The Herald - The First Church in Salem

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The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald
                                      A Publication of the First Church in Salem, Unitarian Universalist

                                                                                                           VOLUME 21, NUMBER 1

FALL 2020                                                                                 First Church in Autumn

From the Church Office
As we entered the Fall and now honor the Equinox I think of how this is a
time of harvest and taking stock and how that translates into my work with
the First Church. As the Administrator for this community it means looking
at how the functions of the church, both day-to-day and big picture, have
evolved and figuring out what else we need, or don’t, and implementing
changes to make that all happen smoothly. Hopefully.

At the start of the pandemic it was hard to keep up when things changed
hour to hour at times. The summer seemed like a time to catch up, but tru-
ly I’ve discovered it’s a matter of staying present and adapting in each mo-
ment. There’s been plenty of catch up! Especially during September as eve-
ryone started to emerge a tiny bit more.

As we head further into the fall here are some updates from the Office and                                 Matthew Weatherstone
there’s more to look forward to. Keep an eye on the First Church Weekly
published on Thursdays!

COMMUNICATIONS
• This year we will continue our weekly electronic newsletter. However, it will be published on Thursdays and is now
  called The First Church Weekly (instead of the e-Herald). Ideally it will be easier to find in your email and it will be delin-
  eated from our former monthly newsletter entitled The Herald. Weekly deadline submissions are Wednesdays by noon.
• The monthly newsletter will now be seasonal and still be called The Herald. The first one is published now as our Fall
  Newsletter. The next one will be out the first week of December covering upcoming Winnter Items for December, Janu-
  ary, and February. The deadline for submissions will be Monday, November 9. Submit them here or by emailing
  office@firstchurchinsalem.org.
• Additionally, I will continue to publish a Sunday Service Reminder on Sunday mornings between 9:30am and 10am. This
  piece of communication will include that day’s Zoom Service Meeting Link, Order of Service, Links to Contribution and
  Pledge Pages, and other pertinent forms or information that may be needed.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
For the Fall I will be holding virtual Office Hours on Mondays from 12pm-2pm and Fridays from 9am-11am. The Zoom Room
will be open and I’ll be available to meet or answer questions. If you’re lucky you may even get to visit with our feisty cat,
Luna or very wily new rescue puppy, Stella! Please feel free to also make an appointment as well.
office@firstchurchinsalem.org.

ZOOM-BASSADORS
The New England Region UUA is hosting a free webinar designed for anyone in the congregation who is considering volun-
teering for Zoom tech services. It will be held on Thursday, October 22 from 7pm-8:30pm. As we move forward with online
services and programming we are looking for volunteers to assist with tech services. This webinar will be helpful in adding
to our current bevy of resources. I hope to see you there! Register here:
Zoom Skill-Up for Congregational Volunteers, Thur. October 22 at 7pm
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald, Fall 2020

                     Table of Contents
PAGE                           CONTENT
 4     In Memoriam: Ellen Brandenburg
 5     In Memoriam: Henry Stenberg
       Fall Greetings from Rev. Elizabeth
 6     Musical Moments with Michael Kraft
       RE Open Mic Night
       October Calendar
 7
       Soul Matters Theme: Deep Listening
       Accomplice, Ally, or Bystander? Discussion with Jon Streff
 8
       Book Club with Kate Dulmage
       November Calendar
 9
       Soul Matters Theme: Healing
       Staff Office Hours
 10
       Worship Committee Thoughts
 11    COSM: Committee on Shared Ministry
       CRT: Community Response Team                   In the loving spirit that
 12    New Flag Pole Lighting
       Herbs and Foraging with Iris Weaver           connects all souls, it is our
 13    Care Corner
                                                     honor to dedicate the first
 14    October Zoom Links
                                                            issue of our
                                                      Seasonal Herald to the
                                                      memory of our beloved
                                                             members,
                                                      Ellen Brandenburg and
                                                          Henry Stenberg.
                                                     May their memories be a
                                                              blessing.
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald   Vol. 21, No. 1

Turning to One Another
There is no power greater than a community discovering what it
cares about.
Ask: “What’s possible?” not “What’s wrong?” Keep asking.
Notice what you care about.
Assume that many others share your dreams.
Be brave enough to start a conversation that matters.
Talk to people you know.
Talk to people you don’t know.
Talk to people you never talk to.
Be intrigued by the differences you hear. Expect to be surprised.
Treasure curiosity more than certainty.
Invite in everybody who cares to work on what’s possible.
Acknowledge that everyone is an expert about something.
Know that creative solutions come from new connections.
Remember, you don’t fear people whose story you know.
Real listening always brings people closer together.
Trust that meaningful conversations can change your world.
Rely on human goodness.
Stay together.
Margaret Wheatley
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald, Fall 2020

                                                         In Memoriam
                         Ellen Louise Brandenburg, of Salem, MA, was cherished as a calm, generous and easygoing friend, a wise and
                         trusted colleague, and a "cool" mom; worthy of confidences and crushes. She dedicated her career in the Uni-
                         tarian Universalist ministry to shaping religious education programs for youth, and guiding new ministers into
                         the field.
                         Ellen died at home at the age of 75, on September 4, 2020, following a recurrence of uterine cancer. Becoming
                         ill in late March, Ellen struggled like us all with the complications of coronavirus stay-at-home orders. However,
                         she took advantage of the solitude to reflect, keep up with email, and enjoy the company of her family. She
                         was fortunate to share a household with daughter Anna and granddaughter Ivy, and to be joined by son Pete
                         who camped his way across the country, arriving on Mother's Day. Ellen's family was grateful to be able to
                         spend the final months of her life with her at home.
                        The third child of Philip Gerald “Gerry” Boyd and Dorotha Ellen Young, Ellen was born February 10, 1945 in
                        Washington, DC, but was raised in Wilmette, Illinois. Ellen lost her mother to cancer at age 10, and her father
then married Helen Minter. After graduating from New Trier High School, Ellen decided to move East for college. That summer she met
George Brandenburg, also a New Trier graduate. The two took up residence in Cambridge, MA, were married in 1965, and Ellen graduat-
ed from Boston University in 1967. The couple followed George’s particle physics appointments to live in Munich, Germany, Menlo Park,
CA, and then back to Cambridge, where George worked at MIT and then Harvard for the rest of his career.
Ellen and George lived in Lexington, MA for 32 years, and became deeply involved at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of
Lexington. There, Ellen began working with youth and eventually felt called to the ministry, becoming ordained in 1982. One of Ellen’s
earliest positions was as Interim Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead (1983-1984). She served the longest role of
her career as Director of Ministerial Education for the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston, a job that took her across the country
to support ministerial students. She is remembered by many as a trailblazer and a wise mentor who had a silly side and a "slant perspec-
tive” to offer on many issues.
Ellen served a final interim ministry in Keene, NH from 2002-2003. Soon after retiring, Ellen began volunteering at the Peabody Essex
Museum, which led to Ellen and George exploring the North Shore and moving to Salem in 2006. Before settling into retirement, they
spent two years living in Geneva, Switzerland, where George finished out his particle physics career working on the Atlas experiment at
the CERN Large Hadron Collider.
Back in Salem, Ellen and George became active members at First Church Unitarian Universalist. They continued to travel, for several
years enjoying flying to favorite locations in their plane which George piloted, until they found a new love in sailing together. The couple
maintained their strong connection to Star Island in the Isles of Shoals, NH, attending the International Affairs Conference every sum-
mer. Ellen continued her docent work at PEM, made wonderful new friends, and became involved in numerous organizations, including
the UU Retired Ministers Association, Voices Against Injustice, two book clubs, a Dream Group, and a dinner club.
After George died unexpectedly in 2013, Ellen’s gracious spirit and sparkling smile kept her longtime friendships close and won her an
ever-expanding circle of new friends. In 2014, Ellen was overjoyed to become a grandmother to Ivy, who inherited her dimples.
Ellen was blessed with a lively intellect and an avid curiosity about the world and its people. She had the ability to light up a room with
her presence. Her friends and family will always remember her keen ability to listen closely, her loving nature, her generosity, her sense
of humor, her courage, her wonderful cooking and her adventurousness.
Ellen is survived by her older siblings Peter Boyd and Mary Davis, both of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and her stepsister Sue Oates of Gun-
nison, CO. She also leaves her daughter Anna and granddaughter Ivy Brandenburg of Salem, MA; and her son Peter Brandenburg and his
wife Krisztina Holly of Los Angeles. She also leaves behind a wide circle of loving and beloved family members, friends and colleagues all
over the country, and the world.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ellen’s name to:
First Church in Salem Community Relief Fund, 316 Essex Street, Salem MA, 01970 (if contributing online, select "General Fund," and in-
clude Ellen's name in the note field). www.firstchurchinsalem.org/
- or -
Care Dimensions Hospice, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA 01923. www.caredimensions.org/giving/ways-to-give/
- or -
Star Island Corporation, Morton- Benedict House, 30 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH 03801. www.starisland.org/donate
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald      Vol. 21, No. 1

                                                         In Memoriam
                                      Henry Stenberg Salem, Massachusetts Jun 21, 1940 – Sep 13, 2020

                                      “Allll aboard…” Henry George Stenberg, Jr. – affectionally called Tip by his family and lifelong
                                      friends – passed away on Sunday, September 13, at the age of 80, at the Lahey Medical Cen-
                                      ter, Peabody MA from complications from chronic heart disease.

                                      Henry was born on June 21, 1940 in Worcester, MA to his parents Henry George Stenberg,
                                      Sr. and Margaret Saunders Stenberg. He and his sister Patricia were raised in Hopedale, MA
                                      and Henry graduated from Hopedale High School in 1958. He followed his love of history to
                                      Bates College, where he received a B.A. in History in 1962. From there he went to the Univer-
                                      sity of Maine Orono where he received a M.A. in History in 1966. Henry then went on to
                                      Lehigh University where he started to work towards a PhD. After his college career Henry
                                      returned to the North Shore, living for a time in Marblehead, MA and Salem, MA until he
moved to Peabody in 2019.

Henry was part of the Executive Committee of the New England Association of Oral History for nine years, and he authored some
book reviews for the Oral History Association. From 1966 to his retirement in 2002 Henry was a professor of history at Salem State
College, where he taught courses in world civilization, English history, and American transportation history.

Henry was an avid railroad and train enthusiast, who enjoyed watching live cams of train arrivals and departures from all over the
world. His nieces and nephews remember that he was always on top of the LAKE Shore Limited schedule – down to the minute,
knowing when it would arrive, and if it was late, how late it would be and why. In his travels during his life, he took many trips to
the Southern and Western parts of the United States for Oral History conferences. In the 1990s, he took an extended, memorable
trip to Europe, visiting France, Italy, England, and Norway where the paternal side of his family originated. He was an animal per-
son, and he shared many childhood stories of his beagle “Lucky”, and more recently he always had a big smile on his face spending
time with “Daisy”, a Wheaton terrier, his nephew Chris’s family dog. Though he grew up a dog person, he came to have an affec-
tionate amusement with his nieces’ cats. Henry always enjoyed family functions, whether it was an informal get together, a cele-
bration for graduation or a birthday for his grandnephew and grandniece. He also kept up to date on the latest major league sports
news, knowing it was an interest to his family despite not being a sports fan himself. Henry was also known around Salem for being
an active member of the Archives Committee of the First Church of Salem, and for being a greeter for the Salem Trails & Sails tours
a few years ago. Henry loved talking to people, and these outlets were perfect. Finally, Henry will always be remembered for his
love of British humor, as he would often quote lines from the “Mr. Bean” character, the “Are You Being Served?” series, or others
on various PBS comedies.

Henry is survived by his nieces Catherine Farrell of Milford, MA, and Janet Farrell of Worcester, MA; his nephews Richard Farrell of
Springfield, VA, and Christopher Farrell and his wife, Linda of Westwood, MA; his grand-niece Meghan Farrell of Westwood, MA,
his grand-nephew Brian Farrell of Westwood, MA; his cousin Terry Saunders of Virginia; and his friends Jack Hayes and Susan La-
Mar of Uxbridge, MA, Cliff and Judy Kent of Peabody, MA, John Gagnon of Elliot, ME and Ed Finglas of Marblehead, MA. Henry was
predeceased by his sister Patricia Farrell (05/05/2000), his brother in law A.W. Farrell, M.D. (02/15/2000) and his long-time friend
and colleague John Fox (03/18/2020).

Henry was laid to rest in Greenlawn Cemetery with his mother, surrounded by his family and friends. In lieu of flowers, the family
requests that donations may be made in his name to the Milford Humane Society, 289 West Street, Milford MA 01757, or to a
charity of your choice.
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald, Fall 2020

Fall Greetings from Rev. Elizabeth
Greetings, First Church!

This year, our travels into Salem's favorite season leads us further along in our journey of hope. The shorten-
ing days and brightening leaves call us into a time of balance, to create space in the dailiness of our lives to
remember that we are a part of something greater than ourselves. As we continue to care for one another
by maintaining physical distance, the ongoing and emerging ministries of our church offer many ways to con-
nect with others and resist isolation. Together, we can expand our understanding of what it means to be in
community, make a difference, and deepen our search for meaning. Let us find inspiration in this season of
harvest and heartache to be creative, curious, kind, and brave. Our Soul Matters practices are invitations
grow into our wholeness as people and as a community.

To welcome more wholeness into your own life, show up for Sunday worship and weekday gatherings how-
ever you are able- in pajamas, jeans, even a Halloween costume! Create a new adventure to share with oth-
ers by volunteering to host an online pot luck, poetry reading, or just show up to help #UUTheVote. If you're
more comfortable behind the scenes, attend the upcoming Zoom Skill-Up and learn how you can help sup-
port our church as a "Zoombassador." To enrich your own journey between church activities, simply take a
few moments each week to try out our monthly practices and share your favorites with your family and
friends. If you haven't already, click here to learn more about how you (and your people!) might make room
for more Renewal (September), Deep Listening (October), and Healing (November) in your life.

Believing in you,

Rev. Elizabeth

Musical Moments                                                    Religious Education
Thursday, October 8 at 7pm
                                                                   Open Mic
Each month, Michael will lead an in-
                                                                   Friday, October 23, 7pm-9pm
formative listening session. The subject                           Join us for our first Virtual Open Mic
matter may be a particular style                                   Night! Bring a poem, a story or a musical
of music, a theme, or music inspired by                            performance—vocal or instrumental—to
relevant issues that we experience in                              share. Original work is welcome!
today’s world.
                                                                   Or just bring yourself to listen and en-
                                                                   joy. An evening like this needs an appre-
                                                                   ciative audience as well as performers!

                                                                   For more information contact Beth Toolan
                                                                   at bethtoolan@gmail.com.
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald         Vol. 21, No. 1

                                   During our October the Soul Matters theme is Deep Listening.
                                      Click here for the October packet on Deep Listening.
National Coming Out Day is October 11. May Alice Walker's words guide us on our way.

                                                                    October
            Sunday                       Monday                 Tuesday          Wednesday              Thursday                  Friday            Saturday

                                                                                                                        1                      2           3
                                                                                                                            1:30pm-2:30pm
                                                                                                                            Minister Office Hours

                               4                       5                    6                   7                       8                      9          10
 9am Worship Mtg                   10am-12pm RE Office    2pm Staff Meeting     6pm-8pm RE          2pm-4pm RE Office       1:30pm-2:30pm
 9:30am Children’s Chapel          Hours with Beth                              Office Hours with   Hours with Beth         Minister Office Hours
 10:30am Service                   12pm-2pm Church Office                       Beth
 Following Service:                Hours with Catherine
 CRT Discussion
 Herbs Workshop with Iris

                             11                       12                   13                  14                   15                        16          17
         National                      Indigenous           2pm Staff Meeting   6pm-8pm RE          2pm-4pm RE Office       1:30pm-2:30pm
                                                                                Office Hours with   Hours with Beth         Minister Office Hours
      Coming Out Day                  People’s Day
                                                                                Beth
 9am Worship Mtg                   10am-12pm RE Office
 9:30am Children’s Chapel          Hours with Beth
 10:30am Service                   12pm-2pm Church Office
 Following Service:                Hours with Catherine
 Accomplice, Ally, or Bystander?

                             18                       19                   20                  21                   22                        23          24
 9am Worship Mtg                   10am-12pm RE Office    2pm Staff Meeting     6pm-8pm RE          2pm-4pm RE Office       7pm-9pm RE Open
 9:30am Children’s Chapel          Hours with Beth                              Office Hours with   Hours with Beth         Mic Night
 10:30am Service                   12pm-2pm Church Office                       Beth
                                   Hours with Catherine

                             25                       26                   27                  28                   29                        30          31
 9am Worship Mtg                   10am-12pm RE Office    2pm Staff Meeting     6pm-8pm RE          2pm-4pm RE Office       1:30pm-2:30pm
 9:30am Children’s Chapel          Hours with Beth                              Office Hours with   Hours with Beth         Minister Office Hours
 10:30am Service                   12pm-2pm Church Office                       Beth
 12:15pm Soul Matters              Hours with Catherine
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald, Fall 2020

Accomplice, Ally, or Bystander?:                             Book Club: The Alone by
A Brief Examination of the Life of                           Kristin Hannah
Reverend Samuel Joseph May                                   Monday, September 28 at 6pm
Sunday, October 11 Immediate following the
service                                                      Join us on the 4th Monday of each month for
                                                             thoughtful and engaging discussion surround a
Join historian, educator, and First Church member            different book selection every month or so hosted
Jon Streff for an interactive conversation about             by First Church Member Kate Dulmage. For Sep-
Samuel Joseph May, a 19th century UU minister                tember we are reading The Great Alone by Kristin
and social reformer, who also happened to be                 Hannah. In this unforgettable portrait of human
Louisa May Alcott’s uncle! We will discuss his life,         frailty and resilience, Kristin Hannah reveals the
work, and ministry with an eye for any lessons they          indomitable character of the modern American
may hold for us in the 21st century.                         pioneer and the spirit of a vanishing Alaska―a
                                                             place of incomparable beauty and danger. The
                                                             Great Alone is a daring, beautiful, stay-up-all-night
                                                             story about love and loss, the fight for survival, and
                                                             the wildness that lives in both man and nature.
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald            Vol. 21, No. 1

        Sunday                    Monday                     Tuesday                Wednesday                Thursday                  Friday             Saturday

                       1        All Souls Day 2                             3                        4                       5                       6               7
9am Worship Mtg            10am-12pm RE Office          2pm Staff Meeting        6pm-8pm RE Office       2pm-4pm RE Office       9am-11am Church
9:30am Children’s Chapel   Hours with Beth                                       Hours with Beth         Hours with Beth         Office Hours with
10:30am Service            12pm-2pm Church Office                                                                                Catherine
                           Hours with Catherine

                       8                            9                       10                 11                        12                          13          14
9am Worship Mtg            10am-12pm RE Office          2pm Staff Meeting          Veteran’s Day         2pm-4pm RE Office       9am-11am Church
9:30am Children’s Chapel   Hours with Beth                                       6pm-8pm RE Office       Hours with Beth         Office Hours with
10:30am Service            12pm-2pm Church Office                                Hours with Beth                                 Catherine
                           Hours with Catherine

                      15                        16                          17                   18                      19                   20                 21
9am Worship Mtg            10am-12pm RE Office          2pm Staff Meeting        6pm-8pm RE Office       2pm-4pm RE Office       Transgender Day
9:30am Children’s Chapel   Hours with Beth                                       Hours with Beth         Hours with Beth
                                                                                                                                 of Remembrance
10:30am Service            12pm-2pm Church Office
                                                                                                                                 9am-11am Church
                           Hours with Catherine
                                                                                                                                 Office Hours with
                                                                                                                                 Catherine

                      22                        23                          24                   25                    26                            27          28
9am Worship Mtg            10am-12pm RE Office          2pm Staff Meeting                                  Thanksgiving
9:30am Children’s Chapel   Hours with Beth
10:30am Service            12pm-2pm Church Office
                           Hours with Catherine

                      29                        30
9am Worship Mtg            10am-12pm RE Office
9:30am Children’s Chapel   Hours with Beth
10:30am Service            12pm-2pm Church Office
                           Hours with Catherine

                                      During November the Soul Matters theme is Healing.
                                                    Please click here for the packet on Healing.

                                                                                  Rarely, if ever, are any of us
                                                                                 healed in isolation. Healing is
                                                                                         an act of communion.

                                                                                                             bell hooks
The Herald - The First Church in Salem
The Herald, Fall 2020

Staff Office Hours
Religious Education: Mondays 10AM -12 noon             Wednesdays 6-8 PM            Thursdays 2-4 PM
Our Interim Director of Religious of Education, Beth Toolan, joined us this summer and we're so happy to
have her here. Beth is currently holding virtual office hours if you would like to drop in and discuss the up-
coming plans for Religious Education. During these times, she will also be available by phone: 978-744-4796,
cell: 781-254-7112 or you can make an appointment for those hours via email BethToolan@gmail.com.

Congregational Administrator: Mondays 12pm-2pm                 Fridays 9am-11am
Catherine Bertrand will have virtual office hours each week . Please feel free to drop in or make an appoint-
ment via email office@firstchurchinsalem.org. The office will "be open" during these times so click on by.

October Coffee with the Minister: Fridays 1:30pm-2:30pm
Rev. Elizabeth will have an open coffee hour Fridays in October with the exception of October 23. No appoint-
ment necessary! Grab your coffee and drop in!
Thursday, Sept 24 2pm-3pm

Worship Committee Member Thoughts: Rev. Jerrie Hildebrand
I am struck during this time in the world also about the little things that are sacred and a sort of worship. Every
morning when I go into my office I light a candle and a sage bundle. I sit for a moment before turning the computer
on and getting into the day. I am struck by how the small things are keeping us centered these days. Worship and
the small rituals cause us to pause. Some I think about are: how we tuck our children in to bed at night. The way
we chop our food and prepare if for cooking or preserving it. The sound of an animals breath or purring as it lulls us
to a different head space. In my neighborhood we have drummers. Some use sticks and others appear to be using
hand drums. It lets me feel like I am at a sacred drum circle. And oh the birds…that beautiful cardinal and the
morning doves who coo and bring forth delightful melodies that I can then sing back to them to keep the moment
going.

It has been interesting to participate on the Worship Committee over the past year especially during this pandemic.
The creative spirit with which we need to work for me is thought filled and fun. After attending the Visual General
Assembly in June, I came back with so many ways to do worship from the different presentation styles of worship I
experienced there.

The Worship Committee is looking at some new ideas to bring the depth of Unitarian Universalism to us all. There
are so many aspects of it. Joint services with other congregations is one way to do that. It allows us to “take a road
trip” to other parts of the country to see what they are celebrating inside of our denomination. What would it be
like to celebrate with a congregation in the deep South, in the MidWest, California? What are Humanist, Earth-
Centered, and other more traditional congregations doing? I am excited about the idea of meeting other UU’s in
breakout sessions and learning about them and how this will broaden our connection to others in the denomina-
tion.

What are the little ways you all feel a sense of worship or the sacred? How can we share these with one another?
Which ones would be great to lift up in worship? How can we share this more openly with one another?
Write the Worship Committee with your ideas. We would love to hear what you see for not only yourself but that
which many be a common theme for us to create something larger with.

Blessings to all as we move into the Fall!
Jerrie Hildebrand
The Herald     Vol. 21, No. 1

COSM: Committee on Shared Ministry
Greetings First Church,

                             What is the COSM, and what is a shared ministry?

About eight months ago, which seems like a lifetime ago, Reverend Ide, in consultation with the Standing
Committee convened a Committee on Shared Ministries (COSM). Before we had the time to dig into our
work, the world turned upside down. So, here we finally are to introduce ourselves and let you know more
about shared ministry.

This committee is new to First Church, and the phrase “shared ministries” may not be something everyone is
familiar with. In simple terms, it refers to the collective work of the congregation. In addition to Reverend
Ide's work, the First Church ministers to our congregation and our larger community in a variety of ways. In
fact, the work done by each and every committee at the church is a form of ministry. COSM’s role is in service
to and for the purpose of helping strengthen all of the ministries of the church.

If you happened to be part of the group discussion after the Water Communion service on September 13th,
you may have experienced the power of the many First Church ministries. We heard about the amazing work
of the Pastoral Care teams efforts to meet the high level of needs during this time, and that this particular
ministry could use more support.

We heard about how the garden is being cared for, and how the archives committee is exploring how to pub-
licly highlight the relevance of our history to the events of today. We heard that the Lifebridge ministry con-
tinues.

We heard people express openly how difficult this period of time is, and heard others respond with compas-
sion. Ministry unfolding before our eyes. During this time when we cannot gather in person, First Church
ministries are leaning into our covenant to walk together.

Since Elizabeth is new to her ministry at First Church, and since 2020 has been such an odd year, much of our
time so far has been spent supporting the transition as our new minister has risen to the meet the needs of
staff and congregants during a pandemic, all while continuing to get to know us. We are now turning our
attention to the Church’s many other ministries.

To that end, committee chairs will start to hear from us to inquire how things are going, and what you need.
We will endeavor to sometimes join your meetings to better understand your ministry. And we hope to lift
your voices, so that all in the congregation share in the beauty that is your work.

In covenant,

Joe Bayne, Mark Stevens, Nathan Chio and Nicole McLaughlin
The Herald, Fall 2020

Community Response Team (CRT)                               New Flag Pole Lighting
The first meeting of our open committee to discuss          Personal gifts from several deacons and the minis-
how our church will respond to our current circum-          ter paid for the installation of solar powered illumi-
stances due to Covid-19 was a success. Over twenty          nation of our tower flagpole in memory or honor
-five people were virtually present and/or partici-         of the following:
pated in an informal chat after our Sunday service          Captain Mike Horab
to talk about our community during the pandemic.            Staff Sergeant Nancy Bivens Ide
The goal was to get a conversation started so that,         Sergeant Warren Ide, Sr.
over the next few months, we as a community                 Dr. Brent R. Boone
might best respond to this unique situation and             Lance C. Arlander
find ways to foster and nourish our church spirit.          Frank L. Taggart
                                                            Ronald Taggart
Many ideas and concerns began to bud and you can            Deacon Emery P. Tanch Jr.
read all about them in the CRT Meeting Minutes.             Emery P. Tanch Sr.
                                                            Deacon Robert E. Kenney
There will be a second informational chat on Sun-           Deacon William Donaldson
day, October 4th following the service to make              and all of those who have served.
sure everyone has had a chance to participate. We
also hope to get an open document started where
people may post ideas and concerns related to how
our church can best move forward. As we coalesce
our community thoughts, we are excited to begin
implementing your ideas both large and small.

The committee currently only officially consists of
three people - John Pydynkowski, Neil Alsip and
Rev. Elizabeth. All are welcome, so come on board!

Herbs and Foraging with Iris
Sunday, October 4 following the service
                      Plants are much more than pretty flowers or annoying weeds.
                      They are a huge part of what sustains us in the world. Our
                      church values sustainability in this modern world and knowing
                      and using the useful plants is a big part of living sustainably.
                      Want to know which plants and weeds are good for food or
                      medicine (yes, even in the
                      city!)? Join Iris Weaver, Foraging Instructor and member of our
                      congregation to learn more about our local plants. Bring your
                      notebook to record all the exciting things you will learn!
The Herald    Vol. 21, No. 1

Care Corner
The Pastoral Care Committee reports with sadness the passing of Ellen Brandenburg on Sept 4. She was
treated for cancer and died peacefully at home surrounded by her family. We offer heartfelt condolences to
daughter Anna, granddaughter Ivy, son Pete, and his wife Krisztina.

Additionally we are saddened by the loss of church member and Archives Committee member Henry Sten-
berg during September and offer our condolences to his family.

Paul Madore is at Pilgrim Rehab Center in Peabody. He enjoys speaking on the phone (978-573-2747) and
receiving cards (96 Forest Street, Peabody MA 01960. Room 121).

During the summer the care angel team has provided meals to the Brandenburg family and to Nelson Di-
onne, husband of Bonnie Hurd Smith. Bonnie is caring for Nelson at home. In addition we provided meals to
Jim Larue’s family following Jim’s surgery. Meals and cards were sent to Kate Dulmage following the sudden
death of her mother. Condolences were sent to others in our congregation who lost loved ones: Bob Soucy
lost his mother. Mary Krigbaum lost her father. Amy Prodanas lost her sister. Several congregants had sur-
geries and procedures. Our care team helps with rides and support as needed.

In this challenging time when we cannot meet in person as a congregation, we invite you to reach out to us if
you have needs. We have a special email for our committee pastoralcare@firstchurchinsalem.org. The email
will come directly to Sally Millice, Linda Stark and Mame Meleski, the committee members. We and our
team of volunteer care angels provide meals, rides, errands and welcome the opportunity to send cards and
make calls. Please let us know if you or someone you know is in need of assistance.

If you prefer to contact Rev. Elizabeth Ide, she has a direct email as well: minister@firstchurchinsalem.org.
Church number 978-744-1551.

We salute the care angels who have volunteered with meals, errands, cards , calls and other kindnesses.
Thank you to Lynn Taggart, Mary Krigbaum, Katherine Palmer, Linda Stark, Mame Meleski, Brenda Marean,
Nick Lewis, Charlene Long, Jessica Kane, and Alicia Diozzi. We know there are many others in our church
family who offer care and comfort as well. We are so grateful to all of you. If you would like to be added to
our care angel volunteer list please contact Sally Millice 978-745-1632.

Pastoral Care Committee: Sally Millice, Chair, Linda Stark, Mame Meleski and Rev. Ide.
THE HERALD                                                            Wednesday, October 14
                                                                     6pm-8pm DRE Office Hours
A Publication of
The First Church in Salem, Unitarian Universalist
                                                                       Thursday, October 15
316 Essex Street
                                                                     2pm-4pm DRE Office Hours
Salem, Massachusetts 01970

Phone and Fax: 978-744-1551                                             Friday, October 16
Email: office@firstchurchinsalem.org                            9am-11am Administrator Office Hours
Publication Submissions:                                       1:30pm-2:30pm Minister’s Office Hours
firstchurchcomm@gmail.com
www.firstchurchinsalem.org                                              Sunday, October 18
                                                                       9am Worship Meeting
                                                                     9:30am Children’s Chapel
Senior Minister: Reverend Elizabeth M. Ide                           10:30am Sunday Service
Director of Music: Michael Kraft
                                                                       Monday, October 19
Director of Henny Penny: Tricia Pini
                                                                   10am-12pm DRE Office Hours
Congregational Administrator: Catherine Bertrand                12pm-2pm Administrator Office Hours
Sexton: Billy McCarthy
                                                                        Tuesday, October 20
Interim Director of Religious Education: Beth Toolan                     2pm Staff Meeting
Chair of the Standing Committee: Anthony Silva
Chair of the Deacons: Eric Kenney                                     Wednesday, October 21
                                                                     6pm-8pm DRE Office Hours

                                                                       Thursday, October 22
                                                                     2pm-4pm DRE Office Hours

                                                                        Friday, October 23
                                                                9am-11am Administrator Office Hours
                                                                   7pm-9pm RE Open Mic Night
               October Calendar and Links
                         Sunday, October 4                              Sunday, October 25
                       9am Worship Meeting                             9am Worship Meeting
                     9:30am Children’s Chapel                        9:30am Children’s Chapel
                10:30am World Communion Service                      10:30am Sunday Service
                                                                       12:15pm Soul Matters
                      Monday, October 5
                  10am-12pm DRE Office Hours                           Monday, October 26
               12pm-2pm Administrator Office Hours                 10am-12pm DRE Office Hours
                                                                12pm-2pm Administrator Office Hours
                        Tuesday, October 6
                        2pm Staff Meeting                               Tuesday, October 27
                                                                         2pm Staff Meeting
                      Wednesday, October 7
                    6pm-8pm DRE Office Hours                          Wednesday, October 28
                                                                     6pm-8pm DRE Office Hours
                      Thursday, October 8
                    2pm-4pm DRE Office Hours                           Thursday, October 29
                                                                     2pm-4pm DRE Office Hours
                        Friday, October 9
               9am-11am Administrator Office Hours                      Friday, October 30
              1:30pm-2:30pm Minister’s Office Hours             9am-11am Administrator Office Hours
                                                               1:30pm-2:30pm Minister’s Office Hours
                        Sunday, October 11
                       9am Worship Meeting                        Saturday, October 31: Halloween
                     9:30am Children’s Chapel
                     10:30am Sunday Service

                      Monday, October 12                 Please note meeting and program times are
                  10am-12pm DRE Office Hours
               12pm-2pm Administrator Office Hours
                                                                     subject to change.

                       Tuesday, October 13             Keep an eye on The Weekly published Thursdays!
                        2pm Staff Meeting
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