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Unitarian Church of Sharon
4 N. Main St.
Sharon, MA 02067
781-784-3652
E-mail UCS
A Visit from our Partner Minister
This holiday season we will have the opportunity to really get to know some of our fellow Unitarians from Transylvania! Rev. Erika Demeter, the minister of our partner church in Gyulakuta, Romania (and two other churches), her husband Rev. Levente Lazar, their son Levente (11) and daughter Reka (8) will be with us Dec. 21-27. They are at a UU seminary in California on a scholarship for the academic year, and are spending their semester break visiting their east coast partners and colleagues.
We’ll have a number of opportunities to visit with Erika and Levente while they’re here, as outlined in the schedule below. The family will be staying at the home of Paul and Colleen Tuck, and they’re looking forward to joining us in worship, social gatherings, home visits, and small excursions. In Erika’s own words, “We would like to be (of course) with you and with members of the congregation. Beside this we would like to see a part of your country, some important local characteristics or cultural values. Something what you would like to show us but don’t think about too expensive trip, please.” Please see the sign-up sheet next to the “Transylvanian Connections” display on the vestry bulletin board for opportunities to offer hospitality and spend some time with them.
Here’s the tentative schedule of their visit so far (note: they won’t have a car so will need rides):
Tues. Dec. 21 — They’ll spend the day touring the UUA and its Boston neighborhood with Beth McGregor; join the Tucks for dinner and settle into their temporary home.
Wed. Dec. 22 — Getting to know our local area. Dave Nelson has offered to give them his ‘realtor’s tour’ of Sharon, and there’s probably room for another activity (perhaps the Fuller Craft Museum or another place of local cultural interest?) Chuck and Karen McHugh will host them for dinner at their home in Foxboro.
Thurs. Dec. 23 — Women of the church are invited to join Erika for a women’s luncheon at the home of Beth McGregor, 52 Upland Road, Sharon. (RSVP if possible.) Levente and the children could enjoy another local activity or excursion while Erika’s busy, and the family is open for dinner that evening.
Fri. Dec. 24 — A low-key day, perhaps a lunch out or a daytime visit at the Tucks.’ Erika will be participating in both Christmas Eve services; perhaps a brief home visit/late supper afterward if they’re not too tired by then.
Sat. Dec. 25 — They’ll spend Christmas morning with the Tucks (who will then leave for upstate New York for a few days). As of now they’re open for Christmas dinner and evening. (Both the Robinsons and McGregors are happy to have them for a meal but want to leave it open to other possibilities.)
Sun. Dec. 26 — Erika and our minister will co-lead both services. Everyone is invited to stay for a Boxing Day Potluck Lunch (you can ask Jim about that British holiday) in the vestry after the morning service. Please bring something to share — a good way to use up Christmas leftovers—or feel free to just come; there’s always enough food. We can keep things warm in our ovens and crock pots during the service, and we have refrigerator space for sandwiches and salads. We’re looking for kitchen crew(s) to set up, serve and clean up. If you’re willing to help with this, please let Beth McGregor or Jim Robinson know, or sign up on the bulletin board. The Reids have offered a family excursion in the afternoon. They’ll probably be up for a quiet night at home after such a busy day, but perhaps someone would like to bring supper in to them (the Tucks will be away).
Mon. Dec. 27 — A good day for some sightseeing before they fly from Boston to Washington DC in the evening. The Zaniewskis have offered to host them, and the Roth-Huses to take them to the airport if needed.
Final plans can be made while the family is here, based on the weather, things they’re curious about, how much energy they have, how the children are doing, etc. — flexibility is a good thing! You can always check in at the Tucks and see how things are going and what they’re up for. If you need financial subsidy for any hosting activity, feel free to speak with Jim Robinson.
This is an exciting chance to experience a part of the international web of Unitarianism firsthand! If you’d like to learn more about Erika and Levente and our Transylvanian partnership, check out the partner church news page. Questions? Just ask Jim or Beth.
November 2010
On December 21-27, 2010, our whole congregation will have a chance to learn firsthand about the Unitarians of Transylvania, and to form an in-person relationship. Our partner minister, the Rev. Erika Demeter, her husband, Levente Lazar, and their children Levente Jr and Reka, will spend the holiday week with us, and Erika will participate in leading our Christmas services. Levente, a leader among the younger generation of Unitarian ministers in central Europe, was awarded the prestigious Balacz Scholarship to study for an academic year at Starr King School for the Ministry, our UU seminary in Berkeley, CA. With support from their partner congregations and the UU Partner Church Council, the whole family was able to come and learn in the U.S. During their semester break, Erika and Levente are eager to meet the members of their partner congregations, so they are making a trip to the east coast, to Massachusetts and Virginia. Over six days, we’ll have the opportunity for conversations in church and in homes, and to show them a little bit of our life here in Massachusetts.
View photographs of Unitarians in Transylvania, including Erika and Levente.
About the Unitarians of Transylvania
A Day in the Life of Our Partner Minister
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