Second Congregational Meeting House Society

Unitarian Universalist11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023

Nantucket, MA 02554(508) 228-5466

Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Newsletter ~ February 2012

WHERE LAND AND SEA MEETReflections on the life and lives of a religious community

by Rev. David M. Horst

What do we stand for? Being a part of progressive and inclusive movement of religious liberals, sometimes we take our common religious values for granted. We need to be in regular conversation with each other to identify and affirm the values that we share. Our first Unitarian Universalist principle -- “The inherent worth and dignity of every person” -- is a always good place to begin the conversation.

On two Sundays this month I invite you to think and talk seriously with me about our religious values and how we can put these values into practice in our families, congregation, and community. At the Sunday morning service on February 12, in anticipation of Valentine’s Day, I discuss “Standing on the Side of Love,” a public advocacy campaign sponsored by our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA). The campaign calls for respect, inclusion, and compassion in two area of national debate and public policy especially: immigration reform and civil rights for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgen-der (LGBT) individuals, couples, and their families.

The Standing on the Side of Love campaign brings compassionate religious voices to influence public attitudes and public policy through community activism, social networking, and media outreach locally and across the na-tion. The “Standing on the Side of Love” theme emerged as a rallying point for people of faith here in Massachusetts during our early efforts to legalize same-sex marriage and later during the fight against Proposition 8 in Cali-fornia. The campaign itself was inspired by the 2008 shooting at the Tennes-see Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, which was targeted because they welcome LGBT people and stand for the same liberal values all our congre-gations do. The Knoxville community responded with an outpouring of love that inspired the UUA leadership to launch a campaign in 2009 to “harness love’s power to challenge exclusion, oppression and violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, immigration status, race, religion, or any other identity.”

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JOIN US AT 10:45 A.M. FOR SERVICES

EVERY SUNDAY.

Sunday, February 5“Service of Recognition

for Marcia Hempel”

Sunday, February 12“Standing on the

Side of Love ”

Sunday, February 19“Getting on Message”

Sunday, February 26“Justice, Equity and

Compassion in Human Relations - Our Second

UU Principle”

Families Welcome! Religious Education

for Children Each Week

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORTby Bob Hall, President

New trustees were elected to the board at our Annual Meeting on January 22. John Rivera, Linda Spery, and Brian Girard replace outgoing members Larry Miller, Sissy Girard, and Craig Spery. Marina Sutro was elected to fill the term of Joan Ottinger who resigned effective December 31. Jack Weinhold was reelected treasurer. After the meeting the trustees elected Christine Sanford, vice president; Marty Eerhart, clerk; and Bob Hall, president. I am both honored and humbled to hold this important position at this time in the history of our congregation.

This is a time of change. Change is always difficult, but it is especially unfortunate that our limited budget brought about the resignations of our music director, Marcia Hempel, and LRE directors Sally Ure and Lizie Hagenstein. During the past several days Rev. Horst has worked hard to make sure that we continue to have great music and a quality RE program. I am sure that these programs will grow and flourish, although in a new format.

Any congregation is built on its volunteers. This is the time when members of our congregation must come forward and volunteer some time and energy. Five enthusiastic members approached Rev. Horst and formed an LRE committee. He has spoken to island musicians who will provide music for the winter services. Several people have volunteered to teach Sunday school. The RE program will need volunteers for the foreseeable future. We always need greeters as well as hospitality hosts for our after-service “coffee hour.”

But change is also a time of great hope. We are excited about our RE committee. We have an opportunity to host five events this summer to extend our presence in the community as a cultural center, funded by a grant from the Worthington Foundation. We have a strong board of trustees who are excited to lead us into a positive future. To that end we are holding a retreat on February 18 to define our specific goals. One element is to poll the congregation in some manner. We want to be sure we know what our congregation wants. We want to be sure that our services and programs serve our congregation well.

But looming over us are further reductions in the amount of money we can draw from our endowment. The congregation has spoken clearly: no more dipping into the “reserves.” In order to achieve this goal without reducing our already-tight budget, we need to grow. We need more members. We need current members to support our annual budget to a greater degree than at present with 100 percent of our members making a pledge, regardless of the amount.

The agenda for our first meeting was full even with some items left off. We are busy, and will get busier as the year progresses. We seek your support in all areas. This is a time of great hope with ample reason to be optimistic.

New Board of Trustees President Bob Hall and his wife, Val, have been

members of the Nantucket UUCongregation since 1976.

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(continued from page 1)

Many congregations now re-imagine Valentine’s Day as a social justice holiday and use the opportunity to promote Unitarian Universalist values of love and justice in their communities. Why not join them?

At the service on February 19 I discuss how we can bring the message of love and justice to the island community. Nantucket Unitarian Universalists have a long history on the island and are deeply woven into the life of the community; yet too many people don’t know what we stand for. Together we’ll explore ways to get our message of “love’s power” out there!

Following the February 19 program and coffee hour, join me for a conversation about Unitarian Universal-ist values, the ways we can make our message more visible, and how each of us can help spread the word.

Let’s take a stand for love!

“Where land and sea meet” is my Nantucket analogy for congregational life. A church lives in a tidal zone where our private and public lives meet and converge like the meeting place of the land and sea.

Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Fundraising Committee

invites you to our 1st Annual

“Souper Bowl” Sunday, February 5 5:30 p.m. • $10 per person

Home of Christine Sanford • 3 Mill St.

The Nantucket UU Fundraising Committee invites you to join us to watch the NE Patriots and the NY Giants com-pete in Super Bowl XLVI. Bring your favorite cold weather soup and/or salad to share, along with your own beverages. We’ll supply snacks and rolls. It’ll be fun to enjoy the game together!

Like to watch the commercials and halftime show but you’re not a serious football fan? We’ll have one room with a TV set up for your group. In another room, die-hard football fans will be in front of the other TV rooting for their favorite team.

All proceeds will go to the 2012 operating budget. Sign up today on the clipboard in the Activities Room at the Coffee Hour after service. Questions? Ask Linda Spery or Pete Sawyer, Fundraising Committee co-chairs. Space is limited so don’t delay!

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION UPDATENew religious education teachers are cordially in-vited to an orientation program on Saturday, Febru-ary 11 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.

The Religious Education Committee and Rev. David Horst will present an orientation program for new religious education teachers in the Activities Room. Lunch will be provided.

If you’ve signed up to be a volunteer teacher, we urge you to attend and learn more about Unitarian Uni-versalist education philosophy, teaching techniques, class preparation, curriculum options, and the re-wards of teaching children our Unitarian Universalist values. If you’ve not made up your mind to volunteer as a teacher right now but are considering teaching at some point in the future, you are also welcome to attend.

Please RSVP to Kim LaRue in the church office at uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net.

Lizie and Sally served as honorary chalice lighters at the January 29 service. Thank you both for

all your many contributions to the RE program!

~4~

PASSING IT ONby Debby Merritt

Harold L. Pickett was minister of this church from 1930 to 1940. He also worked for the MSPCC in Brockton doing casework. Because he was only able to be on the island on the weekends to do the sermons and some visitation, his daughter, Estelle P. Coggins and her young family lived in the parsonage. She attended to any parish work that needed attention during the week. She had learned much from her mother, Anita Trueman Pickett, who was also a Unitarian minister. ATP had the Barnstable church at this time. Sometimes, as needed, they exchanged pulpits for a weekend.This arrangement worked well for 10 years.

Estelle and her family moved to their own home on Prospect St ($3000 for 6 bedroom home) in 1941. She con-tinued to be involved in church work (many years Women’s Alliance and tea and bullion after church).

After the war, when we returned to the island, Aunt Estelle was my Sunday School teacher. We learned “How Miracles Abound” and “The Church Across the Street” and had Christmas pageants. Our small choir traveled to Boston to sing at “May Meetings,” the previous form of General Assembly.

My Girl Scout leader was also EPC. We learned about basket making from Mitchy Ray and Jose Reyes. There is a photo at the Lightship Basket Museum showing us in the Unitarian church kitchen with Mr. Reyes sitting around a long table.We learned many skills through badgework. I am conscious to this day that when setting the table, knives ALWAYS point in toward the plate.

After my sister, Anita, contracted polio in 1949, we moved off again to be near her hospital school in Canton, MA. I was still able to return to the island each summer and live with Aunt Estelle. She rented her extra rooms in the summer to working girls. I was able to spend a week after school got out at Star Island with the UU Youth Conference, and the rest of the summer working. I was lucky enough to have her continuity in my life for many years. She modeled “Service, Arts, Homemaking, and Family”

I later married, became a mother, scout leader for many years and involved in the Medfield UU Church where we lived for 26 years (Choir, RE, Youth Group, Church Fair,”Prudential Committee”(BOT), Parish Committee, Search Committee, “Good as New Shop” and even Coffeehouse.) Later, when we returned to the island (part time1986-1994, 1/2 time 1994 -2002, and then full time in 2003), I’ve served in many ways at my Nantucket UU Church. It has been both rewarding and frustrating to try to measure up to the example Estelle Coggins showed me.

I know she would be distressed with some of what has evolved and perhaps would have some advice for the future. I wish I knew.....

Debby Merritt shared this story with the congregation during the January Fourth Sunday Lay Led Service, which was dedi-cated to mentors who have had a significant impact on our lives. Our thanks to Debby for sharing the family photo as well.

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COMING SOON!

Information about how YOU

can be a part of theNantucket UU

MEMORIAL DAY 2012 Weekend

Goods & ServicesAUCTION

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February 2012 Worship & Religious Education Themes Sunday, February 5 ~ 10:45 a.m.Service of Recognition for Marcia Hempel Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

Today we say goodbye to our beloved Director of Music, Marcia Hempel. Come celebrate her many years of service and devotion to the congregation. Share a story of a time when Marcia and her music touched your life. Most of all, bring your best wishes and blessings for Marcia as she departs for new opportunities. The adult and children’s choirs sing with featured soloists. Children are welcome to stay for the entire service. A reception in Marcia’s honor follows the service.

Sunday, February 12 ~ 10:45 a.m.“Standing on the Side of Love”Hendrix Hall and Activities Room10:45 a.m.

Valentine’s Day gets re-imagined! We’ll learn more about the Standing on the Side of Love campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association and how we can get involved. David Horst leads the service and preaches. Barbara Elder provides the music. The new cooperative religious education program begins. Coffee and conversation follow the programs.

Sunday, February 19 ~ 10:45 a.m.“Getting on Message”Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

Come learn ways we can “get on message” and take that message to the larger island community. Our Unitarian Universalist values of tolerance, compassion, and mutual respect have broad appeal; so let’s get the word out! David Horst leads the service and preaches. Molly Glazer provides the music. The cooperative religious education program continues. Enjoy coffee and conversation and then return to Hendrix Hall to share your ideas about the message we need to “put out there.”

Sunday, February 26 ~ 10:45 a.m.“Justice, Equity and Compassion in Human Relations - Our Second UU Principle”Hendrix Hall and Activities Room

There are seven principles which Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote. During this Fourth Sunday Lay Led Service we will explore the second of the seven principles--justice, equity and compassion in human relations. Special music to be announced. Enjoy coffee and conversation after the service.

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SHARING OUR FAITH STORIESby David M. Horst, Interim Minister

Following the Sunday morning service and coffee hour on January 29, about 30 members and friends gathered in Hendrix Hall to respond to the ideas and questions I raised in my sermon, “The Problem with God.” Nearly everyone present spoke of their own understandings of God and faith, and we heard a range of feelings and beliefs expressed.

This is the Unitarian Universalist way. We are a religion that embraces a wide range of belief, yet we don’t take the time often enough to hear each others’s faith stories. The gather-ing on Sunday was an exceptional moment for this congrega-tion. Everyone’s hearts and minds were open and affirming. A sense of true community was felt.

The fourth Unitarian Universalist principle affirms and pro-motes, “The free and responsible search for truth and mean-ing.” The search is a personal one, but how fortunate we are to have members of a religious community to walk with us.

The Nantucket congregation is as theologically diverse as any other Unitarian Universalist congregation. Diversity is your strength. You are the only religious community on the island that welcomes people from many religious backgrounds, of-fers acceptance and affirmation, and helps each person move forward on her or his religious quest.

I am immensely gratified to witness the growth and change of the Nantucket congregation progress during this time of transition. Gifts and talents, goodwill and generosity are abundant among you.

I look forward to our next conversation!

SOUTH CHURCH PRESERVATION FUNDUPDATE

by Leslie Ottinger, M.D.SCPF Board President

Plans are still moving actively forward to complete all the planned work on the auditorium by May. This will include the windows, floor covering, lighting and mahogany surfaces. Also, the plans for the management of the Permanent Maintenance Fund are being finalized.

With completion of the current restora-tion, the SCPF will enter a new phase. It will be focused on regular maintenance and restoration projects on a planned basis. We will, in addition, be looking for three or four new members for the Board of Directors.

The Fundraising Committee

cordially invites you tothe first annual

“Souper Bowl”fundraiser

Sunday, February 5

3 Mill Street$10 per person

Space is limited. Sign up in the church office.

Second Congregational Meeting House Society11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDNANTUCKET, MA

02554PERMIT NO. 5

Second Congregational Meeting House SocietyUnitarian Universalist

11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

(508) 228-5466 (Office)www.unitarianchurchnantucket.org

uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net

Church StaffDavid M. Horst, Interim Minister ~ Edward B. Anderson, Minister Emeritus ~ Kim N. LaRue, Office

Administrator and Receptionist ~ Mimi Jones and Dennis Santangelo, Sextons ~ Meghan Blair-Valero, Fogged-In Bookkeeping, Business Services

Board of TrusteesBob Hall (President), Christine Sanford (Vice President), Marty Eerhart (Clerk), Jack Weinhold

(Treasurer), Brian Girard, David Hall, John Rivera, Linda Spery, Marina Sutro

Church Office HoursMonday - Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Minister’s Office HoursTuesday (10 a.m. - noon) and Friday (noon - 2 p.m.)