Just Released:  Green Sanctuary Survey Report

The Green Sanctuary Survey Report has been released. It provides a view of our collective environmental footprint in the areas of solid waste reduction, transportation fuel conservation, and smart energy use. The report also contains bits of information on the consequences of our behaviors, a few tips for making better choices, and some pointers to other resources.

The bottom line: we care, we’re good, and there’s room for us to improve, which is what the Green Sanctuary Program is all about!

Feel like getting your green on? Contact Didi Chadran.

Didi and the other members of the HUUC Green Sanctuary Committee invite you to visit and join the Green Santuary Google Site.
 

Peacemaking was selected by the 2006 General Assembly as our current Congegational Study Action Issue. Congregations are encouraged to study this issue during this church year.–

Wednesday, May 21, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. – Rev. Wendy will facilitate a conversation about the book Peace is the Way: Writings on Nonviolence from the Fellowship of Reconciliation. A collection of writings on peace, peacemaking, and nonviolence including sections related to spirituality, interracial justice, and nonviolence in action.Copies can be purchased from the Women's Alliance Book Table. Any and all are welcome to come participate in the discussion. Please read the whole book and come prepared to discuss it and to share your personal reflections on peace and peacemaking.
 

Our annual Family Passover Seder will be held on Friday, April 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Fellowship Building, and is open to all members of our community, uoung and old alike. We hope you will join us this year.

The seder includes stories, music, and a potluck dinner. Please bring a main dish, side dish, or dessert. Plan to bring enough to serve 8 to 10 persons. Come enjoy delicious matzo ball soup (chicken and vegetarian) prepared by our Middle School Youth Group! A sign-up list is posted on the bulletin board in the back of the sanctuary.
 

A ceremony of Child Dedication is being planned as part of the worship service on Sunday morning, April 20.

A Unitarian Universalist Child Dedication is a ceremony through which the child’s parents dedicate themselves to raising their child in accordance with UU values and principles and the congregation dedicates itself to supporting the child and his/her family in that endeavor. If you would like to have your child or children dedicated as part of the service on April 20th – or are interested in learning more about UU Child Dedications, or being part of a future ceremony – please be in touch with Rev. Wendy to make the appropriate arrangements.
  

A Celebration of Earth Day!

An experience for all ages – "Missa Gaia", a Mass for the Earth

Sunday, April 20th at 4 p.m.

Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church

The whale, symbolizing the Great Mother, along with seal pups, wolves and loons, join voices with the varied instruments and choir in this exciting folk/gospel mass. Paul Winter dedicated the earth Mass to St. Francis, the patron saint of ecology. Commissioned in 1981 by the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, the work was composed by Paul winter, Jim Scott, Paul Halley, Oscar Castro Neves, and Kim Oler.

Ted Johnson directs the Harvard UU Choir and guests, with instrumentalists Glenn Williams on soprano sax, Shawn McCann on piano, Geoff Weiting on organ, Matt Meyer on percussion, Steve Miller and Baret Strong on guitar, and others — including wolf and whale sounds. This is an event the whole family and your friends will enjoy.

Free Will Offering

For more information contact Eleanor Toth.
 

Friday, May 2nd - 7:30-9:30 p.m., Fellowship Building Parlor

As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm and promote…the inherent worth and dignity of every person…justice,equity and compassion in human relations, and the goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all. In our film forum series, we will explore issues of race, culture, and oppression through film and discussion. Popcorn included.

"LEGACY" - The final film in this year’s series… Nominated for an Academy Award, this documentary follows the Collins family for five years as they make their “triumphant journey out of poverty and despair.” Narrated by teenage daughter, Nickcole, the film begins in the public housing projects of Chicago, and explores issues of poverty, drug addiction, violence, and race, as the family slowly builds a better life.

Come join us for this final film of this year’s anti-racism/anti-oppression/multi-cultural film series and for the discussion which will follow.
  

If you missed it the first time around, Love Letters is back for one night only. On Saturday night, May 3 at 8 in the sanctuary, you and that special someone can enjoy a night of theater as local playwright Bob Eiland and former Director of Education of the Huntington Theatre Company Pamela Hill reprise their performance of A. R. Gurney’s witty, romantic and moving dramedy.

Doors open at 7:30. There will be a half-hour optional audience talk-back with the cast at the end of the performance.

Admission will be $20 and can be paid at the door. Home-baked concessions at intermission will be provided by Charlotte Winchell, Cheryl Coonahan, Risa Goldman, Leslie Neville and Becca, Haley and Colby Newsham. All proceeds will go towards fundraising for UU Church charities.

The letters include mature themes, and parents should use PG-13 guidelines.

***IF YOU MISSED IT THE FIRST TIME AROUND, HERE’S WHAT THEY’RE SAYING:***

Love Letters reminded me just how thought-provoking good theater can be. Bob Eiland’s and Pam Hill’s performances allowed the characters' frailties and humanity to shine through. Their Love Letters is remarkable work. —Dan Justicz, Harvard

Great play, great acting; by turns funny and moving. You will applaud, not just politely. —Bill Cordner, Harvard

I laughed, I cried. Really. We saw the Bob Eiland/Pam Hill performance and were totally captivated by Love Letters. I found myself getting anxious when a letter was “unanswered,” or laughing out loud at some of the characters’ antics. Having the story told through letters was not only an interesting technique, but really helped the audience see the story through each character’s own perspective and (literally) voice. Completely absorbing. —Chris Frechette, Harvard

A lovely intimate theater piece, performed oh so professionally!! I would like to have seen more from the orchestra, male chorus and dancing girls but ..... :-) A touching and totally entertaining evening of theatre. —Donn Hill, Westford

The show has universal relationship appeal, a wonderful trip through a fascinating aspect of New England history and brilliant acting. —Frank Anderson, Harvard

This production of Love Letters is a rich, emotional theatrical experience. Bob and Pam are masterful in their portrayals. Don’t miss the opportunity to see this breathtaking performance. —Virg Justicz, Harvard .
  

Sunday, May 4

Unite with friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors in the spirit of giving to walk the 20-mile route, which threads through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, and Cambridge. Help people across the state who struggle to make ends meet. Register now.

This is our 40th Walk, and it provides us with a special opportunity to reconnect with old friends and to look back on what we as a community have accomplished. Last year alone, pledges from the Walk for Hunger funded 400 emergency food programs in 126 communities across the state. During the same period, these soup kitchens and food pantries provided more than 42 million meals for hungry people in our state. Your support will help provide nutritious meals for those who would otherwise go without, right here in Massachusetts.

This is the year to come back to — or to start — participating in the Walk for Hunger, the country's oldest continual pledge walk and the largest one-day fundraiser to alleviate local hunger. We have special things planned for the 40th annaul event, and we need your support. Call 617-723-5000 or email walk@projectbread.org
 

This is an hour of silence for reflection/meditation Thursdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. “Amid all the noise in our lives, we take this time to sit in silence…”

Every Thursday, we will offer a sacred place to be in silence. You may use this time for reflection, meditation, prayer, and to light a candle if you choose. All we ask is that everyone come and go in silence so that others are not disturbed. If you wish to have any help with sitting in silence or walking meditation, please come 10-15 minutes early.

What do I do when I arrive?

Please sit in the pews, on folding chairs, on benches or the upholstered furniture and use the pillows available or bring your own. You may also bring your meditation bench or cushion. Bring an extra layer like a shawl/blanket because your body cools down when you sit still.

Feel free to light a candle at the front of the church when you arrive.

What happens during the hour of silence?

We will begin by ringing a bell three times and end the hour by ringing the bell twice. Feel free to come when you can and leave when you need to, but be mindful of others by moving with as little noise as you can.

How do I meditate?

Meditation is a state of focused attention. The practice of meditation is the practice of noticing when our mind wanders off and gently returning to the point of focus. The point of focus can be the breath, an object such as a candle, or a mantra/prayer to name a few. This practice cultivates compassion toward ourselves and others by increasing our ability to be present and accepting of the ups and downs of our daily lives.

What happens if I feel drowsy, uncomfortable?

Drowsiness or dullness are common during meditation practice. You can raise your alertness by breathing more deeply, opening your eyes, standing, or walking.

What happens during a walking meditation?

You may chose to quietly walk in the back of the sanctuary during part of the meditation. Choose a straight, narrow path walking parallel to the back of the pews. Walk back and forth with your eyes focused on an area slightly in front of you. Concentrate your feet as they contact the floor or the action of moving your legs. If you think you would like to practice some walking meditation, feel free come a little early or stay a little late for some instruction.