West Village Voice

All Souls Church, Unitarian Universalist

West Village Meeting House

West Brattleboro, Vermont

A Welcoming Congregation and Green Sanctuary

Upcoming Sunday Worship and Special Services

Sunday worship services (in bold type below) begin at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, July 5: Candles of Joys and Sorrows, 9:30 - 9:50 a.m.

Sunday, July 5: "Celebrating Freedom of Belief"

On this Fourth of July weekend, Ed Burke will lead us in celebrating one of the founding principles of our nation: the right to hold and practice one's beliefs. We also express appreciation to the many guests who have shared their vivid beliefs with the Intermediate RE class this past year.
Christina Gibbons serves as Worship Coordinator.

Sunday, July 12: “Falling In, Climbing Out”

Join us this Sunday when our Minister will speak about falling in and climbing out of deep, dark holes. The reading for this service is Portia Nelson’s poem “There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: An Autobiography in Five Short Chapters,” a brief poem that can help us all reflect on our own life journeys, to consider the experience of growing spiritually, and becoming more whole.
Mary Henderson serves as service collaborator and Worship Associate.

Sunday, July 19: “If We're All One, Why Can't We Get Along?”

Maryam Thea Elijah, a master teacher of the Shadhuliyyah Sufi order, will speak about unity and conflict.  She will share Sufi teachings and skills for activism and peacemaking.

Sunday, July 26: "Tough Decisions, Inspired Choices"

During these hard economic times, everyone has to make tough decisions about money. This Sunday, our minister invites us to reflect on how we, as individuals and as a faith community, wrestle with financial difficulties. On what do you spend money when money is tight? Do you have a core purpose that informs your personal choices? Is there a core mission at All Souls that informs which expenses cannot be compromised?
Steve Squires serves as Worship Associate.

Sunday, August 3: Candles of Joys & Sorrows at 9:30 - 9:50 a.m.

Sunday, August 3: Title to come

Cynthia Payne-Meyer returns to lead the worship service.
Christina Gibbons serves as Worship Coordinator
First Sunday Offering

mUUsings

Our Minister is taking a summer break from writing. Her Minister's mUUsings will begin again in September. The following article by The Reverend Barbara Merritt, Senior Minister at First Unitarian Church of Worcester, MA, is reprinted here with permission.

In Praise of the 17

One of my most distinguished colleagues, The Reverend John Wolfe, first told me about the "Committee of 17" when I had just entered ministry. He explained that this mythic invisible standing committee in every UU congregation consists of the "17 members who want their minister fired." According to John, the number 17 was a constant, in large congregations or small. There will always be, in every parish, 17 individuals who don't like the minister (and never did), and who think the church would be better off with someone else. If one committee member dies or leaves, a vacancy is announced and is immediately filled. Even the most observant clergy will only know a few of the names of those on the committee, that rarely meets, and yet lurks in the shadows.

Since John was the single most successful minister I'd ever met, a compelling preacher, and leader of the largest UU congregation in the country, I was astonished to hear that he had his own "17." But I intuitively grasped that he was describing something truthful about ministry. I have confirmed his wild theory with Rabbis and pastors from radically different faiths. It turns out to be a universal phenomenon. All clergy get 17. This means that no matter what you do, in good years or bad, they don't like you. You can't impress them. You can't convince them of your talent. The only way you'll make them happy is to leave.

It has recently occurred to me that everyone on earth may have some kind of a committee (even if the magic number of 17 applies only to ministers ( don't ask why that number, it is a mystery). Given the creation we live in, no one is universally liked. No one pleases everyone. No one is without critics, detractors, or those who simply don't like your style. Some will persecute you at work. Some will work to keep you out of their Country Club.

Unfortunately, some may reside in your own family. Some will reject you on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, your haircut, you reminding them of a troublesome cousin, or for no particular reason. They don't like you!

In just such an environment, the human spirit prevails. We (mostly) manage to survive. And there is something about a mildly hostile climate that can actually encourage spiritual growth. The Committee of 17 just might be a blessing.

Jesus thought so. His advice was to "love your enemies, do good to them that hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) A tall order, to be sure! But there are some surprising and wonderful blessings that our opponents give us in return.

* They serve as an early warning system. Since their very nature is critical (at least about you) they are always scanning for weakness, vulnerability, or "blood in the water." When no one else will tell you what needs attention or strengthening, or improvement, they will yell it. Once we know what the problems are, we can start to formulate creative responses and changes.
* They point you in the direction of real power. The Committee reminds us what is really moving the sun, the moon and the stars. It was never "us." While we may contribute and offer what we can, all of us are subject to forces and circumstances that are much larger than our individual stories. I can relax when I remember that God is running this show, and that we are just actors, strutting for a while on the stage of life. The world will proceed: With me, and without me.
* They move us from performance to reality. You can spend a whole lifetime trying to win the world's approval, or your boss's approval, or your parent's approval. But even momentary applause does not have the power to take away our self-doubts, or our vulnerability in an uncertain world. We are simply to do our best with the gifts that have been given to us. No more. No less.
* They help to release us from the prison of egotism. One day we find out what matters. You discover that life is not a popularity contest. You learn that no one can damage your soul. You wake up to the fact that flatterers don't increase your value, and that critics don't diminish it. When UUs talk about the "inherent dignity and worth" of every child of God, it is not just talk. No matter our circumstances, we are loved by that creative power that brought us into being. No matter how broken we appear on the outside, on the inside we are whole. No matter what part we are called on to play, (prosecutor or rescuer, accuser or defendant), at the end of the day our dignity and worth are intact. Religion is here to remind us of that. Our friends are here to remind us of that. Our community is here to remind us of that.

While we might keep attempting to bless those that curse us, it's worth counting all the blessings they are giving to us. I sing praises to the Committee of 17 everywhere. You are good teachers.

The Reverend Barbara Merritt, Senior Minister
First Unitarian Church (UU), Worcester, MA

Life Span Religious Education and Adult Exploration

RE Events in July

Sunday, July 5: 10:00 a.m. Multigenerational Service: Religions of the World
Saturday, July 11: 4:00-8:00 p.m. Latin Night Parents, Night Out
Sunday, July 12: 10:00 a.m. RE Summer Time (topic: compost and soil)
Friday, July 17: 3:00 p.m. Junior Youth Campout
Sunday, July 19: 10:00 a.m. RE Summer Time (topic: from seed to zucchini)
Friday, July 24: 3:00 p.m. Senior Youth Campout
Sunday. July 26: 10:00 a.m. RE Summer Time (topic: insect exploration)

Heifer Project Celebration

During our RE time on Sunday, May 31, we enjoyed a sun-filled morning amongst the goats, ducks and sheep at the Menegaz Weitzner farm. We started off the morning with a snack under the awning, and once our stomachs were full we split into two groups, the “youngers” and the “olders,” to start our tour. My group first visited the ducks, which were harder to round up than usual, and then moved to the goat pen. A small, friendly goat that was looking for a treat immediately greeted us. After feeding the brave goats raisins, we went to see the grazing sheep. There were two little black lambs that were just a week old! After running through the field a bit, and exploring the apple orchard, we reunited with the other group and had some time to play in the sandbox and on the seesaw. Through this fun adventure we learned about all of the gifts that goats give to us, and the gift that we provided a family through the Heifer Project. Our final count was $126, which was doubled by Heifer through a matching program! Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Parents’ Night Out

We will have our second Parents’ Night Out on Saturday, July 11, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. We will welcome all children entering Kindergarten through Fifth Grade. We will be celebrating Latin Night—with a taco dinner, salsa music and even a piñata! RSVP to Jesse by Wednesday, July 8 at uudre@sover.net or 254-9377. We look forward to having you there with us!
July Campouts

The Junior Youth (entering grades 6-8) will enjoy a campout at Fort Dummer State Park on Friday, July 17. The Senior Youth (entering grades 9-12) will be heading to the Pinnacle of Putney Mountain on July 24. For both events we will meet at 3:00 p.m. at All Souls Church and return back to the church at 9:00 a.m. the following morning. Please feel free to invite friends, but kindly RSVP to Jesse by Friday, July 10 for the JY and by Friday July 17 for the SY. This will be a nice way to re-connect and catch-up with All Souls Church friends that you don’t see through the summer. Let me know if you have any questions…I look forward to hearing from you!

Willing Wednesdays

On Wednesday, September 16, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. we will have our first Willing Wednesday. These evenings will be an opportunity to get together in service for our community, and also to build community among us. As such, the evening will start with a communal meal from 5:30-6:00 p.m. and then move into our monthly project. It is our hope to connect people of all ages through their common desire to serve. Look forward to more details as we determine on which projects we will collaborate.

Workshop Rotations

The 2009-2010 church school year will offer a few exciting changes. The year will be broken into a Fall and a Spring semester, which will offer our teachers and assistants more flexibility in their teaching schedule and volunteer commitments. Moreover, we will offer workshop rotations that will be between two and four weeks in length; the teaching volunteers will determine the focus of the workshop. The UU Explorers (children age 4 through Grade 1) will participate in two workshops, and the Chalice Lighters (children in Grades 2-4) will participate in three workshop rotations. Volunteers are welcome to teach their workshop to one or both of the age groups. Please contact Jesse if you are interested in leading a workshop, or would like more information.

Adult Religious Exploration Program Begins

If you are interested in any or all units of the year-long exploration of the world’s wisdom traditions, you should plan to attend the orientation led by our Minister on Monday evening, July 6. The following Mondays, July 13 and 20, Christina Gibbons will lead two discussions about Karen Armstrong’s highly readable volume, “A Short History of Myth.” Harvey Nystrom will follow with four sessions later in the summer on mythology as it has been used in plays and operas. And on Friday nights to be scheduled, Jesse will be showing films which look at contemporary spirituality. You are invited and encouraged to sign up for the units that are of particular interest to you. Sign-up sheets are posted on the foyer kiosk.

In September, our Minister will begin a 12-week session on Eastern religions, which includes four weeks on Hinduism, four weeks on Buddhism, and four weeks on Chinese practices of Taoism and Confucianism. She will use the text “The World’s Religions,” by Huston Smith, which introduces each topic with readings of no longer than 25 pages per week. She hopes you will commit to all the sessions of one unit, and come to as many units as you want. There will be a January semester with Christina Gibbons and others offering different opportunities for exploration. Starting in February, our Minister will take up the Abrahamic religions.

The schedule is as follows:
Monday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. Orientation to Adult Religious Education; the Minister
Monday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m. A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong; Christina Gibbons
Monday, July 20, at 6:30 p.m. A Short History of Myth, part II; Christina
Monday, July 27, at 6:30 p.m. Mythology in drama; Harvey Nystrom
Monday, Aug. 3, at 6:30 p.m. Mythology in drama videos; Harvey
Monday, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Mythology in opera; Harvey
Monday, Aug. 24, at 6:30 p.m. Mythology in opera videos; Harvey
Friday nights (selected) Spirituality in Film; Jesse deVries
Thursday, Sept. 10; beginning of 4-week series on Hinduism; Minister
Thursday, Oct. 8; beginning of 4-week series on Buddhism; Minister

Adult Religious Education Committee
Christina Gibbons
Harvey Nystrom
Jesse deVries
Rev. Barbro Hansson

Do You Have a Favorite Children's Book?

Have you ever been deeply affected by a particular work of children's literature? Gary Graff is seeking the titles of children's books that you have ever enjoyed and/or been deeply moved by. He is compiling a list of such books (one title per person, please) to be distributed at the end of a service he is preparing for August 9th. The list will be available after the service or via e-mail by request by those interested.

Simply send the book title and your name to graffgary@gmail.com. Please put the words "children’s book" in the subject section. Or you can write it down and give it to Gary in person, when you see him. Or leave a message on his home phone: 246-2553.

Deadline for submissions is July 31.

Office Fortnight

For a few years now, the All Souls Church office has closed to walk-ins and phone calls for a fortnight in July. We do this in order to close one fiscal year and open the new one. We also sort through and clear away the mountains of paper that accumulate during the hectic church year and begin calendaring for the fall. This summer the closure is particularly critical as we prepare for the switch to Comcast.

Between Monday, July 6 and Friday, July 17, you may still e-mail the Minister, the D.R.E. and the Church Administrator. In case of an emergency, please call the Minister’s cell phone (802) 275-6093. We appreciate your patience and cooperation during this organizational hiatus.

U.U.W.F. News

On Thursday, May 28, 15 church women met at the home of Kathy Squires in Newfane for a delicious salad potluck lunch. The group voted to support the project of adding storm windows to the eight lower windows in the foyer and replacing the present screens with new ones. That project is now on hold as we have been advised that replacement windows should now be lowE glass, and we are awaiting new estimates.

No definite date has been set, but most likely in August; all church women will be invited to an excursion to visit the Vermont Country Store in Westin with lunch at the Bryant House, and a possible side trip to the Westin Priory.

The group had a discussion of a possible “Ladies Night Out” or a “Getting to Know You” event in September.

Crafting for the Christmas Bazaar will begin Mondays starting September 28. The first gathering will be at the Smiths, 298 Pleasant Valley Road. The other gatherings will be held at the Church, upstairs in the balcony area.

For more information about U.U.W.F. and its activities, please call Ruth Lane, 254-6772, or Barb Smith, 257-7496.

Thank You!

We acknowledge with gratitude the gift of $800 from an anonymous donor for the purpose of purchasing a new head microphone for use at All Souls Church on Sunday mornings

A Thing of Beauty

A thing of beauty is a joy forever;
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.
Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing
A flowery band to bind us to the earth,
Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth
Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,
Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways
Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,
Some shape of beauty moves away the pall

From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,
Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon
For simple sheep; and such are daffodils
With the green world they live in; and clear rills
That for themselves a cooling covert make
“Gainst the hot season; the mid-forest brake,
Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:
And such too is the grandeur of the dooms
We have imagined for the mighty dead;
All lovely tales that we have heard or read:
And endless fountain of immortal drink,
Pouring unto us from the heaven’s brink.
Nor do we merely feel these essences
For one short hour; no, even as the trees
That whisper round a temple become soon
Dear as the temple’s self, so does the moon,
The passion poesy, glories infinite,
Haunt us till they become a cheering light
Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast,
That, whether there be shine, or gloom o’ercast,
They must be with us, or we die.

John Keats

News from the Board and Parish Council

Board Notes

In June, the Board of Trustees and family members enjoyed the gift of a delicious dinner offered by our generous minister-chef Barbro. It was a wonderful way to enjoy informal conversation and welcome newly elected memberns Sue Graff, Steve Squires and Tom Baehr, and to thank outgoing members John Greene, Harald Holm and Walter Schwarz for their years of service.

Turning to congregational business, we debated the merits of pre-purchasing oil for the coming year at a favorable price and authorized this expenditure pending investigation of an alternative budget payment plan.

Mindful of our charge from the annual meeting to review and make a presentation to the congregation on our financial situation, we discussed a July retreat to focus on this topic and to include other church leaders involved in aspects of financial planning. We also planned an August leadership retreat, with both meetings to be facilitated by UUA resource people.
The Committee on Ministry joined us to discuss their comprehensive summary of our recently completed survey on ministry. We expressed our gratitude for the great work they have done on this very large project and made suggestions for finalizing the report to be available soon to the congregation.

Jerelyn updated us on continuing rental negotiations with the Waldorf school group, which may result in a signed contract later this month. She also reported on the recommendations of the Remembrance Committee for grants from the Remembrance fund for church projects, one of which was the Board’s request for support toward our improved telecommunications, and we approved their recommendations unanimously.

We owe further gratitude to our minister for her flexibility in changing her day off so that the Board can meet on Tuesdays to accommodate all other members.
Shirley Ridgway, Clerk

President’s Message

At the Annual Meeting last month, the Board was instructed by the congregation to “review the financial situation and report back to the congregation in September a clearer picture of, and possible alternatives to, the current deficit situation and its long-term consequences.” About two weeks later, at a joint meeting of the outgoing and incoming Boards, we took this call forward and set up a series of meetings and retreats over the next two months.

As we continue to wrestle with these challenges, it is crucial that we “think outside of the box,” as Barbro advised in her homily on June 14. The “old ways” won’t do. As leading management gurus have recognized, in these turbulent times traditional approaches to problem solving – for example, simply cutting expenses and/or increasing revenues – just won’t work. Scholars and practitioners alike tell us that:

* 21st century organizations, even small ones like ours, are deeply and intricately affected by the world outside our walls. We can see, for example, how the financial turmoil has influenced members’ pledges, oil prices, and our own spiritual journeys. And what we do as a community affects the lives of those who are around us – our members and friends, to be sure – but also the larger community. We need to recognize this interrelatedness as we generate possibilities for our future.
* Similarly, any given action we take will have impacts within our organization, and we need to consider those carefully. For example, if we increase rentals, we may be changing the culture and mission of the church; if we cut back on expenses, we not only diminish particular services, but we also affect the overall operations of the church, perhaps causing families to leave. These are only two examples, but they are emblematic of the kind of complex thinking we need to be doing.
* “Right answers” are hard to come by. One of my favorite authors, Irish philosopher and organizational theorist Charles Handy, writes that, “Most of the dilemmas we face in this time of confusion are not the straightforward ones of choosing between right and wrong, but the much more complicated dilemmas of right and right.”
* We need to look at everything we know about ourselves from as many perspectives as possible. Indeed we must recognize that only in honoring and hearing the diversity of views and values of this community – especially those that represent the less popular, more silent, or less often voiced – can we make well-informed decisions.

Rest assured, we are taking your call to us very seriously. We will take great care to “think outside of the box” as we move forward, and to engage you in our conversations and deliberations. Please let us know what role you will take. We need you to be co-creators of our future.

David Shallenberger

Wedding Bells at All Souls Church
Celebrate Same-Gender Marriage
Sunday, September 6, 10:00 a.m.

To celebrate in a big way the legalization of same-gender marriage, plans are underway to hold a wedding ceremony for couples at All Souls Church on the first Sunday in September, which happens to be Labor Day Weekend. Traditionally, All Souls Church does not hold worship services on the Sunday prior to Labor Day, but this year, we will join together to celebrate marriage equality in Vermont.

If you are interested in exchanging vows at All Souls Church on September 6 in a wedding ceremony for a group of couples, please contact me as soon as you can at 257-5186 or uurev@sover.net. If you know of same-gender couples in and around Brattleboro who might be interested in this celebration and joining in the marriage ceremony, please suggest that they contact me.

Rev. Barbro Hansson

Meet Peggy Tiffany

Even though I’m not an old-timer at ASC, I still sometimes need a push to get to know the newest members. An assignment to interview Peggy Tiffany for the newsletter gave me a nudge to do just that. She’s lived in Southeastern Vermont since 1983, teaching at various elementary and middle schools. Of late she has been working as a consultant, designing training programs for businesses. Until the recession she was often “on the road,” with only about eight days a month to enjoy her home in Marlboro. Now she does more of her work electronically, a situation which pleases her, because it gives her more time at home with her dogs.

As she talks about them, it becomes obvious that her lab and shepherd are more than just pets. The shepherd, rescued from an abusive situation, has become a fine companion dog after several years of intense retraining. Although the process was long and difficult, Peggy emphasizes that she also found it very rewarding.

A native of Minnesota, she first became a UU member at the age of 19. Her three sisters still live in Minnesota. A few years ago she spent two years working in San Francisco, but Peggy returned to Marlboro, convinced that the rural life works best for her. Although the traveling she does as part of her job has taken her to the Far East, a trip to China sponsored by the Freeman Foundation when she was still teaching stands out as particularly memorable. During that trip she did three homestays with families living under very different circumstances in city, town and rural environments. It is obvious when speaking to her that the authenticity of the experience made it special.

So, I’ve given you a few hints-- now look for Peggy at coffee hour and introduce yourself!

Linda Hay

Crafters and Cooks, Experienced or Not, Are Invited to Lend a Hand

During July and August anyone who likes to knit, sew, paint, cook, or hang out and drink iced tea is invited to join Linda Hay in her home in Guilford for the modern equivalent of the old fashioned work bee. We will be creating items to be sold at one of the upcoming fundraisers, including goodies for the I-91 Coffee Break. Food will go in the freezer, and unfinished projects can be taken home for more work. The work bees will start at 2:00 in the afternoon and will run until 8:30 in the evening. Folks are welcome to bring something for supper, or we can order a pizza. No one is expected to come for the whole time ... this is a drop in sort of event.

Linda has lots of materials and a well-equipped studio and kitchen. If you would like to bring or contribute materials, feel free. That includes garden surplus which we can pickle, freeze, or preserve as well as ingredients for baking and fabric, yarn, etc. If you want to work outdoors, there are a covered deck and shady and sunny terraces. A huge library of books with ideas and directions will be at your disposal and Linda will be happy to teach any of the techniques she has learned over the years. Call her at 254-6294 or e-mail her at lahay@mac.com for more information.

Committees and All Souls News

Late Spring Projects

Our Building & Grounds seasonal projects have received a huge boost. Spring Work Day this year, along with our late spring, arrived miraculously in early June between showers and with many helping hands. Inside tasks accomplished included a kitchen overhaul, front and upstairs halls and balcony vacuumed, and hall and office windows cleaned. Outside tasks saw cleared drainage ditches - up and down and across from the parking lot, invasive-weed whacking begun again, sidewalks swept, gardens tended and grass edged. A Work Day crew also planted secure fencing along boundaries of our new playground (that work completed the following weekend). With so many of you workers in and out, we would take up half this page listing your names. We are all energized, however, by your youthful services (whatever your ages)!

Other projects of a longer range benefit are also under way as three plans begin to bear fruit. Two are still awaiting word from funding grant applications. The first is the parking lot pollution-control Rain Garden for which Em Richards has drawn plans and written the applications to match funding conditionally put forward by the Remembrance Committee of our church. The second is the plan put forward by Bob Parks of the Ad Hoc Building Group to replace inefficient baseboard thermostatic valves to feed heat more effectively only where and when we will be needing it.

The third plan, initiated a year ago with an approve-to-fund vote by members at Annual Meeting, will eventually update our fire alarm system to meet new state regulations. Countryside Lock and Alarm, Inc. of Mount Holly has been working with our blueprints, and should begin installation of the monitors initially needed for the Upper Classroom for compliance with its use by prospective day-care renters. A state inspector has been most helpful in limiting our
requirements at the outset to our own continued classroom needs. Although more stringent requirements lie ahead for all public use buildings in Vermont, we have been assured that once begun we may pace our updated equipment installations over a period of years.

John Spicer and Ruth Lane, co-chairs for Building & Grounds

Church-Wide Ministry Survey Results Now Available

The Committee on Ministry is pleased to announce that their report of the results of the congregational survey on ministries at All Souls Church is now available. Copies are on the greeters’ table in the foyer. Please pick one up and read it thoroughly. It contains valuable information about how well we are fulfilling the church’s mission. Sixty-nine people responded to some or all of the multiple-choice and open-ended questions.

As expected, the survey raised some interesting questions. For instance, how important is it for individuals in the congregation to inform themselves about the minister’s effectiveness? In what ways can the congregation and its leaders support the minister’s personal and professional growth? There is an almost 50-50 difference of opinion about how open and inclusive communications are within the church. What are some steps that might resolve that split? Another close split comes over the question of how well known our church is in the community. How important is it that All Souls be well known?

These are just some of the questions we will begin to consider together in a series of congregational forums. Please read the committee’s report carefully and come prepared to ask questions and suggest solutions at the first of these forums, Sunday, August 2, 11:20a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Committee on Ministry

Give Controversy the Good Attention It Deserves
Our proposed fourth Right Relations Principle goes like this:

We accept controversy in our community as inevitable and healthy. We are guided by the principle that properly managed controversy between people in right relations to one another can be a positive force for creativity, growth and enrichment. Our task is to find appropriate ways to express and resolve our conflicts. In order that conflicts when they arise are addressed with respect, compassion and honesty, we covenant:

* To allow the necessary time to identify and discuss differences before making decisions;
* To listen to competing ideas with respect, tolerance and honest consideration;
* To speak openly on matters of controversy, using “I” statements;
* To solicit, encourage and integrate minority contributions into a democratic resolution;
* To make decisions that serve the common good.

There is not one among us who would not choose permanent peace and harmony over controversy. But that’s not a choice we have in this world, or in this or any other church. Ideas, habits, outlooks, hopes and fears vary too much among us. Besides, how could we ever move ahead if we all thought the same way on every point?

Rather than encourage us to avoid all controversy, our fourth principle encourages us to accept it and even embrace it as a way to grow into more mature, better-adjusted individuals. It does not ask us to walk away from controversy; rather it asks us to work through it. It spells out how that may be done. Of course, it takes patience and tolerance, traits not easily cultivated, to find a way through a controversy. Some controversies can’t be resolved, but they can be managed amicably as long as the sides seek common ground and keep the good of all paramount in their thinking.

The fourth principle presents us with a tall order. Some may reject it as too idealistic. Some will not understand it because they do not distinguish between confrontation and honest difference of opinion. Some will say that when things don’t go their way they’ll “take their ball and go home.” But those who are committed to living in right relation to one another will find in this principle encouragement to make fresh their determination to “create and sustain an open and caring community.”

Let’s keep the conversation going.

(The complete right relations proposal put forth by the Committee on Ministry, of which this principle is part, is available at church and on the All Souls web site: www.allsouls.brattleboro.uua.org)

The Committee on Ministry

Save the Date! October 12, I-91 Welcome Center Event

It's still a few months away, but please save Monday, October 12, as the date of our annual I-91 Welcome Center event. It was decided to request a fall date this year, rather than summer, and we are fortunate to have received a peak foliage date! According to the Welcome Center, there were many more requests than available dates, so we are lucky to have one. Please contact Sue Graff at 246-2553 or graffsue@hotmail.com if you would like to donate items, help solicit donations from vendors (apples, paper products, coffee, etc.), or volunteer on the day of the event! Sign-ups will also be posted to the kiosk in the foyer.

All Souls Cares

Now that the Overflow Shelter project is complete (thank you again, cooks and servers!), All Souls Cares will be supporting the Willing Wednesdays events sponsored by the RE Program, set to begin in the fall. In the meantime, we encourage all souls to support the ongoing Dove Project (benefiting the AIDS Project of Southern Vt.) and Drop-In Center donation opportunities, found in the foyer. Also, our friends at the Youth Horticulture Project (part of UVM's Extension in Brattleboro) are seeking summer garden volunteers. Please contact Liz Kenton at ekenton@uvm.edu or 257-7967 x17 for more information.

Office Hours to Change in September

Beginning September 1, the Minister's sabbath day will change from Tuesday to Monday in order to accommodate Board meetings which will take place on Tuesdays. As a result of this change, the church's open office days will change to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Open office hours will remain observed: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. The Minister will be available for appointments on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Annual Stewardship Campaign Results

We are extremely grateful for the generosity represented in the 58 pledges of financial support for All Souls Church for the new fiscal year that will begin on July 1. This generosity is equal to $79,734. You can see a breakdown in the chart below.

Pledge & Category	Number	Total $ Amount
Less than $500	19	$5,925
$500-999	9	$6,600
$1000-1499	11	$12,950
$1500-1999	6	$10,400
$2000-2499	5	$11,159
$2500-2999	0	$0
$3000-3499	2	$6000
$3500-3999	1	$3600
$4000-4499	3	$12,600
$4500-4999	1	$4,500
$5000 or more	1	$6.000
TOTALS	58	$79,734

Based on these results, the pledge mean (average) is $1375; the pledge median (number in the middle) is $1000; and the pledge mode (number most frequent) is $1200.

The 58 pledge units include 76 voting members and 2 friends who have made a pledge at this time. Thank you to each and every one of them! Since we have 106 voting members, about 72% have made a financial commitment for the coming year. Our goal continues to be 100% participation.

It is never too late to pledge.

We welcome pledges from either members or friends of All Souls Church at any time. If you are a voting member or an active participant in our congregational life, what can we do to encourage you to make a pledge?

Has your pledge form disappeared? We will be happy to provide another. Does the thought of filling out a form cause you to procrastinate indefinitely? If it is easier, you can just send an e-mail to the church office (allsouls@sover.net) stating how much you wish to pledge for the coming year.

Are concerns about personal finances making you hesitate to pledge? A pledge is any amount that is comfortable for you. A symbolic pledge of $1 per week is perfectly acceptable if that is what you need to do. Pledges also can be revised at any time if circumstances change.

Is something else on your mind? Our Committee on Ministry members, Board members and the minister are all available to hear your thoughts, questions or concerns.

Our generous gifts of time, talent and treasure are what make it possible for All Souls Church to fulfill its mission. A pledge is an outward manifestation of one third of the commitment it requires of us all. If you have not made one, let us hear from you soon.

Your Committee on Financial Stewardship:
John Greene, Mary Henderson, Leslie Kinney,
Dennis Munsinger and Steve Squires

Nursery Care Provider

Help busy parents worship on Sunday mornings. All Souls Church is looking for a part-time nursery care provider with experience with infants and toddlers, including basic first aid and emergency procedures. Background in activity planning and group play is desired. The job requires 2½ hours each Sunday (9:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.); 46 Sundays each year.

Church Sexton

Do you like being the person behind the scenes who makes things run smoothly? All Souls Church is looking for a sexton with good handyperson and communication skills to work an average of 5 hours per week to keep the church well-maintained and orderly and to work cooperatively with others. The sexton will open and close the building for Sunday services and other scheduled church events, make sure rooms are ready for meetings and sweep walks, change bulbs in outdoor lights, inspect emergency systems, do minor repairs, monitor supplies, and attend monthly meetings.

Personnel Committee
Gini Milkey
Justine Trowbridge
Chuck Gorsuch

Water Communion Returns

On Sunday, August 30, members and friends of All Souls are invited to bid a collective farewell to summer with a Water Communion service. The service will begin at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel. Emphasizing the principle of the Unitarian Universalist faith that calls for respecting and affirming the “interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part,” the water communion brings kindred hearts and minds together in an intergenerational celebration of shared values.

All are welcome and invited to bring a small quantity of water to symbolize something from this summer that holds significant meaning, such as a relationship with a place of awe or a particular activity or gathering of people. During the worship service those who wish will have a chance to share a few words about the meaning of the water they bring, before pouring the water into a communal bowl where it mingles with water collected and shared at All Souls Church in previous years.

Collect Drops of Water

While you enjoy summer, remember to collect a sample of water to bring to our last summer service in August. Whether you travel near or far or stay close to home, you probably will be near water. This water source may be a lake, a pond, a river, a creek, an ocean, a swimming pool, a water hose or even your kitchen faucet. At that special place, you can collect a small sample of water. The water symbolizes the deeper meanings of our connectedness to place, to activities and to people as well as to All Souls Church.

Rev. Barbro Hansson and Christina Gibbons

Brattleboro 4th of July Parade

Curtiss Reed, of the Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity (formerly ALANA) and the Brattleboro Area Interfaith Clergy Association, is again organizing a human float to participate in the Brattleboro 4th of July Parade. It takes place this year on Saturday, July 4.

Faith communities are invited to bring their members and friends to walk behind a banner that will say “One Love - One Heart . . . Here” with each faith community holding a banner that says “. . . and here.”

We will gather at the parade assembly grounds outside the high school at around 9:30 a.m. The parade begins at 10:00 a.m. Participants need to wear really comfortable walking shoes and sun screen in addition to appropriate clothing. Anyone interested in joining the All Souls Church contingent can call me at 257-5186 for more information, or simply show up at the high school on the morning of the parade.

Rev. Barbro Hansson

Graveside Service for Richard Kelly
Friday, July 3, 2009

On Friday, July 3, at 2:00 p.m., we gather for a graveside service at the Meetinghouse Hill Cemetery to mourn the death of Richard “Dick” Kelly and celebrate the life he lived. Dick was not himself a member of All Souls Church, but his spouse of 52 years, Nancy Louise “Lisa” Kelly signed the membership book in 1965. Dick died on February 12 in Tucson.

I was able to visit with Dick at his home last fall before he and Lisa took up their winter residence in Tuscan, Arizona. That is when he and I talked about his last wishes. Because of his deep connection with and lifelong passion for the outdoors, Dick could not quite relate to a memorial service inside a building. He was relieved to hear about the different graveside services I described and felt that would be the way he would want to be honored and remembered.
Everyone is invited to join the Kelly family for the graveside service. A reception, hosted by our faith community, follows at All Souls Church at 3:00 p.m. Contributions of finger foods will be most welcome, as well as help in the kitchen.

Ruth Lane and Barb Smith are coordinating the reception.

Rev. Barbro Hansson

Ideas and Volunteers Needed

As the new church year begins, ASC's fundraising efforts need a transfusion. Linda Hay is the person to contact if you have a project, ideas or want to be of assistance with events already being planned. The Tag Sale, Holiday Greens and Bazaar, Coffee Break, and Localvore Dinner will continue, with a few new twists. As Tom Baehr's wonderful concert has proven, an individual can take on his or her own project with spectacular results. Events/ activities for families and children would be a real plus. An event tied to a particular need could also be helpful .... for example a "green event" to help fund energy improvements to the building, or something to help with food for the Overflow Shelter meal program next winter.

All Souls Nuts and Bolts

Newsletter Information and Deadlines

The West Village Voice is a monthly newsletter published by All Souls Church Unitarian Universalist, located at 29 South Street in West Brattleboro, Vermont.

The deadline for the newsletter is the 15th of each month. Submissions may be sent via email (preferred) to ascnews@comcast.net or mailed to the editor, David Olle, at 3296 Sweet Pond Road, Guilford, VT 05301. Please put the author's name and contact information on submissions. Please submit complete articles and information to the West Village Voice (i.e., proofread, no fill-in-the-blanks or "final details to come").

Submissions to the newsletter will be edited for grammar, syntax, accuracy, clarity and/or length. In addition, we strive to follow AP style guidelines and to increase church or denominational relevance. Any changes made are motivated by a desire to send out the most accurate information about All Souls Church and the wider Unitarian Universalist community.

If you have any concerns about changes made to something you submit, please feel free to contact David Olle at 802-254-3899 or ascnews@comcast.net.

Send newsletter submissions to:
ascnews@comcast.net

All Souls Church Unitarian Universalist is a democratic, religious institution that ... affirms and promotes the Seven Principles
of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Our mission is to create and sustain an open and caring community where we may find inspiration for our spiritual growth,
opportunities for lifelong religious education and encouragement for putting our beliefs and values into action and service.

A.S.C. Board of Trustees

President David Shallenberger '10
Vice President Sue Graff '10
Treasurer Steve Squires '11
Clerk Shirley Ridgway '11
Kathryn Turnas '10

To Be Appointed '10
Tom Baehr '11

TBA for a one year '11

A.S.C. Committee on Ministry

Charles Butterfield '10
Orion Barber '11
To Be Appointed '12

A.S.C. Minister and Staff

Minister Rev. Barbro Hansson
Church Administrator Marianne Rigatti
Director of R.E. Jesse deVries
Director of Music/Choir Ede Thomas
Housekeeper Karen Cretelle
Sexton To Be Hired
Nursery Care Provider To Be Hired

Office Hours

Mondays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Thursdays 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

When the office is closed, phone messages left on the answering machine will be answered the next working day.

Telephone Numbers and Email

Office Telephone 802-254-9377
Office Email allsouls@sover.net

Minister's Study 802-257-5186
Minister's Cellphone 802-275-6093
Minister's Email uurev@sover.net

D. R. E.'s Telephone (802) 254-9377
D. R. E.'s Email uudre@sover.net

A.S.C. Web Site www.allsouls.brattleboro.uua.org

Return to main page