Sunday News for December 20, 2009

Parish Notes

Holiday Memorial Wreath

The Holiday Memorial Wreath, located at the front of the Sanctuary, is a way to acknowledge the memory of a loved one who has died. Throughout the holidays, tie a ribbon to the wreath for those you wish to remember.

Heifer Gift Cards

Looking for that perfect gift for a business associate or that person who has everything? Think about giving a donation to Heifer International and help to stop world hunger. With your donation, you will get a beautiful gift card that will tell the recipient about your gift. See the Heifer table at coffee hour, or call Diane or Dave Clapp at 781-257-5025.

Holiday Flowers

On Sunday, December 27, after the 11:00 a.m. service, the poinsettias that decorated the Sanctuary need to be delivered to families who have experienced the death of a loved one, or have experienced a major illness, or who can no longer attend Sunday services as they once did. Often children go with their parents to deliver flowers, adding to the joy of giving and receiving. You can sign-up to deliver the flowers by e-mailing Margie at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . If you are interested, but need to deliver the flowers on Saturday, please let Margie know.

Single Services Only

On December 27 and January 3, there will be single services at 11:00 o'clock. Margie King Saphier will lead the December 27th service, and Gary Smith will lead the service on January 3.

Hold On to What Is Good

Last year we began a new tradition of asking you to consider making a special end-of-the-year gift as a way of recognizing what First Parish means to you. You may also make the gift in honor or memory of someone you hold close to your heart. Letters and reply cards were sent in mid-November, but if yours has gotten lost in the holiday jumble, please call the office for a new one or to let us know if you would like to contribute. Your financial gifts help our community flourish and are a testament to what we hold dear. And if you have already made a gift, thank you!

Bouillon Helpers Needed

It is that time of year again. We might begin doing bouillon the first Sunday in January if we have volunteers to help. Are you up for it again? Can you help one Sunday a month, by either buying, preparing and serving for the 9:00 o'clock service, or serving and cleaning up after the 11:00 o'clock service? Please e-mail Richard Keleher at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can help.

RE Administrator Needed

We have an opening for an administrator in the Religious Education office. This is a part-time position (including Sunday mornings) for someone with strong organizational skills and an enthusiasm for working with children. If you are interested, please send your resumÈ to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

First Parish Choir's "Missa Gaia" CD's available

CD's of the choir singing the beautiful Missa Gaia, which was recorded last May on Music Sunday, are available for sale today at coffee hour. The musical movements are interspersed with the accompanying readings that were part of the service. These make great holiday gifts! The price is $10, and all profits go to support the First Parish music ministry.

Anonymous Donor to Give Away $1000

Coinciding with the launch of the Charter for Compassion (charterforcompassion.org), an anonymous donor will be giving $1000 away in the name of First Parish to the "Girl Effect" (girleffect.org). Thank you to everyone who helped choose this recipient organization! Come to coffee hour today to learn more about the "Girl Effect." We'll be the ones in the back with the computers and a cool two-minute video for your viewing pleasure.

Winter Solstice Celebration

The First Parish Women's Circle invites everyone to a celebration of the Winter Solstice tomorrow, Monday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the church Parlor. We'll tell stories, sing songs, enjoy the longest night, and observe the magic of the turning season - complete with wonderful music and seasonal treats. This celebration is planned to include all ages, in the tradition of a village gathering. Welcome, Yule!

Women's AM/PM Book Group

The January selection for the Women's Book Group is Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali. The evening discussion will be Monday, January 25, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.; and the morning discussion, on Tuesday, January 26, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m.-with both meetings at First Parish. All women of First Parish are warmly invited to read the current book and join one or both of these discussions.

Transylvania Troubadours Concert

The Transylvania Troubadours, an a cappella quintet, will present a free concert in the Parish Hall on Monday, December 28 at 2:00 p.m. The repertoire will be a mix of barbershop, classical and Christmas music. Families are welcome. For more information, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Women's Retreat

Please join us for a weekend of fun, introspection and connection with other First Parish women of all ages at Senexet House in Woodstock, Connecticut. This year we'll explore aspects of laughter and joy through the decades of our lives. Register now for one of two weekends: Friday evening, January 22, to Sunday afternoon, January 24; or Friday evening, January 29, to Sunday afternoon, January 31. Registration forms are available in the church office and online at firstparish.org/forms. Contact Darien Smith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 978-369-1471 with questions.

First Parish Theater Project-January 8, at 7 p.m.

We have many people interested in exploring and reading plays at First Parish. We meet on the first Friday of the month at First Parish. This month, due to New Year's, we will be meeting on January 8, at 7 p.m. Our play this month is Two Shakespearean Actors, by Richard Nelson. It is a contemporary play about two historic performances of Macbeth in New York in 1849, a rivalry and a riot. It also deals with the acting life and actors real relationships. Please bring a copy of the play to the meeting. Questions? Contact Claudia Nimar at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Lillian Anderson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Old World Unitarianism vs. Our Own UUA Outlook

Join us for a special evening with Bal·zs scholar Rev. RÛbert B·lint on Friday, January 8. The evening's festivities will begin at 6 p.m., and will include a short vesper service at 6:30, followed by a potluck supper and what promises to be a riveting group discussion. Sign-up sheets are available during Sunday coffee hours in December, or you can reserve a spot by contacting Winslow Pettingell (e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , phone: 978-369-6593).

Christmas Eve at First Parish

   4:00-Children's Choir 7:00-Carol Service
   5:30-Gospel Choir 9:00-Adult Choir

The services will be geared to different ages, from families with very young children at 4:00 p.m. to the adult musical service at 9:00 p.m. All services will conclude with the traditional candlelighting and singing of Silent Night.

Children's and Youth News

Today, December 20-Angels Sunday

    8:30 & 10:30 a.m.-Angels Meet Downstairs in Classrooms
    8:50 & 10:50 a.m.-Regular Classes, Babies-Preschool
    9:00 & 11:00 a.m.-Services
       K-6-Begin in the Sanctuary, Dismissed to RE
       No 7th and 8th Grade Classes

Sunday, December 27-11:00 a.m. only

    10:50 a.m.-Regular Classes, Babies-Preschool
    K-8-Join their Families in the Sanctuary

Social Action Community

CRISPAZ Craft Sale Today

Today the artisans' craft sale known as CRISPAZ will return to First Parish in Concord, offering the array of handmade toys, purses, bags of all sizes, tablecloths and jewelry we've come to anticipate. People of Hope-Fair Trade Crafts supports a network of 15 artisan cooperatives throughout El Salvador by marketing their fair trade crafts in the United States. CRISPAZ is committed to paying fair wages and establishing sustainable livelihoods. Come to the Parish Hall at coffee hour today to complete your holiday shopping.