SAC Announces -- Report on Family Homelessness Forum Attached
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):
- ATTACHED TO THIS EMAIL: A Report from the Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness Forum
- Carbon Tax Panel in Boxborough, TONIGHT at 7 PM
- “The Future of Water: Too Little and Too Much” Panel Discussion on Sunday, March 22nd at 3:30 PM
- Advocacy Skills Workshop on Sunday, March 22 at 2 PM
- Environmental Film Series -- Tuesday, March 24th at 6:30 PM at St Anne's in-the-Fields, Lincoln
- Special Presentation from Stephanie Leighton, of Trillium Asset Management, on Sunday, March 29th at 11:30 AM
- Environmental Film Series -- Tuesday, March 31st at 7 PM
- “Putting Social Action into Practice” with Sandy Wood on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:30 AM
- UU Mass Action Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 14 at the Arlington Street Church – Registration is Now Open!
- Hope Out Loud 4 on Sunday, April 12th at 3 PM at the UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam Ave, Roxbury – Great Multigenerational Activity
Carbon Tax Panel in Boxborough, TONIGHT at 7 PM
“Mitigating Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Carbon Fee and Rebate” panel discussion at Boxborough Town Hall, featuring Senator Jamie Eldridge, Gib Metcalf (FP Member and Professor of Economics at Tufts), and Dan Gatti, Executive Director of Climate XChange. This panel will discuss carbon pricing strategies to rein in greenhouse gas emissions. Event is TONIGHT at 7 PM at the Boxborough Town Hall (just the other side of Acton, a 15 minute ride from downtown Concord).
“The Future of Water: Too Little and Too Much” Panel Discussion on Sunday, March 22nd at 3:30 PM
In recognition of World Water Day, the next event in the Climate Solutions Speaker Series will be about the future of water and how we can act now to make that future a more positive and sustainable one for all life on this beautiful planet. The event will begin a short video by water expert Sandra Postel and then a live panel discussion with Drs. Paul Kirshen and Patricia Jones. Paul Kirshen is a Civil Engineer and Research Professor at UNH. Patricia Jones is the Senior Program Leader for The Human Right to Water with the UU Service Committee. A half hour reception will follow the panel discussion. This event is free and open to everyone. This event is co-sponsored by the Social Action Community Council, as part of its Commit2Respond campaign between World Water Day and Earth Day.
Advocacy Skills Workshop on Sunday, March 22 at 2 PM
Seize this opportunity to educate yourself and do something about policies that contribute to homelessness and legislation that addresses it. Miriam Stein, MSW, author of Make Your Voice Matter With Lawmakers will facilitate this “no experience necessary” interactive workshop. The focus of our training will be on developing skills and comfort around communicating – over phone, email and in person – with legislators. The free workshop will also demonstrate how to use the media to raise awareness about the crisis in family homelessness and solutions to it. Go to our website to learn more http://www.endfamilyhomelessness.net/advocacy/. Email Jane Blumberg at jane_b...@me.com to sign up or if you have any questions.
Environmental Film Series -- Tuesday, March 24th at 6:30 PM at St Anne's in-the-Fields, Lincoln
As part of our Commit2Respond initiative, First Parish members and friends are invited to St Anne's in-the-Fields in Lincoln on March 24th to watch Last Call at the Oasis. In the film, filmmaker Jessica Yu examines the looming global water crisis and what can be done to avoid it. Following each film, we’ll have discussion as time allows, and light refreshments will be served.
Special Presentation from Stephanie Leighton, of Trillium Asset Management, on Sunday, March 29th at 11:30 AM
Please join us on Sunday, March 29, at 11:30am for a special presentation by Stephanie Leighton of Trillium Asset Management. Ms. Leighton is a partner, portfolio manager and research analyst at Trillium, the oldest investment management firm focused exclusively on sustainable and responsible investing (SRI). Trillium is headquartered in Boston and was founded in 1982; the firm is a leader in shareholder advocacy and public policy work. Ms. Leighton is a Unitarian Universalist and served on the UUA’s Committee on Socially Responsible Investing. She will be discussing opportunities in First Parish investments and also personal investing. Her visit is part of a congregational dialogue about SRI and fossil fuel divestment, and is sponsored by the Divestment subgroup of the Environmental Leadership Team. Questions? Please speak with Bruce Blumberg (ELT), Laura Bernstein (Trustees), Bob Andrews (ELT), Kate Crosby (Standing Committee liaison), or Bethany Lowe (FP staff).
Environmental Film Series -- Tuesday, March 31st at 7 PM
Have you considered reducing your intake of animal products? Perhaps you're concerned about your health, or the environmental, or the way animals are treated. Please join us on March 31 at 7:00pm for a showing of Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret. While some object to the title, the film itself is an excellent exploration of the impacts of large scale animal agriculture on our environment. Sponsored by the SAC Council and Reverence For Life.
“Putting Social Action into Practice” with Sandy Wood on Wednesday, April 1 at 9:30 AM
Sandy Wood, who grew up in this church, will tell us about the year she has just spent teaching at a children’s community in northeastern India. She has truly gone out into the world. To learn more about the children’s community where Sandy is teaching see http://jhamtseinternational.org/our-work/jhamtse-gatsal/. This talk if part of the Wednesday morning Buddhist group who meets each Wednesday from 9:30-11 AM in the Chapel.
UU Mass Action Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 14 at the Arlington Street Church – Registration is Now Open!
Come join Unitarian Universalist activists from around the state at UU Mass Action’s 10th Annual Advocacy Day on Tuesday, April 14th. Events from 9:30 AM – 4 PM at Arlington Street Church (351 Boylson St., Boston) and the MA State House. We will hear a special message from Bill McKibben, world renowned climate activists and co-founder of 350.org. Our Keynote Speaker is Senator William Brownsberger, D-Belmont. Senator Brownsberger is a Unitarian Universalist, Chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary, and strong leader and ally in legislation to address climate change, ending mass incarceration, immigrant rights, and economic justice. Our Worship Leaders are Rev Nathan Detering, Senior Minister and Rev Heather Concannon, Assistant Minister for Youth and Family from First Parish in Sherborn.
Following the morning program, we will break out into groups to prepare for the legislative meetings at the State House. Each group will be facilitated by lead issue organizers. Participants are asked to choose their preferred issue focus when registering for the event.
Legislative Priorities
• End Mass Incarceration: End Mandatory Minimums, Pre-Trial & Bail Reform, Justice Reinvestment Act
• Immigration Rights: Trust Act, Safe Driving and Education Equity
• Economic Justice: End Homelessness, Paid Family & Medical Leave
• Environment/Climate Change: Green Bank, C-PACE and Fossil Fuel Divestment
Registration is at: http://tinyurl.com/mzuo33z. Register by April 1st and the appointment with your legislator will be made for you. Ticket Price $25 - Covers breakfast, lunch, beverages & building use fee. Reduced Fee $10 tickets & scholarship passes are available
Hope
Out Loud 4 on Sunday, April
12th at 3 PM at
the UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam Ave, Roxbury – Great Multigenerational Activity
Once again, all First Parish Concord choirs will be participating in Hope Out Loud, 4 a multi-faith, multigenerational praise celebration at the UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam Ave, Roxbury. Hope Out Loud is a time for us to hear a diverse collection of voices speak their truths through dance, song, and spoken word. Led by the renowned Brother Dennis Slaughter, UU choirs from the metro-Boston area will join the Boston Community Choir in a resounding community sing featuring songs like “Draw the Circle” and “How Good!” There will be lots of group singing, so bring your voice and help us make HOPE come alive! This is a great opportunity to show our ongoing support for the good work of the UU Urban Ministry, an organization grounded in UU values which serves the needs of children and families in their Roxbury neighborhood. All First Parish members and friends are invited to come, celebrate, and learn. Door to door bus service will be provided. Contact Beth Norton (mu...@firstparish.org) to reserve your spot on a bus. A donation of $5.00/person, with a maximum of $20/family will be gratefully accepted to help cover bus costs.