Our Vision:
We aspire to be a beacon of
liberal religion, strong community,
and transformative service,
rooted in Love.
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From the Minister
What a wonderful Christmas Eve we had. The Pageant was such a fabulous and lively gathering staring so many of our FP children and youth. The Lessons and Carols service brought so many members and friends together in a quiet yet joyful moment of connection. There are so many thank yous to make. First and foremost, to Beth for, yet again, creating and selecting such wonderful music especially for the 7:00 service.
I am so grateful for Noah who was my narrating partner for the Pageant. Of course, the Pageant would not have been possible without the leadership of Jen and Shannon. Besides gathering interest and participation among our FP families, Shannon was the chief wrangler of the cast making sure that everyone came in on time and stayed happy and engaged while waiting for their entrance.
The Pageant was a complete Jen and Doug family production. Jen did such a fantastic job with all the costumes. Some she augmented what we had in storage - other costumes she created anew. Emilia made the signs and the stars. Ellie ironed all the costumes and Doug was in charge of all the other Christmas Eve details!
It really did take a village to make Christmas Eve so meaningful again this year. As we go into the next few months, I hope we can build on this connection and energy. We have some important work ahead of us as you all continue to create a new future together.
Peace,
Erin
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A Month of Sunday's In January 2024
Sunday, January 7
This I Believe
Jean and Rev. Erin
Sunday, January 14,
The Letter From the Birmingham Jail
Rev. Erin and other voices of the congregation
Sunday, January 21
Rev. Hank guest minister
Sunday, January 28
Say Yes To…
Rev. Erin
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Notes from the Music Director
Happy New Year!
After the hustle and bustle of the Holiday season, it has been a quiet couple of weeks. I look forward to seeing everyone again on January 7th.
Our choir continues to rehearse Sunday mornings at 9:00 in the Sanctuary. Anyone in 7th grade
or older is welcome to sing with us.
Our anthems in January go with our theme of Commitment.
January 7th- The Work of Christmas by Dan Forrest. This setting of a poem by Howard
Thurman, presented as an ethereal anthem for choir, is a truly captivating moment in
song
.
January 14th- Roll Down Justice! Words and music by Mark A. Miller. The call for justice is made with honesty, courage, and conviction in this rousing song.
January 21- The Fire of Commitment by Jason Shelton with words by Mary Catherine
Morn. The chorus: When the fire of commitment sets our mind and soul a blaze
When our hunger and our passion meet to call us on our way
When we live with deep assurance of the flame that burns within. Then our promise finds fulfillment and our future can begin.
January 28- Now is the Time Words and Music by Connye Florance and Jason Shelton.
This song was composed for the UUA Campaign for Growing our Faith in 2007.
See you in Church,
Beth
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Happenings for the Month of January at
First Parish
Finance Committee
Tuesday, January 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
RE Committee Meeting (Zoom)
Thursday, January 11, 8:00 p.m.
Nighttime Fididdlers Crafting Group - Wednesday,
January 17, 7:00 p.m. at Eileen's house
Social Justice Committee (Zoom)
Thursday, January 18th, at
7:00 p.m.
PC Committee Meeting
Tuesday, January 23, 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Nighttime Fididdlers Crafting Group - Wednesday, January 24, 7:00 p.m. at Eileen's house
Nighttime Fididdlers Crafting Group - Wednesday,
January 31, 7:00 p.m. at Eileen's house
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Social Justice News and Denominational Affairs Committee
January Special Collection - The Social Justice Committee selected NeighborWorks Housing Solutions (NHS) for donations to the plate on Sunday January 7th and online donations for the month of January. NHS promotes affordable housing in stable and opportunity-rich communities. Their services include rental assistance; emergency financial help; shelter and homelessness prevention; first-time home buyer education and counseling; financial coaching; foreclosure prevention; affordable residential and small business loans; and construction and management of high-quality rental housing across Southern Massachusetts. Donations can be made online in one of two ways:
Via the First Parish website under the One Time Gifts option and specifying “NeighborWorks” in the notations box.
Through the NeighborWorks website
Next Meeting of the Social Justice Committee - Please join us at our next meeting online on Thursday, January 18, from 7:00 - 8:30 pm. All are welcome! Among other topics, we will be discussing plans for working towards an annual Welcoming Renewal designation, which entails regular actions taken by the congregation to reaffirm our commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation to the LGBTQ+ community.
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Side with Love is a public advocacy campaign, sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association, that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression.
30 Days of Love 2024: This is Side With Love’s annual month of spiritual nourishment, political grounding, and shared practices of faith and justice. It runs from Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 15) through Valentine’s Day (February 14). Each week will feature a spiritual theme overlapping with one of Side With Love’s intersectional justice priorities, and an array of offerings will be offered to help nourish your spirit and give gratitude and affirmation.
WEEK 1 (January 15-21) Safety: Decriminalization
WEEK 2 (January 22-28) Re-Imagining: Climate Justice
WEEK 3 (January 29 - February 4) Possibility: Bodily Autonomy (LGBTQIA+, reproductive, gender, and disability justice)
WEEK 4 (February 5-11) Resilience: Democracy & Electoral Justice
BONUS DAYS (February 12-14) Interdependence: Liberatory Intersections
Each week, you can expect to receive several different kinds of offerings, each from a different voice within Unitarian Universalism. Each week’s resources will be published by 12pm ET every Monday on their site. Included is a Side with Love message, a thematic prayer and blessing, a Body Practice suitable for all ages and ability levels, and a Grounding Practice that can be offered at the beginning of gatherings or meetings. The offerings can be used to plan worship services throughout the year, but may also be beneficial in the work of committees in our congregation or in our daily lives to nourish our spirits.
Ellen, Social Justice, and Denominational Affairs Committee Chair
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Fididdlers
Fididdlers crafting group will resume meeting Wednesday evening, January 17 at 7 p.m., at Eileen's house, for its yearly planning meeting. The “Fididdlers” is the church crafting group that gathers weekly for companionship, conversation, and community. No talent is required and everyone is welcome. Come every week or when you can…the more the merrier.
Merry Merry!
Eileen
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Bottles and Cans Update
Tuesday, December 19th, we earned $100.00. Mike, Jen, and Emelia sorted and Howard and Mike transported.
Tuesday, Dec 26th, The day after the transfer station was closed for Christmas, we earned $210.00. Mike and Jen sorted and Howard and Mike transported.
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024. The day after the Transfer Station was closed for New Year's Day. We earned $150.00. Mike and Eileen sorted and Howard and Mike transported.
Mike, Mark, Damion, and Howard are always looking for people to help us with this Fund Raising Project... Please sign up on the sign-up Genius.
A reminder to Parishioners that you can drop off your redeemable bottles and cans in the garage behind the church. You don’t have to sort them. We will pick them up and take them to be sorted along with all the other drop-offs.
Howard
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January Monthly Calendar 2024
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