THE WAYLAND UNITARIANSEPTEMBER 2018

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

A Month of Sundays! 2Join the ChoirMinister’s LunchLay Minister of the MonthParish Cmte Listening Hr

Men’s Book Club ! 3Theme Night Movie: Iris

Parish Cmte Report! 4Kitchen Update

SEE What’s Up ! 5 First Parish Bee Hive! 6

Immigration Justice Community Life Cmte! 7 Turning Point Update! 8 Urban Ministry News! 9

REFLECTIONS FROM STEPHANIESeptember brings a sense of new beginnings to our congregational calendar as we resume services in the sanctuary, kick-off new Spiritual and Ethical Exploration classes for Kids (SEEK), and start planning for all manner of gatherings and opportunities as a community. As this new program year begins, I am particularly excited that we have joined “Soul Matters” — a network of Unitarian Universalist congregations who follow the same monthly

themes so we can more easily share resources for small groups, worship, and children’s religious education resources. Not only does this provide excellent resources, the network reminds us that as one local congregation we are linked in values and vision to congregations across the country. I find this to be an energizing reminder that we are part of something larger and a reassurance that we not alone as we wrestle with what it means to live as religiously liberal folks committed to love and justice.

(Continued on page 3)

Dining for Dollars Is Back!Calling all First Parish “Diners” — After a brief hiatus, our very popular “Dining for Dollars” program is back, and the events range from pre-concert dinners to pancake breakfasts. As a refresher, this is a fund-raiser to help fund First Parish’s operating budget for the year — in a fun way.(Continued on page 8)

WORSHIP CONVO: Reflecting, Brainstorming, and Planning

Thursday, September 20, 10:30 a.m. and Sunday, September 23, 11:30 a.m.

You’re invited to join in a conversation of ideas, concerns, and hopes for worship at First Parish. What do you love? What might you like to see or hear more of in worship? In addition to these conversations, Rev. Stephanie is also looking for folks who would like to take an active role in working with staff to plan and lead worship by drawing on the Soul Matters resources as well as our own brainstorming. If you would like to learn more, please email Rev. Stephanie, or call her at (508) 358-6133, ext 403.

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A Month of SundaysHere is a list of this month’s services, who will be

leading them, and information about our programs for children and youth.

The worship service begins at 10 a.m.

September 2Songs & Hymns for UUs

Exploring music that speaks to our shared valuesled by Matt Shear

the last of our Summer Servicesin the Stokey Library

September 9Water Sunday

The Rev. Dr. Stephanie MayMultigenerational Service

Childcare (Birth through 4 years): 10:00 a.m.

September 16What’s Possible?

The Rev. Dr. Stephanie MaySaplings (Birth - 4 yrs.): 10:00 a.m.

Multiage Classroom (Grades K-7) 10:15 a.m.

September 23The Power of ObservationThe Rev. Dr. Stephanie May

Saplings (Birth - 4 yrs.): 10:00 a.m.Young Explorers (Grades K-3): 10:15 a.m.

Adventurers (Grades 4-8): 10:15 a.m.High School Youth Group: 4:30 p.m.

September 30Illusions and Delusions

The Rev. Dr. Stephanie MaySaplings (Birth - 4 yrs.): 10:00 a.m.

Young Explorers (Grades K-3): 10:15 a.m.Adventurers (Grades 4-8): 10:15 a.m.

Starting in October:Minister’s Lunch

2nd Thursday of the Month at 11:30 a.m. in the Sunroom

All are welcome to join our minister, the Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, for a light lunch and good company. RSVP requested, but not required: office@uuwayland.org or 508-358-6133.

2018/2019 Dates: October 11, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 11, May 9, June 5 (Wed.)

Lay Minister of the MonthThis month’s Lay Minister is Helen Green h) 508-358-6683 or c) 617-835-3850. Feel free to contact her if you need a ride somewhere, meals delivered, or just a friendly, confidential visit or chat. Of course, you can also contact our minister, the Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, for pastoral care at any time.

The deadline for the October Unitarian is Friday, September 21

For instructions on how to get the word out through our various distribution outlets (newsletter, weekly e-blasts, etc.), click here or contact our Parish Administrator.

“Lift Every Voice and Sing”Music Director Polly Oliver would like to take a moment to remind all veteran and prospective

choir singers that we will hold our first rehearsal of the season on Wednesday, September 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the choir loft. We look forward to another great year of music-making. Come along and join us, both in singing together and catching up on

our various summer adventures!

Parish Committee Listening Hour - September 30in the Sunroom during Coffee Hour

Join members of the Parish Committee to discuss current matters at First Parish. Please contact Parish Committee Chair John Thompson for more info.

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Reflections from Stephanie(continued from pg. 1)

In September, our monthly theme will be Vision. The first place you may notice this theme appear may be on our website and social media.In her work to engage the community within and beyond our walls Kate Holland will be posting various images and quotes inviting us to reflect on what it means to be a people of vision. If you find these posts relevant to you please “like” and “share” them. After our annual Water Sunday multigenerational gathering on September 9 the next three Sundays will engage the theme of vision from multiple angles. As worship leader, I am enjoying the challenge to consider a topic in depth and with complexity as I plan these related, but distinct services.My hope is that we will find that broader and deeper engagement with monthly themes is an opportunity for more meaningful connection from week to week, month to month. Rather than a boring repetition of an idea, the monthly themes are intended to create space around big ideas to reflect deeply. And in that spaciousness there is plenty of opportunity to consider how any one theme may connect with our inner life, our life at work, or with our families as well as with issues of injustice and suffering in our larger community, nation, and world. Rather than a rigid, predictable framework, the themes can create an opportunity to play and explore. I look forward to what emerges as we explore together!

In peace,StephanieThe Rev. Dr. Stephanie May

COMMUNITY THEME NIGHT: Film “Iris”Friday, September 21, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

This 2015 documentary follows Iris Apfel, the quick-witted, flamboyantly dressed 93-year-old style maven who had an outsized presence on the New York fashion scene for decades. The film celebrates creativity and having a vision of one’s own. Popcorn and seltzer provided, bring other beverages or snacks, and stay for a short discussion following the movie.For more info on the movie and to view a preview go to http://www.magpictures.com/iris.

Men's Book ClubThursday, September 68 p.m. in the Sunroom

Ever wonder how we got to our present state? Join us as we discuss Tailspin: The People and Forces Behind America's Fifty-Year Fall – and Those Fighting to Reverse It, by Steven Brill at our next meeting. Questions? Contact Keith Sims.

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From the Parish CommitteeWhere did the summer go?

I trust you each had a terrific summer, with some time to spend with family, in celebrations, recharging, and relaxing. It seems like only last week we were all together for Flower Sunday – and now we are at Labor Day! Although First Parish is said to take a summer break, that certainly did not seem quite appropriate this year. There were many activities that carried on or started during the summer. A special thanks to Greta Stone for covering the office. I am delighted to announce that Karen Plaskon has accepted the position left vacant by Paige’s departure. Karen will be with us full time in mid-September and looks forward to meeting you. Happily, Helen Tramposch has agreed to serve as Clerk this year, as Beth Cliff has relocated to Connecticut.Many of you gathered for Summer Services, some volunteered with bees or in the gardens, our solar panels went active in mid-June, and work progressed on the kitchen renovation. Because of the kitchen construction, the summer was planned as a quiet time with no services scheduled in the

Sanctuary. But, as an example of the caring and strength of our community, members coordinated with each other to host the memorial service for a beloved Wayland resident, Tom Morss, and was attended by so many that there was a packed Sanctuary and Vestry. The family is deeply appreciative.As we look to the coming year, your Parish Committee will be working on several fronts, taking time for both dealing with current issues as well as looking to our future. We will work with Rev. Stephanie to cover her sabbatical, which will run from December through February, and on a better organized calendar to coordinate programs, funding, and special events. It is with joy that we gather both in worship and in activities. Please know that each of you have opportunities to volunteer as a worker or leader in a variety of areas and programs. Please contact anyone on the Parish Committee or Stephanie if you would like to become more active.

John Thompson, for the Parish Committee

Update on the Kitchen Accessibility ProjectIn the middle of June we started the exciting work to bring the meetinghouse kitchen up to ADA accessibility standards. The old cabinets were demolished, walls were opened to accept new insulation, and the rough plumbing and fire alarm work was started. Sadly, in mid-July our carpenter, Al Valente, and his family suffered an entirely unexpected and tragic loss when Al’s son, Kevin Valente, died in his sleep on July 14 at age 29. Kevin worked with Al daily, including on our church projects last summer (when they built the new closets in the vestry) and on our kitchen project.For completely understandable reasons, this sad event brought work on the kitchen to a halt for about a month. By the time you read this newsletter work will have resumed, but we will definitely not be able to meet our goal of having the kitchen upgrade finished before regular services start up again the second Sunday in September.

John Thompson, Rev. Stephanie, and the faithful coffee committee are working on alternatives for coffee hour for the first few weeks of church. We hope to have the kitchen finished and fully functional by mid-October and will keep you posted as things start moving ahead again. Please contact Susie Keyes or John Thompson if you have any questions.

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I am so excited to start a new year at First Parish and look forward to working with the ministry of engagement in my role. I will focus on the engagement of our children and youth as they participate in our SEEK classes, and on adults as we engage in small groups and other programs throughout the year. As a multigenerational community, we can explore how we engage with each other both in welcoming new folks and in strengthening the bonds among those of us who have been part of the First Parish community for a while.We will be working this year with “Soul Matters,” a service offering us a monthly theme that will be featured in all that we do. The theme will be highlighted in sermons, small-group interactions, and our SEEK classes. We will even incorporate the theme in our outreach on Facebook, Instagram, and our website. We will offer thoughts for the day, meditations, and other postings so that you can explore our spiritual theme throughout the week.

We start September with the theme of Vision. What does it mean to be a people of vision? What vision would you like to bring into the start of our new year at First Parish? I will work with the children and youth this month to help them make Vision Boards to reflect their visions and dreams. They can post

the board in their rooms, so they can be reminded of that vision each time they look at the board.I’ll also be working on the engagement that we have as a community, both in welcoming new folks and in strengthening the connections we have. I am gathering people to help me with this important ministry. I would love to chat with you if you might be interested in reaching out to folks in our community whom we may not see often, being a buddy at coffee hour for someone who is a bit intimidated by the crowd, or inviting someone to one of our many First Parish events.

In case you hadn’t heard, our Youth Director Honor Herron gave birth to a son, Hamish Grey Herron, on August 15. Honor will be on maternity leave during September. I will be meeting with the Middle and High School youth groups for their first meetings this month.I look forward to exploring our vision as a community this month.

This month in Spiritual and Ethical Exploration – Kate Holland, DLSEE**Director of Lifespan Spiritual and Ethical Exploration, including SEE for Kids, or SEEK:

Katekholland@uuwayland.org

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The First Parish Bee Hive: A Summer of LearningIn late April the First Parish Bee Team installed 10,000 honeybees in our brand new hive, funded by the Lydia Maria Child Fund as an environmental stewardship initiative. As summer wanes, we estimate the colony has grown to between 60,000 and 80,000 bees.

The Bee Team – Ann Gordon, Nan Jahnke, John Thompson, Deb Stubeda, and Linda Collins – has served as hive stewards, supporting the bees as they build wax honeycomb, gather nectar and pollen from the nearby Community Gardens (pollinating as they go), make more bees, and make honey.

There is so much for us to do! We give them sugar water to supplement the nectar and pollen they collect, to provide them with enough calories to build the hive to full strength before winter. We do weekly hive inspections – looking for eggs, larvae, pollen, nectar, honey and indications of pests or problems.

We’ve built and added more hive boxes to accommodate the growing colony; administered a week-long treatment to control varroa mites, which can kill off a colony; addressed the threat of aggressive yellow jackets nesting nearby, which can attack honeybee hives; and solved the mystery of our missing Queen Bee by borrowing, installing, and monitoring a hive frame from a neighboring hive. (We think she left with a swarm, but we now have a new one!).

In July the Bee Team co-hosted an onsite Summer Service, along with our neighboring Pantry Garden Team, showing and telling about 20 parishioners the basics of beekeeping and why it’s important for pollination and food production. The team also offered an hour-long honeybee program to elementary-aged children at Wayland’s Pegasus summer program.During this church year the Bee Team plans to offer programs on honeybees and beekeeping to the SEEK classes, our youth groups, and to adults. Watch your calendar for dates. And feel free to ask questions of any team member: we are excited to talk about our “parish bees”!

Immigration Justice NewsSave the Date! - Training for Accompanying Immigrants to ICE and Court Appearances

October 7, 2:30-4:30 p.m. in Sudbury

Court and ICE accompaniment provides comfort for immigrants in an overwhelming process while sending the message that others are paying attention to the injustices faced by vulnerable individuals. The Immigration Justice Committee and the Uganda Project encourage people from First Parish to participate in this training program sponsored by the MetroWest Immigration Solidarity Network. If you are interested, contact Rachel Sideman-Kurtz at or Barbara Pedulla.

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Knit 1, Laugh 2!Mostly Wednesdays, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.Stokey LibraryDo you love to knit or want to learn? The knitters meet year round and are always happy to see new faces. This small group meets on most Wednesdays at the church, and sometimes off-site, and welcomes any fiber arts enthusiasts. Come share a passion or discover a new one, and knit yourself into a new community. Feel free to join us even if you don’t feel like knitting! Please contact Greta Stone at gretagay@gmail.com or 508-358-4729 to confirm the location or to be added to the group’s communications list.

MEETUPS - Any day, any timeIs there something you’d like to do and want some company doing it? Maybe there’s a movie you want to see, a restaurant you are dying to try, or a hike that’s calling your name. Why not create a UU Meetup? Post what you are doing on our social network page, or in our closed Facebook Group page, and see who wants to meet up. It’s a great way to find people in our community who might share your interests. We can post your Meetup for you if you’d prefer. Just email CommunityLife@uuwayland.org.

Fellowship Pot Luck Dinners!Saturday, October 13 at 6:00 p.m.Please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 13 for Fellowship Dinners, and enjoy an intimate get together and pot luck dinner in a fellow parishioner’s home. You can sign up to be a guest or a host. If you volunteer to host a dinner, please let us know how many guests you can accommodate, and we’ll match you up with a great group of folks who’ve signed up to be guests. Hosts and their guests will coordinate directly on who brings what, so hosts don’t even have to cook unless they want to! If you have questions, please contact Greta Stone at gretagay@gmail.com, Will Ryan at wryan_59@yahoo.com, or Melinda Morgan at Linmorg3@aol.com, or maybe catch one of them on Sundays after church.

The Community Life Committee welcomes everyone to an exciting year full of community-building activities, including the return of perennial favorites such as Winter Session 2019 (dates TBD). We typically organize a Homecoming Picnic in September but we’re taking a rain check while our kitchen is still closed for renovations. So stay tuned as we cook up plans for a “kitchen warming” party later this fall!We’re hard at work planning the year, and would very much welcome your participation. Please let us know if you have ideas for fun activities, and we hope you’ll be joining us early and often! Contact communitylife@uuwayland.org or feel free to reach out to committee members, pictured here: Beth Butler, Susan Bechtel, Lynne Cavanaugh, Pat Collins, Nan Jahnke, Clare Lewis, Lynne Lipcon, Ann Muschett, Andy Myers, Beth Raynor, and ex officio, Kathy Genovese and Kate Holland.

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Building Trust, One Cookie at a TimeFor decades, First Parish has provided meals and other support to the Turning Point Men’s Emergency Homeless Shelter in Framingham. This shelter welcomes homeless adult men, who make up 80% of the homeless population. Its 28 beds serve all of Metrowest, and in the worst winter weather the shelter serves twice that many men. Turning Point provides a combination of emergency help and transitional services and has an excellent track record for helping every guest to reenter the community and find stable housing.Once a month, First Parish provides dinner for Turning Point guests. Can a monthly donation of food and cookies really make any difference in a problem as intractable as homelessness? Apparently, it can. We hear about the sterling quality of our dinners from the guests and from the staff.This summer, our kitchen renovation team offered Turning Point our old appliances. Building Manager Roberto Ortega jumped at the refrigerator. In June, when First Parish cleared the cupboards in preparation for the renovation, Peggy Holland and Marty McCullough loaded the food (along with cleaning supplies from the Building Committee) into Marty’s SUV and delivered them, along with our monthly chili meal, to the shelter. Roberto was delighted. Thanks to Susie Keyes, John Thompson, and the Parish Committee for the contributions, and to Peggy and Marty for the delivery. Many thanks to all who donated food for the meal.In July, August, and September, the Turning Point Committee buys a picnic meal each month using the proceeds of our annual plate. Sandy Hoyt and Suzanne Reitz delivered a delicious July meal. In October, First Parish will go back to the cold weather menu of chili, bread and butter, and dessert or fruit. A “virtual committee” provides the food each month. Anyone is welcome to participate, once or many times.Thanks to everyone in First Parish for their support, and especially to the members of the Turning Point Committee: Lois Doerr, Peggy Holland, Sandy Hoyt, Marney Ives, Marty McCullough, Melinda Morgan, Suzanne Reitz, Annie Stubbs, Chauncey Wilson, and Penny Wilson (chair).Penny Wilson, for the Turning Point Committee

Dining for Dollars(continued from pg. 1)

Dining for Dollars events are dinners (or breakfasts or lunches), mostly in parishioners’ homes, each with a special menu and/or theme (and sometimes an additional activity, to boot). Parishioners sign up (or “bid”) for seats at a particular event that strikes their fancy and then are notified of the event(s) that they have bid on and won.

We will have a range of events with various “ticket prices,” so everyone who wishes to can participate. (Quite a few people sign up for more than one event!) Our very generous hosts donate the dinners, their homes, and their labor, so that 100% of every dollar goes directly to support the work of First Parish.

Because of a very busy FP calendar, sign-ups will take place at the very beginning of our “new year,” Sunday mornings September 16 and September 23. (We will be working to provide an online sign-up, as well.) So please visit the sign-up tables to choose your Dining for Dollars treat. You’ll be happy you did – and thank you for your support! For further information, contact John Thompson, Amy Meneely, or Jim (“Kit”) Kitendaugh.

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The Wayland Unitarian is the monthly newsletter of the First Parish in Wayland, a Unitarian Universalist congregation. Weekly calendar announcements are listed in the Order of Service available at the Sunday service, and a full calendar of events is posted on our website, www.uuwayland.org, and on Facebook at facebook.com/fpw1815

Parish Office HoursMonday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Office Phone Number: 508-358-6133

Our Staff:Kate Holland, Director of Lifespan Spiritual and

Ethical ExplorationPolly Oliver, Music Director and Organist

Honor Herron, Youth Coordinator

Karen Plaskon, Parish Administrator

Leo Monzon, Bookkeeper

Meggan Thermitus, Coffee Hour Coordinator

Michelle Poch & Christine Bracken, Childcare

Worship Serviceand SEEK (Spiritual & Ethical Exploration for Kids)Sundays at 10 a.m.

Location and AddressFirst Parish is located at 225 Boston Post Road in Wayland, Massachusetts, at the corner of Routes 20, 126 and 27. Our mailing address is: P.O. Box 397, Wayland MA 01778.

Our MinistersThe Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, Minister

The Rev. Ken Sawyer, Minister EmeritusThe Rev. Dr. Deborah Pope-Lance, Affiliate Minister

First Parish in Wayland,A Unitarian UniversalistCongregation

First Parish and the UU Urban MinistryThe UUUM in Roxbury has been bustling all summer with programs for its neighbors, youth, and the UU community. Rev. Mary Margaret Earl visited with a number of us gardeners in July at the Bechtel's to discuss future plans for a healing garden at the UUUM campus. She was very pleased to hear the input of Marilyn & Mary Kucharski, Jean Milburn, Karen Krowne, John Thompson, Linda Collins, Lucy Pease, Lois Doerr, and David & Susan Bechtel. First Parish has long supported improvements on the campus through "Work Day" and gardening projects, and Rev. Earl hopes that our parishioners will likewise be involved in this exciting new project.Many of you have expressed an interest in attending UUUM events but are reluctant to drive. Let's do more carpooling this year. It's certainly greener and more fun!! For further input or information, please contact First Parish Delegates to the UUUM: Lois Doerr and Susan Crowley-Bechtel.

Upcoming UUUM Eventsat the First Church in Roxbury, 10 Putnam St.

We Who Believe in Freedom - Sept. 11, 6:00 p.m.Community Supper and Reading, facilitated by longtime Roxbury resident, community organizer, and Civil Rights veteran Mimi Jones featuring the work of feminist and suffragette Lucy Stone. Part of an ongoing series of readings with audience participation followed by a conversation about the author’s words, their place in history, and their relevance today. Event is free. Future dates: February 12, May 14.The Makanda Project - Sept. 15, 1-5 p.m.Jazz concert on the UUUM campus green. The Makanda Project is an ensemble dedicated to performing the previously unrecorded compositions of Makanda Ken McIntyre, sharing what they believe is something unique and special about Makanda’s music and adding their own individual and collective voices to his compositions. The concert is free. There will be food and activities for kids. For more info see http://www.uuum.org/?page_id=5247