First Parish This Week/Next Week (February 13-26)
FirstParishinConcord
Monday February 13
All Day, All Activities Cancelled
Tuesday February 14
12:00 p.m., Newsletter Deadline
2:00 p.m., Shawl Ministry
6:30 p.m., T'ai Chi
Wednesday February 15
9:30 a.m., Buddhist Group
7:45 p.m., Adult Choir
Thursday February 16
7:00 p.m., Panel on Criminal Justice in Massachusetts
7:30 p.m., By Your Side Singers
7:30 p.m., Buddhist Group
Friday February 17
12:30 p.m., T'ai Chi
5:30 p.m., Grub's Place Rehearsal
7:00 p.m., Jewish Awareness Affinity Group
Saturday February 18
7:00 p.m., WPA Event: Fashions of Downton Abbey
Sunday February 19
9:00 a.m., Chalice Choir
9:00 a.m., Gospel Choir
10:00 a.m., Sunday Worship
11:30 a.m., Junior Choir
11:30 a.m., Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
12:15 p.m., Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
4:00 p.m., Grub's Place Rehearsal
Monday February 20
All Day, President's Day
7:00 p.m., Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
Tuesday February 21
6:30 p.m., T'ai Chi
7:00 p.m., Amnesty International Meeting
Wednesday February 22
9:30 a.m., Buddhist Group
10:00 a.m., Small Group Ministry
7:00 p.m., Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
7:45 p.m., Adult Choir
Thursday February 23
7:30 p.m., Buddhist Group
Friday February 24
5:30 p.m., Grub's Place Rehearsal
7:30 p.m., Rise Up Singing
Sunday February 26
9:00 a.m., Chalice Choir
9:00 a.m., Gospel Choir
10:00 a.m., Sunday Worship
11:30 a.m., Junior Choir
11:30 a.m., Sunday Forum in the Sanctuary
11:30 a.m., Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
12:15 p.m., Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
4:00 p.m., Grub's Place Rehearsal
7:15 p.m., Diversity Committee Film
THIS WEEK (February 13-19)
Monday February 13, All Day
Due to heavy snowfall, all of Monday's evening events are cancelled.
*Newsletter Deadline
Tuesday February 14, 12:00 p.m.
Submissions in final form for the March Meeting House Newsletter are needed by Noon, Tuesday, February 14. Please send your submission and images in final form as attachments to the Editor, Wendy Wolfberg,wolf...@post.harvard.edu. For the latest on dates and guidelines, please check the Editor's Notes section in the most recent Meeting House Newsletter or download from the website (link at bottom of page)http://firstparish.org/wp/news/news-submission-guidelines/. If you are new to submitting, please review the format/layout used in previous newsletters. If you do not receive a confirmation email that your submission was received, please contact the Editor. If you submit regularly, please request a template file of your copy that you can edit and resubmit to reduce work for you and your committee. Thank you.
*Shawl Ministry
Tuesday February 14, 2:00 p.m.
*T'ai Chi
Tuesday February 14, 6:30 p.m.
*Buddhist Group
Wednesday February 15, 9:30 a.m.
Come explore Buddhism with us Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00 a.m. (or Thursdays from 7:30-9:00 p.m.). Even if you have no previous experience with Buddhism, consider joining
one of these groups. A typical session usually starts with some chanting and meditation to help us calm our minds and focus our thoughts. Then, after a brief reading or lecture, we discuss how to apply what we have learned to our daily lives. Questions are
always welcome. We are a friendly, welcoming group. Check out a session or two. Contact Bill Seaver at Bill....@gmail.com.
*Adult Choir
Wednesday February 15, 7:45 p.m.
*Criminal Justice in Massachusetts: How It's Broken and Ways to Fix It
Thursday February 16, 7:00 p.m.
Join State Senator Mike Barrett, Clarence Bevins and Louellyn Lambrose for a panel discussion on the need for criminal justice reform in Massachusetts. Panelists will
share personal experiences, explain legislative initiatives and provide concrete suggestions on how attendees can help establish a more just system. Sponsored by the Race Conversations Group. For more information contact Leslie Fisher at leslie...@treitman.com.
*By Your Side Singers
Thursday February 16, 7:30 p.m.
By Your Side Singers is First Parish’s pastoral choir. Through singing, we offer a musical presence to people seeking comfort and support during times of illness or transition.
In our twice monthly meetings we sing gentle songs and chants from our hymnals and other sources. In singing meditation we provide gentle support and comfort to one another. When invited, we visit parishioners’ homes in groups of 3 or 4 singers.
*Buddhist Group
Thursday February 16, 7:30 p.m.
*T'ai Chi
Friday February 17, 12:30 p.m.
*Grub's Place Rehearsal
Friday February 17, 5:30 p.m.
If you wish to get involved with “Grub’s Place” (on-stage or off) and thought you missed out or have not been contacted yet, please contact stage manager Rebecca Curzon at rebc...@gmail.com.
“Grub’s Place,” a new musical, is written and composed by Jane Blumberg, directed by Francene Amari, and produced by Claudia Nimar. This intergenerational musical is
set in an ant colony. Grub (played by Terry Rothermel) creates a spot for everyone commanding compassion rather than conformity. Turf battles, jealous hearts, death, and prejudice threaten the colony’s survival. If you have questions, contact director Francene
Amari at franc...@gmail.com.
*Jewish Awareness Affinity Group
Friday February 17, 7:00 p.m.
Lillian Anderson and Marcia Marlow will lead a discussion about the life and work of Primo Levi, Holocaust survivor and author. Each month, this affinity group gathers to share some bread, wine,
and conversation. All are welcome. For more information, contact Dana Snyder-Grant,dana.sny...@gmail.com or 978-760-1129.
*WPA Event: Fashions of Downton Abbey
Saturday February 18, 7:00 p.m.
RSVP by February 15. Don’t miss the WPA’s fascinating program by fashion historian Karen Antonowicz, who will illustrate major changes in the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey
throughout its intriguing history. Feel free to dress in period costumes. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. followed by dessert and beverages. Charge is $8. For reservations, sign up by February 15 at coffee hour, or contact the church office at 978-369-
9602 or Dian Pekin at pek...@comcast.net. All are warmly welcome. Invite family members and friends for a
fun night out!
*Chalice Choir
Sunday February 19, 9:00 a.m.
*Gospel Choir
Sunday February 19, 9:00 a.m.
*Sunday Worship
Sunday February 19, 10:00 a.m.
Jan Hutslar, Ministerial Intern: "Unexpected Joy"
Music: First Parish Choir; Kenneth Griffith, Sabbatical Choir Director
*Junior Choir
Sunday February 19, 11:30 a.m.
*Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
Sunday February 19, 11:30 a.m.
Read and discuss The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander, a devastating account of how the U.S. prison population grew from 300,000 in the 1970s to 2,300,000 in just 40
years – and the havoc that is wreaking.Obtain the book at coffee hour, then sign up for one of the discussion series:
2 Sundays remain at 11:30 a.m.: February
19 and March 5
2 Mondays remain at 7:00 p.m.: February 20 and March
6
2 Wednesdays remain at 7:00 p.m.: February 22 and March
8
For the first meeting, read through p. 96. Questions? Contact Don Miller at donald...@comcast.net or
978-610-6298.
*Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Sunday February 19, 12:15 p.m.
*Grub's Place Rehearsal
Sunday February 19, 4:00 p.m.
NEXT WEEK (February 20-26)
Monday February 20, All Day
*Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
Monday February 20, 7:00 p.m.
*T'ai Chi
Tuesday February 21, 6:30 p.m.
*Amnesty International Meeting
Tuesday February 21, 7:00 p.m.
In addition to writing letters supporting individuals who have been punished for peaceful human rights activities, we’ll have updates on efforts to bring about prison reform, death penalty abolition, and the prevention of violence against women. We’ll focus on strategies to free two young Azerbaijanian student activists, Giyas Ibrahimov and Bayram Mammadov, arrested in May on trumped-up charges of heroin possession. All are welcome to join us. For more information, contact Kathy Taylor at Kly.t...@gmail.com or 781-718-7640.
*Buddhist Group
Wednesday February 22, 9:30 a.m.
*Small Group Ministry
Wednesday February 22, 10:00 a.m.
"Topics of Meaning in Everyday Life." In-depth explorations of our experiences and beliefs that underlie topics of meaning in everyday life. Facilitated by Marian Stanley and Francie Nolde. Groups are limited to 10 participants, so it is recommended you sign up early. Sign up on the clipboard in the front office or contact Rev. Marion Visel, mvi...@firstparish.org or 203- 931-5239. Please provide your name, phone number, and email address.
*Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
Wednesday February 22, 7:00 p.m.
*Adult Choir
Wednesday February 22, 7:45 p.m.
*Buddhist Group
Thursday February 23, 7:30 p.m.
*Grub's Place Rehearsal
Friday February 24, 5:30 p.m.
*Rise Up Singing
Friday February 24, 7:30 p.m.
First Parish’s monthly song circle. Singers and instrumentalists of all ages are welcome at this fun and informal evening of shared music making. Bring copies of Rise Up Singing and Rise Again if you have them. Copies will be available for those who don’t. We will pass the hat for a free-will donation to cover the cost of the room and a sexton.
*Chalice Choir
Sunday February 26, 9:00 a.m.
*Gospel Choir
Sunday February 26, 9:00 a.m.
*Sunday Worship
Sunday February 26, 10:00 a.m.
Rev. Howard Dana: "Seeing It as Sin"
Music: Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
*Junior Choir
Sunday February 26, 11:30 a.m.
*Sunday Forum in the Sanctuary
Sunday February 26, 11:30 a.m.
"Restorative Justice" with Margot Fleischman, Di Clymer, and John Cratsley. Three members of the Board of Directors of Communities for Restorative Justice (C4RJ) will discuss the work of this local nonprofit partnership of community members and police departments involving victims and offenders in the wake of crime. C4RJ provides a circle process run by volunteer facilitators, by which victims are heard and understood, offenders take responsibility for harm, and family and community members offer support—all in an effort to prevent the matter from ever being presented in court.
*Discussion of "The New Jim Crow"
Sunday February 26, 11:30 a.m.
*Contemporary Vocal Ensemble
Sunday February 26, 12:15 p.m.
*Grub's Place Rehearsal
Sunday February 26, 4:00 p.m.
*Diversity Committee Film Part Two
Sunday February 26, 7:15 p.m.
We continue with parts two of this three-part PBS documentary (part one was shown in January). A short discussion will follow each showing. This series examines the science that challenges our assumptions about race, the history of how artificial racial distinctions were adopted, and the ways that politics, economics, and culture define “race.” We’ll gather for socializing and refreshments at 7:15 p.m. and start each screening at 7:30 p.m., promptly. No admission charge. For more information, contact Sara Ballard at 978-371-0723 or sa...@sb.org (email preferred).