Second Congregational Meeting House Society

Unitarian Universalist11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023

Nantucket, MA 02554(508) 228-5466

Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Newsletter ~ March 2012

WHERE LAND AND SEA MEETReflections on the life and lives of a religious community

by Rev. David M. Horst

You, members and friends of the Nantucket congregation, have accomplished a remarkable amount during the first seven months of this transitional period. Most notably you have approved a balanced budget, dealt with the bittersweet parting of long-time program staff people, voted in new Board members, re-energized the Religious Education and Fundraising Committees, consolidated your membership, and seen Sunday attendance increase to an average of 50 to 60 adults, youth, and children.

The Sunday morning worship and music program have remained varied and engag-ing, and the new cooperative religious education program is coming on strong. Increased congregational involvement in community service and public policy ad-vocacy initiatives is now in the offing. Equally important is the new spirit of open-ness, reconciliation, constructive dialogue, and hope for the future. I congratulate you on everything you have done in just seven months! In the midst of this busy and hopeful time, I invite you take some time to consider not only all of the things you do as a congregation, but also the things you are. At the recent Board retreat I asked, Who are you now? What is your identity? The re-sponses were many, varied, and decidedly positive:

We are diversity of belief • openness • change • on the move • small but growing • a work in progress • relationships • speakers and listeners • exploring • reinventing ourselves • looking to the future • long-time members and new • the come-as-you-are church • willing participants and leaders • shared leadership and an inclusive process • an increased number of stakeholders • not waiting for the new minister to save us.

Next I asked, What do you want to be? How do you wish to be known? This is the “vi-sion thing” that is so important in the growth and sustainability of a congregation. A new vision is beginning to emerge, and the Board has taken the first step by draft-ing vision statement that you’ll find printed elsewhere in this month’s Weathervane and posted in the Activities Room.

The vision statement a work-in-progress, and there is much to build on. Note the operative words within the draft statement: “Open, diverse, loving and respectful.”

(continued on page 2)

Tulips at the Meeting House 2011

JOIN US AT 10:45 A.M. FOR SERVICES

EVERY SUNDAY.

Sunday, March 4“Purim Celebration”

Sunday, March 11“What’s Happening to My

Church?”

Sunday, March 18“World Water Day/Justice

Sunday”

Sunday, March 25“Community

Engagement” Fourth Sunday Lay Led Service

Families Welcome! Religious Education

for Children Each Week

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(continued from page 1)

“Compassionate and supportive.” “Uplifting music.” “Inspiring and challenging sermons.” “Exciting, provocative, interesting, and fun.” “Year-round youth and adult programs.” “Community outreach and social justice.”

What is your vision for the Nantucket congregation? Ask yourself, Who are we and why are we here? Then bring our biggest and best ideas to the congregational dialogue on March 11 following Sunday morning worship and religious education.

True, there is much to be done; but give some time and thought to who you are today and what you wish to be in the future — then the actions you take will be based on a vision that is well grounded and widely shared.

Be a part of the vision! Get in on the conversation!

“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.

JUST A REMINDER TOPAY YOUR 2012 PLEDGE!

FOURTH SUNDAY COMMITTEE UPDATE

On March 25th, The Fourth Sunday Lay Led Service Committee will be addressing the issue of “Commu-nity Engagement.” Many of us are involved in vol-unteer positions and would like to share the rewards and benefits we experience. There is a great need for volunteerism in our community, and we would like to encourage your involvement.

If you would like to participate in this service by speaking briefly about your “cause,” please contact a committee member: Sissy Girard, Christine Sanford, Yve Shevalier, or Mary Beth Splaine. Thank you for your interest.

ST. PATRICK’S DAYFUNDRAISING DINNER

SATURDAY, MARCH 17 • 7 P.M.$20 adults/$3 children

Traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner prepared by the Fourth Sunday Committee and hosted

by Marty Eerhart and Yve Shevalier • 36 Hummock Pond RoadSpace is limited! Sign up in the Activities Room.

See you there!

SOUTH CHURCH PRESERVATION FUNDUPDATEby Leslie W. Ottinger, M.D., SCPF Chair

The last element of The Campaign to Restore the Historic Unitarian Meeting House is to establish a Permanent Main-tenance Fund and develop a regular maintenance program for the building. Principles for governing the fund have been adopted. They include a small committee of mem-bers to hold responsibility for actually managing the fund. At the February meeting of the Board of Directors, Susan Hochwald, Craig Spery and Chris Lohmann were elected to constitute this committee.

Fundraising was begun in the Fall, by first seeking contribu-tions from the major supporters to the Campaign. Contri-butions are still coming in, but it is clear that further fund- raising will be needed to accomplish the goal of a fund large enough to sustain ongoing regular maintenance of the building. To aid in this, the Board of Trustees has been asked to become involved and to secure the support of the Society. Several approaches are to be considered. Among them is a charge to be added to fees for use of the building. Success in this effort is clearly of importance to the long-term fiscal health of South Church.

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BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORTby Bob Hall, President

February has been an eventful month, a month of transition and change, a month of growth and hope. February 5th marked the last Sunday with Marcia Hempel. The service was devoted to Marcia who helped plan most of it. It was joyful and fun, full of music and memories. But it was also sad realizing she would be leaving us after twenty years as Music Director. As a going-away present, the congregation gave to Marcia a painting of her performing at the Goodrich Organ. The painting was by island artist James Harrington. The monetary gifts were given to her separately.

Barbara Elder led the choir and played the piano on February 12. The children attended and participated in Marcia’s February 5th service so February 12 marked the beginning of our new Religious Education Program under the leadership of Casey Sayre Boukus. The new RE committee had met weeks before and were well–planned for that first Sunday. The committee met for a full-day retreat/workshop on February 10. We are excited about the new volunteer-led program.

The trustees have been busy. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays at 4:15 p.m. The February 14 meeting had a full agenda. Les Ottinger, representing the South Church Preservation Fund (SCPF) opened the meeting with a fascinating history of the SCPF. Their attempt to generate a significant maintenance fund has met with limited success thus requiring more active involvement from all church members.

Verizon hopes to install upgraded equipment in our tower. This will require they remove the current equipment, a process that will take two or three weeks. They need to install an upgraded cooling system which will require running pipes, most probably in the attic. More antennas will be installed in the bell area. We want them to install a fire suppression system. All of this is complicated by the various contracts that have transpired. A sub-committee has met to make a list of our concerns which have been forwarded to our attorneys, Jill Kastle and Andrew Pasquina. A conference call took place with them on February 8.

The trustees met on Saturday, February 18 for an all-day retreat, or an “advance,” as Rev. Horst described it. The purpose of the retreat was to clarify our goals and objectives for the coming year. Rev. Horst acted as facilitator. It was a long but good day with concrete results. We will be holding regular “talk-back” sessions with the congregation after Sunday Services.

Each trustee has volunteered to serve as a liaison to a specific committee in an effort to improve communication. Communication is always difficult when groups meet separately. We hope that having a trustee at most committee meetings will help improve communication. Georgen Charnes is working on changes to the website. We are getting the PA system up and running effectively and conveniently. We are also moving our bookkeeping from Fogged-in to our office. Kim is an experienced bookkeeper and has begun the tasks.

It is a slow process, but we are reorganizing ourselves in a positive direction. My heart is warmed by all the people who have stepped up to meet our challenges. I am feeling inspired and hopeful. I have noticed that some members have returned after periods of absence. I would hope that they come back several times because each week is different. It is difficult to get an impression of our progress with just one or two visits. So tell your friends: exciting things are happening.

Nantucket Unitarian Universalist Fundraising Committee

invites you to our 1st Annual

“Souper Bowl” Sunday, February 5 5:30 p.m. • $10 per person

Home of Christine Sanford • 3 Mill St.

The Nantucket UU Fundraising Committee invites you to join us to watch the NE Patriots and the NY Giants com-pete in Super Bowl XLVI. Bring your favorite cold weather soup and/or salad to share, along with your own beverages. We’ll supply snacks and rolls. It’ll be fun to enjoy the game together!

Like to watch the commercials and halftime show but you’re not a serious football fan? We’ll have one room with a TV set up for your group. In another room, die-hard football fans will be in front of the other TV rooting for their favorite team.

All proceeds will go to the 2012 operating budget. Sign up today on the clipboard in the Activities Room at the Coffee Hour after service. Questions? Ask Linda Spery or Pete Sawyer, Fundraising Committee co-chairs. Space is limited so don’t delay!

The Nantucket UU Congregation “Standing on the Side of Love”at the February 12 Sunday Service.

Board members take a break at their retreat on February 18. Thanks to Jack Weinhold and Mary Beth Splaine for hosting the event.

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MEMORIAL DAY GOODS & SERVICES AUCTION SET FOR MAY 25-27by Linda Spery and Pete Sawyer, Fundraising Committee Co-Chairs

As a part of the fundraising strategic plan for 2012, the congregation will hold its first annual Goods & Services Auction Memorial Day Weekend. This three-day event will feature both silent and live auctions offering items by both year-round and seasonal Nantucketers affiliated with the UU congregation. All proceeds from the auction weekend will support music, religious education and operational expenses of the congregation for 2012. Our goal is 100% participation by Nantucket UU members and friends and to raise $5,000! HOW DOES THE AUCTION WORK?

Members of the fundraising committee will begin contacting you this month to solicit commitments of goods and services to be offered in either the silent or live auctions. We ask you to use your creativity to come up with ideas. You may offer an auction item by yourself or join with another person or group to develop a concept. Fundraising committee members will provide guidance as needed so that our finalized list of auction items in May reflects a diverse array that will attract bidders from among our congregation and also from the Nantucket community-at-large.

The Goods & Services auction will offer those who take part an opportunity to offer and/or obtain something direct and tangible in return for a donation to the congregation’s ongoing vitality. Many of the events such as outings or dinners are a great way to get to know new people with similar interests and a wonderful way for you to share your hobbies, interests and special places with others. Often the events you bid on get you to places and activities that you might not ordinarily go to or engage in. Most importantly, the entire weekend and all of the follow-up auction events provide important social interac-tions to help build our community through new personal relationships. Both buyers as well as those offering items for purchase achieve satisfaction knowing that they are helping support our church community. BID ON ITEMS IN BOTH SILENT AND LIVE AUCTIONS

Once the auction item information is gathered and the list is finalized by the Fundraising Committee, decisions will be made about which items will be silent auction items and which will be in the live auction. Committee members will create a list of items with descriptions and starting bid prices. Lists with descriptions will be sent out via e-mail and the May issue of the Weathervane. Display tables will be set up in the Activities Room on the afternoon of Friday, May 25 with all silent auction items included with clipboards. People are welcomed to begin dropping by to write down their bids on the silent auction items and to enjoy lemonade, coffee and cookies as they peruse the tables. The silent auction tables will continue to be set up in the Activities Room all day Saturday (May 26) and Sunday (May 27). Fundraising Committee members will welcome silent auction bidders throughout the day on Saturday and Sunday in the Activities Room. A live auction complete with appetizers, entertainment and an auctioneer will take place on Saturday night. At this time at-tendees will check in and receive a paddle with an identifying number. As live auction items are offered for bid (in Hendrix Hall?), participants will raise their paddles to place their bids, with the bidder who wins having the highest bid. Live auction winners will settle up with the Fundraising Committee cashiers at the end of the evening in order to receive their items. During the live auction event, attendees can continue to write down their bids on the clipboards in the Activities Room. Silent auction bids will accepted through coffee hour after the Sunday service with the silent auction closing at 1 p.m. on Sunday. Winners of the silent auction items will be notified by phone on Sunday afternoon and they will be responsible for remitting payment that afternoon or during the week to follow in order to receive their items. Auction weekend results will be announced at the following Sunday service. For more information, contact auction chair-persons Linda Spery at linda@sonnpr.com, Pete Sawyer at ansleysawyer@comcast.net or Jack Weinhold at jack@nantucket.net. Please see the insert in this month’s newsletter to submit your auction items. Thank you!

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THE NEW RE: PASSING ON OUR UU VALUES TO OUR NEXT GENERATIONby Casey Sayre Boukus

Greetings everyone!

As you all know, much is shifting and transforming within our church and congregation and the religious education sector is no exception. First of all, I would like to send out a huge thank you to Sally and Lizie for all their tremendous energy and dedication to the program. We are hugely grateful for the foundation they have laid and will be celebrating them at a party in their honor to be held soon (info to come). Ready and willing to build on that foundation, the new cooperative RE program consists of eight active committee members and an additional eleven volunteers signed up as teachers and youth advisors! We launched this effort with a four-hour RE teacher training program on February 11 with fourteen participants and a lot of enthusiasm. We discussed many facets of spiritual education for children, from art and storytelling to ritual and theatrical games, safety within the church, structure and principles to multi-genera-tional relationships.

The program is now set up thus: each week’s lesson will connect with the theme of the day’s service and will vary in content depending on the teachers involved. Story, art and games will be readily used within a fairly consistent structure which includes circle time, discussion of UU values and principles, snacktime (juice, popcorn, fruit, etc.) and casual talk and play. Each week one lead teacher from the committee will be “on” as well as ideally, two other volunteers. The lead teacher will be responsible for the overall planning and flow of the morning, but not necessarily “teaching”. (For exam-ple, if you really want to teach basket-weaving to the children one week, the lead teacher would orchestrate the morn-ing, but the body of class would be the work they do with you.) At the conclusion of service, we ask that parents join the RE group, collect their young ones for coffee hour (with a Waldorf-ian farewell handshake to the teachers!), and assist them at the food table. We are also in the process of hiring professional childcare for infants and toddlers.

YUUth group continues to meet on Thursday nights at 6:30. This is another energetic and creative group and we are seeking one more youth advisor to join them!

Upcoming themes for service are: Purim, Once and Future Church, Justice Sunday and World Water Day, Primrose/Palm Sunday, Easter and Passover. If any of these interest you in assisting or if a lesson idea or story etc. calls to you, please sign up with Bradford Garrison or contact me at boukus25@comcast.net. We also invite anyone interested to join us at the next RE committee meetings on March 7 and 28.

I feel very privileged to be working with such an amazing group of educators and children alike, so don’t be shy! Come share what you know with our youngsters! See you in Circle! Blessings…

RE Leader Bradford Garrison (fifth from left) leads a training exercise at RE teacher orientation session at-tended by (left to right) Casey Boukus, Rev. David Horst, Debby Merritt, Georgen Charnes, Garrison, Sissy Girard, Linda Spery, Alyson Gaylord-Loy, Bob Hall, Susan Richards, Anne Sutherland and Yve Shevalier.

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MARCH 2012 WORSHIP & RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THEMES Sunday, March 4 • 10:45 a.m.‘Purim Celebration’ - Hendrix Hall and Activities RoomPurim is one of the most joyous and inspiring holidays in the Jewish tradition, commemorating the time when Jews living in ancient Persia were saved from extermination. Based on the story as told in the book of Esther in the Hebrew Bible, the modern-day celebration features the telling of the story (the Magillah), the baking and eating of sweet Hamentaschen, and much merry making. In worship and religious education we learn the story of brave Queen Esther, the wise Mordecai, the evil Hamen, and the compassionate King Ahasuerus. David Horst is the worship leader. Bradford Garrison leads religious education. Coffee and conversation follow the programs.

Sunday, March 11 • 10:45 a.m.‘What’s Happening to My Church?’ - Hendrix Hall and Activities RoomBased on the book The Almost Church Revitalized: Envisioning the Future of Unitarian Universalism by Michael Durall, Rev. Horst continues the conversation that began at the Board of Trustees’ retreat in February. He focuses on the essen-tial questions of leadership, programs, membership growth, financial giving, and ways to make the Unitarian Universalist “living tradition” live in the 21st century. Children discuss what they love about their church and what they’d like their church to be. David Horst is the worship leader with music by Diane Lehman and the choir. Casey Boukus leads religious education. Following coffee and conversation we gather in Hendrix Hall for our monthly congregational conversation to continue the conversation about the new vision for our congregation.

Sunday, March 18 • 10:45 a.m.‘World Water Day/Justice Sunday’ - Hendrix Hall and Activities RoomToday children, youth, and adults participate in Justice Sunday sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). This year the UUSC calls congregations to support “water justice” around the world and to support the United Nation’s “World Water Day.” Water is essential for life; yet nearly 1 billion people lack access to safe water and 2.5 billion do not have adequate sanitation — more people have access to a cell phone than a toilet. While the statistics are stagger-ing, you might be surprised to learn how simple and cost-effective the solutions are. David Horst is the worship leader with music by Diane Lehman and the choir. Bradford Garrison and Casey Boukus lead religious education. Enjoy coffee and conversation following the programs.

Sunday, March 25 • 10:45 a.m.“Community Engagement” Fourth Sunday Lay-Led Service - Hendrix Hall and Activities RoomThe Fourth Sunday Lay-Led Service committee addresses the issue of “community engagement.” Many of us are involved in volunteer positions and would like to share the rewards and benefits we experience. During this service members and friends will share their volunteer experiences and will encourage others to get involved. Music by Mollie Glazer with Barbara Elder conducting the choir. Susan Richards leads religious education. Enjoy coffee and conversation following the programs.

Mollie Glazer Performs at the Feb. 19 Service.F

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This original painting by Nantucket artist James Harrington was presented as a gift from the congregation to Marcia at the service in her honor on February 5.

A MESSAGE FROM MARCIA

I’m doing well, working hard on my plans for Lent and Easter choral music, and practicing organ pieces for my services. I have an Ash Wednesday service coming up this week. I’ve been looking at music for handbells with choir. The handbells are conducted by the daughter of a woman who conducted the handbells for many years.

I have had two rehearsals with the regular, adult choir, and soon I will see what happens with the children (but there are not many children in the congregation). This church is not without prob-lems; some of the former choir members were upset that I was hired. (The church combined the positions of choir director and organist). They were close to the former director. And so they are no longer there! Oh well. The people who are singing are very nice and are doing a good job, but the choir is pretty small. It will grow. Some members will be returning from their Florida winters. People like the music we have done so far, especially big organ postludes!

The Cape Cod Times has had two articles about the church that have mentioned me, and Saturday’s paper had a picture of me, in my Director’s robe. I am very grateful to all of you for the won-derful, warm sendoff you gave me. Thank you also for your many gifts to me, I will treasure them. I am so fortunate to have such good friends. Good luck with your new endeavors. I’m thinking of you and hope to see you all soon. I’m still around on island on Mondays and Tuesdays, over at Sherburne Hall, teaching.

With love,Marcia Hempel

FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT

The budget process for 2012 has been completed. We thank the Board of Trustees and the congre-gation for their continued support of our efforts to achieve pay-as-you-go church operations.

Music and Religious Education have both under-gone reorganization with emphasis on volun-teerism and part-time employment. Other areas of operations have been streamlined to reflect our focus on fiscal restraint.

Key bookkeeping operations have been trans-ferred from Fogged-In to Kim LaRue, our Office Administrator, who handles all data entry and reporting with an assist from Fogged-In as need-ed. The payroll function continues with outside service coordinated by Fogged-In Bookkeeping. A pledge database system has been acquired and installed to track and manage this critical infor-mation function. Thank you, Jack Weinhold!

Currently 2012 pledges total $67,000 represent-ing 64 pledge units. Summary financial state-ments are scheduled to appear in the Weather-vane beginning in April. Your suggestions and comments are always appreciated.

Your Finance CommitteeBrian Girard (chair), Jack Weinhold (treasurer), Marty Eerhart, Larry Miller, Craig Spery, Bob Hall (ex officio), and Rev. David Horst (ex officio)

DRAFT VISION STATEMENT

“We would like to be known as an open, diverse, loving and respectful, compassionate and support-ive congregation. Building on the foundation of Sunday worship services with uplifting music and inspiring and challenging sermons, we would like to be known as a place where there are exciting, provocative, interesting, and fun year-round youth and adult programs that motivate involvement of the congregation in the direction of community outreach and social justice.”

Second Congregational Meeting House Society11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

NON PROFIT ORG.US POSTAGE

PAIDNANTUCKET, MA

02554PERMIT NO. 5

Second Congregational Meeting House SocietyUnitarian Universalist

11 Orange St. ~ P.O. Box 1023Nantucket, MA 02554

(508) 228-5466 (Office)www.unitarianchurchnantucket.org

uuchurchnantucket@verizon.net

Church StaffDavid M. Horst, Interim Minister ~ Edward B. Anderson, Minister Emeritus ~ Kim N. LaRue, Office

Administrator and Receptionist ~ Mimi Jones and Dennis Santangelo, Sextons ~ Meghan Blair-Valero, Fogged-In Bookkeeping, Business Services

Board of TrusteesBob Hall (President), Christine Sanford (Vice President), Marty Eerhart (Clerk), Jack Weinhold

(Treasurer), Brian Girard, David Hall, Linda Spery, Marina Sutro

Church Office HoursMonday - Friday ~ 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Minister’s Office HoursTuesday (10 a.m. - noon) and Friday (noon - 2 p.m.)