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):
- Offering on Sunday, May 3rd to go to Nepal Relief
- Tina Chery, Found of the LDB Peace Institute, to Speak in the Forum on Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 AM
- Interactive Presentation by Christantus Mwandihi, UU Service Committee Featured Partner, on Sunday, May 3rd at 3 PM
- Mother’s Day Walk for Peace on Sunday, May 10th at 8 AM
- Beyond Mother’s Day in May!
- Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM – Hear from SAC Grantee Dignity in Asylum
- Volunteer Opportunities at Open Table and Household Goods (formerly HGRM)
- Support First Parishioner in the NAMI Walk on May 16th
- Divestment Discussion on Sunday, May 17th at 11:30 AM
Offering on Sunday, May 3rd to go to Nepal Relief
Tina Chery, Found of the LDB Peace Institute, to Speak in the Forum on Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 AM
Tina Chery, founder of the Louis D Brown Peace Institute (LDBPI) will speak at the May 3rd FORUM from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. Twenty years ago at age 17, when walking to a Teens Aganst Violence meeting, Louis was killed caught in the crossfire between two gangs. Tina responded to this horrific tragedy by creating a center for peace that provides hope through healing, teaching, and learning. FP SAC Grants Committee has awarded three consecutive grants to the LDBPI in support of the PeaceZone Curriculum and the Leadership Academy. Please attend to learn how “Peace is Possible” through the practice of restorative justice.
Interactive Presentation by Christantus Mwandihi, UU Service Committee Featured Partner, on Sunday, May 3rd at 3 PM
Please join Christantus Mwandihi at First Parish Concord for a Climate Justice Sunday presentation and reception! Christantus Mwandihi is the founder of SoilFarm Multi-Culture Group (SFMG), a UUSC featured partner for Climate Justice Sunday. Mwandihi is a veteran human rights defender and founder of SoilFarm Multi-Culture Group (SFMG), a membership-based, community-led association that preserves the Kakamega Rain Forest and advances human rights in Kenya. SFMG has planted hundreds of thousands of trees and brought adequate nutrition and environmental education to thousands of children through the renowned Hope in Crops program. His presentation will focus on how SFMG is helping Kenyans adapt agricultural and water management practices in the face of climate change. A reception will follow. Join us to learn more about this UUSC partner.
Mother’s Day Walk for Peace on Sunday, May 10th at 8 AM
“We hear and read about it every day. Needless and senseless violence in our schools, on our streets, in our neighborhoods. Please join us as Boston, and ALL of Massachusetts, comes together to make a statement: "It's time to unite, and together, stop the violence that impacts all of us!" (Tina Cherry, Founder of the LDB Peace Institute.
This Mothers' Day, Sunday, May 10th, 2015, thousands of caring and concerned citizens will rally and walk in support of creating a more peaceful and violence free community.
The Mother's Day Walk for Peace began in 1996 for families who had lost their children to violence. On a day that we celebrate mothers and children, the Walk became a place for families and friends to feel support and love with thousands of others who pledge their commitment to peace. The Walk is the primary fundraiser to support the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute.”
Please note ALL walkers must register at www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org. This year First Parish Concord hopes to have enough folks participating so we can rent a bus (or 2) and ride down together. Families with children are more than welcome. My son Graeme, his wife Kelly and their daughter Anya (age 4) have walked for the past 2 years and hope to do so this year. Starting Sunday, April 5 and every Sunday until the Peace Walk, please visit the Mothers’ Day Peace Walk table during coffee hour – before or after the service - to learn more about the walk, to make a donation, and/or to learn how to register for the walk.
Also please come to hear Tina Chery, founder and executive director of LDB Peace Institute speak at the Sunday, May 3 Forum and learn first-hand about life-giving work of the Peace Institute.
I look forward to seeing you at coffee hour, or communicating with you on the phone or email,
Margie
Rev. Margie King Saphier
Beyond Mother’s Day in May!
Several events by and about women, peace and justice, have been planned for the month of May! All members and friends of First Parish are invited to join us for these thought provoking and celebratory programs:
Saturday, May 2nd at 7p.m. - Deborah Jiang Stein, Author and Advocate for incarcerated women will speak to us about justice for imprisoned women. She is founder of the unPrison Project and author of Prison Baby, a personal account of life changing events which have shaped her advocacy work in this field. State Representative Cory Atkins will join us this evening, for discussions with Ms. Stein. Tickets are $10.
Saturday, May 9th, 7p.m. - Lunafest Film Series returns! Lunafest is an evening of short films by women film makers. FP Mother/Daughter book group will make popcorn! Films are entertaining and thought provoking. This is a fund raiser. Tickets are $15.
Sunday, May 10th, 8a.m. – Mother’s Day March for Peace in Roxbury. Mothers, dads, kids, all are invited to join the annual march of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Rev. Margie King Saphier coordinates this early morning event for FPC. This is a family friendly event, which promotes the right of all individuals to live in peace.
Wednesday, May 20th, 12 noon - Skyloom Dancers at WPA luncheon! This creative group of women will dance a spiritual celebration of women! Lunch begins at noon, followed by the Dance performance. Cost for lunch and performance is $10.
Look for posters and sign-up sheets at coffee hours in April and May. Events are open to all members and friends of First Parish in Concord, and are part of a collaborative effort by the Social Action Committee, Reproductive Justice, RE Council, Mother and Daughter Book Group, and Women's Parish Association. For more information, please contact Lora Venesy at ven...@comcast.net
Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, May 19 at 7 PM
Did you know that asylum seekers can't work in the U.S until they've been here six months? It's no surprise, then, that their greatest unmet need in the Boston area is housing--in short supply in the best of circumstances. That problem spurred two members of Group 15 to start a new non-profit, Dignity in Asylum, that currently provides an apartment in Maynard for women asylum seekers. Please join us at our May meeting to hear more about this brand-new local project. AI Group 15 meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30. If you’d like more information about Group 15, please contact Kathy Taylor, the group’s coordinator, at Kly.t...@gmail.com or 781-718-7640.
Volunteer Opportunities at Open Table and Household Goods (formerly HGRM)
Did you know that First Parish in Concord sends 4-6 volunteers once a month to Open Table (Maynard) and Household Good in Acton? You could be one of those volunteers. Contact Tricia Haut for more information.
Support First Parishioner in the NAMI Walk on May 16th
The NAMIWalks event will take place on Saturday, May 16th. NAMI stands for National Alliance for Mental Illness. NAMI works hard everyday to dispel misconceptions and educate the private and public sector by presenting facts and not stereotypes. 1 in 5 American adults experience some kind of mental health condition in a given year. Additionally, 1 in 20 adults are living with a serious mental health condition. Mental health conditions do not discriminate. Those living with mental health conditions experience stigma, which would likely lead to hiding the condition, and so even if you don't think you know anyone with a mental health condition, chances are you do. Funds raised at the Walk on May 16th will support NAMI's efforts. First Parishioner Kristin Stiles-Hall (kstil...@gmail.com) works closely with NAMI and can answer any questions you have. Kristin will also be walking on May 16th. To support her, or join her, go to: http://namiwalks.nami.org/KristinSH.
Divestment Discussion on Sunday, May 17th at 11:30 AM
Please join us on Sunday, May 17, at 11:30am to discuss the proposed warrant article on fossil fuel divestment that will be considered at Annual Meeting on June 14. This is the final gathering scheduled before Annual Meeting, so come find out what it's all about and share your thinking! This dialogue on social & responsible investing (SRI) and divestment is spurred by the fossil fuel divestment commitment adopted at the UUA General Assembly last June and other divestment discussions underway around the world. Questions & comments? Please speak with Bruce Blumberg, Laura Bernstein, Bob Andrews, Kate Crosby, or Bethany Lowe.