|
REflections March 2008
March brings big news! Spring arrives on 20th and this year, Easter is on the 23rd.
However, before we come to those two, we have the CBD Middle School Rally (Grades 6/7) in
Worchester, MA on the 1st, the Youth RE Committee meeting on the 2nd, the Youth Interfaith
Social Justice Event on March 9, and, if there is interest, the Sleepover on March 15.
The first three Sundays are regular class days, as well as March 30. On Easter there will
be the annual intergenerational service on the beach in front of the Madison Surf Club at
8:45 AM and a "Celebration Sunday" time during the 10:30 AM service. I am planning for a
very short service this year as it is likely to be quite cold still.
After all the UUSC Guest at Your Table boxes were totaled, we sent $265 off to do its work.
The food collection project for four shoreline "soup kitchens" is progressing well under the
leadership of Grades 6/7 and will continue through March 9. Note the specially decorated
collection box downstairs for your ongoing use.
The YREC and I will be recruiting this month for the 2008-2009 program year both for teaching
teams and new committee members. We are also writing a grant to help fund individuals and
families for one of our wonderful camps and conferences. They tend to fill up quickly so
the time to seriously consider them as part of your summer plans is now. There information
for several on the piano downstairs and information how to access more on the internet.
I will offer UU Parenting (based on a UUA curriculum guide) in April and May (either on
Wednesday evenings or Sunday afternoons). And check the more detailed information on
SUUS' three-part series for newcomers called "Stepping Stones" following this column
As we approach a new season of the year, I share these thoughts adapted from a UUA pamphlet
entitled Unitarian Universalist Views of Easter:
Human beings need celebration; {they have} the need to transcend the everyday sameness of things by redeeming time through celebration…. The Norseman's
Eoster or "season of the rising sun," when each year they honored the return of spring {is}
an event celebrated by all people in every age and every culture.
As early Christianity layered its story on the ancient spring celebrations, new meanings were
added for us to examine. If you are pondering the meaning of this season, remember
there are resources available to you in the RE Office. I would be glad to be of assistance.
Judy Bruce-Mangle
Stepping Stones
On March 20, March 27, and April 10, there will be three Thursday evening classes, held from
7-9 PM for newcomers, as well as interested members and friends. We'll become more familiar
with our Unitarian Universalist beliefs and heritage, our relationship to the Unitarian
Universalist Association of Congregations, our Lifespan Religious Education Program and our
Governance Policies. These classes are sponsored and facilitated by the Rev. Claudia Elferdink,
DRE Judy Bruce-Mangle, and the Membership Committee. Sign up at Coffee Hour or leave a message
at the Main Office for Judy or send an email (jbruceman@earthlink.net) if you are interested
in attending. We will be using the UU Pocket Guide ($6) as a reference and there will be
about an hour of preparation for each class session. We'll learn from our
readings and discussions and have an opportunity to get to know one another better.
|