The Sweet June Days Are Come Again ...

Hard as it is to believe, we are at the end of another “church year.” One of the things that has made me very happy in the past few months is that we seem to be “on a roll” with a monthly music event. On April 25 in our sanctuary, we had a well-attended classical guitar concert by Peter Griggs, followed by a very lovely reception in the Ladies Parlor. After that success, about a month later (on May 23), we held a “Drum Away the Blues” participatory drumming circle in the Davis Memorial Hall, led by Ellen Clegg (thanks to the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Petersham Cultural Council). This was also very well-attended, and lots of fun. For some of us, it was even a spiritual experience. One participant described the experience as being “totally in the moment”, which I think is quite apt. Thank you so much to all of you who made arrangements with Peter and Ellen; who did advertising for these events; who got the spaces and refreshments ready; and who did the cleaning-up! We heard and made some very beautiful music… what a pleasure to host such events!

This month continues the trend. On Monday, June 21 from 7:00 p.m. until about 8 p.m., we will take part in the Solstice Sing for Peace with our own “Solstice Sing on the Church Lawn”. Members and friends of the First Congregational Parish, Unitarian, in Petersham will gather on the front lawn of the church (weather permitting) and sing songs of peace. I will bring my guitar and am prepared to strum along as we sing familiar peace songs, but I encourage you to bring a guitar if you have one – or any other portable instrument. Together, we will make a joyful noise for peace! (If it is raining, we will move inside to the church sanctuary.) According to the website (www.solsticesingforpeace.com), “the vision of Solstice Sing for Peace is for people in all 24 time zones to sing or chant in celebration of peace during the 24 hours of the June solstice. Together, we’re creating a chain of song across the earth, and changing the global focus to peace for 24 hours.” An international success, the Solstice Sing for Peace was founded by our own First Parish member, Rebekah Fraser!

June also means “GA”. One of the fun parts of my job is that I get to attend UU Ministry Days and the UU General Assembly each June. This year, both meetings will be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where I will be from June 22nd until June 28th. As last summer and the year before, I will attend the workshops and presentations at Ministry Days and the General Assembly with a special eye toward what information and news might help the First Congregational Parish, Unitarian. I hope to return with some good ideas.

Finally, I am very happy and honored that I will continue to serve as your minister for the 2010-2011 church year. I will continue on as your half-time minister, preaching twice a month and providing pastoral care and administration (among other duties). I hope to stay in touch with you during the summer. Please feel free to contact me – don’t hesitate to call me at 508-615-1686 or email me at mlhoke@uuma.org if you’d like to arrange a meeting – or for any other reason. It is a pleasure and privilege to be your minister.

In faith,
Lara.