Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 10:00 AM	Sunday, Aug 17, 2008 10:00 AM	Sunday, Aug 24, 2008 10:00 AM	Sunday, Aug 31, 2008 10:00 AM
Sermon	“Buddhist Meditation Service” Rev. Laurie Thibault	“Roald’s Gospel Revue – More Rockin’, Less Talkin’…" Roald Wilson	“A Glimpse Of Our Immediate Predecessor Congregation, A Reading of A 1905 Sermon By Rev. William Parker” Bill Grace	“Going for Spiritual Gold” Rev. Tim Kutzmark Returns to Pulpit!
Children	Our Religious Education and nursery child care services have ended for the summer.  These services will resume on Sunday September 7.
Ushers	Needed	Needed	Needed	Needed
Altar	Needed	Needed	Needed	Needed
Refreshments	Buddhist Meditation Group	Needed	The Richey Family	Needed
Welcome Table / Greeters	Needed	Gene and Chris Richey	Carolyn Grace and June Haskell	Rob and Kitty Craig Comin

All Services at 10:00 AM

Sunday, August 10, 2008

10:00 AM – note the special summer worship service earlier time
Rev. Laurie Thibault            
“Buddhist Meditation Service”

Please join the UUCR Buddhist Meditation Group for a service filled with Buddhist readings, guided mediation and music to experience Buddha’s Beautiful Way toward clarity and peace in your everyday lives.  The service will be led by Reverend Laurie Thibault, Priest of Buddha Heart USA.

Sunday, August 17, 2008

10:00 AM – note the special summer worship service earlier time
Roald Wilson                         
“Roald’s Gospel Revue – More Rockin’, Less Talkin’…”

Come join us for a morning of Roald’s favorite musical gospel selections.  Musical sermon will include the full piano solo version of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody In Blue”.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

10:00 AM – note the special summer worship service earlier time
Bill Grace                    
“A Glimpse of our Immediate Predecessor Congregation: A Reading of a 1905 sermon by Rev. William Parker”

Our church history is like a family photo album.  Today’s talk will look at a snapshot from that album of 1905.

Sunday, August 31, 2008

10:00 AM – note the special summer worship service earlier time
Rev. Tim Kutzmark                         
“Going for Spiritual Gold”

There are great spiritual lessons to be found in the courage and strength of the athletes who compete in the Summer Olympics.  Let's explore how our own spiritual lives can be deepened by the quest for spiritual gold. 

REV. TIM TO RETURN TO THE PULPIT ON SUNDAY AUGUST 31!

Rev. Tim is currently on his study leave. He will return to the office on Monday, August 25 and to the pulpit on Sunday, August 31st.

PASTORAL EMERGENCIES

During the month of August, we have a system set up to take care of pastoral emergencies.  John Perry of  our Shared Ministry Team will be the contact person, and will be able to reach Rev. Tim if he is needed.  For a pastoral emergency during this month of August you may contact John Perry at phone number 781-944-2796

WATER COMMUNION

Save some water from any place you visit this summer (far or near or backyard or kitchen sink) for our Annual Water Communion and Mingling of the Waters on September 7th.  A few drops in a bottle or vial will allow you to participate in this meaningful and ongoing ritual of connection and community.

If you were unable to join us for Thursday's special service of Solidarity and Hope in the wake of the shootings at the UU Church in Knoxville, my opening reflection has been posted on our web site.  Thanks, as always, to our web master, Chris Kergaravat for posting them so quickly.  The service was also filmed and will be broadcast this week on Reading Cable, and a DVD of the service can be borrowed from Rosemary in the church office.

You can also check out the Unitarian Universalist Association main web site (www.uua.org) to see comments and reactions from around the country, and also donate to a special relief fund our denomination has set up.

May the remaining weeks of your summer be gentle, warm, and filled with good things and nurturing spirit.

I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.  Now, I'm back to my studying and gardening!

Warmly,
Rev. Tim

Save the date:   Saturday November 8

How have you been spending these lazy, hazy crazy days of summer?   Perhaps, you’re cleaning out the attic or the garage; don’t forget to put aside your “treasures” for the Kris Kringle Fair.  Maybe you’ve begun your canning and preserving? Don’t forget to put aside a few jars of jam for the Kris Kringle Fair.  Or maybe you’re weeding and pruning. Think about which plants you might take cuttings from for – you guessed it – the Kris Kringle Fair!  More realistically, you probably are doing none of those “industrious” things. Hopefully, you’ve been lazing about in the hammock, sipping iced tea and reading. When you’ve finished that latest Stephen King book, put it aside for…

THE KRIS KRINGLE FAIR!! 

The Country Store is a popular corner at the fair brimming with homemade jams, canned relishes, pickles, cheese, dried flowers and gift baskets.  Now that the summer harvest is coming in, the Country Store folks (Lorraine Dennis, Liz Geraghty, and Iris Hardin) hope you think of them when you are making jams and jellies or doing your canning.  Pickles, relishes, and canned fruit are all welcome.Lorraine even has a canning pot and utensils you can borrow if you would like to try canning for the first time.  They can also use country doo-dads, dried flowers and herbs, holiday-themed kitchen linens, and materials that can be used in the beautiful holiday gift baskets.  Keep them in mind when you are shopping on your summer vacation.  They're all in the church directory, so give  a call if you have any questions or would like to donate something for the Country Store.

Want to get Involved: Judy Bousquin - Diane Chapin - Ginny Beauregard

Volunteer with Habitat for Humanity in Westford and Bedford

From Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, where many members of our congregation have volunteered:

“The big push is on in Westford! We are in the home stretch on our first Green Build.   Our hope is to complete the Westford house by the middle of September.  This will be our fastest build, doing it in under six months.  
“But in order to meet this schedule we need to put on a big push.  So an 'All Hands on Deck' is being called.  Many new opportunities for volunteering are being added for painting, trim work, brick walk laying, landscaping, and punch list completion. But even with these added days, less than 100 volunteer days are open.  Don't be left out, go to www.lowellhabitat.org, click on VolunteerUP, and get involved now!

“Let’s complete this house so that our partner family can start making it a home.”

You can also volunteer in Bedford, rehabbing a farmhouse on North Road as part of an 8-unit Habitat project.

Chore Service Benefits People with Disabilities and Customers

In June, our church’s young people chose the Arc of East Middlesex (also known as EMARC) as our 2008-2009 Helping Hands partner. Several joint activities are already planned, and we look forward to making new acquaintances among the EMARC clients and staff.

Employing EMARC clients is another way to share in this partnership; please check the newsletter throughout the year for services they provide.           

Need help with yard clean-up or other chores?  EMARC offers a Chore Service which provides employment for adults with developmental disabilities.  Services include but are not limited to:

- Light cleaning and painting
- One-time cleaning projects
- Running errands
- Vacation mail pick up & plant care
- Yard work including mowing and weed whacking
- Small moving jobs

The Arc’s Chore Service members are hard-working, dedicated people who will deliver a quality service efficiently and specific to your needs.  They are supervised by an Arc job coach.  For a free estimate, call Anne Marie Boardman at 781-942-4888 ext. 5020.  To learn more about the Arc, visit their web site.