First Parish in Concord

Parish Notes

Fair Trade Coffee and First Parish Calendars on Sale Today

Coffee will be sold at both coffee hours today, and again on October 2 and 16. Our new calendar, which contains wonderful pictures of First Parish past and present, as well as historical tidbits, will be available at coffee hours for a donation of $15.

Path to Membership

September is a new beginning, and it's time to start thinking about that membership decision you've been meaning to make. Are you ready to become a member of First Parish? Then sign up for our next Minister's Orientation, to be held in the Wright Tavern on Monday, October 3, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m., with Jenny Rankin. Space is limited, so let Stephanie Chiha know as soon as possible if you'd like to attend. You can see her at coffee hour, e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or leave a message with the office. Child care is available if requested.

Catnip Balls

Thanks to Susan Clark's profuse garden, we have plenty of catnip this year. Now we need volunteers to come and bring these cat toys to completion, for the November 5 Artisans Fair. Come Friday, September 23 or October 21 and 28-or Thursday, November 3, if needed. Cindy's house is at the corner of Brown and Main in West Concord. Join us when you can betweena.m. and 4 p.m. Bring a bag lunch. For more information, contact Cindy McLean-Greeley at 978-371-1057.

Please Remember

Do not bring beverages or food into the Sanctuary. Spills are very difficult to clean up and we want the Sanctuary to remain beautiful.

Help Katrina Survivors

Partnering with First Unitarian Church of Dallas, we are trying to equip families' transition from their temporary shelters to new homes. Entire "Home Starter Kits" and/or many specific items that will go into them are desperately needed. Handouts with details are available at coffee hour and on the welcoming table in the vestibule. Contact Tracey Hurd at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.

WPA Luncheon and Talk: First Parish's Former Ministers

Join friends at a catered luncheon and program tomorrow, September 19. The social time will start at 11:30 a.m., followed by the luncheon and program. Marian Wheeler will give a talk about our famous First Parish ministers. The cost is $12 and everyone is welcome. For reservations, contact Dian Pekin at 978-263-0426.

E-Mail List Sign-Ups

During the summer, First Parish moved its e-mail lists to a new company (ISP). If you have been a subscriber to one or more of our lists, we hope that you received online messages about these changes, with instructions to allow your name to be transferred to the new system. One crucial difference with this new company is that they require each subscriber to explicitly request subscription, as an antispam measure. Fortunately, this is very easy to do.

If you would like to continue to be on one or more of our e-mail lists, visit our website at firstparish.org/email_lists and follow the instructions there. Lists are often used for timely notices, so sign up today!

Women's AM/PM Book Groups

This year's First Parish Women's Book Group's meetings will be on Monday evenings, 7:30 to 9:00, on the third Monday of the month; and Tuesday mornings, 9:30 to 11:00, usually the last Tuesday of the month. The book for September is Possession: a Romance, by A. S. Byatt, with discussions on Monday evening, September 19, and Tuesday morning, September 27.

Equinox Invitation

The First Parish Women's Circle will host a celebration of the Autumnal Equinox on Thursday evening, September 22, at 7:30 in the Parlor. The Equinox, the midpoint between the brightest light of summer and the deepest dark of winter, is a perfect time to consider the ways we maintain balance in our lives. This will be a short, intergenerational gathering to which everyone is invited and welcome. Contributions of fall flowers would also be welcome!

Volunteer Staff Position

We are looking for a member of the congregation who could serve in an interim capacity as our Membership Director. Please e-mail Gary at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Jenny at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it if you are interested. We want to continue our strong tradition of hospitality to visitors and newcomers alike.

Vision 2008

The Vision 2008 Committee has been working over the summer, starting to create the plans that will be part of the next phase of our discussions with you. Please keep watching this space for announcements about our series of small group meetings, which will be held in late October. We are hoping for every interested parishioner to participate in these upcoming meetings. Questions? Contact Melissa Perdue Gallo, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

American Institute of Architects Meeting

The American Institute of Architects will be hosting its Central Chapter conference beginning Friday, September 30, at the Colonial Inn. Several First Parishioners will be speaking, including Carole Wedge, Michael McAteer, Richard Keleher, Peter Nobile and Paul Minor The focus of the event will be sustainable or "green" design, with First Parish members speaking about Town of Concord efforts along those lines. If you are interested in attending any of the conference, please talk to one of the people mentioned.

Acting Workshop

The Bacchanal Players is sponsoring an acting workshop on Saturdays, October 1, 8, and 29, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the church. The workshop will be conducted by a professional actor and coach, David Fisher, and is open to all First Parish adults. The cost is $20 per session. For registration and further information, contact Lauren Osornio, 978-263-2262.

Children's and Youth News

All 7th and 8th Graders

Join us on Sunday, September 25, from 4 to 6 p.m. in the Parish Hall for Rock 'n' Roll Twister and Make Your Own Sundae. We have an exciting schedule of activities this year and hope to see you at our first event. Parents should plan to stay for the first 30 minutes. Please contact Candace Nelson, Kathy Finn, Nancy Reilly, or Dyan Urban if you have any questions.

Senior Youth News

All First Parish high school youth are welcome to come on our fall retreat to Vermont from September 30 to October 2. Information and permission slip can be downloaded from the First Parish website, or feel free to contact Mary-Wren for a hard copy.

Wright Tavern Center

Women's AM/PM Book Group

All women are warmly invited to join this group that reads and discusses one book each month. This month's discussion will be about Possession, by A. S. Byatt.
Monday, September 19     7:30-9:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 27     9:30-11:00 a.m.

Cakes for the Queen of Heaven

UUA curriculum about women, spirituality and their experience of the sacred, including historical perspective in a uniquely interactive format. Co-led by Liz Davis-Chaffin and Lois Whitney.
Tuesdays: September 20-November 5      7:00-9:00 p.m.

T'ai Chi

The original no-impact aerobics, T'ai Chi promotes mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health by combining physical exercise with relaxation and meditation. Led by David Zucker.
Tuesdays: September 20-November 1      6:00-7:30 p.m.     $105

Listening for God

Join Gary Smith and others for a discussion of short stories taken from Faith Stories. Bring a bag lunch. This month's story is Young Goodman Brown, by Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Wednesday, September 21     12:15 p.m.

Play with Purpose

Through structured, playful, powerful practice rooted in story-telling, movement, song and stillness, you can gain access to your own "body wisdom" – what gives you purpose and what makes you fully alive. Led by C. C. King.
Alternate Wednesdays: Sept. 21-Dec. 14     7:30-9:00 p.m.      $90
Alternate Thursdays: Sept. 22-Dec. 15     9:30-11:00 a.m.      $90

Rise Up Singing

All are welcome to this informal monthly musical gathering of adults and children who sing and play instruments in special fellowship. Bring your instruments, bring your voices. Led by Beth Norton.
Friday, September 23     7:30 p.m.

Creativity and Spirituality

Creativity is a hot topic now. Join Judy Dunn and others to learn how to tap into your own creative wellspring and live your life in a way that is truer to your essential self.
Sundays: Sept. 25-Oct. 30     2:00-4:00 p.m.      $90

Rebalance, Reflect, Relax: Stress Reduction and Relaxation

Current research indicates positive benefits from the practice of mindfulness-based stress reduction on the immune system, chronic illness, hypertension, chronic pain and autoimmune-related diseases. Pamela Katz Ressler, RN, BSN, HNC, teaches this highly interactive course.
Tuesdays: Sept. 27-Nov. 15     7:00-9:00 p.m.      $160/$60 materials
Fridays: Sept. 30-Nov. 18     9:30-11:30 a.m.      $160/$60 materials

Social Action Community

Tutors Needed in Roxbury for Three Weeks, beginning Tomorrow

Can you help tutor middle and high school students from 4 to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, from September 19 through October 6? The Crossing Bridges and Damien Funderburg Youth programs of the UU Urban Ministry need your help! The program will have tutors from Boston College beginning October 11, so this is a short-term critical need. We are also looking for some mentors for these high school students. This is a great way to sample volunteering in Roxbury to see if mentoring is in your future.

Loretta Ho Sherblom will be having a potluck at her house tonight, Sunday, September 18, at 6:30 p.m. for all volunteers. Please e-mail her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call her at 978-369-4325, if you are interested in learning more.

P-FLAG Meeting at Trinity Episcopal Church

The Minuteman Chapter of P-FLAG – Parent, Friends, and Families of Lesbian and Gays – will meet tonight, September 18, and the 3rd Sunday of every month, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the library of the Trinity Episcopal Church, 81 Elm Street (enter on the River Street side.) The purpose of P-FLAG is to help ourselves and others deal with issues of homosexuality and to create an environment of understanding. The meeting is free and open to the public. For information, call 866-427-3524 (toll-free) or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

4th Annual OCEAN Walkathon

Join this easy, three-mile walk with friends and neighbors to raise funds and awareness for Mass. General Hospital's OCEAN program: Ovarian Cancer Education Awareness Network. The walk-next Sunday, September 25-begins and ends at the Colonial Spirits Plaza on Route 2A in Acton. Started by Micki Williams in 2002, this year's walk will be in memory of Micki and in honor of her courage and determination to help fund research toward a cure. The requested minimum donation for participants is $10. If you plan to walk, please sign up with Sue Appel at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or at 978-264-4587.

Our Wider Community

Follen Church Society Breast Cancer Informational Event

On the eve of her 33rd birthday, Janice Fine was diagnosed with breast cancer. One in Eight: Janice's Journey, an award-winning documentary by Cynthia A. McKeown, explores Janice's personal journey and the larger issues around this epidemic disease.

On Sunday, October 2, from 2:00 to 4:30 p.m., Follen Church Society in Lexington (755 Massachusetts Avenue, 781-862-3805) will host a screening of One in Eight: Janice's Journey, followed by a panel discussion with representatives of several breast cancer groups. Panelists will talk about links between cancer, health and environmental issues, and audience members will have the opportunity to participate in activities to make a change. There will be a reception to follow. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit oneineight.net.

Next Meeting House News deadline: tomorrow at noon. Please limit submissions to 100 words.

e-mail:

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