The Rev. Elizabeth Boyd Stevens

The Rev. Elizabeth “Betsy” Boyd Stevens died on March 14, 2024, at the age of 91 (1932-2024).

Betsy was born on November 29, 1932, in Boston MA to Elizabeth Bigelow and Robert St. Barbe Boyd. She was raised in Milton and Duxbury MA, and attended Milton Academy through elementary and high school, graduating in 1950. Her family were life-long Unitarians. Betsy led an active extracurricular life, but her prime goal was to get to college. On a part-time basis, she taught sailing and worked in a camp for children with cerebral palsy. She entered Smith College (MA) in 1950 and married in her junior year to a cadet from West Point, who was assigned to Korea after his graduation. During this time, Betsy remained in college and graduated with a major in Sociology (1954). She worked at Jordan Marsh as well as volunteered at Peter Bent Brigham.

For the next twenty years, Betsy and her husband lived in varied Army installations throughout the world. They had a son and a daughter and in 1966, returned to the United States and lived in Alexandria, VA.

After re-locating in Alexandria, Betsy got an opportunity to become active in a parish. From 1971 to 1983, she served the Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church, Alexandria VA first as the 2nd grade teacher, then the interim DRE, and then the DRE. She restructured the church’s youth programs, put Unitarian Universalism in the curriculum, and organized bi-yearly trips to the Boston area to teach the youth about their religious heritage. She served the Mt. Vernon church for thirteen years as a strong leader in the intergenerational forums. In 1981, she completed the UU Independent Study Program.

Rev. Stevens was ordained to the ministry of religious education by the First Church and Parish in Dedham MA on February 24, 1985, where she served as a Minister of Religious Education from 1984 to 2003. She helped plan and carry out a well-balanced RE program that enriched the church. The church became more vibrant and caring with a fine RE program. Rev. Stevens equally paid attention to the people of the church, their growth in RE skills, and their growth as individuals in the community. She was an excellent group leader in adult and youth education programs, facilitating discussion, exercising initiative, and interacting effectively.

She retired from her active ministry in the parish in 2003. That year, Meadville Lombard Theological School honored her with a Doctor of Divinity, and in 2004 the First Church and Parish in Dedham honored her as their minister emerita.

Rev. Dr. Stevens was active on the denominational level serving as a designated legal resident for LREDA, MRP advisor, and MRE Focus Group convener. Furthermore, she provided her services to the Continental Women and Religion Committee, the Council on Church/Staff Finances, Good Offices for LREDA and UUMA, the District Minister Advisory Committee, the District Safe Congregation Outreach Team, the UU Historical Society board, and many more. Additionally, she served the Ballou Channing District, Brockton MA from 2001 to 2003.

Rev. Stevens received the Larry E. Axel Award, Modified Residence Program, Meadville Lombard Theological School (1977); and the Angus H. Maclean Award for Excellence in Religious Education, UUA (2001).

In Duxbury, Betsy served as chairperson of the Water Activities Committee for their 350th Anniversary celebration. She was a volunteer for the Duxbury Bay Maritime School “Women Under Way” program, a trustee of the Duxbury Cemetery, and a board member at the Council of Aging. In 2013, she was awarded the Duxbury Community Volunteer Award.

Betsy’s passion was sailing. She won her first season trophy in 1946 at the age of 14. She enjoyed sailboat racing in Duxbury Bay for many summers and received many South Shore trophies through the years. In 1979 and 1981, she won the Massachusetts Bay Women’s Championship.

Betsy is survived by her husband Frederick A. Stevens, Jr., and her two children: Wyatt Stevens (Giselle) and Elizabeth (Lisa) Giannechini (Tony). She also leaves her two granddaughters, Alice Stevens and Libby Giannechini; her sister, Alexandra (Sandy) B. Earle, and one great-grandson.

A memorial service was held on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the First Parish Church UU, 842 Tremont St.(Rte. 3A), Duxbury MA 02331.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Duxbury Bay Maritime School, 457 Washington St, Duxbury MA 02332. UURMaPA will contribute to the UUMA Endowment Fund in honor of our colleague’s ministry.

Notes of condolence may be written here.

Hosting an Onsite Pod

January, 2024

Concept

A pod is a central location where UURMaPA members may gather to participate in our virtual conference. The pod may utilize a church with appropriate audio-visual technology to allow group participation for major presentations like the keynote address and also have the capacity for small group breakouts. Alternately, a pod may use a conference center that has the capability of hosting this type of gathering. Whichever is used, it must be fully accessible for our members.

Team Leadership

Each pod should have a team of individuals to share the organization of the pod. At least two people will be responsible for the various needs to put together a successful pod. Three to four would be ideal so that all aspects are covered. One person should be sophisticated in audio-visual technology, or have access to someone to contact in the event of technical issues that may come up during the conference.

Sleeping Accommodations

Organizers using a church should consider where travelers might find sleeping arrangements. The location should be near hotels or motels with different price points. Some pods may offer a list of alternative accommodations such as Airbnb or bed and breakfast locations nearby. If using a conference center, make sure rooms are accessible.

Meals

A pod provides food during the conference. It may provide catered meals on premises where people share the cost or provide a list of local restaurants where people can partake of differing cuisines. Coffee, tea and water should be available throughout the conference. A pod using a conference center will have the meal service provided as part of the cost of the center. Healthy snacks, such as fruit or energy bars, should also be available. A system of reimbursement for alcoholic beverages will allow those who partake to do so without burdening the cost of the pod unnecessarily.

Transportation

Some people may use public transit to travel to the pod location. The pod organizers should identify which modes of travel are convenient to get to the pod. If possible, pick up and drop off for those using public conveyances should be offered. Also, helping people travel from hotels to the church daily should be considered. An alternative is using Lyft or Uber services if they are available.

Technology

Since this is an online and in-person event, the host site should have the capability for adequate interactions with those online and in the room. Robust wireless connections for laptops and a strong, reliable internet connection for the video projector are critical. A person familiar with the host technology is required should technical issues arise. Also, sound amplification is needed for interactions between the pod and others online. This might mean a microphone for speakers who are interacting with a keynote or other presentation. There is also the possible need for assisted hearing devices for individuals.

Breakout Space

There are times for small group sessions as part of the conference. Separate rooms where smaller groups of pod participants can gather will be needed. These spaces should also have wireless connectivity. Comfortable seating will allow for a pleasant experience. Depending on the size of the pod, two to four rooms may be needed to keep the breakouts to no more than 6 individuals.

Costs

Each pod should be self-sufficient financially. Individuals may apply for scholarships to reduce the cost of registration. Each pod should develop a budget for food. The pod location may request reimbursement for the use of the space and or supplies for meals. Pod organizers should not bear the total cost of the pod. A possible solution is to ask everyone attending a pod to contribute the same amount to cover shared meals and drinks excepting alcohol. A pod at a retreat center may apply for an advance to cover the cost of making a reservation. The advance will be paid back through registrations at that site.

Publicity

Each pod will coordinate with the planning committee to publicize the pod location so people may make choices of where to travel. Each pod should highlight local attractions that might entice attendees to come to that pod location. One member of the pod team should be designated as contact to answer questions and create a list of attendees.

Health Concerns

Given that covid continues to affect the our society, the pod organizers need to follow the national and local protocols concerning precautions for in-person meetings, social distancing and mask wearing. Organizers and attendees also need to follow the protocols and mandates of the specific location where the pod will be gathering. The current conditions should be communicated to any who might attend so that they can make their own health risk assessment.

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Conference Topics of Interest

Topics of Interest Up for Discussion at Spring 2024 Conference

The spring 2024 conference will feature small break-out sessions in which specified topics of interest will be addressed by the group. The break-out sessions are scheduled for Wednesday, April 17 at 4 pm, Eastern. You can choose which discussion you will join at that time. Learn more about the conference and register by visiting https://uurmapa.org/activities/ Below are the titles of each group and some information about the leader of each session.

1. S O S: Climate Change Seeks Leaders

We have the skills and the conviction of our Seventh Principle to make a difference for life and welfare on our planet. Let’s share what we know and what we hope to accomplish. The leader is Lucy Hitchcock, who retired in a sustainable community in Salem, Oregon. Her spiritual disciplines are planting trees and native plants, organizing and advocating for climate mitigation and justice, and making personal habit changes to benefit Nature.

2. As the partner of a retired minister, how do I fit into congregational life?

The role of a minister’s partner is determined by the partner, of course. Some choose to involved in parish life, others may not. Does this dynamic change in retirement? The leader is Barry Finkelstein, the partner of Rev. Roberta Finkelstein, who retired almost two years ago. Barry has had a charmed life as a minister’s partner throughout Roberta’s more than thirty years in ministry, in various settings. His current roles include playing upright bass and accordion in bands at two churches, serving as a volunteer greeter, and working very part time as a stewardship consultant.

3. Good Grief

An open forum to share grief stories and support one another in bereavement. Grief is a life-long presence and represents the love we have for our partner who has died. The leader is Duane Fickeisen, who grieves the loss of his spouse 3½ years ago. He facilitates a monthly virtual support group for UURMaPA members who are grieving the loss of a spouse and has offered a class in grief and the holidays at First Unitarian Church (Portland, OR) where he is a member. His recent sermon on grief is here: https://dfickeisen.wordpress.com/2024/02/12/good-grief-embracing-grief-and-the-trouble-with-not-doing-so/

4. Challenges of Caregiving

Are you a caregiver for a partner, extended family member, friend? Join us for a conversation about caregiver challenges, concerns, ideas, and resources. Learn about our monthly UURMaPA Caregivers Group. The leader is Makanah Morriss, who retired in 2006 and enjoys the country life near Lynchburg, VA with horses, dogs, cats and partner, Bob. She is a member of the UU Congregation of Lynchburg. Makanah and Sylvia Howe began the UURMaPA Caregivers Group in 2019.

5. Writing as Spiritual Practice…and self care.

The leader is Judy Campbell, a semi-retired community minister, author, and crazy cat lady, living, literally, on the coast of southeastern Massachusetts. Still (gratefully) writing poems and mysteries, and leading writing workshops and retreats. And coordinating an in-person UURMaPA retreat pod in Kingston, Massachusetts.

6. Housing Alternatives for Seniors: Cohousing

The leader is Jaco ten Hove, who, with his spouse Barbara, has enjoyed living in Bellingham WA Cohousing (begun in 2000) since retiring seven years ago. With 35 households and lots of “noble chores,” it has been a boon through the pandemic and beyond. That and other modes of non-silo living are worth considering, as we shall endeavor to do in this conversation.

7. Issues of Aging for LGBTQ+ people

The leader is Brendan Hadash, who has been retired since 2013 and helps with various committees at St. Johnsbury, Vermont where he is minister emeritus. He has been with his spouse Alan for more than 40 years.

8. As a retired minister, how do I still contribute to Unitarian Universalism?

The leader is Roberta Finkelstein, who retired almost two years ago, and after some fits and starts, has found happiness sitting in the pews in Arlington, VA, where she volunteers at the Sunday Welcome Table and helps with the food pantry.

9. The Soul of Aging

Come experience a sample of the curriculum “The Soul of Aging,” in which we will creatively approach the art of aging intentionally and the many soulful invitations our maturing years offer us—to understand, surrender to, and be transformed by the aging process.

The leaders are the Rev. Shay MacKay and the Rev. Diana McLean, a Unitarian Universalist clergy couple based in Minneapolis. Their entrepreneurial ministry, Sacred Depths LLC, exists to help individuals deepened their connection to the sacred through creativity and contemplation. You can find them at www.sacreddepths.com.

10. Informal Socializing

If none of the above scintillating topics push your buttons, you can join Barbro’s Meet ‘n’ Greet. This is a chance to chat and hang out with your colleagues and perhaps make a new acquaintance. Hosted by Barbro Hansson, the convenor of the conference planning team.

Dec. 21, 2013

Jan 18, 2024

Nov 16, 2023

Joyce Gilbert

Spring 2024 Conference Odyssey

Our association is fortunate to host Joyce Gilbert for an Odyssey presentation at the spring conference. Joyce is married to the Rev. Richard Gilbert, longtime minister of the First Unitarian Church in Rochester NY.

Joyce Timmerman descended from Palatine Germans who were drawn to the message of Universalist ministers in New York State after the French and Indian War. Growing up in the Universalist Church of Fort Plain NY, she met minister-to-be Dick Gilbert at Unirondack, the Universalist summer camp in the Adirondacks. Their paths continued to cross and merged 63 years ago.

Music in and beyond churches has always been central in her life. A founder of the UU Musicians Network (now AUUMM), she regarded that group as her third child—after sons Matthew and Douglas. Her theme? “Life is but a song to sing.”

The conference is scheduled for April 15^th through the 17^th online or in person at Wilmington, Delaware or Kingston, Massachusetts. You can register for the conference at the UURMaPA website <uurmapa.org>. The conference fee is $45 per individual and scholarships are available. For more information and program details, check the Activities page on our webpage: <uurmapa.org/activities>.

The Rev. Barbara Jean Kulcher

The Rev. Barbara Jean Kulcher died on February 20, 2024, at the age of 92 (1931–2024).

Barbara was born on June 26, 1931, in Winnipeg, Manitoba to James M. McClughan and Edna May McClughan. She was an only child and raised in the Anglican tradition. Her family frequently moved and for a while lived in a rural section of Ontario, Canada. Barbara did quite well in school, completed her high school education at a fundamentalist school in Saskatchewan (1948), and received her RN in psychiatric nursing in 1953.

She then took a position as the sole clinical person in an isolated power station in northern Manitoba. Over the years Barbara worked in orthopedics, obstetrics, and neurosurgery. She moved to Ontario with her husband and had four children before their separation.

While in Ontario, Barbara became active at the First Unitarian Hamilton, Ontario. She served the church, first as a church school director from (1965–1968) and then as a church administrator (1969–1974). As a church administrator, she served a key role in the life of the church as she bridged the gap between the departure of the minister Rev. Bob Hemstreet, and the development of the church into a dynamic fellowship. She worked closely with the church service committee to provide meaningful Sunday services which blended people from the church and the larger community with visiting UU ministers. She went beyond the role of administrator, initiated several groups in the church, and kept abreast with new RE developments.

Over years of growth and transformation into a warm, caring religious community, her function became more pastoral than administrative, and she was able to acknowledge her desire to serve as a minister. Unitarianism offered her a chance to grow, as she was exposed to an affirming, reconciling, religious experience. In 1979, she received her Master of Divinity from Bangor Theological Seminary.

Rev. Kulcher was ordained on September 28, 1980, by the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, Ontario. From 1980 to 1981, she served the UU Congregation of Jamestown NY, and then spent her predominant years as a chaplain at the following institutions: Ontario Correctional Institute, ON; Huronia Regional Center, ON; Hamilton Wentworth, ON; Toronto Jail, ON; Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, ON; and Brantford Jail, ON. In a newspaper

article (Hamilton Spectator) in 1985, she was quoted as stating the importance of “befriending the forgotten and offering words of grace and hope to the frightened and often lonely inmates.”

Rev. Kulcher was a strong supporter of the denomination. She was extensively involved with the Canadian Unitarian Council, St. Lawrence UU District, the UU Women’s Federation, and Unicamp of Ontario (1977).

Barbara was famous for her pies, specifically apple and lemon meringue. She was an avid reader, enjoying history, historical fiction, and science fiction. She was a prolific writer, who spent many hours revising and perfecting her heartfelt and deeply engaging papers, articles, and sermons. She greatly valued the act of saying kind or funny things to bring a smile to someone’s face.

Barbara is survived by and loved and remembered by her four children: David Kulcher, Lisa Kulcher-Heaney (Kieran Heaney), Laurie Kulcher, and Kelly Kulcher (Lori Kulcher); six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service took place on Saturday, June 22, 2024, at the First Unitarian Church of Hamilton, 170 Dundurn St S, Hamilton, ON L8P 4K3, Canada.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s Residence at Chedoke, 125 Redfern Ave, Hamilton, ON L9C 7W9, Canada.

Notes of condolences may be sent to lkheaney50@gmail.com.

Connections Coordinator

Job Description (approved by the Board on 2/14/24)

The Connections Coordinator’s duties include:

➢ Upon receipt of an Intent to Retire notice, send the new member(s) a welcoming email
A. to provide an overview of opportunities to connect with other UURMaPAns
B. to connect the New Member with their Area Connector (if identified)

➢ Annually, in July-September
A. Determine the willingness of current Area Connectors to continue service for upcoming year
B. (for Areas with no continuing Connector), send an All-Area-Member email soliciting interest in serving as Connector
C. Contact Open Special Interest Group Facilitators to determine identity of Facilitator for coming year (if any)
D. Send an UURMaPA-Announce notice soliciting interest in forming/facilitating new Special Interest Groups for the coming year

➢ Semi-Annually in October and April
A. Contact Peer Support Group Facilitators to determine
a. Identity of Group Members desiring to continue in the Group for the following six months
b. Identity of the Facilitator of each Continuing Group
c. Openness of each Continuing Group to welcome new Members
B. Send an UURMaPA-Announce notice
a. soliciting interest in entering or forming a Peer Support Group
b. publicizing all Open Special Interest Groups
C. Assign and introduce interested new Members to ongoing Groups.
D. Facilitate interested Members to form & launch new Groups

Geographical Areas of UURMaPA’s membership may be served by one or more Connector(s), whose duties include:
➢ Upon receipt of the Connection Coordinator’s welcome letter copy, make contact with each new Member.
➢ Annually, make contact with each ongoing Area Member
A. to ascertain accuracy of directory information and notify Membership Coordinator of updates
B. to assess/support Members’ interest in UURMaPA activities
(Most recent list of members living in each Area is available on website, www.uurmapa.org, under Publications/Directories/Area Connections Directory, password WISDOM.)
➢ Upon receipt of UURMaPA-Announce notice of an Area member’s death, make personal contact with survivor(s)
➢ Upon learning of the death of an Area Partner-Member, send notice to the Assistant Connections Chair.

Revised by the Board 4/12/16 and 9/14/16
Reviewed and approved by Art Severance, Connections Chair 2019-2021.
Revision proposed by Fritz Hudson, Connections Coordinator, January 17, 2024
Revised version approved by the Board, February 15, 2024

Anita Farber-Robertson

Spring 2024 Conference Odyssey

Our association is fortunate to host the Rev. Anita Farber-Robertson for an Odyssey presentation at the spring conference. She retired in 2020 after 40 years of active ministry, serving congregations in New England as a settled minister and as an Accredited Interim Minister.

She taught at Andover Newton Theological School as the adjunct Professor of Communication. She chaired the UUA’s Racial and Cultural Diversity Task Force with Leon Spencer from 1992–97. She authored two books: Learning While Leading, Increasing Your Effectiveness in Ministry (Alban Institute), and Called to Community: New Directions in Unitarian Universalist Ministry, with Dorothy Emerson. Both are available in paperback and Kindle through Amazon. She has a coaching/consulting practice for clergy and congregations.

The mother of two and stepmother of two, grandmother of their combined eight children, Anita lives by the sea in Swampscott MA, with her dog Tinker.

The conference is scheduled for April 15–17 online or in person at Wilmington DE or Kingston MA. You can register for the conference at the UURMaPA website <HERE>. The conference fee is $45 per individual and scholarships are available. For more information and program details, check the Activities section on our webpage <HERE>.