Part of the magic of several of these December holidays involves giving… Giving gifts to friends, family – sometimes even to strangers.  Gifts are often in material form this time of year – physical presents that one opens – but sometimes people give gifts of service.  Either way, giving is truly one of life’s joys.  And it’s a joy open to everyone.  In Mindfulness and Money:  The Buddhist Path of Abundance, Kulananda and Dominic Houlder remind us that not everyone can meditate for an hour a day, not everyone prays regularly, not everyone is successful at monogamy, even – in a word, not everyone is disciplined in a way that we associate with being religious.  But as the authors point out, everyone can give.  Some can give more in the form of cash, and some can give more in the form of volunteer work and labor, but everyone can give.

 

This holiday season, I hope you’ll think of our congregation as you make your plans for giving.  As I say most Sundays before the offering, “Freely have we received of gifts that minister to our needs of body, [mind] and spirit.  Gladly we bring to our church [community] a portion of this bounty” (Arthur Foote II).  You recently should have received an “All Member Canvass” letter from Russ Kennedy asking you to make a pledge to the First Congregational Parish, Unitarian, in Petersham.  Whatever amount you decide to give, I trust that your pledge will be given and received in grateful appreciation.  This holiday season, let us embrace the “… virtue [of] generosity – openheartedness, the cardinal ability to give lavishly of yourself to others, to the world around you, to the divine communal Spirit in which we live, move, and have our beings” (Tom Owen-Towle).  Let us remember that “When we are generous, we experience ourselves differently:  if you’re not happy with yourself, try giving, and see what happens” (Kulananda and Dominic Houlder).

 

 

 

In faith,

Lara Hoke                        

 

Saturday, December 1, 2007

10am ~ Peace Vigil

 

Sunday, December 2, 2007

10am ~ Rev. Ralph Clark preaching

11.30 a.m. ~ Final informational meeting

                    Bylaws Committee.

 

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

7 p.m. ~ Parish Committee Meeting

 

Saturday, December 8, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Peace Vigil

1 p.m. Santa visits the Davis!

 

Sunday, December 9, 2007

10 a.m.  Program Sunday

 

Thursday, December 13, 2007

7 p.m. Branch Alliance Meeting ~

Preparing Christmas baskets for shut-ins.

 

Saturday, December 15, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Peace Vigil

 

Sunday, December 16, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Lara Hoke

 

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

7 p.m. ~ Parish Committee Meeting

 

Saturday, December 22, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Peace Vigil

 

Sunday, December 23, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Program Sunday

 

Monday, December 24, 2007

7 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

 

Saturday, December 29, 2007

10 a.m. ~ Peace Vigil

 

Sunday, December 30, 2007

No service

 

PETERSHAM BRANCH ALLIANCE 

At its meeting on November 15 the Petersham Branch Alliance voted to discontinue the Antiques Show. Well in advance, members were informed of the situation and this issue would be on the agenda at the next meeting of the Alliance .  The 45^th Annual Antiques Show was held in October. Because of the lack of interest of members and the difficulty in getting volunteers for the show the vote was unanimous.

 

Special thanks to  Patricia Susen and her family for their hard work in running the last two shows. She would be unable to chair another show. Those present talked about other ways to raise funds. Ideas are welcome. Please contact Renee Wingerstman (978) 724-0291 or Dianna Cooley (978) 724-3236 with your suggestions.

 

The Alliance will be preparing the traditional Christmas baskets for shut-ins on December 13 at 7 p.m.  All are welcome to help in this special holiday festivity.  If you’d like to contribute articles for the baskets think about useful items (like hand-cream, pencils).  Also, if you know of someone who is shut-in in the community contact Renee or Diana, listed above, and they will be added to the list.

. 

THE NEWSLETTER is edited and mailed by volunteers.  We are always happy and grateful to receive contributions towards the expenses of paper, printing and mailing as well as general news and news of families.

 

The Newsletter Team,

Don Eaton

Anne Perkins

Susan Peters

 

 

CONSERVATION

Are you overwhelmed by catalogues that seem to multiply? Do you wish you could cut them off at the source thereby saving many trees? Help is on the way! At cataloguechoices.com you can cancel the catalogues you no longer want to receive. Information on the back page of the catalogues is needed so tear that off and use it to cancel those pesky catalogues. Thanks to Bill Moyer for raising our consciousness on his latest “Journal” Friday nights on PBS.

 

Our Thanksgiving Interfaith Service was well-attended. It was especially nice to have Carolyn back as our guest organist, and have the choir singing again.

 

This year, the Lions Club’s annual Visit from Santa will be held in the Davis. Please let us know if you would like to help in decorating the Davis and the sanctuary for the holiday season.

 

The Finance Committee met with us to review third-quarter finances, and to plan for the upcoming fiscal year. At last year’s Annual Meeting, the congregation voted to accept a deficit budget of $14,000. Because of successful fund-raising efforts last spring, and some very generous contributions, we are actually ending the year with no deficit!

 

Thank you to the many people who have worked so hard to make this a good year for our church.

 

 

Submitted by Pam Chevalier

Parish Committee Secretary

a report from people who care

I’m reporting back with mixed emotions after the OUT OF IRAQ rally and march held in Boston on Oct 28.  As a Peacekeeper I was asked to keep people from getting too close to the stage. People were standing on the Common as far back as the eye could see. I was afforded a close up view of each speaker during the rally’s 2 hours: the caustic enthusiasm of the Ragin’ Grannies, the no nonsense lyrics of the young rapper, the deadened eyes of some of the returned Iraqi veterans and the tears in the eyes of a young vet probably no more than 21,  the call to action and the resounding roar from students, the outrage of a Gold Star Mother showing the pin given to her in exchange for her son’s death, and Anne Diemand of Diemand Farm in Wendell telling how she simply cannot be present for people since her son went to Iraq.  I looked at her face .the color drained from it, and I felt the depth of her fear.  After her talk, a pair of boots of a soldier from Belchertown ( I think) was placed into the EYES WIDE OPEN exhibit. 

 

My mixed emotions are these:  hope at seeing 85 year old Howard Zinn still speaking out, fear at hearing about the incessant push toward Iran and how the administration is setting events in place that will not be able to be reversed, anger at the obscene amount of money spent and lives lost.  Someone asked me ”Why bother to go to those things?  It won’t be reported.”  My answer must be to bear witness to the pain, grief, and suffering of mothers, fathers, loved ones and now returning vets who are so very brave to speak.

 

   Ellen Woodbury

This saying hangs on the wall of the office at Center School:

  

One hundred years from now, it will not matter what kind of car I drove, what kind of house I lived in, how much was in my bank account, nor what my clothes looked like.  But the world may be a little better because I was important in the life of a child.

The Finance Committee works with the Treasurer and the Parish Committee to prepare the budget for ’08.  We keep in touch with the Canvass Committee and once the canvass has ended we will better know what we are able to budget for the coming year.

 

Finance Committee:

Bill Cole, Don Eaton (Treasurer), Julian Hadley,

Anne Perkins  

 

 

 

SANTA IS COMING TO THE DAVIS MEMORIAL COURTESY OF THE PETERSHAM LIONS CLUB – CHILDREN OF ALL AGES ARE WELCOME – JOIN THE FUN ON DECEMBER 8 AT 1P.M.

 

Canvass Committee News

The 2008 Canvass began on November 4, 2007, with Lara Hoke preaching the sermon on “Giving”. The pledge cards were distributed to those present at the Interfaith Service on Sunday, November 18^th. All other pledge cards were mailed on, November 19, 2007. They are due back before December 31, 2007.

 

The Canvass Committee,

Russ Kennedy

Mary Jenkins

The final informational meeting of the bylaws committee will be held on December 2 at 11.30 a.m.  The final draft of the bylaws will be inspected by a lawyer (pro bono), and then mailed to all members in keeping with the requirements of the bylaws.

 

By-Laws Committee,

Anne Perkins, Chair ~ (978) 724-8802

anneperkins28@verizon.net

 

Tom Webber ~ (978) 724-0231

Tom.Webber@Sun.com

 

Chip Bull ~ (978) 724-3339

Chipbull@hotmail.com

 

Betty Davis ~ (978) 249-6278

ElzbthElzd@aol.com

 

 

 

Program Committee Notes

Our recent programs have focused on world poverty and hunger:

 

Sunday, October 28, Mick Huppert shared photographs and experiences from his July 2007, trip to Zambia.  Mick has made three trips to Zambia.  This most recent trip was revisit his UMASS medical students who spent the summer in Zambia, and to work with orphanages and communities in establishing gardens to improve nutrition, particularly for those Zambians who are receiving medications for HIV/AIDs and malaria.  The need is great – some statistics Mick shared:  6000 Africans die every day of the HIV/AIDS, and more than 20% of the population of Zambia is infected with the HIV/AIDs virus – almost 1/3 of them are orphans.  There are over one million orphans in Zambia.   Mick brought some beautiful items, including wall hangings, quilts, pillow covers, and tablecloths, which he has for sale to benefit his projects.  Anyone interested in purchasing one of these items or in learning more about the Zambia projects can email Mick at mick.huppert@umassmed.edu, or phone him at (978) 724-3368.

 

On Sunday, November 11^th, Bill Bernier, representative from Heifer International, screened a movie and talked about Heifer International and its local center, Overlook Farm in Rutland.  Heifer International assists families in the United States and around the world with their community development model that includes gifts of animals, and training in animal care and sustainable farming techniques.   Catalogues will be available at the church for those who may want to donate a gift of an animal in honor of a friend or family member.

 

The public is invited to the 2007 LIVING NATIVITY at the Overlook Farm

December 8-9, from 1 to 5:30 p.m.  A live nativity, complete with animals will be presented each hour.  Admission is free, but guests are asked to bring a plate of cookies to share.  There will be an offering taken at the conclusions of each presentation to benefit the work of Heifer International and Overlook Farm.  Sleigh or Hayrides will be available.

For more information, visit www.heifer.org.

If you have any wishes or suggestions for future programs, please contact one of our members:

                                                         

Mick Huppert mickhuppert@umassed.edu

Lisa Payne Jmbob666@verizon.net

Vicki Grew vgram@aol.com

Betty Davis elzbthelzd@aol.com

 

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS & EVENTS

The 2007 Petersham Holiday art & fine craft show & sale, will be held on Dec. 8 & 9, from 10 am to 5 Pm at the Petersham Town Hall.

If you have any questions please call Polly at 978-724-0043. She is accepting donated items.

 

Dec. 9 at 10 am Julian Hadley will describe how forests influence our lives in many ways, through their effects on cycling of water and carbon, two of the necessary ingredients for life. Both water and carbon are also components of the atmosphere with important effects on climate. Julian is a member of this church, whose background includes a B.S. in Biology, Yale University; an A.M. in Plant Physiology, Harvard University; and a Ph.D. in Ecology, University of Wyoming. He was a Postdoctoral Associate at the Boyce Thompson Institute at Cornell University, and for the past 11 years has been a researcher studying tree and ecosystem physiology at the Harvard Forest.

 

 

CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST, The program committee will host a holiday breakfast on Sunday, December 23, at 10 am. Lisa Payne has graciously agreed to once again prepare her traditional breakfast casserole. We hope that members, family, and friends will take a break in their busy holiday schedules to join us for a bit of food and fellowship.

 

 

THE TREASURER requests that when you pay your pledge by check that you note the fact in the memo space on the lower left of the check.  This will help the bookkeeper to keep track of pledges.

 

 

Arthur Perkins is in rehab at Quabbin Valley healthcare. He and Anne thank everyone for their loving kindness and support: cards, visits, concern of the church family. It is such a great help in difficult times.

 

Millie Hall, a long-time member of First Parish, died recently. She will be missed. For many years she took reservations for the Levee. The last time she was in church was when the elevator was dedicated: she and Arthur Perkins took the first ride. She was a fixture at Quabbin Nursing Home – the official greeter! At her memorial service, her son remembered his Mother’s life with eloquence. Rev. Clarke conducted the service.

 

Dorothy Johansson had a fall and broke her pelvis. She and Arthur Perkins are neighbors at Quabbin Valley! It took the Petersham Fire Department to get her down her narrow stairway. She is in rehab and  making progress.  We wish her well.

 

Dale Bull is back at work aS Town Administrator after a long recovery from knee surgery.  Welcome back, Dale!

 

Congratulations to Christopher Bull for taking a first place in the film he recently produced at Fitchburg State. His team won first prize (judged by his peers) out of 17 teams! He asked Rev. Perkins to do some voice-over work for his film. It was not until later that he found out he was the Voice of God!

 

We are deeply saddened to hear that Monica Sharp died on November 12 in her home in California.  She was almost 99 years old. She was the wife of Rev Waiststill Sharp who was minister of this Church from 1967 to 1972..  There will be a memorial service foer her at All Souls UU Church  in Greenfield on December 8 at 2 p.m. Gifts her memory can be made to that Church.

 

The Rev. Waitstill Sharp and his first wife, Martha were honored by Yad Vashem for their work saving Jews ~ two of only three Americans to be so honored.

 

 

Coffee Hour: Volunteers are needed to host coffee hours during November and December. Please sign up or contact Doris Coolidge at 978-724-3416 or Anne Perkins at 978-724-8802

 

Greeters are also needed. Help make everyone feel welcome!  You may sign up at coffee hour or speak to a member of the Membership Committee.

 

We need news. We count on members and friends of the Congregation for news, particularly personal news that would fit under Church Family News.  You may send material to the church computer or leave it outside the Church office in the pigeonhole designated for the newsletter. 

Email: firstparishnt@verizon.net

 

A reminder that all those who use one of the church buildings must complete a Building Use Agreement form.  You may obtain forms from the church Administrative Assistant, Susan Peters.  Stop by the church office during her working hours or call to have her mail the form.

Office hours: Tuesday & Thursday, 8am to 2pm

Phone: 978-724-3401

 

Thank you to Anne Perkins for providing flowers for worship services in December.

 

Thanks to Fred Day for donating a microwave which is in the Davis and will help make that kitchenette more attractive to users.

 

 

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee will be at work before the Annual Meeting. Please be ready to do your part in the governance of the Church. We all share that responsibility. Besides, it’s fun. If you’d like to serve on a particular committee please contact Kay Berry at elderberry2@verizon.net or Anne Perkins at anneperkins28@verizon.net.

 

 

ATTENTION DOG LOVERS

Dr. Alan Bachrach is spearheading the building of a dog shelter at the town barn. The foundation has been poured and work is proceeding on the building. Funds are still needed. Old blankets and quilts are also needed. Call the Bachrach’s at 978-724-0078.

 

 

COME YES THANKFUL PEOPLE, COME

Did you know that if we could reduce to world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same the demographics would look something like this:

 

60 Asians

14 Africans

12 Europeans

8 Latin Americans

5 North Americans

 

Of all the above, 82 would be non-white and only 18 would be white

67 would be non-Christian and only 23 would be Christians

5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth, and all of them would be U.S. citizens

80 would live in sub-standard housing

24 would not have any electricity (and of the 76% that do have electricity, most would only use it for light at night).

67 would be unable to read.

1 (only one) would have a college education

50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation

33 would be without access to a safe water supply

7 people would have access to the Internet

 

If there is a meal in your refrigerator, if you are dressed and have shoes, if you have a bed and a roof over your head, you are better off then 75% of people in the world.

 

If you have a bank account, money in your purse and there is some trifle in you coin box, you belong to 8% of well-provided people in this world.

 

If you are able to go to church, mosque or synagogue without fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death, you are better off than 3 billion persons in this world.

 

 

 

 

CATS-MEOW MODELS DONATED

A Church model has been donated to the Petersham Historical Society and to the Petersham Room at the Quabbin Valley Rehab Center in the name of First Parish.