A Message from Amy

[Rev. Amy Freedman]

A Message from Amy:

I have important news to share with you. Yesterday afternoon the President of our Unitarian Universalist Association, Rev. Peter Morales resigned. This is a surprising turn of events given that he only had three more months left in his term and a new President will be elected at General Assembly in June.

 

Of course, nothing happens in isolation, his resignation occurred after a heated discussion about UUA hiring practices and how we could better live our values.  Here is a link so you can be informed about what has been happening in our larger movement:

UUA President resigns amid controversy over hiring practices

 

As members of a liberal religious tradition, we know that life is perpetual change and that our faith includes lifelong learning and continual growth. Personally, I am saddened by this news given that Peter Morales was a classmate of mine at Starr King School for the Ministry. The only way out of this mess is for us as religious liberals to face systemic racism starting in our hearts and congregations. We will find a new way together.

Blessings,

Amy

Rev. Amy Freedman, Minister of Religious Education

 

Announcements for Children, Youth and Families:

• Eggs & Bunnies- 4/9
  
• Glass Jars for Easter Egg Dyeing
• What's happening this Sunday, April 2?
  
• NEW Caregiver Support Group- 4/3
  
• Family Day at Fruitlands- 4/29
• Transylvania Pilgrimage Informational Meeting- 4/30
  

Eggs & Bunnies

Sunday, April 9, 10:15-11:15a.m.

Next week during our regular RE time, Kindergarten, Grades 1, 2, 3 and 4 will have a special program.  Families are asked to bring one dozen hard-boiled eggs (if you can)! Everyone will be able to take four eggs home. We will decorate eggs for our First Parish Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 16 at 10:00am. We will have a rainbow of colors and other supplies ready for you to join in the fun! Also, Kimberly Brainerd is bringing in her bunnies Milo and Dilly to join our festivities.

 

Glass Jars for Easter Egg Dyeing
Do you have any small glass jars that you could donate? We will be dyeing Easter eggs on Sunday, April 9th during RE classes. Please drop-off your donations in the Coat Room by April 4th. Thank you!

 

Help Wanted- Little RE
Can you help? Little RE cares for our youngest children (babies through preschoolers) during Sunday services. Showing up as an adult volunteer is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to give back to our community. We have amazing teen assistants, four scheduled each Sunday, that run the program. The commitment is from 9:45 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.. Signing up is easy though Sign Up Genius select the dates that you would like to volunteer online: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0b4faaac29a5fe3-little

Please contact Dawn if you have any questions: dvanp...@firstparish.org

 

What’s happening this Sunday, April 2?

Please read below to discover what your child(ren) are exploring at First Parish.

 

Little RE – Lower Level

Teachers: Meghan Regan-Loomis and Anna Huckabee Tull

Teaching Assistants on a rotating schedule:  Talia Aley, Evie Hamor, Olivia Holmes, Rosie Jimenez, Claire Parish-Cowan, Talia Smith, Laura (Nuffi) Wallis,

Our youngest children (0-4 years) will play in a caring environment with time for making friends, reading stories, playing outdoors, eating snack, and craft projects. Parents are invited to bring their children to the classroom fifteen minutes before worship service begins (9:45am).

 

Spirit Play- Kindergarten/1^st Grade– Lower Level

Teachers: Mel Jiganti and Ethan Baxter

This week’s lesson is from a Sioux myth, “The Gift”.  The story sparks curiosity about what it means to be human and the group will explore what makes each of us special. 

 

Little OWL- Grade 1 – Lower Level, 10:00-11:15 a.m.

Teachers: Renee Lloyd and Anne Remington

“Safe Bodies” is the topic of this week’s class.  The class will think about ways we can keep our bodies safe.

Explorations with Thoreau

Please dress for the weather! We may go outside.  
2nd Grade: Greeley Room
Teachers: Amy Rensko and Leanna Walker
3rd Grade: Ripley Room
Teachers: Carolyn Kessel Stewart and Brandon Wilkerson
4th Grade: Emerson Room
Teachers: Lisa Bennett and Stephanie Liu

Our Spring theme is “Explorations with Thoreau” for Kindergarten, 2nd, 3rd and 4th graders. Any 5th graders who are not enrolled in Middle OWL will be with the 4th Grade class. 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of Henry David Thoreau’s birth. Inspired by our spiritual ancestor, we will spend time outdoors, journaling, walking, connecting with nature and reflecting on our place in it.

Middle OWL: 5th Grade – Wright Tavern, 10:00-11:15 a.m.
Teachers: Jeff Brainerd and Lora Venesy
This Sunday our theme is Puberty. We will discuss the physical and emotional changes of puberty.

Neighboring Activists: 6th Grade – Emerson Room, 10:00-11:15 a.m.
Teachers: Jan Goddard-Taylor, Ayres Stiles-Hall and special guest, Catherine Karp
Our Neighboring Activists are creating PRO-test Art! 6^thgraders will meet at 10am this Sunday, 4/2 (instead of beginning in the service) in the Emerson Room. Also, please mark your calendar for their Pop-up Gallery on Sunday, 4/9 in the First Parish Parlor.  The 6^th graders will meet at 10am on 4/9 to set-up in the Parish Hall.

Neighboring Faiths: 7th Grade – Brooks Room
Teachers: Jan Power, Stuart Johnstone and Jen Izzo

This Sunday, April 2^nd, we will be visiting Union Baptist Church in Cambridge.  We will be meeting at First Parish at 9:15 a.m. After we leave the service at UBC, we will have lunch at the nearby Bertucci’s.  Please bring $10 for lunch (exact change, if possible, please). We should be back at First Parish around 1:30 p.m. As always, modest dress, please.

Questions? Please contact Jan Power: jpo...@gmail.com or 978-764-8569.  Thanks!

8th Grade OWL – Emerson Room, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Facilitators: Andrea Hubbard-Nelson, Eric Read, Louisa Paushter and Tim Peacock
Questions? Andrea Hubbard-Nelson: andr...@mindspring.com

NEW Caregiver Support Group
Monday, April 3, 1:00 - 2:30pm, Brooks Room
Providing care for a family member in need is an age-old act of love and loyalty. You may care for an aging parent (while also caring for your own children), disabled spouse, or a young or adult child with a physical, mental or addiction issues. Whether you provide direct care or oversee care at a distance, with support you can be a good caregiver without sacrificing yourself in the process. The group will determine its future meeting schedule. Facilitated by Marion Visel, Minister for Pastoral Care, and Diane Clapp, Pastoral Care Lay Minister. If you are unable to attend this meeting but are interested contact Marion Visel: mvi...@firstparish.org or 203/931-5239 cell.

Family Day at Fruitlands
Saturday, April 29—New date!
Join Howard, Amy and Dawn for a fun day at Fruitlands located at 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard, MA. This outing will be fun for all ages! Discover the Alcott’s 19th century utopian experiment, enjoy the beautiful grounds and explore the other small museums on site. $10 entrance fee. Bring a picnic lunch. Learn more: www.fruitlands.org No sign-up needed. We will carpool from First Parish in Concord at 9:30 am. Our outing will end by 2:00 pm for our return to Concord. If you wish to meet us at there, you’re also welcome to do so! Questions? Contact Amy: afre...@firstparish.org

Transylvania Pilgrimage Informational Meeting
Sunday, April 30, 11:30 am, Emerson Room
The Partner Congregation Committee and Amy Freedman are excited to announce that plans for a multi-generational pilgrimage to our partner congregation in Szekelykeresztur are moving forward. We are exploring either April school vacation or the summer of 2018 as possible travel dates and will have specific information about dates, costs, activities and itinerary at the meeting. This is open to all, adults and families alike. Please plan to join us if you want to hear more about it. If you are interested or have questions but are unable to attend please contact Lillian Anderson (lilli...@comcast.net) or Amy Freedman (afre...@Firstparish.org)