Follen Church Society

“Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle … a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream.”- Barbara Winkler

“Belonging
Is what we all want to have in this life
Hoping people will like us for who we are
In the in crowd
Belonging
Is sometimes hard
we need people
of like minded thinking so that we can get
Belonging
In this life” by themaindad

“With that one” … this phrase was repeated often during recent FUUY Sunday evening meetings as well as on the FUUY retreat this past weekend. This simple phrase conveys so much. “With that one”, is all about the spirit of belonging, inclusion and perhaps most importantly the trust that Follen youth offer to each other. It was my privilege to participate in the FUUY retreat this September. Some may consider this a dubious distinction, to be present with 30 some youth for the weekend including the sleep deprivation, rampant energy, FUUY ball (in which I did not participate) a veritable smorgasbord of junk foods and many meaningful moments. For me it was an honor to witness the special gift of belonging up close and to feel the threads that pull this community together personally – (the thread is both figurative and literal as the final ritual of the weekend was a web of connection- note the turquoise bands on the youth and youth advisors wrists). As someone new to the Follen community, it gave me a unique lens into the ‘soul’ of this place and its people. The caring, sensitivity and respect that these young adults show for each other is a clear a reflection of the values and attributes of the Follen community as a whole. The message I took home – It is about the community! I have been your new Director of Religious Education for just one month. In this time I have met so many truly wonderful and dedicated individuals. It has been a bit of a whirl wind for me, becoming acquainted and settling in to the rhythms of a new church. I appreciate all of the support that I have already received from so many of you, I have been so warmly welcomed and for that I am so grateful. I see this spirit of welcome all around me on Sunday morning. There are opportunities for connection in every corner and many individuals in this community take the time to reach out and make these connections. There are many new families who have visited Follen in the past couple of weeks. Our religious education classes are busting at the seams! This means that we all have the exceptional opportunity to make meaningful connections. Please take a moment to greet someone that you have not yet met and begin the belonging! I am looking forward to getting to know all of the members of the Follen community. I especially appreciate the every day opportunities. I look forward to people dropping in to visit me in my office here at church. When I meet someone in person it gives me the chance to get to know you and for you to find out more about me. Please come and visit if you have the opportunity! I am here Monday through Friday from 9-3 (Thursdays 9-1). I do have meetings on occasion both within and outside of Follen, so if you miss me please try again or contact me to arrange a meeting time – My email is: dre@follen.org, my cell phone is: 339-223-2523. I look forward to seeing you in all the corners of Follen church!

Namaste, Debra

“The news is that God’s wind is blowing.
It may be a breeze that
cools and comforts.
It may be a gust that
summons you to notice.
It may be a storm that blows you
where you have
never been before.
Whatever the wind is in your life,
Pay attention to it…”

This quote is from the book, Prayers for a Privileged People by Theologian, Walter Brueggemann. It offers an excellent metaphor for the past few weeks of my summer.

The slightest breeze began in mid July. I was on Star Island attending the Religious Education conference. For me Star Island is a magic place, a sacred place, a place in which to be open and aware and to pay attention. So, when the wind changed one day while I was sitting on the porch of the Oceanic hotel I took notice. It was then that a colleague mentioned to me that Follen Church was in search for a new director of religious education and might I be interested? “No”; was my initial response, at least not right now. I was fully engaged in planning for the coming year as the DRE at First Parish in Watertown, and happily so. But that wind it was blowing! After many more conversations and moments alone with the ocean breeze it became clear that the position at Follen was in many ways an ideal opportunity, and one that I should pursue.

When I returned home to Lexington I sent in my resume and began conversations with the minister in Watertown, the staff at Hancock Church as well as other friends and colleagues. Interviews with members of the Follen search committee, RE action team and Follen staff followed. At each step of the process I was impressed with the attention and care that each individual brought to the process. After several weeks and the hard work of many members of the Follen community I was honored to be called to serve as your next director of religious education.

A bit about my personal journey… I have been a Lexington resident for the past sixteen years. My husband Mark and I are separated and we feel fortunate that we are best friends, parenting together and living apart. We have five children, Brendan is 25, Keira is 23, Adrian is 20, Julian is 17 and Linnea is 10. My children continually challenge and amaze me as they grow and move through their own life journeys. It is they who guide me, each a star in the constellation of my life.

I was raised in a home of blended Jewish/Christian faith traditions that were in fact mostly secular. I spent much of my young adult life exploring various spiritual practices. I have been a Unitarian Universalist since the day in the early 80’s when I chanced to walk into First Church in Jamaica Plain – I had found my spiritual home, and it was where I first met Lucinda Duncan!

I have worked in various church and synagogue offices for the past fifteen years. Most recently, I have worked as the office administrator at Hancock Church in Lexington, part time for the past five years. I have been the Director of Religious Education at First Parish in Watertown half time for the past year. I believe that all of my life and work experiences have provided me with skills and resources that will help me to be an effective and enthusiastic member of the Follen Staff.

Now, as the summer breezes calm and the autumn winds prepare the way for change I remind myself and I encourage you to breathe. Breathing in the change, breathing out the possibility. I look forward to meeting you all soon. I am grateful for this opportunity to learn and work and grow together!
Namaste, Debra Zagaeski

A heartfelt welcome to Debra Zagaeski, our new Director of Religious Education! She brings to us her experience as the DRE at First Parish Church Unitarian Universalist in Watertown and as church administrator at Hancock Church in Lexington, as well as a depth of life experience—including being the mother of five remarkable children—that has forged her into someone you will surely want to work with and get to know. We are delighted she has joined us on our journey to nurture, sustain, and model a loving community for our children and youth.