Sunday January 20 10:30 AM	Sunday January 27 10:30 AM
Sermon	“The Life of  Nina Simone” Martin Luther King Sunday Rev. Tim Kutzmark	“Convergent Stories From Diverse Cultures:  Ecological Beauty, Loss and Healing” Green Sanctuary
Children	Jan. 20 – Begin in Sanctuary. Church school follows until 11:45. Playschool with Jen in Sawyer. COA in Fellowship Hall for Getting to Know You. Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House No SHYP	Begin in Sanctuary. Church School follows until 11:45. Playschool with Jenn in Sawyer. Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House. Senior High Youth Program 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House.
Ushers	Rose McAuley	Needed
Altar	Eileen Cumming and Linda Deveau	Lori Renn Parker and Marsten and Julia Parker
Coffee Hour	Judy Bousquin and Denise Conry	Ann Fisher and Ruth White
Welcome Table	Eileen Cummings and Judy Riley	Nancy Bond and Elaine Ohlson
Greeters	Chet and Allena Woods	Lorraine Dennis and Ruth Goldberg
Paper Recycler	Jane Jolkovski	Ann Fisher
RE Greeter	Steve Belt	Donna Colebrook

Sunday, January 20, 2008 – 10:30 AM

“Jazz and Justice: The Life of Nina Simone”
Martin Luther King Sunday
Rev. Tim Kutzmark

Join us for our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Sunday service.  This year, we’ll celebrate the songs and story of jazz legend Nina Simone. Ms. Simone was called the "High Priestess of Soul" by her fans and was regarded by them as an almost religious figure.  Considered one of the greatest singers of her generation, Nina Simone changed the face of both music and race relations in America. She struck a chord with powerful protest songs such as "Mississippi Goddam" and "To Be Young, Gifted, and Black," the anthem of the American Civil Rights movement.  The New York Times said of Ms. Simone: “Her attitudes and passions make her a culture unto herself.”  Nina Simone died on April 21, 2003 at age 70. 

If you wish to explore more about Nina Simone, following the service we’ll show a rare 60 minute FILM featuring concert footage and her reflections on religion, race, and justice.  A light lunch will be provided.  The film will be shown in the sanctuary on the large projector screen.  Please plan to stay and enjoy this exploration of one of the world’s great voices of justice and jazz.

Sunday, January 27, 2008 – 10:30 AM

“Convergent Stories From Diverse Cultures:  Ecological Beauty, Loss and Healing”
Green Sanctuary

Rick Wetzler will share emergent trends in the field of ecology he’s witnessed during thirty years of university teaching.    Chief among these are the rapidly growing interfaces of ecological science with the numerous religious pathways addressing “sense of place,” its loss and return.  In this respect, the Green Sanctuary group will present diverse yet convergent earth prayers, poems, stories, sounds and images from throughout the developed and developing world.

Town of Reading Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration 01-21-08

On Monday, January 21, please join Rev. Tim for Reading’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration.  Sponsored by the Reading Clergy Association, this morning event is perfect for adults and children.  The celebration will be held at First Congregational Church in Reading (25 Woburn Street).  The morning will begin at 9:00 AM with a bagel and fruit breakfast, and the program will start at 10:00 AM.  The program will feature celebrated jazz singers Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter, a recreation of Dr. King’s “I Have A Dream” speech, and short reflections on Dr. King, including one offered by Emma Conry, a student in our church school.

NEWCOMERS TEA AND TOUR PLANNED FOR SUNDAY JANUARY 20, 2008

Join Rev. Tim after the service next Sunday, January 20th for a casual, comfortable chance to talk, ask questions, have a tour of the church campus, and learn a little bit more about Unitarian Universalism.  We’ll have snacks for adults and kids.  Nothing fancy.  Just friendly.  We hope to see you. (We'll meet at Tim's office after the service)

UUCR MEMBER JOINING PROCESS

Rev. Tim Kutzmark would like to meet with you.

UUCR would like for each prospective member to take THE NEW UU class.  We know that this is sometimes not possible due to scheduling conflicts, but the class does teach you about our Principles and Purposes, the history of Unitarian Universalism, and our church structure.  This class also gives you time to ask those questions that you have and allows you to meet other new people who are also interested in the church.

We would like for you to attend for a while so you can learn about Unitarian Universalism and get to know your church community.

Understand that a member supports the purpose of the church and also supports the church with contributions of time and skills.  A member also supports the church with financial contributions that support our annual operating expenses and shared ministry (depending on individual circumstances).

Finally, you need to sign the Membership Book.  The signing of the Membership Book is ideally completed during a New Member Sunday Service.  The New Member Services this church year are:  February 10, 2008 and June 1, 2008

Dear Friends:

There is a reason we celebrate Martin Luther King Day, and, to be blunt, it isn’t so we can have a day off from school or work.  This isn’t a holiday in the sense that Christmas or New Year’s or even President’s Day is a holiday.  It isn’t a day to sleep in, lounge till noon, or catch up on reading, movies, or video games.  It isn’t a day to play hooky from life.  It is a day to confront life.

Martin Luther King Day should be a day for all of us—children and adults alike—to take a few moments to reflect upon the life and legacy of Dr. King and all those who have worked hard for racial, social, and economic justice.  And, it is a day for us to remember that there is so much of Dr. King’s vision and dream that remains remote and unattainable in this day and age.  It is a day to recharge our hope once more!

Please join me on Monday, January 21 for Reading’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration. This event, sponsored by the Reading Clergy Association, will feature great jazz music from celebrated singers Lynne Jackson and Mike Palter, a recreation of Dr. King’s most famous speech by young actor Khalil Flemming, and short reflections on the often overlooked themes of Dr. King’s life: anti-war and violence, economic justice, and the importance of a faith and community in which to root our social justice work.  Emma Conry, a student from our church school, will be presenting one of these reflections.

The Monday, January 21st morning program will be held at First Congregational Church in Reading, 25 Woburn Street.  Bagel and fruit breakfast will be served at 9:00 AM, with the hour-long program beginning promptly at 10:00 AM.  I had the honor of coordinating the program this year, so I do hope you will join us for this morning of remembrance and challenge.  Children and adults of all ages are invited and urged to attend.

Also, I hope you will plan on staying after church on Sunday, January 27th, as our Long Range Planning Committee leads us in an important review of our church’s mission statement.  We have so many new faces among us, and this church has changed a great deal over the last few years.  It is important to pause and ask ourselves: “Who are we and where are we going?”  Next year, the church will engage in a comprehensive long range planning process.  The workshop on January 27th after church, with light lunch provided, is a critical first step in this process.  Please, especially if you are new or new-ish to the church, please attend and share your voice and thoughts.  Your ACTIVE VOICE is needed as we shape our future together.  Lots of churches never ask what their members and friends are thinking.  Unitarian Universalists do!  Take advantage of that opportunity!

See you on the path,
Tim

PS: Don’t forget about the February 2nd Saturday morning workshop I’m offering on “Talking To Kids About Loss”.  Parents and grandparents often struggle with age appropriate ways to discuss the natural losses a child will encounter.  Breakfast and childcare are provided.  If you are thinking about attending, see the Adut Enrichment Program page for more details, and call the church office to register.  It would be very helpful to have a sense of how much interest there is in the program.

PPS: New Member Sunday is fast approaching: February 10th.  If you are thinking about becoming a member of the church, and participating in our joining and welcome service, please let me know as soon as possible.  I always like to find a time to meet with incoming new members for a welcome chat. 

CHALICE CIRCLES ARE STARTING

On the evening of December 20 the Chalice circle Facilitator training was beginning.  We'd already had one snow date delay from the week before and Rev Tim and I were somewhat wearily preparing the room for the start. Remember it is 5 days before Christmas and we had plenty of reasons to be weary.  Everyone arrived and took their seats and we began our first circle meeting.  We run the training in the format of a Chalice Circle session and within seconds of the start this blanket of calm came over me, the sweet feeling of remembering why I KNOW this is such a wonderful, spirit filling experience for me.  As we began to center ourselves and light our Chalice and introduce ourselves, I totally remembered why I love this program and this experience.  After some wonderful getting to know each other sharing I noticed that as I was speaking my check out words I was know longer feeling weary and tired. I had become quite refreshed and grateful for this experience.  This is truly a program that nourishes our need for intimacy and it is also nourishment for that need to search for answers to the big questions of life.  If you would like to have an experience of connection with others and your deeper self why don't you join a circle? Please let the office know or you can contact Nora Buckley. There are openings in the Sunday, Wed and Thurs eve circles.

NINA SIMONE:  VOICE OF JUSTICE AND JAZZ:  SUNDAY, JANUARY 20, 2008 12:15 PM

Join us on Martin Luther King Sunday (January 20, 2008) for a showing of rare concert and interview footage from acclaimed jazz and social justice prophetess Nina Simone. The film includes Nina Simone talking and singing about racial justice, and her musings on spirituality and religion.  This film will provide a deeper exploration of Rev. Tim’s sermon and worship service for the day, which will be entitled “Nina Simone: Voice of Justice, Voice of Jazz.” A light lunch will be provided prior to the film.

RACE:  EXPLORING A POWERFUL ILLUSION STARTS JANUARY 30

What is race and what impact does it have? According to the latest science, much of what we know about race may be wrong, with racial dividing lines being anything but clear. At the same time, our racial identity has real, powerful, and concrete effects in our lives. Drawing on the engaging and provocative PBS documentary, Race: The Power of an Illusion, this interactive, 3-session course will use video segments, activities, discussion, and reflection to explore and expand our understanding about race and its implications for our own lives and our faith community. 

Facilitator: Jim Vetter           
Wednesday, January, 30, February 6 and 13, 2008
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. 
Registration is requested.  You may sign up during coffee hour.  Sign up sheet is available in the atrium or call the office at 781-944-0494.

THE GOLDFISH WENT ON VACATION:  TALKING TO KIDS ABOUT LOSS AND LEARNING TO TELL THE TRUTH

All children live with loss, whether the loss of a pet, a loved one, or the natural losses that comes with growth and change. But how do we help our kids understand and deal with the losses of life? Join Rev. Tim for this workshop that will help parents learn how to directly talk about loss in age appropriate ways, understand healthy ways to support our children’s grieving, and learn to use our Unitarian Universalist faith as a resource. We will explore how we ourselves react to loss and grief, as our example is the strongest teaching we offer. This 3-hour session is appropriate for parents of children of any age. Please note: Nursery, childcare and snacks will be provided.   Facilitator: Rev. Tim Kutzmark Saturday, February 2, 8:45 a.m. – 12 noon.  Registration is requested.  You may sign up during coffee hour.  Sign up sheet is available in the atrium - or call the office at 781-944-0494 or email the Church Office

“EXPLORING THE GIFTS AMONG US:  A WORKSHOP FOR CHUCH MEMBERS, FRIENDS AND LEADERS”

Sunday, February 3rd  at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading 12:30-4:00 pm.  Cost is $15 per person and lunch is included.    Registration Form to print and mail can be found online or you may register by calling Mass Bay District at 617.498.0396

We pride ourselves on our emphasis on the leadership of the laity— it is our congregations who define our mission and purpose. Yet we also struggle with finding and equipping lay leaders to help bring this mission into being. How can we encourage a congregational culture which continually attends to the development of its leaders, both personally and institutionally?  This workshop will help us develop the truly spiritual discipline of passing on our leadership.  This dynamic and important workshop will take place at the UUCR!

Message to UUCR from Marton in Transylvania

Just before Christmas, the Partner Church Committee was delighted to receive an e-mail from Marton Csecs, one of the Unitarian seminarians in Transylvania to whom our congregation has sent a stipend for the last three years to help with his studies. Marton writes (in English—all the seminary students must take 5 years of English):

Dear Anne and all people in Reading!!

I would like to thank you for the financial help that you all have sent me. It meant a lot. I have been working this summer 12 hours a day in constructions, in order to afford a computer for myself. The money you have sent completed the amount that I`ve raised, so I have finally bought myself a computer. I no longer have to use others when I have to write seminary projects.

This semester I had some good experiences. We all have tried teaching in kindergarten. I liked it a lot, once I have [taught] the story of David and Goliath, which the children seemed to like a lot…

My university studies are going well. In June, at the end of the II. year, I received a prize too, because of my high notes, and good achievements during the year. My teachers were proud. This year is harder, I have to write a dissertation for my state examination. This is my last year, besides this I have two more years of master’s studies. For my dissertation I have chosen the following theme: Sources of inspiration in the Bible. I find this theme very intriguing, but it needs a lot of research and reading besides my semester exams.
This Christmas I am going to preach in Torda, a city with Unitarian history.

Finally I wish…all the Congregation health, a Blessed, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!! May all your wishes come true!!

With friendship, Marton

Marton has preached in Torda, where in 1568 King John Sigismund proclaimed the first edict of religious toleration—the Edict of Torda, which our congregation will celebrate on February 10! An exciting connection.  At coffee hour on February 10 and 17, the Partner Church Committee will have Fair Trade coffee and chocolate for sale—proceeds to go toward the stipend for Marton and his fellow seminarian Julia Fülöp for the 2008–2009 school year.  More info in the next newsletter.

Church School and Events

Sunday, Jan. 20

• Pre-k through Grade 6 begin in Sanctuary. Church School follows until 11:45. Playschool with Jenn in Sawyer.
• Coming of Age in Fellowship Hall.
• Grade 7 Our Whole Lives 6:30 – 9:00 in Loring House.
• No SHYP.

Sunday January 27

• Pre-k through Grade 6 begin in Sanctuary. Church School follows until 11:45. Playschool with Jenn in Sawyer.
• Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House.
• SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION THIRD QUARTER CALENDAR

Jan. 20:
Begin in Sanctuary. MLK Sunday.
Church school.
COA in Fellowship Hall for Getting to Know You.
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
No SHYP

Jan. 27:
Begin in Sanctuary.
Church School.
7th Grade O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House.
Senior High Youth Program 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House.

Feb 3:
Begin in Sanctuary. Church School.
RE Committee Retreat 12:30 – 4:30
Grade 7 O.W.L. 3:00 – 5:30 Loring House.
SHYP off site for Super Bowl Party

Feb. 8 – 9:
High school O.W.L. Overnight Loring House

Feb. 10:
Intergenerational Edict of Torda (January 1568)
Youth Adult Committee Meeting 5:00 – 6:30.
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House

Feb. 15 – 17:
SHYP Homeless Weekend Loring House

Feb. 17:
Begin in Sanctuary.
Multiage Programming in Community Hall.
No Grade 7O.W.L.
No SHYP

Feb. 24:
Begin in Sanctuary. Church School.
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House

March 2:
Begin in Sanctuary. Youth Sunday.
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House

March 7 – 8 :
High School O.W.L. Overnight Loring House

March 8:
4th Quarter teacher ingathering

March 9 :
Begin in Sanctuary. Church School.
Hunger Banquet 12:00.
Youth Adult Committee Meeting 5:00 – 6:30.
SHYP phone-a-thon for Canvas 5:30
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House

March 16:
Begin in Sanctuary. Church School.
Grade 7 O.W.L. 6:30 – 9:00 Loring House
SHYP 6:30 – 8:30 Loring House 

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION STAFF POSITION OPEN

The Religious Education Department is currently looking for two staff positions: Playschool Teacher  to care for our youngest during services on Sunday morning and a Youth Advisor to work with our Senior High Youth Program Sunday evenings from 6:30 – 8:30 and some full weekends. The Infant Care Provider position is open immediately and the Youth Advisor is for the 2008- 2009 church year. If you know of any church non-member or someone who is not a church friend who may be interested, please have them contact David Oakes, Chair of the Religious Education Committee.

THANK YOU SECOND QUARTER TEACHERS

• Pre-K and K:     Pheobe Johnson and Jen Cabral
• Grade 1:            Sheryl Love and Jane Jolkovski
• Grade 2:            Holly Turner and Allison Friedmann
• Grade 3:            Dana Johnson
• Grade 4:            Lisa Goldstein and Katie
• Grade 5:            Laurie Glader and Andy Friedmann
• Grade 6:            Denise Conry and Anne Rose

WELCOME THIRD QUARTER TEACHERS:

Please remind your children that they will be seeing different teachers this upcoming Sunday when they leave the Sanctuary and walk into the Atrium. Thank you!

• Pre-K and K:     David Gould and Amy Wong
• Grade 1:            Emily Kaplan
• Grade 2:            Mary Gould and Rich Emmel
• Grade 3:            Hannah Hildreth and Nick Russo
• Grade 4:            Sheryl Cunningham-Love and David Oakes
• Grade 5:            Laura Warren and Debbie Vince
• Grade 6:            Samantha Poland and Lori  Parker

OUR HOPPING PLAYSCHOOL!

Infant Care Provider Jennifer DeSantis has had some very busy Sundays. With the potential for over 18 babies and toddlers we are indeed a growing church! RE Committee members Mary Gould and Heather Ballou along with other church volunteers have helped Jenn on Sundays until the Playschool Teacher position is filled. Thank you volunteers and thank you Jenn for a wonderful welcome to our youngest church participants!

THIRD QUARTER IS UNDERWAY!

More great Unitarian Universalist Religious Education is on its way in the Third Quarter. Class teachers will be sending you email summaries of class and upcoming topics and Class Coordinators will keep you in the loop regarding calendar changes, interesting programs offered and important dates to remember. There are many places to turn to in order to stay informed of all of the important and wonderful church information: our Church Web site at uureading.org, newsletters, Sunday News in the Order of Service, emails from teachers and coordinators, nUUws blasts, white boards located on church campus Sunday mornings and communicating with friends!

GETTING TO KNOW OUR COMING OF AGE  YOUTH

Remember to linger in Fellowship Hall this Sunday to “get to know” our Coming of Age youth. There are wonderful displays, interesting articles and genuine conversation all available from our COA 1 class. This is a terrific opportunity for the youth to get to know more of the congregants and for the congregants to have a stress-free opportunity to meet the COA youth. Come, enjoy and chat it up with our amazing COA class!  Mark your Calendars for the February 10 Edict of Torda Service. This COA class has a creative way to tell the tale. See you there!

YOUTH ADULT COMMITTEE NEWS

The Youth Adult Committee decided at their most recent meeting that they enjoyed hosting the Solstice Service and Celebration so much that they want to do it again in future years!

They welcomed in two COA youth and hope to expand to include members from 7th and 6th grade. They also talked about expanding Youth Sunday participation to include all youth grades 6 – 12 in the future years. Look to this upcoming Youth Sunday Service, March 2, to see the first steps of this great inclusive goal!
The group is planning a picnic or BBQ and field day for all youth in May. Stay Tuned!

HIGH SCHOOL AND SEVENTH GRADE OUR WHOLE LIVES

Both programs are off to a brilliant start! Many of the High School participants could not stop raving about the first HS OWL program this past weekend. They talked about it at YAC…they talked about it at SHYP and I am sure they are still talking about it! Hooray to all facilitators for offering such a fantastic and important program. Our youth truly appreciate it!

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH PROGRAM ON THE MOVE!

The Senior High Youth Program has a VERY busy schedule!

This weekend some will attend the Mass Bay District Youth Steering Committee run Social Action Youth Conference here on our church campus. They will meet on January 27 to plan for their annual Super Bowl Party on February 3.

In between these gatherings a group of SHYP youth, the New Orleans Planning Committee will be meeting Tuesday Jan. 15 and Tues. Jan. 29 to keep on the enthusiastic path of planning their New Orleans Trip.

The cheering and munching of the Super Bowl will be short lived as the youth will be creating and participating in a Homeless Weekend February 15 – 17.

In March they will be leading Worship on March 2 and on March 9 they will be helping at the Hunger Banquet AND later in the day will be making calls to remind canvas callers to make their calls! A very busy year for our Senior High Youth Program! How happy we are that they are here!