PROGRAMS

RIC MASTEN in the Church RIC MASTEN was ordained a specialized Unitarian Universalist minister in 1971, and has toured the United States, Canada and England since the Fall of 1968. He has preached or presented his unique brand of poetry, song and stories in more of this denominations churches than any other Unitarian Universalist in history. He refers to himself as a Universalist Unitarian putting Universalist first, as he is the only ordained Unitarian minister who neither went to college or seminary. Something not that out of the ordinary in the Universalist tradition. Ric says he feels closer to the Universalist side of his heritage, where the clergy was out helping folks raise barns, rather than their Unitarian counterparts who were back in Boston "thinking". the SUNDAY SERVICE Ric Masten wants to fit comfortably into your church community. If you are having him come to do the Sunday service, he is prepared to present a program from 40 to 45 minutes in length. If Billie Barbara Masten, Rics wife, also a poet and wood-carver is with him she will take part in the service, perhaps doing the opening words. However, in a church with strong liturgical tradition, Ric would feel more comfortable doing only the sermon segment, (30 minutes). Billie Barbara would not be part of this shorter presentation, although she would be delighted to sing a song during the meditation. Most societies simply do greetings, announcements and introductions leaving as much time as possible for the Mastens. However, Ric is completely flexible. In programs other than the Sunday service Ric ad-libs his material around a predetermined theme, the mood of which moves though a birth, death and rebirth sequence. The result being that no two programs are ever the same. However when it comes to Sunday service , each year he develops one program in which he includes his most recent creations. Each year his current sermon is the only program that is essentially the same each time he does it. For this years offering and other sermon options see below. About the FEE and ANNOUNCEMENTS Though Ric does have a set pulpit fee he is comfortable working for the result of a special collection. This way the church can have a Masten visit for free and in most cases he takes in a little more than his set fee. He says when there is nothing in the basket it will be obvious that his ministry is over. One thing though, the congregation should be prepared for this in advance with a notice in the news letter and/or an announcement from the pulpit -- something to the effect that: "The Masten program is entirely self-funding. Their ministry continues only with the financial support of those who experience them and believe that what they are doing is important". It would also be most helpful to the Mastens if these two announcements could be included in the Order of Service. Books and cassette tapes by the Mastens will be available during the coffee hour. (A table will be needed for this.) If you are part of an organization that might be able to use the Mastens' talents (College, school, service club, etc.) be sure to get your name and address in the yellow "Futures Book" located on the book table or write to them at Sunflower Ink, Palo Colorado Road, Carmel, California 93923 Tel: (408) 625-0588 Fax: (408) 625-3770 the CONGREGATION Though Ric has things to say to people from 5 to105, the bulk of his work is pointed at an adult audience. If you want children to experience Ric have a ten minute beginning with the kids up front, or plan a special time, perhaps during coffee hour or before regular Sunday service Ric Masten Presentations 37931 Palo Colorado Road, Carmel, California 93923 Phone: (831) 625-0588 ----Fax: (831) 625-3770