Enter, Rejoice & Come In

Sunday Services

at 10:00 am

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Led by Rev. Robert A. Thayer

Seeds to Grow to Bear Fruits

ﻣ

Sunday, February 14, 2010

Led by Rev. Robert A. Thayer

Judgments of Others Seldom Help

ﻣ

Sunday,February 21, 2010

Led by Rev. Robert A. Thayer

Hymns For the Celebration of Life

ﻣ

Sunday, February 28, 2010Led by Ben Tousley

ﻣ

President's Day

This holiday, according to the federal government, is a celebration of George Washington's birthday. Most people consider this day a joint celebration for both Washington and Lincoln, whose birthdays are respectively, February 22 and February 12. The observance of Lincoln 's birthday has been dropped by some states, because of the mistaken notion that President's Day combined Washington and Lincoln's birthday celebrations. Washington's birthday was celebrated on February 22 until 1971, when it was moved to the third Monday in February. Controversy continues over having just Washington's birthday celebrated on this day, as Lincoln is the president many feel preserved the nation during the Civil War.

Valentine's Day

February is the month that over one billion cards are sent, making it the second largest card sending day of the year. Gifts of flowers, candy and jewelry are also bought for loved ones because of Valentine's Day.

Why do we celebrate this holiday? One legend is of a martyred priest who secretly married young lovers against the wish of Emperor Claudius II. Or was it the Valentine who was killed for helping Christians escape from brutal Roman prisons?

Did Valentine send a letter from jail just before his death to the girl he loved and signed it "From your Valentine", a signature we still use today? He became a romantic figure because of it.

There are several theories as to why we celebrate on February 14.It is thought that Americans started exchanging Valentines in the 1700's. Esther A. Howland began selling the first mass-produced elaborately decorated cards (with real lace) in the 1840's-most of which were bought by women. She is known as the "Mother of the Valentine".

On The Bright Side

By Rev. Bob Thayer

There are five or more versions of this address, but this is the version that appears on the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D. C.

Gettysburg Address

Abraham Lincoln

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty , and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.

But in a larger sense, we cannot dedicate- we cannot consecrate- we cannot hallow- this ground. The brave men. living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

In February we will meet on the 14^th. The children will meet upstairs for a short time and will go downstairs afterwards. We will be celebrating Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year, the year of the Tiger. Hope to see you there--and bring a friend. The coffee hour will be hosted by the children and myself. Susan Davis

President

Worship & Program News

By Steve Brooks, Commissioner

Worship and Program News

By Steve Brooks, Commissioner

As I write this, Rev. Bob is recovering nicely from his hip replacement surgery and expects to be back in our pulpit this Sunday, February 7. If all goes well he will also be preaching on the 14^th and 21^st.

On the 28^th we welcome back Ben Tousley who re-joined us last year after a few years away.

"Ben Tousley is an engaging singer-songwriter with a pleasant reedy voice and a repertoire of hopeful topical tunes, singalongs and lyrical love songs. His ability to begin political writing deep within himself represents the genre at its best." Scott Alarik, The Boston Globe

Haiti Relief- Included again in this week's Order of Worship is a flyer from the UUA regarding the UUC's work in Haiti and information for those wishing to donate.

Coffee Hours We are in desperate need for volunteers to host coffee hours. If you enjoy the fruits of the labors of those who donate their time and money, please "pay it forward" by signing up to host a future Sunday. Assistance, both financial and physical is available. Please call Steve Brooks, 339-788-9263 with any questions.

Javawocky Coffeehouse- We will be kicking off the second half of our season March 27 with the return of Kim and Reggie Harris. Kim and Reggie were our first act and put on a great show. This year they are bringing along their friend Greg Greenway, who is a wonderful performer in his own right. Tom Irving ewill be opening the show. Please come and bring your friends.

February 2010 Worship Services

February 7^th Seeds To Grow to Bear Fruits Rev. Bob

Our UU communities prosper or fail by our fruits alone.

February 14^th Judgments of Others Seldom Help Rev. Bob

It is the easy way out, and usually comes back to haunt us. We UU's offer insight and steps to do good.

February 21^st Hymns for the Celebration of Life Rev. Bob

We will not be expected to sing these, so, relax. And some of these we already know and can sing. Their spiritual joy rise in their celebration, not of death, but of the here and now.

February 28^th Ben Tousley will lead the service.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

The February meeting of the Women's Fellowship will be held on Thursday, February 11 beginning at 10 a.m. During the meeting the remaining Valentines for nursing home residents will be addressed. The program will be a light-hearted romantic movie, "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" or one providing equivalent entertainment. Refreshments will be provided by the morning's hostess, Grace Perry. All members of the church community are invited to attend.

or two will organize the auction. All members of the church community are invited to attend.

LITERARY GROUP

The next meeting of the reading group is February 23^rd. We will be reading War Widows by Sally Gunning. This is an historical novel which takes place on Cape Cod at a time when a widow received one third of her husband's estate-the rest went to the male heir.

As an alternative Sally Gunning also wrote BOUND which is a spellbinding story of colonial indenture and the meaning of freedom. Anne Paiva-Thibeault

Jay Rasher, Commissioner of Finance, is pleased to report that this year's Holiday Hall was the most successful Holiday Hall we have ever held. Planning began anew this month to make this year's Holiday Hall even more successful. The Holiday Hall Committee met in January to begin the process of expanding Holiday Hall to make it an event for the entire Brockton community.

Jay will be asking the entire congregation by announcements at church services, letters, and meetings to think of how they can make a pledge to help us have a successful Holiday Hall. This pledge may be made in many ways such as giving a cash donation to purchase gift cards for a local market or to any other business-a gas station, department store etc. Our most successful efforts resulted from a church member or friend of the church asking the manager or owner of stores, supermarkets, restaurants, dry cleaners, drugstores, etc,.(where the member or friend shops) to contribute a gift card, items, or services. Attractive gift certificates will be created for anyone who wishes to donate a service or product.

The next meeting of the Holiday Hall committee will be held at the church on February 10, 2010 , at 6 p.m. All church members and friends of the church are invited to join the committee. Last year's raffle was successful. This year's raffle could be very successful and truly help us with our fund-raising activities if we start preparing for it now. All ideas, contributions, and/or donations are welcomed, so please contact Jay at church beginning this week or attend the committee meeting on February 10^th.

"Instead of being tied to how we are unlike any animal, human identity should be built around how we are animals that have taken certain capacities a significant step further."

Now we have passed 7/8 of our fifth mile of pennies to reach 4,648 ft. 8 inches. Please keep up the good work.

We're glad to hear that Frede Walker is home recovering from her back surgery. We hope things continue to go well in her quest for mobility and comfort.

It has been reported that Rev. Bob Thayer has come well through his hip surgery. By the time you read this he should be out of the hospital and in a rehabilitation facility. We wish him well.

The sympathies of the parish are offered to Priscilla Batson and Stephen Batson and their families at the death on January 7 of their mother, Marjorie, at age 97. "Marnie", as she was known, and her late husband, John, were very involved in the early days of our congregation. For many years "Marnie" was also a member of the Women's Fellowship.

It is with sadness that we report the recent death of Richard Lahaise who was our pipe organ tuner and repair expert for over 30 years.He will be missed as a loyal friend.

Do you have a spare room that needs reorganizing? Do you have an attic that you want uncluttered? Do you have a garage that needs cleaning? Or could you use some periodic help with routine cleaning and upkeep? Pam Wilson is experienced, efficient, and seeking clients. She has reasonable rates and enthusiastic references. If you are interested, please call her at 508-697-6360, or M. O'Donnell at 508-583-7442.

This month we would like to introduce you to Barbara Demars! She has been a participant in our fellowship for the past six months.

She has been a resident of the city of Brockton for six years aand also lived in Wakefield and Reading . She has only one relative in this region: a brother living in New Hampshire .

Barbara was formerly a Baptist, but had leanings toward a more liberal approach to spirituality. She viewed and advertisement regarding our church in the Brockton Enterprise and she phoned our church office and shared a conversation with Dominic Paradiso. She was satisfied with the discussion and began attending our services. She is often transported by Margaret Potasnick, our Commisioner of Membership and Outreach.

Barbara holds an Associate's degree in Nursing and served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, functioning as a medic in the pediatric situation, in Amarillo , Texas .

Barbara feels enriched and comfortable in our Fellowship and looks forward to attending church functions.

Welcome to our church family and we look forward to greeting you on Sundays.