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):
- FLYERS ATTACHED: Homelessness Forum in Belmont, RIA House “Another Mother’s Day” Event on May 17th
- Rain Barrel Program 2015 - Conserve Water and Save Money
- The SHOUT Heard ‘Round the World: Revere Our Climate -- Bike Ride, Walk and Rally on Sunday, April 19th – Great Multigenerational Activity
- Upcoming Event on Immigration from UU Mass Action on Sunday, April 19th
- Showing of Thirsty for Justice on Tuesday, April 21st at 7 PM
- Holocaust Memorial Commemoration on April 26 at 7 PM at the Concord Town House
- Mother’s Day Walk for Peace on Sunday, May 10th at 8 AM
- Beyond Mother’s Day in May!
Rain Barrel Program 2015 - Conserve Water and Save Money
We are offering a Rain Barrel Program to help residents conserve water and save money. Rain barrels collect and store rainwater for outdoor water use which means you’ll save money on your water bill. In New England, this means that up to 1700 gallons of water can be captured during extended summer months. Rain barrels reduce pollutants from entering into the water supplies by reducing runoff – which helps towns manage the water supplies and keep costs down. Best of all, rain barrels are low cost and easy to install. The rain barrel available through First Parish in Concord is repurposed from a 60 gallon shipping drum that is 39" tall by 24" wide, 20 lbs. empty. The shipping drum is made from 3/16" polyethylene which is UV protected and BPA free. The barrel comes complete with overflow fittings, drain plug, screw on cover, and a threaded spigot with a choice of two ports to use with either a watering can or a garden hose. The rain barrel arrives with simple instructions for fast and easy installation. Each barrel $75 and comes in forest green, earth brown and Nantucket gray. As part of our congregation’s Blue Bucket Campaign $10 from the sale of each barrel will go to the UUSC’s partner in Kenya to help get access to clean water. Fill out order form and send order form and check to: First Parish Church, 20 Lexington St, Concord, MA 01742. Check can be made out to "First Parish in Concord" with "rain barrels" in the memo. Barrels will be available for pick up on Saturday, May 2nd from 9 – 11 AM at First Parish. Orders must be received by April 25th 5:00pm. Rain barrel order forms will also be available at coffee hour now through the end of April.
The SHOUT Heard ‘Round the World: Revere Our Climate -- Bike Ride, Walk and Rally on Sunday, April 19th
Hear ye, hear ye! The climate is changing, and it’s time to take action! On April 19th, environmental, faith-based, civic and grassroots organizations -- including members of First Parish in Concord -- are coming together to “sound the alarm” about this century’s urgent challenge: the immediate need to address climate change. The SHOUT Heard ‘Round the World: Revere Our Climate, will be held on the 240th anniversary of Paul Revere’s ride and the battles in Concord, Lexington and Arlington that started the American Revolution. Again, a united citizenry can change the direction of history!
The day’s events include: a bike ride along Paul Revere’s route from Charlestown (leaving at 10:00 AM from Bunker Hill Monument) to Concord, groups of walkers following the route from various points, and two gatherings in Concord. Everyone will assemble at First Parish from 12:30 – 1:30 for lunch (BYOL) and to learn about local opportunities to take action to address climate change. At 1:30 we will walk together to Minute Man National Park for a 2 PM rally featuring speakers, music, participation and reflection. Our goal is to provide energy and motivation to engage more activists in specific efforts to reduce the effect and reach of climate change. For more information about these events and ways to participate, see our website (shoutroc.org) Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/events/570750993028215/) or contact Leslie Fisher leslie...@treitman.com.
Upcoming Event on Immigration from UU Mass Action on Sunday, April 19th
One of UU Mass Action’s legislative priorities this year is immigration. Below are two actions that might be of interest to those seeking to take action to support rights for immigrants in Massachusetts. First Parish member Tony Rodriguez is planning to attend both of these events. Contact him if you’d like to join: trod.ro...@gmail.com.
Prayer Vigil for Immigrant Detainees
When: Sunday April 19th, 2-3:30
Where: Suffolk County House of Corrections, 20 Bradston St, Boston
Lead Sponsor: Boston New Sanctuary Movement
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/433078083540402/
Showing of Thirsty for Justice on Tuesday, April 21st at 7 PM
In the richest nation on earth, and wealthiest state in the nation, how can so many people lack access to safe affordable water for their basic human needs? Thirsty for Justice shares powerful stories of those who suffer from this assault on their personal health and human dignity, as well as the inspiring story of the grassroots movement that made the human right to water the law of the land in California. Let’s make that right a reality! Come join us and watch this film, which was co-produced by the UU Service Committee. If your interested in more of UUSC's work, join us for a program with the founder of one of their partner organizations, Chrisantus from Hope in Crops, on Sunday, May 3rd at 3 PM.
Holocaust Memorial Commemoration on April 26 at 7 PM at the Concord Town House
The Concord-Carlisle Human Rights Council announces the annual Holocaust Memorial Commemoration gathering at the Concord Town House on April 26 at 7:00 PM. This year’s speaker is Holocaust survivor Pedro Lilienfeld, who experienced the confinement of his father in a French internment camp; the overnight stay by two Nazi soldiers in their home with a warning that the Gestapo would come; and his narrow escape from Nazi soldiers at a train border crossing. Also participating is cantor Rosalie Gerut and Rabbi Darby Leigh of Temple Kerem Shalom. The event welcomes the public and is without cost.
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.