The FUUSN Chime


Weekly Newsletter of the

First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton

April 10, 2024

Share Joys and Sorrows

Worship Service

These Are My People

Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10:15am

Rev. Parisa Parsa


Join us in person or on Zoom:

https://bit.ly/FUUSNWorship

RE This Sunday


No RE due to April Vacation.

Nursery care available.

With Gratitude from the Search Committee


Dear FUUSN Members and Friends:


We are filled with gratitude for the outpouring of warmth and support we received from you all following our announcement about the status of the ministerial search. Thank you so much!


You have re-energized us to move ahead with the brief continued search process outlined by the UUA transitions office, which has a much more compressed timeline. Consequently, we are reaching out to ministers who have been suggested to the committee and are preparing to review applications we receive from ministers who did not find a match in the first round or who entered the process after the winter deadline. We feel it is well worth the effort. If we are successful, we will hold our candidating week June 1-9.


One final note – we heard on Sunday that only half of the congregation has made a pledge for the coming year. Ministers in search consider the participation in and success of a congregation's most recent pledge drive when considering an offer. Those of you who have been planning to make a pledge and haven’t done so yet, now is a good time!

 

Thank you as always for your support.

 

With appreciation,

 

The Ministerial Search Committee


Barbara Bates

Eric Haas

Julia Huston

Melissa Kogut

Eric Moore

Erin O'Donnell

Cindy Orrell

 

our email: ministersearch@fusn.org

Please Submit Your Pledges!


As we extend our search for a new minister, the urgency of our Annual Pledge Drive is even greater. FUUSN's strong participation, both in monetary pledges and volunteer commitments, provides a vital message to prospective ministers that an active and vibrant community awaits them here. 


As an added incentive, the Annual Pledge Drive team will hold a raffle of prizes, and all you need to do to enter is make your pledge before the drawing after the April 14th worship service. There's never been a better time to invest in our community! Please give generously.


If you have any questions and/or need help submitting your pledge, please email us at pledgedrive@fuusn.org. Want to enter and pay your pledge on Realm, or text to pay your pledge? Here's how.

Pledge Drive Raffle!


All FUUSN Pledges for 2024 / 2025 made on or before 4/13 will be eligible for a raffle with great prizes!


  • $ 100 gift certificate to Blue Salt Restaurant
  • $ 100 gift certificate to Paddy’s Pub
  • $ 50 gift card to Cabot’s Ice Cream
  • $ 50 gift card to Clover’s 
  • One pair of Red Sox tickets in the right field roof boxes by the Pesky pole


View the Flyer Here

Pledge Today!
Sign up for a Pledge Party
Volunteer for the Pledge Drive Lunch

Last Chance to Represent FUUSN at UUA General Assembly


This is a call for delegates to represent FUUSN at this year’s General Assembly (GA), which will take place virtually from Thursday June 20 through Sunday June 23, 2024. GA is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) in which delegates worship, witness, learn, and make policy for the UUA.


The theme of this year’s GA is Love Unites, Stories Ignite. “In a world filled with division and challenges, the theme for this year's General Assembly is a powerful reminder of the core principles that unite us as Unitarian Universalists. 'Love Unites, Stories Ignite' celebrates the profound impact of love as a binding force that transcends boundaries and fosters connections within our faith community and beyond. Our faith has always been rooted in the power of storytelling, and this year we'll explore how our stories can ignite change, inspire compassion, and help us build a more just and equitable world." [GA website]. 


This year, one particularly important issue up for a vote is the replacement of Article II of the UUA bylaws which states the association’s purpose and principles. FUUSN’s Board of Trustees is currently engaging the congregation in discussions of this issue.


As a FUUSN delegate, you will attend the general or business sessions and participate in any votes that are taken. As a delegate, the costs of your GA registration are covered by FUUSN.


For more information about GA, please see: https://www.uua.org/ga


If you are interested in becoming a FUUSN delegate, please contact Andy Dale.

FUUSN WiFi Network Upgraded


To improve our network's reliability and security, we've performed a complete system upgrade. We now have two separate WiFi networks. FUUSN-Office is a secure network behind a firewall that will be used by all staff and those working with sensitive data. FUUSN-Public is a public network with a new password: FUUSN1326. The new network name and password are now posted throughout our church buildings.

Upcoming Events This Week

Wednesday, April 10

6:30-8:30pm: FUUSN Band Practice - Children's Chapel

Thursday, April 11

6-7:30pm: RE Committee Meeting - online

Saturday, April 13

11:30am-1pm: FUUSN Band Practice - Sanctuary

Sunday, April 14

Alternative Coffee Hour


Grab your coffee and get together with a small group of 7 or 8 fellow FUUSNites to discuss topics arising from the service. Just sign up at the Member Services table as you enter the Parish Hall.

Climate Action Task Force:

Gardening with Native Plants


Would you like to see more birds, bees, and butterflies in your yard and garden? On Sunday, April 14, the Climate Action Talk Force is presenting a display on gardening with native plants, with lots of information on how this can support these kinds of wildlife. Come check it out during coffee hour!

11:30-1pm: FUUSN Band Practice

Sanctuary

Monday, April 15

5:30-6:30pm: All8 Arts Facilitators Meeting - online

Tuesday, April 16

7-9pm: Ops Council Meeting - online

Recurring Events


Wed., 6:30pm: Tai Chi Class

Wed., 7:30pm: Choir Practice

Thurs., 4:30pm: CreationDance

Fri., 11am: Over 60s Walking Group

Volunteer Opportunities

DATE CHANGE: Community Lunch Helpers Wanted!


The Community Lunch scheduled for April 28, 2024 has been changed to a Community BBQ Lunch on June 2, 2024. Volunteer to help cook, set up, or clean up!

Patriots Day Breakfast at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry


In partnership with the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (UUUM), FUUSN has a long history of preparing and serving a breakfast to celebrate Patriots Day with the Roxbury Community at the First Church in Roxbury. We will continue that tradition this year on Monday morning, April 15th. We have a core crew to prepare and serve the meal, but we could use some additional help. While experience in food preparation is especially helpful, there are several activities which do not require it. This is a great opportunity to show support for the UUUM and to put into practice some of the principles we have learned through our Racial Justice initiatives. If you can help or have questions, please contact one of our Delegates to the UUUM - Kevan Hartshorn, Alta Hodges or Pat Rohan.

Charles River Cleanup - April 20, 2024


Please join other FUUSNites in the 25th Annual Clean-up along the Charles. We will be assigned a location in Newton where we will pick up trash and return the walking paths to their natural beauty. This is a quick and easy way to engage your environmental spirit and love of nature. We anticipate fielding a team of a dozen or more volunteers. Ages 8+ are welcome.


Please register (required) by emailing Betsy Harper ASAP.

Calling All Photographers! Over 60s Exhibition - April 28, 2024


This is a call out to all our amateur and professional photographers, or fun album makers, to share your work with our FUUSN community. Please join us for the Over 60s Sponsored Photography Fest on Sunday, April 28. Come to share conversations about your work and to be appreciated and acknowledged for your creativity. 


Please email Barbara Deck ASAP and let her know that you can participate. Feel free to send in the names of other photographers to reach out to. Looking forward to seeing you arrayed around the Parish Hall on April 28th, sharing your photos and conversations with our FUUSN community.

Mother's Day Walk for Peace - May 12, 2024


It is time to start planning for the 28th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace sponsored by the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. FUUSN and UUs in general are a major funding source for this wonderful Institute, and it is a great occasion. Please consider joining the March or supporting our marchers. Contact Kevan Hartshorn for more information.

For these and ALL other volunteer opportunities, visit the Volunteer page on our website. Have a volunteer opportunity to add? Contact Jenise.

Save the Date

April Activities in Celebration of Earth Day!!!


Sunday April 14th 11:30-12:30pm at FUUSN coffee hour, the Climate Action Task Force will be hosting a table on the topic of pollinator-friendly plants and Save Soil.


Saturday April 20th 10am -12 noon, a FUUSN team will participate in the Charles River Cleanup. Email Betsy Harper to sign up.


Sunday April 21st 12 - 4pm, Newton Earth Day Fair at Newton North High School Walnut St. Parking lot (under the solar panels). FUUSN Climate Action Task Force and the Plant Based Eating Club will be staffing tables at the fair.


In May, our Climate Action Task Force will host a demonstration of MIT's En-ROADS climate policy simulator, which can help folks understand the impact of various federal policies on greenhouse gas emissions. Keep your eyes open for more info.

Everything You Wanted to Know About Pronouns and MORE!! - Thursday April 18, 2024, 4-5:30pm

Hosted by Over 60’s and The Rainbow Umbrella


Come to a discussion about gender identity/ expression and pronouns with proud parents of trans kids, Sandra Teare and Jackie Rohan. We will go over some basic vocabulary, and then will answer your questions. If you are planning on attending the event, we ask that you please send your questions to Sandra Teare in advance so we can tailor the discussion to the needs of the group. The more advance questions, the better!


Join on Zoom.

Sign up for Passover Seder by April 19th!!!


On April 28th, 2024 at 6:00 PM, we will be holding the FUUSN Community Passover Seder, and it will be led by Rabbi Sarah Noyovitz (AKA Rabbi Noyo), current Interim Rabbi at Temple Hillel B'nai Torah in West Roxbury. Please RSVP here and consider giving some of your time and talent. 

UU Plant-Based Eating Group

UU PBEG LARGE-GROUP POTLUCK DINNER - APRIL 21, 2024


Our next plant-based potluck dinner will be held on Sunday, April 21, at 6:00 pm in the FUUSN Parish Hall. For more details and to RSVP, go to UUPBEC April 21 Potluck.  


You do not need to be a 100% plant-based eater to join the club or participate in our events. We intentionally welcome newcomers and anyone who is interested in eating more plant-based food regardless of where they are on their journey. Any items brought to our potlucks must be completely plant-based, and contain no cheese, dairy, eggs, etc. Recipe suggestions are available. Newcomers are particularly welcome, and may bring beverages instead of food.


Our monthly potluck dinners are usually held on the third Sunday of each month, with occasional adjustments for holidays or schedule conflicts. We alternate between meeting in people’s homes in small groups and meeting in larger venues where we can all gather. A complete list of potluck dates for the year is on our website at www.fusn.org/uu-plant-based-eating-club. 

Folk Music Sunday - April 28, 2024


Don't you love what you got used to

Where we used to feel so free

Come and wait a while in silence, love

And watch it fall with me – Billy Strings

 

“Songs for the Earth,” FUUSN’s annual Folk Music Sunday, is on April 28. The service includes familiar music (“Mercy Mercy Me,” “River”) and newer songs that call us to action for climate change. Demie Stathoplos will speak on The Web of Life, of which we are all a part; there will be readings; and of course lots of great music by the FUUSN Band and Folk Singers!

UUUM Open House - May 2, 2024


The UU Urban Ministry is having a Program Spotlight and Open House on Thursday May 2, 5-7 pm. This is a great opportunity to see what our partners are doing in Boston. We can arrange for carpooling closer to the date. LEARN MORE

Climate Policy Game - May 5, 2024


We all know climate change is happening, so what can we do to slow it down and turn it around? Join us for a game using MIT's En-ROADS climate model simulator to see what does and doesn't help on individual and community levels -- FUUSN, city, state, nation, and planet. Middle schoolers and up are welcome to participate, and light refreshments will be served. In-person only, RSVP requested.

Newcomer Potluck - Saturday, May 11, 2024

 

If you are new or still feel new, you are invited to a potluck dinner in the Alliance Room at FUUSN on Saturday, May 11th at 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Children are welcome.

 

Come talk with other newcomers who are interested in Unitarian Universalism and FUUSN. There will be time to discuss our congregation's services and activities and to ask questions, as well as time just to get to know one another.

 

Please RSVP to Pat Rohan at jprohan@verizon.net or 617-852-5290 to tell us if you can come and what you would like to bring (suggestions: an appetizer, main dish, side dish, salad, or dessert that serves 6-­‐8  people). We will provide beverages.

Green Sanctuary Meeting - May 11, 2024


FUUSN's Climate Action Task Force will be meeting in the Children's Chapel from 10am-11:30 on Saturday, May 11th. All are invited to attend. We will be discussing how to enroll our congregation in the Green Sanctuary 2030 program.

Kudos Corner

Thank you to all the volunteers who showed up and helped to make the April 7 Community lunch a great success. A small army of volunteers pitched in cooking on Saturday, setting up, serving and cleaning up on Sunday. Some of you had chosen your roles and some of you just walked in and rolled up your sleeves to help: Barbara Niles, Bing Boucher, Bob Persons, Christian Dame, Connie Stubbs, Demie Stathoplos, Denise Joseph, Elaine Becker, Emily Gelbert, Jean Chaisson, Judy Curby, Linda Ross, Lisa Gresser, Lucy Boyle, Sheryl Bauer, Wendy Schwartz, Neil Kleinman, Ron Margolin, John Dundon, Bobbie Sproat, Norm Thibeault, Kate Thibeault, Dede Vittori, Constance Stubbs, Barbara Bates.


A fabulous chili-soup and cornbread lunch was enjoyed by all. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, ate and participated in the community lunch.

Submit News and Events

Have a news item you want to share? Want to schedule a FUUSN Event? Please use our web forms! Note that any event using physical space at FUUSN must be approved by Fran, and until you receive confirmation from her, that event will not be scheduled or added to our Events calendar.


Submissions to the newsletter must be sent in by the previous Tuesday at 9am. Submissions to the Order of Service must be sent in by the previous Thursday at 9am.

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FUUSN Contacts


First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton www.fuusn.org | 617-527-3203

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