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NORTHSHORE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH THE ADVANCE • FEBRUARY 2015

323 Locust Street Danvers, MA 01923 • 978-774-7582

nsuu@verizon.net www.nsuu.org FEBRUARY 1 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am

“What Will You Call This Speech?” Bonnie Hurd Smith, Historian

The Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church represents the 1966 merger of Danvers and Peabody churches. There was once a separate Unitarian church and a Universalist church in each town; these founding “grandparent” churches are fondly remembered by some of the older members of today’s congregation. The origins of the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church go back to the first Universalist church in Danvers, in 1815. In Peabody, the Unitarians started the Park Street Church in 1825. Bonnie Hurd Smith’s talk will touch on events over the past 200 years that affected the churches and their communities. Service Leader: Tracee Kneeland.

FEBRUARY 8 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am

“I Got Plenty o’ Nuttin” Rev. Charles Wilson

In this sermon I would like us to join the discussion between beauty and adornment, and luxury versus simplicity, solitude, and the study of sagacious minds. We’ll listen again to H.D. Thoreau at Walden—with inspiration from Porgy. To refine the soul, Thoreau demonstrates by words and daily living a simple path to a more fulfilling life. He said, and I agree, we must balance the acquisition of accessories with the necessaries, for the good of the planet, as well as our own personal wellbeing...Charles Wilson. Service Leader: Jennifer Revill. FEBRUARY 15 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am

“Blind Man’s Bluff” Barbara Schreur

Darkness and light have often been used metaphorically to refer to different spiritual or existential states. Here in New England, however, it’s also easy to recognize darkness and light as literal, physical states into and out of which we all move. Is there really anything so bright as the sun on freshly fallen snow here in the Northeast? And is there anything more conducive to blankets, soup, and good books than the fact that it starts getting dark by 5 p.m. here in the winter? What can we learn about ourselves from the ways in which we respond to light and to dark? We’ll look at the extraordinary life and writings of a Frenchman named Jacques Lusseyran who published a memoir about his experience of becoming blind at age 8 due to an accident, and ended up as a leader of the French Resistance in WWII, interred in and eventually rescued from the Buchenwald concentration camp. Service Leader: Helen Brandt. FEBRUARY 22 SUNDAY SERVICE 10:30 am

Roots Service What are your spiritual roots? In this traditional service some of our members will share their spiritual journeys with us. We will reflect on the spiritual roots from which we have grown. For many of us it may be a story of the church in which we were raised. We probably remember the messages, spiritual or otherwise, that our family gave to us. Coming of age might have presented us with many questions and challenges of belief that most likely shape our beliefs. Peers, teachers and social/political events may have played a role as well. Even in adulthood our life experiences and dilemmas may have caused us to re-examine our beliefs at least one more time. Service Leader: Helen Brandt.

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Excerpts from January 13, 2015 Board Meeting

Ferry Beach Brian requested a board decision on whether or not to accept the Ferry Beach dates in September. An informal poll of members via email revealed no overwhelming consensus either way. There was discussion of other options, and it was decided that more information should be obtained about Star Island in New Hampshire and that the board will revisit the issue after more investigation. The board agreed unanimously to not make a reservation at Ferry Beach for September 2015. Transition Team Update Brian reported for the Transition Team that the recruitment packet is nearing completion and posting for the position for part-time minister should be done by January 31. Brian has been in touch with local ministers and congregations to get a sense of what openings are coming up in the area and how churches are handling their ministerial positions. Currently, one candidate has expressed continuing interest in the position and there may be the possibility of another. The Transition Team will be meeting in February to make plans for the interview phase of the process. Street Sign Update The revised quote for the installation of the new sign is $4,750.00. The sign is 3’ shorter than the original design as required by the Town of Danvers. Early Discoveries will be billed $812 for their smaller sign which will be part of the overall permanent installation. There is an electrical quote of $1,500 to wire the lighting for the new sign. It was noted that the board had voted in the fall to take an estimated $7,000 out of the Bequest Fund to pay for the sign and replace those funds when the $20,000 signing bonus for the revised cell tower contract from American Tower is received. There was discussion of the need for a weekly announcement of services, and it was agreed that a portable “sandwich board,” similar to the one used for Harvest Festival in the fall, should be purchased to provide notices of services and events, eliminating the need for printing the large poster-size announcements. Religious Exploration Director’s Report Meryl reported that the middle school group is going to remain with the congregation on Sunday, January 18, to watch the History Alive performance of “Cry Innocent.” Parents have been informed as the witch trial subject matter is mature. Younger children will have their Sunday lessons as usual. The Junior Youth Group will be finishing their Cradles to Crayons backpacks and preparing for their delivery to displaced children. Meryl is exploring, with a former DRE at Reading, an opportunity for a cross-cultural experience in Lynn. The Senior Youth Group, which has merged with the Beverly group, sold hot chocolate at Beverly’s First Night celebration and raised over $500. They will use part of this to pay the $200 donation requested for the Lucy Stone Cooperative visit. This Friday, 1/16, is movie night for the Senior Youth Group, and they have invited the Cape Ann group to join them. The SYG will also be cooking and serving dinner at Lifebridge on January 22. RE is hosting a Family Game Night on January 27; all are invited to come to play charades, Twister, and board games. Treasurer’s Report Vanessa reported that the budget is in good shape 75% of the way through the year. She noted that the $726 replacement check from the IRS for the FICA adjustments has been received and deposited. She also confirmed with Lois Markham that the $250 speaker fee for Bill Gardner’s talk on Jobs Not Jails is correctly a Religious Services expense and not a Social Action Committee expense. Vanessa noted that proceeds from the Year-End Appeal were $1,582.00 and the SERRV sale net proceeds were $166.15. The Sound Reduction Appeal raised $3,994.27, over the goal of 75% of the total cost of the project.

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Administrator’s Report Nancy provided a detailed report of the church activity during the last month. She noted that Christmas Dinner with Friends was not as well attended as in recent years and that the board should consider appointing a coordinator for the event who could focus on outreach to the community and coordination of donations and volunteers. Nancy also brought to the attention of the board the need for more oversight of visitor follow-through. She has met with Chris Ruggles of the Membership Committee, and they are creating a plan for following up with visitors. They are also in the process of contacting members who have not been attending. After completing some of this clean-up work on the membership database, they will work together to begin the annual pledge drive. In other administrative items, the board agreed to provide a stipend to the Church Administrator for church-related use of her personal cell phone. Other Business The acoustic panels have been installed and were a noticeable improvement at last Sunday’s coffee hour. Gary Nelson has agreed to supervise a volunteer painting day in February to paint Fellowship Hall, and the call for volunteers has been put out. Circle Dinners for January, February and maybe March are being planned, and Leonard Swanson has asked for help coordinating these. Tickets are available now and at the door for the Bonnie Anderson piano and brass concert on Friday, February 6, at 7:30 p.m., and plans are under way for “An Evening of Musing and Music” on Saturday, May 16. Brian spoke to Chris Ruggles who has agreed to chair the Annual Canvass again this year. Brian will speak to him about strategizing the message for this year’s canvass to include the salary necessary to hire a new minister. Bob briefly reviewed several names of people who have not yet signed the visitor book but have been attending; they could be candidates for membership during the upcoming canvass. There are currently 97 members, a slight decrease from last year. Bob noted that negotiations with Early Discoveries for renewing their lease should begin in March. Negotiating points will include paying for plowing the driveway when schools are closed, which costs are now being paid by the church, which is usually closed also. New Business Brian has been in touch with staff at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry in Roxbury to begin conversations about possibly setting up an exchange program of some sort with an urban congregation. Piano and Brass Concert Friday, February 6th Bonnie Anderson and Joseph Foley will present a concert of piano and brass music at 7:30pm on Friday, February 6, at the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church. As part of the release tour for their CD “Nightsongs,” they will play duets from Joseph Peasley’s “Nightsongs,” Strauss, Hindemuth, and more. You can meet the artists during the intermission reception, during which light refreshments will be served. “Nightsongs” CDs will be available for purchase. Concert tickets are $25. (If you would like a preview of the concert music, go to the Kickstarter website; link to Trumpet & Piano Chamber Music, Joe Foley and Bonnie Anderson.) Concert intermission refreshments During the concert intermission and reception, light refreshments will be served. We plan to include wine, cheese and crackers, and finger desserts. Please see the sign-up sheets in the Fellowship Hall for donations. OR email Dona McDuff at dmcduff_spofford@hotmail.com.

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What membership means Membership has different meanings for different people. For some, it may be a way of outwardly acknowledging a private commitment to our religion, Unitarian Universalism. For others, it may reflect the desire to join this particular religious community, and take responsibility for its growth and well-being.

Signing the membership book is the beginning of a new relationship. As a member of the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church, you are a full participant in our liberal religious congregation. We encourage you to become involved in ways which will nourish you spiritually. We urge you to empower yourself to search for new truths and meaning. Although we know that each person’s spiritual journey is unique, we are all involved in seeking what is sacred in life. We pledge to support you on your spiritual journey. Know that your community stands behind you on this journey by challenging you to give of yourself to others, by urging you to ask the hard questions, by listening, by caring.

We welcome you and the unique talents you bring to share with this congregation and the Unitarian Universalist Association. Religious Exploration Our youngest members continue to work within the Superhero curriculum. We are also trying to put together a musical piece with Judy Putnam for the Easter service. The Jr. Youth Group will be finishing up their Cradles to Crayons project and the backpacks will be delivered for use with displaced children. Our Justice Creators group did a wonderful job with this project and should be commended for their community work! The Senior Youth group will be visiting the Lucy Stone Cooperative in West Roxbury on February 1st for an evening of community education and fellowship. This month this group will also cook at Lifebridge and participate at a youth CON in North Andover. The RE newsletter can be found on the website under the RE tab. Please take a look at it for more detailed month to month information about our programs! Announcing a contest! Kids! Youths! Grownups! We need your help in designing a logo or emblem to identify our Northshore Church Jubilee. We will be celebrating our church’s origins throughout 2015, up to the autumn of 2017, and we need an attractive design for online or printed notices of the many events we’ll be holding. Your emblem or logo should symbolize our church’s continuity as a spiritual community in Danvers and Peabody over the past 200 years. Please submit your entries no later than the Start of Spring, March 20 this year, to Iain at igoddarda@aol.com. Include a description of what your emblem means to us. A prize will be awarded for the best design!

News from the Social Action Committee

February 1 – Food Sunday to Benefit the Danvers Food Pantry: Good nutrition is essential for good health and easy to donate. Please consider giving food in one of the following ways: 2 food items – one appropriate for a family with children and one for a senior, checks made out to “Danvers Food Pantry” or gift cards to a grocery store or store that sells basic necessities

Food donations may be placed in the Food Pantry basket in Fellowship Hall. Check or gift card donations may be given to Nelson, Gwen or Daniel Scottgale to deliver for you. Thanks for sharing with others! February 22 – Lunch and a Movie: Join the Social Action Committee for lunch and movie as we continue our exploration of poverty in the United States.

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February 22– Share-the-Plate: The collection taken up on February will be donated to Family Promise North Shore Boston. Please see below for a description of the organization, which volunteers from NSUU have been supporting for about a year now. If you wish to donate by check on February 22, please make the check out to Family Promise North Shore Boston.

Family Promise North Shore Boston: Family Promise North Shore Boston is a non-profit, interfaith hospitality network that provides temporary shelter, meals, hospitality, and case management for families experiencing homelessness on the North Shore of Boston. Family Promise is committed to keeping families together during their time of homelessness and to helping them through the process of finding support and housing.

The work of Family Promise is accomplished through the participation of hundreds of volunteers from North Shore congregations. There are two tiers of commitment for faith communities: host congregations, which house the families overnight for a week at a time, and support congregations. NSUU (the building) does not qualify as a host congregation. We are a support congregation. Volunteers from support congregations cook and serve meals, play with children and help them with homework, and show compassion and respect to the families in this program while sharing a sense of community. Each volunteer signs up for a single two-hour function — just four times a year. Family Promise North Shore Boston currently has approximately 800 trained volunteers that are actively helping families across the North Shore.

During the day, families in the program receive services at headquarters at 330 Rantoul Street in Beverly. A van transports guest families to and from headquarters. Families can receive mail, catch the school bus, and get ready for the day. Headquarters, also known as the Day Center, serves as home base for job hunting and connecting with critical services. It also provides a safe location for kids to continue their usual school routine despite the jarring and sometimes traumatic nature of homelessness. At headquarters, Family Promise North Shore Boston employs a full-time social worker devoted exclusively to helping these families. This committed professional connects with local service agencies to help families find housing, jobs, and other services.

Currently, the Social Action Committee is developing a group of volunteers from NSUU. After completing a two-hour orientation program, a volunteer commits to two hours of service four times a year. The organization is especially in need of volunteers to staff the Day Center on weekends. Please contact Cathy Sullivan-Bradley if you are interested in volunteering. Contact her at catherinegaia@comcast.net or 978-335-7878.

Share-the-Plate Applications: The Social Action Committee welcomes proposals for the share-the-plate program. If you support a charitable organization whose goals are consistent with UU principles, please consider submitting an application for that organization to share the plate. Blank application forms are posted on the Social Action Committee bulletin board at front of Fellowship Hall.

New Common Read: The next common read for NSUU is Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving. From the Amazon website: “Waking Up White is the book Irving wishes someone had handed her decades ago. By sharing her sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, she offers a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As Irving unpacks her own long-held beliefs about colorblindness, being a good person, and wanting to help people of color, she reveals how each of these well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated her ill-conceived ideas about race. She also explains why and how she’s changed the way she talks about racism, works in racially mixed groups, and understands the antiracism movement as a whole.” If you decide to buy the book from Amazon, remember to enter the Amazon website through NSUU’s site to support the church.

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Operation Troop Support: We’ve received a request from Dick Moody of OTS: “The troops are asking for popcorn and snacks. These donations would be appreciated and will be sent as soon as we receive them.” These and other donations may be left in the Operation Troop Support box in Fellowship Hall.

Sunday-Night Suppers at Lifebridge: Thanks to a dedicated crew of team leaders, who plan and organize, and volunteers, who buy food, cook, and serve, we provide a hot meal for about one hundred clients of Lifebridge in Salem on the fourth Sunday of each month. We welcome new volunteers. We are now signing up volunteers for the March 22 and April 26 dinners. The time commitment is 5:00 to 7:00 PM. You can sign up on the white board in Fellowship Hall. If you would like to donate money for the purchase of food, you can make out a check to NSUU, write “Lifebridge” in the memo line, and put your check in the offering any Sunday. Green Sanctuary: The Social Action Committee has formed a subcommittee to explore the process of becoming a Green Sanctuary. The subcommittee is open to anyone in the congregation. If you are interested in joining the subcommittee, please contact one of the two co-chairs: Lynette Gray or Gwen Scottgale.

Chocolate Scorecard: The State Department’s 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report notes that children from Mali, Benin, Togo, and Burkina Faso are found working on cocoa farms in Cote D’Ivoire, victims of human trafficking. In 2011, Tulane University estimated that 1.8 million children are involved in harvesting cocoa in West Africa. What can you do to support chocolate companies that are working to ensure a fair supply chain? First, check out Green America’s Chocolate Scorecard, posted on the Social Action Committee bulletin board, or download the scorecard at http://bit.ly/1xAp3YO. Next, buy some fair-trade chocolate from the Tuesday Morning Small Group Ministry’s table in Fellowship Hall. Just $4 for a large bar.

While you’re on Green America’s website, check out the National Green Pages, which lists environmentally friendly products in many categories.

The Social Action Committee welcomes new members. Our next meeting is Sunday, February 8, after the service. Contact Lois Markham for more information.