"So Many Associates..." by Rev. Barbara Merritt

Tue Feb 13 10:11:04 CST 2007

M I N I S T E R ‘ S   M E M O

“So Many Associates . . .”

Our Senior High Church Choir reminded us last Sunday that we are allotted
525,600 minutes each year. Some of those minutes each day are spent on
"maintenance." We have to earn a living, wash dishes, and occasionally
driveways must be cleared of snow.

But we also have "discretionary time." Time when we choose where to direct
our attention. With some of those moments, we volunteer. Erma Bombeck got it
exactly right when she claimed that it is usually the most important work
that any of us are called to do. “Volunteers don’t contribute to our
civilization. They ARE civilization – at least the only part worth talking
about. They are the only human beings on the face of this earth who reflect
this nation’s compassion, unselfishness, caring, patience, need, and just
plain loving one another. Their very presence transcends politics, religion,
ethnic background, marital status, sexism, even smokers vs. nonsmokers.”
When we volunteer, we offer our service. We do what we can on behalf of
those who need our help. For some it is assisting an ailing parent. Some
feed the hungry. Some offer their strength, their time and their care to
those who need encouragement.

Churches are volunteer organizations. The people who worship here are
invited, every Sunday, to figure out exactly how they are called into
service. Member-ship at First Unitarian is simple: you sign the book. But
authentic participation in the congregation means that you are constantly
discovering your own ministry, the ways you can help your neighbor, how you
are called with your own unique talents and gifts to make a difference.

This shared ministry is not new. This parish has survived 222 years because
members have cared for one another and offered their assistance to those who
needed help. What is new is that we want to begin to formally acknowledge
this shared ministry.

We are starting with just eight people who have been doing this work for
many years. This Sunday, February 18th, we will be acknowledging four
Chaplain Associates (individuals who work in medical settings) and four
Worship Associates. This is our initial attempt to begin to recognize the
sacred work that we share. Not all of these individuals will be able to be
in attendance on February 18th, but we want you to know their names.

Chaplain Associates:

Peter Levine Dr. Peter Levine has used his own experience as both a
physician and a patient to become an extraordinary source of support to
Unitarians, and many others whose journey takes them into the halls of
medicine. Peter combines compassion and knowledge and a theologian's grasp
about hope and faith. Peter's sermon on healing, “Life’s Challenges and the
Power of Hope” is available through the church office.

Sue Schade As Chief Information Officer at Brigham and Women's Hospital in
Boston, Sue carries tremendous administrative responsibilities. But whenever
a member of our congregation is a patient at her hospital, Sue becomes not
only a strong advocate, but also a healing visitor and a great source of
strength. Sue is a natural born chaplain.

Ken Waugh As a nurse a St. Vincent's, Ken's ministry goes way beyond the job
description. He is an advocate for his own patients, and for any patient.
(Since the hospital recently cut back on costs by no longer offering cookies
to patients, Ken spends his own money to supply the snacks.) Ken's healing
ministry is not limited to the hospital setting. He cooks dinner, with his
helpers, for over 50 people every Monday night at the church.

Kathleen Rooney Kathleen works as an oncology physician’s assistant at St.
Vincent's, but it is her work in hospice that has helped members and friends
of First Unitarian in the transition from life to death. She brings her
breadth of understanding and clinical knowledge, as well as her wonderful
sense of humor, and comforting presence.

Worship Associates:

Melissa Blacker A senior teacher and co-director of professional training at
The Center for Mindfulness at   U Mass Medical School, Melissa is an
internationally recognized teacher in the field of the mind body connection.
She and her husband David have received transmission as Zen teachers, and
co-lead the Worcester Zen Community that meets at our church every Monday
evening. She and David spoke at the last UUA General Assembly on the many
ways in which Buddhism and Unitarianism are complimentary.

Jeff Bailey Jeff has been leading the programs at Monday night at the Church
for many years, as well as at the early worship service on Sunday mornings.
He is our head usher. And at Monday night Zen, he serves as the practice
leader, helping newcomers.

David Blodgett Whether it is encouraging musical talent at our Coffee
Houses, leading our teenagers in an exploration of what they can do to serve
the world, or helping our religious education program imagine the church of
the future, David is a gifted minister, who Tom and I rely on. He has
brought to our parish all kinds of new ways to enthusiastically worship the
most high.

David Rynick David's leadership at First Unitarian includes being a former
Moderator, as well as shepherding the church through much of the crisis
after the fire in 2000. He currently works as a professional life coach and
a consultant to religious leaders and congregations of many denominations
throughout the country. He co-leads the Monday night Zen program with his
wife Melissa, and preaches and assists other Unitarians churches in the
region.

Tom and I will not rest until every member of First Unitarian understands
the ways in which they are called to serve.

                                    Barbara

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