The Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

November 8, 2023

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In This Issue

Sunday Worship

From the Minister

Spiritual Snack

From the Director of Community Enrichment

Holiday Fair

Flowers for Worship Services

National Day of Mourning and Leftovers Gathering

Holiday Gifts for Foster Children

Holiday Concert

Adults' Pizza/Movie Night

Church Council

Climate Justice Team

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Congregational Conversation

Yoga

Lunchtime Poetry Series

Book Group

Ongoing/Recurring Events

Multiplatform Services on

Sundays at 10 am

Rev. Susan Chorley preaching

unless indicated otherwise

Our Soul Matters theme for the month is Generosity

November 12: Our guest speaker will be Vinnie Myles from the UU Urban Ministry in Roxbury – Linda Twomey, worship associate

November 19: "Generosity of Spirit" – Deanna Riley, worship associate

This will be an Outreach Sunday. The collection will be used to buy gifts for children in DCF custody, as well as gift cards for the social workers to use to purchase emergency necessities.

November 26: Multi-generational worship led by David Roth – Marie Miller, worship associate

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Meeting ID: 842 6936 2902

Passcode: Generosity

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+1 305 224 1968

Meeting ID: 842 6936 2902

Please send your joys and concerns to Rev. Susan by 8:30 am on Sundays. be sure to tell her if your news can be shared with the congregation or if it should be kept private. The 4th Sunday of each month will include am "open mic" component to Joys and Concerns.

From the Minister

Dear Ones,

I hope you are continuing to find some joy in your days, despite all of the obvious sadness across our globe. The treasure of the Fall light ~ a conversation with a young person ~ appreciating a moment of stillness - all things that have brought me joy in the last few days. Where are you finding joy?

As we continue exploring the theme of generosity this month, I feel so inspired by the generosity within this community. Through those preparing and serving the community dinner to those preparing items for the Holiday Fair and all those who cut and knotted fleece blankets to be donated to the Linus Project during Coffee Hour - there are so many ways we share joy and care with those outside our walls. There is such a generosity of spirit within this congregation - sharing from our abundance.

In partnership with our Parish Committee, I am looking forward to a congregational conversation about "purpose" and, more specifically, what the purpose of First Parish of Norwell is in this moment and for our present time.

What does First Parish of Norwell have that people need?
How do we continue to share our goodness in partnership with the surrounding communities?
What are the greatest needs in the world? How does First Parish respond?

I am excited to hear your answers and to listen in on why you are here and what keeps drawing you back. This is truly a special place, a caring community, and as we gain clarity on our shared purpose we will be invited to live into it even more deeply and in doing so, welcome more people in.

To more joy amidst the sorrow,

Rev. Susan

Spiritual Snack

I tell my students, 'When you get these jobs that you have been so brilliantly trained for, just remember that your real job is that if you are free, you need to free somebody else. If you have some power, then your job is to empower somebody else. This is not just a grab-bag candy game.”

~Toni Morrison

From the Director of Community Engagement

I get SO EXCITED about community service projects! Creating opportunities for us to serve together – and welcoming others to join us in service – puts the “community engagement” in my job title (and puts a spring in my step). And while families are certainly encouraged to participate, these projects aren’t just for kids! They are designed to be meaningful for all ages. When we all work together, we teach the children of First Parish that helping others is a lifetime commitment. Last month, we saw that in action when members of our congregation from every generation picked up scissors and helped to create blankets for Project Linus. And thanks to funding from the Fogg Outreach Committee that exceeded what was needed – and a great sale on fleece – we are able to purchase supplies for another service project in November!

This Sunday, November 12, join us at 11:30 for this month’s Coffee Hour Service Project. We’re making care kits for unhoused individuals: fill a zip lock bag with warm wool socks, sanitizing wipes, blister bandages, nail clippers, hand warmers, crackers, granola bars, jerky, water bottles, a note or picture of encouragement and a list of local resources. These kits are designed to be dense with useful items but compact enough to carry in your car. We have enough supplies for 30 kits, so be sure to make one on Sunday. You’ll be ready to help someone who needs it as the weather turns colder, and maybe you’ll even be inspired to make more kits on your own.

And mark your calendars now for our December Coffee Hour Service Project: a Caroling Christmas Party at the Norwell Housing Authority on Sunday, December 10! Plan to make the trip with us – we’ll share pizza and songs with seniors. We made lots of friends there last year at our Valentine’s party, and we’re looking forward to seeing them again!

Proud to work together with you,

Amanda

Holiday Fair 2023

Saturday, November 18 from 9 am to 2 pm

The Holiday Fair is almost here! Support us by buying raffle tickets for a gorgeous hand-turned wooden bowl made by Don Messinger, an Italian gift basket created by Peg Kitchenham and a cuddly scarf knit by Sue Robinson. We need help after church on Sunday from a few strong people to move bookcases and set up tables. The Themed Gift Baskets which you want us to wrap are due at church this Sunday (November 12) with a written list of the items and the approximate price of each item. Give to Debb Welsh or Bev Gardner. Bring your donated treasures this week. Put your toys upstairs, books in the Fogg Parlor and other treasures near the piano for Grandma’s Attic. We will be here from 9 am to noon daily, plus 7-9 pm on Thursday. Your baked goods and artwork can be dropped off Friday. No large items or skis.

Flowers During Sunday Worship

Many of us enjoy seeing beautiful flower arrangements at the front of the Meetinghouse during Sunday worship. There was a tradition at First Parish that the Worship and Music Committee would like to bring back. Members and friends can volunteer to bring in an arrangement and can have it in honor or in memory of a loved one. That is noted in the Order of Service. There is a sign up sheet on the bulletin board next to the door to the Fogg Parlor. Please choose a date, add your name, and note if it will be in honor or memory of a particular person. This is a lovely way to honor your loved ones. Expensive arrangements aren’t needed. Trader Joe’s has lots of lovely bouquets for reasonable prices and in the kitchen are a number of nice vases.

Peg Carpenter and Mary Mercier are in charge of coordinating flowers. Please see either of them with questions. And a special thanks to Sue Robinson and Kate Sanborn who have been providing recent arrangements.

Plymouth Day of Mourning and

Leftovers Gathering

Rev. Susan and Amanda invite any who are interested to go with us to the National Day of Mourning on Thursday, November 23 from 12-3:30 pm in Plymouth. If you haven’t been before it’s a powerful day of speakers, music and walking across Plymouth to pay respect to the Indigenous peoples and to learn about the true history of this land – sponsored by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE). Contact Rev. Susan about transportation or a meeting point in Plymouth.

Then on Friday November 24, all are welcome to a 5 pm gathering in the Parish Hall with food (bring your leftovers!), games and hanging out. Contact Amanda Adams with questions about this gathering.

Holiday Gifts for Foster Children

As in past years, First Parish of Norwell is again providing holiday bags for local children in foster care. This year's gift drive will kick off on Sunday, November 19. Since last year was such a big success, we have a larger list this year! If you are unfamiliar, we receive a list of children needing gifts, along with suggested interests, their wish list, clothing sizes, and instructions for bringing the gifts back. On November 19 you will be able to sign up for a child to shop for during Coffee Hour, or give monetarily to the Outreach Sunday collection. Alternatively, you can sign up remotely on a private website. Please contact Rachel Hughes for access. She will give you the information you need to see the list and to sign up if you wish to do so. If you have problems accessing the website or reaching Rachel by email, you can contact her on her phone at 508-873-8966 and/or reach out to Julia Traggorth at 610-416-9597.

Thanks to all of you who support this program! First Parish members have come through for every child on our list.

Holiday Concert

Join the Alliance for the Broad Cove Chorale's Holiday Warm-Up Concert. The concert will be Wednesday, December 2 in the Meetinghouse. Admission: $10 to Broad Cove Chorale at the door. The First Parish Alliance is paying to sponsor this Christmas concert and Alliance members will get in free. Please gather in the Parlor at 9:30 with other Alliance members for refreshments. Joining now for $15 will help to sponsor the concert, and you will get in free. You will enjoy the wonderful voices and seasonal spirit of this annual event. This concert is one of the highlights of the Holiday Season! Please click here to view the full poster.

Adults' Pizza and Movie Night

The First Parish of Norwell LGBTQ+ Support Group is sponsoring a screening to see a new, upcoming Netflix release called, “Rustin.” This 1 hour, 46 minute movie is about Bayard Rustin, the architect of 1963’s momentous March on Washington, who was one of the greatest activists and organizers the world has ever known. And he happened to be a gay man.

The screening will take place on Friday, December 1 at 5:30 pm. Les and Marlon Taylor have offered to host at their home in Marshfield. Popcorn will be served during the movie and pizza and salad will be provided following the movie as we discuss Bayard Rustin’s fascinating life.

As we will need an accurate headcount, an RSVP in advance is necessary. Please reach out to Les Taylor if you are planning to attend or have any questions.

Church Council Meeting

All members of the Church Council are invited to a meeting with the Parish Committee on Sunday, November 19 from 12-1 pm. The Parish Committee will be sharing our goals for the year and Rev. Susan will lead us in a brainstorming activity on the “grand purpose” of First Parish of Norwell in 2024 and beyond.

From the Climate Justice Team

Recycle Smart MA is offering a series of three webinars next week on Tuesday, November 14, Wednesday, November 15 and Thursday, November 16 from 12-1 pm. The series is "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle-Palooza". Each one will focus on a different aspect of waste reduction.

Please click here for more information or to sign up for any of these webinars.

Visit Recycle Smart MA's website here.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year. This year marks the 25th anniversary of this solemn occasion.

Read more about Transgender Awareness Week and the Transgender Day of Remembrance below, and find out additional information at https://transequality.org/tags/trans-day-of-remembrance

What is Transgender Awareness Week?

Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

What is Transgender Day of Remembrance?

Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) was founded by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor her memory of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was killed in 1998. The vigil commemorated all the transgender people lost to violence that year and began an important

Congregational Conversation

Sunday, December 10 at 11:30 am

Our Shared Ministry Team invites all to join us in the Fogg Parlor for a community conversation on our Right Relations Covenant. This will be a chance to reflect more deeply on welcoming and hospitality and furthering diversity the first two values in our covenant. How are we doing this well? How can we improve?

All are welcome to come to share in discussion and offer feedback.. (The Shared Ministry Team will offer this space every other month to create an open dialogue on how our community is doing in line with our values.)

Yoga

The Mental Health Action Team is sponsoring yoga classes on Thursdays at 7 pm in the Parish Hall. This is a relaxing, restorative class. The instructor, Susan Walsh, teaches for all levels and is skilled at offering options for injuries or other special needs. The class is $10 per week. Bring your yoga mat! Please note that class will not meet on November 16 or 23 due to Holiday Fair preparations and Thanksgiving.

Monthly Lunchtime Interfaith Poetry Series

Rev. Susan will be leading an Interfaith Poetry group on a monthly basis this year. On the second Thursday of each month from 12-1 pm we will learn about a unique world religion, as well as a poet who represents that religion. We will then read a poem by that poet and reflect on its meaning for us in this moment as well as its illustration of the religion we are centering. Join us for a lovely and unique way to learn together through the arts.

Thursday, November 9: Indigenous Faiths

Thursday, December 14: Christianity