Murray Church NotesJuly 16 2020Volume 8 Issue 46

In this Issue

Small JoysNew Link to Summer WorshipSummer Services ScheduleMemorial Garden Work CrewStarts TonightBLM Protest Vigil Summer Journaling WorkshopUnity Garden Help NeededMinister amp DLRE VacationsFDA Warning on Tainted HandSanitizer

COVID-19 Cash AssistanceCOVID-19 Social GroupMurray Social HourFood Pantry DonationsCoffee Hour CoordinatorNeededVirtual Offering PlateSome Help for FinancialDistressSummer Newsletter ScheduleMurray Calendar

Hoppity Hops Washing Machinesand Other Small JoysMonica StaafWhat simple joys did you appreciate when you were a child

When I was growing up in suburban Cleveland summer meant

carefree days of playing kickball for hours with the other

neighborhood kids riding bikes to Lake Erie climbing the tree in

our backyard or racing my sister across the yard while bouncing on

Hoppity Hops ndash giant rubber balls with a handle Sometimes we would lie in the grass in our

backyard and blow white fuzz from dandelions at each other or read our books from the stack

we checked out from the library

On my path to middle age making the time to appreciate small joys has gradually given way to

multi-tasking ldquoto dordquo lists and a full schedule of ldquoshouldsrdquo When COVID-19 first reached New

England it seemed to be temporary Many of us spoke about ldquoWhen this is overrdquo as workers

were furloughed and school travel social activities non-urgent surgery and commutes were

postponed As the pandemic lingers Irsquom learning how to live in the present again

COVID-19 has affected all of us differently My heart goes out to those who are living in

isolation experiencing illness or loss of a loved one having no child care or suffering from

financial hardship or racial discrimination Even though we are all facing different

circumstances I encourage you to consider the words of the Rabbi Harold Kushner

ldquoCan you see the holiness in those things you take for grantedmdasha paved road or a washing

machine If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation you will discover that

your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude a feeling that nurtures the soulrdquo

What brings you joy ndash no matter how small you may think it is

Irsquom grateful

bull For being able to go for a walk most days instead of spending an hour and half commuting to

and from work during rush hour traffic

bull For windows that open I now spend most of my day breathing in fresh air and sunshine while

looking at trees in the backyard instead of recirculated air under the glare of a fluorescent light

bull For our aging green mailbox that leans like the Tower of Pisa It makes me happy to place

notecards and silly or provocative postcards to friends in the mailbox and lift the red flag hoping

that they will brighten someonersquos day instead of focusing on the junk mail and flyers

bullFor the sage quilt that my godmother made for me Now that I have time to make the bed I find

it soothing to look at or lie on the quilt instead of the usual tangle of covers

bull For the black raspberry brambles that have multiplied along our driveway The newrdquo patches

may have been there all along but we were too busy to notice My partner Glen starts his day

by picking black raspberries as a ritual before he spends the rest of the day hunkered over his

computer

bull For the chirps and tweets of birds I listen to their music each day when I walk to the mailbox

each day instead of listening to honking cars and the whoosh of traffic from the nearby highway

I can even spot an occasional deer in the middle of the day

bull For the supply of paperback books that Irsquove accumulated from library book sales and used

book stores Irsquom expanding my mind by reading new authors instead of reading snippets on my

phone

bull For our grill Now that I have time to cook I like the ritual of chopping vegetables and grilling

skewers of red onions mushrooms and peppers outside instead of microwaving a frozen

dinner

bull For my new ldquooffice matesrdquo I like watching our cats snuggled in their carpeted perches next to

my deskfolding table during the day instead of focusing mainly on feeding them and cleaning

the litter box as soon as I get home from work I like to pass Glen on my way to the refrigerator

as he works at his deskkitchen table even if we rarely have time to say more than ldquohowrsquos it

goingrdquo during workdays

bull For Zoom and other technology Even though I struggled to use it at first it has been a lifeline

Glen and I have attended virtual dance parties with friends whom we rarely saw in person more

than once a month My sister who lives in rural Idaho and I have journaled with each other

remotely Our mom has been able to attend her book group Bible study library discussion

groups and church while she is trapped in her condominium

I no longer own a red Hoppity Hop nor do I climb trees but I can recapture ndash even if just for a

moment ndash the small joys of childhood No matter how overwhelmed you feel take a moment to

think of something (or someone) that makes you happy Your joy may be a favorite food or

activity the smile of a child a game a phone call or yes even as Rabbi Kushner suggested a

washing machine or a paved road This will get better

New Link to Summer Worship

Online Worship Sundays at 10 am

Online worshipers can log into Zoom at 945 AM using the

New Zoom Link for Online Summer Worship

Meeting ID 968 9195 6187Password 262286

Phone numbers if calling in (you will need to put in the meeting ID and password) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Here are directions for virtual Sunday Service This will take you to a slide show with all the

directions for setting up Zoom on your computer or other mobile device in time for the service

2020 Summer Services ScheduleProduced by the Religious Services Committee

Please note that Summer Services will have a different Zoom link herebeginning on July 5

July 19Seeking Inner Joy | Monica Staaf

Maya Angelou wrote ldquoWe need Joy as we need air We need Love as

we need water We need each other as we need the earth we sharerdquo

How can we find moments of gratitude and inner joy during troubled

times

July 26 Growing Hope ndash Yes Hope | Donna Seagrave

Even in the most challenging of times we can find hope and move

ourselves In the directions it takes us to make both our personal and

wider worlds a better stronger place

August 2Rebel With a Clue | Ted Weil

These past few years weve all felt called upon perhaps more intensely

than weve felt compelled to in years if not decades to stand up and resist

To protest to march to speak up and out All of us seeking ways to

productively and positively channel the intense energy boiling up in us in

response to event after event and crisis after crisis But feeling something and acting on it can

be incredibly difficult as self-doubt anxiety worry and fear push back Lets explore how to not

ldquoCan you see the holiness in those things you take for grantedmdasha paved road or a washing

machine If you concentrate on finding what is good in every situation you will discover that

your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude a feeling that nurtures the soulrdquo

What brings you joy ndash no matter how small you may think it is

Irsquom grateful

bull For being able to go for a walk most days instead of spending an hour and half commuting to

and from work during rush hour traffic

bull For windows that open I now spend most of my day breathing in fresh air and sunshine while

looking at trees in the backyard instead of recirculated air under the glare of a fluorescent light

bull For our aging green mailbox that leans like the Tower of Pisa It makes me happy to place

notecards and silly or provocative postcards to friends in the mailbox and lift the red flag hoping

that they will brighten someonersquos day instead of focusing on the junk mail and flyers

bullFor the sage quilt that my godmother made for me Now that I have time to make the bed I find

it soothing to look at or lie on the quilt instead of the usual tangle of covers

bull For the black raspberry brambles that have multiplied along our driveway The newrdquo patches

may have been there all along but we were too busy to notice My partner Glen starts his day

by picking black raspberries as a ritual before he spends the rest of the day hunkered over his

computer

bull For the chirps and tweets of birds I listen to their music each day when I walk to the mailbox

each day instead of listening to honking cars and the whoosh of traffic from the nearby highway

I can even spot an occasional deer in the middle of the day

bull For the supply of paperback books that Irsquove accumulated from library book sales and used

book stores Irsquom expanding my mind by reading new authors instead of reading snippets on my

phone

bull For our grill Now that I have time to cook I like the ritual of chopping vegetables and grilling

skewers of red onions mushrooms and peppers outside instead of microwaving a frozen

dinner

bull For my new ldquooffice matesrdquo I like watching our cats snuggled in their carpeted perches next to

my deskfolding table during the day instead of focusing mainly on feeding them and cleaning

the litter box as soon as I get home from work I like to pass Glen on my way to the refrigerator

as he works at his deskkitchen table even if we rarely have time to say more than ldquohowrsquos it

goingrdquo during workdays

bull For Zoom and other technology Even though I struggled to use it at first it has been a lifeline

Glen and I have attended virtual dance parties with friends whom we rarely saw in person more

than once a month My sister who lives in rural Idaho and I have journaled with each other

remotely Our mom has been able to attend her book group Bible study library discussion

groups and church while she is trapped in her condominium

I no longer own a red Hoppity Hop nor do I climb trees but I can recapture ndash even if just for a

moment ndash the small joys of childhood No matter how overwhelmed you feel take a moment to

think of something (or someone) that makes you happy Your joy may be a favorite food or

activity the smile of a child a game a phone call or yes even as Rabbi Kushner suggested a

washing machine or a paved road This will get better

New Link to Summer Worship

Online Worship Sundays at 10 am

Online worshipers can log into Zoom at 945 AM using the

New Zoom Link for Online Summer Worship

Meeting ID 968 9195 6187Password 262286

Phone numbers if calling in (you will need to put in the meeting ID and password) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Here are directions for virtual Sunday Service This will take you to a slide show with all the

directions for setting up Zoom on your computer or other mobile device in time for the service

2020 Summer Services ScheduleProduced by the Religious Services Committee

Please note that Summer Services will have a different Zoom link herebeginning on July 5

July 19Seeking Inner Joy | Monica Staaf

Maya Angelou wrote ldquoWe need Joy as we need air We need Love as

we need water We need each other as we need the earth we sharerdquo

How can we find moments of gratitude and inner joy during troubled

times

July 26 Growing Hope ndash Yes Hope | Donna Seagrave

Even in the most challenging of times we can find hope and move

ourselves In the directions it takes us to make both our personal and

wider worlds a better stronger place

August 2Rebel With a Clue | Ted Weil

These past few years weve all felt called upon perhaps more intensely

than weve felt compelled to in years if not decades to stand up and resist

To protest to march to speak up and out All of us seeking ways to

productively and positively channel the intense energy boiling up in us in

response to event after event and crisis after crisis But feeling something and acting on it can

be incredibly difficult as self-doubt anxiety worry and fear push back Lets explore how to not

I no longer own a red Hoppity Hop nor do I climb trees but I can recapture ndash even if just for a

moment ndash the small joys of childhood No matter how overwhelmed you feel take a moment to

think of something (or someone) that makes you happy Your joy may be a favorite food or

activity the smile of a child a game a phone call or yes even as Rabbi Kushner suggested a

washing machine or a paved road This will get better

New Link to Summer Worship

Online Worship Sundays at 10 am

Online worshipers can log into Zoom at 945 AM using the

New Zoom Link for Online Summer Worship

Meeting ID 968 9195 6187Password 262286

Phone numbers if calling in (you will need to put in the meeting ID and password) +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)

+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)

Here are directions for virtual Sunday Service This will take you to a slide show with all the

directions for setting up Zoom on your computer or other mobile device in time for the service

2020 Summer Services ScheduleProduced by the Religious Services Committee

Please note that Summer Services will have a different Zoom link herebeginning on July 5

July 19Seeking Inner Joy | Monica Staaf

Maya Angelou wrote ldquoWe need Joy as we need air We need Love as

we need water We need each other as we need the earth we sharerdquo

How can we find moments of gratitude and inner joy during troubled

times

July 26 Growing Hope ndash Yes Hope | Donna Seagrave

Even in the most challenging of times we can find hope and move

ourselves In the directions it takes us to make both our personal and

wider worlds a better stronger place

August 2Rebel With a Clue | Ted Weil

These past few years weve all felt called upon perhaps more intensely

than weve felt compelled to in years if not decades to stand up and resist

To protest to march to speak up and out All of us seeking ways to

productively and positively channel the intense energy boiling up in us in

response to event after event and crisis after crisis But feeling something and acting on it can

be incredibly difficult as self-doubt anxiety worry and fear push back Lets explore how to not

just find and harness our individual and unique voices to add them to the chorus demanding

evolution and change but also find the self-confidence to be a rebel with a clue

Featuring the Music of The Clash

August 9 Ferry Beach | Richard Plumb

Ferry Beach Park Association celebrating 120 years with a personal

journey exploring this Universalist and UU gathering place with tales of

history family connections and transformational experiences

August 16

Blessing of the Animals | Kavita Vansant

Our pets are part of our family We love and care for them and in return we

receive unconditional love companionship comfort and loyalty Let us

acknowledge how our pets uplift our lives and why we have them Bring your

pet a photo of your pet andor a favorite stuffed animal to be blessed The

service will be held virtually in the comfort of your petrsquos home

August 23Out of the Dungeon | Don Michaels

In todays age of social media misinformation is a beast whose shadow

darkens screens and minds But untruth being reported as fact isnt a new

phenomenon Id like to share a personal encounter with this monster back

in the Glorious 80s when as a middle-schooler I discovered a seemingly

harmless pastime called Dungeons and Dragons

August 30Evolution of Prayer ndash Part II | Liz Kenyon

Last summer I took you through the evolution of prayer from 200000 BC to

300 AD Included in my discussion were details about such topics as the use of

prayer beads and the connection between prayer and rituals throughout the

ages This summer I will cover 300 AD through modern day America`

September 6Beyond the Semi-Colon | Heidi Ferreira

What is the meaning of a semicolon I came upon the significance of the semi-colon while

mindlessly searching through Pinterest Itrsquos a symbol of the present and a lead into the future

The semicolon can represent someone remembering a specific time in their lives while also

recognizing what they can do to make the future better for themselves In recent years it serves

as a symbol used to show that an author could have chosen to end their sentence but they

chose not to We are the authors and our stories are not over

September 13Rev Gretchen Weis Returns to the PulpitWater Communion Ingathering Service

Tomorrow July 17 at 5 pm

Black Lives Matter Vigil to Take Place Rain or ShineThe Black Lives Matter protest vigil will take place tomorrow Friday July 17th from 5 pm to 7pm in front of Murray Church Please wear masks and practice safe distancing Also

umbrellas or ponchos are advised in case of light rain

The theme will be Liberty and Justice for All Homemade signs are encouraged

If you have any questions please contact Colleen DeGroot at coldegrootoutlookcom

This Saturday July 18

Summer Journaling WorkshopSummer is a time for fun relaxation and travel but this

year is different While the pandemic may limit in-person

vacation plans you can still take a virtual journey with the

Murray Writersrsquo Circle No luggage or gas required All

you need is your imagination a notebook and a pen

Please join us on Zoom for a journaling workshop from 10 am ndash noon on Saturday July 18th Adults middle school students and high school students of all levels of writing experience are

all welcome

For more information please contact Heidi Ferreira or Monica Staaf

To join the class via Zoom click here

Unity Garden Help Needed Maura and Laurie are getting 3 yards of stone delivered to

replenish the existing base We could really use some help

moving itOur delivery date is Friday July 17th if you

would like to help please call Laurie Lawes at 508 243

3011 The schedule will vary depending on weather and

our availability Thank you kindly

July 24 - Aug 14 mdash Rev Gretchen and Kavita TakeVacationStudy LeaveBoth Rev Gretchen and Kavita Vansant our DLRE are eligible for paid vacationstudy leave

each year Typically they both take July off and are usually out of town at this time making it

easy to get away But this year is different Because of the coronavirus both of us remain at

home And given these unusual times it has been difficult for us to truly take time away from

church responsibilities in these first two and a half weeks in July

Both Rev Gretchen and Kavita recognize the need for some quality time off this summer to

Tomorrow July 17 at 5 pm

Black Lives Matter Vigil to Take Place Rain or ShineThe Black Lives Matter protest vigil will take place tomorrow Friday July 17th from 5 pm to 7pm in front of Murray Church Please wear masks and practice safe distancing Also

umbrellas or ponchos are advised in case of light rain

The theme will be Liberty and Justice for All Homemade signs are encouraged

If you have any questions please contact Colleen DeGroot at coldegrootoutlookcom

This Saturday July 18

Summer Journaling WorkshopSummer is a time for fun relaxation and travel but this

year is different While the pandemic may limit in-person

vacation plans you can still take a virtual journey with the

Murray Writersrsquo Circle No luggage or gas required All

you need is your imagination a notebook and a pen

Please join us on Zoom for a journaling workshop from 10 am ndash noon on Saturday July 18th Adults middle school students and high school students of all levels of writing experience are

all welcome

For more information please contact Heidi Ferreira or Monica Staaf

To join the class via Zoom click here

Unity Garden Help Needed Maura and Laurie are getting 3 yards of stone delivered to

replenish the existing base We could really use some help

moving itOur delivery date is Friday July 17th if you

would like to help please call Laurie Lawes at 508 243

3011 The schedule will vary depending on weather and

our availability Thank you kindly

July 24 - Aug 14 mdash Rev Gretchen and Kavita TakeVacationStudy LeaveBoth Rev Gretchen and Kavita Vansant our DLRE are eligible for paid vacationstudy leave

each year Typically they both take July off and are usually out of town at this time making it

easy to get away But this year is different Because of the coronavirus both of us remain at

home And given these unusual times it has been difficult for us to truly take time away from

church responsibilities in these first two and a half weeks in July

Both Rev Gretchen and Kavita recognize the need for some quality time off this summer to

decompress refresh and renew their spirits before we kick off a new church year in September

mdash a church year that will continue to be influenced and defined by the ongoing pandemic

Therefore we both request true vacationstudy leave time off for at least three weeks mdash from

next Friday July 24th through Friday August 14th We hope to step back from church

responsibilities with a few noted exceptions Rev Gretchen will be available for emergency

pastoral care calls and will attend the Executive Board Zoom meeting on July 28th Kavita will

be preparing behind the scenes to lead the annual Animal Blessing service on August 16th

Thanking you all in advance for supporting us in our need to step back and take some respective

time off at least for a few designated weeks And wersquoll do our best to own our part in actually

stepping back too As always both of us will remain available in the event of an emergency

FDA Issues Warning on TaintedHand Sanitizer The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning

and recall on all hand sanitizers containing Methanol a toxic

ingredient that has been used in some hand sanitizers labeling

Ethanol as an active ingredient

More information and a searchable database of tainted products can be found on the FDA

website at the link below

FDA Updates on Hand Sanitizers with Methanol

COVID-19 Cash Assistance Available for Basic Needs including Housing

Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative is committed to helping

families and individuals who have been severly impacted by

the COVID-19 pandemic

Do you need help with a basic need such as food pharmacy laundry or transportation

Do you need help with housing such as mortgage rent security deposit or shelter

Here is how to GET HELPbull Fill out a quick confidential online application at AttleboroAICorg

bull Email AAIC at officeAttleboroAICorg and provide your name phone number and a brief

description of your unique need

bull Call the office at (508) 222-2933 and leave a voicemail providing your name phone number

and a brief description of your unique need

Resource Junction is a program of the Attleboro Area Interfaith Collaborative that provides

crucial services to support a wide range of needs including emergency cash assistance We

serve the communities of Attleboro Dighton Norton North Attleboro Mansfield Rehoboth and

Seekonk

July 29COVID-19 Virtual Social Group

We will continue to meet every other Wednesday from 5-600 pm Next meeting date is July29th If youd like to join us please contact Barbara Clark to receive the link

August 7 at 530 pmMembership Welcoming Social HourThe Membership and Welcoming Committee invites all Murray UUs

to attend a monthly social hour on the first Friday of each month Join

our Zoom meeting with the beverage of your choice to chat with

fellow congregants To join follow this link

What is your idea of a perfect (as far as is humanly possible) summer day

Food Pantry Suggested DonationsThe food pantry can use mac n cheese bathroom tissue andtampons Also any surplus produce from gardeners is mostwelcome

Thanks from the Food Pantry Team

The Gardens Like the Rain and SunThe gardens continue to provide color and beauty to those who pass by And a couple other

visitors as seen in the pictures Of course that means they continue to require care TonightJuly 16th and every other Thursday wersquoll be doing summer chores in the Memorial Garden

starting about 530 PM working for a couple hours Next Thursday and every other Thursday

wersquoll be doing summer chores in the front Oval Garden starting about 530 PM working for a

couple hours So join us any Thursday evening for some work and interaction while having

space to distance

Coffee Hour Coordinator NeededDo you love coffee and meeting new people Please

consider becoming our new Coffee Hour Coordinator The

Coffee Hour Coordinator is supported by the Membership

and Welcoming Committee They provide a wealth of

knowledge support and ideas throughout the year The

Coffee Hour Coordinator ensures that we have

volunteers signed up on a weekly basis If you have any questions or would like to volunteer for

this role please reach out to Monica Weil or Sandy Stuart

Continue to Help Us Fill the Virtual Offering PlateNow that we are no longer able to gather in Sunday worship we are no longer able to ldquopass the

platerdquo each week Please continue your generous ongoing support of the church whether you

send your pledge checks in by snail mail or arrange to have a regular check sent through your

online banking activities or you sign up for online eGiving through the REALM Connect App or

by using this link REALM Link

For more about eGiving contact Rick Millard

Some Help for Financial DistressThis current situation is going to be impacting all of us financially in the days weeks and months

ahead There are a lot of unknowns The government is moving forward to be able to offer

various kinds of financial assistance to people depending on their circumstances In addition

Rev Gretchen has some limited funds available in the Ministerrsquos Discretionary Fund that might

be able to help out Please contact her for more information

Summer Newsletter Schedule During summer the Murray Notes newsletter will be published every other

week until the end of August Remaining Summer publication dates

are July 30 August 13 and August 27 Newsletter submissions are due

on the Tuesday prior to the date of publication

Whats going on at Murray Click the calendar

Copyright copy 2020 Murray Unitarian Universalist Church All rights reservedSubscription Newsletter

Our mailing address is505 North Main Street Attleboro MA 02703

508-222-0505

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Murray UU Chrurch middot 505 N Main St middot Attleboro MA 02703-1745 middot USA