"This is what you shall do" Words from Wendy

Volume 4: Issue 6
June, 2013
Newsletter of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church
The First Universalist Church in America
Organized in 1779 as The Independent Christian Church
THE REVEREND WENDY FITTING, MINISTER
10 Church Street [corner Middle & Church Streets]
Gloucester MA 01930 (978) 283-3410 www.gloucesteruu@earthlink.net
Words from Wendy
So, you've been hearing from me on the vast majority of
Sunday mornings for 24 years and reading this column
for most of the months in that time. Since that's a whole
lot of "Words from Wendy," I give you these words from
Walt as my benediction, a blessing to you, with love, on
your way to new adventures.
"This is what you shall do"
"This is what you shall do; Love the earth and sun and
the animals, despise riches, give alms to every one that
asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your
income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not
concerning God, have patience and indulgence toward
the people, take off your hat to nothing known or
unknown or to any man or number of men, go freely
with powerful uneducated persons and with the young
and with the mothers of families, read these leaves in
the open air every season of every year of your life, reexamine all you have been told at school or church or in
any book, dismiss whatever insults your own soul, and
your very flesh shall be a great poem and have the
richest fluency not only in its words but in the silent lines
of its lips and face and between the lashes of your eyes
and in every motion and joint of your body."
___________
"This is what you shall do..." by Walt Whitman, from the
preface of Leaves of Grass. Public domain.
Wendy’s Welcome at our Awards Ceremony
No religious institution can be healthy unless it is rooted in the
community that surrounds it. And the health of that
community depends on the power of its citizens to act
collectively; they must come together and say, “We are the
principle problem solvers in this city.”
In “Democracy In America,” Alexis de Tocqueville said that
ours was the strongest democracy on the planet because of
the preponderance of active citizen associations that worked
on solving problems collectively. That was 178 years ago and
it is sadly less true today in much of this country.
Here in Gloucester we can still celebrate the power of
neighbors to get things done. And that’s why we’re here
tonight. Anyone can belong. Everyone can belong. It does not
depend on where you were born or a piece of paper from the
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This is What You Shall Do
First Cape Ann UU Board Brunch
The Power of TEN People
And What a Beautiful Event it Was!
government; when we organize and act with our neighbors to
get things done, we are citizens. And I pray that our
government will do the right thing to make that so for today’s
immigrants longing to contribute and to belong.
The strong root system of this community is almost 400 years
old, built by immigrants. The root system of this church is
slightly younger, and its mission has remained steadfast: to
“happify” humanity with the message that we are loved by an
unending love. This church has been and will continue to be
here to help keep Gloucester strong, just as the city’s
ancestors, and now you, the beloved community, strengthen
the church. Tonight, we say, “Thank You!”
What’s Inside?
See related articles on pages 3 and 7
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Announcing a Unique Series
R.E.marks from Tabitha
Congratulations to you all
And More
Page 2
First Annual Cape Ann Area UU Board Brunch
On Saturday May 11 our board hosted
a first ever gathering of board
members from the Beverly, Essex,
Gloucester and Rockport Unitarian
Universalist churches. More than
twenty leaders of area congregations
gathered to meet, discuss individual
church plans for the future, and
identify points of collaboration.
Laura Graham, the incoming board
president for the Massachusetts Bay
District of the UUA joined us to talk
about the UUA’s hopes for a rebirth of
June 5
June 8
June 23
June 28
religious education, governance and
budget, space and restoration,
membership and caring, and social
justice.
liberal religion. After each church
spoke briefly to the whole gathering,
smaller groups broke off to discuss
Our guests were grateful for the
opportunity to meet and enthusiastic
about continuing to work together.
The Rockport church will host a brunch
next year and the smaller working
groups will collaborate as needed. We
all are looking forward to a new era of
regional cooperation!
Our church recently received a very generous $1000 donation from a
person who wishes to remain anonymous. The stated purpose of this gift
was to help with the upkeep of our building and grounds this year. Thank
you so much; we sincerely appreciate your gift and will use it wisely.
Geoff Richon
Wendy Fitting
Sylvia Anthony
Morgan Baird
The Power of TEN People
Dear Gloucester UU Friends,
On June 10 at 7 p.m. in Peabody,
ECCO will have its second massive
action meeting of the year, asking our
elected officials to raise the minimum
We’re on the Web:
www.gloucesteruu.org
wage, support immigration reform, and
reform the Massachusetts criminal
justice system (for instance, by
providing shorter sentences and more
job training to nonviolent offenders).
North Shore faith groups have pledged
to send 1,855 people to the meeting.
Our representative (Janet Ruth Young)
pledged that our church would send ten.
Please mark your calendars for this
meeting and let Janet know if you are
able to be among the nine others who
will join her. There are materials in the
church office to give you more
information about what is planned.
Please think about inviting your friends
and family members to come too -anyone who might be interested in the
issues we're pursuing.
The Building and Grounds Committee is looking for a
lawnmower. If you have an old one not being used,
would you please consider donating it for mowing
our historic cemetery. Thanks, Newt Fink 978-2833484
www.facebook.com/
pages/GloucesterUnitarian-UniversalistChurch/205512609487543
Page 3
… And What A Beautiful Event It Was!
Eleven individuals (from nearly 50
nominated by the public) were honored
by the church with this year’s
Gloucester Citizenship Awards. Nearly
125 friends and family members were
present as these individuals were
recognized for their contributions to
the community and their neighbors.
Music for the ceremony was provided
by the church Music Director, Harrison
Kelton, and a guest organist, Jett
Sayess, a seventh-grade student at
O’Maley Middle School who studies
organ with Kathleen Adams and
recently was awarded a music
scholarship by the American Guild of
Organists.
This year’s ceremony was made
possible in part through generous
support from BankGloucester, the
Building Center, Cape Ann Savings
Bank, First Ipswich Bank, Rockport
National Bank, TD Bank, the Dress
Code, and Jim’s Bagel & Bake Shoppe.
The church and, especially, the Social
Justice Committee – Jerry Ackerman,
chair; Shep Abbott, David Demaine, Bill
Jackson, Barbara Koen, JoAnn Souza
and Janet Ruth Young – extend thanks
to
these
sponsors
for
their
contributions
On the left: Front row, from left,
Rick Doucette, Dennis Acker,
Russell Hobbs, Diana Smith, Paul
Harling.
Back, from left, Sheldon “Don”
Knowles, Roger Corbin, Rev.
Ronald Gariboldi, Shannon
Gallagher, Karen Ristuben,
Newt Fink.
At right, Rev. Fitting presenting Shannon Gallagher’s award; Social
Justice Committee member, Janet Ruth Young in the background.
Turn to page 7 to see WHY each of these people were nominated!
There are lots of stories of this beautiful
night; here are a few of them.
Police officer James Marshall came as a
representative of Chief Campanello
who couldn’t make it because it was his
mother’s birthday. Unsure of what role
he was to play in the ceremony, a Social
Justice Committee member asked him
to sit down and enjoy. As he was
leaving he said how moved he was by
the event...that in his line of work he
usually sees the bad things going on in
the city and had no idea how much
good was being done.
Also in the audience was Fr. John Kiley,
who apologized in advance that he
might have to leave at the last
moment. He had been engaged by a
man whose parents were celebrating
their 50th wedding anniversary at Capt
Carlo’s. As part of the event, the couple
was to be asked if they wished to renew
their vows. This was to be a
surprise. The son would then phone
Kiley (who had his iPhone) and he
would dash over and do the job. Fr.
Kiley stayed for the entire ceremony …
but quickly – apparently, he got the call!
Fr. Matthew Green (who took and
shared his photos of the event) also
left early to prepare for the 6:30 pm
Mass.
The prelude music, played by 13-year
old Jett Sayess, received a very strong
round of applause from the audience .
Several people remarked afterward that
they thought this was a great touch and
they were impressed with our effort to
include young people — as a recipient
of the award — as well as in the
program itself.
We were at a bit of a loss as to what to
do with the gorgeous bouquet; we
decided to give it to the Rose Center.
They were thrilled with the flowers.
They sometimes get funeral flowers so
this was a happier presentation.
Photos at top from Fr. Matthew
Green; below from JoAnn Souza.
Thank you both!
R.E.marks from Tabitha
Page 4
Happy spring everyone! May began
with the older children learning about
Mother's Day. We talked about Julia
Ward Howe, who by the way was a
Unitarian Universalist, and her drive to
create a mother's festival for
peace. We will finish in June with Bible
stories from Timeless Themes: "The
Religion of Ruth" and "The Flight to
Egypt".
The younger kids are working with
Dianne Stephan and Lucy Melvin. They
are continuing with the Tapestry of
Faith curriculum that focuses on our
Unitarian Universalist Principles. They
will start making heart magnets that
represent the principles and read the
beatitudes story in the New Testament,
and discuss how Jesus used this story to
teach us to treat each other.
The Religious Education program is still
collecting food for the Open Door Food
Pantry. Please donate if you can. I am
also looking for someone to transport
the donations over to the pantry.
As we approach the summer I am also
going to be looking for volunteers for
next church year. If you are interested
please contact me.
YOU’RE INVITED
to the 5th Annual
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY
When: Sunday, June 16, 2013
This service is dedicated to celebrating our children.
We invite all children to participate. Please contact
Tabitha Carty or Jeremy Melvin if your child is
interested. We Welcome all talents big or small.
We Care About You
Update from Peggy Kimball
With the approach of summer, we anticipate more light and warmth. We rejoice in the lushness of new leaves
and grass, and the early morning sun shining on Cape Ann beaches. We were so happy to see Rosalie Katz back in “her pew” on
During this long winter, she had been dealing with a family illness, and a move into a new house.
June is a time for graduations and departures.
This June, we recognize high school graduates: Zoe Paddock from Gloucester High (who will be attending the University of
Toronto in the fall) and Peter Thomsen from The Waring School (attending Hampshire College in the fall). Alanna Peres has
graduated from North Shore Community College.
At the end of June, our pastor, Wendy Fitting, departs after 24 years of service. There will be a farewell gala to celebrate Wendy
on June 30. A red journal is being circulated by the Care Committee at each Coffee Hour for all our church friends to write a little
note of best wishes to Wendy. Look for it -- and add a note.
Let us pause to give thanks for the gifts of our community of faith, especially the gift of health. We ask for continued recovery for
Aiden Connolly after his ear surgery, and for Carolyn Edwards who is receiving daily treatments at the Lahey Clinic. Our thoughts
are with Joanne Taveira whose aunt died in April.
We are blessed to find greater connection to one another as we attend to our community -- celebrating our graduates, saying
farewell to our dear friend and departing pastor, Wendy Fitting, and comforting those who are challenged by illness or loss. The
members of our community and the beauty of our natural world nourish our souls.
Annual Picnic
Page 5
Right after the service on our front lawn
If your name starts with
J-R
bring a dessert
S-Y
A-I
bring a pasta or green salad
bring fruit, or fruit salad
“The Church” will provide cold-cut platters, humus, rolls & pita bread, condiments … as well as the drinks!
Sign up at Coffee Hour … or with Karen in the church office to help
Announcing the First in a Series of Unique Events
The Gloucester Unitarian Universalist
Church is pleased to announce the first
in a series called Music & Meditation in
the Meetinghouse (MMM) that will
offer Cape Ann residents and visitors a
unique and varied experience of
beautiful music and relaxing meditation
in the Gloucester’s oldest standing
church.
MUSIC & MEDITATION IN THE
MEETINGHOUSE (MMM)
SUNDAY EVENING, JUNE 23, 2013
at 7:30pm
in the Gloucester Unitarian
Universalist Church
Corner of Middle &,Church Streets
It will be held in the candle-lit, earlyevening setting of the church’s 1806
Sanctuary with golden light beaming
through the stained glass windows.
Open to the Public
with Free-Will Offering
Social Gathering Afterwards
Lanesville’s Mindfulness Meditation
practitioner, Dr. Michael Bresnan, will
team up with the Dorymates, Tony
Hilliard and Janet Ruth Young,
presenting a combination of meditation
and heartfelt music for guitar and voice.
the leaders and each other in a
convivial atmosphere. The Sanctuary is
accessible for persons with disabilities
via the Church Street Entrance. A freewill offering will be received and
everyone is welcome.
Following the event there will be a
collation with light refreshments in the
church’s Entrance House, giving
participants the opportunity to meet
Meditation Description:
Mindfulness has its roots in Buddhist
meditative practice, and involves
bringing one’s attention to subjective
present moment experience without
judgment – coming out of the world of
conceptual thought in which we tend to
spend most of our lives and connecting
once again with the actuality of our life
in the moment. By opening to
experience just as it is, we create the
space for life to unfold in a very
different way. This practice has been
the focus of a tremendous amount of
scholarly research in recent years, with
numerous
studies
demonstrating
profound
improvements
in
physiological and psychological health,
even over short periods of practice.
Dr. Bresnan, whose practice is newly
established in Lanesville, will lead the
group through an introductory
experience in mindfulness meditation,
which will serve as an invitation for
attendees to connect in a more vivid
way to the musical portions of the
program.
Dear Friends,
We sincerely hope that you will join us on June 30th in celebrating Wendy Fitting’s 24 years of spiritual leadership.
In keeping with the spirit of this celebration, no one will be turned away for lack of funds. Everyone is invited to
attend and invited also to donate whatever they are able. All the proceeds, after the expenses to hos the event, will
be gifted to Wendy as a small token or our gratitude and respect for this remarkable woman.
We kindly request that you send in your reply card by June 10th. Once we hear from you, we will send you directions
to Wendy’s garden party by the sea. The party will be held rain or shine. We look forward to seeing you on the 30th.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask one of us directly by email or phone.
The Celebration Committee: Dick Prouty, Chair - JoeAnn Hart, Alison Rowell, Holly Tanguay, JoAnn Souza
Page 6
Congratulations … to All of You!
First we had the “East Gloucester Girls” (Jenny and Lillian
Jensen and Mildred Smith) who are remembered with flowers
each year by Philip & Elizabeth Jensen, living now in California.
…. And now we have “The Gray Girls!”
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Anna Gray and Bethany Gray have been elected into the
Gloucester High School Chapter of the National Honor
Society.
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Mary Gray’s picture was one of eight chosen out of 5,000
entries to the BBC NEWS contest of "In Pictures"!
All three Grays manage to fit many activities into their days. In
addition to their school work, they take part in extra curricular
sports and clubs, take singing/dancing lessons, have part time
jobs … and provide child care during our Sunday services. They
share child care on a rotating basis with “the two Phoebes”
Phoebe Hagburg and Phoebe Weissblum.
We thank the Gray family for providing us with these photos.
Lucille LePage thought (correctly) we might be interested
in seeing her photos of the dismantling of the Library maple
tree. She notes it was quite interesting to watch the
process.
“The guy in the bucket was pretty
amazing. Though he never left the bucket, he was very
athletic as well as efficient – he reminded me of a
combination boxer/jockey/pitcher.
If there were an
Olympic tree-cutting event, he’d probably medal! “
“Our” Willie
Alexander
was honored with the film
Hello Glouceser and a
tribute at the Cape Ann
Cinema on May 24th.
Caroline Connolly (as Mrs. Puddington) and her daughter
Shannon (as Pippa Johnny Bob) as they appeared in a recent
play “Murder on Rocky Neck.”
The film was followed by a
live set with Willie and the
Persistence Of Memory Orchestra.
We thank Fr. Matthew Green — one more time — for giving us
permission to use his wonderful photos!
The film shot on January 12, 2013 was a memorable day
in rock-and-roll. On that day, Governor Deval Patrick
issued a citation that acknowledged Bay State rocker Willie
Loco Alexander on the punk vanguard’s 70th birthday. His
significant other, Anne Rearick, had planned a “surprise
party” at Jimmy Tingle’s old theater in Somerville and
dozens of musicians showed up to honor Willie and play
tunes he has written over the past 5 decades.
Photo above is by Mary Muckenhoupt
Eleven Honored for Selfless Service
Page 7
Dennis Acker and Rick Doucette. For more than a decade Dennis and Rick have led the team of committed volunteers
who make possible Pride Stride, the nationally known, community-wide walk that attracts hundreds of participants annually to
raise money for dozens of Gloucester nonprofit organizations.
Roger Corbin. Over the years Roger has personally donated more than 2½ tons of groceries to help keep the shelves
stocked at the Open Door Food Pantry. When not shopping or soliciting food donations from neighbors, he is the volunteer clerkof-the-works, helping to manage the reconstruction of Gloucester’s Newell Stadium.
Newton Fink. Retiring to Gloucester from upstate New York, Newt for the past five years has been buildings and grounds
chair at Gloucester’s oldest standing church, the Unitarian Universalist church, keeping it standing and in good repair and
overseeing installation of new handicapped-access elevators.
Shannon Gallagher. Throughout her Gloucester High School years this GHS senior has been a constant volunteer to Open
Door, Pride Stride, the Sawyer Free Library, the YMCA, the Rose Baker Senior Center, and the Fish Box Derby. She has gone to New
Orleans twice in the Y Teens Rebuild New Orleans program, and this year also was in Nicaragua planting trees and helping children
learn about sanitation.
Reverend Ronald Gariboldi. Beyond his longtime ministry at Holy Family Parish, Father Ron’s personal dedication in
retirement to Grace Center has been an inspiration for all the volunteers and others who make this day program a safe space and
resource center for homeless in their desire to move out of poverty and into a sustainable life.
Paul Harling. His Diving Locker at Maritime Gloucester, begun with his personal collection of artifacts, from the
homemade rig he wore when he made his first dive in 1949 to the most modern underwater gear. Paul is on duty most days in the
summer and even some in the winter, showing off gear from light scuba to heavy commercial underwater helmets, cheerily
educating all about our world below.
Russell Hobbs. When his Lanesville neighbors resolved to save the last surviving fish shack at Lane’s Cove, Russell played a
key role in bringing their vision to reality by his dogged and cheerful determination, leadership, and craftsmanship. City-wide, he
also has been a strong voice in ensuring that Gloucester’s water supply is safe and well-managed.
Sheldon (Don) Knowles. Don is co-founder of Sober Connections, a social and support network for people formed “to
enhance the quality of life in sobriety for the individual, which benefits their families and the communities in which they live.in
recovery.” He is constantly in the forefront of Sober Connections, organizing dances, concerts, shows, picnics, and other
events, held in an environment without drugs and alcohol.
Karen Ristuben. As unpaid president of the Rocky Neck Art Colony, Karen mobilized the community support needed to
establish the Rocky Neck Cultural District as a state-recognized entity and the city’s first such district. That done, she then led the
Art Colony’s conversion of a former church to become the nonprofit Cultural Center at Rocky Neck.
Diana Smith. Volunteering at Grace Center, tutoring children with reading difficulties, or running the “Good Guys List”
blog, Diana uses her teaching skills to advocate for and help those who struggle. She has been a major force in organizing
candlelight vigils held annually on Stacy Boulevard as a way for Gloucester residents of all backgrounds to confront publicly the
realities and heartaches of opiate addiction.
REVEREND FITTING RETIRES ON JUNE 30th
We wish her many hours of leisure … filled with all
things that bring her happiness.
Minister’s Hours by Appointment.
Please call 978/290-8124