Second Congregational Meeting House Society
Unitarian Universalist 11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023 Nantucket, MA 02554 (508) 228-5466
Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Newsletter ~ June 2012
WHERE LAND AND SEA MEET
JOIN US AT 10:45 A.M. FOR SERVICES EVERY SUNDAY.
Reflections on the life and lives of a religious community by Rev. David M. Horst What’s in a name? Quite a lot!
Families Welcome!
How good we feel on Sunday mornings when we are greeted by name and can do likewise -- and how embarrassed we feel when we forget someone’s name. The solution is simple: Wear your name badge! If everyone wears a name badge every Sunday we’ll all be on a first-name basis. We’re a large enough congregation that no one can be expected to know everyone’s name, so pick up your name badge from the greeter as soon as you arrive on Sunday, wear it during the service and coffee hour, and then be sure to return it so it’s ready for you the next time you come to the Meeting House. If you’re a summer member, we’ll have your name badge waiting for you. If you need a new or corrected badge, be sure to put your name on the clipboard at the sanctuary entrance. In the same spirit, when you have occasion to speak at the worship service, in the children’s circle, or during coffee hour, remember to say your name. We have visitors and returning friends with us every week, and there’s no better way to express warmth and hospitality. Remember, too, that not every visitor or newcomer knows the Unitarian Universalist “insider talk” -- say “Unitarian Universalist” instead of the shortened “UU” and avoid “RE” in favor of “religious education.” Use the full names of our association, Unitarian Universalist Association, and our district, Ballou Channing District, as well. The names of our congregation and the place we gather matter, too. I have it on good authority that the legal name of the congregation is the Second Congregational Meeting House Society, adapted in this or similar form at the founding of the congregation in 1809. The addition of “Unitarian Universalist” was added at some point after the consolidation of the Unitarian and Universalist congregations in 1962 and our joining as a member of the new association. While we should honor the historical and legal basis of the congregational name, the Second Congregational Meeting House Society, Unitarian Universalist, is a mouthful; so I use “Unitarian Universalist congregation” for short. Although the description of us as a “church” is certainly correct, I think “congregation” is a more inclusive and welcoming term. The topic of “what do we call ourselves” came up in a recent meeting of an ad hoc Publicity Committee. In the world of marketing and public relations (even our little world here on the island!), it’s important to have a single name and to use that name consistently in all communications both within the organization and throughout the community. The consensus at that meeting was to call ourselves the Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in our communications -- Meeting House for short. (continued on page 3)
Religious Education and Childcare for Children
Sunday, June 3 “World Oceans Day”
Sunday, June 10
“Pride Celebration Sunday”
Sunday, June 17
“Honoring Our Fathers”
Sunday, June 24
“What Is Our Ministry?”
JOIN THE NEW COMMUNITY CHORALE STARTING JUNE 16
SOUTH CHURCH PRESERVATION FUND UPDATE by Leslie W. Ottinger, SCPF Chair
Diane Lehman, Acting Director of Music, and David Horst, Interim Minister, invite singers of all abilities and all ages to join the new Community Folk Chorale beginning Saturday morning, June 16, at 10 a.m. in the sanctuary. Come sing in a welcoming and relaxed setting and learn a wide repertoire of folk, pop, and world music. Invite your family and friends. Parents and children are especially welcome.
The reopening of the Auditorium on Memorial Day marked the end of the projected restoration work on the Meeting House that was begun in 2002. At that time it had become clear that a major effort to restore and repair the building was again needed, and so, after fifteen years of inactivity, the SCPF was reactivated. With the help of consultants in the preservation of historic buildings, a list of projects was made up and the Board of Directors has systematically moved to accomplish them. They ranged from regilding the dome to installation of a drainage system to preserve the foundation and much in between. The major projects were the repair and restoration of the tower and the work that has been done on the decorations in the auditorium, but there were a dozen or so other important measures to insure the future integrity and functioning of the Meeting House. Also involved was finding the needed funds, employing the workers, and monitoring the work, and about twenty people have now participated actively as Board members. Of course, as with any undertaking of this magnitude and complexity, there are a few odds and ends yet to be addressed and also two things of more consequence remain to be done. These are the installation of the new lighting and the accomplishment of further work on the windows.
The Saturday morning gatherings will continue throughout the summer. Bring your stringed and percussion instruments along with your voice! Performances on Sunday mornings and at venues around the island are being planned.
AUCTION ITEMS STILL AVAILABLE! There are still several items and events available for silent auction bidding, in case you missed the Memorial Day Weekend auction and are interested. Sign-up sheets are in the Activities Room.
The SCPF, having reached this milestone, will, I believe, now go through important changes. There will clearly need to be new members and new officers. Also, there is the intention to break the pattern of intermittent major restorations and to shift over to the implementation of an ongoing maintenance plan. And with that, there will come the necessity to once again address the need for funds. But it is a good time to move forward, especially since with the ancient Meeting House, there will clearly never be a proper time to stop.
Island youth gather at the Meeting House every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Activities Room for conversation, games, snacks, and silliness! Our youth advisors are Das Chapin, David Horst, and Yve Shevalier. New advisors are welcome. See Rev. David Horst if you’d like to be involved.
We are planning on print a church directory. It will include all our members, associate members, and friends. If you would like to be excluded for any reason, please contact the church office at 508-228-5466 or via e-mail at uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net The directory will include mailing address, phone numbers and email addresses. Unless notified, everyone will be included. ~2~
(continued from page 1) I agree with this opinion, and I’d urge the Board and congregational members to adopt this usage consistently. The name says what kind of religious community we are, Unitarian Universalist, and our place name -- the Meeting House. (I know there are other meeting houses on the island, but Meeting House is most often associated with the Unitarian Universalist congregation, and I’ve come to believe that the Meeting House brand name belongs to the Unitarian Universalists here.) There’s more to discuss here, but I think settling on a single name is an important decisions during this time of transition and will have positive, long-term implications. Names, names everywhere! Your name, my name, the name of the congregation, the name of our association, and the name of our Meeting House. Let’s get them right and we’ll know better who we are and what we want to be. “Where land and sea meet” is my Nantucket analogy for congregational life. A church lives in a tidal zone where our private and public lives meet and converge like the meeting place of the land and sea.
DAVID HORST
RE AT THE UU, SUMMER IS HERE! by Casey Sayre Boukus, Committee Member
May brought us flowers and mythology, honoring our mothers and studying the starry universe our planet whirls through in her course around the sun. We remembered loved ones lost, veterans and otherwise, and spoke of peace, as a goal and an enjoyable part of our lives. We shared favorite things in the sky (planes, planets, clouds, fairies) favorite peaceful pastimes (reading, petting kitties, the beach) favorite stories, even writing one collaboratively, and of course a variety of snacks. As a committee we outlined behavioral guidelines, established safe boundaries, solidified a basic structure for the program and created a lengthy list of congregation members who are available to volunteer their time with our children. A productive and blossoming month indeed! June brings us a study of the ocean that surrounds our island home. It brings us Pride Day and honoring loving relationships in all forms, and it brings us Father’s Day and the Summer Solstice, longest day of the year. We gather again in the beautiful upper sanctuary. The children will be able to have RE out of doors in the lovely little yard tucked away behind the church, as well as explore through local field trips. And our numbers are growing. Last Sunday we had 12 young ones enacting outlaws and townspeople and ultimately peacemakers! To quote Mahatma Ghandi: “If we are to teach real peace in this world… we shall have to begin with the children…” As spring warms into summer, as life on our little island grows busier with the bustle of the season, I invite you to return again and again, to the peace of little children, to the peaceful joy of shared stories, song and circling together. I invite you to endeavor to remember that life is always beginning anew… Once upon a time…
~3~
IT TAKES A WHOLE COMMUNITY TO MAKE A SUCCESSFUL AUCTION!
Thank you to everyone who donated an auction item, bid on an auction item, attended the auction events or volunteered in some way to lend support. Though the final numbers are still not tabulated, it appears that we raised more than double the amount we projected in our budget. A great success for a first-time auction! Cathy Aguiar Gretchen Anderson Rev. Ted Anderson Annye’s Whole Foods David Barham Black Eyed Susan’s Fred Boling Paulette Boling Casey Boukus Jason Bridges Bernadette Brown Josh Brown Annye Camara Sharon Carlee Donick Cary Susan Cary Maggie Casterline Georgen Charnes Patty Clinton Ellen Conneford Mark Conneford Core de Vie – Boston Alison Forsgren Margaret Fox Diane Freeman Al Fuller Cheryl Fuller Alyson Gaylord-Loy Len Germinara Brian Girard Sarah Girard
Sissy Girard Karin Gockel Toby Greenberg Habitat for Humanity Brenda Lee Hall David Hall Bob Hall Val Hall David Halliday Maryjane Halliday Susan Handy Rev. David Horst Domnica Horst-Loy Meg Hunter Tamzin Hutchinson Haziel Jackson Susan Jarrell Mimi Jones Marsha Kotolac Nina La Farge Jessie Lambrecht Irma LaPierre Rene LaPierre Kim LaRue David Lazarus Bob Lehman Diane Lehman Phil Lindsay Chris Lohmann Pam Lohmann Tyler Levine
Sandy MacDonald Gerry Mack Nancy Mack Angus MacLeod Deb MacLeod Gregory Margoles Marine Home Center Deborah Merritt Miacomet Golf Course Larry Miller Polly Miller Moor’s End Farm Nantucket Arts Council Nantucket Bike Tours Glenn Nardone Sandra Neher Van Neher Jeffrey Norkin Judy Norkin Grace Noyes Sheri Perelman Nap Plank Kitty Pochman Joanne Polster Russ Ragan Jack Reindel Peter Richards Susan Richards John Rivera Lauri Robertson Susan Robinson
Kat Robinson Grieder Anne Rosen Edwin Rudd Christine Sanford Sankaty Head Golf Club Tomomi Sato Pete Sawyer Dr. Thomas Schmidt Seconds Shop Yve Shevalier Abby Slosek Andre Spears Linda Sonnonstine Spery Craig Spery Mary Beth Splaine St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Lora Stewart Paul Stewart Marina Sutro Peter Sutro Charles Tapper Patti Thomas Tom Thomas Amanda Torchia Trustees of the Reservations Clay Twombley Sally Ure Allison Van Fleet Jack Weinhold Betsy Williams Harvey Young
BE A DOCENT THIS SUMMER! The summer docent program in the Meeting House begins soon! We’re welcoming back experienced volunteers and looking for new volunteers to provide tours of the Meeting House on weekdays in July and August. An orientation and training program led by David Barham and David Horst is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, from noon - 2 p.m. We’ll have an informal luncheon at noon in the activities room and then move upstairs to the sanctuary for orientation and training. Printed resource materials will be provided to all participants. Docent tours begin on Monday, July 2. Each volunteer is asked to commit to one, two-hour slot from 10 a.m. to noon or noon to 2 p.m. each week through August. Substitute docents are also needed along with a scheduling coordinator. R.S.V.P. for the June 23 orientation and training program.
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PRESIDENT’S REPORT
by Bob Hall, Board of Trustees President I open this month with the opening words from our two trustees meetings. May 8th: “There are two ways of spreading light; to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” May 22nd: “Show up. Bid High.” I hope you came to the fabulous auction under the leadership of a dedicated committee who put in many hours of hard work. I welcome Susan Richards as your new clerk. Susan has stepped into an important position and is doing an admirable job. Mary Beth Splaine has volunteered to be our representative at the Interfaith Council. We have been enjoying the terrific talents of Diane Lehman’s piano performances at our Sunday Services. The choir is performing beautifully with a special salute to soloists Amanda Torchia, Jessie Lambrecht and Cynthia Csabay. The RE committee has been busy. Co-chairs Anne Sutherland and Susan Richards with supporting volunteers Casey Boukus, Yve Shevalier and Sissy Girard are working hard to create a happy and stimulating Religious Education program. I was pleased to be asked to lead the astronomy program on May 20th. It was a most pleasurable and rewarding experience; I encourage anyone who wishes to offer their expertise to get in touch with the co-chairs. On May 12th I attended a “Presidents’ Council” meeting of the Ballou Channing District in Hyannis. I found the experience enlightening and delightful. The participants from the eight Cape and Islands Congregations were welcoming, friendly, helpful, experienced and skilled. I came away wishing all of us could participate more in BCD activities. The rewarding experience makes overcoming the obstacle of travel worthwhile. The 2014 General Assembly will be in Providence, RI, so there will be ample opportunities to become involved. The Board of Trustees approved making a “Suggestion Box” available to anyone with good ideas, comments, or questions. We will place 3x5 cards in the Sunday Service program or hymnals. For the first week we decided to ask one question: “Why do you come to church?” The other side is for other questions or comments. Cards will be collected in a wooden box at the rear of the Sanctuary. We are happy to hear from you. The Board revived the tradition of having newly elected Trustees “sign The Book.” The Book is the official registry of ministers, members, weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals. We will have a record of these volunteers for future generations. David Horst also signed. We are looking for a coordinator for our summer docent program. We thank Jack Reindel for his many years of dedicated service. Docents serve a two-hour stint once a week, welcoming visitors who wish to see our beautiful Sanctuary. If you are interested, call Kim in the office at 228-5466. We have revisited our after-service hospitality time. Because the summer is so busy we are trying out a “pot luck” system. Coffee and tea will be provided but the goodies will be whatever volunteers decide to bring that week. However, we still need volunteers to set up and stay for cleanup duty. Jack Weinhold has graciously volunteered to coordinate this important activity. Please see him to help out. Thank you. On June 24 we will hold a Congregational Meeting to discuss our options for a minister once our interim, David Horst, departs. Please make every effort to attend this important meeting. As I look back on the previous five months I am amazed at the positive changes we have implemented. We have come so far! Our office is functioning well thanks to the organizational and office skills brought by Kim LaRue. We appreciate her welcoming and pleasant demeanor. We have a terrific music program and the RE program is in high gear. A Thank You goes out to all those other committees and leaders who volunteer so much. It shows! Very special thanks to Rev. David Horst for all he does for our congregation.
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JUNE WORSHIP & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THEMES Sunday, June 3 • 10:45 a.m. ‘World Oceans Day’ - Sanctuary and Activities Room
Today we join individuals and communities around the world to celebrate and honor the body of water that links all life on earth and inspires the wonder and awe. Originally designated by the United Nations in 2008, World Oceans Day is a growing global celebration. Living here on Nantucket we hold a special reverence and respect for the ocean surrounding us. Music with Diane Lehman and the Meeting House Choir. David Horst leads the service and presents the sermon “Holy Waters.” Religious education volunteers are Casey Boukus, Steve Estabrook, Sissy Girard, Val Hall, and Anne Sutherland. Infant and toddler care provided by Jen Dunbar. Enjoy coffee and conversation following the programs. Bring brunch food to share. Coffee and tea provided.
Sunday, June 10 • 10:45 a.m. ‘Pride Celebration Sunday’ - Sanctuary and Activities Room
Let’s celebrate nine years of equal marriage in the Commonwealth and the growing acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families nationwide. The Nantucket congregation is an officially designated “Welcoming Congregation” by our Unitarian Universalist Association, so let’s make our pride known to the island community. Members and friends participating in the Boston Pride Parade the Saturday before share their stories and photos. If you have a rainbow flag or banner, be sure to bring it along! Music with Diane Lehman, the Meeting House Choir, and musical guests. David Horst leads the service and presents the sermon “Out and Proud!” Religious education volunteers are Kat Robinson Grieder, Susan Richards, and Yve Shevalier. Infant and toddler care provided by Jen Dunbar. Coffee and conversation following the programs; Bring brunch food to share.
Sunday, June 17 • 10:45 a.m. ‘Honoring Our Fathers’ - Sanctuary and Activities Room
Stories of fatherhood are part of every family’s history and culture. On this Fathers Day, let’s share some of those stories -- good and not-so-good alike -- about our fathers and, men, the fathers you have become. How has the meaning of fatherhood changed over time? Was there ever such a thing as a “perfect” father or is that idea just a myth? In what ways have we become like our fathers? Music with Diane Lehman and the Meeting House Choir. David Horst leads the service and presents the sermon “Stories of Our Fathers.” Bring a story of your father to share, too. Religious education volunteers are Casey Boukus, Susan Richards, and Yve Shevalier. Infant and toddler care provided by Jen Dunbar. Enjoy coffee and conversation following the programs. Bring brunch food to share.
Sunday, June 24 • 10:45 a.m. ‘What is Our Ministry?’ - Sanctuary and Activities Room
Ministry is more than a minister: It’s all the ways members of a religious community care for one another, work collaboratively to sustain the congregation, create worship and learning experiences, make music together, and do acts of justice. In this context, let’s consider the future of the ministry here at Nantucket’s Unitarian Universalist congregation and how the ministry can be more widely shared. Music with Diane Lehman and the Meeting House Choir. David Horst leads the service and presents the sermon “The Ministry We Share.” Religious education volunteers are Alyson Gaylord-Loy, Val Hall, and Linda Spery. Infant and toddler care provided by Jen Dunbar. Enjoy coffee and conversation following the programs. Bring brunch food to share. Coffee and tea provided. A congregational conversation with the Board of Trustees follows the programs at noon in Hendrix Hall to discuss the choices facing the congregation following the departure of David Horst, Interim Minister, in July 2013.
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MUSIC COMMITTEE REPORT
by Amanda Torchia, Music Committee Member “If music be the food of love, play on.” And play on, we will. The music committee had their regular monthly meeting in the activities room on Saturday, May 19th to discuss the upcoming summer program. It was an incredible honor to be among such seasoned musicians, music lovers, and members of our church as we put our heads together on topics such as a Community Folk Chorale and a Jazz Festival fundraiser (more details to be released). As a choir member, a soloist, and a long-time acquaintance and friend, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the noteworthy contributions Diane Lehman has been making towards our congregation. I think I am speaking for many, if not the whole choir, when I say that her positive energy has rejuvenated and inspired us to push through this challenging transition with our heads held high, and our voices strong. On that note, I think it’s only appropriate to also acknowledge some of the new or returning choir members and visitors who have helped to enhance our sound and our spirit over the last few months. Cynthia Csabay, with her warm and strong tones, has graced our soprano section as well as honored us with a beautiful solo. Polly Miller’s gentle voice is a direct product of her gentle soul, and has been a wonderful addition to the blend of women’s voices with which we are so blessed. Jessica Heuser, on multiple occasions, has made the trek from her post in the Congo choir to join us on Sunday mornings with her angelic voice (and sight-reading skills!). These are just a few of the many voices that have kept our choir strong and growing. We are all looking forward to the summer members who will be joining us soon. Stay tuned for more inspiring Sunday morning anthems and solos, as well as new musical opportunities over the course of the summer.
NOONDAY CONCERT SERIES KICKS OFF JULY 5 We are delighted to announce this summer’s Noonday Concert Series beginning on July 5 with an All-American music program featuring Diane and Bob Lehman, piano and vocal, with members of the choir. The weekly, 40-minute concerts continue every Thursday at noon through August 30 at our historic 1890 Meeting House. A donation of $5 is requested. We thank program underwriter ReMain Nantucket for their generous financial support. We thank Music Committee members Susie Jarrell, Haziel Jackson and Jack Reindel for coordinating this summer’s program with help from the Fundraising Committee.
~7~
JOIN US FOR THE BOSTON PRIDE PARADE ON JUNE 9 For the first-time ever, members and friends of Nantucket’s Unitarian Universalist congregation are participating in the Boston Pride Parade on Saturday, June 9. Get out your rainbow flags and join us as we march -- gay and straight, young and old, partnered and single -- to celebrate nine years of equal marriage in the Commonwealth and the growing acceptance of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals and their families nationwide. We’ll be joining many other Unitarian Universalist congregations throughout Massachusetts for this 42nd annual event. We’ll take the 7:45 a.m. Hy-Line ferry to Hyannis and car-pool to Boston. The festivities begin at 11 o’clock at the Arlington Street Church, Unitarian Universalist, with the annual Pride celebration led by Kim Crawford Harvie, Minister, and members of the congregation. Just before noon we take our place in the parade, which stages at Copley Square. After one-minute of silence at noon, the parade begins and follows a route through the South End, along the Public Garden and Boston Common, by Unitarian Universalist headquarters and the State House on Beacon Street, and finishing at Government Center. We’ll spend some time at the Pride Festival at Government Center then return to Hyannis to catch either the 6 p.m. Hy-Line or 7:15 p.m. Steamship Authority ferry back to the island. On Sunday morning, June 10, we’ll share our stories and photos at our own Pride celebration in the Meeting House. Please see Bob Hall or David Horst if you’d like to participate and if you need a ride or can offer a ride. Visit BostonPride.org for the complete schedule of the Pride Week events in Boston. The CNN Travel blog recent named Boston Pride as one of the five best Pride events worldwide, sharing the honor with Tel Aviv, Amsterdam, Ashville, and Atlanta. The rainbow flag, first used to symbolize gay pride and diversity in San Francisco in 1978, has become the most visible symbol of gay pride and gay rights around the world
Second Congregational Meeting House Society 11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023 Nantucket, MA 02554
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Second Congregational Meeting House Society Unitarian Universalist 11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023 Nantucket, MA 02554 (508) 228-5466 (Office) www.unitarianchurchnantucket.org uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net
Church Staff David M. Horst, Interim Minister ~ Edward B. Anderson, Minister Emeritus Diane Lehman, Acting Music Director ~ Kim N. LaRue, Office Administrator Mimi Jones and Dennis Santangelo, Sextons Board of Trustees Bob Hall (President), Christine Sanford (Vice President), Susan Richards (Clerk), Jack Weinhold (Treasurer), Brian Girard, David Hall, John Rivera, Linda Spery, Marina Sutro Church Office Hours Monday - Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Minister’s Office Hours Tuesday (10 a.m. - noon) and Friday (noon - 2 p.m.)