Reflections from Our Interim Minister, Rev. Clyde GrubbsWill You Pray With Me?

Last Sunday the Rev. Danielle Di Bona preached on waiting, the season of Advent. In the Christian tradition, the four Sundays before Christmas are a time of waiting but also a time preparation. This is a time of getting ready to live into the promise of “peace on earth and goodwill to all.”

The Christmas story is a beautiful story but it is also a story of resistance to injustice and exploitation. The story tells of a child of promise who is born in a cow shed, his parents are impoverished, and they become refugees immediately after his birth. In my reading of the story I see a family who is alone struggling to survive on the edge of Empire.

As we begin the month of December, tens of thousands have gathered at Standing Rock, a Lakota reservation in North Dakota. They have gathered to try to stop a pipeline that is being built to carry crude oil from Canada into Illinois. The Lakota fear that the pipes will burst and oil will spill out and destroy the river, destroy the water table, destroy their homes. So, the people gathering to protect the waters call themselves Water Defenders. Yes, this standoff is an environmental struggle, led by a people living on the margins. It is also a struggle for human rights. The earth moving equipment is tearing up the earth under which generations of Lakota are buried. This is sacred land. And it is a struggle for survival, for this assault on the water and their sacred land is experienced as genocide, as another in a long history of actions meant to terminate American Indian peoples in the nation.

But this time the people struggling on the edge of Empire are not alone, they are being joined by tens of thousands of other indigenous peoples from all over the world (New Zealand, South America, Canada, Africa) as well thousands of allies. The powers that be are reacting in their usual way, force and threats of force. The local sheriff’s deputies, the North Dakota National Guard and thugs hired by the construction contractors have beaten, arrested, sicked dogs, sprayed freezing water, and fired rubber bullets on the Water Defenders but still they stand.

This is treaty land of the Great Sioux Nation. By the European concept of “property rights” the Lakota are protecting “their own land.” Yet the Army Corp of Engineers has issued an eviction notice to the Standing Rock encampments. They have proclaimed that the camps must be cleared by December 5th. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, who spoke at First Parish in October, has issued a call for a Day of Prayer on December 4th. Many are going to Standing Rock in response to that call. We at First Parish in Cambridge will devote our Sunday service to that call.

The standoff at Standing Rock is a defense of this our only planet, and for rights of people to live in peace, free of corporations and their politicians. (continued on pg. 2)(continued from pg. 1)

THE MEETINGHOUSE NEWSFirst Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist

December 2016

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People have asked what they can do to help. Do everything in a good way, respecting the earth and each other. Chief Arvol Looking Horse is calling for prayer, and the Lakota word prayer is to “call out.” Calling out includes action.

Connect with local organizers to join or help organize solidarity actions in your communities. If the authorities attempt to forcefully evict the Water Defenders there will be resistance. Watch for vigils and demonstrative actions.

Contact and take your money out of banks supporting the pipeline. For more info, check out the Defund DAPL website (http://www.defunddapl.org/)

Contact the media outlets and request more compassionate, well researched, frequent coverage of the #noDAPL movement.

sign petitions to stop DAPL movement and its history with the Standing Rock Syllabus (On the First Parish Facebook page .)

COVENANT GROUPS ARE CONVENIENT FOR YOU.

MORNING, AFTERNOON, EVENINGANY DAY OF THE WEEK

FLEXIBILITY ON TOPIC CHOICE

Please don’t miss this opportunity to go deep with a group of church members. People who have participated in these covenant groups report a deepening of their spirituality and new, deep relationships.All are welcome! Questions? Please see me at church or email me.

Maria Altamore, Susan Shepherd, I and a dedicated group of facilitators are waiting for YOU.

Rev. Danielle

Wanted! Membership AssociatesAre you invested in First Parish community? Do you want to make sure that First Parish continues to grow and expand? If so, please consider volunteering to be a membership associate. Membership Associates act as newcomer liaisons, making sure that every newcomer feels welcomed. They also will participate in new member classes by helping to answer questions about what it means to be a member of First Parish. If interested, please send an email to: membership@firstparishcambridge.org 

Wanted! Worship AssociatesAre you invested in First Parish worship services? Do you want to make sure that First Parish worship services are well done? If so, please consider volunteering to a Worship Associate. You can assist with making sure the service runs smoothly, including making sure the sanctuary is set up for worship, making sure guest speakers feel at home, and participating in the service. If interested, please send an email to: membership@firstparishcambridge.org 

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNEROur Justice Partners

Each year the children of First Parish in Cambridge vote on a local nonprofit organization to partner with. We learn about each Justice Partner’s work in the community then join them in their projects over the course of the year. We learn that we are not here to fix another person’s problems without knowing what they want or need, but we can partner with them to help solve larger problems than one person can tackle alone. We also try to bring the whole congregation opportunities to role model compassion and generosity for our children as we work alongside our Justice Partners!In the past we have chosen one partner for the whole program, but this year our new RE Council wanted to make sure each age group was working with a group that it felt passionate about, and that was a good match for their developmental level. We wanted our children to learn first about our own community, and then as they grow older, to branch out and help in the wider world.Our youngest children in grades PK-3 will work with our own Tuesday Meals this year, learning how we feed people right in our own building and making sure they have an experience of dignity. Both groups had a visit from Chef Pam in October to talk about what projects they will take on this year. Our Spirit Play group plans to make holiday table decorations for the upcoming season. Our 2-3rd graders met the Saturday before Thanksgiving to bake eight apple pies for the Thanksgiving meal! It was so much fun that they are planning another baking session for the Christmas meal. Thanks bakers, and teachers Anne-Marie Fitzgerald and Marie Wing-Maher!!Our 4-6th graders have chosen Heading Home shelter in Charlestown as their partner for the year. Heading Home provides emergency, transitional and permanent housing and support services to low-income homeless and formerly homeless families and individuals in the communities of Boston, Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Malden, Everett, Quincy, Chelsea and Revere. As their name reflects, they believe that a stable home provides the optimal foundation to get back on track; programs focus heavily on assessment, engagement, individual goal-setting and securing permanent housing for clients as quickly as possible. For eleven consecutive years, 90+% of the residents in the permanent housing programs have remained successfully housed a year later. The 4-6th graders are excited to announce that this month, Heading Home will be our Shared Offering recipient, and we hope you will contribute generously to help make permanent housing a reality for these families! Please also look for an opportunity to make in-kind donations to the Heading Home families moving to and from the shelter. Our Coming of Age youth were excited to choose #Black Lives Matter as their Justice Partner for the year. They are learning more about the complex issues involved, and encourage you to join them in reading and studying the Black Lives Matter platform available at https://policy.m4bl.org/platform/. Special thanks to all the teachers and RE council members who support our children’s involvement in justice work. Our children are proud to be generous justice-makers, and we couldn’t do it without you!In faith,Mandy

UPCOMING WORSHIP SERVICESSunday, December 4 at 10:30 am

What’s at stake at Standing Rock?Rev. Clyde Grubbs preaches

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Sunday, December 11 at 10:30 amThe Real Saint Nicholas

Rev. Clyde Grubbs preachesSunday, December 18 at 10:30 am

Multi-generational Holiday PageantSaturday, December 24 at 5:30 pm

Traditional Christmas Eve Worship

Sunday, December 25NO WORSHIP SERVICE

Christmas Singalong–December 3Join us in singing our favorite Christmas carols together with the elderly residents at Sancta Maria, 799 Concord Ave in Cambridge in the 5th floor activity room at 10:00 AM and work our way down to the 4th and 3rd floors -- feel free to come late or leave early if you have a tight schedule (we will be going until noon). No rehearsal or musical talent needed – the songs are easy and familiar, and we’ll have plenty of large print song sheets for everyone. Children, newcomers, non-First Parish folks, jingle bells and Santa hats are all welcome!  For more information, to request a ride, or to be added to the email list for future events, please speak with Elke Jahns-Harms or email sing-alongs-owner@yahoogroups.com. Please mark your calendars for our regular First Saturday Sing-alongs in the coming year as well!

Comfy Quilts for ChildrenThe First Parish Quilting Group makes comforting child-size quilts for children whose lives have led to the UU Urban Ministry's Renewal House, a shelter for individuals and families fleeing violence or abuse.We have two quilts that need tying before we deliver them to Renewal House before the holidays. Join us at 9AM on Sunday, December 4 for a community tying. No experience is needed. Come and have fun completing these comfy quilts.

FILM SHOWING- December 9THE AGE OF CONSEQUENCES

The Environmental Justice Task Force will show The Age of Consequences on Friday, December 9, at 7:00 PM in the Meetinghouse.   

This new film, directed by Jared P. Scott, investigates the impacts of climate change, resources scarcity, migration and conflict through the lens of US national security and global stability.  How will the US military respond to the violence and threat of violence caused by climate disruption? How can we respond?A skyped conversation with producer Sophie Robinson will follow the film.   The event is co-presented by Mass. Peace Action and Greater Boston Physicians for Social Responsibility, and cosponsored by United for Justice & Peace, Women’s International League for Peace & Freedom, 350MA-Newton, Green Newton, and Biodiversity for a Livable Climate.   Suggested donation is  $10.

Christmas CarolingDecember 10 and December 13

Nothing spreads the joy of the holiday season like singing good old fashioned Christmas carols. Join the First Parish choir as we spread some holiday cheer to elderly residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities around Cambridge. Meet in the parlor at 1:00 pm for a short rehearsal, where Jonathan will ensure that we are sounding our best. We will leave at 2:00 pm to carpool to the various nursing homes and assisted living facilities. WE NEED DRIVERS! We will return to the church around 5:00 pm for a delicious potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share! Families with children are welcome and encouraged to participate.New this year: we will also be caroling for Tuesday Meals guests on Tuesday, December 13 at 6:30 in the Parlor.Join us!

Second Sunday Transition TalksOn December 11, come join members of Standing Committee in the Parlor from 9:00 am to 10:00 am. Bring all of those questions you have been wondering about regarding the ministerial search process, how we’re ring to welcome a new minister, our change

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to modified policy governance, or other topics you’re interested in knowing more about. Coffee and doughnuts will be served. You are welcome

Congregational Conversationon Bylaws and Governance

FPC Trivia:  First Parish was founded in 1633.  What year were the bylaws enacted?

During the transition, Standing Committee has been working on updating our bylaws and creating a standing committee policy book to guide our work.  We need your feedback on our initial drafts as we continue to revise both documents.  The new bylaws will be presented to the congregation for a vote in late March 2017 so please join the conversation to learn more and share your thoughts.  We look forward to the discussion on December 11 at 12:30 pm and the answer to the trivia question will be provided at the meeting!

Online DirectoryYou may have noticed me taking pictures of people after services. Is it because I’m working for the paparazzi? In a way yes! You are all famous folks and deserve to be in the online directory! The directory will be going live soon and I need pictures! I can take pictures of you after services or you can send me a photo you already have at membership@firstparishcambridge.org!

Thank you so much,William WilliamsonMembership Coordinator

Cookie SwapSunday, December 18

On Sunday, December 18, we'll enjoy a First Parish tradition: a Holiday Cookie Swap. Bring two dozen or more of your favorite cookies (home-made or store-bought) to the kitchen before the service.  

One dozen will be shared with all in the social hour. The others will be available for swapping with other cookie-bringers in the Chapel after service.Whether you love to bake cookies or just to eat them, this will be a fun event for all. So grab your mixer and let the fun begin!

Parenting Discussion GroupFirst Parish friends and members raising children are invited to attend an open monthly discussion group led by Carrie Fisher. Each month we will have a discussion topic based on a chapter from the book Tending the Flame: the Art of Unitarian Universalist Parenting, by Michelle Richards. The reading is not mandatory -- please come to talk, laugh, think, commiserate, celebrate, and be together in fellowship on the journey of parenting. Logistics: Families will have lunch on their own. Childcare will be provided in the Baldwin room once lunch is over. November's group will meet on Sunday, December 18 from 12:30 to 2:30. To help with planning, please RSVP at https://goo.gl/forms/kudWcSW4RBW6l8dl1

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Holiday Gift DriveOur 4-6th graders are delighted to announce the Heading Home Holiday Gift Drive!Please join them in this opportunity on Sunday, December 4 and Sunday, December 11 to make a gift donation to local homeless families.  Heading Home shares:  Most of our clients lack the resources to provide holiday presents for their children, creating an opportunity for volunteers to bring holiday cheer to the families we serve.Please donate new, unwrapped gifts to the Heading Home Holiday Gift Drive box at the church by December 11.

Gift suggestions include:Winter clothing for all ages (coats, scarves, gloves)Books, headphones, MP3 players and bluetooth speakersWallets, purses & daily plannersBackpacks (adult & child)Linens (sheets, comforters & towels)Housewares (pots & pans, vacuums)Gift cards (CVS, Market Basket, MBTA)Footwear for children (sneakers, boots)

Annual Courageous Love AwardThe Social Justice Council at First Parish Cambridge, on behalf of the congregation, is charged with selecting the winner of the Courageous Love Award. Each year, First Parish in Cambridge celebrates Valentine’s Day Sunday as “Standing on the Side of Love” Sunday. You can nominate people for the 2017 award during November and December by completing our online nomination form or by picking up a paper form from the Social Justice Council table in social hour. Background information:

First Parish in Cambridge is dedicated to working for justice and building the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. Standing on the Side of Love is a national campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association that calls for respect, inclusion, and compassion for all people. (http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org) The sixth award was presented in 2016 to Mona Haydar and her husband Sebastian Robins who created the “Ask a Muslim” project in which they stand in public places with “Ask a Muslim” signs and offer doughnuts and conversation about being Muslim in today’s world. In 2015 First Parish presented the award to Sydney Fisher and Mary Gashaw, who led more than two hundred of their fellow Cambridge Rindge and Latin students in a Black Lives Matter walkout at Cambridge Rindge and Latin school.Prior recipients of the Courageous Love Award are the Student Immigrant Movement (2011), transgender activist Nancy Nangeroni (2012),  Louis D. Brown Peace Institute founder Tina Chéry (2013); the Westboro 8(2014).

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Middle East Education Group NewsCountering Islamophobia

Presentation Sunday, December 4 after church in the Chapel .Sana Saeed, who was First Parish’s summer Membership Coordinator, is a student at Harvard Divinity School. She will be talking about being both a Muslim and a UU, similar to a presentation she made at GA. Here is what she shares with us by way of introduction.“In 2009, I was hired as a Director of Youth Minister for a UU community, and thrown into the deep end of UU congregational life as a Muslim unfamiliar with the faith. “What is a Muslim doing working in a church?” a question I frequently received while working at the UU Church of Arlington, VA over the course of three years. Now I refer to myself as a UU Muslim. Working within UU communities became a journey in pluralism for me and my family. It involved quelling my Muslim family’s alarm of joining a faith that they perceived as a cult, as well as a deepening of my own spirituality thanks to youth retreats and overnights. I learned the importance of religious education through OWL trainings and eventually I met more UU Muslims and UU’s holding various hybrid religious identities.”UU communities are engaging in wonderful curricula for youth such as Neighboring Faiths andcollaborating with organizations such as the Interfaith Youth Core with a goal to become multi-cultural. But, what about the multicultural and interfaith center that already exists within Unitarian Universalist congregations today? In 2009, a Pew Research Center’s poll, “Many Americans Mix Multiple Faiths”, found that Americans are increasingly blending their religious beliefs with more than one religion, entering interfaith marriages or relations, and attending worship services of more than one faith community. This poll goes on to highlight several catalysts for the emergence of hybrid religious identities such as those that exist within Unitarian Universalist congregations.While UU’s are eager to build community outside of their UU congregations with multi-faith partners, people holding hybrid identities with Unitarian Universalism such as UU Muslims, UU Hindus, UU Jews, UU Buddhists, UU Pagans, UU Atheists/Humanists and UU Christians can be overlooked. How could engaging the interfaith center within Unitarian Universalism, especially with the rise in UU Muslim identities, help Unitarian Universalists to engage in interfaith organizing?As a person of color and a UU Muslim, I have grappled with formulating a 30 second elevator speech introducing what I believe in and what Unitarian Universalism means to me. It brings up the question, what is it about Unitarian Universalism that keeps us hybrid-religious identities here? Perhaps Rev. Abhi Janamanchi explains it better in Faith in the Borderland,

“I have stuck it out, even through doubt and ambivalence, because Unitarian Universalism is the way I want to live my life. My Unitarian Universalism lets me practice my Hindu faith; it helps me be a better Hindu, a better human being. I stay because Unitarian Universalism has a healing message for a broken world yearning for reconciliation and wholeness”.

I hope to expand on how my UU Muslim perspective influences my daily life and work on December 4th in my presentation sponsored by the Middle East Education Group. But, moreimportantly in my presentation, I am also interested in highlighting how UU spaces are uniquelyequipped to welcome multi-religious people today.”

More Middle East Education NewsNovember Mosque visit

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On Saturday morning, November 5, several members of First Parish joined UUs from Arlingtonand individuals from many other churches at the Islamic Center of Boston, located in Wayland.(Started in 1979, the center was initially supposed to be in Boston. When they finally built onaffordable land in Wayland, the original name stuck.) We toured the building and learned that inaddition to conducting services and various other activities, this volunteer-run organization holdsSunday classes for hundreds of children of Muslim families living in the Greater Boston area andbeyond. Children study Arabic and the Islamic faith on Sundays from September to June. Wewere welcomed by leaders of the center and also heard a stimulating address by one member, Dr. Adil Najam, Dean of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University.

Among his many honors, he was co-author of two assessments for the Intergovernmental Panelon Climate Change; the work of that panel was awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize foradvancing the public understanding of climate change science.

If you would like to offer support to an Islamic organization whose members could use someencouragement at this time, we invite you to send a card indicating you are from First Parish inCambridge and let them know you are thinking of them.

Correspondence can be addressed to:Board President Malik Khan126 Boston Post RoadWayland, MA 01778

Book discussion coming in February.The Middle East Education Group encourages you to read the book Scapegoats: How Islamophobia Helps Our Enemies and Threatens Our Freedoms by Arsalan Iftikhar . Dustcover quote from President Jimmy Carter: “Scapegoats is an important book that shows Islamophobia must be addressed urgently. Violence or hate speech against any community based on their faith is un-American and is against our founding principles”.

On February 12 Robin Brown will lead a gathering after church in the Chapel to discuss it. It is extremely timely and not a very long book. Unfortunately, it is not yet available in paperback. Hardcover price is $21.99. If you want to take it out of a library, best to take it out or reserve soon.

News from the Ministerial Search CommitteeThank you for participating in congregational conversations earlier in the fall and for filling out the survey. We were very pleased with your response:  6 to 25 members and friends attended each of the conversations and 175 people filled out the survey. The information we gathered was very helpful as we prepared the Congregational Record. 

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The Congregational Record is a detailed profile of First Parish:  our history, our mission and aspirations, our strengths and challenges, where we want to go and what qualities we seek in a minister.  The Congregational Record will be available for your information very shortly – check the Search Committee bulletin board and weekly announcements. 

We have also analyzed the detailed information we gathered from the survey.  Some of it is summarized in the Congregational Record, but we will also post information about the main survey findings and statistics on the Search Committee bulletin board. Finally, we have winners of the survey drawings – they are none other than Mark Pickering and Beth Regan. Congratulations and please contact Alex Taylor to claim your prizes. (Taylorjalextaylor@gmail.com)  

If you have any questions, please write to us at ministerialsearch@firstparishcambridge.org  

In faith,Joanna Fink, Gloria Korsman, Cushing Giesey, Marcia Hams, Karin Lin, Rashid Shaikh and Alex Taylor.

Solid as a Rock!What would demonstrate congregational dedication of an outstanding sort to a minister looking for a congregation to build a shared ministry with?What would convince the very best ministerial candidates that First Parish’s congregation is rock solid in its support of its vision and mission?What would help a new minister hit the ground running in pursuit of that shared ministry?

Solid financial support from the congregation is a good answer to all three of those questions. In August, Standing Committee members all signed on as strong and dedicated First Parish supporters by making financial support commitments spanning two future church years, July 2017 to June 2018 and July 2018 to June 2019. They did so with high hopes of attracting the very best minister in the pool of those looking for a congregation to do great things with.

Since August many others have joined Standing Committee in making a commitment. We thank them, but know we could convey an even stronger message of dedicated support if more of you would step up. Please consider whether you can make a commitment to supporting First Parish financially for two years. It’s not the amount, it’s the willingness to step up that ministers will be looking for. People should commit to what they think is doable given their own circumstances.

Use one of the commitment forms you can find in the pews, or contact the office (office@firstparishcambridg.org  617-876-7772) to say you are in. If you have comments or questions, ask one of us.

Your Standing Committee, Julie Duncan, Grace Hall, Devon Kinkead, Peggy Kraft, Grey Lee, Mark Pickering, Ernie Sabine, Rashid Shaikh, Don Tucker, Linda West, or standingcommittee@firstparishcambridge.org

Paine Senior Services News

“I am so grateful that you exist!” Paine Senior Service Client

Dear Supporter,

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Much has changed since 1905 when Paine Senior Services was founded. However, the need for support and guidance to manage in this increasingly complicated world remains the same. Paine Senior Services (PSS) has been dedicated to serving Cambridge seniors (60+) regardless of their ability to pay a fee. We are a rare agency –we do not receive federal, state, insurance, or municipal funding and we accept sliding scale fees. We waive the fee in cases of financial hardship and other special circumstances. Ninety-five percent of our funding goes to the provision of servicesJane worked her entire life building savings, especially important for a single never-married woman with no children. She had always been independent and self-sufficient. However, in time, it became clear that she was struggling to pay her bills and maintain her home. There were concerns that without help, she could be taken advantage of. PSS contacted Jane’s family, who lives out of the country, made sure bills were paid, worked to ensure that tax returns were filed and all her resources were used for her needs. Eventually, PSS helped with Jane’s search and transition to assisted living. PSS continues to be involved and to keep the family informed, helping them understand how Jane’s worsening memory affects her. Jane’s PSS social worker also collaborates with the Assisted Living Facility to help them understand and meet Jane’s needs. These are the tangible services PSS provides. There are also intangible services. The relationship the PSS social worker has developed with Jane and with her family is one where Jane sees her social worker as her ally and her advocate—someone who truly knows her and who has her best interests at heart. Someone who will speak on her behalf because she no longer can. Jane’s family, likewise, see her as someone to guide them from afar and watch over Jane because they cannot.

Your contribution helps both people like Jane and her family.Please support PSS with a donation and please share this letter with others you know who care about the dignity and wellbeing of our seniors. Sincerely,

Elizabeth F. Aguilo, LICSW Executive Director

Paine Senior Services

“PSS was so helpful and professional when my wife and I asked for and received assistance”

Paine Senior Service Client

Cambridge Forum – Wednesday, December 7“Loneliness in the Digital Age”

According to UCLA researchers, 35% of Americans today report themselves to be chronically lonely. This growing epidemic persists in a digital age, where we are purportedly more “connected” than ever. But what does it mean to have lots of Facebook friends, yet no one to talk to?

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Please come and take part in the next Cambridge Forum on December 7th at 7:00 pm in the Meetinghouse. The subject is timely for the season and the event is free, and open to all.

Join the discussion as Cambridge Forum investigates one of the most urgent issues facing American society in the 21st Century - loneliness. Loneliness is not just a painful sense of emotional isolation it is also the root cause of many serious health problems. We will attempt to unravel some of the causes of this pernicious condition and consider the ways to ward off, or at least alleviate, the curse of loneliness.With the help of four great minds from different disciplines, all of whom have written extensively on the theme of friendship or loneliness, we will consider why loneliness is such a growing sociological phenomenon in our hi-tech, super-wired world. Neuroscientific research seems to suggest that our brains are indeed wired to connect, but they prefer human rather than digital interaction. So what constitutes true friendship and can a device ever substitute for the power of human touch?Our panel consists of Dr. Terry Freiberg, a social psychologist and author of “Four Seasons of Loneliness”; Dr. Amy Banks, a psychiatrist at Wellesley Centers for Women and author of “Wired to Connect: The Surprising Link between Brain Science and Strong, Healthy Relationships”; Professor Alex Pentland, who directs the MIT Connection Science and Human Dynamics Labs and co-author of a recent study in the journal PLOS , “Are you Your Friends’ Friend? Poor Perception of Friendship Ties”; and Professor Alexander Nehamas, Princeton Philosopher and author of the book “On Friendship”.

For more information: Contact MARY STACK 617-495-2727 or director@cambridgeforum.org

MembershipEach edition of the Meetinghouse News features a spotlight on a few members of our congregation. This month, we highlight Sarah Bellows Meiser and Elisabeth Thompson

Name: Sarah Bellows Meiser (Left in photo)

Preferred pronouns: She/Her(s) 

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When did you join First Parish in Cambridge: Started attending in Fall 2015, attended a membership class this November. 

City of residence: Cambridge

What should folks know about you: I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, love the outdoors, knitting, dogs, reading, and traveling.  I spent several years working in progressive politics, but am now preparing for UU ministry at Harvard Divinity School.What drew you to First Parish: Being a part of a spirit-filled, justice-seeking, beloved community is deeply important to me, and I am excited to have found this here.

What are you looking forward to at First Parish: I’m most excited about getting to know people and joining the covenant groups!

Name: Elisabeth Thompson (Right in photo)

Preferred pronouns: She/Her(s) 

When did you join First Parish in Cambridge: Started attending in Fall 2015, attended a membership class this November. 

City of residence: Cambridge

What do you do when you are not at First Parish: I work at MIT coordinating leadership development, and enjoy reading, listening to music, singing, and spending time with people I love.

What drew you to First Parish: I was raised Lutheran, but have found Unitarian Universalism to be more

closely aligned with my values and beliefs.  

What are you looking forward to at First Parish: I’m excited about the music! and also look forward to contribute to conversations about working towards social justice and equity.