Bright Solstice! Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas!

Minister's Musing

In our congregation we celebrate Solstice with story and art and singing, we celebrate Chanukah with candles and reciting blessings and song, and we celebrate Christmas with candlelight and caroling and old stories. One holy day is about the returning of the light, one story is about the unexpected sustaining of the light, one story is about a new light breaking into the world. Each tradition is distinct and singular and they seem to be in conversation. I sometimes say all our religions are earth-based religions because we all live on this earth and live with the cycles of life and light that are part of earthly life.

In a Unitarian Universalist Congregation we have a particular gift of being able to hold all those traditions and all those stories together. As a UU congregation we have members who are of Jewish heritage, people who are of a strong Christian heritage, people who have walked away from a Christian heritage, and people who are deeply earth based. We all sit together on Sunday mornings, we honor the light in each other’s eyes and souls, and we honor the truth in each other’s traditions. We have a Solstice Service every year on the Sunday closest to the first day of winter, we have a candlelight service on Christmas Eve, and we Celebrate Chanukah on the Sunday that falls during that eight day Festival. I think we are at the beginning of a re-weaving, a re-imagining of what it means to celebrate these festivals of light. I am glad that you are part of the conversation, glad that you are part of this circle of light.

Welcome Yule! Chanuka Sameach! Peace on Earth

Holiday Schedule

Christmas Eve

5pm & 8pm candlelight services,
led by Rev. Kendra Ford and the Choir

The 5pm service will be more child focused and the 8pm service will be more reflective

Sunday Dec 25th
One service at 10am
Led by Susan Gorman with Dan Chartrand, for Hanukah and Christmas

Sunday Jan 1st
One service 10am led by Rev. Kendra Ford

Occupy NH

Statewide Tour - in ExeterSunday, December 11, 2011
1:00pm until 4:00pm
First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter
12 Elm St, Exeter
The Educational and Outreach Symposium will open with a 5-person Occupy NH panel, followed by Q & A. We will then continue with several teach-in sessions on subjects ranging from inequality, nonviolence, environmental and social justice. The last Symposium at Stone Church in Newmarket was a great success, see you there.

Welcome!

Love is the doctrine of this church. The quest for truth is its sacrament and service is its prayer. To dwell together in peace, To seek knowledge in freedom, To serve humanity in fellowship, To respect the nurturing power within all of us, thus do we covenant.

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter (FUUSE) Hospitality Committee welcomes those new to our church. Visitors, friends, and members are all welcome in our sanctuary and at church events and classes. You are free to choose what level of participation feels right. Please fill out the blue card you will find in the pew to request to be on the e-FUUSE email list for announcements about current church events. You may also wish to call committee chair Janet Szarmach at 773-0182 for information about social events at FUUSE. They are wonderful opportunities to meet other “FUUSE-ians,” (old & new), learn more about the church, and enjoy a feeling of community.

Minister's Musings

Witnessing at the State House

A few weeks ago the NH State House of Representatives passed a budget with massive cuts to human services, to collective bargaining rights, and many other programs that are currently supported by the state. I went to Concord twice that week, knowing that being there wouldn’t change the vote. So why go?

I sat twice with a group of people holding vigil outside the Speaker’s office. And I stood in the gallery with the police unions and the firefighter’s unions. I wandered the halls and met people in wheelchairs, there to visit their representatives. But I was pretty sure that none of this would change the vote. So why go?

The bill has been passed to the State Senate. I have joined a group that sits vigil outside every Senate Finance Committee Meeting. I don’t have any idea what affect our presence has on the outcome of the meetings let alone the final vote. So why go?

The first reason: I have found it difficult to stay away. I have gotten behind on my email and some of the jobs I do here at church (you may be one of the people experiencing this choice on my part!) Still, I am going once a week to Concord to participate in the vigil.

The second reason I go is the long list of personal experiences I have had, including with mental health and disability awareness, my years in public schools, my own time as a union member and my understanding of what unions have done in this country for the rights of working people.

The third reason I go is because I can. So many people who want to go cannot. But I can. So I do.

And finally I go simply to be a witness. I don’t know that my, that any of us, being there in the hallway outside the hearings will have a tangible effect on what happens. But it does make a difference that people know that we are seeing what is happening.

I don’t think there is inherent conflict between people’s essential human needs. We find all kinds of things to be in conflict about and I think it is possible for these matters to be resolved so that all people’s needs are tended to. I don’t know exactly what that would look like, but I think it’s possible; and so I shall continue to act as if it is.

Kendra
Reverend Kendra Ford

Ongoing Programs

Please see the monthly calendar for scheduled meetings and events.

Choirs: Adult choir and Children's Voices choir — See Music under Programs tab

Small Group Ministry
We offer small groups where people can meet together and reflect on life issues in a spiritual context and get to know each other in a small group setting. Each group includes 6 to 8 participants. Church members facilitate, providing a topic for reflection and helping the group to share and listen deeply to each other in a safe and caring environment. Small group participants are asked to commit to 6 to 7 meetings, usually bi-weekly. Groups for the fall season begin in October, with sign-up sheets posted in September. For more information contact Paula Wall pgwall@juno.com

First Friday Coffeehouse — 1st Friday of every month, some exceptions (check the Calendar)
If you like music, poetry, drama, or storytelling, come to the First Friday Coffeehouse and enjoy a hot cup of coffee or tea and a dessert, and listen to the other talented artists we have in the community. We’ve had a lot of fun listening to the storytelling of Ophelia Bumps, the dramatic performances of Peggi McCarthy, the enchanting voice of Chris Chance, and her talented husband, guitarist Neal Zweig, the solo guitar playing of Scott Oullette, the rock and roll energy of Tito Mambo, and the poetry of Kendra Ford, among other guests. If you want to perform, just sign up on the list before we get started at 7:30 and we’ll look forward to your performance. Bring the family or a friend or both. Treat yourself to a night out and come on down to the First Friday Coffeehouse at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Exeter. The coffeehouse is in the Parish Hall set back from the road. If you’re a talented baker of desserts, we whole-heartedly welcome your baking creations to share with the audience and artists. For more information, contact Bob at bmoore628@comcast.net or phone: 642-4648

Knitting Ministry meets the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 pm in the Parsonage to work on healing/spirituality shawls or other articles for our congregation. Beginner and experienced knitters and crocheters are welcome.

Midweek Mindfulness — every third Wednesday 6:00 to 6:30 pm
Join us for meditation at the Parsonage as often as you like. No experience necessary, only a willingness to be in the silence with each other. This is good preparation for the evening meetings and the rest of the week. There will be time to share tea afterward.

Contra Dance
Monthly Saturday contra dances are held in our Parish Hall on the second Saturday of each month (check Calendar) with Richky Holt calling. live music is provided by Jim DiCarlo and Lisa Burk-McCoy (Irish flute and whistles), Silas Robinson (fiddle), Brad Robinson (guitar), and Nancy Fiske (pennywhistle, recorders, clarinet). You do not need experience or a partner. All dances will be taught and kids are welcome. Bring clean soft-soled shoes. Donations are reuqested, under 10 free.

Men's and Women's Pot Luck Suppers
Fun, food, and fellowship each month. We usually split into a men's group and a women's group, but ocassionally combine the two groups. Watch the Calendar, the Order of Service Announcements, and monthly Newsletter for details.

Team FUUSEion — FIRST LEGO League: Robotics-based competition for students 9–12 years old teaches how to build working robots and engage in friendly competition with other local teams, while keeping the main focus on personal character and UU principles. Fun and great education! Plus, junior teams now available for 6–9 year olds! Please contact Frank Merrick for more information at merrick@earthlink.net or 679-2524.

The Lit FUUSE: FUUSE members publish a creative arts magazine including poetry, prose, photography and fine arts. Contact Bob Moore for more information at bmoore628@comcast.net or phone: 642-4648

Spiritual Parenting Seminar: A group meets weekday mornings, twice monthly, to discuss selected readings and personal observations relevant to parenting with respect to family spiritual growth. For more information please contact facilitator Kim Orifici at KimOrifici@comcast.net .

Potluck Suppers and Circle Dinners: Various opportunities to share food and fun will be listed in the FUUSE calendar, newsletter, weekly email, and order of service insert. Some are at private homes and some are here in the Parish Hall. Please contact Paul Robinson for more information at pbrobie@comcast.net or 580-1342.

Yoga: Classical Yoga with certified Yoga instructor Lisa Burk-McCoy is available now on a regular basis in the Parish Hall. Teens and adults are invited to explore the Yoga path to a peaceful mind, body and spirit through discussion, breath, movement and meditation. Please email Lisa for details at lisaburk-mccoy@earthlink.net or 772-3186.

Cleaning Up the Beach: FUUSE has adopted a section of beach in Seabrook to clean up at intervals throughout the year. These efforts are an outgrowth of the Green Sanctuary Committee agenda. Please contact Meg Schoene for more information at mcschoene@earthlink.net t or 772-3218.

Food and Clothing Drive: These efforts are ongoing through the Outreach Committee. Many other opportunities to put faith in action by helping those in need in the community are supported and organized by outreach volunteers. These include a rotating family shelter project (part of the Seacoast Interfaith Hospitality Network or SIHN) and fundraising to stop hunger at the fall “Crop Walk.” For more information please contact Helen Kruppa at hokruppa@netscape.net or 772-3387

Worship Services

Identical services are held at 9:00 and 11:00 on Sunday mornings from the third Sunday in September through mid June. Children start out in the sanctuary and leave for Sunday School partway through. Childcare is provided for the youngest members of your family. Between the services (approximately 10:00 to 11:00) you are invited to join us for coffee and fellowship in the Parish Hall. Click on Worship Services in the menu bar to see topics for the coming month.

The Adult Choir, Chamber Singers, or instrumentalists provide music at both services.

A single Summer service is held at 10:00 am six times during July and August (see the Worship Services page for more information). They are led by members of the congregation and are held in the sanctuary. Childcare is provided.

The church is wheelchair accessible.

Pathways to Membership

We want to make the FUUSE a welcoming place for you to explore your spiritual interests and feel a part of a community. We have extensive materials, information, and enthusiastic members to support you in your decision to become a member. For further guidance, please speak with our minister, Kendra Ford.

If you are new to Unitarian Universalism
•Complete a blue Visitor Information Card.
•Talk with existing church members.
•Read written information on Unitarian Universalism available on this Web site or on the Newcomer’s Table in the Parish Hall.
•If you have children, involve them in religious education. Speak with our Director of Religious Education (DRE) about our curriculum. If you are coming regularly to church, it is important for us to have your children registered for a class, whether or not you are a member.
•Join a “Beyond Coffee Hour” Group.
•The best way to get to know our community and to build a commitment to one another is to participate in supporting the church: volunteer to assist in services, help at church events, teach Sunday School, or work on a committee.
•Meet with the Minister.
•Attend a Newcomers’ Breakfast. Twice a year there is a Newcomers Breakfast where people meet the lay leadership of the church informally to learn about the church and the committees.
•Attend the Pathways to Membership series. These 3 classes are offered periodically: UU 101, Part I and II explore the meaning and history of Unitarian Universalism and are taught by the minister; “What’s Going On Here?” explains how to get involved at FUUSE.
•Sign our membership book. You will be welcomed by the community at a New Member Welcoming Ceremony. These occur throughout the church year during our worship service.
•Part of the process of becoming a member is making a financial commitment to support this church. Someone from the Canvass Committee will be in touch with you.

Already a UU?
•Complete a blue Visitor Information Card available from the greeters when you enter the church.
•The best way to get to know our community and to build a commitment to one another is to participate in supporting the church. Volunteer to assist in services, help at church events, teach Sunday School, or work on a committee.
•Make a financial commitment to the church.
•Meet with our minister to discuss membership.
•Sign the Membership Book.

What's a UU?