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Universalist Convocations
 
Convocation 2008
 
 

Convocation 2008

Program Driving Directions Local Restaurants Other Area Motels Things to See in Massachusetts

Universalist Convocation 2008 will be May 2-4 (Friday evening through Sunday lunch) at the Barton Center for Diabetes Education, Clara Barton Road, North Oxford, Massachusetts.

The theme will be "Being of Service: Path to Fulfillment." Specific topics will include the distinctively Universalist notion that doing good is the key to a fulfilling life, the career of Clara Barton (founder of the American Red Cross), and the work of the Barton Center for Diabetes Education. Detailed information on our very full program is below.

North Oxford is a village in the town (i.e., township) of Oxford, Massachusetts, where the Universalist denomination was organized in 1793 and where its most important leader, Hosea Ballou, was ordained in 1794. The building where these events took place still stands and is the oldest Universalist church building in existence (constructed in 1792), but it is no longer used as a church.

People from out of state who intend to stay a day or two longer might want to click here for a list of things to see in Massachusetts.

The organizing committee is composed of Jan Bowering, Jackie Magazu, Doris Tivnan, and Richard Trudeau. Questions and suggestions should be sent to Richard at RJTrudeau@verizon.net.

     
   

Help Sought
   

We are looking for a musician to accompany hymns, a worship leader for Saturday morning, and someone to take our Group Photo. To volunteer, please contact Richard Trudeau at RJTrudeau@verizon.net.

Nominations for the annual "Heart of Universalism" award should be sent to Peggy Jones, PO Box 235, Seven Springs, NC 28578 or PJays20@hotmail.com
     
   

Date
    May 2-4 (Friday evening through Sunday lunch), 2008
     
   

Place
    The Barton Center for Diabetes Education, North Oxford, Massachusetts. The specific building we will be meeting in, known as the "Chabot Health & Education Center," is at 60 Clara Barton Road. Driving directions are below.
     
   

Cost
    $55 per person (includes Sat. lunch, Sat. dinner, & Sun. lunch).
     
   

Reservations

    Space is limited. Send your name, postal address, email address (if you have one), phone number (so we can contact you if there are last-minute changes), and your check (made out to "Universalist Convocation") to Richard Trudeau, 30 Briarwood Cir., North Easton, MA 02356.
     
   

Motel
   

A block of rooms for May 2 & 3 is being held until April 11 in the name of "Universalist Convocation" at the Hampton Inn, 736 Southbridge Street (Mass. Route 12) in Auburn, Mass., about 3 miles from the Barton Center. The room rate of $102 plus tax (which includes a full breakfast) is higher than for recent Convocations, but southern New England is expensive and our location is on the outskirts of a major city (Worcester). There is no obligation to stay at the Hampton Inn, but all the motels in the area that we can recommend have roughly the same room rate and the Hampton Inn seems to us the nicest. To reserve a room, contact the Hampton Inn directly at 774-221-0055. Driving directions are below.

Other area motels are listed below.
     
   

Transportation
    The nearest airports are: Logan (in Boston), T. F. Green (outside Providence, RI), and Bradley (outside Hartford, CT). All are about an hour away by car. Somewhat further is Manchester-Boston Airport (outside Manchester, NH). Driving directions are below.

There is intercity bus and train service to Worcester, 7 miles from the Hampton Inn and 10 miles from the Barton Center.
     
   
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Program
   

FRIDAY, MAY 2
      Dinner on your own (Some local restaurants are listed below.)
    5:00-7:00 p.m. Registration (select your Saturday tour of the Clara Barton Birthplace)
    7:00-7:30 p.m. Ingathering & Worship, Rev. Richard Trudeau
    7:30-8:30 p.m. "Universalists & The Barton Center: A Dream of Service," Rev. Jan Bowering
    8:30-10:00 p.m. Social Time
     
   
SATURDAY, May 3
      Breakfast on your own
    8:00-9:00 a.m. Registration (select your tour of the Clara Barton Birthplace)
    9:00-9:30 a.m. Worship, leader TBA
    9:30-9:45 a.m. Break
    9:45-10:45 a.m. "Universalist Spirituality," Rev. Richard Trudeau
    10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. "The Barton Center Today," Kerry Packard
    12:00-12:15 p.m. Group Photo
    12:15-1:15 p.m. Lunch (including vegetarian options)
    1:15-1:30 p.m. Break
    (Tours of the Clara Barton Birthplace, 45 minutes in length, begin at 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, and 3:30. Please sign up for a specific time at Registration.)
    1:30-2:30 p.m. Simultaneous presentations:
"Minor Prophets, Major Issues," Rev. Barry Whittemore
"Universalism in Action: The Work of Healing Mentally Ill Violent Offenders," Rosemary Frances
    2:30-2:45 p.m. Break
    2:45-4:00 p.m. (time tentative) Video: "Our Universalist Heritage," and discussion with John Sanders & Rev. Dr. Elizabeth M. Strong
    4:00-4:15 p.m. Break
    4:15-5:45 p.m. Driving tour to Clara Barton's grave and the old church building downtown. (This can also be self-guided at any time using a handout we will provide.)
    5:45-6:00 p.m. Break
    6:00-7:00 p.m. Dinner (including vegetarian options)
    7:00-7:15 p.m. Break
    7:15-8:30 p.m. (tentative) "Dana Vespers" concert introduced by Rev. Ralph Clarke
    8:30-10:00 p.m. Social Time
     
   
SUNDAY, May 4
      Breakfast on your own
    9:15-10:45 a.m. Convocation Business Meeting
    10:45-11:00 a.m. Break
    11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Worship: "Jesus as Boundary-Breaker," Rev. Richard Trudeau
    12:00-1:00 p.m. Lunch (including vegetarian options)
     
   

Descriptions of Afternoon Presentations

"Minor Prophets, Major Issues"
looks at three of the so-called minor prophets of the Hebrew Bible, part our sacred texts. Amos, Hosea, and Jonah will excite you, make you squirm, and bring forth laughter. All three speak to important issues in our movement as well as our larger society. If you miss doing homework, try reading the first five chapters of Amos, the first three of Hosea, and all of Jonah (it's a great short story).

"Universalism in Action: The Work of Healing Mentally Ill Violent Offenders"
The presenter will discuss moral and theological questions that arise in her work at a secure psychiatric hospital. Is there a moral justification for keeping persons confined indefinitely for fear they will repeat their crimes? How does Universalism help when you learn someone has committed a rape? Reading from Universalist texts will be discussed with special emphasis on how theology can help one act in a loving way toward someone who has harmed others.
     
   

Presenters
    Rev. Jan Bowering ("Universalists & The Barton Center: A Dream of Service")
was ordained to the Universalist ministry in 1955. She has served churches in Watertown, NY; Kinston, NC; Tyngsborough, MA; and Haverhill, MA. She has served as Board Chair of the UU Women's Heritage Society, President of the UU Historical Society, and Chair of the Clara Barton Birthplace Committee. She is the current Vice President of Universalist Convocations.

Rosemary Frances ("Universalism in Action: The Work of Healing Mentally Ill Violent Offenders")
After being emancipated from foster care, Rosemary G. Frances became a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Hunter College. She studied at the Unitarian Universalist seminary, Meadville Lombard and is a Ministerial Candidate. She has served as a Chaplain for persons with HIV and cancer. A member of the UU Christian Fellowship, Ms. Frances is interested in theological doctrines of the nineteenth century. She is dedicated to achieving justice through social services.

Kerry Packard ("The Barton Center Today")
is Day Camps Director for the Barton Center for Diabetes Education.

John A. Sanders ("Our Universalist Heritage")
is a new Universalist and an ardent advocate of Universalism. He currently serves as President of the Universalist Heritage Foundation, and as President of the New Hampshire Vermont District of Unitarian and Universalist Societies. And he is slated to become President of the newly forming Northern New England District of our UUA.

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Strong ("Our Universalist Heritage")
is a third generation Universalist, has been a minister of religious education for over 20 years, serving congregations in both Rochester and Syracuse, New York. Currently she serves as the Massachusetts Bay District Religious Education Program Consultant. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Religious Education History Group she is involved in research and loves to squirrel herself away in the archives and attics of Unitarian Universalist churches.

Rev. Richard Trudeau ("Universalist Spirituality," "Jesus as Boundary-Breaker")
is in his 13th year as minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Weymouth, Massachusetts. He is the current President of Universalist Convocations.

Rev Dr Barry T. Whittemore ("Minor Prophets, Major Issues")
is the consulting minister at Outlaw's Bridge Universalist Church near Albertson, NC. He was fellowshipped and ordained in 1999 and holds an M.Div. from Duke University and a D.A. in History from Carnegie Mellon. A sought-after teacher and preacher, in the four months preceding our Convocation he will have presented his work in SC, Mississippi, Alabama, and California as well as North Carolina. He is the Heritage and Values Lecturer at the Mountain School for Congregational Leadership.

     
   
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Driving Directions
   

Driving Directions to the Barton Center
    FROM I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike:
Get off at Exit 10. (Do not use Exit 10A, which is several miles to the east.)
After the tolls stay right onto Mass. Route 12 South, toward Sturbridge.
Clara Barton Road will be on the right about 3 miles down Route 12.
(On the way Route 12 briefly joins US Route 20, then separates from it. Stay on Route 12. Just before Clara Barton Road there is a sign that says "Clara Barton Birthplace Next Right." At Clara Barton Road itself there is a sign for "North Oxford Carpet Mills.")
Turn right onto Clara Barton Road and follow it uphill for slightly more than ½ mile to number 60, on the right. This is where we will be meeting—the Chabot Health & Education Center. Park in the lot.
    FROM I-395:
Get off at Exit 6B, US Route 20 West toward Sturbridge. After about 1 mile Mass. Route 12 will join you from the right, and the two routes will travel together for about ½ mile. When Route 12 goes off to the left, follow Route 12 about 1 ½ miles to Clara Barton Road.
(Just before Clara Barton Road there is a sign that says "Clara Barton Birthplace Next Right." At Clara Barton Road itself there is a sign for "North Oxford Carpet Mills.")
Turn right onto Clara Barton Road and follow it uphill for slightly more than ½ mile to number 60, on the right. This is where we will be meeting—the Chabot Health & Education Center. Park in the lot.
    FROM THE HAMPTON INN
Go down the motel driveway to Route 12. Turn right onto Route 12 South.
Clara Barton Road will be on the right about 2 ½ miles down Route 12.
(On the way Route 12 briefly joins US Route 20, then separates from it. Stay on Route 12. Just before Clara Barton Road there is a sign that says "Clara Barton Birthplace Next Right." At Clara Barton Road itself there is a sign for "North Oxford Carpet Mills.")
Turn right onto Clara Barton Road and follow it uphill for slightly more than ½ mile to number 60, on the right. This is where we will be meeting—the Chabot Health & Education Center. Park in the lot.
   
Barton Center

View Larger Map
     
   

Driving Directions to the Hampton Inn
    FROM I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike:
Get off at Exit 10. (Do not use Exit 10A, which is several miles to the east.)
After the tolls stay right onto Mass. Route 12 South, toward Sturbridge.
A sign for the Hampton Inn is on the right ½ mile down Route 12 (there is a large Hyundai dealership on the left). The motel is out of sight, at the end of a long driveway.
    FROM I-395:
Get off at Exit 6B, US Route 20 West toward Sturbridge. After about 1 mile make a sharp onto right Mass. Route 12 North toward Worcester.
Soon after the first light there is a sign for the Hampton Inn on the left (there is a large Hyundai dealership on the right). The motel is out of sight, at the end of a long driveway.
    FROM THE BARTON CENTER
Out of the driveway of 60 Clara Barton Road go left and follow Clara Barton Road downhill slightly more than ½ mile to Route 12. Turn left onto Route 12.
The Hampton Inn is about 2 ½ miles down Route 12, on the left.
(On the way Route 12 briefly joins US Route 20, then separates from it. Stay on Route 12.)

The sign for the Hampton Inn is on the left (there is a large Hyundai dealership on the right). The motel is out of sight, at the end of a long driveway.
   
Entrance to Hampton Inn

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Driving Directions from Logan Airport, Boston
    Driving time is about an hour.
Get on I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, and follow either Driving Directions to the Barton Center or Driving Directions to the Hampton Inn (above).
     
   

Driving Directions from Bradley Airport, outside Hartford, CT
    Driving time is about an hour.
Get on I-91 North toward Springfield, Mass. Soon after entering Massachusetts, take Exit 8 for I-291.
Follow I-291 about 5 miles to I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Take I-90 East toward Boston.
Follow either Driving Directions to the Barton Center or Driving Directions to the Hampton Inn (above).
     
   

Driving Directions from T. F. Green Airport, outside Providence, RI
    Driving time is about an hour.
Get on I-95 North, toward Providence and Pawtucket, RI, and Boston.
About 10 miles after leaving Pawtucket, RI (and entering Massachusetts), take Exit 6B for I-495 North (toward Worcester, Marlboro, and Lowell).
Follow I-495 North about 25 miles to Exit 22, the exit for I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Get on I-90 West (toward Worcester, Springfield, and Albany, NY).
Follow either Driving Directions to the Barton Center or Driving Directions to the Hampton Inn (above).
     
   

Driving Directions from Manchester-Boston Airport, outside Manchester, NH
   

Driving time is about 1 ½ hours.
Follow US 3 South into Massachusetts.
Take Exit 30B for I-495 South (toward Worcester, Marlboro, and Cape Cod).
Follow I-495 South to Exit 22, the exit for I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike.
Get on I-90 West (toward Worcester, Springfield, and Albany, NY).
Follow either Driving Directions to the Barton Center or Driving Directions to the Hampton Inn (above).
     
   
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Local Restaurants
    Go out the driveway of the Hampton Inn and—

TURN RIGHT FOR:

  • Outback Steakhouse (dinner only) (1st light, on the left)
  • 99 Pub and Restaurant (2nd light, on the left)
  • Chili's (just past 99 Pub, on the right)
  • MacDonald's
  • Burger King
  • Periwinkles Pub & Restaurant (3rd light, on the left)

TURN LEFT FOR:

  • Chuck's Steakhouse (dinner only) (take 1st right onto Prospect Street, then 200 yards on right)
  • Friendly's
  • Wendy's
  • D'Angelo's Sandwich Shop
  • Applebee's (just before 1st light, on the left)

FURTHER TO THE LEFT:

  • Piccadilly Pub (2nd light, on the left)
  • Yong Shing (5th light, on the left, across from the Auburn Mall)
     
   
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Other Area Motels
   
  • Fairfield Inn, 718A Southbridge Street (Route 12), Auburn, Mass.
    Telephone: 508-832-9500
    From I-90 Exit 10, bear right after the tolls onto Route 12 South. Motel is on the right, after the first light.
  • Holiday Inn Express, Johnson Street (off Route 12), Auburn, Mass.
    Telephone: 800-HOLIDAY
    From I-90 Exit 10, bear left after the tolls onto Route 12 North. Look for the sign at Johnson Street.
  • La Quinta Inn, Southbridge Street (Route 12), Auburn, Mass.
    Telephone: 508-832-7000
    From I-90 Exit 10, bear left after the tolls onto Route 12 North. Motel is 1 ¼ miles on the left.
  • Comfort Inn, 426 Southbridge Street (Route 12), Auburn, Mass.
    Telephone: 866-748-6940
    From I-90 Exit 10, bear left after the tolls onto Route 12 North. Motel is on the left, across from the Auburn Mall.
   
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This page was last updated on 03/15/2008.
For questions about this Web Site, contact Susan O'Connor at info@nmuc.org.