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sermon given April 27, 2008 The Ministry We Take Up Together It’s been a busy time, since the Sunday in May of 2006, when our relationship began. None of us could have predicted the tragedies or the joys we would face together in those ensuing days. I look out at you, and I notice the faces that have come here since that day, and I rejoice that you have found this gathering of loving souls. I notice, too, the presence of children born since that time, one of them my own. And I notice too, the missing faces of those who gathered then, but that are not with us now—far too many gone from us in death, a few by choice, some by circumstance. None of us could have predicted the specific sorrows and joys we would face together, but we know that there would be and will always be some of each. That is part of the reason we gather in a congregation in the first place. We commit here to walk together in shared ministry and in so doing, we commit to stand by each other, and to hold each other and to celebrate and to mourn with each other, and to work together through all the ups and downs of life and relationships, through all manner of difficulty and dispute. We promise to show up, and not to walk out on each other at the first sign, or the second sign, or at any sign of trouble. We promise to work things out, and to hold each other, and ourselves, in the light of Love and the Spirit of Truth. “If we agree in love,” Hosea Ballou wrote, “There is no disagreement that can do us any harm.” If we walk together in love, we build something here that holds our individual souls, but that transcends who any and all of us could be alone. That’s what it means to gather and to build a congregation. We are a different collection of souls here in this room from two years ago and from two hundred years ago, but we are the same congregation. What we promise to each other during my installation this afternoon, most of all, is to work together, to be present to one another, to minister together, to strengthen this congregation, and its work in our lives and in the world. We pledge to build here a beloved community of faith that goes beyond who any of us are individually, and that will continue, true and strong, long after any one of us is gone. We pledge to be present to one another, to hold each other accountable to love, to walk with each other in all that we face, together and alone. We pledge to minister to and with each other, to build a congregation that brings hope and healing, both to our own souls, and to the wider community of the whole world. This is what we’re about. This is why we gather in a congregation, why we hold to this ancient and hopeful practice of gathering in each other’s presence, of joining together in worship and in work. We are here to save souls—Not from the damnation of an angry god, but from the monotony of life lived without meaning; from the tyranny of fundamentalism and idolatry of any kind; from the oppression of prejudice, and hatred, and injustice; and from the more mundane, but just as pervasive oppression of human anxiety and fear. We are here to light a flame of faith—one that shines in our souls and out to the world, proclaiming that Love is stronger than pain, that Hope is stronger than fear, that Life is stronger than death. We are here to find ways to take these lofty ideas and to make them real in our lives and in the world. We are here to get our hands dirty sowing seeds of love and hope and life. We are here to save and to nurture souls, to build the beloved community, to heal the world. Come, let us be about that work, together. Paul will be on “Study Leave” from June 16–June 30. During this time, he will be in town and working, and available for emergencies, but otherwise taking time for reading and planning. He will not be available for office hours or routine church business during this time. With Love, Paul Paul, Katy, Emma and Aidan Sawyer
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| The RE Buzz It doesn’t seem possible that it’s newsletter time again, but when I look outside, I realize how much renewal has occurred since my last newsletter. The forsythia is in bloom, everything is a lush shade of green, and the birds are singing their courtship songs. When I consider the frequency for which I mention the nature of things outside my office window, it makes me realize the how much the outdoors nourishes my soul and being... On the subject of renewal, we kicked off May with an Intergenerational Beltane Service. For the past 8 years we’ve celebrated it with a May pole dance at the end of service, and every year when we begin the dance, I glance up to the top of the pole and the ribbons look far from woven. I have a few moments of panic, but when it reaches around a foot, a beautiful woven pattern always emerges. This year we had the honor of Alan Goldblatt playing fiddle music to accompany our May pole dance. On Mother’s Day, the children fabricated paper flowers for someone they consider like a mom or grandmother. We talked about how some of us have had the privilege of having more than one female who’s been significant in our lives. It might be your step-mom, birth mom, adoptive mom, friend’s mom, grandmother, or a neighbor down the street; and that Mother’s Day is a commemorative time to honor them. On Saturday, May 31 from 3:00-5:00 p.m., adults and kids are invited to join forces to wash the outside & spruce-up around the outside of our yurt. It will be followed by a hoagie feast at 5:00 p.m.. (Bring your favorite hoagie covering, buns, etc., or a stuffing to share). We’ll then tell stories and sing around a campfire and perhaps eat a few charred marshmallows. We might manage to fit in a game of flashlight tag and then will bed down for a sleep-over in the sanctuary amongst the cushion castles. June 1st is the Children’s Intergenerational Service and Children, Youth and Teacher Dedication. The children will lead the first half of the service, which will focus around the 7 UU Promises which the children have explored through Spirit Play this year. On June 8th, we’ll hold our second “tent revival” service at Connie Tessier’s home, followed by our annual pot-luck church picnic and intergenerational lawn games. Skill and fitness are absolute non-requirements to participate, but to have community fun is! If my memory serves me correctly, Connie Tessier is our champion watermelon seed spitter, with Jaxon Morgan and Bryce Lloyd close runner-ups... There will be an RE recess from June 15th through August 31st. Child-care will be offered during the Sunday services. The summer months will provide the opportunity for me and the RE Circle to plan for the up and coming RE year. The Youth Group is closing in on its final preparations for the mission trip to New Haven Connecticut June 19th through 23rd. Sixteen youth and four adults are going on the trip. (We’d love to have another adult chaperone join us for the trip). We’ll depart by 1:00 p.m. on Thursday and return by noon on Monday. We’ll be traveling in two 12 seat vans and will sleep on pads and in sleeping bags on the floor in a New Haven church. The youth will be working at a soup kitchen and for Habitat for Humanity. At the Brick Church on June 1st, there will be the last pancake breakfast fund raiser before the trip. The youth are asked to arrive at church by 8:00 am. They will be serving a breakfast before and after the church service. Our RE library is slowly expanding. Cynthia Thompson recently donated 4 children’s books to add to it. We have wonderful children’s stories as well as parenting books. I encourage adults to check out the books to read, especially during these summer months when we don’t have formal RE classes. Jill Lloyd, DRE RE CALENDAR May - June 2008 31 Sat 3:00-5:00 p.m. Work party (adults & kids) to spruce up the outside of the yurt 5:00 Hoagie Feast, followed by a campfire and sleep-over in the sanctuary 1 Sun 8:00 a.m. Youth Group pancake breakfast fund raiser at the Brick Church 9:30 Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Intergenerational Children’s Service & Children, Youth and Teacher Recognition 8 Sun 10:00 a.m. “Tent revival” at Connie Tessier’s house followed by a pot-luck picnic and inter- generational lawn games 19 Thur 1:00 p.m. Depart for Youth mission trip to New Haven, CT 23 Mon 12:00 p.m. Return from Youth mission trip The Prez Sez It has been a distinct privilege for me to serve on the Governing Board for the last seven years and as your President for the last two years. As I transition from being a member of the Governing Board to another role within the congregation I can’t help but reflect on my experience: Shortly after moving to Hartland in 2000 so that I could pursue study at Dartmouth College, my family and I began attending this church and it wasn’t long before we knew that this was our spiritual home. We joined the Society that fall, and in the next spring I was nominated to serve the Governing Board. I was flattered to be considered and hesitant at the same time, not feeling like I had any particular expertise to contribute, but I accepted the call. And, over the intervening years I have come to see that leadership in a religious society is different than in any other organization as it provides another path on a spiritual journey. Not that serving other organizations can’t be fulfilling, but rather, for me at least, service in a religious society borders on the selfish in that I have received much more than I was able to give. And, of course, I wasn’t alone. I won’t be able to list here all of you whom I have had the good fortune of serving with, but it is many. Please know that your talent, caring, and dedication sustains us all. Leadership is the key to sustaining our Society and however you find that which nourishes your soul it is my hope that you will consider serving in a leadership role at some point during your association here. Together, we have created a very special community and the potential for finding spiritual fulfillment and nurturing a sense of wonder is great. New to the board as Members-at-Large this year are Tom Roberts and Karen Tyler. And back as President after a couple of years hiatus is David Russell. They are all eager to begin in their new roles and we are pleased to have them. I know you will join me in offering them your encouragement and support. I mentioned that I am in transition from the Board, and so I won’t leave immediately. Because the Vice President’s position is not filled I will assume the role of interim Vice President and will participate as a non-voting Board member, in keeping with the spirit of our by-laws. This will allow a smooth transition from the old Board to the new one with minimal disruption and maximum continuity. I look forward to sharing my continuing journey with all of you. And, I’ll see you in church. Todd Lloyd “Tent Revival” Church Service Our June 8 service will take place under the tent at Connie Tessier’s place. The service will be followed by a whole-church picnic and lawn games. Bring a dish for the potluck picnic. Directions: Just a short distance from the church. At 4 corners intersection take Mace Hill Rd. to the 4th house on the right, #18. Volunteer Questionnaires I have received 27 “volunteer questionnaires” filled out which let me know when people can volunteer for jobs, and when they cannot. This is wonderful! These questionnaires are very helpful. In these questionnaires, we can specify if/when/how we would like to help out, given our busy schedules. If you have not filled out a questionnaire, and are willing to do so, you will find them located at the back of the sanctuary on the table at the top of the stairs. Once you have filled one out, please place it in the 3-ring binder next to the stack of questionnaires. Thanking you very much in advance for your communications via the questionnaire. All the best, Helen Dicke Head of the Nominating Circle TREASURER’S REPORT FOR PERIOD JAN-APR, 2008 For Annual Meeting, May 18, 2008 INCOME Cash collections are under budget presumably because more people are pledging this year than in the past. Pledge income continues ahead of budget with many more pledges being paid in full earlier this year than in past years. Pledges for 2008 now stand at $49,770, $2000 more than we budgeted. I’m sure we can top $50,000 before yearend. Fund Raising: Our rummage sale was a disappointment coming in $600 below budget, a budget based upon previous year’s successes. I suggest another rummage sale in the fall. We also need to get going on other fund raising events. Parsonage Rent: A catchup plan for parsonage rent is in place and working. Memorial Funds: We budgeted $200/month for the Warren Fund which helps support Paul’s professional expenses. The additional income was contributed in memory of Kay Stone and Velma Stillson. Miscellaneous Income exceeds budget due to a summer rental by “A Community in Motion.” This organization, based in Lebanon, works with “special needs” kids. In sum: Income is ahead of budget by $8115, but please keep in mind that this results mostly from earlier pledge payments EXPENSES We are in good shape for operating expenses being $2600 underspent compared to budget. We are overspent just for “Administration” due mainly to our decision to upgrade the web site, costing us $750 up front (with another $750 due on completion); but this was offset by savings in other categories including minister, music, building, parsonage and RE. We have budgeted $500 per month for “capital improvements and major repairs.” We shall hear at today’s meeting Eric Dicke’s facilities circle’s plans to begin spending this. The bottom line good news is that with income ahead of budget and expenses below budget, we’ve had to withdraw just $538 from the money market fund so far. Doug Hart 5/12/08 Bulletin Board Adult Choir - The choir will not rehearse in June since Patty will be away on the usual choir Sundays, but we will have an ecumenical choir for the July 6th service, for which there will be a evening rehearsal on Wednesday, July 2, at 7:00 p.m. Check with Patty (talbots@vermontel.net) for the place of the rehearsal. Special Collections Update - I would like to thank Clarissa Parker and Chuck Fenton for taking over for me during the winter months. Thanks to so many people’s generosity, they collected $681.91 for The Vermont Food Bank, Our Youth Group, The Beland Family and The Ottaque-chee Health Foundation. The Special Collection in May was for Upper Valley Habitat for Humanity. We collected $179.50. UVHFH is also in need of volunteers. In June the Special Collection will be for COVER home repairs. On June 1, Nancy Theriault will tell you all about this organization. Joan Keramis, Chairman, Special Collections Comm. Pancake Breakfast - Sunday June 1 put on by the Youth Group at the Brick Church, 8:45–10:00 a.m. and again after worship The General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association will be held in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida June 25–28. Even if you can’t make it to GA, you can follow the action and watch some of the major events on-line at www.uua.org, beginning with the Opening Ceremony and Banner Parade on Wednesday, June 25. Save the date - Thursday July 4, Hartland Old Home Day Parade and Fireworks. Sign up to sell ice cream and food during this fun day and important fundraiser. Save the date - Sunday July 6, Joint Independence Day worship service at the Hartland Congregational (Brick) Church, 10:00 a.m., the Rev. Paul S. Sawyer, preaching. Calendar - June 2008
1 Sun.8:45-10 a.m.Youth Group Pancake Breakfast at Brick Church 10 Worship Service After serv. Pancake Breakfast at Brick Church 5-7 Youth Group in yurt 2 Mon. 5-6 p.m. Meditation, prayer or silent practice 7:30-9:30 Board meeting 6 Fri. 12-12:30 p.m. Silent meditation & prayer 12:30 Bag lunch with minister 8 Sun. 10 a.m. Tent Revival at Connie Tessier’s with potluck and intergenerational games 9 Mon. 5-6 p.m. Meditation, prayer or silent practice 13 Fri. 12-12:30 p.m. Silent meditation & prayer 12:30 Bag lunch with minister 15 Sun. 10 a.m. Worship Service 16 Mon. 5-6 p.m. Meditation, prayer or silent practice 19 Thurs. to Mon. 23 Youth Group mission trip 22 Sun. 10 a.m. Worship Service 23 Mon. 5-6 p.m. Meditation, prayer or silent practice 29 Sun. 10 a.m. Worship Service 30 Mon. 5-6 p.m. Meditation, prayer or silent practice A User’s Guide to Your Minister For many of you trying to reach me, I know I can be hard to pin down sometimes. To try to help this situation, here is an outline of my current schedule along with some guidelines and thoughts about how to get in touch or meet with me: • My schedule: o Mondays—Off in the morning, often around church in the afternoon, meeting with Jill and meditation, meetings most Monday evenings. o Tuesdays—Office hours 10 a.m.-Noon except Ministers’ meeting in Woodstock the first Tuesday of the month; visiting/working in the afternoon, Jr. High Youth Group every other afternoon. o Wednesdays—Off, taking care of Aidan. Ministers’ Meeting in Walpole, NH third Wednesday of each month (Aidan comes. They love him). o Thursdays—Working/researching/visiting in the morning, office hours 3-5 p.m.. o Fridays—Writing in the morning, meditation at noon, bag lunch with anyone who wants to come at 12:30, working/visiting/printing orders of service in the afternoon. I have Emma after school (2:30 p.m.). o Saturdays—Off, with my family. o Sundays—Well, the morning is obvious. Early afternoons, often adult RE programs or meetings. Youth group first Sunday evening of each month. • First and foremost, never feel bad about contacting me when you need something, particularly if you have a pastoral need of any kind. Please don’t worry that you’re bothering me, or that I’m too busy. • That said, sometimes you may not be able to get me right away. Particularly for routine matters or church business, try to give me some options of times you might be available during my regular work hours. If I haven’t responded in a reasonable time, give me a reminder. • For sheer sanity’s sake, when I’m off, or getting ready for worship, I tend not to check my e-mail. Particularly if you send an e-mail Friday or Saturday, I may not get it until Monday afternoon. • And make sure that if you’re calling me, leave a message if no one answers. I’m a firm believer that the telephone doesn’t take immediate priority in every situation, just because it’s loud. We keep our phone ringer on low at home, particularly during mealtimes, when we’re putting children to bed, when we have company, and any other time we want to focus on what’s going on (a practice I recommend to everyone). At the church, I won’t answer the phone if I am meeting with someone. If you have an emergency, say so, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. • The telephone also just has never been my favorite mode of communication. If I sound weird on the phone, it’s not you—I’m just better in person or in writing. If you need good focused time on the phone, give me some warning, and I’ll try to find a dark, quiet place I can focus. • If you’re trying to contact me for regular church business, your best bet is to get me during my office hours, which are usually Tuesday 10-Noon and Thursday 3-5 p.m., or leave me a message about when you’re likely to be around. • I tend to go to bed pretty early. If you need something after 9:00 p.m., except in emergencies, I’ll try, but I may not be all that useful. If you have an emergency, call any time. Please, definitely call. • As a 3⁄4-time minister, preaching roughly the same number of sermons as my full-time UU colleagues, my schedule ends up being pretty heavily focused on worship. I will never try to make you feel guilty if you can’t come on Sunday morning, but do know that if you’re not someone I’m likely to see at the service, you may have to work a little harder to track me down. I’d love to come visit or help with whatever you need, but reach out with some dates and times. • And finally, as many of you have discovered by now, I’m not the most organized person in the world, particularly when it comes to managing my time. I often seem to be in a mode where there is enough pressing going on that some pieces slip through the cracks. If you’ve asked me to do something, and I haven’t done it, remind me. If you’re trying to set up a meeting with me, your best bet is to tell me a couple of times when you will be available. I’ll keep working on my time management, but I suspect I’ll keep missing things here and there no matter what. I’m relying on you to help me a bit in this area. Bulletin Board If you’ve been waiting to join the church, now’s the time! We will recognize new members during the morning service on April 27. If you’re interested, please let Paul know, and if you haven’t had an opportunity to speak with Paul about membership, please set up an appointment this month. Adult Choir - Rehearsals will be Sundays April. 13 and 20 at 9 a.m. We will sing on April. 20. There will be rehearsals for Paul’s installation during the Sunday rehearsals as well as two night rehearsals on Thursdays April 17 and 24 at 7 p.m. New members are always welcome and encouraged. Just show up at the rehearsal and give it a try. Worship and Music Circle will be meeting at Libbet Downs’ house in Reading on April 14. For directions or information call Libbet at 484-0027. It will be a potluck supper starting at 6:00 p.m. Please note that requests for the rental of the church need to be directed to Bineke Oort. She can be reached at 802 436-1136 or by email at bineke@vermontel.net. When Barbara Mills announced her “early” retirement as our official calligrapher, designer and producer of our name tags, it was a surprise to us all! Barbara, after only 10? 15? years of doing your good work and for people like ourselves, maybe 2 sets lost, or could it have been three replaced and looking splendid. Thank you Barbara. Register now for the upcoming Northern New England District Conference, April 11–12 at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. This conference will celebrate the joining of the Northeast (Maine) District and the NH/VT District into one. There will be a banner parade and a ritual with all sorts of pomp and circumstance, and the Rev. Bill Sinkford, president of the UUA, will speak. Registration materials are available in the Fellowship Hall, and online at www.uua.org/nhvt. The Hartland Community Chorus is presenting a Spring Pops Concert on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4th at 2:00 p.m.. Great music including selections by the Beatles, Broadway show tunes, Swingle Singers, and spirituals. Plus some piano & vocal solos! All free and open to the public at Damon Hall. Annual Rummage Sale Fri., April 4, 8 a.m.-Noon Sat., April 5, 8 a.m.-Noon (1/2 Price Sale) Items Needed: Even though it’s called a rummage sale we will take anything. This includes clothes, linens, white elephant items, furniture, books, cars (just kidding). Alllllthooooough, we could post a notice if the item is too large to transport. Even though some things may come down from the attic, please leave the dust and cobwebs at home and make sure donated items are clean and in good condition. The better they look the easier they will be to sell. Volunteers: We need volunteers for setting up and breaking down. Set up is on Thursday, April 3 starting at 8 a.m. and continues until we are finished pricing and arranging. Feel free to come and go as your own time permits. The breaking down will occur right after the sale on Saturday, April 5. Don’t forget to come during the sale and find some choice items. Exciting news! Buffy Boke writes:
OLD NEWS
Well, another year has come and gone and we find ourselves looking forward to a new year full of hope and promise. Last year the Board began focusing on communication. Communication between ourselves and communication with the congregation. There is progress to report. Our website is being updated (thank you Peter and Chuck) and new procedural measures have been instituted to facilitate sharing of information to the congregation. Look for copies of past Board Meeting minutes and the agenda for the upcoming Board meeting in a binder on the back table in the sanctuary (thank you Judy). By popolar demand, the suppers being hosted by the Nominating Circle are continuing this winter. These suppers are a wonderful opportunity to learn what the needs of the church are and how you can contribute. There are so many ways to be involved in the church community, both on Sunday and the rest of the week. No job is too small. Tasks as mundane as changing light bulbs in the sanctuary or making sure the lights are out when everyone leaves on Sunday are an integral part of keeping our physical church a welcoming and spiritually nurturing space. The children’s religious education program is once again bursting at the seams and the fellowship hall is alive with the sounds of members and friends sharing their stories. We have such a rich community experience to share. Our church is a reflection of all of you and we have much to celebrate together as the New Year dawns. Thanks to all of you, 2008 promises to be a banner year full of satisfying church experiences. As always, I look forward to seeing you in church! Youth Group The youth group continues to meet the first Sunday evening of each month in the yurt. Combining our youth group with that at the Brick church has led to a steady increase in our group in number and in spirit. The youth group has plans for activities throughout the year—both for fun and for faith. On Friday evening, February 15, there will be a youth game night at the Brick Church. Meet at 7:00 for games and make-your-own sundaes, with an optional trip to bowling or the movies to follow. Also, look for us to be offering you opportunities to support our upcoming mission trip for June 19–24, 2008. The youth and adult leaders will be traveling to an urban area in southern New England to work on a project in support of those in need. Rev. Lucia Jackson from the Brick Church is working on the details and more information will be available soon. In coming months we will be offering youth-led breakfasts at our church and at the Brick Church, and also selling Fair Trade coffee and tea to raise funds for the trip. Also, we have been given permission to sell baked goods at the polls and during town meeting on March 4. Since school is in session that day, we are looking for support from the adults of the two churches to run the table, and to make baked goods beforehand. If you are interested in these, or any other activities of our youth group, please contact Paul, or Lucia, or any of our youth for more information. Support Our Youth - Buy Coffee and Tea We are excited to announce that we will soon begin selling Fair Trade products from Equal Exchange, with the proceeds to support the work of our energetic youth group. Equal Exchange, a Massachusetts company founded by Unit. Univ., specializes in offering very high-quality coffee, tea, chocolate, and snacks that are both a good value for consumers and produce a sustainable price for farmers in developing nations. We have been serving wonderful Equal Exchange coffee at coffee hour for some time, and now you can take some home. And we will also be able to offer our coffee and tea at favorable rates for you. So you get good items, the farmers get fair prices, it costs you less than in the stores, and our youth group uses the proceeds to support the work of our faith. Everyone wins! More information, and the items themselves, will be available soon. If you have particular Equal Exchange products that you would like us to carry, please let Paul know. Treasurers Report FOR SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING, 2008 CASH BALANCES, 12/31/2007 Mascoma Checking $ 1635.65 2008 Pledges Received (2250.00) Sound Attenuation Fund 1981.02 Rent Due 1300.00 Total 2666.67 CURRENT LIABILITIES FICA Payroll Tax 535.19 Medicare Payroll Tax 125.09 Youth Group 134.83 White Fund Loan (Yurt), due 2008 1652.82 Total 2447.93 NET CASH $ 218.74 LONG TERM LIABILITY White Loan, thru 2015 $11,963.45 Early pledge payments got us thru 2007 without further tapping our investment account. We also made a large reduction in our White Fund loan due to a $6000 contribution from Arthur Lord in memory of Gracile. OPERATING BUDGET RESULTS FOR 2007 INCOME Pledges fell short of our target of $44,000 but at $41,032 exceeded the amount actually pledged by $1137. Collections, made up of the “offering plate,” and identified non pledge contributions, were ahead of budget by $1563 due to some generous gifts including the Boedtkers paying for our septic system work. Fund Raising fell short of budget by $8448 because we “plugged” part of our deficit without having a firm, fund raising events plan. The regular fund raisers - Turkey Suppers, Rummage Sale – worked out just fine, offsetting our Old Home Day shortfall due to weather. Memorial Funds were augmented with the unexpected Gracile Lord gift which was designated for debt reduction and applied to our Yurt loan. Gifts in memory of Wendie Warren have been invested and are paid out at $200/month to augment the Minister’s professional expenses. This will continue thru September, 2009. Net Income came in just $205 under budget but our actual expenses required we take $21,700 from our investments, $8,700 more than budgeted. EXPENSES Ministerial was over budget only because we had not anticipated Paul’s annual raise effective in September. Paul under spent his expense budget so the deficit was kept at $1689. Music was on budget. Administration came out $1819 to the good due to not spending as much on fund raising as planned, and due to savings in copying and postage (emailed newsletters paying off?). Church Building expenses came out in the black. While we took hits in oil and snowplowing, we “saved” on propane and were lucky to have few maintenance costs. Parsonage and Religious Education were well within budget. Capital Improvements and Major Repairs was the only other category worthy of comment: we spent $2632 on septic system studies and upgrade plans. This amount was offset, however, by the Boedtker’s contributions. OPERATING BUDGET FOR 2008 INCOME Collections should be a little less in 2008 because we received unusual non-pledge income in 2007. Pledges are still not finalized in that we have yet to hear from two major donors. We have also lost several significant contributors due to death, illness and moving. We have $43,000 in hand as of this date and I believe we can realistically count on $47,500. The Stewardship Circle is planning to solicit friends of the church for additional contributions. Fund Raising. Counting on our regular fund raisers, turkey suppers (with a $10 price this year), Old Home Day and a rummage sale we can count on $9900 to which I’ve conceded $1200 for two $600 events yet unplanned. Parsonage Rent remains the same and Miscellaneous, mostly from renting the church, is unpredictable so I’ve been conservative. Memorial Funds are totally unpredictable. (We don’t want to wish anybody ill to generate them.) BUDGETED EXPENSES FOR 2008 Minister. Salary increase reflects our plan to bring our church staff to UUA compensation guidelines by 2011. Professional Expenses are augmented by $2400 from the Warren Fund. Substitutes allows the worship committee occasionally to pay someone to preach when Paul is not in the pulpit. Music. Patty’s salary has been increased in line with the plan noted above. We also pay FICA and Medicare; $1500 covers sheet music, piano tuning, memberships and travel, for a total of $8630. Administration: Dues, UUA and District. In two of the last three years, we have paid our “fair share” based on our membership. We wish to continue. Fund Raising Costs are mostly for the regular events and are predictable. Communications/Membership/Hospitality reflect our efforts at reaching out to existing and potential members and include newsletter, website, postage and telephone. Church Building incorporates all the costs of running our facilities. The increase anticipates mostly higher fuel cost. Parsonage covers property taxes and a $1200 reserve for repairs. Religious Education is our “growth industry” and we’ve increased staff compensation here, as well; and we’ve increased supplies and coverage for “baby sitting.” Debt Service covers payment of the White Fund Loan from the District which we used to construct the yurt. A generous bequest from Arthur Lord was, at his direction, used to pay off $6000 of this loan thus reducing our payments significantly for the balance of the term. Also, the District fixed the interest rate at 4%, down from a variable rate that had risen to 8.25%. Capital Improvements and Major Repairs. We have put in $6000 with the hope that we can fulfill a long range plan to paint and carpet the sanctuary (overdue) and be prepared to repaint the church exterior in 2010. NET LOSS AND WITHDRAWAL FROM INVESTMENTS. Unless we can increase income more, and with no “fat” in our expense budget, we will have to draw on capital to meet this budget. Your Board is willing to do that as an investment in a congregation that can be self-supporting in the foreseeable future. We also have no qualms about using up to 6% of the invested capital for current operations in that over the long term, the portfolio will grow at 8% or better. Our $250,000 in income producing investments gives us $15,000 for current operations. Our budget shortfall is $25,000 meaning we must take an additional $10,000 from capital. For a detailed spreadsheet showing our income and expenses for 2006 and 2007 as a basis for the proposed budget contact Doug Hart, Treasurer at 802-436-3325 or hartree@vermontel.net Food Shelf - The shelves are very low and need to be replenished. The following items are needed the most: canned meats, canned fruits, cereals, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, boxed macaroni and cheese. Rummage Sale - Keep open the dates April 4 & 5 for our annual rummage sale. There will be a preparation work day on April 3. Please start saving your clothes, dishes, furniture, white elephant items, etc. for this important fundraiser. Last year we took in $1,100. Stay tuned for more details in upcoming newsletters. Christmas Project - A heartfelt to all who gave to the Christmas Project. You helped many families by giving of your time and money. Those who received fruit baskets (80 were delivered), clothes, boots, toys and boxes laden with food were given a “boost” during the holidays. Looking for the video of our place that was done for the anniversary with Buffy, et al. I asked after the show and to date I have not seen it. Does anyone have it that I could borrow? Thanx, Stephen “Lobo” Tracy Wonderful, nutritious dinners prepared by Mt. Ascutney Hosp. Nutrition Serv. Dept. served in Hartland, Ascutney and Windsor. Any senior is welcome to attend any or all of the meals. Meals are served at noon. Please call Pauline Perron or Bea Wood a week before to make a reservation. Suggested donation is $2.50-$3.00. Meals sponsored by the Counsel on Aging. An Evening of Dancing, the Ed Larkin dancers will be holding their 8th Victorian Ball, Feb. 8, 7:30-10:30 p.m. at Damon Hall, Hartland. Period dress is welcome but not necessary. Dances will include contras, quadrilles, polkas, waltzes etc, something for everyone. Donation of $5 at the door and refreshments served at intermission. Paula (Chamberlin) has been diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy. Paula and her first husband, Art Fisher, and their children--Stacey, Carissa, and Arthur--lived in the Four Corners, in the house across the road from the church. (the gray brick house). Paula and Art divorced and Paula remarried. Her second husband, Abel, died of cancer last year. Winnifred Horton passed away on Dec 15, at Cedar Manor, Windsor, where she had lived for several years. Mrs. Horton, known to many as “Mat Horton,” owned the horse farm on Rt. 12, at the edge on the Four Corners. She and her late husband, Lyle, raised fine Morgan horses and Jersey cattle. Mat was also a school teacher. Pat Springer’s brother passed away in Oct. The Newsletter Needs a Little Help The Weather and Sunday Services However, if you have any concern about the weather and your travel, PLEASE STAY HOME! In the good free church tradition of Unitarian Universalism, we leave the decision of whether you should come in the snow up to you. We love to see you in church, but not at the expense of safety. Making “Circles” Work Our “Circles” have been forming and moving forward. A lot of exciting ideas have been expressed and work done. We have also run into some difficulties. For those of you who don’t know what I am talking about, back last Spring 2007, a decision was made by the Governing Board to dispense with Committees in the church. The burn-out level on committees of the recent past had been high and satisfaction low. We decided to replace them with “Circles”. You might ask, “What is the difference?” Committees tend to have a hierarchal structure. There may be a Chair, a Co-Chair, a Clerk, a Treasurer, and a couple of members “at large”. They are slated to hold those positions for a year or more. In the past, our church committees had experienced major burn-out; typical of churches this size. How to remedy this? Enter the concept of “Circles”. Circles tend to have a horizontal structure where the leadership and the work are shared more equally. People can enter and leave circles more easily without feeling they are being pinned down to a year’s weighty commitment to hold a particular position. We began having Circle meetings last summer and early fall. Announcements were made in church that anyone who was interested in a particular issue could join a Circle meeting where that issue was discussed, at a designated place/time. People collected. Lots of ideas were expressed. In many cases, people began to see a direction they could go in, a goal they could accomplish. Our Circle meetings have had varying levels of success in terms of organizing themselves and moving ahead. It may not surprise you to hear that there are rumples to be worked out. While they have been highly successful in getting ideas moving, our Circles have generally needed a bit more structure. For that reason, the Nominating Circle and Bineke Oort have put their heads together to offer ways we can solidify the structure of our Circles so that we can be effective in meeting our goals. These are only suggestions. Looking ahead into the coming year, Circles need to decide how/when/where they meet and for how long. Depending on each Circle, this can vary. For instance, the Stewardship (Fundraising) Circle is hard at work right now, asking people for financial commitments. However, in the spring they may have very little to do and not need to meet. What are the needs of your Circle? Do you need to meet monthly? Quarterly? Etc. Members list Circles need a list of those people who are interested in being a part of them; their names, addresses, phone numbers, emails. Every member of the Circle should have a copy of this list. Circles need a convener. How to accomplish this? A lot depends on the people in your Circle. Here are some possibilities: (1) There may be someone in your Circle who is happy to convene every meeting for the next 6 mos./year and the group is happy to have that person take that role, (2) you may want to create co-conveners who take turns and/or share, (3) you may want to rotate among the people in your Circle, having a different convener each month, (4) some combination of the above possibilities. The role of a convener: The convener’s role will vary with each circle depending on its structure and needs, but most conveners will need to fulfill the following roles. (1) Set the place/time and agenda for the upcoming meeting. (What do you want to discuss?). (2) Run the meeting or arrange for someone else to run it. (3) Be a liaison with the Governing Board (or designate one) to communicate to the Vice President (currently Peter Carini) what is happening in your Circle. This need not happen every month, but several times a year. (4) Provide or arrange for refreshments, if you wish to have them. (You might want to center your meetings around a supper at member’s homes or the church). (5) At the end of a meeting, make sure people are clear about the next meeting; time/place/agenda/person who will facilitate. (6) Publicize your upcoming meetings both to circle members and the congregation a couple of days ahead of the meeting. Because circles are fluid there may be people outside the circle who will want to attend a meeting to see what is going on or who may want to participate in a specific activity. You need someone to take notes during the meeting. Here again, it can be a different person each time, or the same whatever the group decides. That person could also be the one who reminds people a couple of days before the next meeting (just a suggestion). Whatever works. You need a mission. What do you want to accomplish, in general and specific terms? Determine what your circle hopes to accomplish this year and define your objectives. This can be an informal statement of intent or a formal list depending on what works for your circle. Circles need commitment. If we want to make a difference, we need to make meetings a priority. If we can’t make a meeting, we need to let the facilitator know. Circles are Unique. Each circle is different and may have different needs. Some may need more structure, others less. If you are having trouble defining your circle do not get discouraged, ask for help. Talk to Paul, Peter and Helen about your needs. Don’t give up on a group because it has moments of confusion or frustration. Helen Dicke, helencdyoga@vermontel.net Peter Carini, peter.carini@dartmouth.edu Paul Sawyer, uupaul@vermontel.net Sharing the Spirit—Our Annual Stewardship Campaign This month marks the beginning of our annual efforts to ensure
that our church continues to thrive and build in energy and depth of spirit. Please remember—no one ever expects you to give more than you can afford to our church, or to anything else for that matter, but we will invite you to be as generous as you can, and to make a pledge so we know what we have to work with as we line up our budget for the coming year. We are at a key moment in the growth of our church. Our energy and our numbers are building, and we look forward to continuing that trend for years to come! As we grow we want to make sure that we are doing a good job of caring for our building and other resources, and being fair with our paid professional staff. Your pledge, however large or small will help us continue to be a strong church dedicated to the work of building community, deepening faith, and helping to heal the world. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact a member of the Stewardship Circle: Tom Roberts, Elaine Hart, Doug Hart, Kimm Dittrich, or Paul Sawyer Special Collections Update In September we got off to a good start and collected $222.35 for The Haven, a homeless shelter in White River Junction. In October the Special Collection was given to The Council on Aging. The $161.00 collected will be used for emergency lifelines. In November a project dear to our hearts, The Hartland Christmas Project, received $189.00. It will help in this season of giving to bring joy to many families in our community. It has been our tradition for many years to contribute to Heifer International during the holidays. In December the Special Collection will be for this organization that works to relieve hunger domestically and internationally. Thanks to all of you who help to keep this tradition of giving going. We are now in our 4th year! The Special Collections Committee: Becoming a “Welcoming Congregation” “Welcoming Congregation” is a designation offered by the UUA to congregations who have sought to publicly and successfully welcome members of the Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and/or Transgender population. The program includes a series of workshops designed to “reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.” The UUA states, “Confronting our prejudices in a non-judgmental, non-threatening group allows us to explore their origins and offers an opportunity to replace those prejudices with knowledge. Understanding our prejudices leads to individual spiritual growth and congregational unity.” (It may also be that participation in this program would enhance our skills in addressing other important issues on which not everyone might agree.) Some of us have begun talking about exploring the Welcoming Congregation concept here in our church, and would like to form a circle for that purpose. If you would like to be part of this circle, or have thoughts you would like to share, please call or email Karen Tyler (802-674-9175; karen-tyler@comcast.net) or Sue Buckholz (802-296-2209; sue@buckholzlaw.com). The deadline for submitting information into the newsletter is the 18th of every month. What We Have Been Doing Judy Howland, Helen Dicke and Bineke Oort have together purchased 10 new tableclothes for the fellowship hall. These tableclothes were purchased at a red tag sale for $3/yd at Joann Fabric store. Judy has generously offered to finish the edges in time for the turkey suppers. The tableclothes cost $10 each and if you would like to make a donation to help with the purchase contact Helen, 802-436-3030. Eric Dicke has fixed the spotlight that shines on the front of the church and he is now looking into fixing the fence. If anyone is interested in helping, call Eric and Helen at 802-436-3030. INTRODUCING THE COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY! We are pleased to announce that FUS has a functioning and hopefully functional Committee on Ministry, comprised of Sue Buckholz (chair by default), Nada Pierce and Michael Denmeade. The charge to the committee is to “promote the shared ministry of the Church by acting as a communication conduit between the congregation, the minister and the Governing Board.” As you know, “ministry” in the UU world has a very broad definition, and includes everything we do in our congregation “in pursuit of the welfare of our membership and wider community”. The Committee is ready, willing and able to address any suggestions or concerns that arise in this context. We invite and encourage members of the congregation to contact any of us to talk about ideas and suggestions for promoting our “shared ministry”. Please remember that, while the meetings and deliberations of the Committee on Ministry are confidential, we cannot entertain “anonymous” communications or feedback and hope that one and all will feel comfortable in voicing views within that framework. We are happy to work with anyone to help them to express their views. For a fuller outline of the Committee on Ministry or to talk about our congregation’s ministry in any of its aspects, please call Sue (802-291-9063), Nada (802-436-2336) or Michael (802-457-4099). We will continue our regular gathering for silent meditation and prayer on Monday afternoons from 4:00-5:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. Our Monday gatherings are informal and you are welcome to come and go as you like if you can’t make the whole time. We begin with a short reading, then sit silently, with a bell every 15 minutes or so, concluding at about ten before the hour to leave time for us to check in a little before we depart. This year, beginning in September, we will also offer an additional time for silent meditation and prayer, Friday from noon to 12:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. Since this session is a bit shorter, we will gather without a reading, and you are welcome, following this time to bring a bag lunch and join Paul for an informal lunch time with the minister. For the Children By Gary Snyder The rising hills, the slopes, the steep climb In the next century To climb these coming crests stay together What is UVIP? By Paul S. Sawyer The United Valley Interfaith Project (UVIP) is a federation of faith communities which have agreed to work together for greater justice and quality of life for all in our region. So far, nine congregations and four judicatories have formally joined UVIP. The congregations include the UU Cong. of the Upper Valley, Norwich; the Hanover Friends Meeting; Lebanon United Methodist Church; Meriden Congregational Church; Our Savior Lutheran Church, Hanover; St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Norwich; St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, White River Junction, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Hanover; and Trinity Episcopal Church, Claremont. Further information about UVIP is available from me. Or feel free to contact UVIP organizer Rev. Susan Grant Rosen: susangr1@verizon.net; 413-268-0256. Why is this a Caring Circle instead of Committee? This circle becomes bigger or smaller as the need arises. It got very big when Jim Howland needed help and we thank you all. You are all a part of the extended arm of our Minister when Pastoral Care is needed, especially since our Minister is only part time. If you are or someone you know is going through difficult times let us know. If you could provide transportation, food, visits, call us. We would like to have a list of available helpers so that when the need arises we would know whom to contact to make the circle bigger. Anita Richardson has offered to visit people. Members of the little Circle are: Some Logistical Details and Information I'd Like You to Know My General Schedule As most of you know, my ministry here is currently a three-quarter-time position. How to define such part-time ministry is a bit of a challenge, but I will be working, at least on a structural level, to be true to what feels to me to be a part-time schedule. Most weeks I will try to take Friday, Saturday, and at least one-half of another day off. In addition, I will use one other day each week, usually Wednesday or Thursday, as a day for writing and study. Unless I am away on vacation, I will almost always be on-call for pastoral emergencies and for other situations that might arise, so don't hesitate to call or e-mail me at any time, but know that particularly on my off days I may not always be close by. I tend to be pretty flexible, so usually I can work out my schedule to accommodate most needs. But I will also appreciate your help in keeping me to a schedule that is both fair to the church and to my family and me. Please though, never feel like you are "bothering" me if you have something you need to talk about. I am here for you to be your minister. I always consider it an honor when you bring me into your life and into your concerns. I do have one vacation time coming up that you should know about. From October 31 to November 7 I will be away on a long-deferred family vacation to Florida with Katy, Emma and my parents. I will make sure that you know how to contact me in case of an emergency and that there is pastoral coverage available to you closer to home for anything that may come up. Some Quirks That May Be Good to Know About I tend to be an early-to-bed-and-early-to-rise sort of person, so I will be most useful on the phone and at events before 9:00 at night. I can always rally and be awake in an emergency, so call anytime if you need to, but know that if you want to discuss committee business or something like that, earlier in the evening I'll be more on top of things. I take Emma to school most days, so I am usually available for meetings and such after 8:00 am, though when I can, I like to take a walk and meditate in the morning, as well, so 9:00 may often be better. Also, in our house we have noticed that we can't hear the phone everywhere, and we're often outside, so if you're trying to reach me and we don't answer our phone, it's always good to leave a message. My Sundays "Off" Like most ministers (at least most UU ministers), I will almost always have at least one Sunday a month when I don't preach. On many of those Sundays, I may be out of town, or away at another church, but on Sundays when we are around I will almost always be here, though sitting in the pews, of course, not standing in the pulpit. Part of this for me is the simple fact that I like to go to church on Sunday morning and this is now my home church, whether I'm preaching or not. Part of it, too, is the fact that Emma is in the RE program here, and we tend to hold to the belief for our family that unless she has a good reason not to be, she should be there every week. In any case, the great gift of a Sunday "off" for me isn't a couple of free hours on Sunday morning but rather the freedom that I have during that week to focus on other areas in my ministry - and the freedom to stay up a little later Saturday night, either to go out, or to watch a baseball game or a movie all the way through. So don't worry about me overdoing it by being in the pews on my Sundays off - like you, I hope, I get energized by being here. And particularly when members of our congregation lead the services, I'd hate to miss out on what you have to say! Visiting As I said above, I would love to visit you, either for a pastoral conversation if you like, or just to get to know you better. In particular, if you are someone who finds it difficult to get to church, or if you know someone who has been a member in the past (no matter how long ago), but either can't get here, or isn't inclined to come to church any more, let me know. I certainly won't pressure anyone to come on Sunday morning if they don't want to, but I'd love people to get a chance to meet me at least and to make sure that I know who they are. Sermons and Readings You may have noticed that I like to make copies of sermons and readings available for you to take home or to send to people who might enjoy them. They are usually ready by Wednesday or Thursday in the fellowship hall. Also, if you know of someone who cannot make it to church for one reason or another and who might appreciate it, I would be happy to create a kind of a "subscription" list of people to send them to each week. I also will almost always have readings and other pieces available on my computer, so feel free to ask me to print you something out or to send things to you by e-mail. Getting Out and About Finally, If you would like to show me a favorite walk, please, please invite me along for a morning stroll or for a walk most any time. Or just drop me a note, or show me on the map where you think I ought to go. I've found a few spots here and there, but I am still looking for all those wonderful streams and ponds and trails that you might want to share with me! Church Directory Available! Look for it on the small table by the vestry door. Many thanks to Cynthia Thompson for creating it.Sinkford Issues Statement on Unitarian Universalist "Moral Values" William G. Sinkford(Boston, MA -- November 9, 2004) In conjunction with a press conference sponsored today by the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, UUA president William issued this statement about Unitarian Universalist moral values. The press conference was held at the National Press Club in Washington, DC, and featured representatives from several denominations addressing the topic, Defining Moral Values For the Next Four Years. The full text of Rev. Sinkford's statement is below. Statement from the Rev. William G. Sinkford Moral values are not just particular opinions on hot button topics in a divisive election year. Moral values grow out of our calling as religious people to work to create the Beloved Community. Moral values instruct us to love our neighbors as ourselves and always to ask the question, Who is my neighbor? They are fundamentally inclusive rather than exclusive, and they call on generosity of spirit rather than mean spiritedness. In this post election season, let me express some of the moral values held dear by the Unitarian Universalist community, which I lead, and by many other progressive people of faith:
A reminder for those who straighten up the sanctuary - candle remains (from joy and concern candles) should be dug out of the sand weekly. Also, the sand needs to be deep enough so the candles don't fall over! More sand is in a bag downstairs in the entrance near the little room which will serve as the nursery once the yurt is operational. UUA Online Have you surfed through the UUA website to learn more about our national headquarters and what is available to you and to all of us? The website at http://www.uua.org is huge and rich. Take a few minutes to check it out! You will see we are part of a large, vibrant, growing organization of which you can be truly proud. Last to Leave? 1. The elevator light has been turned off and the gates and doors are shut. The First Universalist Society VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION is an interfaith and community effort that brings together caring volunteers with neighbors in need of a helping hand. Please let VIA know if you live in the Mt. Ascutney area and need, or could offer, support or services such as: transportation, telephone contact, friendly visits, minor home repair, chore or shopping assistance, short term respite, walking companions, yard work, etc. Volunteers in Action PO Box 707 Windsor, VT 05089 Newsletter Archives (PDF Format - You'll need Acrobat Reader)
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Contact us!
The First Universalist Society of Hartland, VT
PO Box 75
Hartland, VT 05049
802-436-2592
email the president
email the webmaster
