Weekly Update – February 2, 2010
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Cohasset
Weekly Update – February 2, 2010
I t’s not quite a religious holiday, Groundhog Day. And I’m always confused about whether six months of winter or an early spring will follow the groundhog seeing his shadow or not. I think here in New England, it’s either six more weeks of winter or half a dozen weeks of chilly weather. No, Groundhog Day holds no particular religious message….unless, that is, you happened to see the film version.
In “Groundhog Day” (1993) Bill Murray, plays Phil Connors, a self-important TV reporter from Pittsburgh, on assignment to cover Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, PA, where Phil the groundhog burrows out every February 2 while a whole village and reporters from afar stand in wait to find out whether furry Phil will see his shadow and they can expect a long winter or an early spring. The hitch in the story is that Phil the reporter goes to bed that night and wakes up the next morning to…the same morning, another February 2, another Groundhog Day; but only he is aware that he’s lived it before. This recycles many times, with Phil the reporter slow to learn that he’s being given chance after chance to turn his life around. The plot marches to a conclusion that I won’t give away, promise.
Why not consider instead how any of us would respond if we had a second, third, or fourth chance to relive a day or even a lifetime? Only we would be aware of the recycling. No one else around us would have a hint of what was going on. What would we do differently? Not that we should or shouldn’t change an iota of our behavior. I’m just wondering.
While we probably won’t get our very own “groundhog day” revisited, every morning that we get out of bed is another chance to live our lives. Maybe we’ll have many thousands of such mornings. Perhaps this will be the last one. Will we live it differently? Again, I’m not saying we should or shouldn’t. I’m just wondering.
It’s another morning, and for all we know, we’ve been here and now before. Then again, it’s probably a brand new day that has never been, no less a miracle than if we were spinning in time.
I love you each and all,
Jan
Haiti – First Parish continues to respond generously!
Beginning this next Sunday, February 7, 25% of our non-pledge plate offering will go to the UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, as per the thoughtful decision of our Outreach Committee. We’re building on generosity you’ve already shown on January 17 and 24, when our entire non-pledge plate offerings went to this fund and we raised $1,150! What we all give permits our UUSC to partner with indigenous groups in Haiti, reaching the most marginalized and complementing the massive aid program of larger emergency response organizations. To learn more, visit www.uusc.org and check the most recent UUSC update appended to this week’s e-mail update! Thanks so much!
HELP!!! Can you host coffee hour this coming Sunday?
We have a blank in our sign-up chart for coffee hour hosts this Sunday. If you can help, please phone Sandy Bailey at the Parish House ASAP (781-383-1100). Coffee hour hosts are also needed for February 14 and 21 and ushers and flower providers for February 14. These are such delightful ways to be hospitable. Please check your calendars and call Sandy to let her know what you will do when.
The events of this week are as follows:
Tuesday, February 2
10:30 AM – Staff Meeting – minister’s study
4:00 PM – Jan leads worship and discussion for UUs at Linden Ponds, Hingham
6:30 PM – Leadership Development Committee – Atkinson Room
Thursday, February 4
7:55 PM – Choir Rehearsal – Meeting House
Friday, February 5
1:30 – 6:30 PM – American Red Cross Bloodmobile – St. Anthony’s Parish House
If you’d like to make an appointment, please contact Vernita Bryant at 781-383-6713.
Saturday, February 6
9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Don’t Hit Back: Responses to Button-Pushing Behaviors
with Rev. Dr, Ken Reeves, a clinical psychologist, UU minister – First Parish Unitarian Universalist Canton, 1508 Washington Street, Canton, MA
A look at how congregations can handle behavior that blocks progress or that hurts others or escalates conflict, while still valuing freedom and the inherent worth and dignity of everyone. Primarily designed for congregational lay leaders, ministers, staff and committee chairs.
Registration fee: $20 per person or 3 for $50.
Sunday, February 7
8:00 AM – Circle Ministry (group led by Joan Kovach & Susan Meikleham and meeting on the 1st & 3rd Sundays)
9:45 AM – Childcare for our youngest. All other children will join their parents and the full congregation for the first part of worship in the Meeting House and then leave for RE classes, which extend to 11:15 AM. Our Whole Lives (OWL) meets at 9:45 AM at First Parish UU in Scituate.
10:00 AM – Worship in the Parish House – “Afterlife” – Our children will join us for the first part of worship.
Everyone is invited for refreshments and fellowship in the Parish House right after worship (IF we have coffee hour hosts!).
Noon – 1 PM – Circle Ministry Facilitators – Atkinson Room
What else?
HomeShare apartment family moves on
Our HomeShare Apartment Committee reports that Beth and her son Christopher, who have lived in the HomeShare Apartment for not quite a month, moved last Wednesday into their own apartment in Pembroke, just five minutes from her job. Christopher can now ride a bus to school, saving Beth hours of time. Beth says that she hopes to visit the Farmers’ Market in Cohasset this summer and see it in the fall when the leaves change! Be assured that we made a positive difference in providing this family with needed transitional housing. Thanks to all who helped make Beth and Christopher feel at home. We wish them well.
Some minor repairs are underway in the apartment, so we’re all being asked by our HomeShare Committee to stay clear of the apartment and the bathroom for awhile (2nd floor of the Parish House across from Jim’s office). Thank you!
UUSC Update on Direction of the UUSC-UUA Joint Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund
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For more information on activities at First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Cohasset, refer to our December newsletter, The Common, and to our website at www.firstparishcohasset.org.
We have a faith worth sharing and a church worth growing!
Come, and bring your children and your un-churched neighbors!
