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):
- Rain Barrel Program 2015 – Deadline TOMORROW at 5 PM
- Holocaust Memorial Commemoration on April 26 at 7 PM at the Concord Town House
- Tina Chery, Found of the LDB Peace Institute, to Speak in the Forum on Sunday, May 3 at 11:30 AM
- 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)
Rain Barrel Program 2015 – Deadline TOMORROW at 5 PM
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.
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.
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.
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.