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Winchester Unitarian Society
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Highlights
January 19, 2017
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Sunday, January 19th: "A Matter of Faith" - The Sharp's Moral Courage
With Rev. Heather Janules and Deborah Morgan Bennett
As war began brewing in Europe, Unitarian leaders committed to sending a minister to lend financial, material and political aid to those fleeing the Nazis. After 17 ministers declined, the Rev. Waitstill Sharp and his partner in ministry, his wife Martha, said yes. By saying yes, they agreed to be separated from their home community and their young children for months and to step into "the kingdom of Hell." This service explores their amazing odyssey and the personal toll this mission took on the Sharps.
This Sunday, we share our gifts with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, advancing human rights around the world through grassroots collaboration. The UUSC is the current incarnation of the organization first formed, in part, through the efforts of Waitstill and Martha Sharp.
On Sunday, January 29th, we will screen Defying the Nazis: The Sharp's War after worship and will be joined by the Sharp's grandson, Artemis Joukowsky, for the conversation afterwards. See below for more information.
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Music News.
Please join us on January 27th for Jazz in the Sanctuary! This year our jazz performance will take you on a journey through the seasons featuring standards such as Joy Spring, Summertime and Autumn Leaves. Sponsorships are welcomed for our 11th series: $125 (sponsor), $200 (Forte sponsor) and $300 (Fortissimo sponsor). Please make your sponsorship check payable to WUS, write "concert series" in the memo field, and deliver it directly to Emily Soule. Thank you!
Children's Chorale meets every Tuesday from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. in the Spirit Play room in the RE wing. This is a wonderfully spirited group of young singers (grades 2-6) who meets weekly to sing, play games, and learn about music. All are welcome and no previous singing experience is necessary. If you know of any young person interested in having a great time while making music, please be in touch with music director John Kramer at john.kramer@winchesteruu.org.
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This is the third week of Jan Fest
De-Engineering with Ivan Correia: Main Level Classroom
Catapults with Victoria Ippolito: Upstairs classroom
Tennis with Sioux Brokaw: Off Site****
****Don’t miss this one! THIS week we have an offsite group for JanFEST Tennis at the Winchester Lawn and Tennis Club with leader Sioux Brokaw. Anyone wishing to participate needs to reserve a spot in advance and provide the proper paperwork. Please rsvp no later than 1/20 to Sioux Brokaw at queenbee108@comcast.net
Afternoon Programs:
Our Whole Lives: Meets this Sunday at 4:30 in the Michelsen room. This week redefining abstinence, Sophia Sid and Jenny Nordan lead the group.
F8th in Action: We are not meeting on this Sunday, January 22nd. See you next week at 4:30!
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Parent Conversations on “Raising Unitarian Universalist kids” January 27th, 9:00 to 11:00, March 9th 12:30-2:30 PM
Bonus RE Thursday February 2nd and Thursday March 9th (early release days from Winchester Public Schools)
Next Religious Education Committee Meeting February 1st, 9:00 AM Michelsen room.
We often have information and/or scheduling changes to share with families. If you have a child pre-k through 8th grades, please give us your current email address so that we may communicate more effectively with you. You can send it to rebecca@winchesteruu.org
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Family Worship: Heather Janules leads this 20 minute service designed for our younger members and their families.
Religious Education Morning: Children start in the Sanctuary and after the Time for all Ages go to the Main Street Foyer for "sorting" for JanFest. Childcare available for babies and toddler in the Playroom.
Growth & Learning: Next Growth and Learning Meeting February 8th, 7:00 PM Michelsen Room
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WUSYG: Winchester Unitarian Society Youth Group
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Upcoming WUSYG Events:
This Sunday, January 22nd: regular WUSYG meetings
Tomorrow, Jan. 20th: *IMAGINATION BALL* WUSYG Youth will host this event at WUS from 7-10 pm. Various other local youth groups will be invited to join us too (and ALL are welcome!) Youth should plan to start decorating/setting up at 3 pm and stay after 10 to clean up.
Feb. 5: Sam will lead the 10:30 AM Service. There will be roles for youth to participate as well.
*DEADLINE EXTENDED* for this Special Spring Break Opportunity
WUSYGers will not be going on a service trip during April Vacation week this year, but they are now invited to join Sam and other local youth for a special opportunity with the UU College of Social Justice: a week-long service/learning immersion program in Tucson AZ focused on Immigration Justice. A few slots remain for WUSYGers to enroll in this unique, transformative and timely program. Deadline now extended to Feb. 1. For more info., please email Sam at srw2108@gmail.com or check out the CSJ Website: http://uucsj.org/youth/activatetucson/
Costs are $850 plus airfare, but there are scholarship and fundraising opportunities to reduce costs.
Please email the Director of Youth Ministries, Sam Wilson, for further information about WUSYG and Youth Ministry at WUS: sam.wilson@winchesteruu.org or WUSYouth@gmail.com
To subscribe to our newsletter and/or for more detailed information about contacting Sam and following him/WUSYG on social media, please
Click Here
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IMAGINATION BALL 7-10 pm *this* Friday 1/20 @ Winchester Unitarian Society, Metcalf Hall.
*Imagine what we could do if we could do what we imagine*
All Ages. All people. Art & Activism. Costume Contest. Crafts & Creating Community. Food. Face-painting. Fotobooth & ALL Free! Live Music. Local Band UP, & Last but not Least: LOVE!
Questions: email wusyouth@gmail.com or find Event on Facebook (Friend Facebook.com/dymsamwilson for invite)
#youarewelcomehere #youareloved #imaginethat #lovetrumpshate #letscelebrate 💛💜
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A Screening of
Defying the Nazis: The Sharp's War
Sunday, January 29th
12:00 - 2:30 pm
Including a discussion with the Sharp's grandson and author of the book that first told their story, Artemis Joukowsky III
Lunch will be provided
Open to the public - Invite your friends!
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Coming in February -
A Community Valentine
As February is a month of LOVE and we will be exploring the theme of "identity" as a congregation, Rev. Heather asked the Standing Committee Exec for permission to hang a "Love Your Neighbor" banner on the Mystic Valley Parkway side of the Society building. (See above.)
This message celebrates our values and aspirations of inclusion and serves as a reminder to everyone who sees it to "do unto others as we would have them do unto us." The banner will be introduced in worship on February 5th, will be hung that day and will remain for the rest of the month.
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Social Action and Outreach
Travel together to the Boston Women’s March for America this Saturday “
to march in solidarity with communities most affected by the hate, intolerance and acts of violence we have seen throughout the nation. Together, we will send a message to our leaders and the world that the United States of America stands for values of human decency, equal rights and freedom from discrimination. Speakers from 11 to 12:00. Marching from 12:00 to 2:00.
We are arranging carpools from the WUS parking lot to the T - contact Patty Shepard if interested.
Following the service honoring Martin Luther King last Sunday, the Racial Justice Team formed action groups.
A report will be sent to Team members.
If you wish to add your name to the list to receive emails for the Team please contact Patty Shepard,
shepard.patty@gmail.com
A short-term volunteer opportunity
—January through June
Boston Area Gleaners (BAG), a local non-profit whose mission is to rescue surplus farm crops for people in need, is beginning to plan their Strawberry Fete fundraising event to be held in June. They are looking for
volunteers to help secure food donations and auction items
to reach out (via phone or in person) to restaurants, local businesses, and individuals to request donations.
Please contact Rebecca Fennel, BAG Development Assistant at Boston Area Gleaners at
development@bostonareagleaners.org
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Check out their website to learn other ways to get involved with this wonderful organization!
http://www.bostonareagleaners.org/get-involved.html
Jan 16, Unitarian Universalist 30 Days of Love begins. See
http://www.uua.org/love
for issues and Resources.
Film Showing: “All the Difference”
When: Fri Jan 20 at 7:30 PM
Where: Theodore Parker Church, 1859 Centre Street, West Roxbury
“All the Difference”, traces the paths of two teens from the South Side of Chicago who dream of graduating from college.
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After the March: Reflections on the Women’s March and How to Engage Moving Forward
Thursday, January 26, 7:00 - 8:30 PM in Parlor
Please join Rebecca Morgan-Kelly in a sharing circle and discussion about your experience either participating in one of the Women’s marches or in supporting them. What did you learn, how did it impact you?
What can we do to remain engaged in the months to come to continue to proclaim the message that women’s rights are human rights and human rights are women’s rights. That we must create a society in which women are free and able to care for and nurture their families, however they are formed in safe and healthy environments free from structural impediments.
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WUS Mental Health Awareness & Support Initiative (MHASI)
WUS Mental Health Awareness & Support Initiative (MHASI)
Creating ways to support one another whether we are living with a mental illness, facing a mental health challenge, or are close to someone who is.
UPCOMING PEER SUPPORT GROUPS
❖
WUS Family & Caregiver Support Group
, a drop-in group for family members, caregivers, and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness, facilitated by Jacquie Serebrani-Kesner, of the National Alliance on
Mental Illness.
Tuesday, January 24, 6:45-8:45 pm in Michelsen
Tuesday, February 7, 6:45-8:45 pm in Michelsen
Tuesday, February 21, 6:45-8:45 p. in Michelsen
❖
WUS Peer-to-Peer Support Group
, a drop-in group for anyone who is living with a mental health disorder or is facing an emotional health challenge.
Tuesday, February 7, 7-8:30 pm in the Parlor
Tuesday, March 8, 7-8:30 pm in the Parlor
All WUS support groups are co-facilitated and provide a safe and confidential setting for mutual support and the sharing of resources.
Check out
MHASI’s Book Shelf
in Michelsen for books to borrow on mental health, including the first book group read, All the Things We Never Knew: Chasing the Chaos of Mental Illness by Sheila Hamilton, Book
Discussion on:
Tuesday, January 31st, 7-9pm in Symmes (see below)
Looking for other local support groups or resources? MHASI recommends contacting the Massachusetts chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), www.namimass.org/NAMI
If you have any questions, or would like to speak with someone about groups or our initiative, please contact:
Maria Shepherd mandmshepherd@comcast.net or Maury Wood mowood60@gmail.com
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The WUS Mental Health Awareness & Support Initiative (MHASI) is sponsoring a Community Book Read of Sheila Hamilton’s "All the Things We Never Knew." There will be a discussion of the book on Tuesday, January 31st from 7-9 pm in the Symmes Room. All are welcome to attend. Future Book Read dates are Thursday March 30th & Tuesday May 16th. Contact
KarenErikson@comcast.net
for more information.
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The Grief Support Group
The Grief Support Group will meet Wednesday, January 25th from 7:30-9:00 pm (to be held in the Winchester Unitarian Society Parlor / go in the 478 Main Street circular drive door and to your right.) All are warmly welcome to attend.
The Grief Support Group is open to anyone in the community who has experienced loss and seeks a caring environment to process the complex feelings of grieving. If you have experienced a death of someone in your life and would like to explore your grief with other people who have also experienced loss, please consider attending a grief support group meeting. Everyone makes his or her own individual journey after experiencing loss. Our group has found that by sharing our journeys with each other, we are strengthened and comforted.
The grief support meetings start with a reading and then a check-in by participants. You can say as much or as little as you feel comfortable saying (you can also choose to pass if you want.) Usually personal check-ins last a few minutes each and should be uninterrupted. Then the conversation opens up. The facilitator usually starts off this conversation with a topic or question to discuss. The meetings conclude at 9pm. Our meetings are confidential- we ask that everyone observe the guideline that what is said in a meeting, stays in the meeting. Please see the attached covenant which the group abides.
Upcoming Schedule for the Grief Support Drop-In Group
Wed February 22nd Parlor 7:30-9pm
Tuesday, March 21st Parlor 7:30-9pm
Wednesday, April 26th Parlor 7:30-9pm
Please feel free to contact Karen Erikson (781-729-7249 or by email at "KarenErikson@comcast.net") if you would like more info on the Grief Support Program at WUS -or- feel free to just show up at a meeting. No rsvp needed.
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BANISH THE WINTER DOLDRUMS: SOUP & CONVERSATION, WED., FEB. 8, 12:30 p.m.
All are invited to our next
Soup & Conversation,
hosted by the Pastoral Care Associates, on
Wednesday, February 8th, at 12:30 p..m. in the Parlor. Come
spend time with old friends and meet new ones while enjoying bowls of delicious and healthful soups, freshly prepared by a team of WUS youth and chef master Rebecca Kelley-Morgan. If you know in advance you will be able to attend, please RSVP to Sara Delano at 781-729-6800 or
sdelano1@msn.com
so we have an approximate head count. (Last-minute drop-ins are also very welcome.) Please let Sara know if you will need a ride.
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Your winnings expire one year from November 2016. So, don't forget to follow up with your generous donor! If you have misplaced or forgotten your winnings, please e-mail Co-Chair Kate Ebbott at ebbott@comcast.net.
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Seeking Worship Associates
The Worship Associates are ready to expand their circle and welcome the next generation of partners in worship leadership. Ideal candidates are open to the experience of public speaking, have a natural appreciation for the art of worship and seek to serve the congregation-at-large. Overall, we aim to create a Worship Associate team that represents the age, gender, ethnic and theological diversity of the congregation. We especially welcome the presence and participation of youth!
There is also a behind-the-scenes job: researcher of worship elements, an ideal role for those who love poetry and reflective prose but who are not big fans of public speaking.
Those who are interested in learning more should contact Peter McEntee (peter.mcentee@comcast.net) or the Rev. Heather Janules (heather.janules@winchesteruu.org).
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Monday Night Candlelight Yoga
6:30 – 8:00 pm in the Meyer Chapel
January – March (No classes 2/20)
It is not too late to join us for our Winter Session of gentle Kripalu-style yoga with teacher Jamie Sokolowski (right)! Deep breathing (pranayama) brings warmth and focus. Yoga postures (asanas) gently stretch and strengthen, enhance balance and counter patterns of daily tension. Connecting breath and movement deepens self-awareness and enlivens our sense of being. If you have never done yoga before, or only just a bit, Jamie gives clear guidance through a slow flow of postures, offering support as we go. If you have more experience, you are invited to take the postures to your own depth of challenge. Ten-class ($150), 5-class ($75) and drop-in ($15) options available. Questions? Email fritzie.nace@gmail.com.
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Joys, Sorrows and Transitions
If you are facing a time of joy, sorrow or transition in your life, our ministers and the Pastoral Care Associates are available to offer a listening ear, compassionate presence and, if applicable, resources.
Healing wishes are with both Deb Eiler and Barbara Keyes who had knee replacements recently.
Our thoughts are also with Dick Spencer who has been hospitalized for congestive heart failure. He is feeling much better and will soon be discharged for rehab care. He welcomes those who want to send good wishes to reach out by email.
The Service in Celebration of the Life of Pat Meny will be held on Friday, February 3rd at 7:30pm. All are welcome.
You may reach the Rev. Heather Janules or Intern Minister Deborah Morgan Bennett through the office at 781.729.0949. They can also connect you with a Pastoral Care Associate. To learn more about the PCAs, pick up a brochure when you are in the church.
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When you do your food shopping this week, please try to pick up a can or two of canned meat (chicken, spam, turkey, Vienna sausages, etc.) We will be collecting canned meats throughout the month of February. This is a particularly difficult time for the Pantry as donations of foodstuffs after the holidays drops off significantly but the need continues to grow. Please place your donations of canned meat in the bin located in the entrance of the church. Thank you!
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Coffee Hour Refreshments
For the upcoming church year, we need volunteers to bring refreshments for coffee hour on Sundays. Please go to http://winchesteruu.org/hospitality-171.html and click on 'Volunteer Sign Up Form' to sign up, or use the sign up sheets in the Symmes Room.
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Flower Dedications
Dates are available for flower dedications. You may dedicate flowers in celebration of, in memory of, or in honor of someone and it will appear in the Order of Service. The cost is $45.00 (or you can bring your own flowers, but let the office know). Please go
to http://winchesteruu.org/hospitality-171.html
and click on
'Volunteer Sign Up Form' to sign up, or use the sign up sheets in the Symmes Room.
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Staying Connected
For information about:
- Standing Committee Approved Minutes
- Society Members and Friends Directory
- Sign in information for the "Members" portion of www.winchesteruu.org
- Electronic Payment Options
- Sunday Worship Service CDs and Hardcopies of the Sermons
- Society Office Hours
- Parish Minister's Office Hours
Visit the "Staying Connected" section of the "Events" page of our website: http://winchesteruu.org/events-86.html
The deadline for all Highlights submissions: Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. and should go to adminassistant@winchesteruu.org. All articles submitted should be no more than 250 words.
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Winchester Unitarian Society | 478 Main St. Winchester MA 01890
(781) 729-0949 | office@winchesteruu.org | www.winchesteruu.org
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