The Messenger

Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton
325 West Elm Street, Brockton MA 02301
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Minister:  Rev. Robert A. Thayer
Minister Emeritus:  The Rev. Dr. Raymond C. Hopkins
Moderator: - Donna Holmes
Organist:  Marlene Howell
Secretary:  Nancy Smith
Office Phone: (508) 583-7775   e-mail: uubrockton@aol.com   web site: www.uubrockton.org

 

Come One! Come All! To Holiday Hall!

A message from the past

 

            Jay Rasher, our Finance Commissioner, has held committee meetings to discuss old and new ideas for raising money beyond the annual Pledge Drive.

            I went to the meetings and spoke up concerning “Holiday Hall”.  Its future is floundering but I am hoping we would be able to get enough enthusiasm for at least another year.

            Our long time H.H. has been a wonderful time over the years.  We have worked together as members and friends and opened the church to the Brockton community for a festive occasion.  Yes, Brockton has changed, but now we have new folks coming and all seem to enjoy the day here.

            I have offered to see if we could get enough interest in all

our members and friends who also enjoyed this community event.

            Please call me at 508-238-3225 and let me know if you, too, would like to see this long- time event continue or any other “like” ideas.

            Thanks for your opinion and interest.

            P.S.  With money as tight as it is now, some nice “second-hand” items could really be a hit!!

                                                            Elsie Lizio

 

Books and Meditation Manuals

 

        The books which many of you ordered through Marion O’Donnell are in.  If you didn’t get them on March 27, you may get them after church on April 10, or by separate arrangement.

           

            .

ON THE BRIGHT SIDE                                              REV. ROBERT THAYER

“A SPRING PUSH TO ATTEND WORSHIP EVERY SUNDAY ‘TILL THE END OF JUNE”

 

It was a dank winter with the cold temperatures, ice, wind and snow, and the walking and driving were not too safe.  A lot of people in the area fell down, we have been informed, and broke their bones. That between 25 and (counting the memorial service for Bob Duprey) 50+ attended our UU services was quite a feat, really.   And now the snow and ice have disappeared.  “Let there be light!  And there was light! ” So  it is no longer so dangerous a thing to drive over (maybe with a car pool), park and then make your way walking into the building. 

Now in the Spring what happens in everyone’s psyche is actually a change of clothes.  That familiar bathrobe, covering every inch of one’s body like a straight jacket, (comforted only by coffee) and not permitting one to leave one’s own house - that robe gets dropped on the floor, and then, when one is shuttling around the room, one knows that one is not being held prisoner any longer.  One can get out. 

What we ask is that everyone who reads this take it upon herself or himself to make a point to attend ten o’clock worship at our Universalist Unitarian Church every Sunday possible through June.  Every Sunday you are in town, and not captured about the house, or feeling ill.    Whether you warm up to the worship topic or not – of course we hope everyone listens and takes it in – we ask you to come, since it is the people who make it a holy place.   A near empty church at the hour of ten is really a message that people are reluctance to attend at all. 

We need to commit ourselves to walk through those doors and hear the pure organ music by Marlene Howell, to sit down in any pew that feels okay, and think, “We are one and all  beautiful, and have inherent worth and dignity.”   

     

 

Fund Raisers

Please see Finance Commissioner’s report in the newsletter.  We have two fund-raisers this month. April 10 from 2 to 5 PM, we will receive 10% of the sales at Pinches & Pounds candy store in Whitman, as well as a 5% discount for the customer.

            On April 28 from 11:15 AM to Closing we will receive 20% of the purchases made by bringing one of our tickets to Nocera’s.  The ticket is on the flyer included in the Messenger.  Additional tickets are available at the church, and Nocera’s. will also have tickets if you forgot to bring yours.  Please note that the Nocera’s event is all day, so you may go at your own convenience, for lunch and/or dinner.

Amazon.com – On our web page, uubrockton.org, there is a link to Amazon.com.  If you shop at Amazon, please go through our page, and Amazon will give the church a percentage of all sales made through the link.  Please be advised that as this is written there is a problem with this page, but you may use our alternate page, uubrockton.com that also has the Amazon link.  Please see Steve Brooks with any questions.

 

Worship and Program News

By Steve Brooks, Commissioner

 

On March 27 Reggie Harris led our worship.  He has led our service in the past with his wife Kim, and this was his first time soloing for us, and it was a very moving service.

 

Rev. Bob will be in pulpit April 3, 17 and 24.

 

April 3^rd-“The Sacredness of the Ordinary”  The fantastic and growing world of human inventions and travel – you name it – everything – is not what matters.  What matters are wisdom and friendship, recreation and clean water.  Go to that ageless humanism with many teachers. “there is a time for everything under heaven.” And it is ordinary and small.

 

April 10th- our good friend Rev. Rachel Tedesco will lead us in worship.

 

April 17^th-“The Banality of Evil”  Included will be a moment of Shoah ritual.

Author Hannah Arendt scored the Nazi Holocaust for what it was.  It had a civil-looking front, went unnoticed, unmentioned, and a lot of Nazis thought they were calmly doing a good job.  Such banality is what carries evil everywhere.  We will take a sacred moment to realize why the Jews were victims in a racist, and yes, Christian civilization.

 

April 17th, at 6:00 PM we will be having a UU Seder in Fellowship Hall.  The cost for this evening will be just $5.00/person.  Please contact Steve Brooks, sbrooks103@aol.com or 339-788-9263 if you plan to attend.

 

April 17^th- Third Sunday Discussion  “What’s up with death and dying?”   Let us bring some serious or some light thoughts on this subject.  The RE curriculum from the 1970’s was “Death and Dying.” Naturally, it was excellent.  It was for both children and adults.  Is the funeral business any help?  Can you write your own obit?  Want a parade and some Cajun music?  Share anything you want.

 

April 24^th- “The Good He did Was Not Interred in His Bones”  The myth of where Jesus went after Calvary, and the legends of who saw him or not – obscures any interest liberal religious people might have in him.  It is amazing though to know that he wrote nothing, just walked around, talked, and tried to raise the subject of love, tried to heal some folks, grew popular, and was done in by weird events he could not control.  That goodness he had – even if we cannot know it for sure – still sheds a huge light down the way.

 

 

Javawocky

Our March 26 show with Kim and Reggie Harris and Greg Greenway was a rousing success, with 49 paid admissions.  This was our second largest crowd to date.  We are already planning for their return next year.  Opening for Kim & Reggie was local artist Chris Pahud, who was very good, and we are looking to bring him back as well.

Our next show is April 23, featuring the folk duo Folk By Association, Karen Krajacic and Jill Cowen.  They are new to this area, but I have listened to their music, and they are very good.  Our good friend Tom Irving will be doing an “extended opener”.

WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP

The annual lunch and meeting of the Women’s Fellowship will be held at the Chateau restaurant in Norton (48 Bay Road) on Thursday, April 14, beginning at 11:30.  All members and friends of the

Fellowship are invited to attend.  If you are going please let Elsie Lizio know by Tuesday, April 12 and if you need transportation, please let her know and we will arrange to help you.  She needs to give the restaurant a count before Thursday.

 

Mile of Pennies

 

 

 

 

“Carefree, gentle, springtime breeze

Whisp’ring to the new-clad trees,

You bid birds to wake and sing

Joyful songs because it’s Spring.

Bending low, you touch each flower,

Telling them now is the hour

For their petals to unfold;

Spring has broken Winter’s hold.”

Beverly J. Anderson

Now our 6^th mile of pennies has reached 518’2”.  Thank you for remembering your pennies.

 

UU Adult Education

Brought to you by Rev. Bob Thayer and the Membership Committee

Join us on Wednesday afternoon, April 6 at 1PM for our discussion of Passover and Jewish Traditions.

Then on the following Wednesday afternoon, April 13 at 1 PM, come join us for a discussion concerning the Last Week of Jesus’ Life.

Bring your ideas – questions – concerns for discussion of these most formidable and significant subjects.

 

 

      HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL of you with April Birthdays

 

“Sweet April showers

Do spring May flowers.”

 

Thomas Tusser, English Farmer  & writer

   

  

          

 

Directory of Members and Friends 2011 – 2012

is being compiled by the Membership Committee.  Have an update?  New phone number, address, e-mail, or question, please see or calla: Margaret Potashnick,  Marion O’Donnell,  Elsie Lizio or Nancy Smith at-church office (508)583-7775

 

 

Sharing and Caring

 

The sympathies of the parish are offered to Dominic Paradiso and his extended family at the death on March 11 of his grandfather, Dominic A. Paradiso, Sr.  Mr Paradiso was 88, and his funeral was held at the Holy Family Church in Rockland.

 

We note with sadness the recent death of Priscilla Shaw, age 90.  Priscilla and her sisters and brothers grew up in the Unitarian church in Brockton, one of our two preceding congregations.  She sang in that church’s choir, later in our church choir, and still later in the choir of the Unity Church, U.U., of North Easton.  During her Easton church years she and her relatives made up about half the choir. 

 

Getting To Know You

Erving Glazier

     Known affectionately and admirably as our “amazing” Grace, we present for edification this month, Grace Perry, who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and devotion to this church fellowship for many years!  She has served as President of the church, Commissioner of Administration, and Commissioner of Religious Education.  (She had also been director of R.E. at the Kingston Unitarian Church).  Grace was coordinator of “Leader Lab”; a week-long program for one-hundred UU teens at Ferry Beach. Her husband, Bob, functioned as treasurer for that event.

      As the congregation is aware, Grace has been enthusiastically elected president of the Women’s Fellowship for the past 15 years due to her exceptional leadership.  She is also currently a member of the nominating and membership committees.  She continues to impress this writer by her arriving fairly early in the morning to assure that the sanctuary is appropriately prepared for the Sunday service.  (And I am personally grateful for her assistance in helping me negotiate the “elevator” each week.)

      Grace had one daughter, Sandra, who tragically passed away of cancer at age 58, and Grace continues to grieve.  She now obtains much happiness from her relationship with her three grandchildren – Robert, Brian, and Jessie, and her three great grandchildren, Riley, Emerson, and Spenser.

      Grace has been a Unitarian Universalist all her life, and in addition to this fellowship, has worshiped at the Brockton Unitarian Church and the West Bridgewater First Congregational Unitarian Church from age 4 to 18, commencing in 1948.  She declares that she “loves the church and the people, especially the children” and hopes our union can attract more children, youth and parents.

      Grace is a 1946 graduate of West Bridgewater High School and for 40 years was a school bus driver, mainly for the Southeastern Regional Vocational Technical High School.  She takes some pride in being the first driver to install a radio in her vehicle to assist in keeping the students occupied in a positive direction.

      In 2000, Grace was the recipient of the coveted Ballou Channing District’s Unsung Unitarian Universalist award.  She was nominated by our Board of Managers, spearheaded by Elsie Lizio.  I don’t believe I could excel or even duplicate Elsie’s fine tribute to the ever-humble but very delighted recipient, so I shall “plagiarize” some of it: Grace “has shown us her positive outlook and energetic spirit, her faithful service and warmth.  Her service to the church has been exemplary and now continues as Commissioner of Administration, overseeing the church office and the use and maintenance of the church building and grounds.  She is our gardener, painter, mouse and kitty-catcher, closet organizer, taxi driver and a willing worker whenever needed.”  She “personifies all that is good, caring, loving and selfless in a human being, and is an example of a Unitarian Universalist who lives her religion each and every day.  She is truly our “Amazing Grace”!

      Contemplating the above (and more), we take pleasure and pride in counting you as a fellow UU and look forward to having you brighten our sanctuary every Sunday!

 

Literary Group

 

      The Literary Group will meet on Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 10 AM at the church.  The book Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin will be discussed.

“In 1993 a mountaineer named Greg Mortenson drifted drifted into an impoverished Pakistan village in the Karakoram mountains after a failed attempt to climb K2.  Moved by the inhabitants’ kindness, he promised to return and build a school.  Three cups of tea is the story of that promise and its extraordinary outcome.  Over the next decade Mortenson built not just one but fifty-five schools – especially for girls – in the forbidding terrain that gave birth to the Taliban.  His story is at once a riveting adventure and a testament to the power of the humanitarian spirit.”                                     Jean Gowen

 

Finance Committee

 

Jay Rasher, Commissioner of Finance, is looking for a few good men (and women) to plan events, fund raisers, and social gatherings for the Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton.  Last month, a Congregational Conversation was held to discuss the future of our main fund raiser, Holiday Hall.  It was decided that the Finance Committee would meet in March (and will meet every month – if possible) to discuss fundraising and social activities for the year. The Committee has determined that its two main goals are raising money to fund our necessary activities and keeping our social community strong and active.

            At the March Finance Committee meeting, it was decided that the annual Pledge drive will run from April 15-May 15, 2011.  Pledge cards will be available before the pledge period.  In a separate article in this month’s Messenger, a copy of the annual pledge drive card is provided and can be used.

      The annual pledge is so important to the Universalist Unitarian Church of Brockton because it raises almost 30% of the church’s annual budget.

  A Pledge Evening at the church will be held during the pledge drive period to celebrate this year’s Pledge drive.  Invitations will be sent out before April 15^th to all members and friends to attend this event.  More details will be forthcoming shortly.

Steve Brooks has organized two fundraising events that will be held in April.  In a separate article in this month’s Messenger, Steve describes these fundraisers.  Please contribute and take part.

            In other fundraising news, the UU Annual Yard Sale will be held May 28, 2011 from 10-2.  This event is a great way to have fun and to make money at the same time.

 

Finance Committee Monthly Report

 

            We need clean, usable items to be donated to the yard sale.  Workers are needed to organize and run the yard sale.  Please contact Jay if you can help.

            Fund raising and fun raising are both important but they can not happen without the congregation’s active support and participation.  More people are needed to attend the April 12, 2011 meeting of the Finance Committee in the Ladies Parlor at 6 PM.  The church needs your help, so please plan on attending the April meeting.

 

Brockton Symphony

Come enjoy the Brockton Symphony performing music by Tchaikovsky, Schumann and Mussorgsky and featuring Feinberg Youth Competition winner, Noah Lewis, violin.  This is the last concert of a successful 63^rd season which included a free concert for the young people of our area.  Tickets may be purchased at church from Pauline or at the door at West Middle School, May 1^st.  Performance is at 3PM.\

 

April Church Calendar

April. 2      Seventh Day Adventist        9-3        

            Phil. Church of God            9-Noon

3          UU Service                         10 AM

            Phil. Church of God            12:30-4

6          UU Adult Ed.                      1:00PM

9          Seventh Day Adventist        9-3

            Phil. Church of God            9-Noon

 10       UU Service                        10 AM

            Phil. Church of God          12:30-4

      12        Finance Committee              6 PM

13        UU Adult Ed.                      1 PM

14        Women’s Fellowship         11:30

      16        Seventh Day Adventist        9-3PM

            Phil. Church of God             9-Noon

17        UU Service                          10 AM

            Third Sunday Discussion    11:30

            Phil. Church of God            12:30-4 

            UU Seder                              6PM

19        Literary Group         10 AM

Passover

            20        Religion and Science            7PM

            22        Good Friday

            23        Javawocky                           7:30PM

                        Seventh Day Adventist       9-3

                        PCG                                     9-12

            24        UU Easter Service               10 AM

                        PCG                                     12:30-4

            30        Seventh Day Adventist       9-3

                        PCG                                     9-12

 

Our Yearly Dementia Test

Without using a calculator – You are driving a bus from London to Milford Haven in Wales.  In London, 17 people get on the bus.  In Reading, 6 people get off the bus and 9 people get on.  In Swindon, 2 people get off and 4 get on.  In Cardiff, 11 people get off and 16 people get on.  In Swansea, 3 people get off and 5 people get on. In Carmathen, 6 people get off and 3 get on.  You then arrive at Milford Haven.  Without scrolling back to review, how old is the bus driver?

(Answer at the bottom of the page.)

 

 

 

Brockton Community Blood Drive

Monday, April 18- 1-6PM

Walgreen’s 25 Oak St. Ext.

American Red Cross Bus

Call for Appointment

1-800-733-2767

Or visit www.redcrossblood.org

 

Answer:  Oh, for crying out loud!

Don’t you remember your own age?

It was YOU driving the bus!