We honor the Jewish High Holy days by exploring our own questions about forgiveness and repentance. Rev. Anne will share her learning from a new book by contemporary Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, who bases her work on the medieval Jewish philosopher Maimonides. How can we begin to work towards repair in our relationships and in our systems? Our charitable share the plate collection will be given to the Douglas House. |
In support of the Jewish High Holy Days, the music for Sunday morning draws from the rich Jewish musical tradition. The sanctuary choir will sing John Leavitt’s beautiful “Sim Shalom” and a reverent arrangement of “Sabbath Prayer” from Fiddler on the Roof (music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick) with David Meharry singing the baritone solo. Julia Jaffe and Yunona Tabala will sing “Shabbat Shalom,” an original composition by Rip Jackson. For the centering music and postlude, Rip Jackson will play John Williams’ poignant “Theme from Schindler’s List” and excerpts from George Gershwin’s powerful “Rhapsody in Blue” on the piano.
Youth Choir Update - Joyful Noise!
Our youth choir rehearsals begin this Sunday, September 17. Our rehearsals are from 6:15-7:15 (with pizza meal 7:15-7:30). The age for this group is grade 3 through 12. This is a new concept - an intergenerational youth choir that will now be called “Joyful Noise.” The youth sing in the morning church services every 6 weeks or so. They also sing on Christmas Eve, Easter and in the Fall Concert at the church. The music for Joyful Noise will be both beautiful and fun and include music from Broadway, folk, pop, classical and traditional genres. For more info, contact our minister of music Rip Jackson.
|
SHARE THE PLATE
Douglas House here in Lexington has become a well known and high quality example of the best of supportive living for adults with Traumatic Brain Injury and neurological disorders. It’s focus on residential housing, wellness and education seeks to improve the lives of those who are unable to live independently. It has also been a good neighbor in offering limited services to the outside community. Peter Noonan, Board President will speak to us this coming Sunday, September 17th.
|
A MESSAGE FROM MARY SEMON
Thank you all so very much for the fun celebration on Sunday, for the cards, the good cake and your excelllent rendition of "Happy Birthday." It was great! - Mary
My phone number is 781-862-4727
| | |
Electric Vehicle Advantages
The nominal amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced by an electric vehicle is about 1/3 that of a comparable gasoline-powered vehicle. This is based on about 2/3 of the electrical power required to charge the EV battery is currently generated in the U.S. using fossil fuels (mostly coal and natural gas).
According to data from Cox Automotive, parent of Kelley Blue Book, the current average cost of a new electric car is $ 53,469 vs. the current average cost of a new gasoline-powered car is $ 48,334 (which is only about 10 % difference).
But, according to EnergySage estimates, the average cost to charge a Tesla battery is about 4.5 cents per mile, so the cost to fully charge the battery to go 350 miles is about $ 15.50.
Plus, EVs have significantly lower maintenance costs – nominally about half as much as a gasoline-powered car.
Typically, EV car batteries last from 10 to 20 years. Factors such as heat, cold, or swift charging times can negatively affect battery lifetimes and reduce their performance.
|
SAVE the DATE!
Friday, September 22nd, 6:00 pm
POTLUCK SUPPER!
The Members and Friends Committee in collaboration with the Ministry of Fun team will host an all-ages potluck supper in Parker Hall on Friday, September 22nd, 6:00 pm. See next week’s Weekly Update for details.
| |
|
YOUTH AND CHILDREN
Children’s R.E.
Welcome to Children R.E. also known as Soul Play! We are very excited to welcome back everyone from last year and we look forward to meeting our new families and their children. This coming Sunday we’ll focus on The Gift of Welcome and how it relates to water! We end our time together with a story and a sweet treat!
Caroline and Annelie
To sign up to participate in our children’s program on Sunday mornings, please fill out our R.E. children's program Registration for 2023-2024.
Youth Ministry
We are super excited to see everyone again when our Youth Ministry programs start up this Sunday, September 17th! From 3pm to 6:15pm, Junior Youth and Senior High Youth Groups are invited to Robi’s friends’ home on Lake Boon in Acton for boating, tubing, chilling and (bring your own) picnicking. We will leave First Parish at 3pm and return in time for Rip’s Joyful Noise Youth Choir starting at 6:15pm. The following Sunday is another field trip to a contra dance hosted by our neighbor UU youth group. Stay tuned for news about our October programming including Senior High Youth Group, Joyful Noise, a dinner option for all participating youth, and our next Our Whole Lives program for 7th and 8th graders (happening on many Sundays from 4 to 6:15pm)!
To sign up to participate in one or more of our Youth Programs, please fill out our Youth Ministry Registration and Survey for 2023-2024.
Email changes:
Please note that our staff are using new emails for communicating and save their new emails while deleting their old emails (for ease in reaching them and so that email updates from them don’t go to your spam folder).
Annelie:
ChildrensRE@fplex.org and
childrensRE.fplex@gmail.com.
Robi:
YouthMinistry@fplex.org and
youthministry.fplex@gmail.com.
|
ATTENTION COMMITTEE CHAIRS
The First Parish fall semiannual meeting will be held on Sunday, October 22, right after the service. In preparation for the meeting, please send your committee's annual report to Scott by Friday, September 29, so that he can compile all in time.
|
THURSDAY,
SEPTEMBER 21st
7:30 - 9:00
How do we bring the other side around? Do we coax them and, if they refuse to listen, do we then shun and condemn? Or do we assume that even with the most resistant we might find some small patch of common ground where, together, we can plant a seed to create a little flower of mutual understanding?
Come listen to an article from The Marginalian that touches on the terror and tenderness of human nature through the eyes of Virginia Woolf. And watch two short videos that reinforce the belief that even adversaries can agree to disagree with respect.
Bring your stories about your own experience of human commonalities despite sharp differences in values, beliefs, or tribes.
|
CREATIVE CALLINGS
Begins Thursday, September 21st at 2:00
The Parlor
Join other members of First Parish as we work on our knitting, sewing, needlework fiber creations together. All are welcome.
| From choir rehearsals to Soul Matters, Building Bridges to Meditation Group, Urban Ministry to Democracy Team, Climate Action Team to Youth Groups and all of the other wonderful ways to get involved here at First Parish, please check the church calendar. | Submissions for The Weekly Update are due by the end of day, Mondays. To submit an article or information for consideration, please use this form. | |