the center of the storm. In your Prayers, you talk to God, in your deepest

Meditation, God is talking to you.

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius and as we journey through a very challenging transition period, the old ways are breaking, to make way for the new age.

“The time has come for You to be You a beautiful – bountiful and blissful human.”  YOGI BHAJAN

Guru Jiwan Singh became student of Yogi Bhajan in 1975 .He has been teaching and practicing Kundalini Yoga and Meditation for 35 years in the USA and Europe.

He currently lives in Millis, Ma and teaches Meditation at the Baba Siri Chand Yoga Center in Millis. For any questions you can call at 
508 259 9982 or 508 753 1797

And e–mail at gjskhalsa@comcast.net or dmpinge@gmail.com

$15 per class or $90 for the course;

seniors & students $ 10 or $70

http://kundaliniyogaforall.com

* a kriya is the action of the body and the breath, via the ancient technology of yoga, which prepares the mind for meditation

Care For Our Church Gardens

Care of our Church Gardens:

Annual Tasks  

Contacts:
Marcia Leonard: (508) 832-8131                                  
Nancy  Wilson (508) 839-4765

1. Communicating with the Parish:

Writing occasional messages for the newsletter, making announcements on Sunday mornings about Garden matters

2. Application of lime, fertilizer, Crab Grass Pre-Emergence chemical

Using spreader, apply anti-crab chemical to lawn surrounding the Main St. garden and to grass beneath the crab apple trees, before the end of April.    Time: 1 hour.   (Consult N. Wilson)  Lime and fertilize gardens occasional.

3. Fundraising projects

Such as the Green Exchange or holiday season pecan sales.    (Consult N. Wilson, H. Carter, L. Bona,  M. Densmore).

4. Garden hose care

Bring hoses out of storage in spring, make sure all are in operating order.   Repair or replace when necessary.  Make sure hoses are returned to storage in the fall.

5. Labeling of our plants

This helps our garden teach visitors, and us.   We shall find and provide optimum labeling material and help with names of plants

6. Log Book of Garden activity

We have record book with linen cover and archival paper, in which to record for the future, various contributions, memorial donations initiatives and events of our landscaping.   Would work best if entries were hand-written onto the acid-free paper.

7. Mulching

A springtime task which reduces weeds, retains moisture, improves the appearance.    Mulch cost covered in church budget.   Order mulch and gather some volunteers to help spread it on a Saturday a.m.

8. Garden Programs

There would very likely be a good audience in the parish for occasional programs or workshops on horticulture in general, or our plants in our own gardens. E.G. Sustainable Gardening.

9. Small Tree Pruning  (Crabapples and dogwood)

We have done this on our crab trees ‘most every year.   Needed: a step ladder, long handled pruning cutters, hand clippers, a couple of volunteers, a pick-up truck and a couple of hours on a Saturday a.m. in early spring.

10. Rhododendrons and Azaleas

These long-lived shrubs which anchor the four corners of the Memorial Garden need annual feeding, late spring deadheading,  and occasional pruning with a pruning saw or clippers.

11. Roses

Our four white roses in the Memorial Garden should have serious spring pruning, annual feeding, regular deadheading, and mulch against the winter cold.  Consult Helen Carter.

12. Summer volunteer garden schedule

We have awesome record of 46-year history of volunteer care of the gardens from May until September!    Each volunteer has been asked to come for one morning or afternoon of maintenance and deadheading during the summer.    Circulate sign-up sheet during the spring, and send reminder letter to those who have volunteered.   We have on file letter of volunteer summer instruction which can be reused or altered.  Consult N. Wilson.

13. Summer Watering

We have tried to establish a xeriscape garden which can tolerate the dry summers of recent years. And costs to our church of watering are high.   However, there are periods of drought where we need to do some watering with our soaker hoses.   For those times, we need individual who will turn on faucets in the Memorial Garden in the a.m. and make sure that they are turned off in the p.m.

14.Trimming the Yew Hedge

A one-shot task in midsummer requiring several hours using clippers to even the evergreen hedge surrounding the Memorial Garden.   Consult Lee Bona.

15. Management of an individual area or garden bed

A corner you could consider your own!   All our beds could benefit from some rethinking and removing and replanting as well as frequent deadheading of spent flowers.    Here are some:

16. Bird Bath Bed                         

17. Bed along the south wall of the church

18. Main Street Garden                

19. Upper Slope (our latest project) Consult Brenna Ewing who has made a design for this area.    We seek trouble-free plants native to New England.   We may apply for Wheeler grant for plant materials.   Need to figure how to get water to this area.