SAC Announce
Bethany L
In this email, you'll find information about some exciting events sponsored, supported, or promoted First Parish in Concord's SAC.
The announcement contains information on (red bold indicates new news items):
- Open Table Volunteer Orientations Coming Up – Nov. 24th
- Panel Discussion on “Paths to a Sustainable Food System" on Fri., Nov. 7th, 7:30 PM at First Parish in Concord
- Denominational Affairs Committee Studying “Escalating Inequality”; First Meeting is Monday, November 10th at 7:30 PM
- Compassionate Raising of a Troubled Child Film Showing at Lincoln-Sudbury High School on Saturday, November 15, 5:30
- Forum on “Taking a Stand on Climate Change: Divestment From Fossil Fuel Investments” on Sunday, Nov. 16, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
- Concord Area Interfaith Environmental Potluck on Monday, November 17 at 6:30 PM at St. Anne’s-In-The-Fields in Lincoln
- Collect and Sort Clothing for Cradles to Crayons on Saturday, November 22nd from 1-3 PM
Open Table Volunteer Orientations Coming Up – Nov. 24th
The Next Open Table Volunteer Orientations in scheduled for November 24 at Clock Tower Place, Maynard. This orientation will begin at 6 pm with a tour of the site followed by a general overview of Open Table’s various services. Each session lasts about an hour. We will discuss how weekly dinners are prepared and served, how food is collected and distributed at the food pantries, as well as how Open Table is organized and what volunteering involves. All current and prospective volunteers are welcome. We strongly encourage all volunteers to come and learn about the different facets of Open Table. If you are a current volunteer, please choose a time that does not overlap with your volunteer schedule or, if necessary, coordinate with your team leader to have a substitute available. Please join us to learn more about this wonderful organization, meet some of our volunteers and find out about the kinds of volunteer opportunities. To attend please contact Kerry Munro or Jean Husson at orien...@opentable.org
Panel Discussion on “Paths to a Sustainable Food System" on Fri., Nov. 7th, 7:30 PM at First Parish in Concord
The Climate Solutions Speaker Series continues on Friday, November 7th with a panel discussion on regional food systems and what it will take to have the Northeast produce more of its own food. This panel will include Brian Donohue (Professor of American Environmental Studies at Brandeis), Jennifer Hashley (Director of the New Entry Sustainability Farming Project at Tufts) and Jack Kittredge (Policy Director for the Mass. Chapter of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA)). These three highly knowledgeable panelists will discuss the role of local farms, farmers, gardeners and consumers in creating a more sustainable and sufficient regional food system. This event is free and open to the public.
Denominational Affairs Committee Studying “Escalating Inequality”; First Meeting is Monday, November 10th at 7:30 PM
Delegates at the 2014 General Assembly selected “Escalating Inequality” as the new Congregational Study/Action Issue for the coming four years. The UUA is drafting a resource guide, and will offer workshops to share best practices, address challenges and identify opportunities for collaboration. Here at First Parish, the DAC is looking for congregation members who want to join in the planned process of study, reflection and action on economic inequality in America. If you are interested, please come to the next DAC meeting, Monday November 10, at 7:30 PM in the Brooks Room, or contact AliceVa...@gmail.com.
Compassionate Raising of a Troubled Child Film Showing at Lincoln-Sudbury High School on Saturday, November 15, 5:30
On Saturday, November 15, from 5:30-9:00 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury High School, the Buddhist group, which meets weekly in the First Parish chapel, will show the film "Tashi & the Monk," an inspiring, award-winning, film about using compassion and wisdom to raise a troubled child. The film showing will be followed by a Tibetan dinner. (For those of you that remember him, Lobsang, who was in Concord from 2001 to 2006, is the monk in the film.) For more information and tickets, see http://jhamtseinternational.org/tashi-and-the-monk-november-fundraiser/. This event is a fundraiser for the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community, which is a recent SAC Grantee.
Forum on “Taking a Stand on Climate Change: Divestment From Fossil Fuel Investments” on Sunday, Nov. 16, 11:30 AM-1:00 PM
At its’ General Assembly, in July 2014, the Unitarian Universalist Association (U.U.A.) voted almost unanimously for a Business Resolution calling for a denominational strategy of divestment from fossil fuel investments, combined with selective shareholder activism. The resolution included strong encouragement for all U.U. congregations to consider similar action. First Parish in Concord has begun this process, and will conclude it with a congregational vote in the spring.
Bethany Lowe, the Social Action Director of First Parish in Concord, will moderate the panel, which includes:
- Donna E Clifford, a financial advisor with Rainbow Solutions, Inc, who has had over twenty-five years experience in the financial services industry. She is a life-long UU, and served for six years as Trustee of the Endowment Fund at the Melrose UU Church, where she was instrumental in moving the Endowment to Socially Responsible investments.
- Rev. Dorothy Emerson, an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister who has promoted socially responsible investing as an important tool for personal and social change. She provides consulting services to support those who want their lifestyles and business practices, as well as their money, to reflect their core values.
- Peter Lowitt, a Co-Chair of the First Parish in Concord Environmental Leadership Team and a First Parish in Concord delegate to the 2014 General Assembly.
The First Parish Environmental Leadership Team’s Divestment Subgroup is sponsoring this forum, to provide education about divestment and stimulate discussion of why it is worthy of serious consideration by both institutions and individuals.
Concord Area Interfaith Environmental Potluck on Mon., Nov. 17 at 6:30 PM at St. Anne’s-In-The-Fields, 147 Concord Rd, Lincoln
Join us and become a part of this exciting new effort to engage in environmental action as a part of an interfaith collaboration. We’ll discuss updates on the cooperative composting by houses of worship and restaurants in Concord. This is also a forum to explore how local churches can collaborate to build “green” movements within their congregations. Bring your favorite dish to share. RSVP to Laura Benedict, bre...@comcast.net.
Collect and Sort Clothing for Cradles to Crayons on Saturday, November 22nd from 1-3 PM
The Concord community is partnering with Cradles to Crayons (C2C) to collect new and like-new essential children’s items. Bring your quality children’s items to the Concord Community Collection Unit, located at 305 Walden St, Concord, from November 8-22. Then join your neighbors for a fun, hands-on service opportunity where you will inspect and organize the donations from your local community on November 22nd from 1-3 PM at the Nashoba Brooks School, 200 Strawberry Hill Road, Concord, MA 01742. Cradles to Crayons is a long-standing SAC Program. This event is family-friendly – younger kids can help sort!
Most needed items:
Boys’ jeans
Girls’ jeans (especially sizes 12-18)
New socks, underwear, and pajamas
Shoes (especially sneakers, up to size 5 youth)
Items not accepted:
Stuffed animals
Furniture/Cribs
Bikes
Oversized plastic toys
Contact Kerri Metcalf at (617) 779-4741 for more information