THE FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST SOCIETY OF MIDDLEBOROUGH
- October 13 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
The Herring Pond Wampanoag: A Journey Through History and Resilience
Jill Lauzon presenting In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day/Month, Jill Lauzon, Vice Chair and Outreach Coordinator of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, will explore the Tribe’s deep historical roots in the Plymouth region as well as their ongoing efforts to preserve their land, culture, and traditions. In her talk, she will highlight the Tribe’s legacy that spans thousands of years before the Pilgrims arrival in 1620 and share insights into current initiatives such as food sovereignty, wellness programs, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. A vocal ensemble will sing Water Is Life ~ Mni Wičoni, a song for Standing Rock. Jill Lauzon, a direct descendant of Sachem Quachattacett from the royal line of the Monument Ponds/Herring Pond Wampanoags, has dedicated over 20 years to serving as the Tribe’s genealogist. “As a direct descendant of Sachem Quachattacett, I feel honored to share our Tribe’s enduring legacy and the steps we’re taking to preserve it for fut...
- October 20 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
Let Me Introduce You to JetPig!
Rev. Beau Rivers preaching Who is JetPig and why is it important for us to have a relationship with this adorable creature? Come find out this Sunday! The Chalice Choir will be singing Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.
- October 27 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
Remembering the Ancestors
Rev. Beau Rivers preaching In this family friendly service, we will learn about the history of Halloween and have an opportunity to remember those who have gone before us. People of all ages are invited to come to church in costume and bring a photo or memento of a loved one (pet or human) to place on our Table of the Ancestors. There will be treats for everyone and games to play during coffee hour! Special music will include The Monster Mash sung by Ed Priest.
- November 3 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
The End Is Near! The Archetype of the Apocalypse
Normand Grenier Presenting From the mouths of ancient prophets to the sandwich boards of Times Square, voices have shouted: It’s over. Despite these sober predictions, we’re still here. So why it did it persist for so long? Today we will explore the nature of this image and its surprising vitality today. Norm Grenier is a longtime member of UU Middleboro and a student of the psychology of Carl Jung.
- November 10 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
Worship Service
Minister’s Message
October 2024
As memories of summer fade in the cool air of Autumn, the rhythm of nature invites us to turn our focus inward. Buttoning up the garden, putting away the air conditioners, and debating on how soon we should turn up the heat remind us winter is coming. I am grateful for this time of year when I can don my favorite sweaters to enjoy the crisp morning air and feel the warm afternoon sun on my face. My delight in the beauty of brightly colored leaves and clear blue skies somehow make it easier to let go of Summer and prepare to embrace the quiet beauty of Winter in New England.
Members of the Parish Committee, our DRE Kelly Lownds, and I are happy to announce the dates for our upcoming Getting to Know You, cottage meetings! See the times listed below and look for the sign-up sheets on the Parlor table this Sunday or email office@uumiddleboro.orgwith your preferred date:
10/09 Wednesday 6:00 PM 10/29 Tuesday 7:00 PM (Zoom)
10/10 Thursday 4:00 PM 11/01 Friday 10:00 AM (Zoom)
10/23 Wednesday 6:00 PM 11/10 Sunday 1:00 PM (Youth)
10/24 Thursday 4:00 PM 11/12 Tuesday 7:00 PM (Zoom)
10/27 Sunday 1:00 PM 11/15 Friday 10:00 AM (Zoom)
Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday meetings will be at the church, and Tuesday and Friday meetings will be on Zoom.
I want to know what excites you about church! What feeds your spirit? What are you passionate about? We want to hear from everyone, including our children, elders, and remote participants. This is our dream time! So login or bring the kids and join the conversation. Snacks and beverages will be provided onsite by the Parish Committee.
“May we live like a river flows, carried by the surprise of our own unfolding!”
John O’Donohue, adapted
Bright Autumn Blessings,
Rev. Beau
October Music Musings
Such a treat starting up the new church year, with bells of enthusiasm ringing from every direction! The Chalice Choir is off and singing with 24 registrants. The Music Committee has compiled a large list of concerts and music related gatherings, most of them noted on the church calendar. The decision to have a monthly “family-friendly” service opens the doors to more music for children’s programming. And the beat goes on for our monthly Song Circle on the second Friday evening of each month.
Our featured music event in October is a Sunday afternoon Drumming Workshop on the 13th, led by Sam Holmstock of Entrain. Sam is super-competent and LOTS of fun! Last year we were thrilled to be stacking up African and Afro-Cuban rhythms based on clever mnemonics. Bring your own drum, or Sam will have plenty to share. We are asking for a $10 donation. Registration is important because the workshop is limited to 22 drummers. Please contact me directly or call the church office to leave a message.
Thanks to a generous gift from the children of Genie Mullen, we now have funding for a choir accompanist this year for Sunday mornings. The Genie Mullen Fund is a memorial gift for Eugenia Ellis Morse Mullen, born 1924, died 2009. This year is the 100th anniversary of her birth. Genie was a well-known and active church musician during her lifetime, and this gift is fitting and much appreciated indeed! Kudos to Patricia Mullen, Laureen Gilbert, Gail Dugan, Joanne Cote, James Mullen, and John Mullen.
HAPPY FALL TO ALL!
Susan Hotchkiss, Music Director
Religious Exploration in October
We care about the interdependent web of life and taking care of one another. At UU Middleboro we strive to create a program that allows our children to explore their ideas and faith in a safe and nurturing environment. We draw our curriculum from the Tapestry of Faith on the UUA website for both the children and the youth. We work hard to allow for the children to enjoy faith, fellowship, food and fun!
Earth Advocates!
The “Earth Advocates” have begun their year, and the beautiful poster Christine Dargelis made and Sebastian Glaspey helped post in the children’s area will show our journey through the year. This year’s curriculum dives deep into our 7th Principle – “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We have started with a simple covenant and learned about the “Grumpy Gecko” and how Tiger taught him that all the animals, insects and weather in the jungle depend on each other to make everyone and everything thrive. In the next weeks, we will be thinking about nature’s interdependence and partnerships.
Youth Group
Youth Group is for children 6th grade and up. We started our year off with a field trip to support another youth group in Holliston, MA, on September 22. We are hoping to do a lot of work looking at ourselves and at the broader world. We are going to have some hard conversations about how we can respect and care about others despite differences in values. We meet on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Babysitting Available!
Nursery Care continues to be available for babies and toddlers under five years of age each Sunday from 10:15 to 11:45 a.m. Child care is also offered during other church activities.
Registration
Please be sure to register your children for the program. We will need updated (or new) information to ensure we know the children as best we can as our class time goes by fast, and we always want to make sure we have the right snacks! Registration is rolling throughout the year and is available here: Religious Exploration Registration Form (google.com).
Volunteers
Many of you have received my requests for volunteers, and more emails are coming for those who have not received one. CORIs are required for all teachers and, if wanted, a short teacher orientation can be provided.
RE Committee
The RE Committee meets on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. Christine Hoyle is the Committee Chair. We are always looking for new volunteers.
Lakeville Arts Festival
The children and youth are volunteering at the Lakeville Arts Festival again this year. We are making popcorn and selling water. We will also have a couple of small activities to entertain any children who come to the group with their families.
Kelly Lownds, Director of Religious Exploration
Featured Posts
Outdoor Cleanup Work Party
Tuesday, October 22 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Many folks may not be aware that the church owns a small parcel of land on the northeast side of the building, toward the far end of the driveway, which was generously purchased and donated by the Benards years ago with the intention of possibly adding on to the church building at some point in the future.
In the meantime, the area has become very overgrown and is desperately in need of a major cleanup. Members of the Building & Grounds Team, the Gardening Team, and our Minister and RE Director would like to clear it out and maintain the space, at least on a temporary basis, for a variety of outdoor church-related activities.
We need strong backs and tools, for any length of time you can spare, to help us with this major cleanup scheduled. With any luck we’ll have perfect weather, and the work will be done well before 5 – and in plenty of time for an outdoor RE Halloween party! If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact Patty Simon.
4th Annual Road Rally
Saturday, October 19 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
UU Middleboro is once again hosting a Road Rally on Saturday, October 19. Up to 20 cars can participate, and each car carries a team of two to four people. (Hint: Four is easier than Two!) Each team follows directions to navigate a slightly tricky course over public roads. The team’s challenge is to use clues to answer questions while safely following all traffic laws along the way.
Cars will “launch” from the Middleboro Town Hall Parking Lot at three-minute intervals starting at 9:30 a.m. Teams with the most accurate combined scores for time, mileage, and answers will be awarded trophies and medals. Entertainment (Ed Priest) and snacks will be provided to contestants at the grand awards ceremony after. We’re talking trophies and medals!
Only $45 per team.
For details and to register, email JohnNMullen@gmail.com.
Holiday Fair
Jewelry Needed!
The church Holiday Fair is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, chaired by Dorine Levasseur and Holly Begley. I will host a church jewelry table again, where all the proceeds benefit the church. When we have hosted a jewelry table in the past, it was a great success and raised lots of money. Plus it’s fun!
So now is the time to sort through your jewelry to gather your donations.
You may
1. Give them to me at church on Sundays.
2. Leave them in the church kitchen (label clearly). Or
3. Drop them off at my house, on the back door porch, put in a waterproof bag.
Please donate by November 9 as we need time to sort and prepare the displays.
Email or text me to let me know if you have left donations at any of the locations:
Andreapriesto@gmail.com
508-922-6328
100 North Street, Middleboro
If there is any expensive fine jewelry, please mark it clearly so it is priced correctly. We do attract dealers, and they will pay. Many will be buying gifts for others and are looking for nice pieces.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you
Andrea Priest
Cottage Meetings
Members of the Parish Committee, our DRE Kelly Lownds, and I are happy to announce the dates for our upcoming Getting to Know You, cottage meetings! See the times listed below and look for the sign-up sheets on the Parlor table this Sunday or email office@uumiddleboro.org
with your preferred date:
10/ 09 Wednesday 6:00 PM 10/ 29 Tuesday 7:00 PM (Zoom)
10/ 10 Thursday 4:00 PM 11/ 01 Friday 10:00 AM (Zoom)
10/ 23 Wednesday 6:00 PM 11/ 10 Sunday 1:00 PM (Youth)
10/ 24 Thursday 4:00 PM 11/ 12 Tuesday 7:00 PM (Zoom)
10/ 27 Sunday 1:00 PM 11/ 15 Friday 10:00 AM (Zoom)
Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday meetings will be at the church and Tuesday and Friday meetings will be on Zoom.
I want to know what excites you about church! What feeds your spirit? What are you passionate about? We want to hear from everyone, including our children, elders, and remote participants. This is our dream time! So login or bring the kids and join the conversation. Snacks and beverages will be provided onsite by the Parish Committee.
Rev. Beau
Featured Events
Song Circle
We hope you will join us for this fun night of music, sponsored by the Church and open to the public! We start at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck of hearty snacks in the Parish Hall, so bring along a favorite treat to share. A circle of chairs will be set up along with a portable keyboard, and we will provide some percussion instruments.
Needle Felting Workshop
Join us on Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 a. m. to 12;00 noon in the Parish Hall for a needle felting workshop, generously offered by Tanya Trzeciak. Tanya will provide all the materials that are needed as well as instructions and tips.
Drumming Workshop at UU Middleboro – Open to the Public!
Our featured music event in October is a Sunday afternoon Drumming Workshop on October 13 at 3:00 PM, led by Sam Holmstock of Entrain. Beginners and experienced drummers are all welcome to join us! Sam is super-competent and LOTS of fun!
Calendar
- October 11 @ 6:00 pm-8:00 pm
Song Circle
We hope you will join us for this fun night of music, sponsored by the Church and open to the public! We start at 6:00 p.m. with a potluck of hearty snacks in the Parish Hall, so bring along a favorite treat to share. A circle of chairs will be set up along with a portable keyboard, and we will provide some percussion instruments. Participants can bring their own guitars, ukuleles, dulcimers, etc., or just their voices – hands for clapping and feet for stomping! At 6:30, join folks who enjoy getting together with others to sing – no particular expertise required, the point is having fun and learning! This is a shared activity sponsored by the Church and open to the community at large. So, invite your friends! RSVP to andreapriesto@gmail.com so we can add your chair to the circle! Hope to see you there! Bet Giddings, Andrea Priest, Ed Priest
- October 12 @ 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Needle Felting Workshop
Join us on Saturday, October 12 from 10:00 a. m. to 12;00 noon in the Parish Hall for a needle felting workshop, generously offered by Tanya Trzeciak. Tanya will provide all the materials that are needed as well as instructions and tips. If you would like to prepare creations we can sell at the upcoming Holiday Fair, come and learn and gather materials. If you prefer to create and keep them, please make a donation which will go towards the fair. Please sign up by email Andreapriesto@gmail.com.
- October 13 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
Religious Exploration
We draw our curriculum from the Tapestry of Faith on the UUA website. The RE children will be working with the “World of Wonder” curriculum, and the youth group will be working with the “Windows and Mirrors” curriculum. Our children will be “Earth Advocates” this year. We believe children possess an inherent ability to feel wonder and appreciate the world’s awesome plants, animals, spaces, processes, textures and patterns. Together we will explore, observe, engage and rest in this wonderful world. This year’s curriculum dives deep into our 7th principle – “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” We will have an opportunity to create an updated covenant on September 15 during our first class together. Nursery Care continues to be available for babies and toddlers under five years of age each Sunday morning from 10:15 to 11:45. Child care is also offered during other church activities. Please be s...
- October 13 @ 10:30 am-11:30 am
The Herring Pond Wampanoag: A Journey Through History and Resilience
Jill Lauzon presenting In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day/Month, Jill Lauzon, Vice Chair and Outreach Coordinator of the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe, will explore the Tribe’s deep historical roots in the Plymouth region as well as their ongoing efforts to preserve their land, culture, and traditions. In her talk, she will highlight the Tribe’s legacy that spans thousands of years before the Pilgrims arrival in 1620 and share insights into current initiatives such as food sovereignty, wellness programs, and intergenerational knowledge-sharing. A vocal ensemble will sing Water Is Life ~ Mni Wičoni, a song for Standing Rock. Jill Lauzon, a direct descendant of Sachem Quachattacett from the royal line of the Monument Ponds/Herring Pond Wampanoags, has dedicated over 20 years to serving as the Tribe’s genealogist. “As a direct descendant of Sachem Quachattacett, I feel honored to share our Tribe’s enduring legacy and the steps we’re taking to preserve it for fut...
- October 13 @ 12:00 pm-2:00 pm
Youth Group
The youth will be meeting twice a month. “We encourage one another’s search for truth and meaning. We strive to be active in peace-making and other efforts to improve the world.” (uua.org) The youth will also be encouraged to be engaged with “Sustainable Middleboro.”
- October 13 @ 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Drumming Workshop at UU Middleboro – Open to the Public!
Our featured music event in October is a Sunday afternoon Drumming Workshop on October 13 at 3:00 PM, led by Sam Holmstock of Entrain. Beginners and experienced drummers are all welcome to join us! Sam is super-competent and LOTS of fun! Last year we were thrilled to be stacking up African and Afro-Cuban rhythms based on clever mnemonics. Bring your own drum, or Sam will have plenty to share. We are asking for a $10 donation. Registration is important because the workshop is limited to 22 drummers. Please contact the church office at office@uumiddleboro.org or call 508-947-1935 to leave a message. Hope to see you there!
- October 15 @ 11:00 am-12:00 pm
Lay Ministry on Zoom
Members of this team are trained to offer lay pastoral counseling. They may also provide meals; visits; phone calls; cards; transportation to medical appointments, the grocery store, church, or social outings; help with yard work; music; or respite/break time for caregivers. Contact: Susan Curtiss
- October 15 @ 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Chalice Choir Rehearsal
The Chalice Choir is a volunteer group that meets in the Parish Hall on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30. This choir sings every other Sunday from a wide variety of choral anthems, most set in four parts: soprano, alto, tenor, and bass. Membership is open but limited. Please contact Susan Hotchkiss for more information.
- October 16 @ 12:00 pm
Order of Service Deadline
Please submit your Order of Service information to office@uumiddleboro.org by 12:00 noon.
Current News
Holocaust Remembrance Display Coming to Parish Hall
This display of large posters was created for Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27, 2024, and is on loan from Bridgewater State University. It will be in the Parish Hall from Sunday, October 13, (Yom Kippur) through Sunday, October 20. We chose posters that best illustrate the warning signs of fascistic thinking. Thank you, Lauren Haugh, for arranging for this display.
On a related note, here is a short piece posted last week by Rabbi Rick Jacobs of the Union for Reform Judaism:
“[D]uring the sacred days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we mark the one-year anniversary of October 7th.
“As we strive for healing and rebuilding, we renew our commitment to creating a brighter future for all people. We reaffirm our dedication to the swift and safe return of all hostages, ending bloodshed, and achieving self-determination for both Israelis and Palestinians.
“Memorializing is a cornerstone of Jewish tradition. We mark anniversaries to honor the past, learn from it, and find strength in our shared experiences. May we emerge from this period of introspection with renewed strength, compassion, and dedication to justice and peace. May we find the courage to create a world where such tragedies never happen again.”
From the Parish Committee
Parish Committee Sets Goals for the Church Year
At our annual retreat on August 25, the Parish Committee (PC) welcomed Rev. Beau Rivers, renewed our vision for the church, and set goals for the coming year. Our vision has not changed: we see a church that reaches out to the larger community, welcomes and integrates newcomers, provides opportunities for spiritual exploration, and serves social justice. The most important goals for 2024 -25 are completing major building repairs and streamlining committee functions.
The retreat began in the church parlor with a warm welcome to Rev. Beau. Rev. Beau then led a “True Colors Personality Quiz,” an exercise designed to deepen our understanding of our personality types, how they affect our interactions with each other, and how they underlie our leadership and management styles.
Next, we examined our vision for the church – our individual and collective picture of what the church becomes as we follow our mission. We reviewed and reaffirmed a Vision Statement that was originally drafted at the 2022 PC retreat. We welcome your comments on the Vision Statement. Check here soon to see the revised Vision Statement. What do you see when you imagine our church 10 or 20 years from now?
After a stimulating morning, we moved to the Parish Hall where Tony Soares and a team of helpers (Susan Hotchkiss, Rick and Cindy Benard, Sue Curtiss, and Stephen Larrett) presented an exquisite luncheon in honor of the occasion. Tony prepared sandwiches to our individual specifications, which were served with a variety of fresh salads and delicious baked desserts and followed by warm conversation. Thanks to Tony and his team, the retreat luncheon set a high mark for hospitality by the congregation. (See photo below.)
During the afternoon the discussion moved on to goals for the coming year. We identified more than a dozen areas where efforts are needed, ranging from keeping a roof over our heads to “having fun!”
The three highest priority goals are:
- Integrate Rev. Beau Rivers into our congregation;
- Fund and complete needed building repairs;
- Strengthen our committees by developing charters, streamlining organization, and encouraging volunteers.
We took a deeper look at the immediate challenge of critical building repairs and options for paying for them (estimated cost in FY24-25: $50,000). Work may need to begin this fall to avoid losing our building insurance or facing substantial increases in premiums next June. Funding options were discussed. While cutting staff, programs and routine expenses could generate some savings, all agreed these options are not consistent with our mission. However, a fund drive has a good chance of success, based on previous experience. If funds are needed before the fund drive gets underway, we believe that borrowing from our own investments is a feasible option, provided we treat it as a loan to ourselves and pay it back responsibly. The PC has asked the Finance Team to develop plans for a fund drive and to provide guidance on use of investments to bridge immediate needs. The Building & Grounds Committee will proceed with plans for the needed repairs.
Finally, the PC agreed to create a Committee on Ministry to support the minister, provide a forum for conflict resolution, and evaluate the overall ministry of the church. In consultation with Rev. Beau, it was agreed that Susan Curtiss, Dave Kraemer, and Vi Fairweather would be asked to serve on the Committee.
PC meetings take place in the Parish Hall on the third Wednesday of each month, 6:30-8:00 pm. PC meetings are open to all members of the congregation, and visitors are encouraged.
Chef Tony Soares (l) and Stephen Larrett relax after presenting a special luncheon at the 2024 PC retreat.
October Cash in the Plate
The Cash in the Plate for the first two weeks in October will be donated to the Salvation Army for Hurricane Helene Relief.
The Cash in the Plate for the last two weeks of October will be donated to the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center (SSRAC). October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This will be the third year we will have donated to them. An officer spoke to the congregation Sunday morning the two previous years. In July 2023 they also helped with the summer service at which a domestic violence survivor spoke, and they helped with the accompanying display of full-size figures on the church lawn.
SSRAC is “a nonprofit, community-based domestic violence program that has been assisting survivors of domestic violence and their families for more than 40 years. SSRAC is committed to providing comprehensive services for intimate partner and familial violence, as well as victim services and prevention for survivors and loved ones of impaired driving crashes and loved ones who have lost someone to homicide. [They] work to further a community culture that provides safety and support to those affected by domestic violence, homicide, and impaired-driving crashes, to empower victims, survivors, and their children, so that they can lead lives free from domestic violence and strive to heal from these traumatic events.”
Their website is https://hptc.org/service-provider/ssrac/.
Rotarians, Veterans Agent, and Congregation Dedicate New Peace Pole
Members of the congregation gathered around the new Peace Pole on the church lawn early Sunday afternoon, September 15, with district and local Rotary Club officers and the Middleboro Veterans Agent, to dedicate the pole to the cause of peace.
The Rotary Club graciously donated and installed the pole, which displays the words “May peace prevail on earth” in eight languages, including American Sign Language and Braille.
Brief speeches were delivered by our Rev. Beau Rivers, Rotarian Kevin “Quack” Quackenbush who spearheaded the project for the Middleboro Rotary Club, Veterans Agent Stephen Adelman, and Joel Kopke, a district Rotary Club officer. All spoke to the need for peace, service and understanding.
Ed Priest led the assembly in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” Susan Hotchkiss led a round of “Dona Nobis Pacem.”
All enjoyed the colorful chrysanthemums Patty Simon had planted around the pole before the event.
Many enjoyed refreshments in the parish hall after the ceremony, provided by the Social Justice Team.
Register for Religious Exploration
Please plan to join us this fall! Registration is recommended, but not required, for your children to attend classes. We use the registration to help us understand the children in class, their needs, and any allergies they may bring.
Please click the link below to register. The registration fee is 15$ per child, 30$ total per family and can be paid at any time. If you are unable to complete the electronic form, paper copies are available at church. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out at dre@uumiddleboro.org
The Elsie Gaudette Award 2024
Presented by Linda Thompson on June 16, 2024
The Elsie Gaudette Award has been well written about and included in the uumiddleboro.org website with its history and pictures. Elsie was a human dynamo of energy, dedicated to serving this church in any and every way she could.
As is our custom, when a person who exemplifies the kind of dedication and love for this church comes to our attention, the Congregation speaks up and writes letters to nominate them for the Elsie Gaudette Award. It is a tremendous honor to be nominated and an even greater recognition to be chosen. There were many letters this year for our 19th honoree.
He will say he did nothing anyone else wouldn’t do, say it was nothing special, he just felt he could help. But he did, and they didn’t.
A church needs many volunteers with many diverse skills to keep the train on the track. Some skills are manual, some engineering, some custodial, some advisory, some supportive, and some cautionary, some vocal, some behind the scenes, and some professional. We have been lucky, because we have that guy!
Our guy has been a steadying influence in our church. His “real” job has been advising churches on financial and membership needs, guiding them to make good sense decisions. He has run informational workshops and discussion classes. He is an author and consultant and headed up a fine infrastructure Adult RE course alongside an earlier EGA recipient.
He has served as a Guest Minister on purpose and sometimes last minute. He is both entertaining and enlightening. He is not afraid to make us face our responsibilities and think long term. He helped set up a sound donation accounting system for FUUSM. Our website has been expanded and greatly improved in what has been his spare time.
Covid hit us one spring! What to do? Was that going to be what would silence UUs in Middleboro? NO. With Alan Melchior and Bob Waterman, he stepped up to organize the Tech Team, strengthening the underlying technology to livestream or record our church services and events. He continues to improve our livestreaming capabilities in building a new sound system.
When the Avis Clay Parlor Committee needed some muscle and help, he and others just stepped in to do what he could.
When our hardworking secretary, Valarie Ortelt, needs some help and guidance, he has been by her side to help with computer help or any other guidance needed.
His contribution to our Music program is legendary!! He is a very talented soloist, bass in the choir or whatever other part his wife asks him to do. He can sing, dance and cavort around in velvet as it strikes him.
And he is a proud son who loves his talented mother as she approaches old age. His love for her is so obvious and caring.
Though I may have missed some of the help he has provided, I am pretty sure you know who is this year’s recipient of the Elsie Gaudette Award. Please come forward, Dan Hotchkiss, and receive your just due.
Name Tags
Name tags help us all to get to know one another. If you need a name tag, or would like to get a refresh, please contact JohnNMullen@gmail.com. If you know what you want, just email your name, a picture, quote or other desired info. A symbol of importance to you, a favorite flower, pet, theme (sports; music…) may be specified. If you would like more info about the possibilities, email John with your questions. Thanks!”
From the Parish Committee September 2024
GET INVOLVED!
Welcome to the start of an exciting church year!
The Parish Committee has been working with our new Minister, Rev. Beau Rivers, to outline goals and plans for the coming year. We face challenges – attracting and keeping new members, streamlining our administrative functions and organizational structure, raising money for necessary repairs to the building, among others – but we can make headway on all of these goals if YOU get involved. Here are some of the groups and activities you might like to explore:
Music – the Chalice Choir, Song Circle, Caring Choir, special concerts and events
Religious Exploration – programs for children, youth, and adults
Social Justice Team
Hospitality and greeters
Tech Team – A/V, live streaming, network management
Finance Team – stewardship, investments, fundraising, financial planning
Building and Grounds Team
Memorial Garden Team
Communications Team (newsletter editors are especially needed!!)
Covenant of UU Pagans
Handcrafters Group
Book Club
Meditation Group
Worship Committee
Use this link for more information, including names of contacts for each activity:
The Parish Committee is planning an event in the early fall to showcase these activities. Many of the teams and groups are eagerly looking for new members. Find something that moves you and GET INVOLVED! Meet people, make friends, and feel the satisfaction of contributing to the success of the church. It will make your experience at UU Middleboro infinitely more rewarding.
Jeff Giddings, President
September Cash in the Plate
The September Cash in the Plate will be donated to the Matthew Mission Food Pantry, Taunton. The goal of the Matthew Mission Food Pantry is fighting hunger with an emphasis on personal dignity – their customers can select what they need from the shelves of the food pantry. Norm Grenier is President of the Matthew Mission Food Pantry.
Rev. Beau Rivers: Getting to Know Our New Minister
We are excited to welcome our new minister, Rev. Beau Rivers. She will lead her first worship service at Ingathering on Sunday, Sept. 8. Here is a profile of her that we have created based on the essays she provided to us during the application and interview process.
Rev. Beau answered her call to ministry after a 15-year career in retail management and a 15-year career in social work and community mental health. The daughter of French-Canadian immigrants and descendants of the Wolastoqiyik [Wall-a-stow-key-ick] First Nations of Canada, she grew up in Lewiston, Maine and settled in Portland, Maine upon completion of her undergraduate degree in psychology at the University of Southern Maine.
She earned her M.Div. at The Andover Newton Theological School in Newton Centre, MA. She was ordained on International Women’s Day in 2020 and has served as contract minister at The Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth, MA and as WorshipWeb assistant and chaplain coordinator at The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in Boston, MA. She was the sabbatical minister at The United First Parish Church of Quincy, MA during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. She then went on to serve as senior/solo minister at All Souls UU Church in Braintree, MA from 2021 to 2024, where she helped them assess their resources emerging from the pandemic and supported their decision-making regarding a reduction in ministry and programming going forward.
Rev. Beau views ministry as a communal endeavor; she sees herself as a “catalyst” in the life of the congregation. She values collaboration and egalitarian, inclusive decision-making. She has worked with churches to create desired congregational change around attracting young families through “child friendly” open houses and vibrant RE programs. She fosters healthy communication through the conscious development and implementation of group covenants that transform interpersonal tension into deeper understanding and mutual appreciation.
She is excited about many opportunities to learn and grow parish ministry, from pastoral care, to community building and long-range planning. She is eager to explore the meaning of life with children, youth, and adults and loves to bring worship themes to life through the use of visual and performing arts. She is passionate about social justice in the public sphere, interfaith coalitions, and support for our immigrant and Native American neighbors.
Rev. Beau welcomes the use of technology to enhance the worship experience. She created many different kinds of online gatherings for her congregations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, from intimate gatherings for lighting Candles of Remembrance to full worship services. She is no stranger to the intricacies and logistics of Zoom and PowerPoint.
She brings a calm and grounding personal presence to her ministry, infused with her lifelong meditation practice and Reiki training. She identifies as a mystic who is open to the “transcendent mystery of life and love,” reveres Nature as the Cathedral of Her Heart, and relates best to the tenets of Process Theology. She is someone who can lead and who can also observe and listen and hold space for others to grow into their best selves. She honors and supports each individual’s personal beliefs. She understands the importance of self-care, and she nourishes her spirit through participating in retreats, workshops, collegial gatherings, study leave, and daily practices of meditation and physical exercise.
Rev. Beau is a sincere, compassionate, dedicated, fully-embodied person and spiritual leader. We welcome her to our congregation with open arms! You may read more about Rev. Beau on her website at: beaurivers.org.
Members Needed for the Worship Committee
We are very much in need of at least one other member for the Worship Committee. We meet with the minister once a month to plan replacements in the pulpit when she is not here. We also make sure there is a Worship Associate for each Sunday service. Val O. sends out the Opening Words and instructions for the Worship Associate, and the Opening Words are also on the podium.
If you are willing to be on the Committee or be a Worship Associate, please let either Vi Fairweather or Diane Reed know. Rev. Beau also created a spreadsheet for the year, so if you know of any dates you would like to serve, let us know that as well. We are most grateful for all responses.
Diane and Vi
Rotary Club Installs Peace Pole on Church Lawn
UU Middleboro thanks the Middleboro Rotary Club for the new Peace Pole they have installed on our front lawn. A dedication ceremony will be held on Sunday, September 15, at 12:30 p.m. on the church lawn. The Rotary Club and other community representatives will participate. The Social Justice Team will provide refreshments after in the Parish Hall. Church and community members will be invited to attend.
Photo credit: Lois Aldrich
