Weekly E-News Update
First Parish publishes a weekly news update of happenings within the congregation that is emailed to our online subscribers.
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Futures Application 2011
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2011 Futures Application
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Weekly E-News Update
Weekly News Update from First Parish Church
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First Parish Church Weekly E-Update February 3, 2012 |
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Junior Youth Group Tonight
Friday, February 3, 7:00 - 9:00 pm, Beal House
Junior and Senior Youth Groups
Saturday, February 4, 11:00 am, Beal House
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 Members from our Sr. and Jr. Youth Groups will be delivering lunch to the Habitat for Humanity build in Plymouth - located across the street from the Plymouth library. Karen Kelly will also be giving our youth a tour of the home and educating them about the goal/mission of the Habitat for Humanity organization. Youth and leaders will meet at the Beal House at 11:00 AM and leave around 11:15 AM. MANY THANKS to Karen Kelly, our Habitat liaison, our Youth group advisers, and Nancy Radomski, our Social Justice leader for organizing this fantastic opportunity for our kids. |
Vance Gilbert, South Shore Folk Music Club
Saturday, February 4, 8:00 pm, Sampson Hall |
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Join the South Shore Folk Music Club as they welcome Vance Gilbert Saturday Night.
"Ten accomplished albums later, including his most recent 'Old White Men', Vance continues to refine his unlikely union of humor, virtuosity and the unexpected. Whether with classic, original songwriting or ageless interpretations of covers, his is a presentation steeped in deep humanism and bravery, stunning artistry and soul, and contagious, unbridled joy- inarguable the blue ribbons that tie and seal the seemingly impossible package that is Vance Gilbert. He is that rare performer for whom people lean forward in their seats as eagerly between songs as they do during them."
There will be the SSFMC's usual mix of great music, friendly volunteers, homemade goodies, and camaraderie. |
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Sharing joys, concerns, thanks, and milestones
**Please let us know if you have concerns, illness, or good news to share with our community** |
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Milestones
A memorial service for Pert Carter will be held this Saturday afternoon at 3pm.
We understand that we overlooked the January birthday of Donna E. a couple of weeks ago, but we are thankful her family did not forget to have a party for her.
Joys
We're relieved to note that Ed B. is finally back to work as he recovers his strength after a long period of confinement with persistent lung symptoms.
Congratulations
To Lydia & Barry M., who are pleased to announce the arrival of their first grandson, Caleb, who joins his big sisters Heidi and Hayden. One more grandchild is expected any time now, so they're keeping all their phones on every night!
To Paige R. and her proud family, on her selection as one of two Silver Lake HS representatives to the Boston dinner honoring Outstanding Girls and Women in Sports.
Concerns
We learned this week that Donna E. has made a quick trip down to Florida to help out with her parents because her dad, Jim B., had a fall and is back in the hospital down there.
We understand several folks are dealing with various acute medical issues which will be likely to keep their activities restricted for a while: Sheila R., Vivienne H., Skip F., and Twig J. are all hoping for positive outcomes from various procedures, tests, and treatments.
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Sunday, February 5th - "What is the Mystery?"
10:30 am Worship Service |
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After our DRE Kate S. and Nina B. pique our curiosity with their story and share a chant of wonder in the Time for All Ages, Rev. Dan will ask us to consider our personal perspectives about life's "persistent questions" as he shares his reflections about the Mystery of everything.
In today's service we will once again accept your gifts to the Guest at Your Table program of the UU Service Committee. (Envelopes may be marked for cash contributions and checks should be made to the order of UUSC.) We hope to submit all collections to UUSC before the end of February.
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This Sunday in Religious Education:
Love is in the air! This Sunday all children and youth will be making Valentine cards to send to members of our beloved church community that we value and appreciate. If you know of anyone in our community that would love to receive a beautiful, handmade card, please let me know.
That could include sick or ailing friends or members, older folks
 who can't make it to church on a regular basis, youth away at college, or anyone in our community that you think would enjoy receiving a little love in the mail! Please give me a call or drop me an email if you have someone in mind. I would like to thank the following people who stepped up to volunteer to help our with our Valentine workshop so that our "regular" RE volunteers could have a much needed break to attend services: Nancy and Tom Radomski, Beth
McAdams, and Jackie Hochstin. THANK YOU!
Coming up in RE: Sunday, February 19th will be a multigenerational family "Wonder Worship" service. All children and youth are invited to remain with their family in the meetinghouse. Be on the lookout for information from the Worship Committee about this wonderful service. There will be no religious education programming. Nursery care will be provided as usual from 10:15 - 11:30.
Volunteering in RE : Thanks to all who have signed up to help out in some way in RE this year. We still have several empty slots for the Spring session which begins in April, and several families that have not yet signed up. Please remember that ours is a cooperative program where everyone is expected to participate in some way. We need 2 volunteers to help out in the 3rd & 4th grade classroom, and one for our 5th - 7th grade class. Phone calls will be coming soon!!! Please see Kate Sullivan (our DRE) or any member of the RE committee to sign up to help out. Thank you!
Blessings -- Kate Sullivan, Director of Religious Education
[sullivankate@comcast.net, or 781.293.4112] |
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Each family has been assigned a Sunday to host coffee hour during the upcoming months. You will need to check the listing in the Beal House during coffee hour to see what your assignment is. If you are unable to do the assigned Sunday, it is your responsibility to swap with someone on the list to make sure that date is covered. The assignments for the next four weeks are listed below.
02/05: Chad Hasson & Kate Sullivan / Deb & Mike Herlihy
02/12: Judy Campbell & Chris Stokes / Lilias Cingolani
02/19: Mike Steele / Kristin Ferro / Jacqueline Hochstin
02/26: Vivienne Hennessey and Diane Richard
Instructions for coffee hour and a directory will be available at the end of the food table during coffee hour. We have tried hard to pair individuals up with couples in order to have 3 people on most of the time. |
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Looking Ahead
This week and beyond... |
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This Week
Saturday, February 4th
11:30 am: Lunches for Habitat for Humanity
3:00 pm: Memorial Service for Pert Carter
Sunday, February 5th
10:30 am: Worship Service
Tuesday, February 7th
7:00 pm: Membership Committee (Dinner at 6:00 pm)
Wednesday, February 8th
10:00 am: Mary Drew Sewing Circle, Beal House
6:30 pm: Homemade Vegetarian Soup ($5)
7:00 pm: Wednesday "Spirit of Life Service"
Thursday, February 9th
7:00 pm: Worship Committee |
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, February 12th
10:30 am: Worship Service
12:00 pm: Chocolate Auction
6:00 pm: Youth Group
Wednesday, February 15th
7:00 am: Men's Group, Three Corner's Cafe, Kingston
10:00 am: Mary Drew Sewing Circle, Beal House
6:30 pm: Homemade Vegetarian Soup ($5)
7:00 pm: "Spirit of Life Service"
Saturday, February 18th
9:30 am: 3 On 3 Writers, Beal House |
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Looking Ahead
Tuesday, February 28th
7:00 pm: South Shore Locavores, Sampson Hall "CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)"
Sunday, April 1st
Save the Date ... Judy Campbell Book Signing, Sampson Hall |
Up-Coming BCD Conferences |
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March 10, 10:00am - 1:00pm "Immigration is a New England Issue Too," First Parish Church, Duxbury
March 31, 10:00am - 2:00pm "New Neighbors Next Door - Now is the Time to Know Our Immigrants," Unitarian Universalist Church of Brockton |
Chocolate Auction!
Sunday, February 12, 12:00 pm |
Here's your chance! Dig out your best chocolate recipes and contribute to the fund raiser on February 12th sponsored by the choir. All chocolate goodies can be dropped off before or after church at Sampson Hall at the table by the stage.
During the coffee hour all the treats will be offered by auctioneer Tom Augello, so come prepared for a sweet experience.
Kids ... we will have lots of things for you so start saving your allowance!
Everybody ... be prepared to stock up just in time for Valentine's Day.
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Social Justice Ballot 2012 |
Your Social Justice Committee has selected three charitable organizations as potential recipients of our designated giving this year. We have chosen this year to continue and deepen our connection with local partners for positive change in our community. 10% of our Sunday collection and 5% of our combined fundraising activities will be shared equally between the two organization below which you select. Ballots can be placed in the containers in the foyer at the Meeting House or on the information table during coffee hour in Samson Hall. Please return ballots by Sunday, February 18th.
Making this choice in no way limits us from supporting these organizations and others in other ways. We will continue to participate in Guest at Your Table and Renewal House as we have done in the past and are working to be better prepared to help in times of crisis such as the floods in Pakistan or the earthquake in Haiti. We hope to be able to expand our awareness of and contributions to our community and our world community as we seek to make an impact for justice and alleviate suffering and inequality. Thank you for your participation and support.
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 The Arc is a private, non-profit membership organization committed to providing creative, flexible and diversified supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families. Founded in 1966 by parents and volunteers dedicated to promoting the dignity of and improving the opportunities for children with children with developmental disabilities, The Arc has grown into a dynamic organization which provides services and supports for over 550 individuals and over 1,000 families in Southeastern Massachusetts.
Unfortunately, the DDS Family Support budget is virtually non existent due to the massive cuts taken. Donations assist the Arc in creating a "respite bank" that families can use when they have a significant need. . Loss of DDS respite allocation has in many cases created stress
within the family as parent/caregivers need to now pay out of pocket for skilled providers to care for their disabled family members. For many this is a luxury they just can't afford but desperately need. Most providers are paid at the PCA rate of $12.48 per hour and up to $22.00 per hour depending on level of care.
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Renewal House is a battered women's shelter in Roxbury that is run by the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry (www.uuum.org), the only faith-based shelter of its kind in Massachusetts.
First Parish in Kingston supports women and children who are current or former Renewal House guests by hosting two events each year. The Summer Fun Outing in July brings folks from the city to a beautiful wooded pond where we spend a day of fun in the sun, including crafts and water activities, capped off by a cookout with all the fixings. In December folks from Kingston head up to First Church in Roxbury, where we host the Renewal House Holiday Party, featuring crafts for all ages, family photos, carols and other holiday merriment, including a luncheon and gifts for up to 100 guests who represent families who are doing their best to live independently without violent partners.
Some of our Renewal House funds are used on an emergency basis to help those families with an urgent need. Through the years we have found a benefit in inviting former guests who support each other and more recent guests, and we have also enjoyed building friendships with many of these brave families. |
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Charity begins at home and your vote is the next step. Habitat for Humanity has invited the First Parish to join with other community groups in supporting local efforts to improve the living conditions of local families in need. This association will allow us to bring our living ministry into the community as we demonstrate by deeds our principles and purposes. Whether it's swinging a hammer to build a new affordable home or repairing an existing home or working with community programs to raise funds and awareness, we can all get involved in making local affordable housing a reality.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth is actively meeting local needs by building affordable housing; helping seniors and the disabled remain at home by providing basic home repair; handicapped access ramps; and other services delivered by a community of volunteers. Families who can demonstrate a severe housing need while meeting HUD's income guidelines are encouraged to apply for a Habitat home. Families are selected to purchase the home and commit to a 30 year mortgage at no interest with Habitat for Humanity. The affiliate receives no federal funding and is entirely dependent upon voluntary contributions and local support.
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Jazz Cabaret Dinner Comes to Kingston!
Saturday, April 14, 6:30 pm, Sampson Hall |
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Enjoy a warm, intimate evening of dinner and jazz with Guy Van Duser and Billy Novick, famed jazz musicians in the Boston area. Billy Novick and Guy Van Duser have collaborated since 1976 releasing nine recordings together, as well as numerous solo albums.
This talented duo has performed in numerous Jazz Festivals in Newport, L.A. and Edinburgh and with a myriad of top recording artists, such as Leon Redbone, Jonathan Edwards and Martha and the Vandellas. Billy's musical compositions have been featured in the movies, 'Seabiscuit' and
'The Opposite of Sex'. The duo has also made guest appearances on the Prairie Home Companion. For a preview of their work visit www.Billynovick.com
Jazz Cabaret Tickets are $25 each which includes music by Novick and Duser and a full dinner, limited seating, so call right away (781-585-3051) to reserve your tickets! Proceeds benefit the charitable work of First Parish Church, Kingston. |
First Parish Kingston Church Logo Tote Bags |
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First Parish Kingston Church Logo Tote Bags will be offered for sale at Coffee Hour each week. For $3 you can help support the good work of this church and make us a greener congregation.
Buy one (or more) of the beautiful new blue and white tote bags. They are large and will make a big difference when we use them instead of plastic.
Contact Sue Garland to get yours today.
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Wednesday Night "Spirit of Life Service"
6:30 - 7:30 pm, Beal House |
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Looking for a way to deepen your spiritual life? Come to the Spirit of Life service each Wednesday at the Beal House to reflect, to refresh, to re-connect!
We start with a light supper of soup and bread at 6:30pm, a time of nourishment and fellowship. The service runs from 7:00 to 7:30pm, with singing, readings, candles of gratitude and sorrow, and a time of meditation, reflection and prayer. Take time for yourself - come for supper, service or both! |
South Shore Locavores
Tuesday, February 28, 7:00 pm, Sampson Hall |
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We're lucky to have some wonderful farms on the South Shore. Some offer CSA (community supported agriculture) memberships that allow you to support the farm while getting a regular supply of local vegetables. At this session, you'll meet some of the farmers and learn how a CSA works. We'll also have information about local CSFs (community supported fisheries) and grain cooperatives. |
Director of Religious Education Needed in Plymouth |
First Parish UU Church, Plymouth, MA is now welcoming interested parties for the position of Director of Religious Education. We are a small, dedicated congregation with 12 - 15 registered children currently in our programs.
The position is part time 20 hours per week including Sunday mornings. The Director will be primarily responsible for coordinating youth religious education activities, while assisting in the growth of adult religious education programs.
Interested individuals, send a letter of interest and resume by March 31, 2012, to the DRE Search Committee:
Plymouth.DRE@gmail.com |
Plymouth Library - Job Seeking Program
Wednesday, February 8, 10:00 am, Plymouth Public Library |
"Conquering the Job Market Blues" with featured speaker Ken Elliot of One Life at a Time will be held in the Otto Fehlow Meeting Room of the Plymouth Public Library at 10 a.m., Wednesday, February 8th. Mr. Elliot with be discussing writing the perfect resume and cover letter as well as interviewing tips.
Elliot has over 34 years experience in the workforce development field, including broad experience in career counseling. Elliott conducts a variety of job search workshops as well as assists job seekers in obtaining employment. Resumes are documents that contain a summary of relevant job experience and education. A cover letter accompanies the resume - it introduces you to the potential employer and indicates your interest in the position.
As well as providing career seeking programs, the Library encourages you to check out CareerTransitions, the Library's online career guidance resource. We have set a snow date for this program in the event of inclement weather; Monday, Feb. 13 at 10 a.m.
The Plymouth Public Library Corporation sponsors these free programs; no registration is required. The library is full accessible; please let us know if you need special accommodations to attend. For further information, please contact Adult Services Dept. at 508-830-4250 / TTY 508-747-5882 or visit our Calendar of Events on the library's homepage at www.plymouthpubliclibrary.org . |
Interfaith Community Choral Concert to Benefit Scituate Food Pantry
Sunday, February 12, 4:00 pm,
St. Mary's of the Nativity, 1 Kent Street, Scituate |
On Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 4:00 pm, several local church choirs as well as the Scituate High School Select Choir will join together to present a concert to benefit the Scituate Food Pantry.
Each choir will sing separately, then join together for a grand finale, under the direction of Rebecca Maurer, Music Director at Harbor Methodist Church in Scituate.
Admission is free, but a voluntary collection for the Food Pantry will be taken. Gifts of non-perishable food items are also welcomed.
This annual event showcases the choral talents of many choirs in Scituate. If you love choral music, you won't want to miss it! |
If you have any updates, announcements or Candles of Community that you would like to have included in the First Parish Weekly Update, please send them to kingstonuu@comcast.net no later than Friday before noon.
Sincerely,
First Parish Church |
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