May '09 Newsletter
Feeding One Another
The first Sunday I ever preached here in Petersham ~ back on September 16, 2007
~ I shared a story with you. Whether or not you were there for my “maiden
voyage” in the Petersham pulpit, perhaps you have heard this story somewhere
along the way. The story goes like this:
A rabbi spoke with God about heaven and hell. The rabbi wanted to know what
heaven and hell were like. God said to the rabbi, “I will show you hell,” and
they went into a room which had a large pot of stew in the middle. The smell of
the stew was delicious. But around the pot sat people who were famished and
desperate. All the people were holding spoons with very long handles which
reached to the pot, but because the handles of the spoons were longer than their
arms, it was impossible to get the stew back into their mouths. Then God said to
the rabbi, “Now I will show you heaven,” and they went into an identical room.
There was a similar pot of stew, which also smelled delicious. The people had
identical spoons with very long handles ~ longer than their arms ~ but they were
well nourished and happy. “I don’t understand,” said the rabbi. God said, “It’s
simple. You see, they have learned to feed one another.” (Here ends the story)
There are several variations on the origin of the story, as you will find if you
do an Internet search. Sometimes the story attributed to an unnamed medieval
Jewish writer; sometimes it is claimed it is an ancient Chinese story. On the
other hand, I’ve seen it attributed to Ann Landers! I also came across a Hindu
version of the story, with “Shiva” where “God” is and “an old Brahmin priest”
where “rabbi” is. The point is, this story appeals to many of us. And that makes
sense, because it contains a universal truth: hell is living always in
isolation, focused on oneself only ~ preoccupied with oneself, really ~ while
heaven is living in loving cooperation with others, focused on community and
relationship.
As I see it, that’s at the heart of why we come together as a congregation. We
seek to create the “beloved community”. We seek relief from the modern disease
of operating in isolation. It really is worth it to be together in community, in
spite of the inevitable challenges. We are all called to be in relationship, in
community. That is the true meaning of “the good life” ~ it’s not material
wealth; its relational wealth and spiritual wealth. The congregation provides a
unique opportunity to build relational and spiritual wealth. As Parker J. Palmer
has written; the relational life of the congregation “gives us the chance to
lose ourselves in others and thereby find ourselves healed and whole again.”
(Going Public, 1980 paper).
May we continue to feed one another. May we lose ourselves in each other as we
work toward fulfilling our congregation’s mission: “to respect, love, serve and
worship in a healing, caring community.” Thank you for sharing your journey.
In faith,
Lara
CHURCH CALENDAR
Saturday, May 2, 2009 10am ~ Peace Vigil
Sunday, May 3, 2009 10am~ Louise Minks. Louise will share her congregation’s
experience in developing a response to the needs of returning veterans and their
families.
Tuesday, May 5, 2009 6:30pm ~ Parish Committee Meeting
Saturday, May 9, 2009 10am ~ Peace Vigil
Sunday, May 10, 2009 10am ~ “Our Chosen Mothers” with Rev. Lara Hoke. Please
feel free to enhance our Coffee Hour offerings by bringing a special dish in
honor of Mother’s Day.
11am~ Mother’s Day Brunch The Program Committee will bake the traditional
“Soufflé”.
Saturday, May 16, 2009 10am ~ Peace Vigil
Sunday, May 17, 2009 10am ~ “For the Earth Forever Turning”, with Rev. Lara Hoke
11:30am ~ Peace Vigil Meeting
Monday, May 18, 2009 7pm ~ New to UU, Lara will lead this adult religious class
in the Ladies Parlor.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 6:30pm ~ Parish Committee Meeting
Friday, May 22, 2009 6pm ~ Pot Luck Supper
Please bring a casserole, salad or dessert. Beverages will be provided. Let us
celebrate the spring together & enjoy each others company.
Saturday, May 23, 2009 10am ~ Peace Vigil
Sunday, May 24, 2009 10am ~ Interfaith Memorial Day Service, will be at the
Orthodox Congregational Church.
Saturday, May 30, 2009 10am ~ Peace Vigil
Sunday, May 31, 200910am ~ “Of Fear and Faith”, with Rev. Lara Hoke
Notes from the Parish Committee
We are fortunate to have such an active and hard-working Program Committee who
arrange for the most interesting and meaningful presentations on alternate
Sundays. Rev. Hoke has been working closely with the committee, and Betty Davis
has agreed to return in a consulting role to help members Ellen Woodbury,
Genevieve Fraser, and Iva Kazda plan & facilitate these programs. Our
congregation is really unique in providing these special Sunday programs that
reach out to the whole community with relevant topics that often showcase the
talented and committed people in our little part of the world. If you have any
suggestions for speakers or special topics you would like explored, please let
the committee know.
We are trying to make it more convenient for renters to use the church
buildings, so we will be installing a lock box to make it easier to return keys.
Hopefully, the Davis Memorial will be used again for some “Coffee House” musical
events!
Pam Chevalier,
Parish Committee Secretary
Worship Notes The sermon topic for May 10th is “Our Chosen Mother’s”. In
celebration of Mother’s Day, Lara will talk about mothers of all kinds. After
the service (at about 11am), there will be a special Mother’s Day Coffee Hour.
Please feel welcome to enhance our Coffee Hour offerings by bringing in a
special dish in honor of Mother’s Day.
On May 17th the service will celebrate our earth. The sermon title, “For the
Earth Forever Turning”, comes from hymn #163 in our hymnal. Lara will talk about
the ecological issues from a Unitarian Universalist perspective in recognition
of Earth Day (which was April 22nd). It’s never too late to think about the
earth.
The Interfaith Memorial Day Service will be on May 24th, starting at 10:30 am in
the Orthodox Congregational Church.
The Sermon topic for May 31st is “Of Fear and Faith”. FDR famously said, “The
only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Is fear really that fearful? Could
fear be helpful to us? Lara will talk about the spiritual role of fear in our
lives.
New to UU Class The “New to UU” class will start on Monday, May 18th at
7pm in the Ladies Parlor. Rev. Lara Hoke will lead this adult religious class,
which is specifically geared for those who are new to Unitarian Universalism.
Whether you recently joined the congregation, or are thinking about joining, or
just want to know more about Unitarian Universalism, you might want to come to
the class to learn more. Please let Lara know if you are planning to attend to
help her prepare better. You can tell her in church, or call her at 508-615-1686
or email her at mlhoke@uuma.org. All are Welcome!
Family News Arthur Perkins is recovering at Quabbin Valley Healthcare
after a fall and a medical procedure. He and Anne are grateful for the visits
and care of the congregation and hope that Arthur will be home soon.
Upcoming Program We’re pleased to announce that Claire Schaeffer-Duffy
will lead a presentation on the Catholic Worker Movement, both locally and
internationally, for a Program Sunday in June; Date and further details to come
later.
Petersham Branch Alliance At its recent annual Meeting, the Alliance
elected Co-Chairs Barbara Hanno and Anne Perkins, Treasurer: Diana Cooley,
Historian: Ruth Bassingthwaite, Program Committee: Mary Ann Walker, Betty Davis
and Lynne Shaw, Publicity: Linda Paquet, Finance: Dale Bull, Diana Cooley, Nancy
Johnson and Renee Wingerstman, Membership: Rita Pope, Telephone: Barbara Hanno,
Sue Hellen, Lynne Shaw and Social Connections: Anne Perkins, Doris Coolidge, and
Dorothy Johansson.
The Alliance Voted: To give $500 to the LeBlanc family in support of Nichole. To
contribute $1,000 to the Petersham Unitarian Church for the use of the building,
insurance, etc… ŸTo divide the proceeds from the Plant and Bake Sale 75% to
Petersham Memorial Library and 25% to the Animal Shelter which is being built by
volunteers.
The speaker was Anne Gobi, our representative at the General Court. She spoke of
her work in the legislature, particularly of her work on domestic violence with
the Women’s Caucus but also about her concerns for the district, particularly
during this time of budget problems. She was very positive about the stimulus
funds which are coming into the State from the Federal Government.
Barbara Hanno gave a report of the work of the Alliance this past year. The
Petersham Branch Alliance met in February, March, April, May, and June, then in
September and October of 2008. A short meeting for holiday gift bags was held
after the ice storm in December.
Projects for 2008: Newsletter was published three times Plant and bake sale with
proceeds to Petersham Memorial Library onation to fund for child who is ill Red
Cross babysitting course donation Donation to Clara Barton Camp for Diabetic
children
Fuel oil raffle for scholarship fund Energy conservation program Fund available
for winter fuel for people in need Pamphlet rack for health related brochures
obtained Flowers for area elders during holidays Holiday gift bags for people
who are ill in the community Scholarships presented to three girls Survey of
member/community interests completed We are proud of the work we do and welcome
all women who would like to work with us.
Petersham Branch Alliance was founded in 1824.
Plant & Bake Sale: The plant & bake sale will be held on June 6th, On the
Common, under the tent. White Elephants of good quality: deliver to Grace
Sherwood’s barn before June 4th. Plants: deliver to Common on June 5th Baked
Goods: deliver to Common early on June 6th, There will be a Raffle! The proceeds
of this sale will be divided; 75% to the Petersham Memorial Library & 25% to the
Animal Shelter which is being built by volunteers.
Anne Perkins,
Petersham Branch Alliance
Peace Vigil Meeting As agreed we will meet on May 17th at 11:30 to
discuss the future of our work for Peace. With the changes that have taken place
since the Vigil started on April 7, 2007, we need to think of where we wish to
put our efforts. One of the recurring ideas is that we put our efforts to
helping veterans who are returning from Iraq.
Please bring your ideas and we will discuss them together.
Thank you,
The Peace Vigil
Membership Committee The Membership Committee invites you to a pot-luck
at the Church on May 22nd at 6pm. We hope that many will come to celebrate the
spring together and to enjoy each other’s company. Please bring a casserole,
salad or dessert. Beverages will be provided.
Hope to see you there!
The Membership Committee,
Carly Clement
Sally Sennott
Anne Perkins
Jones Library in Amherst The Jones Library in Amherst was the site of
Anne Perkins’ interview for Story Corps. Ellen Woodbury and Anne spoke for an
hour about Anne’s roots in the Peace movement and how she has remained dedicated
to the cause of Peace. Story Corps is a private non-profit agency whose purpose
is to record conversations on various topics. Each participant receives a copy
of the interview and the knowledge that the story is kept in the Library of
Congress. National Public Radio plays pieces of these interviews. Don’t be
surprised if you hear familiar voices on the radio one of these mornings!
Thank You
Program Committee Please join us; two Sundays every month for wonderful
programs here at the church.
On May 3rd, Louise Minks from the Wesley United Methodist Church in Hadley will
share her congregation’s four year experience in developing a response to the
needs of returning veterans and their families. Speaking with Louise will be two
returned veterans whose personal insights have been invaluable in the making of
a step by step plan.
On May 10th, Mother’s Day Brunch; following Rev. Hoke’s service. Please bring a
favorite dish to share.
The Program Committee will bake the traditional “soufflé”. Hope to see you
there!
The Program Committee,
Ellen Woodbury
Genevieve Fraser
Iva Kazda
A Walk for Peace in the World Pam Chevalier, Kathy Ballou, Carly Clemons,
and Ellen Woodbury took part in the 4 1/2 mile walk from Athol to Orange. Sue
Hellen joined the group at the Veteran’s Park in Orange to finish the time in
silence. Twenty people holding signs, some of which were made by local artists
Candace Anderson and Mike Ruocco, encountered mostly positive responses from
people driving by. Especially encouraging were the smiles on young peoples’
faces upon seeing the band of walkers.
Program Committee Notes: The following is information distributed to
teenagers by Dr. John Chittick, Executive Director of Teen AIDS Peer Corps, who
was our guest speaker on April 19th:
If you love your friends, talk to them about AIDS No cure or vaccine exists
today to prevent HIV/AIDS HIV is a deadly virus that passes in the Blood and
some bodily fluids from one person to another. Sex and the sharing of needles
(for drugs, piercing, or
tattoos) are the two main causes of teen HIV/AIDS If a teen chooses to have sex,
using a condom is always necessary. Condoms
are not a 100% guaranteed but using one every time can help prevent HIV.
Kissing, hugging and touching are safe sex.
Monday Evening Yoga -- Yoga with Brandy, every Monday evening beginning
April 27th at 6:30pm; Classes will be held in the Davis Building. The classes
are $8.00 drop in or $50.00 for all 8 classes if paid before classes begin. For
more information please call Brandy at 978-413-2000.
Brandy Lefsyk, OM YOGA
Free Evening Yoga with Linda -- Linda Kabo, certified yoga instructor, is
offering free evening yoga to the Petersham community. Classes will be held on
Wednesdays from 6pm-7:15pm in the Davis Building; May 6, 13, 20, & 27. For more
information contact Linda at 978-434-1598. Every Welcome!
Meditation & Relaxation Do you want to feel more peace in these troubled
times? Experience relaxation through simple, easeful meditation; It’s Free and
good for you! Linda Kabo will lead a group on Thursday evenings from 6-7pm in
the Davis Building. For more information contact Linda at 978-434-1598.
HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY
Newsletter Material for the newsletter may be emailed to the
firstparishnt@verizon.net, or can be placed in the wall file outside the Church
office. Please make a note stating that the item is for the newsletter, or you
can mail your item to: First Congregational Parish, News Team, PO Box 305,
Petersham, Ma 01366.
Friendly Reminder: Please send in your newsletter items on or before the
Monthly Deadline Date. If your item is received late it may not make it for the
month’s printing. You will find the date on the front cover of the newsletter.
Thank You,
The Newsletter Team,
Don Eaton
Susan Peters
Kathy Ballou ~ Editor
Church Bulletin Bloopers
Don’t let worry kill you off ~ let the Church help.
For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery
downstairs.
Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale! It’s a chance to get rid of those things
not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.