Weekly e-Herald: Friday, September 9

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First Church First Looks

Homecoming Sunday
Community Fellowship

On this Homecoming Sunday, we are asking that First Church members and friends bring a snack to share at our Coffee Hour following the service.  Anything from homemade cookies to something that you grab on your way out the door--all offerings are most welcome and appreciated.  Please email Alicia Diozzi at msdiozzi@yahoo.com with questions or if you'd like to lend a hand to make this one a Fellowship to remember!

Soul Matters

We extend a warm welcome to Rev. Jenny and everyone in the congregation as we gather for this church year. Each and everyone of you is invited to join our small group ministry Soul Matters which meets to share reflections on a specific theme each month. Participating in a small group that encourages mindful engagement is a way to deepen your personal spiritual practice and your connection to others in the church community. To help get you started thinking about the monthly theme there is a booklet full of exercises, meditations, questions to ponder, and music and readings to inspire and engage you. 
The Soul Matters theme for September is Belonging. The meeting will take place in person on Sunday, September 25 at 12:15pm in Willson Hall. Feel free to drop by to reconnect or come for the first time. If you have questions or would like a reminder email, contact Melody Lee.
Water Communion

Join us this Sunday for our annual Water Communion service. We invite you to visit the nearest body of water, (which, for many of us, may be the nearest sink) with any vessel on hand to gather a small amount of water to bring to the service.

Staff Office Hours

Welcome back! Swing by or make an appointment to visit the staff if you need anything.
Rev. Jenny Rankin is in-person Tuesdays and Thursdays with open office hours Thursday from 1p-4p. She can also be reached via email or phone 978-741-1629. 

Congregational Administrator,Catherine Bertrand, Tuesday through Friday 8:30a-2pm and Sundays before the service and after until 12:15pm. Please feel to reach out via email or phone at 978-744-1551.

Our RE Coordinator Theo Burbank will be available Tues-Fri 3p-6p and Sundays9:30a-1:30p. Theo can also be reached through email. 

As always Music Director Michael Kraft can be reached via email. 

My Door is Open…

Thank you to those of you who have welcomed me in so many different ways in the last few weeks:  help with setting up email addresses and technology, rearranging the furniture in the minister’s office, bringing me a home-made picnic lunch, some beautiful flowers for my desk, or simply, (and not so simple at all) the willingness to spare some of your time to sit down with me and share a bit about your connection with First Church and your experiences in the last few years.

It's been great to start putting a face with a name and hearing from you directly; I also look forward to meeting you in person this coming Sunday September 11th when I’ll be with you in worship for the first time. I appreciate the chance to greet you at church and then at the reception following the service.

When I start a new interim ministry, I generally begin by having conversations with staff, deacons, Standing Committee.  However, there are an awful lot more of you I want to meet! 

As you know, getting started in a new job can be a LOT all at once!  One thing you can do to help me as I get started is to email me (minister@firstchurchinsalem.org) and let me know if you’d be willing to sit down and chat, share your experience at First Church with me. It doesn’t have to be soon—there’s no urgency or rush—but let’s connect and get something on the calendar so we know it will happen. It could be in late September or January!   

If we want to meet in person, the best days are Tuesdays and Thursday when generally I’ll be working on site at the church. We can meet on Zoom on Monday or Wednesday when I work remotely from home.  But some of you will need an evening or weekend time, and we can work that out as well.

So let me know you are “out there” and would like to get acquainted and are willing to tell me a bit about “your First Church in Salem” experience.  And thank you.

It’s September, and another church year, I’m excited to “begin again” with you.
 
Jenny

Religious Education

We are so excited to begin another year of RE! This year we will be focusing on Our UU Values in the World. We will learn about how we can show our UU Values everywhere from our homes to our community to forests and the ocean. We have lots of fun projects and field trips in store!

We will start the year with an Intergenerational Homecoming service this Sunday, Sept. 11. This service will contain elements for all ages, including a water communion ritual and a hands-on activity.

Next week, we will start weekly Sunday School! The RE Team is thrilled to offer weekly Sunday School again. In order to make this happen, we need classroom volunteers! If you would like to volunteer to teach Sunday School–or help out with any other aspect of the program–you can fill out a Volunteer Sign-up Sheet.

And if you haven’t already, please fill out an RE Registration Form for your family.

Finally, I have new hours as the RE Coordinator this year. I will be working Tuesday-Friday 3-6 and Sunday 9:30-1:30. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at fcreligioused@gmail.com or make an appointment to talk anytime within those hours. I will be posting virtual office hours once the church year starts.

In faith,
Theo Burbank
Religious Education Coordinator

Feel Like Singing?
As the new church year begins, and our interim minister, Rev. Jenny Rankin, is in place, I am excited and hopeful that we can once again gather as singers to participate in services and bring all of the energy and inspiration that comes with that to our congregation!
 
I invite all of you to consider participating in some initial Saturday morning singing sessions to get our voices going again and having fun with some simple and familiar music. There will be a time of figuring out exactly who we are as a choir after not meeting for 2 ½ years! Once we have established who we have and people’s interest and availability for the fall, a plan will be made for when, how often, and what we sing in the Sunday services.
 
The dates I have chosen for starters are Saturday, September 17 and Saturday, September 24 at 9am, in the Cleveland Room.
 
Contact Michael at music@firstchurchinsalem.org for more information and your expression of interest.

Pandemic Task Force
As we approach Homecoming Sunday and the heart of the new church year, I would like to ask you to join me in honoring the work of the Reentry Committee, who have worked diligently for over two years to keep us safe while facilitating our revered worship practices with hope, faith, and a commitment to inclusion.  I encourage you all to read the report of the committee in the 2022 Annual report (page 45) to get a sense of the very thoughtful and deliberate process this team built on our behalf.

We are at something of a turning point now, as we have “re-entered” to worship in the Meeting House.  And yet, the pandemic cannot be said to be over, and the key indicators of public health may swing negatively at any time.  The need to balance the interests and vulnerabilities of all remains.  At the same time, Reentry Committee members deserve a breather from the very committed work they have been doing for this extended period.

Recognizing that this diligent review must continue, even as circumstances change, the Standing Committee is discussing a plan to refresh the process and the committee.  It is our intent to recruit a team of members to pick up this ministry, using the tools, references and guides available and to make sound recommendations for meeting and gathering practices, and communicating those clearly to the congregation.

We hope to have this group, tentatively called the Pandemic Task Force, in place and introduced within September, though we recognize the significant commitment such ministry represents.  All input on the make-up, number of members, meeting frequency, and other considerations is welcome.  Please touch base with any member of the Standing Committee if you have suggestions, comments, or questions, or if you see a role for yourself in this work.

In the meantime, as this team is being formed, we ask the congregation to patiently stay the course with current practices for worship in the Meeting House.  That is, for the next three Sundays, we will continue to ask attendees to wear masks and respect social distancing.

We look forward to hearing your comments and reporting updates to you.

In community,

Steve

In the Community
Join The Salem Pantry in The Ride for Food. 

Like to bike? Join our team of riders at The Ride for Food on October 2nd!

The Salem Pantry is again participating in The Ride for Food and we need your help! We are seeking more cyclists to join our team of riders on October 2nd as we bike to our goal of raising $10,000. You can choose to ride 25 or 50 miles.

As a Ride for Food team member, you will ask neighbors, friends, and family to support you while you complete your challenge. We ask that you raise at least $350. Every dollar you raise will go to support food security and The Salem Pantry.

Not a cyclist? No problem. Check out these other ways to help.

Do you like supporting The Salem Pantry? Do you enjoy walking, paddling, biking, jogging, running or hiking? Or maybe TV marathons are more your thing? Either way, you can participate in The Ride for Food.
For more information contact Hannah Beth Hembree

Visiting First Church?
If you're visiting First Church for the first time in a long time or the first ever please click here for information about parking, directions, service times and more!

UUA New England Region
5 Tips For Heavy Lifting!
by wren Bellavance-Grace
"We return to our traditional New England UU church year in September, many of us feeling the same way after three years of covid - so much of what we used to do is just harder." 
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Homecoming & Water Communion

Homecoming Sunday Community Fellowship

On this Homecoming Sunday, we are asking that First Church members and friends bring a snack to share at our Coffee Hour following the service. Anything from homemade cookies to something that you grab on your way out the door--all offerings are most welcome and appreciated. Please email Alicia Diozzi at msdiozzi@yahoo.com with questions or if you'd like to lend a hand to make this one a Fellowship to remember!

Join us on Sunday for our annual service of iWater Communion. We invite you to visit the nearest body of water, (which, for many of us, may be the nearest sink) with any vessel on hand to gather a small amount of water to bring to the service.

Religious Education

We are so excited to begin another year of RE! This year we will be focusing on Our UU Values in the World. We will learn about how we can show our UU Values everywhere from our homes to our community to forests and the ocean. We have lots of fun projects and field trips in store!

We will start the year with an Intergenerational Homecoming service this Sunday, Sept. 11. This service will contain elements for all ages, including a water communion ritual and a hands-on activity.

Next week, we will start weekly Sunday School! The RE Team is thrilled to offer weekly Sunday School again. In order to make this happen, we need classroom volunteers! If you would like to volunteer to teach Sunday School–or help out with any other aspect of the program–you can fill out a Volunteer Sign-up Sheet.

And if you haven’t already, please fill out an RE Registration Form for your family.

Finally, I have new hours as the RE Coordinator this year. I will be working Tuesday-Friday 3-6 and Sunday 9:30-1:30. Please feel free to reach out to me via email at fcreligioused@gmail.com or make an appointment to talk anytime within those hours. I will be posting virtual office hours once the church year starts.

In faith,

Theo Burbank

Religious Education Coordinator

Weekly e-Herald: Friday, September 2

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Welcome Back Updates!

STAFF OFFICE HOURS
Welcome back everyone! In addition to Rev. Jenny's office our Congregational Administrator, Catherine Bertrand, has returned from sabbatical and will be available in office Tuesday through Friday 8:30a-2pm and Sundays before the service and after until 12:15pm. Please feel to reach out via email or phone at 978-744-1551.

Our RE Coordinator Theo Burbank will also be posting office hours in the coming weeks so please stay tuned! Theo can also be reached through email. 

As always Music Director Michael Kraft can be reached via email. 

SIGN-UPS
Most sign-ups for the church year are available above. Simply click the link and volunteers for hosting Fellowship or providing Flowers. Lifebridge details are coming soon. Details can be found in the link!
THANK YOU!
There are many thanks to be given to all those who stepped up to make sure things ran smoothly while Catherine was off this summer. Let's acknowledge the extra efforts of Anna Brandenburg, Brenda Marean, and Claire Donaldson for coordinating the many moving parts of First Church. Thank you!

Welcome Rev. Jenny Rankin

Hello First Church in Salem!
 
It is wonderful to have “arrived!”  I began last Monday August 22 and have enjoyed these first few days of meeting some of you and getting situated. 
 
I’ve had a tour of your incredibly beautiful sanctuary, building and church grounds.  I’ve begun to meet with staff, Standing Committee members and deacons.  I’ve started moving in boxes and books to the minister’s office.  And I’ve gotten a glimpse of the vibrant and historic community that is Salem! 
 
One of the things I love about being an interim minister is that I get to travel to a new “country” each time I begin working with a new congregation. I’m looking forward to meeting you and hearing from you what it is you appreciate about the church, as well as Salem itself (and the environs).    Each congregation has its own “language,” customs, and distinctive culture and I’ll be turning to you all to be my “local guides” to get to know this new territory.
 
Thank you for welcoming me, and I look forward to meeting you in person.  My first Sunday in the pulpit will be Homecoming Sunday, September 11th, and I will have office hours during the week (see specifics below).  If you would like to visit in person, or on Zoom, please email me at minister@firstchurchinsalem.org
 
It’s good to be here.
 
Jenny
 
Office Hours for September
 (please email Jenny directly to get a specific time or you are welcome to drop in, just know you may need to wait till she finishes meeting with someone else).
 
These office hours are in person at the church.  I’m happy to add office hours on Zoom and evening hours, if you let me know you’d like that. 
 
Thurs. Sept 1, 1-4 pm
Wed. Sept 7,  10-12 noon
Thurs. Sept 15, 1-4 pm
Wed. Sept 21, 4-6:30 pm
Thurs. Sept 22, 1-4 pm
Thurs. Sept 29, 1-4 pm

Learn more about Jenny's Interim Ministry here.

Pandemic Task Force
As we approach Homecoming Sunday and the heart of the new church year, I would like to ask you to join me in honoring the work of the Reentry Committee, who have worked diligently for over two years to keep us safe while facilitating our revered worship practices with hope, faith, and a commitment to inclusion.  I encourage you all to read the report of the committee in the 2022 Annual report (page 45) to get a sense of the very thoughtful and deliberate process this team built on our behalf.

We are at something of a turning point now, as we have “re-entered” to worship in the Meeting House.  And yet, the pandemic cannot be said to be over, and the key indicators of public health may swing negatively at any time.  The need to balance the interests and vulnerabilities of all remains.  At the same time, Reentry Committee members deserve a breather from the very committed work they have been doing for this extended period.

Recognizing that this diligent review must continue, even as circumstances change, the Standing Committee is discussing a plan to refresh the process and the committee.  It is our intent to recruit a team of members to pick up this ministry, using the tools, references and guides available and to make sound recommendations for meeting and gathering practices, and communicating those clearly to the congregation.

We hope to have this group, tentatively called the Pandemic Task Force, in place and introduced within September, though we recognize the significant commitment such ministry represents.  All input on the make-up, number of members, meeting frequency, and other considerations is welcome.  Please touch base with any member of the Standing Committee if you have suggestions, comments, or questions, or if you see a role for yourself in this work.

In the meantime, as this team is being formed, we ask the congregation to patiently stay the course with current practices for worship in the Meeting House.  That is, for the next three Sundays, we will continue to ask attendees to wear masks and respect social distancing.

We look forward to hearing your comments and reporting updates to you.

In community,

Steve

Sunday Services
Sunday services are held in the Meetinghouse, and begin at 10:30 am.
  • Sept 4th (Labor Day weekend):  No service
  • September 11:  Homecoming Sunday, led by Rev. Jenny Rankin (in-person, and on Zoom)
    ** Special Fellowship following the service: Meet and Greet Rev. Jenny **
We are so thankful to everyone who helped make worship services possible this summer.  Special thanks to Rev. Claire Donaldson for coordinating and leading services.  We also especially thank Diane Smith, Jim Ognibene and Tiffany Magnolia for their contributions and wise words from the pulpit.
 

Religious Education
The Standing Committee and Rev. Jenny are so pleased to announce that Theo Burbank will be staying on in her role as Religious Education Coordinator!

A note from Theo:
Hello children, youth, and caregivers!
I am so excited to be joining you again this year. We have an exciting year of learning, growing, and exploring as a community ahead of us, which you will hear more about soon.
 
If you have a child who plans to participate in RE this year, please take a moment to fill out our RE Registration Form. If you are interested in volunteering with RE this year, you can sign up here! And as always, you can contact me anytime at fcreligioused@gmail.com.
 
Best,
Theo Burbank
 
Upcoming RE services and events:
Sept 11: Homecoming Sunday, Intergenerational Service
Sept 18: First Day of Sunday School

Thank you for the Flowers!
Many thanks to all who have signed up to contribute flowers for our Communion table. 

August 21: Penny Bigmore
August  28:  Mimi Ballou
September 11:  Deacons 

We are always grateful for your help in making our Sunday services more festive.

Support for Lynn Taggart
Lynn underwent major surgery August 10.  She will have a long recovery, but so far Russell has been sharing good news!  We are supporting Lynn and Russell with meals, restaurant gift cards and notes of encouragement. 
Please look for details on the meal train site:  https://www.mealtrain.com/trains/q551w8.  

If a meal is not possible please feel free to send a card to Lynn Taggart, 15 Canterbury Road, Marblehead, MA 01945.  Let's keep Lynn in our thoughts and prayers.
 
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First Church Welcomes Interim Minister

We are delighted to announce that we’ll be welcoming Rev. Jenny M. Rankin as our Interim Minister on August 29, 2022. Jenny will work with the Board and the Transition Team to help the congregation accomplish the 5 interim ministry goals recommended for a congregation in transition between settled ministers.

Jenny was born in Boston and raised as a Unitarian Universalist at King’s Chapel. She graduated from Princeton University and after working for a few years as a community organizer, in Paris and Boston, went on to earn a Master of Divinity degree at Harvard Divinity School. Jenny began her career as an interim minister in Hingham, Cohasset and Hopedale before going on to serve as Minister of the First Parish in Concord, a settled ministry position, for fifteen years. She received additional training in transitional ministry and decided to make this particular form of ministry her focus. She recently completed her seventh interim ministry with the First Parish in Lincoln in June of 2022. Originally a two-year contract, it was extended to three, and then because of Covid, to four. Most of her interims have been two years.

“To me, interim ministry is a ministry of accompaniment,” Jenny said recently, “I walk with congregations who are going through a period of uncertainty and direction-finding after the departure of a settled minister. All congregations have challenges, of course, and I consult with and guide churches leaders to help them choose what is “top priority” for the interim period, what most needs attention to allow the church to be ready to call a new minister.”

“Each congregation is different, of course,” she continued, “with its own unique history. but some of the issues I’ve encountered in my work include unresolved grief, conflict, factions and fissures, a decline in trust, de-energized leaders, a decline in membership and/or pledging or both. I have watched congregations engage in tough conversations and do brave work together in the service of healing. It is not magic. It takes hard work and all hands on deck. It can be uncomfortable, at times. But it is rewarding for me to see congregations emerge from an interim time with more hope, energy and strength, well equipped for their next chapter.”

Jenny loves to learn, especially in community with others. She has taught classes on Transcendentalism, Celtic spirituality, prayer and the contemplative tradition, Spiritual Autobiography, and “Creativity as a Spiritual Practice.” Sometimes, she takes the learning “on the road” and has led seminars and walking tours both locally and in Europe. With a friend and UU minister colleague, Jenny leads contemplative retreats on the island of Iona of the west coast of Scotland. In 2021, Jenny earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry.

Jenny lives in Concord, Mass with her husband Rich Higgins, author and photographer. They have three children, now young adults. And a much-loved dog named Finn!