March 26 – Music Sunday ||

Music Sunday is this Sunday (March 26)! Last week the FUUSN choir participated in a beautiful service at the UU Society of Wellesley Hills, and now we’re bringing the Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen to FUUSN. “The five movements of Lux Aeterna are based on various references to light from sacred Latin texts…all supporting an earthbound spirit seeking not only mercy, understanding, and consolation but also renewal.” (Carol Talbeck) We will sing this lovely work accompanied by an instrumental ensemble; in addition, CreationDance will bring their piece “Healing Joy”; Lois Shapiro will play; and we will end with a rousing hymn accompanied by our bluegrass group. The Offering during Music Sunday will go to the FUUSN music program, so that we may continue to hire guest musicians to support our work in leading

worship.

Zoom Link for Sunday Services ||

Zoom Link for Sunday Services

Join Zoom Meeting

https://zoom.us/j/98956362255?pwd=WEZ6am5yN0Y1VTFueTBTN0dNelIyUT09

Meeting ID: 989 5636 2255

Passcode: 594269

Dial by your location

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)

+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)

Budget Drive Update, Upcoming Events, and Learn About FUUSN ||

Pledge Status: 75 Pledgers have pledged a total of $265,370, and 8 kind people have also donated $3,275 to the Hardship fund. We are 44% to our goal!

Community Engagement Survey – Quote of the week: “Every event I have participated in has been fun, enlightening and gives me a greater sense of community. I am so grateful to be a small part of this amazing, giving community.”

Incentive Challenge! 8 anonymous donors have offered a total of up to $8,000 (in addition to their generous pledges) to get pledges in on time. So far we have unlocked $2,250 of the $8,000. Keep it going!
Pledge online at www.fusn.org/2023-annual-pledge-drive/ or e-mail the amount you wish to pledge to pledgedrive@fuusn.org or bring your pledge forms to a Pledge Party to unlock the most value of the incentive for FUUSN.
NOTE: If you have already pledged and wish to increase it by at least $100, your increase will also unlock funds!

Upcoming Budget Drive Events – Pledge parties are filling up, please reserve your spot now!
Saturday, March 25
• Building Tour: 3 – 4p @ FUUSN hosted by Smalley/Farnsworth
• Pledge Party: 4 – 6p @ FUUSN drinks (beer/wine) and plant-based apps with Huston/Dundon
Sunday, March 26 – Enjoy Music Sunday!
Friday, March 31
• 5:30 pm: Family Friendly Pledge Party – Pizza and Wings with Brooke Foucault Welles and Devon Welles
Saturday, April 1 FULL Pledge Party – Foolish cryo-cocktails and apps with Joyce Pollack and Kevin Osborne
Sunday, April 2
• 5:00 pm: NEW!! Dinner with Barbara Niles and Jay Flynn
• 6:00 pm: FULL Pledge Party – Dinner with Lisa Carbone and Robert Lakomski
Monday, April 3 Stewards start contacting people who have not pledged

Link to fill sign up for Pledge Parties, Pledge, and fill out the Community Engagement survey: www.fuusn.org/2023-annual-pledge-drive
Contact pledgedrive@fuusn.org if you have any questions.

Learn about FUUSN! Today’s spotlight: Music

Spotlight: Music! FUUSN’s music program is uplifting, varied, meaningful, spiritual and provides a connection to the Sunday service and to each other. Not only is the music very well received by the community, with two Music Sundays, at least one Musicians Concert and a Folk Concert each year in addition to music on each Sunday in the Sanctuary, the program also provides our many talented musicians with lots of opportunities to connect with their creative selves.

FUUSN Band FUUSN Choir

Music at Ferry Beach Talent Show at Sandy Island

FUUSN has a choir, band (bluegrass, folk, rock, jazz), family choir, liturgical dance ensemble, a Steinway B piano, and a wonderful organ (that needs an expensive overhaul). All in all, in the last year 49 people have been involved in the music program at FUUSN! One of the happy results of COVID that remains to this day is the addition of Vespers every Friday evening where people can join together on zoom to enjoy poetry and music and conversation to start their weekend.

Rehearsal and performances (and fun!) didn’t stop during COVID for our musicians

FUUSN’s musicians have collaborated with many other churches and music (and dance!) groups in putting on large works – they’ve even performed on tour in Germany!

CreationDance

Instant Choir singing the Hallelujah Chorus

Germany Tour

Lest you think FUUSN’s musicians are a group of pros, our musicians come into the program at many levels: Skill levels run the gamut from paid professionals all the way to rank beginners (who believe they cannot hold a tune) – and somehow it works! George Bachelor said it best: “Anne has the uncanny ability to spot and nurture each individual’s offering, bring us each into the fold, then passionately urge us collectively to look up, listen to each other, and in so doing lift each other…. And cool stuff happens.” Anne will be on a well-earned sabbatical for the rest of the church year, but (thankfully) will return in the fall.

Finally back in the sanctuary

Summer picnic and jam session

Yes, the FUUSN musicians do a lot, but there is so much more we would like to do!

Revive “Music in the Classrooms”: Hire a musician to incorporate more music into RE
Outreach to the community with more joint musical projects with other organizations and by offering more concerts for the community
Raise salaries for our professional choral section leaders
Rebuild our organ (long-term goal)

Children’s Chorus

Talent Show at Ferry Beach

Please join us in the Sanctuary on March 26 to revel in Music Sunday and come to coffee hour in the Parish Hall to congratulate all those involved! If you are interested in joining the music program, please contact Anne Watson Born at music@fusn.org.

None of FUUSN’s wonderful music happens without your time, talent and treasure! Fill out the Community Engagement Survey, Pledge and sign up for Pledge Parties here: 2023 Annual Pledge Drive – First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (fusn.org)

The Six Pillars of Membership ||

Through the eyes of our PreK-5th graders, membership is not so complicated at FUUSN – they learned about the Six Pillars of Membership. The six pillars are: social action, learning, building community, involvement, worship, and leadership. When asked to explore these pillars and identify the kinds of activities that hold them up, they had some very good answers that we can each learn from and incorporate into our shared ministry at FUUSN. They captured their thoughts and wrote them down on paper pillars. Check them out!

Musing ||

Musing

I am very grateful to be going on sabbatical from April – June; I’m definitely ready to recharge these old batteries J. While I’m away, various people will be running rehearsals and leading worship on Sunday mornings. Some of these people are:

Amelia LeClair, longtime FUUSN member, will be conducting the choir (and all of you, in the Hallelujah Chorus!) on Easter Sunday, April 9. Amy is founder and director of Cappella Clausura, an ensemble of voices and instruments specializing in music written by women from the eighth century to the present day. Ms. LeClair is a Resident Scholar in the Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center.

Linnea Bardarson will be leading rehearsals and conducting on several Sundays. Linnea resides in Dedham, where she served as Music Director at First Church and Parish, Unitarian-Universalist, from 2007-2018. Before that she was Music Director at First Congregational Church in Somerville for ten years. She teaches piano at UMass/Boston and Dedham School of Music. She leads singing workshops on Star Island, accompanies all choruses in the Dedham Public Schools, and enjoys playing the banjo for fun. Especially on Star Island.

Kevin Harris, our bass soloist, will conduct in the worship service on April 30; he will also continue to anchor our bass section and will also provide music for the May 28 service.
Kevin Harris is an emerging professional bass originally from Upton, MA. Kevin is also passionate about Voice Science and Pedagogy, and holds a private studio out of his home in Medford, MA. Kevin holds a Master of Music in Vocal Arts and Opera from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice Performance from Ithaca College.

Of course, our esteemed organist, Carson Cooman, will be holding the fort throughout; we are so fortunate to be able to hear Carson play each week. Carson is an American composer with a catalog of hundreds of works in many forms—from solo instrumental pieces to operas, and from orchestral works to hymn tunes. His music has been performed on all six inhabited continents in venues that range from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the basket of a hot air balloon. As an active concert organist, Cooman specializes in the performance of contemporary music. Over 300 new compositions by more than 100 international composers have been written for him. For more information, visit www.carsoncooman.com.

Carson will be occasionally spelled by Robert Humphreville, our favorite silent film accompanist and improviser extraordinaire. Robert is active as a freelance accompanist, organist, and vocal coach throughout greater Boston.

Our Sabbatical Committee will be managing rehearsals and working with Parisa to keep the worship services running smoothly. Many, many thanks to: George Batchelor, Brian Hicks, Natalie Jensen, Debra Minard, Jacki Rohan.

Anne Watson Born

Board of Trustees Meeting ||

Board of Trustees Meeting
Dear FUUSN – You are invited to attend and observe the monthly Board of Trustees meetings that occur on the 4th Tuesday of each month from 7pm – 9pm. We will not have time to take comments or questions from observers during the meeting, as these two hours a month are our only time together as a group. However, Board members are available to take comments and questions outside of Board meetings at any time. We will share a draft agenda on the FUUSN business list before each meeting, but the agenda may change as issues arise.

This zoom link is good for each meeting.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/99744880691?pwd=YSsvZW9XWTV3a29nNlhCcGZTQXVoUT09

Meeting ID: 997 4488 0691
Passcode: 102018

Sincerely, your Board of Trustees:
Barbara Schmitt – Vice Chair
Chris Krebs
Demie Stathoplos – Chair
Hattie Kerwin Derrick
Joe Klinman – Youth Representative
RoseAnn Murray
Stephanie Kendall

Racial Justice Education and Action Opportunity ||

On the last Sunday of each month, our Racial Justice Ministry (RJM) presents ways to center racial justice. On Sunday, March 26th, Rev. Kevin Peterson will present his work to rename Boston’s Faneuil Hall, 11:45-1:00, in the Children’s Chapel:

Taken from the website of the New Democracy Coalition: Faneuil Hall Race + Reconciliation Project

Addressing what our public monuments and public buildings mean to us is important. Symbols matter. Faneuil Hall, in Boston’s government center, is historic in many positive ways. It predates the founding of the nation and is widely recognized as the “cradle of liberty.” Yet, Faneuil Hall is named after a person (Peter Faneuil) who committed himself to the idea of white supremacy. Should Faneuil Hall, which is named after the slave owner and slave trader Peter Faneuil, retain its name? We say no. Our work on changing the name of Faneuil Hall is grounded in our corporate quest for racial repair. Our annual hunger fasting at Faneuil Hall is designed to educate the public that Peter Faneuil, as one of the city’s original founding fathers, was a profound racist who contributed nothing to the idea of democracy. Changing the name of Faneuil Hall stands as a pathway of addressing the wounds of race and slavery in the city. We claim that we must shake off our moral fogginess and address the issue of racial change for our collective and better future. Change the name.

It is an opportunity to confront the challenges we face in reworking the memorialization in our society of white supremacy: public buildings, statuary, official seals, town and street names, even our own Allen window. Please join us!

FUUSN Family Trivia Night ||

On Friday, March 24th from 6:00-9:00 in our Parish Hall the Religious Education Committee will be hosting a FUUSN Family Trivia Night. Join us for dinner and five rounds of trivia throughout the evening – there will be time for newcomers and long-standing FUUSN members and friends to talk about what they love about FUUSN, too, and think about the story at FUUSN that brought us to this point.

Email me at devin@fusn.org to let me know you’re coming!

Over 60 Up-Coming Event ||

Housing Options for Seniors, Part 2:

Continuing Care, Subsidized vs Affordable Sites, & One Woman’s Search

Tomorrow, March 23rd, the Over 60’s group will host Part 2 in its series on housing options for seniors.

Jean Stringham, president of the association of continuing care communities in Massachusetts (http://www.mlcra.org) will discuss their features and differences.
Emily Kuhl, Case Manager from the Newton Senior Center, will address subsidized vs affordable apartments and the reality of waiting lists.
Linda Lancz, FUUSN member, will describe her experience searching for a suitable place.

The session takes place March 23rd 4:00 – 5:30 on Zoom

(https://zoom.us/j/95064586797?pwd=NFBjM1JXcmlTQ1dDLzllYW5kVDg2QT09).

Plant Based Food Gatherings ||

Plant-Based Eating Club Hosts Discussion of 7-Day Rescue Diet – March 23 and 26

Over a dozen people attended the UU Plant-Based Eating Club’s book group discussions for the first half of the book “The Engine 2 Seven-Day Rescue Diet: Eat Plants, Lose Weight, Save Your Health,” by Rip Esselstyn. And here is the exciting part – many of us are going to try the 7-Day Rescue Diet together! But first we are going to meet to discuss the second half of the book. You are welcome to join us, even if you did not come before, as it will be quite easy to catch up.

The March book club meetings will be on Zoom on Thursday, March 23, at 7pm (please register to get the link at https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0vfuCqrTwqE9yRJ7dzQ1dpiD7x4zdIFuiH) and in person on Sunday, March 26, at 7pm in the Alliance Room at FUUSN (please RSVP to UU-Plant-Based-contact-us@googlegroups.com).

Available at many libraries, this book features the interesting story of how a group of firefighters in Texas decided to try plant-based eating in order to improve their health. The results may surprise you, and the book contains a treasure trove of healthy, easy-to-make, plant-based recipes. In the March meetings, we will focus on Chapters 5-7 and the recipes, although people should feel free to discuss any aspect of the book.

Learn How to Make Plant-Based Breakfast and Brunch Dishes with the Plant-Based Eating Club on April 1!

Exciting news! The UU Plant-Based Eating Club is starting a new series, titled Cooking Together, in which participants will get hands-on experience making healthy, mouth-watering, plant-based recipes, and of course have a chance to taste and enjoy the food we made.

The first session will focus on breakfast and brunch recipes. We will meet in the FUUSN kitchen on Saturday, April 1, from 11:00 – 1:00, and make recipes that may include pancakes, breakfast tacos, omelets, tofu scramble, and the fabulous Berry-Stuffed Breakfast Sweet Potato from the Forks Over Knives website. We will poll the participants ahead of time to ascertain dietary preferences and “wish lists” for plant-based breakfast recipes. All of the foods we make will be completely plant-based, with no milk, cheese, or egg (in other words, vegan rather than vegetarian).

Space is limited to 12 participants. If there is sufficient interest, we may start a waiting list and/or offer a second session. Please RSVP at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0c44a5a72ca4f85-cooking.

Community Breakfast – April 2 ||

Amazing FUUSN Benefit Concert – April 2, 2:00 pm ||

Please come to a rare and notable concert by our beloved Lois Shapiro and her fellow trio members. Before COVID, I was able to host Lois herself in my home without worrying about how crowded we were. Now, I am hosting this much anticipated event at FUUSN which gives us the ability to hear not only Lois’s amazing talent but Lois with her fellow musicians. Since we now have room, please feel free to invite your friends.

This is the program.

Babajanian Trio in f sharp minor;

Bruch Romanian Melody No. 5 in f minor;

Brahms Trio No. 1 in B major

Performed by the talented Eleuthera Trio: Lois Shapiro, Piano; Francine Tester, Violin; and Julie Reimann, Cello

Seats are $50 each and include adult beverages and finger food. All proceeds will be donated to FUUSN. Please contact Pat Rohan at jprohan@verizon.net to reserve a seat.

Thanks for supporting FUUSN by coming to this wonderful event. I know you will enjoy it.

Laurel Farnsworth

Tennis Anyone? ||

Some tennis-loving FUUSNites have been playing doubles tennis, weather permitting, outdoors on Saturday mornings at Newton North High School for about 40 years. Our group is collegial with skill levels varying from intermediate to advanced. If you would like to join us this spring, please call Bob Ellertsen at 617-571-5553.

Vespers – ||

Come to Vespers for music, readings, and conversation. The service runs from 6 to 6:30 pm. Pre-service music begins around 5:47pm.

https://zoom.us/j/92644056218

Meeting ID: 926 4405 6218

March 24, 2023 06:00 PM

March 31, 2023 06:00 PM

Pledge Drive Update . Incentive Announcement(!) and Learn About FUUSN: Spotlight Building and Grounds ||

Pledge Drive Update, Incentive Announcement(!) and Learn About FUUSN: Spotlight Building and Grounds

Pledge Status: 40 Pledgers have pledged a total of $190,597 – A massive thank you to these first pledgers.

We are already 31% to our (minimum) goal of $615K!

Make your Pledge Count for More- Incentive Program starts now!

Help FUUSN get another $8,000 by pledging now! Eight anonymous donors will donate up to a total of $8,000 for an incentive program to get pledges in on time. The donors are doing this because:

This is a really important year for FUUSN to meet the pledge goal to help attract a new minister, and they hoped it would inspire others to give promptly and generously.
To show their commitment to the permanence of this community amidst the challenges returning from COVID and changes in key leadership positions.
This is a symbolic gesture of thanks for those who respond promptly when contacted by an annual pledge drive steward.

The way it works:

For every pledge of $100 or more returned by the dates shown below (or increase an existing pledge more than $100), the donors will unlock the following incentive to FUUSN:

$75 if pledged from now through midnight on Sunday, April 2*
$50 if pledged between Monday, April 3 and Sunday, April 18*

*While funds last.

NOTE: If the full $8000 is not claimed by the date pledge cards are officially due, it will be forfeited!

Make your pledge count for more! Pledge today at 2023 Annual Pledge Drive – First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (fusn.org)

Please reach out to pledgedrive@fuusn.org if you have any difficulty with the online forms.

Upcoming Budget Drive Events

Friday, March 17:

Pledge Party: 6 – 8p St Patrick’s day dinner @ Rohan (FULL)

Saturday, March 18

Pledge Party: 12 – 1p Lunch @ Bottar/Buonagurio (FULL)
Pledge Party: 5 – 6p Virtual cocktail/mocktail hour via zoom with Gill/Lerner

Saturday, March 25

Building Tour: 3 – 4p @ FUUSN hosted by Smalley/Farnsworth
Pledge Party: 4 – 6p @ FUUSN drinks (beer/wine) and plant based apps with Huston/Dundon

Link to fill out Community Engagement survey, Pledge, or sign up for Pledge Parties: www.fuusn.org/2023-annual-pledge-drive. Contact pledgedrive@fuusn.org if you have any questions.

Learn about FUUSN! Today’s spotlight: Building and Grounds!

It has always been OUR building. Some say FUUSN’s building reminds them of an Episcopal church (!), but actually it was built by our congregation. Dedicated in 1906, the congregation’s choice of design is far from that of a traditional New England Unitarian meetinghouse, but it reflects the architectural style then in vogue. Today as Chair of Buildings and Grounds, Laurel Farnsworth works to care for the building to serve our purposes now, and to ensure that the building will be around for many more years.

Our building from Washington Street Our grounds crew in action!

Do you know the exterior building materials? “Weymouth seam-face granite with trimmings of Indiana limestone” according to an article in the Neton Graphic. The sections housing the Parish Hall, office wing, original kitchen and Banquet hall (now we call the Banquet Hall “Headstart Room”) were built of brick and half-timbering, distinguishing them from the Sanctuary and six-story bell tower.

Parish Hall Overhead light in Sanctuary

Highland Street side of the building New side garden

Do you know why the layout so often requires people to walk through the kitchen? The original building included an interior courtyard. In 1954 the Society built a substantial addition that filled in the courtyard with classrooms, a children’s chapel, and a new kitchen.

Whether you consider our building beautiful, spiritually uplifting with great sound for music, or too full of religious artifacts and icons for your liking, it is the building we own. The building and grounds account for 29% of our total expenditures, although building rental brings in 12% of our income. As pledges account for 66% of our annual budget, 26¢ of each dollar you pledge supports the building and grounds.

Roof leaks and broken windows… Maintenance is never-ending!

The Building and Grounds committee plans to get back to pre-pandemic level of routine maintenance and improve the safety of the building in the near term, and has a vision for improvements that would enable the building to make a much larger contribution to income through building rental. The proposed parking lot expansion would make a major difference in accessibility for our congregants and make our space more rentable.

Come take a building tour and learn more about FUUSN’s building, history, and the vision for the future. Stay and join a pledge party at FUUSN immediately following!

Date: Saturday March 25

Building Tour: 3pm at FUUSN with Laurel Farnsworth, Chair of Building & Grounds and

Gayle Smalley, Chair of Preservation Committee

Pledge Party: 4pm at FUUSN hosted by Julia Huston and John Dundon

Reserve your spot at both by signing up for the Pledge Party here:

Sign Up Results (signupgenius.com)

None of this great work by the Building and Grounds committee happens without your time, talent and treasure! Fill out the Community Engagement Survey, Pledge and sign up for Pledge Parties here: 2023 Annual Pledge Drive – First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton (fusn.org)

Music Sunday ||

The FUUSN choir will be singing with the UU Society of Wellesley Hills choir for two Music Sunday services featuring the beautiful Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen. “The five movements of Lux Aeterna are based on various references to light from sacred Latin texts: perpetual light, light risen in the darkness, Redeemer-born light from light, light of the Holy Spirit, light of hearts, most blessed light, eternal light — all supporting an earthbound spirit seeking not only mercy, understanding, and consolation but also renewal.” (Carol Talbeck) We will be singing at UUSWH on March 19 and here at FUUSN, with an instrumental ensemble, on March 26.

SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AT FUUSN ||

Dear FUUSN Members:

The 2023 Nominating Committee is preparing a slate of candidates for open FUUSN leadership positions for 2023-2024. All positions are described below. We welcome nominations for the open positions. Nominees must be FUUSN members. The election will be held at our Annual Meeting on June 11, 2023.

If you are interested in serving (or continuing to serve) in one of these open positions, or know someone who you feel would be a good candidate, please send those nominations to the Nominating Committee at NomCom@fuusn.org. The formal period for submitting nominations is March 1 to April 1, 2023.

Board of Trustees (3-year term)

The Board of Trustees is the governing body of the FUUSN, proactively planning (maintaining focus on mission, purpose and vision), dialoguing with congregants and staff regarding necessary programs, managing policies and changes in governance, and stewarding assets. The seven-person Board (one of High School age) works collaboratively with the Minister, and oversees the Operations Council, Personnel Policy Committee, the Board of Investments, and any other Board appointed committees. The Board of Trustees governs with an emphasis on outward vision and strategic leadership and ensures that all actions are consistent with FUUSN’s purpose and values. Members of the Board of Trustees serve for three years and are limited to two terms.

Two positions will be on the slate at the Annual Meeting.

Trustee of High School Age (1-year term)

The Trustee of High School Age has the same responsibilities as adult Trustees. The Board of Trustees prefers that this position be shared by two people. The Trustee of High School Age serves for one year and is limited to two terms.

One or two positions will be on the slate at the Annual Meeting.

Operations Council Members (3-year term)

The Operations Council Members are accountable to the Board of Trustees through the various reporting and policy documents of FUUSN, manage and oversee day-to-day operational issues and committees at FUUSN partnering with staff. Members of the Operations Council serve for three years and are not subject to term limits.

Two positions will be on the slate at the Annual Meeting.

Treasurer (1-year term)

The Treasurer writes checks, keeps accurate account of all property, receipts, expenditures, and of all the indebtedness of FUUSN. They serve on the Operations Council and attend Finance Committee meetings. They prepare the Treasurer’s report twice a year for the Board of Trustees and the Operations Council. The Treasurer serves for one year and is not subject to term limits.