Sunday's Sermon by Lauren Hannah-Murphy

Our sermon this Sunday is entitled "Finding Optimism in Horror: What Stephen King tells us about optimism and altruism." Lauren Hannah-Murphy writes, "Whether you’ve read a Stephen King book or not, you probably don’t think of him as an author full of optimism and altruism as his reputation is that of “America’s Bogeyman”." Lauren will share how there’s a Stephen King book for everyone, especially if you’re looking for good to prevail. Hope you can join us!

Snow in the Forecast for Sunday

Note: We are watching the weather forecast for Sunday, in particular the timing of the predicted storm. We will make a decision on Saturday about whether to cancel church. We will send an email and post on our website if we decide to cancel.

Rev. Danielle DiBona Answers Call for Clergy in Minneapolis

Our friend and frequent pulpit guest, Rev. Danielle DiBona, traveled to Minnesota this week in response to the UUA's encouragement to join the call for clergy in Minneapolis. In response to ICE activity in the area, local leaders have called for clergy and religious leaders from across the country to join them for two days of training and action, engaging in on-the-ground, public, and prophetic witness in Minnesota. The UUA and its partners have highlighted the need for moral courage, urging clergy to support local congregations, participate in vigils, and take action against systemic injustice in the area. We hold Danielle in our prayers while she is away.

Sunday Adventures

Greetings,

As we wrap up our unit on Practicing Resistance we will take some time this week to talk through different ways that we can calm our bodies when we get really activated. Sometimes we think things aren't fair, sometimes the noises are too loud, sometimes our socks feel wrong in our shoes, you get the idea. When we get activated like this our brain functions much differently, operating on survival instincts rather than rational thoughts. Our activities in Sunday Adventures will help us with finding our breath as a way to get back to feeling more like ourselves. As a preview, I invite you to watch THIS VIDEO on a technique called Box Breathing, or Square Breathing. This is used by Navy Seals and everyone can use this practice when we need to stop and take a breath.

Blessings,

Liz

Liz Georgakopoulos

Director of Faith Formation

Special Lay-Led Service

Sunday, February 1

Join us on February 1st for a special lay-led service: "The Long and Winding Road: A Spiritual Journey with the Beatles." Over their seven years together, the Beatles traveled a remarkable path—from youthful joy to deep questioning to hard-won wisdom. Through words and music, we'll explore what these familiar songs still have to teach us about innocence, loss, seeking, and acceptance. Come ready to reflect, and maybe to sing along.



Next Book for Book Group

We have chosen Silence by Julia Park Tracey as our next book group selection. This . . . “literary Puritan tale of loss and redemption, based on the author's own ancestor, her seventh great-grandmother, takes place here in Hingham, Massachusetts in the early 1700’s." Readers will recognize local landmarks like Old Ship Church and Huit’s Cove. It is a story of a young woman who perseveres under cruel and undeserved punishment, and . . . “gives voice to women, past and present, denied their own voices by repressive laws and cultural taboos.”

Discussion date to be determined.  All are welcome!

Save the Date for our Annual Chocolate Auction

Sunday, February 8, after coffee hour

Start thinking about what decadent treat you might contribute to the chocolate auction, and what tantalizing treat that you'll be bringing home for the Super Bowl or to present to your Valentine on the 14th! The auction will take place after we have coffee. Robyn will again be our auctioneer, with help from the Sunday Adventures kids. This is a must-attend event!

Let Gayla know if you will be bringing an item to auction. gayla@gaylagodbydesign.com or text: 617-448-7101

SAVE THE DATE!

Galentine's Luncheon

Tuesday, February 10th at 12:30pm in Cushing Hall! Come celebrate female friendship and warm up with some soup on a cold winter's day. All are welcome -- feel free to bring a friend!

Kindly RSVP using this google form or by chatting with Carly Wilks during coffee hour if you're not comfortable with Google Forms yet.

Dinners for 8

If you're interested in hosting a Dinner for 8 this winter or spring, please let Carly Wilks (ceholbrook@gmail.com) know. We're looking forward to continuing this fun Second Parish tradition!

Planning is underway for our annual Arts Festival!

Fill the Pew for the Food Pantry

The holidays are over, but food insecurity remains a problem for many Hingham families. Let’s fill the front pew with items from their January wish list:

• Cookies
• Sandwich crackers
• Beef stew
• Decaf instant coffee

Thank you!

Do you need a new name tag?

Did your name tag grow legs and run away? Or maybe it melted over the summer? Please scan the QR code below and fill out the form if you need a new name tag :)

Second Parish in Hingham, Unitarian Universalist

685 Main Street

Hingham, MA 02043

(781) 749-1671

E-mail: secondparish@yahoo.com

Website: www.secondparish.org 

Church Office Hours: Mon, Tues and Thurs, 9:00 am - Noon

The Weekly Update is published each Friday. To submit an article, send an e-mail to news@secondparish.org or to leadershipboard@secondparish.org 

by Wednesday evening.