SAC Announce
Bethany L
The announcement contains information on (red bold indicates new news items):
- Need for a Chaperone for Youth Group Service Trip to NYC -- February 15-21
- Social Action Grant Application Deadline is Fri., Jan. 30th
- Volunteer to be a Grant Reader
- POSTPONED -- Sarah Chayes Speaking on Thurs., Jan. 29th at 7:30 PM
- Inequality for All Screening and Discussion on Fri., Jan. 30th at 7 PM
- Rock 'n' Roll Bingo Fundraiser for Youth Group Service Trip on Sat., Jan. 31st at 6 PM
- Investing Your Values Discussion this Sunday, February 1st, 9 - 9:45 AM
- Nature Connection Volunteering Training on Friday, February 6th
- Funderburg Scholars Dinner on Sat., Feb. 7th
- Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th
Need for a Chaperone for Youth Group Service Trip to NYC -- February 15-21
We are in urgent need for an additional chaperone for our Youth Group service trip to New York City Feburary 15th - 21nd. We have 10 youth going, and 3 adults currently. While in New York City, we will be working with Youth Service Opportunity Project, a Quaker organization that places high school and college age volunteer groups with homelessness service organizations. We will be helping in soup kitchens, food pantries, and other homelessness service organizations. At the very least, we need one more adult chaperone with us from February 15th - 19th, though we'd love to have one additional through the 21st. Interested? Questions? Contact Bethany at BL...@firstparish.org.
Social Action Grant Application Deadline is Fri., Jan. 30th
The Social Action Community’s Grant Application deadline is January 30th. Each year, First Parish allocates 7.5% of annual pledge income to the SAC Council. The Council distributes this grant money to local, national, and international organizations. Grant award priority is given to these new concepts and ventures. Please keep in mind that grant applications must be sponsored by a First Parish pledging member. Further details on the grant application process, policies and requirements can be found at http://bit.ly/1xJgxu2 or by contacting Wendy Holt (wen...@dmahealth.com) or Bethany Lowe (bl...@firstparish.org).
Volunteer to be a Grant Reader
Last year the Social Action Community Council invited parishioners to read and comment upon grant applications. The ratings and comments we received were a valuable addition to our decision making. This year we are again inviting parishioners to be grant readers. The commitment would involve an optional orientation meeting in early February. Readers will asked to read 5 - 7 short grant applications and complete a one page review form. Applications will be distributed during the second week in February and ratings will be due at the end of the month. Please contact Wendy Holt (wen...@dmahealth.com) if you are interested in exploring this opportunity.
POSTPONED -- Sarah Chayes Speaking on Thurs., Jan. 29th at 7:30 PM
The speaking event with Sarah Chayes has been postponed until further notice. Sarah had a last-minute opportunity to appear on the Jon Stewart show on January 29th, which will allow her message to reach a nation-wide audience. Night owls -- be sure to tune in at 11 PM to Comedy Central. All others can watch it later on the Daily Show’s website.
Inequality for All Screening and Discussion on Fri., Jan. 30th at 7 PM
The Denominational Affairs Committee invites you to a screening of Robert Reich’s gripping film about the origins and corrosive effect of income disparity in America. First Parishioner and Massachusetts State Rep Cory Atkins, who brought this film to the community in October, will introduce the evening. Fred Van Deusen will moderate the follow-on discussion, starting with further materials Reich has provided. Atkins will be on hand to field questions on legislative action. The film is in line with the UUA's current Congregational Study/Action Issue (CSAI) of income disparity, and it may be the chance to kick off deeper engagement with UU’s everywhere on the CSAI.
Rock 'n' Roll Bingo Fundraiser for Youth Group Service Trip on Sat., Jan. 31st at 6 PM
On Saturday, January 31st, the Youth Group will lead a night of Rock ‘n’ Roll Bingo. This event will be open to folks of all ages and families of all sizes. Pizza and homemade chili will be sold at the event. Youth lead many rousing rounds of bingo. Each time a “bingo” is announced, we’ll celebrate with music. Dancing will be encouraged. There will also be a silent auction of toys, games, babysitting services, etc. All proceeds will go to support the Youth Group's service trip to New York City this coming February. Please come and support the efforts of our youth to make their service trip financially sustainable.
Investing Your Values Discussion this Sunday, February 1st, 9 - 9:45 AM
Come to this discussion on how we invest with our values. Bethany Lowe, Director of Social Action, will lead us in a discussion of how we balance our desires to see a return on our investments and invest in companies that promote our personal values. We will not seek to inform how you invest, but ask you to examine how your current investment philosophy reflects your values, and how your strategy might change to reflect your values more. We will not provide investment advice, though resources on how to invest with your values will be provided. All are welcome. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be available.
Nature Connection Volunteer Training on Friday, February 6th
The Nature Connection (a recent SAC Grantee) is seeking adult volunteers to join our team in planning and delivering nature-based educational and therapeutic programs for at-risk youth, elders and people with disabilities. We serve people of all ages; our clients are in Concord and throughout Greater Boston. This is a great opportunity for those who believe in the healing power of nature and would like to share it with others. Preferably, volunteers should have experience in environmental education, psychology, social work, occupational therapy, the arts or have worked with people with disabilities, youth, elders or animals. Volunteers are fully trained, in a one-day workshop. The next training on Friday, February 6th will include two modules:
- Module One - 9:30-1:00, (with a 1/2 hour break) In this module we will work on how to approach clients, ways of holding materials, how to do OT hands so participants, animals and materials are safe and our basic history and model
- Module Two - 1:30-3:00, animal handling and how to physically set up an environment, questions etc.
RSVP to Polly Meyer (pollyken...@gmail.com) by Wednesday, February 4th.
Funderburg Scholars Dinner on Sat., Feb. 7th
Join us on Saturday, February 7th for the Funderburg Scholars fundraising dinner at church. Help Roxbury youth attend and graduate from college – while you enjoy a nice meal with great company! These engaging students will tell stories about their college experiences. No fixed "price" - donate what feels right to you at the dinner. Reserve your place at dinner at coffee hour today, by calling Loretta Ho Sherblom’s cell at(508) 935-6750 or e-mailing her at Lor...@LHSBenefits.com. Join us for wine and cheese at 6:30 PM, dinner by Sven Olson at 7:15.
Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th
AI Group 15 meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 PM in the Ripley Room at First Parish in Concord. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 17th. In addition to signing letters and petitions in support of human rights activists and prisoners of conscience worldwide each month, we also focus on several other issues including solitary confinement in Massachusetts, the death penalty in the U.S., and global violence against women. We welcome all to join us in February and beyond. 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.
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):
- Need for Coordinator for Garden – Volunteer Needed by end of February
- Presentation by Trustees and the Environmental Leadership Team on Sunday, February 8th at 11:30 AM
- Showing of Tapped on Tuesday, February 10th at the Little Theatre, CCHS at 6:30
- Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th
- Investing Your Values Discussion March 8th at 9 - 9:45 AM
Need for Coordinator for Garden – Volunteer Needed by end of February
Are you a gardener? Would you like to take on coordinating our First Parish plots in the Hugh Cargill Community Garden? We are hoping to be able to continue this 'hands-on' spiritual practice that supports or social justice and environmental mission. The job of a garden coordinator would be to find volunteers to take care of the garden during the spring, summer and fall. If we do not find a coordinator by the end of February, we will have to give up our two plots at the Hugh Cargill garden. It might be a few years before we can obtain plots in the community garden again, as there is a long wait list. If you are interested in being our new garden coordinator, please contact Dawn Van Patten dvanp...@firstparish.org before February 28.
Presentation by Trustees and the Environmental Leadership Team on Sunday, February 8th at 11:30 AM
Join the Divestment subgroup of the Environmental Leadership Team for a presentation by the First Parish Trustees of Parish Donations. Learn who they are, what they do, and their perspective on the challenges of being responsible stewards of parish donations within the larger context of our UU values. Learn about their current Socially Responsible Investing guidelines and how they came to be. Join in a thoughtful conversation about the 2014 UUA resolution on fossil fuel divestment and its possible implications with respect to future investment decisions by the Trustees. The Socially Responsible Investing issues to be discussed may also be of interest to you for your own personal Investments! The presentation and discussion will be held Feb 8th at 11:30 AM in the Emerson Room. For more information, please contact Laura Bernstein, lnrb...@gmail.com or Bruce Blumberg, bruce_b...@me.com.
Showing of Tapped on Tuesday, February 10th at the Little Theatre, CCHS at 6:30
In anticipation of World Water Day on March 22nd, please join a free community showing of Tapped, an award winning documentary which looks at the bottled water industry and explores the concern that continued privatization will threaten universal access to clean water. Tuesday, February 10 @ 6:30 in the Little Theater at Concord-Carlisle High School.
Amnesty International Group 15 Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th
AI Group 15 meets regularly on the third Tuesday of each month from 7 to 8:30 PM in the Ripley Room at First Parish in Concord. Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 17th. In addition to signing letters and petitions in support of human rights activists and prisoners of conscience worldwide each month, we also focus on several other issues including solitary confinement in Massachusetts, the death penalty in the U.S., and global violence against women. We welcome all to join us in February and beyond. 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.
Investing Your Values Discussion March 8th at 9 - 9:45 AM
Come to this discussion on how we invest with our values. Bethany Lowe, Director of Social Action, will lead us in a discussion of how we balance our desires to see a return on our investments and invest in companies that promote our personal values. We will not seek to inform how you invest, but ask you to examine how your current investment philosophy does or does not reflect your values. We will not provide investment advice, though resources on how to invest with your values will be provided. All are welcome. Coffee, tea and light snacks will be available.