Sunday News for February 14, 2010

Listings with asterisks are classes offered through the Wright Tavern Center for Spiritual Renewal.

Parish Notes

WPA Luncheon Meeting-Investment Strategies

The Women's Parish Association cordially invites you to join old and new friends on Tuesday, February 16, for a buffet luncheon followed by a presentation by Glen MacNeil, CFA of MacNeil Capital Management. The talk will include investment strategies during the current economic conditions. Social time begins at 11:30 a.m.; the buffet lunch will start at noon sharp. All women and men are invited. The cost is eight dollars. Contact the church office at 978-369-9602, or Dian Pekin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by February 14 for reservations, child care or transportation requests.

First Parish Seder Planning Meeting

The Jewish Awareness Affinity Group is sponsoring the First Parish Seder celebration this year on April 3. For all ages, the Seder is an enjoyable communal mixture of reading, singing and eating. If you can help us plan this event, come to First Parish at 7 p.m. this Thursday, February 18. For information, contact Peter or Lois Mitchell at 978-369-5869, or Jim or Dana Snyder-Grant at 978-266-9409 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

We Need Your Help!

Do you like the bouillon? If you do, can you volunteer to obtain the ingredients and make it before the 9:00 o'clock service and serve it after the service? Help is needed for the rest of February (2/21 and 2/28). We have volunteers lined up to serve and clean up after the 11:00 o'clock service and volunteers for both services in March. We just need help for these two Sundays at 9:00. Please contact Kel Keleher at 978-944-2734 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Women's AM/PM Book Group

The February book for the Women's Book Group is Black Swan Green: A Novel, by David Mitchell. The discussions will be held at First Parish, with the evening session on Monday, February 22, 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.; and the morning session on Tuesday, February 23, 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. All women of First Parish are warmly invited to read the current book and join one or both of these discussions.

The Emerson Forum Quarterly Meeting

The Emerson Forum, a conversation and dialogue group, is scheduled to have another energetic discussion, this time on Emerson's “Friendship.” Join the group on Monday, February 22, at 7 p.m. Wendell Refior, a notable nonacademic scholar on Emerson, will provide his perspective on where this 1841 essay fits into Emerson's evolving philosophy of life, and his friendships with Margaret Fuller and other leading figures of the age of transcendentalism. The meeting will take place in the Wright Tavern. Questions? Contact Mel Bernstein at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 781-259-9926. All are welcome; donations will be accepted.

Marvelous Mondays-March 1, 8, 15 and 22, at 6:30 p.m.

One of the great First Parish social events is approaching!Participate in any or all of the Marvelous Monday dinner events in March! Dinners will be served on March 1, 8, 15 and 22 at 6:30, with each meal being presented by a committee of the church (Religious Education Council, Social Action Community, First Parish Choir and Standing Committee). The meals are sure to be pleasing to the palate, and each is followed by a vesper service. Child care is available, and cost the is $5 per person/$20 per family. Contact Jane Foley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Dave Elwood at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Parking at First Parish

Please be aware that the TD Bank parking lot accessed by Walden Street is reserved for bank customers on Sunday mornings now that the bank is open Sundays. Please help us be good neighbors and do not park there when you are attending services. In addition, please remember that parking on the curve in front of the church for Sunday services is reserved for people with difficulty in walking. Also, please remember not to park in staff spaces located near the lower side entrance. Staff come and go throughout the day and evening seven days a week. Currently, several of the signs have been destroyed by snow plowing, but the spots continue to be reserved for staff. Thank you very much!

Children's and Youth News

Today, February 14-No RE Classes

    9:00 & 11:00-Services
       No RE for Grades K-6
       No 7th Grade Neighboring Faiths
       No 8th Grade Our Whole Lives

Next Sunday, February 21-Special Program

    8:50 & 10:50 a.m.-Regular Classes, Babies-Preschool
    9:00 & 11:00-Services
       K-7 Yoga and Mango Lasse in the Emerson Room
       No 7th Grade Neighboring Faiths
       No 8th Grade Our Whole Lives

Social Action Community

Environmental Symposium at First Parish February 27

The Concord Clergy-Laity Group and ConcordCAN invite you to join us on Saturday, February 27, from 9 to 1 p.m. at First Parish in Concord to explore a new global vision built on environmental sustainability, spiritual fulfillment and social justice. This half-day symposium, from the Pachimama Alliance is highly recommended by those from First Parish who have previously attended it. It will focus, in the end, on action we can take in our community. Suggested donation is only $5.00. Preregister with Bob Andrews at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or just come. See trailer at www.awakeningthedreamer.org.

Young Activist Grant Presentation February 28

Join us to view and vote on the Young Activist presentations at 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 28. These middle school youth will receive awards totaling $750, donated from the Social Action Community Grants budget. Support our Young Activists!

Homelessness Forum: How Faith Communities Can Help End Homelessness

Family homelessness has more than doubled, to over 3000 families in Massachusetts shelters or in motels nightly. Join keynote speaker Rev. Liz Walker at the sixth annual forum of the Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness on Sunday, February 28, at First Parish in Concord, from 3 to 5 p.m. Elizabeth Curtis and Mary Doyle will describe the goals and progress of the new regional programs and will offer ways for us to become involved. Contact Jane Blumberg at 978-369-8520 with questions.

You Can Help Rebuild Haiti - Save the Date

You are invited on Sunday, March 7, 4:30-6:00 p.m., to a Young Activist fundraiser for Haiti at the Folk Café at First Parish in Concord. Enjoy the sounds of First Parish members Diana DeMuth, an emerging vocal artist, and Eric Kilburn, a longtime folk favorite, as you contribute to Partners in Health, Paul Farmer's nonprofit that works directly in Haiti with the poorest of the poor. No entry charge. Light refreshments available for sale. All donations go directly to PIH. To help with the fundraiser, contact Charlotte Rankin-Higgins at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . In support of this Young Activist, the First Parish Social Action Grants Committee will match funds raised, up to $1000.