MAM Memo 6/3/25

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1.  Sunday Worship on Life is Goodbye: Life is Hello
Thank you again to Reverend Ben Burton and the participants of the Death and Dying Class for their participation in Sunday’s worship service, as well as to those class participants who were unable to join us yesterday. Here are the books I mentioned that were resources for our class.
Adult Books

  • Life is Goodbye. Life is Hello by Alla Renee Bozarth
  • The Death Changing Experience by Kel McBride
  • A Year to Live by Stephen Levine
  • Finish Strong by Barbara Coombs Lee

Children’s Books

  • Badger’s Parting Gifts by Susan Farley
  • The Fall of Freddie the Leaf by Leo Buscaglia
  • The Tenth Good Thing about Barney by Judith Viorst
 

2.  Congregational Meeting
Thank you to all those who were able to stay for the congregational meeting Sunday afternoon. While these meetings can be tedious at times, I always find that I learn something new. I rather enjoyed Sunday’s meeting. I believe some new neural connections were created in my brain during some of the inquiries. This gathering of congregation members is an important process not to be taken for granted—to engage the work of the congregation through the democratic process.
In my report, I mentioned your congregation’s Mission, Vision, and Covenant. Here they are:

  • Mission:  We are a church of reason and spirit, that witnesses for progressive faith, nurtures our community, and transforms our world.
  • Vision:  Proudly Progressive, Boldly Inclusive, Radically Friendly
  • Covenant: Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law.  This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love and to help one another.
 

3.  The Welcome
Your incoming minister will be joining me in the pulpit this Sunday, June 8.  Bring a spirit of welcome for Reverend Liz Weber. And bring a flower(s) to share for our Flower Communion Sunday.

In Much Gratitude, MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin

Upcoming Services with Reverend MAM
 
June 8

A Day of Welcome: 
Annual Flower Communion Ceremony
Reverend Liz Weber and Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Join us as we welcome the congregation’s New Minister, Reverend Liz Weber.  Reverend Liz will join Interim Minister, Reverend Mary Ann Macklin, for our Annual Flower Communion Ceremony— a Unitarian Universalist ritual that celebrates beauty, human uniqueness, diversity, and community. Created in 1923 by Unitarian minister Norbert Čapek of Prague, Czechoslovakia, the Flower Ceremony was introduced to the United States by Rev. Mája Čapek, Norbert’s widow. In this ceremony, everyone in the congregation brings a flower. Each person places a flower on the altar or in a shared vase. The congregation and minister bless the flowers, and they’re re redistributed. Each person takes home a different flower than the one they brought. We will have extra flowers for first-time visitors or if you forget yours.
During the worship service we will also honor our newborns and their families with a Baby Dedication.
We will have a reception for Rev. Liz following the worship service. Join us for this joyous occasion of welcome and blossoms. Remember to bring a flower to share.
 
June 15

Let Us Break Bread Together:
A Farewell Worship Service
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin and Linette Lowe
Bread is a symbol of communion and community. The breaking of bread is a sign of friendship and sharing. Join us as we say farewell to Reverend Mary Ann Macklin for her final time in our pulpit as our Interim Minister. Reverend Mary Ann joined us in the summer of 2023. She and Linette Lowe will collaborate to create a service that honors the relationship shared by a minister and congregation and what it means when it is time to let that go.

We will have a simple reception following the service. We invite you to bring a loaf of bread to share during the reception—any type of bread— and any additional culinary accoutrements if needed. Bring your loaf of bread to the kitchen upon arrival for the worship service.