"Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
~Rachel Carson
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Events
Apr 1 Adult Ed Theology
Apr 1 Community Game Night
Apr 2 New Member Session
Apr 2 Youth Group Meeting
Apr 2 Bill McKibben Lecture
Apr 3 Pysanky Workshop
Apr 4 Belly Dancing
Apr 8 Community Luncheon
Apr 8 Circle Suppers
Apr 11 Belly Dancing
Apr 14 Interfaith Holocaust Serv
Apr 15 Adult Ed Theology
Apr 16 Canvass Lunch
Apr 18 Belly Dancing
Apr 22 Green Up/Clean Up
Apr 22 Sunrise DeepTime Walk
Apr 22 Sunshine Gals
Apr 25 Belly Dancing
Apr 27 Backpacking Basics
Apr 29 Community Yard Sale
Apr 30 Beltane Celebration
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Meetings
Apr 8 Yard Sale Prep, 9 am, Parlor
Apr 12 Board of Trustees, 7pm, Zoom
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Sunday Services (Hybrid, 11am)
Apr 2 “Preparing for Easter Misunderstandings:
.................What Jesus Gets Wrong, and We All Get Wrong about Him",
...Rev. Steve Wilson
This Sermon re-examines Jesus and his statements 2000 years later with the little-asked question of what he actually gets wrong and right. Come for a funny, heretical, informative, and fresh look at Jesus. A scholarly and a “you only hurt the ones you love” review about someone who may not get it all right, but nevertheless seemed to have lived with great courage and conviction.
Apr 9 "Rolling away the stone",
...Rev. Eugene "Woody" Widrick
Musical guest - Nancy Conrad
The Gospels tell us that the stone sealing the tomb of Jesus had been rolled away that Sunday morning when the women went to visit. What are some of the stones sealing us in and how do we roll them away to have renewal of life, a greater life?
Apr 16 “Stations of the Planet: How Much Do you weigh”
...Rev. Steve Wilson
What do you weigh? No, no, don’t get angry, I mean weigh to the earth? Today, as we borrow the ancient Christian tradition of walking the Stations of the Cross, we come to terms with our consumer weight, and the emotional journey we must take in order to step lighter on it. This sermon proposes how sampling and reinventing a few old rituals might help us make the emotional shift to live on a finite planet.
Apr 23 "In Every Human Breast",
...Rev. Nannene Gowdy
April is National Poetry Month, and poetry can often stir the human breast in ways the written word often doesn't. We will celebrate some women poets without leaving Massachusetts.
Apr 30 “Beltane: Celebrating Sacred Sensuality"
...Linda Scott
Beltane, also known as May Day, is the Celtic pagan holiday that falls halfway between the beginning of spring (Ostara) and the summer solstice (Litha). It celebrates the height of Spring and the flowering of life, the marriage of earth and sun, of male and female energies, of God and Goddess. It is a festival of fertility, sensuality, flowers, and fun!
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About Our Sunday Speakers |
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Rev. Steve Wilson began serving UU congregations in 2003 after completing his M.Div at Boston University. He recently returned from California to be with family and is our ¼ time minister. He balances humor, spirituality, and a deep commitment to service in his sermons and deeds. In addition to preaching 2x a month, he leads an Adult RE class on the 1st and 3rd Sundays and is helping to bring back youth activities. He is also serving our pastoral care needs. |
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Rev. Eugene “Woody” Widrick had a Mennonite upbringing in rural NY, marked by a 9-year hospitalization for tuberculosis. He was first educated as a librarian and then as a minister. He, along with his wife Trudi and their 2 children, served in parishes in Connecticut, NH, South Africa and the Berkshires before settling in 1977 at The First Religious Society of Carlisle. He remained there until he retired in 2001 and is minister emeritus still, as well as minister emeritus for First Parish. His book “Leaving Belfort: The Memoir of Eugene R. ‘Woody’ Widrick” was published in 2019. |
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After 23 years in active parish ministry, Rev. Nannene Gowdy retired. For several years after that, she preached in Billerica and Pittsfield once a month, leaving Pittsfield after she sold her house in the Berkshires. She is happy to continue in Billerica and to stay in touch with this loving congregation. The rest of her time is spent with family, especially her grandson, Griffin, who everyone knows is either Mozart or Einstein. |
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Rev. Linda Goodman has served as lay worship leader or guest minister in UU churches for over 20 years. Together with her "accomplice in ministry" Joe Pollock, she brings a package of interspiritual music and reflections. Joe and Linda met while recording world chant albums with the On Wings of Song Chorus 25 years ago and have been making music together ever since. They currently serve as Presiding Minister and Music Minister of the Tree of Life Interfaith Temple in Milford, NH. |
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Hybrid Sunday Service Help/Hints
Give Sarah Mills a call (978-790-8217) if you can help or if you need assistance.
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Church Office Hours
Mon..10 - 3pm
Wed..10 - 3pm
Thur..10 - 3pm
Fri.....10 - 3pm
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May Newsletter Deadline
Wednesday, April 19
If you have anything that you would like included in the April Billerica Banner, please submit it to Teresa.
Leave a note on the desk, in the mailbox, e-mail admin@uubillerica.org or call 978-663-2293.
Early submissions are appreciated!
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Minister’s Corner - Don’t give up, we’re winning
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Nearly every day, we are struck with news of people doing nasty enough things that we feel like we just might need to re-envision what we think human nature is. From efforts to shut out the truth in Florida, to Putin’s use of prisoners for army fodder, to the now vividly told stories of murder in real crime drama, we might feel like we need to lower the bar so to speak, for just how sick and dastardly we can be. |
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Don’t.
Humans are capable of the horrendous. Always have been, always will be. I don’t want to, or feel the need to, make a list of the awful things that challenge our imaginations about what we
can be.
I will plead no contest to anyone who might feel the need to stop reading the following lists of
examples of the predictably amazing things we in the collective have accomplished over the last hundred years to say, ‘oh yeah, but what about this, and feel compelled to insert the latest terrible invention or act here.
Living here at the edge of the new millennium we must remember that we now more than ever rarely miss news of what the worst of us are up to, or have done. However, as we begin to look forward, please remember this … living here in the third decade of the new millennium we forget two things that don’t generally warrant headlines, and for that reason need remembering.
The first being that most people, although far from perfect are normal, just, and decent with a
basically cooperative instinct. Let’s pause for a minute and think about that. Most people,
although hardly perfect, are more good than bad.
It is a fact that most people love their kids, pay their taxes, obey the laws, and mostly keep their cars on the correct side of the road. Mostly…. Mostly….. Mostly…. people have enough
goodwill in their hearts to not do the wrong thing very often, or never do very bad things.
And, two, we as a species are on an amazing journey, and capable of if not nearly anything, a
lot. After any dose of bad and bloody news lest you need some heartening, remember…
In roughly the last hundred years, we have - in no particular order - or order of importance -
Taught ourselves to drive,
Taught ourselves to talk with each other around the world.
Taught ourselves to fly around the globe.
Hell, taught ourselves how to fly off the globe.
We have taught ourselves how to see millions of miles back into space. We have taught ourselves how to see millions of years back into time. Sure, that’s technological developments. Sure, but…while we were developing computers and the space shuttle...
We have crept closer, pretty quickly to seeing all people of all colors and genders as equals. We have radically increased literacy rates, improved the rights and opportunities for women, come a long way to identifying that people have childhoods, extended the lifespan and the quality of life for nearly everyone on the globe.
We have provided quality health care, if not enough, for more and more people. We are creeping closer to seeing the inherent dignity in all sexual preferences and identities. Over the last 50 years we have been teaching ourselves that we need renewable energy sources and systems, and steadily increasing their implementation. Don’t lose faith.
Don’t lose the deep truth that, although the world can be made a horrible place by the acts of a few sick souls, imperfectly and incrementally, the real moral majority of us imperfect decent
people are making the world a better and safer place.
Sure there is plenty of work to do. From building a commitment to a society rooted in equity, and love, to getting rapid fire guns out of the hands of everyone, to even reigning in the worst of us.
But, as I am a want to remind you maybe more than you like, in the grand scorecard of history, progress and goodness are winning. And it is important that all of us individually and
collectively don’t fret enough to do your part in creating a future that looks a little bit more
beloved every day.
~ Steve
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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNER
We started the year with fresh ideas and enthusiasm for Religious Education and Youth
Programs. We are still going strong!
The children and youth have been working on the Earth Circles Curriculum when we meet on
Sunday mornings. Earth Circles is an Environmental Justice curriculum that reinforces our seven UU principles. The goal is to develop an understanding of and care for the natural world as they learn to value the connection to their lives, community, and worldwide events. We are wrapping up the lessons on water, called Water at Work. We learned about the limited supply of fresh water for the world’s population, built a watershed model, learned about groundwater by building an aquafer model, and tried to build filtration models with varying degrees of success. Along the way, we read stories highlighting the principles and prayers from the Earth Prayers books, connecting us to the spiritual nature of these lessons. We have also discussed how we can live out these principles and protect our environment.
We have an active youth group led by Rev. Steve that meets on the first and third Sundays of
the month. We have been alternating outings with discussions. In April, we will be discussing social justice and how to get involved.
Adult RE is going strong with higher attendance each week. Rev. Steve leads Adult Theology discussions on the 1st and 3rd Saturday mornings of each month.
See below for more information about each of these programs. We hope to see you for RE soon!
Barbara Moloney
President, Board of Trustees
Chair, RE Committee
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Theology, Unitarian Universalism, and YOU |
Saturdays | April 1st and 15th | 10:00 - 11:30 am
Rev. Steve is hosting a 90 min Adult Ed Theology program. Each session stands independently and is open to members and outsiders. There will be a meditative piece, an academic/educational component, and a reflective piece designed to aid people in exploring their past and their beliefs.
No preparation beyond your own curiosity is required.
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Who Inspires You?
Sunday, April 2nd, 1 - 3 pm
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Following church the youth group will meet to watch a series of inspiring kids who have stepped up to make a difference. At this meeting we will discuss the options and interest our group might have in volunteering for community activities. |
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Brunch and Belief Statement Discussion
Saturday, Apr 22nd, 10 - 12 pm
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The Youth Group will meet for an initial discussion of what their credos might be. A Brunch, of different cereal options, fruit, juice, and donuts, will be served as we work together and individually for the first time on statements of belief that best define what we believe and wish to stand for. As the group proceeds, we will continue to refer back to and revise these statements or “credos.” |
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COMMUNITY GAME NIGHT
Saturday, April 1
Parish Hall 5 - 8 pm
Do you enjoy Rummikub, Uno, Scrabble, or Chess?
Come join fellow gamers (tabletop and more) in the Parish Hall Bring your own games or learn something new.
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BILL MCKIBBEN LECTURE
Sunday, April 2, 7pm
Concord-Carlisle High School
500 Walden Street
Concord, MA 01742
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The First Parish in Concord social action community and Concord Public Schools are pleased to host Bill McKibben to speak in-person on Climate Change, Migration and Racism. For over 30 years, McKibben (website) has been at the forefront of climate activism, having founded the organizations 350.org and ThirdAct.org, and with numerous books beginning with The End of Nature (1989) to his most recent The Flag, the Cross and the Station Wagon (2022).
This event is a memorial lecture for Peter Nichol, a local educator and climate champion who passed away last year. Learn more about Peter from his obituary.
This event is co-hosted by a number of local organizations including First Parish in Billerica.
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PYSANKY EGG DECORATING
Monday, April 3
7:30 - 9 pm, Parish Hall
During the 40 days of Lent, Sarah Mills will share her egg dyes, tools (kistkas), beeswax, candles, & 50+ years of Pysanky experience. This traditional Ukrainian art brings people together for creative play, spiritual healing, and community.
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BELLY DANCING WORKSHOP
Tuesday evenings, 7 - 8, RM 2
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Join Brita Learned, leader of FPC's own belly dance troupe: The Chalice Dancers, each Tuesday night for beginner belly dance classes held upstairs in Room 2. Please wear loose, comfortable clothes and non-skid shoes. If you have one, bring a hip scarf. There is a suggested $5 dollar donation to First Parish per class.
Come and learn the basics of this ancient and graceful dance! It's a great way to get some exercise and have fun. See you there!
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YARD SALE PREP/MEETING
Saturday, April 8
9 am, Parlor
Members of First Parish and volunteers will be meeting to price items previously tagged for the upcoming yard sale. The organizational plan and duty assignments will be shared for the week leading up to April 29th. All volunteers are appreciated and there will be tasks for every skill level.
See Teresa English or Lisa O'Connor to volunteer or for any questions.
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GORDON GIBB COMMUNITY LUNCH
Saturday, April 8
11:30a.m., Parish Hall
April Lunch: Hot Dogs, Homemade Baked Beans, and Potato Salad
Members of First Parish and volunteers meet to prepare and serve a hot meal at First Parish on the second Saturday of each month. It is open to anyone in the local community who would like to enjoy a good meal without cost to them and an opportunity for conversation and socialization. The Gordon Gibb Community Luncheon is financed by this church with contributions from Billerica’s Enterprise Bank and Stop and Shop. The Social Justice Committee encourages members of all ages to come out and help with setting up, serving, sharing a meal, and socializing with our guests. Everyone is welcome to help out or partake in the lunches!
See Bob or Deirdre Leger or Jeanne Landers to volunteer or for any questions.
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CIRCLE SUPPERS
Our next Circle Supper will be Saturday, April 8th. Invitations and information will be distributed by Wednesday evening. If you still need to sign-up or would like to update your RSVP, please email Trek or complete the Circle Supper Sign-Up form
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
Wednesday, April 12
7:00 p.m., Zoom
The Trustees meet once monthly to discuss a wide variety of matters concerning the running of our congregation. All members of the congregation are warmly invited to attend these monthly meetings. If you have any ideas you’d like the Trustees to consider, please let a Trustee know and we will try to place it on the next agenda for discussion.
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INTERFAITH HOLOCAUST SERVICE
Friday April 14th, 7pm
Temple Shalom Emeth, Burlington
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Henny Lewin, a Holocaust survivor with an absolutely amazing story of being smuggled out of harm's way in a suitcase during WW2, will be the speaker at Temple Shalom Emeth in Burlington for their annual Interfaith Holocaust Service on Friday, April 14, 7pm. Rabbi Susan Abrams, member of the Billerica Interfaith Association, has invited members of our communities to participate as in pre-pandemic times and shared this link to a talk she gave a few years ago to get an idea of her story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dtI6fyLPjns
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CANVASS: POST CHURCH LUNCHEON
Sunday, April 16
12 - 1 pm, Parish Hall
In the normal space assigned to coffee-hour, we will run a very efficient joint pledge campaign and luncheon. This will be a chance to hear about the programs that the church is presently running, the events headed our way, and in light of that work to secure and establish as much of our budget as possible.
Please try to attend. There will be a catered lunch and an inspiring look forward.
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UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY (GA)
The UUA General Assembly (GA) will be held June 22-25 in Pittsburgh, PA. Our congregation (based on our size) can send up to two delegates, a minister and a DRE. The delegates vote during the business meeting on issues including, but not limited to - Actions for Immediate Witness, and the Article II Study Commission Report with proposed changes.
If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please let Barbara Moloney or Teresa English know. Please review the Article II Study - posted on the bulletin board and on this website: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission. There will be more information on the rest of the business before the GA 30 days before the meeting.
Attending GA is wonderful and inspiring. I urge anyone who wants to go to do so. You do not have to be a delegate to attend. There are options to attend virtually. Delegates may also attend virtually, although we urge you to attend in person if you can.
There will be a vote to select our two delegates at the Canvass luncheon on April 16th.
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EARTH DAY SUNRISE DEEPTIME WALK
Saturday, April 22, 2023 | 5:45 AM
4.6 billion years ago, the story of our Earth began. This Earth Day, step out of time and into deep time with us to explore our history and what it means to be a part of a living planet.
Our walk will be 4.6 kilometers, or 2.8 miles, pausing to immerse ourselves in the deep history of our beloved planet. Every meter of the walk represents one million years of our 4.6 billion-year history.
We will gather to hike at 5:45 AM, just before sunrise, on Saturday, April 22, 2023, at Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Park in Billerica, Massachusetts. This guided walking program will last about three hours.
Donation based. Limited spots. Registration required. 50% of all donations will be shared with First Parish in Billerica, a UU congregation. Register using this linked form
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BILLERICA CLEAN UP GREEN UP
Saturday, April 22, 10 - Noon
Church Grounds
Each year, Billerica residents are encouraged to spend a day cleaning up in their neighborhood, in local parks, and around town. Members of the church will be planting flowers, picking up yard debris, and more. For more information or to volunteer, please reach out to Brita Learned.
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SUNSHINE GALS
Saturday, April 22, 11:30 - 1
Parish Hall
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FPC and The Sunshine Gals Kitchen, Inc. (a non-profit org. based in Billerica, focused on economic and social outreach for our residents) will be providing monthly luncheons for families living in Billerica. These luncheons will be homemade and will be prepared and served at FPC. Everyone is welcome! |
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BACKPACKING BASICS WORKSHOP
Co-Sponsored by the Association for Wilderness Engagement
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What do I eat? How do I find water? How do I poop in the woods?
This backpacking basics workshop is designed for newcomers and beginners to backcountry backpacking.
Cost: Any Voluntary Donation (workshop valued at $45). Registration is required.
Here are some of the things you'll learn:
How to plan a properly prepared overnight trip
What kind of gear and equipment you'll need
How to pack and adjust your backpack
What type of food to bring and where to find water
How to dig a cathole
Leave No Trace principles
Trail etiquette
..... and more!
After this workshop, you will feel more confident in your foundational backpacking skills.
This workshop is taught by Yaakov "Trek" Reef. Trek is an NAI Certified Interpretive Guide, SOLO Certified Wilderness First Responder, and ANFT Certified Forest Therapy Guide. In 2016, he completed a thru-hike of the 2189.1-mile Appalachian Trail, taking approximately five million steps between Georgia and Maine to deepen his connection to our more-than-human world. With over 30 years of backpacking experience, Trek brings his first-hand knowledge of backpacking and his love of the natural world to this workshop.
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COMMUNITY YARD SALE
Saturday, April 29, 9 - 1 pm
Church Grounds
This spring, First Parish Church is hosting its first Community yard sale in 7 years. Sign up sheets will be distributed after April 8th and members are invited to reserve a spot to sell personal items. A local Cub Scout Pack will also be joining us - it's going to be a great event!
If you would like to volunteer, please let Lisa O'Connor or Teresa English know. Additional details will be released soon.
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CELEBRATING BELTANE @ FIRST PARISH
Sunday, April 30, 5 - 8 pm
Parish Hall
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Join us for our annual Beltane Celebration & Potluck!
Beltane celebrates the mid-point between the Vernal Equinox and the Summer Solstice, a time for honoring the journey of our planet around the Sun as our local ecosystems spring forth with new and renewed life.
Please note that we have changed the timing of the celebration and potluck in response to requests from folks in the congregation. You have been heard! The ritual will now take place at 5:30 PM, with our potluck following at 7:00 PM. Please bring a main course or side dish for the potluck. Snacks and drinks are covered by Billerica CUUPS.
GATHERING - 5:00 PM
RITUAL BEGINS - 5:30 PM
POTLUCK - 7:00 PM
To be included in our CUUPS emails, please reach out to Trek at trek.reef@gmail.com or send him a text at 978-489-8903.
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Talking Membership: Every first Sunday of an even numbered month ex. (Dec, Feb, April) we host a post church talk back focused on UU history, this particular church's history, and its present offerings. This discussion would be open to all but have a focus on potential new members. The next date is April 2nd at 12:30
Coffee Hour: We are returning to a rotating schedule of hosting. Please sign up for a Sunday in person or by letting Deirdre Leger or Teresa English know.
Welcoming Committee: Greeters are needed! Greeters are often the first face visitors encounter at our church and can serve as a friendly welcome when they arrive. Sign up here: tinyurl.com/FPBGreeters
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The First Parish Church in Billerica - Contacts |
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Minister Emeriti
Rev. Nannene Gowdy
Rev. Eugene “Woody” Widrick
¼ Time Minister
Rev. Steve Wilson
Music
Lee Yezek, Organist (PT)
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Church Office
Teresa English, Admin.
978.663.2293
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Contact our Church Office
to receive email updates and weekly announcements.
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President, Barbara Moloney, 978.621.5732
Babsmoloney1@gmail.com
Vice President, Lisa O’Connor, 978.761.3539
loconnor466@gmail.com
Treasurer, Jim Learned, 978.667.4083
Lscalawag@outlook.com
Clerk, Kenny English, 678.343.1133
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Chris Tribou, 978.987.9790
Ida Morrison, 978.667.9680
Bob Leger, 978.667.43762
bob_leger@verizon.net
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The Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person.
- Justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.
- Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations.
- A free and responsible search for truth and meaning.
- The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large.
- The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
- Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.
The Mission of the First Parish Church...
is to open its doors to all people who seek a religious home where the Unitarian Universalist Principles are upheld. We respect our diversity of views, as we encourage full participation in all aspects of our parish life.
This Congregation affirms and promotes the full participation of persons in all our activities and endeavors, including membership, programming, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals, without regard to race, color, gender, physical or mental challenge, affectional or sexual orientation, age, class, national origin, or political affiliation. Our goal is to nurture: An intergenerational sense of community; Individual responsibility; Spiritual inquiry; Moral reflection; Sensitivity to others; Personal growth; Social outreach and public service; A just world
Thus do we honor the gathering of this Church in 1658 by those who sought to walk with God.
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