All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church 196 Elm Street, Braintree, MA (781) 843-1388 Open Hearts ~ Open Minds ~ Open Doors The Reverend Dr. Clyde Grubbs, Minister The Chimes November 2018 Monthly Newsletter November Sunday Worship Services November 4 th : All Souls Sunday – Remembering Our Losses Rev. Clyde Grubbs Unitarians and Universalists honor those who have impacted our lives and are now passed in a ceremony of remembrance the first Sunday of November. Bring a photograph or moments to place on our table of memory. Worship service at All Souls Church takes place on Sundays at 10:30 AM, followed by food and fellowship at an informal coffee hour. Our church is handicap accessible.
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All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church196 Elm Street, Braintree, MA
(781) 843-1388Open Hearts ~ Open Minds ~ Open Doors
The Reverend Dr. Clyde Grubbs, Minister
The Chimes November 2018 Monthly Newsletter
November Sunday Worship ServicesNovember 4th: All Souls Sunday – Remembering Our LossesRev. Clyde Grubbs Unitarians and Universalists honor those who have impacted our lives and are now passed in a ceremony of remembrance the first Sunday of November. Bring a photograph or moments to place on our table of memory.
Worship service at All Souls Church takes place on Sundays at 10:30 AM, followed by food and
fellowship at an informal coffee hour. Our church is
handicap accessible. All are welcome.
November 11th: Transcending Mystery and WonderRev. Clyde Grubbs The First Source of our Living Tradition is direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces which create and uphold life; these experiences are often called mystical experiences. Many of us have had experiences that filled us with awe. It might have been a beautiful sunset, or perhaps it was a new born baby. Some people have transformative moments in really deep conversation. Are we mystics. Let us explore our first source.
November 18th: Tisquanta’s GiftRev. Clyde GrubbsAccording to written sources an American Indian came among the settlers in the Plymouth Plantation soon after arrival and taught them essential knowledge which was key to their survival. Who was this mystery man whom the English speaking Pilgrims called Squanto.
November 25th: Unitarian Universalist Struggle with Moral InjuryGuest Preacher: Alex Jensen
Last month we heard Jay Atkinson when he shared his reflection on Moral Injury, that disorientation a person experiences when they engage in activities that violate their ethical upbringing. Alex Jensen explores this idea in the writings of Unitarian and Universalists who were nurses and combatants in the American Civil War.
At our October meeting, the Board of Trustees invited the chairs of our various committees to join us in the spirit of increased communication and to get input from them.
John Cobble from Buildings and Grounds, Marcia Flaherty from Membership, and Kathy Pearce from Development were able to attend. George Goss from the Social Action and Environmental Committee sent some written information on their activities. After a review of the plans of the committees, we followed up on
From the Board of Trustees
a discussion on the assets that All Souls Church has that were identified at the last Board retreat and discussed ways to be proactive about them.
We received 3 proposals from Architectural firms as part of the ongoing grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Fund. A team of John Cobble, Jane Fogg and Mark Cozzens will read and rate the proposals as will I also.
There are several upcoming New England Region UUA workshops that may be of interest to members: Register online at https://www.uua.org/new-england/workshops-webinars. Cost is $35 per person.
Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership – Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9:30 -3 at The First Church & Parish in Dedham A workshop designed for boards, committees, church staff, newly nominated or elected leaders, and longtime volunteers who want to tap their individual and collective power for living into the mission and purpose of their congregation.
Aren't We Welcoming Already? Saturday, November 3 from 9 to 12 at First Parish in Framingham UUA workshop for congregational leaders and teams looking to deepen their commitment to and practice of being a Welcoming Congregation
Our Dickens Festival is just around the corner on Saturday, November 17. Please consider helping out by baking some goodies, and volunteering your time on that Saturday.
Joe Maloney who is leading the task force has some jobs that day that still need to be filled.
Most of all, Have a wonderful Thanksgiving Day with family and friends!
The All Souls Writing Group will meet November 28, 2018, at 4 p.m. in the Elliot Room
In November the Writing Group will write about being a New Englander. We are influenced spiritually and physically by where we live on the planet, and those who live in New England have much to weigh-in on considering our four-season location.
What do we like best, least, and what makes our region special? We know how we feel seeing signs of spring. We know snow, its hardship, as well as the beauty of a white Christmas.
Weather is not the only influence that gives each region its distinctiveness. We mix festivities that commemorate regional heroes, cultural backgrounds, patriotic traditions, and local customs.Maybe some members who have lived in other regions will share the differences they have experienced living elsewhere and then living in New England.
New attendees are welcome to bring their ideas, written or spoken. We are a relaxed, supportive, encouraging group.
Diane Doucette – for All Souls Spiritual Writing Group
From the Writing Group
The book group will be meeting on Tuesday Nov 6 at 7 PM in the Elliott Room to discuss
Please join us for some good conversation and light refreshments.
Our choice for November is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
It's 1946. The war is over, and Juliet Ashton has writer's block. But when she receives a letter from Dawsey Adams of Guernsey--a total stranger living halfway across the Channel, who has come across her name written in a second hand book--she enters into a correspondence with him, and in time with all the members of the extraordinary Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Through their letters, the society tell Juliet about life on the island, their love of books--and the long shadow cast by their time living under German occupation. Drawn into their irresistible world, Juliet sets sail for the island, changing her life forever.
The Third Reconstruction Moral Mondays, Fusion Politics, and the Rise of a New Justice Movement, by the Reverend Dr. William J. Barber II, Beacon Press, 2016, recommended by the Social Action Committee, is an optional read for those interested.
The book group’s choice for the December read is The Martian by Andy Weir. Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there after a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive.
Please join us for some good conversation and light refreshments.
Happy Reading,
Lin Steiner for the Book Group
From the Book Group
Your donations to the church are vitally important and appreciated. I would be happy to provide you with a personalized report of your pledge payments so you can plan your giving before the end of the calendar year. Please call me at 781.864.7743 or email me at maryalthea52"at"gmail"dot"com to request a report of your giving this year.
In January, I will issue a full report of your donations for 2018 for tax purposes.
Mary Mitchell
Dickens Festival and Holiday Craft Fair
We’re here! Can you believe it's already November? All hands on deck are needed for our 24th annual Dickens Festival which will be happening on Saturday the 17th from 10 to 3. Please find below the weekly schedule of events taking place during the week of the festival and craft fair. We are in need of a parking lot monitor for a few hours on the day of the festival and someone to check in our artisans on both Friday evening and Saturday morning. There will be also opportunities to donate goods for various areas and help with setting up and cleaning up. Please pay attention to announcements, emails and print media for any changes or updates.If you have any questions or ways to volunteer, please contact the Festival Coordinator Joseph Maloney in person or by email at [email protected]. I know this is a busy time between the festival and planning for the upcoming holiday season, so please pace yourself and don't forget to smile!
Schedule of events:Beginning of November - donating quality items for Christmas Attic Treasures Table. Please do not bring clothes (they can be bagged up instead and put in the white textile bin that is outside in the church parking lot. Our church receives money for textile bin donations).
From the Treasurer
Sunday, November 4- next Dickens Festival and Holiday Craft Fair planning meeting promptly at 12 noon.
Saturday, November 10 - decorating the church, starting at 2 p.m. Snacks will be provided but no sit down meal.
Sunday, November 11- kitchen food donations due.Please contact kitchen leaders Tom Bularzik or Roger Hatch with any questions regarding kitchen schedule or donations.
Wednesday, November 14- Christmas Attic Treasure Table pricing from 3 pm to 7 pm. Cooking turkeys- 10 a.m.
Thursday, November 15- Christmas Attic Treasure Table pricing from 3 pm to 7 pm.Pie making for guys and gals- 12 noon Placing of table tops on pews- TBA, please see Joe for questions
Friday, November 16- Artisan setup, time TBATurkey carving and cooking stuffing at 12 noon.Set up bake sale table from 5 pm-8 pmSet up food table, time TBA
Saturday, November 17- Artisan set up beginning at 8 a.m. 24th annual Dickens Festival and Holiday Craft Fair from 10-3.
Thank you,– Joseph Maloney
Listen wellSpeak truthBe peace
To grow in the spirit, is developing the presence to be able to pay attention. A quality of the growing is speaking the truth, and being peace in one’s conversations.
On Tuesday’s at eleven a group has been gathering to converse. These conversations are not meetings. We are not going to make any proposals for the Board. We are not planning an event for All Souls. There is no goal, but to converse.
I am convinced that spiritual growth requires practice. We know that if one wants to learn to dance, we must practice dancing. We learn steps and combinations, and in time we may become adept. But sometimes people expect spiritual growth to come of itself. If we think spiritual thoughts, it is assumed, we should become spiritual. Or maybe, some guru or clergy person is supposed to give us spirituality. So we go looking for inspiration.
But spiritual growth comes from practice. Journaling is a practice. Meditation is a practice. Paying attention when we walk in the woods is a practice.
And a good conversation can also be a practice. Only half of conversation consists of sharing some of thinking, and some of our feeling. The other half consists of listening — deeply listening. So that we hear what the other person is sharing. We don’t always succeed.
In our conversations on Tuesday sometimes we are sharing ideas, and sometimes we disagree.
Minister’s Reflection
That can be alright as long as we can stay at the table and continue to find the place of listening beyond disagreement. So conversation requires listening, even when we might want to answer. Answering too soon can prevent conversation.
Every spiritual practice must be practiced until it becomes part of who we are. One must practice conversation.
Rev. Clyde Grubbs
Daylight Savings end Sunday at 2am
Don’t forget to turn your clocks back one hour!
Social Justice Workshop
Sunday Nov. 4 12:30pm
Indigenous History and Resistance
Workshop is open to congregants from Braintree, Quincy, and Weymouth. We are in a season of honoring indigenous history and forms of resistance between October and November. Come to a workshop on Sunday, Nov. 4th from 12:30-3PM to learn more about how the lens of colonialism gives us a deeper understanding of institutional and cultural racism in this country and its intersection with other forms of oppression, including class, gender, and ability. Workshop will including film clips, exercises, handouts, and discussion. We will begin to gather at 12:30PM at the All Souls Church in Braintree, located at 196 Elm Street in Braintree. Feel free to bring some snacks to share. Contact Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh for more information or to confirm attendance, [email protected].
Thanks so much!Peace and blessings,
Michelle
Holiday Food Drive On Behalf of Interfaith Social Services:
This year, All Souls Church has chosen to participate in a Food Drive coordinated by Interfaith Social Services, Quincy, MA. This drive will be in addition to our Dickens Festival. There will be a box labeled Interfaith Fall Food Drive in the Parish Hall clearly designating those recommended donations. These most needed items will be collected through Sunday, November 11, 2018. We will then deliver all donations to the Interfaith Social Services Quincy location. We do understand that this is much needed time of the year, all donations would be greatly appreciated. For the past 40 years, Interfaith Social Services’ food pantry has been feeding hungry local residents. They depend on support from the community to feed the thousands of people who turn to them year for assistance. Food items that are most needed: TunaCanned meatCereal or oatmealPeanut butter & jellyHealthy snacks for kidsJuice boxesShelf-stable milkRiceCanned soupMac & Cheese
Pasta & sauceCanned fruit or vegetablesDry or canned beansCondimentsSalad dressingGluten-free foodsLow-sodium canned itemsCooking oil / Olive oilDiapers (size 4, 5 & 6)Baby wipesPersonal care items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, unscented bar soap, shampoo, body wash
All items must have ingredient labels with current expiration dates.
Interfaith Social Services provides South Shore residents with the resources necessary to support a healthy and fulfilling life. Our unique team of clinicians, staff and volunteers deliver compassionate programs focused on alleviating hunger, providing mental health counseling and emergency financial assistance to community members in need. Sincerely, Rick Doane Executive DirectorInterfaith Social Services105 Adams St., Quincy MA [email protected]: 617-773-6203 ext. 17www.InterfaithSocialServices.org Click here to donate: https://bit.ly/2y3XvDK Please contact Jessica McCormick or Joe Maloney at the All Souls church office.
On Saturday, November 10, 2018, from 6:00-9:00 pm, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate is proud to present our eighth Blue Boat Coffeehouse to highlight the incredible talent of local adults and youth while raising funds for a local non-profit organization ... the Scituate Food Pantry.
This community organization, sponsored by the Scituate Clergy Association, is run by an all-volunteer staff and distributes food to eligible families from a facility located at the Scituate Masonic Temple. The Pantry works with churches, clubs, schools and individuals throughout the town to bring awareness of the issue of hunger in our community. Since 1993, they have assisted over 500 families totaling approximately 1100 people. Currently, The Pantry serves 250+ families who are eligible to receive a monthly order of nutritious non-perishable foods, with special attention paid to those with dietary restrictions. They also distribute extra food during the holidays, providing the ingredients for a traditional meal at Thanksgiving, including a
FROM OUR COMMUNITY
turkey, while available.
The Scituate Food Pantry receives no government funding but relies solely on the generous donations of businesses, organizations, schools and the people of our community.
Please help us help our community by attending our coffeehouse AND bringing a canned or boxed food item.
For more information, check out their website : www.scituatefoodpantry.org.
Suggested Donation is $5. Donations of non-perishable items for the Food Pantry also gratefully accepted. Baked goods and other refreshments will be available for purchase, with all proceeds going to the food pantry.
First Parish UU Church is handicapped accessible and is located at 330 First Parish Rd., Scituate, MA (near Lawson Tower), 781-545-3324. For more information, please check our website: www.firstparishscituate.org.
For information and the latest line-up of performers for the Blue Boat Coffeehouse on 11/10/18, please visit “The Blue Boat Coffeehouse” Facebook page.
~~~~~~~~From the MA IP&L Sustainable House of Worship~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
They are having a workshop next Saturday, November 10. This popular workshop teaches participants practical ways that reducing our congregations' carbon footprint can free up money for other important work. The workshop is sponsored by the MA Conference of the UCC. All faiths welcome! Saturday, November 10 from 8:30 to 12:30 at Church of the Covenant, Boston. Attached is a MS Word flyer to post at your House of Worship, distribute via electronic newsletter, copy and paste the information into in this week’s worship bulletin or pass along to others by sharing on Facebook. Thank you. Registration at: https://conta.cc/2NM5NKv Thank you for working with MA Interfaith Power & Light to put faith into action for creation!
NOVEMBER AT ALL SOULS CHURCHClick here for live calendar or visit allsoulsbraintreechurch.org
November Calendar
Dickens Planning, November 4Drumming, Sunday November 4 at 7 pmSocial Justice Conference Sunday November 4 12:30pmChalice Circle, November 5 at 7:30 pmBook Group, Tuesday November 6 at 7 pmDecorating Day, November 10Veterans Day, November 11Dicken’s Festival, November 17 Brown Bag Lunch with Minister, Tuesdays 11 am-12:30 pm Gay Men’s Group, Thursdays at 7:30 pm South Shore Singing Meditation, Monday November 12 at 7 pmSocial Action/Environmental Committee, Tuesday November 13 at 7:15 pmTHANKSGIVING Thursday, November 22 Board of Trustees, Wednesday November 28 at 7 pmBuddhist Reflections, Tuesday November 27 at 7 pmWriting Group, Wednesday November 28 at 4 pm
~~~~South Shore LGBT Seniors and Friends Brunch, Saturday December 8 at 10 am please note the Brunch will be December
December Chimes submission deadline: Friday, November 23.
All Souls Church of BraintreeUnitarian UniversalistP.O. Box 850219Braintree, MA 02185-0219allsoulsbraintree@gmail.comwww.allsoulsbraintreechurch.org
The Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs, MinisterThe Rev. Meredith Anderson, Minister EmeritaThe Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh, Affiliate Community MinisterJacob Clapper, Musical DirectorJessica McCormick, Church Administrator
