Sunday News for February 28, 2010

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

Parish Notes

In Our Pulpit Today

We welcome the Rev. Dr. Terasa Cooley to our pulpit today. Terasa has been the District Executive for the Mass Bay District of the UUA for the past five years. She previously served congregations in Detroit, Chicago and Hartford.

Marvelous Mondays-March 1, 8, 15 and 22, at 6 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, 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 the cost 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. with questions.

Noted Management Consultant Paul Hutchinson to Address Concord Professionals Network

On Tuesday, March 2, at 9 a.m., Paul Hutchinson, noted local consultant, will address the Concord Professionals Network on “Sales Skills for Job Seekers.” Mr. Hutchinson is an expert consultant for business owners and senior management teams seeking to clarify their business development objectives and to improve their sales processes. The Concord Professionals Network is a career development, transition and networking group that meets on Tuesdays at 9 a.m. on the Wright Tavern sunporch at First Parish. The group is free and the public is welcome.

Partner Church Committee Potluck Dinner

What do the Philippines, India, Poland, Hong Kong and South Africa have in common? They're but a few of the countries that enjoy UUA partnerships with North American congregations. Learn more. First Parish is hosting the next national UU Partner Church Council executive meeting, and there will be a potluck dinner and discussion open to all on Friday, March 5, beginning at 6 p.m. Sign-up sheets are available during coffee hours. Join us!

First Parish Theater Project

Friday, March 5, at 7:00 p.m.
Our next play reading will be “All My Sons,” by Arthur Miller, led by Jim Snyder-Grant. It's a classic tragedy, set in post-World War II America, as the characters wrestle with the meaning of the American Dream as an American nightmare unfolds around them. It was Miller's first big hit, but its questioning of American ways was part of what landed him in front of the House Un-American Activities Committee a few years later. Nice big moral questions run through the play, and some compelling characters. Find a copy online or in the library, and come join us. We rotate the parts, so no one has to do more than he or she wants to do, and everyone gets to read something.

Special Coffee Hour Next Week

The creativity, generosity and perseverance of our First Parish community are cause for celebration! Join us Sunday, March 7, (at the coffee hour between services) as we celebrate our community and launch this year's Annual Appeal. See your neighbors and friends, learn how we've structured the appeal a little differently this year, and find your home on our master map!

Episode 2 of “Race: the Power of an Illusion”-March 7

The Diversity Committee will show episode 2 of the PBS documentary series “Race: The Power of an Illusion” on Sunday, March 7, at 1 p.m. in the Parish Hall; a short discussion will follow. “The Story We Tell” explores the roots of the race concept, and how it became so widely accepted. A light lunch will be served beforehand; please sign up at coffee hour or in the office if you'd like lunch. Episode 3 will be shown on March 21.

Evening of Song Auction Party

Saturday, March 13, 7:30 p.m.
Singers and nonsingers alike, join us for an evening of singing and partying. Sing through folk songs, show tunes and classical pieces, all accompanied by the fabulous Grace Choi. Enjoy scrumptious savouries and delectable desserts. Visit at the Smiths' with fellow First Parishioners, friends and families. Teens and older are welcome. Hosted by Darien and Jim Smith, Sara and Stoney Ballard, Val and Biff Holt and Tammie Foote. $20/person. Tickets available at coffee hour and by contacting Darien Smith at 978-369-1471or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Women's AM/PM Book Group

The March book for the Women's AM/PM Book Group is She's Not There: A Life in Two Genders, by Jennifer Finney Boylan. Discussions will be held on Monday evening, March 29, 7:30-9:00 p.m.; and Tuesday morning, March 30, 9:30-11:00 a.m. at First Parish. All women of First Parish are warmly invited to read the selection and join one or both discussions. If you would like to be added to the Women's Book Group e-mail list, please contact Darien Smith at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Children's and Youth News

Today, February 28-Regular RE

    8:50 & 10:50 a.m.-Regular Classes, Babies-Preschool
    9:00 & 11:00-Services
       K-6 Begin in the Sanctuary, Dismissed to RE
       9:00 a.m. - 7th Grade Neighboring Faiths
       2:00 p.m. - 8th Grade Our Whole Lives, Brooks Room

Next Sunday, March 7-Regular RE

    8:50 & 10:50 a.m.-Regular Classes, Babies-Preschool
    9:00 & 11:00-Services
       K-6 Begin in the Sanctuary, Dismissed to RE
       8:30 a.m. - 7th Grade Neighboring Faiths
       2:00 p.m. - 8th Grade Our Whole Lives, Brooks Room

Social Action Community

Young Activist Grant Presentation Today

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

Homelessness Forum Today

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 today at First Parish, 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. 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. . The First Parish Social Action Grants Committee will match funds raised, up to $1000.