Gallery

The annual Bean Supper has been a tradition at the Unitarian Church of Sharon since 1952. According to Lucy Bailey, the idea was conceived by church member Lydia Clark, who thought the church green would be a lovely spot for a fundraiser for the Women's Goodwill Alliance. Mrs. Clark asked George Bailey to organize a jazz band and the church's piano was brought out on the church lawn. With the town's population around 3000, church members invited their friends and practically the whole town came to enjoy the good jazz and eat Fanny Farmer's recipe for Traditional Baked Beans cooked by church members. Over the years the Bean Supper became a town tradition. These days the menu is a little more varied and includes a variety of beans. Music is supplied by Don Bailey (not related to George) and friends. Here, Aspen Panessidi- Shafiroff contemplates her plate of beans.

Our Lady of Sorrows Sunday Mass, Oct. '06— Parishioners at the celebration of Sunday Mass join hands in the pews and across the aisle for the recitation of the Lord's Prayer. Behind the altar as principal celebrant is the pastor, Fr. Scott Euvrard, and to the left, Mike Iwanowicz, Deacon.

This ceremony takes place during a greh pravesh, when the owners enter their newly bought house for the first time. The vases (Earthen pots) have mango leaves surrounded by a coconut. Water is filled in the vase to represent prosperity. The three elements depicted in this photo: water, earth, and plants are considered auspicious in the Hindu religion. The combination of these three brings happiness and peace in life.

Christmas Eve at the Unitarian Church holds a special magic. All are welcome to join in evening services, which culminates with participants forming a circle around the inside perimeter of the sanctuary. From the chalice, one candle is lit which is then passed from one person to another, until there is a complete circle of light. We then sing Silent Night in unison. When we've completed the hymn, we raise our candles above our heads to show how the light of many fills the dark corners, a powerful metaphor of shared experience in the pursuit of spiritual meaning, acceptance and growth.

The Jewish holiday of Succot commemorates the era immediately following the Exodus from Egypt and slavery. During that 40 year period, Moses and the nomadic Israelites lived in temporary shelters (succot) as they wandered the Sinai Desert. Succot is also a joyous harvest festival. People build a non-permanent hut (succah) and eat meals in it during the eight day holiday. Pictured are Sharon Packer and her son, Avi. Over a number of years, Sharon, Avi and his older brothers, Benjamin and Daniel, decorated the sides of the succah to reflect the harvest aspects of the festival. Each year, they and their father, Ira, construct the succah, invite guests, and eat their meals there in according to tradition.

Our faith tradition at the First Congregational Church of Sharon, like all communities of faith, includes missions and outreach to help those in need. In April of 2008, 16 members of our church traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild homes and contribute in a small way to reconnecting people with their communities. This photograph represents our faith tradition of service. A tarnished candelabra sits amid the construction as Beecher Memorial Church in New Orleans sets about the task of rebuilding its church and congregation after Hurricane Katrina. People on mission trips from many faith traditions, including the First Congregational Church of Sharon, have visited and helped shore up this place of worship with their hands and hearts.

One of the highlights in the gardener's year is the Sharon Garden Club sale at the Community Center each May. Members dig up some of their favorite plants to share with the community at this annual event. This fundraiser brings together gardeners from the area to exchange ideas and ask for gardening tips. Conversations about "how much sun?" to "is it invasive?" are discussed among the avid gardeners. Buyers take their new plants home to add to their garden as the new growing season begins. This sale has been running since 1985 in Sharon.

Christian Science Churches throughout the world offer Sunday School to children and young people up to the age of twenty. They are taught by qualified Sunday School teachers from The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy which is the textbook of Christian Science. Among the early lessons are The Commandments, the Beatitudes, The Holy Bible, also The Lord's Prayer with a Spiritual Interpretation as found in the Christian Science textbook. Older students are taught from the weekly Bible Lessons that are read in all Christian Science churches.

An author in a memoir I read told of welcoming in the New Year as a child by banging pots and pans in his yard at the stroke of midnight. This year my 11—year— old son, Eric Zaniewski, had his friend, Josh Glazer, sleeping over on New Year's Eve. We decided to stay up late and give it a try. We found it lots of fun. My husband and our two daughters slept through it all. Maybe next year we all will join in our "new tradition."

Old friends, Jean Santos & Becky Callahan, share a word at the Sharon Historical Society annual barn sale. For decades, Jean and Becky worked together as members of the Historical Society, The Sharon Garden Club, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, and countless other civic and religious organizations. Friendships like theirs are the glue that holds our community together.

This photograph captures Shirley and Jennie Wiseman behind two lit Hanukkah Menorahs, the ceremonial candelabra used for the Hanukkah holiday. Observing the Jewish Holiday of Hanukkah involves candle lighting over the eight nights of the holiday with additional candles being added to the Menorah on successive nights until the Eighth Night when eight candles plus the "Shamash" head candle are lit. In our family we have built a lovely collection of Menorahs, some fanciful and decorative, some received as gifts on happy occasions, and some treasured family heirlooms, representing the continuity of celebrating the holiday from generation to generation. On any given night of Hanukkah, we will choose several of our Menorahs and fill each with the appropriate number of candles. Family members will light the candles in each Menorah and when all are alight, they fill the entire room with the warm glow of candlelight, religious observance and family tradition.

My name is Randy Joseph, and I am a Manomet Plymouth Wampanoag of the Wampanoag Nation. My message is to give a different cultural perspective about Mother Earth and all living beings. As I travel across the country conducting Native cultural programs my message is not only to represent the nation I come from, but to also represent all life and all walks of life. Through my program, I share traditional religious beliefs through song, dance, story telling, and artifacts. From the past to the present, we as Native people live in two worlds - one with a moccasin and one with a Nike. Through oral tradition, many generations of our history is passed on by the elders. And now, I bring you through a different light. That light is the People of the Dawn, the First Light — where New England history started with contact with the first Europeans to settle in Eastern North America.

Sharon's "Sacred Seasons" program was observed when the Jewish Holiday, Sukkot; the Muslim, Ramadan; and Hindu, Navrati converged. Sharonites of many faiths or belief systems gathered at Temple Israel to listen to speakers celebrate the community's diversity, break the Ramadan fast in the Temple's sukkah, participate in Indian dance, and then share an evening meal designed to suit diverse palates and dietary requirement. The program was organized by Interfaith Action. The meal was cooked and served by high school students in Interfaith Action's Youth Leadership Program.

Cathy Reed of Sharon's First Congregational Church of Sharon, finds a quiet moment, amid the construction and still—open wall studs of Beecher Memorial Church in New Orleans, to reflect and pray during their church's rebuilding mission trip to Louisiana.

Each year, we celebrate the "Run for the Roses" at our home. The invitation is explicit to guests: "Please don your most outlandish or fashionable chapeaux; seersucker or spring attire." Our home is decorated with red roses, decorations and goodies ordered directly from the bluegrass state! Family and friends enjoy mint juleps and traditional Kentucky fare including bourbon chicken wings, bendictine dip, corn pudding, bourbon balls and Derby pie. As we near post time, it's off to the family room where every guest chooses a horse's name from a hat (a Derby of course!) to root for during the race. We sing along to My Old Kentucky Home (published by Stephen Foster in 1853). Once the gun is fired, there is lots of hootin' and hollerin' for our horses and the winner is awarded a vase of a dozen roses. We look forward to the next year's Derby Party— the 136th year!

Father Robert W. Bullock, pastor of Sharon's Our Lady of Sorrows Church for 26 years, was pastor to Sharon's Roman Catholic Community, a scholar, educator and tireless activist for interfaith understanding and social justice. He was an avid road runner who was often seen jogging the streets of town. While Father Bullock's work was nationally and internationally recognized, to the end of his life, he was an involved and important part of our Sharon community. The Father Bullock's Run, Walk, & Shuffle for Charity was established to help support many of the causes Bob was passionate about. Watches at the ready, they're set — GO! Time, and the pack, waits for no man/woman.

The traditional Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year's) greeting and prayer is that those we greet should be blessed with a good and sweet year. As a symbol of sweetness and renewal, we drizzle or dip apple slices in dvash (honey.) We bless and light holiday candles, and drink sweetened grape wine; eat special round challah (bread.) At the synagogue service, a "shofar" or ram's horn is sounded. As a centerpiece at their holiday table, the Fisher Family include many of these holiday symbols. Although in this photograph the wine is blackberry, for the actual prayer, grape wine is used. Not shown in the photograph are the round challot. Mr. Camel, with his Israel—flag saddle, just wandered into the shot from the desert.

Members of the Unitarian Church of Sharon gather in Post Office Square to protest the beginning of the Iraq War in 2003.

Rev. Wendy Kiefer—O'Brien, pastor and her 14 year old son Andrew O'Brien, baptismal candidate. The Baptismal tank in this picture is built right into the structure of the church and is located behind the pulpit in the front of the sanctuary. American Baptists partake of two ordinances exemplifying obedience to our Lord's commands: believers' baptism and the Lord's Supper. The rite is undertaken by those spiritually mature enough to understand its profound, symbolic significance: resurrection to new life in Christ. Baptists follow the biblical example set by Christ when the candidate is fully immersed in water, symbolizing death to self as one goes under the water and the beautiful symbolic statement of rising to new spiritual life when emerging from the water. Baptism is an outward sign of the inward faith of the candidate.

These photos capture the spirit of festivity on Eid day. Eid—ul—fitr is a joyful Muslim tradition celebrated to mark the end of the month of fasting, 'Ramadan'. While men enjoy a relaxed holiday time on Eid day, combining good food with great company, women and young girls traditionally celebrate the day with sweets, colorful clothes, glittery bangles and beautifully decorated hands. On 'Chand raat' (the eve of Eid), hands are adorned with intricate henna patterns. The next morning, they all gathered at the traditional Eid prayer and social get—together at the Islamic Center to compare whose hands looked the best and retained the darkest color!

The Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2010. This organization gives boys an opportunity to develop traditional values and to learn new skills and leadership. During their years in scouting, boys advance in ranks, go on camping trips, and earn merit badges in a variety of subjects. They also participate in community service work. The highest rank in boy scouting is Eagle. To earn this rank, a scout must plan and coordinate a significant service project that benefits his community. The scout identifies a need in his town, develops a plan of action and implements this plan with the help of the members of his troop. This is an Eagle project for Troop 95 Sharon to add a boardwalk to Beech Tree Park. Eagle Scout Jason Zandrow cuts the ribbon at the completion of the project along side his construction advisor Peter Andrews and the members of Troop 95.

When a Jewish boy or girl reaches the age of 13, he or she becomes an adult in the eyes of Judaism. A Bar Mitzvah (boy) or Bat Mitzvah (girl) reads from the Torah and Haftorah, as well as leading parts of the service on the Sabbath.

The Chinese community in Sharon has held a New Year celebration at the Sharon High School for about five years. It is attended by several hundred people from Sharon and neighboring towns. It originated when a small group of people decided to replicate the celebrations in China where huge parties with performances are held in all the schools and organizations. Performers include musicians, dancers, martial artists, and in recent years, children in the Sharon Schools' Chinese language program. Food is central to the celebration with Chinese dumplings a must. These photos from the New Year's Celebration show the dance troop, umbrella dance, Chinese Yo—Yo and chorus.

This photograph is from a work project at "Miss Sophie's House," an 84 year old woman whose house we were renovating. Miss Sophie did not evacuate during the storm and was trapped on the 2nd story of her home for days as the water rose. Her neighbors across the street did not survive. Miss Sophie, whose home was being renovated by Tom Saluti and Matt Russell during a mission trip to New Orleans, reminded us, "It's hard work putting something new into something old."

Receiving communion is a spiritual practice for many Christians. Its precise meaning differs among the religions involved. Some Christians believe that the wafer of wheat is a symbol of Jesus Christ. In the Roman Catholic tradition, as shown in this picture of Father Robert Bullock and Gregory Zandrow, the community celebrates Jesus' physical presence in the encounter, even though the wafer appears unchanged to the believers' senses. The first time Christians receive communion is special. The recipients have reached a certain maturity and have received sufficient instruction to appreciate the event's significance. More formal clothes are worn, often white, symbolizing cleanliness from sin.

My family enjoys a Solstice ritual which welcomes the returning sun into our home. With a Fresnel lens (ours is more than a foot across, made of lightweight plastic), we focus the rays of the sun onto a pile of fine kindling on a fire—resistant surface. Shortly, the kindling will begin to smolder. As soon as we have actual flame, we light a candle and carry it carefully indoors! We use that candle to light a pre-laid fire in the fireplace, oil lamps and other candles all around the living and dining areas. And, of course, we've toasted marshmallows over the sun—kin— dled fire in the fireplace. (That's the kids' favorite part!)

After the Easter service at the Unitarian Church of Sharon, children participate in an "Easter Can Hunt," instead of searching for color hard—boiled eggs or candy—filled plastic eggs. Canned foods are donated by members of the church and hidden in the church yard for children to find in the spirit of a traditional Easter egg hunt — except that the canned goods found by the children are donated to the Sharon— Stoughton Food Pantry. This adaptation provides children an opportunity to combine the delight of discovery with the value of giving and an awareness of others in the world. It helps to teach the principals of the church, including the belief that every person has inherent worth and dignity, and the importance of justice and equity in human relations. Pictured are Sergio and Ricardo Ripley.

May 5th was originally known as Japanese Boy's Day, although it is now a celebration of all children. Dolls or figures are displayed in homes with boys to wish for their growth and great future. They are shaped like warriors and heroes, or things worn by them. The one shown in the picture is an armor helmet. Those figures represent strength and success in life. The carp is another important symbol. Families fly multiple banners shaped like carps outside. Dumplings wrapped in bamboo leaves, as well as rice cakes wrapped in oak leaves are made and eaten.

Sharon's "Sacred Seasons" program was observed when the Jewish Holiday, Sukkot; the Muslim, Ramadan; and Hindu, Navrati converged. Sharonites of many faiths or belief systems gathered at Temple Israel to listen to speakers celebrate the community's diversity, break the Ramadan fast in the Temple's sukkah, participate in Indian dance, and then share an evening meal designed to suit diverse palates and dietery requirement. The program was organized by Interfaith Action. In this photo, Muslims recite the evening prayers after a day of Ramadan fasting.

The smell of a freshly cut Christmas tree always takes me back to celebrating the holiday when I was a child: the warm glow of the colored lights as my father strung them on the tree; opening the boxes of decorations stored in the attic to rediscover their magic; the careful considera tion of each ornament as my brother or I hung it on the tree; the imaginary world created by the ornaments, the snow covered houses, reindeer, and other creatures that "lived" within the tree during the holidays; the pastel frosted cookies, made with my mother and left out for Santa on Christmas Eve; the cookie crumbs left on the plate in the morning and imagining Santa happily eating our cookies as he busily arranged gifts under our tree. As parents, we hope to recreate these memories for our children. However, as inadvertently captured in this photo — see the faces behind the windshield — there comes a time, hopefully temporarily, when our teens may not always be as excited about our family traditions as we would like them to be.

For the past 63 years, the First Congregational Church of Sharon has held an Evergreen Bazaar on the first Saturday of December. All year long, the men, women, and children of the church gather to make ornaments and collect interesting items. This is our largest FUNdraiser and money raised goes to support church projects and community mission works. This photo shows the crowds that flock to our craft tables in the Parish Hall. But it doesn't show that the whole church is taken over and transformed by the Bazaar. The kitchen becomes the Congo Café where Shirley's corn chowda is an annual favorite. The church Parlor and Library becomes the Silent Auction and the Golden Nugget rooms. The classroom area becomes the Thom Thumb Rooms for children, The Bakery, and the White Elephant Rooms.

Every Christian Science church maintains a Reading Room. Magazines and newspapers such as the Christian Science Monitor are avail able. Items can be read or studied here or used for home study. There is also a research area where Bible dictionaries, commentaries or translations may be found. Biographies about Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science Church, are found in the Reading Room as well.

This takes place during a pooja, a prayer session. Due to the happy occasion, colorful and vibrant clothes are worn. The man is bowing to the holy fire and prays that it should destroy all evils and spread purity in the house. The fire diminishes any negative spirits. Sweets (Prasad) are distributed after the ceremony as a symbol of blessings from the gods.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that laws banning marriage between people of the same gender violated our Commonwealth's Constitution. On Sunday, May 16th 2004, the day before the ban was lifted, members of Sharon's Unitarian Universalist Church celebrated equal marriage with a prayer service and this group portrait of equal-rights supporters wearing brightly- colored rainbow shirts to signify support for diversity and civil rights in our community.

The Torah is never touched by hands, it is read with a special pointer called a "yad" (hand).

In 1990, Charlie and I came to Moose Hill Parkway and began learning about landscaping and pruning, focused on Rhododendrons and companion plants. Eventually we heard about the Sharon Community Gardens, now in its 30th season, where we could "rent" a small land plot in full sun with a water source. At the gardens we found diverse and interesting people growing their own food and flowers. I loved the harvest and seeing the harvests of the other gardeners. We enjoyed participating in this Sharon tradition for several years until I became a Nana to a little girl in Denver, where I began spending so much time that I had to give up our plot.

Each year in January, the Sharon community gets together to celebrate the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Often the celebration takes place over a few days and at a few different locations. Activities include breakfasts, and speakers, children's programs, and a variety of performances presented by many established and some quickly- formed, impromptu groups in our community. One traditional favorite is always community singing led by Brother Dennis Slaughter, artistic director of the Boston Community Choir. In this photograph, Brother Dennis had invited celebrants to the front of the room to lead in singing verses from the Gospel song, "This Little Light of Mine."

This celebration and its rituals go back to at least three thousand years ago. New-Rooz means the "New Day", and refers to a new beginning, a new year. The year changes on the Vernal Equinox or "Saal-Tahveel" which may occur on March 20, 21 or 22. It makes its arrival at the precise moment that the sun crosses the Equator. It is Amou New-Rooz (Uncle New-Rooz, similar to Santa Claus) who kicks out the winter cold and brings life to nature and warmth to every house- hold. The months in the Persian calendar are the same as those seen in astrology charts or horoscopes. Make sure you are smiling and wearing something new at that moment because that is how you will be for the rest of the new year! To this day, a few weeks before the new year, Iranians thoroughly clean and rearrange their homes. They make new clothes, bake pastries and germinate seeds as signs of renewal. The ceremonial cloth known as Haft-Seen is set up in each household. At New-Rooz, children get new bills or coins from elderly relatives, but what is most widely exchanged is HUGs and KISSes for renewing relationships.

We first celebrated Pesach in our own Sharon home in the early 1970s. One of the first courses of our Sedar meal is always chopped liver — Of course, Jody makes the best chopped liver in the world. At one of those early Seders, Jody put the chopped liver in a rooster- shaped Jello mold and garnished it with a black-olive eye, a carrot comb, and a parsley tail. My father's brother, Uncle Sidney, was so enthralled at this presentation that he exclaimed about it to everyone he knew and for years to come. Uncle Sidney died many years ago, but the chopped liver chicken at our Seder table lives on as part of our Passover tradition.

I have been growing vegetables in my backyard gardens for 50 years, starting way back in the late 1950's in Sudbury MA. After a chance encounter with some Extreme Vegetable growers at the Topsfield Fair, in 1989, I started growing Giant Pumpkins in Sharon, Ma. Growing the BIG ONE, for the annual Harvest Fairs in the Fall has become one of my favorite pass times, and a family tradition. This photo of Nancy and I was taken on October 11, 2008, at the annual Frerich's Farm Weigh Off in Warren, RI. About 50 Giant Pumpkin Growers from throughout New England, brought their largest Cucurbit to the Weigh-off, with hopes of winning first place honors. This Pumpkin weighed 1568 lbs, and took 6 months to grow. It was the heaviest at the Fair, and ended up being the largest pumpkin grown in the world in 2008.

As children in Puerto Rico, on the eve of Three Kings Day, we would each leave a shoe box with grass (for the camels) beside our beds. In the morning we would have gifts waiting for us. It is a day spent with family, listening to holiday music and having special foods. This day commemorates the Three Wise Men — bringing gifts to the Christ child. In Hispanic countries throughout the world, January 6 is the day that children receive gifts, in commemoration of the Magi's visit. Here in Sharon, our family celebrates both Christmas and Three Kings Day. We leave our Christmas tree up longer and enjoy a long holiday season eating special foods so we can still have a connection to our Puertorican traditions. Our extended family does not live close by, so we have started to celebrate Three Kings' Day by having a dinner with other Puertorican-American families here in Sharon.

The Chinese New Year celebration is the most important Chinese holiday and begins on the eve of the first day of the Chinese calendar in January or February based on the lunar year. The holiday lasts for 15 days and preparation begins weeks in advance. Families clean their houses to sweep away bad luck, and presents, new clothing, decorations and food are purchased. Children receive red envelopes with money for good luck and honor. Festivities include family meals, fireworks, the Lion Dance, and other activities from old traditions that are designed to send away evil spirits, reconcile past misunderstandings, and make way for peace and prosperity in the New Year.

Once or twice a year, we will gather all the prayer shawls made by the women of the First Congregational Church and have a dedication service. These shawls are then given out through the year to friends who need to know that they are thought of and prayed for. Our ladies are avid knitters and make sweaters, hats scarves, mittens for the Bazaar; caps for the seamen of the Seamen's Mission in Boston; and Lap Blankets for Wrentham Development Authority.

Chanukah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is an eight-day holiday when Jews commemorate the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem during the time of Maccabean revolt against the Greeks in the 2nd century BCE. When the Temple was cleaned out after the revolt there was only enough oil left to light the Temple's menorah for one day. A miracle occurred and the oil burned for eight days. Thus the holiday is celebrated for eight nights and begins on the 25th day of Kislev in the Jewish calendar which may occur during November or December on the Gregorian calendar. Members of Congregation Klal Yisrael bring in their personal Chanukah, menorah, and to light together with other members of the congregation during one of the nights of Chanukah. We then have a potluck dinner that always includes lots of potato latkes which are eaten as a reminder of the oil that burned for the eight days. In Israel the tradition is to eat jelly donuts. This picture was taken during our Chanukah celebration in 2002 and includes many members of the congregation.

A Mother's Day hat and flowers for Big Mama, Flora Fisher. Mama hand-painted her shirt and picked her bouquet from our garden. Her hat was the crowning touch. Happy Mother's Day, Big Mama.

Sharon Girl Scouts has an annual tradition of a weekend encampment at Camp Wonderland on beautiful lake Massapoag. Activities are woven around an annual theme and include fitness, nature related games, sharing of community service projects, bridging ceremonies, investiture, and girl-empowerment workshops. Each girl participates with her troop as well as in multi-aged groups. The evening campfire sing-along is always a favorite, with s'mores— a tradition all their own!

On Easter Sunday, we have two services, 8am and 10am. Extended family members return home and the church is a buzz with people catching up on the news of old friends. The church is decorated with Easter Lilies donated by our members. After the service lilies will grace the homes of members not able to attend the service. It is our practice all year long to have a children's time during the service when children will gather at the front of the church for a brief sermon or story with the minister before they join their Sunday School Classes. In this photo, Seminarian Mia J. Douglas is sharing an Easter story with the children. After which they will return to sit with their families and participate in communion. We practice open communion and all are welcome to receive communion whether they are members or not, young or old.

March 3rd is Japanese Girl's Day or Hina-matsuri festival. It originated in China and was established in Japan during the Edo period (1603-1867). A set of dolls wearing ancient kimono gowns is displayed in the homes of Japanese girls during the festivities. The Empress and the Emperor are set on the top shelf, then Three Court Women, Five Court Musicians, and so on. On Girl's Day, parents pray for their girls' happiness and health. Families eat special foods, such as sushi, sweet rice cakes and sweet rice drinks.

With support from Temple Israel and the Interfaith Action sponsered Islamic Center of New England, the Sacred Season program included: an educational program presented by youth leaders about the holidays; the Muslim sunset prayer; the daily Ramadan break-fast dinner (Ifthar); and an opportunity for this diverse community to meet and celebrate together. In this photo, Sharonites join together at "Sacred Seasons" for some light fare in the Temple Israel Sukkah.

The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Sharon holds services in this sanctuary every Sunday morning. The Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy are found in every Christian Science Church throughout the world. The weekly Lesson Sermon is read at home or in a Christian Science Reading Room during the week and then it is read on the following Sunday by a First Reader and a Second Reader in every Christian Science Church around the world.

Wherever I am, if I am with other UUs, there is one thing that will always be a part of the experience, lighting the chalice. It's a symbol of peace and thought. I think it also symbolizes our individual selves within this community. Everyone here has their own light, the thing that drives them, the place they find peace, what helps them love themselves. Everyone here has their own light, and at the chalice lighting, we all share this one

The Holiday Make and Take Craft Workshop has been a very popular tradition for children and youth for the past eight years at the Unitarian Church of Sharon. The tradition was started by Alison Reid, a church member who fondly remembers participating as a child in a similar event at the First Parish Church in Concord, MA. She wanted to carry on this charming tradition at her new church so that others could enjoy the experience as much as she did as a youth! Children spend the afternoon creating gifts with many caring adults assisting. It is a multi-sensory experience as children bake and decorate gingerbread cookies, listen to holiday music, and make gifts, including candles, bird houses and tool boxes, ornaments and chalices. These special activities bring the holiday spirit to all who participate.

These are some pictures of a Bar Mitzvah boy putting on Tefillin. Tefillin are little leather boxes with leather straps, that are wrapped around the arm and around the head. They contain God's commandments inside. The one on the head is worn on the center of the forehead, because the prayer, The Shema, says God instructs us to "bind them as frontlets between thine eyes."

The ringing of the bell has always been a call to gather at the Unitarian Church. We had recently moved to Sharon and, wanting a Christmas tradition for our family, we ventured into Sharon center on Christmas Eve. It was the bell ringing and beauty of the church on that cold winter's night that caught my daughter's eye and pointing with a chubby four-year-old finger she said, "Mommy, I want to go there!" And, so we did. We go every Christmas Eve, answering the call of the bell ringer, having found good friends and a powerful tradition of warmth, open- mindedness, and diversity.

Pongal is a festival to celebrate and enjoy the fruits of harvest that crops yield after the months of vigorous sweat and toil. This festival is widely celebrated across India. The festival also marks the end of the breezy winter. It comes in the month of January, generally on 14th January, when the sun passes from Sagittarius to Capricorn & the transition is called Makara Sankranthi. Bommala Koluvu is a display of dolls and toys depicting Gods of the Hindu pantheon on a platform of steps like in the picture. The steps are always numbered odd. As a tradition, a new doll or set of dolls is added to the display each year. One can follow a specific theme in displays like depicting the Ramayana or scenes from it or other mythologies. Or, one can display the household dolls without any specific theme. Womenfolk, especially recently married ones, invite each other for the get together called 'Haldi- kumkum? and give gifts which are useful in the daily routine. Bhogi Palu Bhogi pallu is a special ritual to be performed on the day of Bhogi (day before Pongal). The children are dressed up with new dresses and given Aarti and Bhogi Pallu (a special mixture of Zyziphus fruits, floral petals, sugarcane and rice) are showered on their head.

A bar or bat mitzvah is celebrated with a party because it is a simcha, a joyous time, for the entire family. Usually the celebration will start with music and the dancing of a traditional Jewish dance, the hora. During this dance, adults will often take the bar or bat mitzvah child, put them on a chair and lift them in the air as everyone celebrates this student's accomplishment. This tradition comes from the wedding celebration where both the bride and groom are lifted into the air. In recent years people have begun doing this at bar or bat mitzvah parties as well. In this picture Michael Greenstein is on the chair that is held by Paul Desberg and family members.

The Boy Scouts of America has been a service organization for youth in the United States since 1910. Its members try to practice time-honored values, to develop practical skills, to build leadership and to perform community service. Boy Scouts pledge to do their best for God and their country, "to help other people at all times, and to keep themselves physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight." Boy Scout Oath. Reflecting this promise, scout meetings in Sharon and elsewhere traditionally begin with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States and to the ideals it has come to represent — "one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all."

Baptisms or christenings are most commonly practiced in Christian religions. They are ceremonies marking the initiation of new members into religious communities and faiths. New members are welcome to join most faith communities at any age. In the Roman Catholic religion whose ceremony is depicted, however, most baptisms occur when the new member is an infant. In this photo, Fr. Robert Bullock is pouring water onto Gregory Zandrow, symbolizing the historic baptism of Jesus Christ and washing away the effects of "original sin," a tendency inherent in humans to gravitate toward living according to their own will, rather than God's.

These photos capture the spirit of festivity on Eid day. Eid-ul-fitr is a joyful Muslim tradition celebrated to mark the end of the month of fasting, 'Ramadan'. While men enjoy a relaxed holiday time on Eid day, combining good food with great company, women and young girls traditionally celebrate the day with sweets, colorful clothes, glittery bangles and beautifully decorated hands. On 'Chand raat'(the eve of Eid), hands are adorned with intricate henna patterns. The next morning, they all gathered at the traditional Eid prayer and social get-together at the Islamic Center to compare whose hands looked the best and retained the darkest color!

Parents and supporters cheering them on, The Father Bullock Kids' Race racers push into high gear 100 yards from the start.

This photo is taken during the ceremony when Rabbi Terry Greenstein was ordained as a rabbi. The semikah ceremony took place at her rabbinical school, The Academy for Jewish Religion, in Riverdale, NY in May 2005. Semikah comes from the Hebrew word l'smoch, meaning "to lean on." The word originally appears in Numbers 27:18-23 when Moses is commanded by God to appoint Joshua to succeed him as the leader of the Children of Israel. During the ceremony Moses laid his hands upon Joshua which signified the change in leadership. In this picture Rabbi Terry is with her Beit Din, a rabbinical court, made up of Rabbi Shohama Wiener, Rabbi Eric Hoffman and Rabbi Bernard Zlotowitz. They are laying their hands upon her and thus signify ing the appointment of rabbi to her. During the laying of hands, the Somekhet, Rabbi Shohama Wiener, is bestowing the Priestly Blessing upon her.

In harmony with the rebirth of nature, the Iranian New Year Celebration, Norooz, begins on the first day of spring. Haft-Seen or The Table of Seven S's is a ritualistic table that Iranians prepare for the beginning of New Year. Seven things whose names start "Seen" are found on the table: 1. Sabzeh (sprouts, usually lentil or wheat): Representing fertility and rebirth of nature 2. Seeb (apple): Represents natural beauty 3. Samanu (a pudding in which common wheat sprouts): Represents the reward of patience. 4. Somaq (somaq berry used as a spice): Represents the color of sunrise 5. Senjed (the sweet, dry fruit of the Lotus tree): Represents love 6. Seer (garlic): Represents health. 7. Serkeh (vinegar): Represents age.

This photograph was taken in October 2008 during the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage holidays celebrated by Jews. It recalls the time when the Jews wandered the desert and lived in temporary shelters. It is customary to eat ones meals in the sukkah over the course of the eight day holiday and some people even sleep in their sukkah. In this photo you see my eighteen month old grandson, Nachum Truboff standing in our backyard sukkah. His mother, Jennifer Truboff, is teaching him how to shake the lulav. Nachum is holding a lulav made of felt, which was easier for him to handle. Traditionally, Jews make a blessing and then shake the lulav. It is made from the branches of a palm, willow and myrtle tree and is part of the four species. A citron, known in Hebrew as an etrog, makes up the fourth component. The four species emphasize the agricultural nature of Sukkot and are an integral part of the holiday celebration.

During pooja, we set up a miniature version of a temple at our house. This is a picture of Vishnu, in his reincarnation of Ram. On his left is his wife Sita, and on his right is his brother, Bharat. The person bending is Januman, Ram's devotee.

Cub Scouts represent the first level in the Boy Scout program. Elementary school-aged boys are organized into dens which meet regularly and learn a number of practical skills. One annual tradition is the Pinewood Derby. Each boy is given a simple block of wood and a set of wheels and is asked to create a car. Cars are designed, carved, whittled, sanded and painted, usually as a father/son project from the block of wood. The cars are then raced against each other on a slotted track to determine which is the fastest. Awards are often given in a variety of categories. In this photo, Cub Scout Jason Zandrow displays his trophy for best looking car.

One of our family's favorite Passover foods is matzah-farfel muffins. As with all fun traditions, this recipe is passed from generation to genera tion. Here great-grandson, Noah, learns from his mother, Tamara; his grandmother, Jody; and his great-grandmother, Flora. The farfel muffin recipe came to our family through a 1950s-era Temple Israel sisterhood cookbook. The recipe is as follows: Pour 3 cups boiling water over 3 cups farfel Cover and let stand until cooled Add 5 Tbs melted butter or margarine Add 6 eggs one at a time, beating after each Salt and pepper to taste Bake in greased muffin tin in hot oven 450 degrees for 20 minutes

Each year Jews around the world celebrate the holiday of Purim, which is a holiday that commemorates the deliverance of the Jewish people of ancient Persia from Haman's plot to annihilate them as found in the Book of Esther in the Bible. Purim is celebrated according to the Hebrew calendar on the 14th day of the Hebrew month Adar, the day that follows the victory of the Jews over their enemies. On Purim we dress up in costumes, tell the story in a Purim Schpiel, give tzadakah to those in need, give gifts of food, mishloach manot, to friends and have a celebratory meal. There is also the custom of haman taschen during the holiday. In the photo are David Blocker, Director of Education/Cantorial Soloist, Past President Liz Topaz and Rabbi Terry Greenstein.

Because the Ramayan takes almost 24 hours to read, often many people do it together to encourage each other The Ramayan is one of the three epics in India. It depicts the obstacles Lord Ram faced during his exile, and how he was able to overcome them. To this date, people use this story to help them in their day-to-day lives.

The Revels celebration culminates in the celebration of the Scandinavian holiday of the Feast of Santa Lucia. Here the Santa Lucia maidens (wearing the candle crowns) are attended to by wheat girls and star boys. The wheat girls and star boys pass out fresh-baked Santa Lucia buns to everyone in the congregation.

Big Mama, Flora Fisher, who now lives at Epoch of Sharon Senior Care Center, celebrated her 85th birthday with rum cake, surrounded by friends, and dressed in her birthday-girl crown and pink boa.

On Patriots' Day 2006 members of the Unitarian Church of Sharon gathered to read the U.S. Constitution aloud on the front steps of the church. The reading was the idea of then-president Valerie White and the Rev. Deborah Cayer and other congregants, in response to the Iraqi War and concerns about the erosion of civil liberties in the name of national security. Approximately 25 people took turns in the reading as a reminder of our constitutional rights to free speech, and as an expression of Unitarian Universalists' tradition of supporting social action and social justice. Pictured is Halle Rando, a senior youth member.

This is a photo of the family's hands, during the rabbi's blessing at a tallis ceremony before a bar mitzvah.