First Parish in Malden, Universalist

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Aug 142011

News from First Parish

May 232013

Sunday, May 26

Please join us as we recognize Memorial Day. There will be a sermon, singing, and prayer, of course, as we remember those who have served in the armed forces and lost their lives too soon. Let us turn our minds and hearts to creating more peace with hope for a day that there is no war.

Congregational News

The May 19^th Special Plate Collection for One Fund Boston raised $165! Thank you to all who contributed.

The Congregational Directory is being updated! Can we please include you in it? Let us know either way by replying to this email (maldenuu@verizon) soon. Please include new email addresses, new home addresses, home phone numbers, cell phones numbers as well as birth dates (month and day only) of the members of your household for inclusion. If you don’t have email, you can mail it to us or drop it in the office basket when you come to church. The finished directory booklet will be distributed as a PDF by email or by regular mail shortly.

Congratulations to our Bread of Life Volunteers! At the Bread of Life annual meeting, our church was presented with a framed certificate – “Thank you for helping to “feed the body and nurture the soul” by providing evening meals for our hungry and homeless neighbors.” Thank you to (l to r) Betty M., Mary P., Karen L., Margie L., and Dotty J.

At the meeting of the First Parish Book Club last Friday evening, we selected the following books for our summer reading:

June 21 – The Racketeer by John Grisham

September 20 – Les Miserables by Victor Hugo (translated by Norman Denny), Penguin Books

October 18 – The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd

So start reading!!!! And please plan to join us. For more information, speak to Eloise W.

Appreciations

Big thanks to everyone who arranged, coordinated, and assisted with the events during Candidating Week at First Parish last week. Last week was a great success because of these folks: Eloise W., Stacey G., Joel S., Gweneth M., Dee C-T., Caitie D., Joshua G., and Sarah B. The Search Committee is especially thankful for so many folks answering the call when asked and doing such a tremendous job!!

Community News

Parent-Child Playgroups at Malden Public Schools Early Learning Center, 257 Mountain Ave, Malden, 781-397-7025. Spring Playgroups until June 13, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10-12 noon. Summer Playgroups July 10 to August 14 on Wednesdays 10-12 noon

Free Fun Fridays: 60 museums and cultural venues in Massachusetts are open for free on selected Fridays all summer long thanks to the Highland Foundation. See the attached file for more detail or go to www.highlandstreet.org

Join Mass Insider for current attractions and events, many freebies! Check out the site: http://www.massvacation.com/massinsider.php for more summer fun.

Welcome Rev. Schmidt!

May 222013

First Parish in Malden is very pleased to announce that the Rev. Christian Schmidt will be our new full-time settled minister. On Sunday May 19, at the conclusion of our Candidating Week, the congregation called him to Malden in an overwhelmingly positive vote after the service at our Annual Congregational meeting. We look forward to seeing Rev. Schmidt when he begins his ministry on August 1. His installation service is being planned for fall of 2013. Check back here for more details.

Rev. Christian Schmidt is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School and was recently ordained into the ministry in March 2013 by the First Parish in Needham where he is currently serving as the Intern Minister. He is married to the Rev. Kristin Grassel Schmidt and they have a one year-old son, CJ. After spending quality time with Rev. Schmidt, we found him to be a strong worship leader, highly engaging on the pulpit, thoughtful, quick to think on his feet and an excellent fit for our church.

He is excited about the future of First Parish in Malden and the opportunity we have to do amazing ministry together in the church and the larger community. For more information about Christian and his ministry you can visit: http://afreefaith.com/.

As the new settled minister, he will replace current interim minister, Rev. Joanne Giannino, when her term as interim concludes on July 31.

Our leaders

May 172013

Joanne Giannino, Interim Minister

Nathan Campoli, President of the Parish Board
Betty McAvoy, Office Volunteer
Eloise Wellington, Office Volunteer
Wayne MacKay, Facilities Manager

Mariko Matsumura, Director of Music
Janna Bruene, Pianist and Organist

Caitie Daphtary, Director of Religious Education
Boston’s Best Babysitters, Childcare Services

This week’s e-news is in!

May 022013

Sunday, May 5

10:00a.m. Childcare begins

10:30a.m. Worship and Religious Education. Our theme is “…hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground” from a poem by 13th C sufi mystic Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī. Join us as we explore one of the strengths and challenges of Unitarian Universalism: the diversity of our theological points of view. As always there will be a Time for All Ages, singing, silence, prayer and a message. Please join us!

11:30a.m Fellowship: coffee and conversation

12noon Living by Heart group will meet to discuss poetry as a spiritual practice. All are welcome.

1:00pm: Boston Composers Coalition Concert presents Malden High School sophomore Len Tetta at First Parish. The concert is free and open to the public.

SAVE THE DATES

May 11 – May 19: Candidating Week with Reverend Christian Schmidt. Everyone’s invite to participate in the various events during this week. Better yet, please consider volunteering as an event coordinators or event helper! For more info, connect with Aimee R. Details to come.

Sunday, May12: The second choir Open Sing! after lunch with our ministerial candidate, from 1 to 2 pm in the Richardson chapel. Adults, children of all ages welcome!

Sunday May 19: The Annual Meeting of First Parish will be held at 12:00 noon. The purpose of this meeting is to adopt a budget for 2013-2014, elect officers and board members, vote to call Christian Schmidt as our next settled minister, and any other business that may come before the meeting. Everyone is invited to attend. Only church members are eligible to vote.

Congregational News

The Congregational Directory is being updated! Can we please include you in it? Let us know either way by emailing the office at maldenuu@verizon by May 22. Please include new email addresses, new home addresses, home phone numbers, cell phones numbers as well as birth dates (month and day only) of the members of your household for inclusion. If you don’t have email, you can mail it to us or drop it in the office basket when you come to church. The finished directory booklet will be distributed as a PDF by email or by regular mail in early June.

DRE Search Committee Seeks Volunteers: The Religious Education Committee is forming a Search Committee to take on the task of finding a new Director of Religious Education (DRE). Tasks include finalizing a job description, posting job description, evaluating incoming resumes and interviewing candidates anyone interesting in serving on the DRE Search Committee should please speak to Aimee R., Sarah B. or Gwen M.

Community News

Malden Department of Transitional Assistance and the Career Place will be hosting an Annual Spring Career Training/Job Fair on Friday May 17^th from 10.00 am to 12 noon at the Malden City Hall Council Chambers, 200 Pleasant Street, 3^rd Floor, Room 323. The event will be feature employers, ESP, CIES, WIA, YPP, skills training, education programs. Community based organizations will also be in attendance.

Hallmark Health System’s North Suburban WIC Program and the Greater Boston Food Bank are offering a mobile food pantry for families with food assistance needs. Food will be delivered directly from the Greater Boston Food Bank’s distribution center in a refrigerated truck, where it is unloaded and set-up similar to that of a farmer’s market type of distribution. Clients shop, choose from a variety of FREE fresh produce, dairy products, frozen meats, and other lean-protein sources. Come to Malden WIC Office, 239 Commercial Street, Malden, on Saturday, May 11^th from 1-2pm. To register, call 781-338-7568. No documentation/identification required. Parking for the Market will be available at 100 Hospital Road in Malden, with a shuttle service provided to the Market at 239 Commercial Street. Please remember to bring reusable grocery bags, or a cart to take your food home.

Telling Stories to Children Workshop with Judith Black on June 24-27, Marblehead. Massachusetts PDP’s offered. More Info: www.tellingstoriestochildren.com or email jb@storiesalive.com or call 781-631-4417

Open Sing this Sunday!

Apr 262013

Joel Sindelar, First Parish Music Director announces Open Sing at the Richardson Chapel at First Parish this Sunday, April 28 from 12:00 – 1:00pm. If you are interested in singing in the community of Malden, and in working to form a larger choir of children and adults of all ages, this is for you! We will be singing mostly popular music like the Beatles, Folk/Pop/Rock, maybe a little Radiohead… Lyrics and chords provided! Hope to see you there! Contact Joel with any questions: joel.sindelar@gmail.com. Adults, children of all ages welcome!

News for this week…

Apr 252013

What’s Happening at FP in Malden

A note from your interim minister…

“All that you touch you change. All that you change changes you.

The only lasting truth is change.” ― Octavia E. Butler

By now most of you have heard that Director of Religious Education Caitie Daphtary won’t be returning to First Parish in the fall. She will instead begin studying at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California.

In her eloquent letter (attached to this e-news) she writes, “I have found that my calling lies in the UU ministry, and the support, encouragement, and guidance that you have provided have led me to this self-discovery.”

I hope you feel proud of your part in her journey. Through her work with you, as teacher and guide to your children, she has found her calling. That is something to celebrate, even as sadness enters the heart whenever we say goodbye to someone who has come to mean so much to us.

I know that Caitie is sad to leave but also extremely pleased with the work that you and she have done together. First Parish has a thriving RE program. And as she has said, you will carry on with the wonderful family ministry that you and she have begun.

Caitie has been a fantastic colleague during this interim ministry period. It is with gratitude and deep affection that I will bid her well when she departs. I have no doubt that she will continue to hold all of us in her heart as well.

At this time, a search committee for a new DRE is forming. If anyone is interested in serving in this regard please speak with Stacey Gilchrist. There is a notice in this e-news with more information.

In June, we will create a warm send off for Caitie. May it be a time of well wishes and joy.

Blessings, Joanne

Saturday, April 27^th

Join First Parish as we collaborate with Bike to the Sea for a big Earth Day bike trail Clean-up event!

Coffee and Snacks: 8:30-9am; Clean-Up: 9am-12:30pm; Light Lunch and Refreshments: 12:30-1pm

Meeting location is 195 Canal Street (Cambridge Health Alliance). Plenty of parking! The organization would appreciate an RSVP so they can have enough refreshments on hand for the volunteers. You can RSVP to Stacey G. But feel free to join even if you haven’t RSVP’d.

Sunday, April 28

10 a.m. Childcare

10:30 a.m. Worship and Religious Education with Guest Speaker Joe Cleveland. Mr. Cleveland’s message to us is: The Practice of Seeing Beauty

Joe Cleveland, the Ministerial Intern at The First Parish in Bedford, graduated from Andover Newton Theological School in May 2012 and will be ordained in Syracuse, NY, this coming Memorial Day weekend. Before entering seminary, Joe taught college literature and academic writing courses and started a folk music not-for-profit. Joe has a strong guitar and banjo habit which his partner, Kristin, has only encouraged.

11:30 a.m. Fellowship

12:00 – 1:00pm Joel Sindelar, FP Music Director announces Open Sing at the Richardson Chapel at First Parish. If you are interested in singing in the community of Malden, and in working to form a larger choir of children and adults of all ages, this is for you! We will be singing mostly popular music like the Beatles, Folk/Pop/Rock, maybe a little Radiohead… Lyrics and chords provided! Hope to see you there! Contact Joel with any questions: joel.sindelar@gmail.com. Adults, children of all ages welcome!

SAVE THE DATE

Sunday, May 5

12:00noon: Living by Heart group will meet to discuss poetry as a spiritual practice. All are welcome.

1:00pm: Boston Composers Coalition Concert presents Malden High School sophomore Len Tetta at First Parish. The concert is free and open to the public.

Sunday, May12: The second choir Open Sing! after lunch with our ministerial candidate, from 1 to 2 pm in the Richardson chapel. Adults, children of all ages welcome!

Appreciations

Big thanks to the RE Team who arranged, coordinated, and hosted the Birmingham Youth Group and their chaperones at First Parish last weekend. What a joy it was to have them with us!

Congregational News

DRE Search Committee Seeks Volunteers: The Religious Education Committee is forming a Search Committee to take on the task of finding a new Director of Religious Education (DRE). Tasks include finalizing a job description, posting job description, evaluating incoming resumes and interviewing candidates. Interested members and friends of First Parish are invited to discuss joining the Search Committee with Stacey Gilchrist, even if they haven’t served on the Religious Education Committee before.

Seeking Representatives of Our Theological Diversity

Dear ones, I am looking for four or five people to speak for 2-3 minutes each on Sunday, May 5 about their own faith identity. If possible I would like representatives from such theologically categories as: :Humanist, Theist, Christian, Jjewish,Taoist, Pagan, Seeker, Agnostic, Spiritual, Mystic, Naturalist, Unitarian, Universalist, Unitarian Universalist, Buddhist, Muslim, or any combination or other name. Please contact me at jgiannino@uuma.org if you are interested or simply curious.

Community News

May Friendship Day Breakfast & Worship Service, May 4, First Community United Methodist Church, 55 Otis Street, Medford. Annual event sponsored by Church Women United of Malden-Medford-Melrose. Breakfast at 9:30 a.m. (suggested donation $5.00) followed by a worship celebration. Women and men from all faith congregations are invited. The theme, “Swinging Wide the Doors of Hospitality,” invites us to find ways to grow in relationships and ways to minister to one another. For breakfast reservations or info, call Luci Rexroad (781-395-8621.

Fred Small “Everything Possible” Concert, Friday, May 17 at First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist, 1446 Mass. Ave., Cambridge (Harvard Square). This special benefit concert celebrates the 30th anniversary of Fred’s beloved anthem of universal love and acceptance, “Everything Possible” (Singing the Journey #1019). Pete Seeger calls Fred “one of American’s best songwriters,” and the Washington Post calls his music “big-hearted and inspirational.” Admission: adults -$15 in advance/$20 at the door. Students with ID -$10. Children under 12 are free. Purchase tickets at the church, http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/339953 or 800-838-3006. There will be a raffle and an auction for an original song manuscript. CDs and refreshments will be sold during intermission. Proceeds benefit the Beloved Community Fund, which supports diversity and accessibility at the church.

Taking It Home

Apr 232013

Search for Director of Religious Education

Apr 232013

Members of the First Parish in Malden (a welcoming congregation with a long and rich history) seek a caring and creative individual to be their new Director of Religious Education. First Parish takes pride in its RE program, which has seen significant growth and development over the last several years – expansion the congregation is eager to see continue. The program serves approximately 25 children (including nursery-age infants) and provides RE classes to children 3 to 10-years-old in a one-room schoolhouse setting. For detailed information on the DRE’s responsibilities, please see the job description below.

To apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to maldenuuDREsearch@verizon.net by Sunday May 19, 2013.

Director of Religious Education

Effective 8/15/13

Reports to: Minister

Directly Supervises: Childcare Workers

Status: Part Time, 15 hours per week

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Job Summary:

The Director of Religious Education will be responsible for the overall Sunday morning religious education program of the congregation. The DRE will work with the Religious Education Committee and the Minister to set goals, plan programs, and implement programming for children, their families, and intergenerational worship attendees.

Essential Functions:

Plan and coordinate children’s religious education program for 40 Sundays (Sept. 2013 – June 2014).
Develop curriculum and coordinate weekly worship and religious education themes with Minister.
Support the work of the Religious Education Committee, recruit and train volunteer teachers, and prepare the volunteer schedules.
Meet regularly with the Minister for supervision and collaboration, and report to the Parish Board quarterly during the worship season.
Work collaboratively with the minister and lay-led worship participants to plan and execute several multigenerational worships throughout the church year.
Coordinate occasional family events outside church hours such as workshops and social events.
Serve as the voice of Religious Education at First Parish and advocate for program needs.
Communicate with parents and volunteers frequently about upcoming programs and special events.
Prepare and teach weekly lessons for two age groups (pre-K to grade 1 and grade 2 to grade 5), provide materials and resources, and assist volunteer teachers.
Participate in the beginning of weekly worship services and present “Time for All Ages” as requested.
Supervise childcare providers and maintain contact with Boston’s Best Babysitters.
Maintain the classroom spaces, bookshelves, and storage areas.
Prepare the annual religious education budget and plan in collaboration with the Religious Education Committee and Minister.

Other Responsibilities:

Meet regularly with other staff and with worship team.
Meet with Outreach Committee to promote the religious education program in the community.

Core Competencies:

An understanding of child development and the ability to engage children of multiple ages; a background in education is preferred.
Creativity, resourcefulness, and excellent communication skills; experience writing curriculum is preferred but not required.
At least 2 years of experience in Unitarian Universalism and a working knowledge of its principles and history.

Physical Requirements:

Able to move freely in and out of various rooms during religious education classes.
Able to walk up and down stairs.
Able to speak in a public forum.

Compensation and Hours/Dates:

This is a part-time 15-hour per week position.
Hourly Rate: $15.00 -$17.50.
Start and end dates: August 26th 2013 – June 15th 2014. (Approximately 40 worship services plus two preparatory weeks.)
Salary is paid on the 15^th and 30^th/31^st of each month (September – June) for a total of 20 pay periods. Payments will be made by direct deposit to the bank account you designate, less withholding and social security taxes.
You will have a budget for religious education materials and your own Professional Development.
You may take up to five Sundays off per church year.

Termination:

The DRE will give 30 days written notice of intent to resign. Likewise, the Governing Board may terminate this agreement without cause 30 days after giving written notice to the DRE of its intentions.

Termination for cause shall be immediate. Otherwise, this agreement will continue in effect unless it is amended or a written notice to terminate it is received.

About First Parish:

The congregation dates to 1648, and the founding of the city of Malden, but First Parish is growing after a decline to single-digits in the 1990’s. New members find with us a spiritual home: a place of caring, spiritual growth, and from which to step out from and make a difference in the larger community. First Parish hired Reverend David Horst in 2003 following the aforementioned decline in church membership, which took place throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. Through the combined effort of church leadership, staff, and Reverend Horst, the ministerial, organizational, programmatic, and outreach aspects of the church were dramatically improved. Membership grew from single-digit numbers in 2003 to nearly 60 today.

In September 2011, with the growing number of members with families with young children, a Director of Religious Education was hired. The DRE and RE Committee have worked together to build the foundations of a vibrant and sustainable family ministry.

The past two years have been a period of transition for the congregation. The growth of the RE program is just part of the rebirth of First Parish. We have had an interim minister who has helped the congregation through a time of change. In the fall of 2012, we hired a new Director of Music, Joel Sindelar, who has enthusiasm, creative ideas and a wide variety of musical talents. We are hopeful he will continue to strengthen the music program in our parish. Also in the fall of 2012 we added a new position to the existing staff and hired a part-time Church Administrator, Ellen Shore, to provide much needed support in the areas of finance and ongoing administrative work. Lastly, the congregation will be voting in a new settled minister at the end of May who is looking forward to working with our new DRE in an effort to continue building on a program that has increased the growth of our membership these past two years.

Mission Statement of the First Parish in Malden:

A dynamic religious home since 1648. We welcome and nurture the questing spirit.

Written and adopted at the Leadership Retreat, March 12, 2011

Religious Education Mission Statement:

The purpose of the Religious Education program of the First Parish in Malden is to provide an environment of acceptance and belonging for its children and youth, where they may grow as moral and spiritual persons nurtured on their quests to personal faith.

Modeled after the First Parish Mission Statement. Adopted 5/23/2012 by the RE Committee

A covenant of the Members of the First Parish in Malden:

We, the members of the First Parish in Malden, Universalist, covenant in friendship to create together a community of respect, equality, openness, trust, and compassion. We pledge ourselves:

To hospitality – Extending a warm welcome to all and caring for each other in times of need;
To understanding – Fostering an atmosphere of acceptance based in goodwill;
To spiritual growth – Honoring the spiritual and religious journey of each person;
To sharing – Openly and respectfully offering our views, seeking others’ views, listening attentively, and honoring our differences as we honor that which we share;
To participation – Supporting the church through our presence and the many, diverse gifts we bring.

Our covenant, founded in the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism, calls us:

To deal with disagreements constructively and to communicate with each other in a direct, caring, and responsible manner;
To express gratitude and support to all who volunteer their time and talents in support of the church;
To call each other lovingly back into the circle of covenant when necessary;
To live our values within the church, and throughout our wider community, bringing the best of each to the other.

Approved by vote by Members of the First Parish in Malden on Sunday, January 31, 2010

For more information:

To learn more about the First Parish in Malden, please visit our website at http://www.maldenuua.org/

To apply:

Please send a resume and cover letter to maldenuuDREsearch@verizon.net by Sunday May 19, 2013.

Please join us Sunday at 10:30 a.m.

Apr 202013

… for worship. It will be good to be together. Our theme is A Worship Service for the Earth, kinship and care. There will be a baby dedication. We will sing and pray and rest in the love that holds us all.

The news this week!

Apr 112013

Sunday, April 14

10 a.m. Childcare begins

10:30 a.m. Worship and Religious Education. Lay Leader: Aimee Ricciardone

Join us as Aimee leads the congregation in …. None Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

11:30 a.m. Fellowship

SAVE THE DATE:

Friday April 19

Potluck with UU Youth Group from Detroit: Durgin Hall at 6:00pm – First Parish members are invited to attend a special potluck celebration with a Detroit-based UU youth group! The youth group will be staying with us at First Parish from Thursday the 18th through the service on Sunday the 21st while they explore the Boston area as part of their Coming of Age rituals. Bring your favorite dishes to share and mingle with the youth of the Birmingham Unitarian Church of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Please RSVP to Caitie at dre.maldenuu@gmail.com OR 508-367-2119 by Wednesday 4/17 and let her know how many of your family members will be attending and the type of dish you wish to bring (snack, drink, appetizer, dessert, vegetarian entrée, non-vegetarian entrée)

FP Book Club, 7pm. We’ll be discussing “The Other Woman” by Hank Phillippi Ryan. See Eloise Wellington for more info.

Sunday, April 21 The Living by Heart group will meet at noon to continue to explore poetry as a spiritual practice tool. All are welcome.

Saturday, April 27^th

In the morning (exact times to be determined), FP will be participating in Bike to the Sea for a big Earth Day bike trail clean-up event! Perfect for singles and families, young to old, there will be ways to volunteer that are both active and sedentary. This is a great opportunity for First Parish to get involved in the community, so line your sneakers up next to the door and be ready to join us on the 27^th!

Congregational News

After a thorough and exhaustive search process, our Search Committee is excited to present for your consideration the Reverend Christian Schmidt as our next settled minister. We invite you to participate in Candidating Week: May 11 – May 19, 2013. Elsewhere on the website, please find the announcement and a letter from Rev. Schmidt. ALL HANDS ON DECK!!! The Ministerial Search Committee is looking for volunteers who want to be Event Coordinators and help out with various events during this week. If anyone is interested they should talk to Aimee R.

Community News

The Ivy Chord Coffee House presents Matt & Shannon Heaton on April 13 at 8pm (open seating, doors open at 7:15 handicap accessible) at Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, 239 Woburn Street, Reading, MA (corner of Woburn and Summer streets; entrance on Summer Av). Buy tickets at UUReading.org/concerts. More info contact ivychord@uureading.org or 781-229-9394

UU Mass Action Advocacy Day & Acts of Faith Breakfast – April 23rd

Should Massachusetts lead the country on reforms of Gun Control, Climate Change and Immigration? On Tuesday, April 23rd, you can help make it happen. Join fellow Unitarian Universalists from across the state for UU Advocacy Day in Boston. You can choose to start your day with a breakfast with Sister Simone Campbell of “The Nuns on the Bus.” Then you will be trained with background and talking points on key legislation for this year’s three top issues. Afterwards you and others from your area will go to the State House to visit your Senator and Representative. Get details and register at www.uumassaction.org/advocacyday2013.

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