Reflections from Our Lead Minister, Adam Lawrence Dyer

April Worship Theme: Science and Our Environment As we head into the month of April, we will be embracing science as a theme in general with an underlying focus on the environment throughout. Whether it be song selections, readings, prayers, social justice action, personal reflections or sermons, look and listen for messages in the community this month that affirm the gift of science in our lives. Science is essential to the understanding, protection and sustenance of our physical environment andour bodies. I have always believed that where science and our environment meet is the best example of how the sacred and the secular

can work together to make our lives complete.

Ongoing Conversations About Race In March Rev. Danielle and I traveled to Albuquerque, NM to attend the annual Finding Our Way Home conference which is a national gathering of Unitarian Universalist religious professionals of color. This was a particularly important gathering this year because it was an opportunity for us to learn more about the work of the Commission on Institutional Change that was appointed by the UUA board last summer. Rather than go into the details of this work, I have included a link for you to explore the full scope of their mission for yourself. But I will offer this excerpt from the website that summarizes one of the primary goals of their work:

Commission on Institutional Change Website Oversee an audit of racism within the Unitarian Universalist Association practices and

policies to set priorities and make recommendations for anti-oppressive strategies (including hiring and personnel practices and governance structures) and that will advance our progress towards building the Beloved Community and hold the Association accountable.

This is an extremely important calling that the Commission is undertaking and I believe that the work we are already doing in our own community with the current series of workshops on White Supremacy being offered by Ken Wagner and the POC Caucus dovetail nicely with their efforts. I am proud of our congregation as we continue to learn and grow into a deeper consciousness about explicit and implicit bias and the many ways in which white supremacy and racism impact our relationships, our community and our world. We will continue to have more opportunities for engagement, but I hope that as you each take time to explore the website for the Commission and participate in their information gathering that you understand how important each of your individual efforts are in helping our community and the entire Association live its promise of diversity.

Peace - ALD

THE MEETINGHOUSE NEWSFirst Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist

April 2018

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNERAs we settle into our new ministry with Rev. Adam, I have been reflecting on two important pieces of congregational life and religious education:  Belonging and Meaning-making.  Today I want to explore belonging more deeply.In Brene Brown’s new book Braving the Wilderness she describes true belonging as 

The spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness.  True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are, it requires you to be who you are.

Recent conversations among people who were raised UU have centered on this question of belonging as well.  How does our experience of belonging change, as we grow from children to adults?  UUs have a very low proportion of keeping our youth – only 12%, as opposed to typical Protestant denominations’ statistics in the 40% range.  People trying to make the transition into the adult life of a congregation often find the worship style, the governance structures, and the volunteer roles vastly different from what they experienced in youth group.  Encountering these differences, many of them don’t stay.  So how might we shift this trend?  Right now, a sense of belonging is created differently for youth and for adults.  What is working well for each group?  What can we learn from each other about meeting this basic human need?  For youth, this often takes the form of structured activities, such as games, deep check-ins, and worship, that deepen levels of communication and trust in well-recognized stages.  Describing the experience of youth conferences, Sharon Hwang Colligan describes a ritual process she calls the “Magic Pool.”  As they move through the activities they settle into community, and youth grow closer quickly.  They come to trust each other deeply and be affectionate.  Their conversations take on “a free-flowing sharing of the heart, of real life issues, or a free-flowing sharing of silliness, of spontaneous word games and free-association humor.  Something has melted…. Walking into the conference after a morning errand in the outside world, I can feel the conference like a strong energy field that is warm, like a physical warmth; relaxing, like a bubble bath or a day at the beach.”  [http://www.circlemaker.org/cdt/ChildrenOfaDifferentTribe.pdf] This level of sharing may be one of their first profound experiences of true belonging, of “sharing your most authentic self with the world.”  They also experience collective, rather than democratic, decision making processes, and build a sense of ownership and investment in co-creating the community.  For adults, this development of belonging might be a much more casual and gradual process as we get to know each other at coffee hour, through occasional programs, or through volunteering together.  Adults may not participate in the same groups over time the way RE participants do, and there isn’t necessarily a staff member guiding the process of deepening belonging for a consistent group.   We might have a similar experience to our youth at a Ferry Beach retreat - or not.  Yet we find ways to connect and come to rely on each other.  When we face challenges, we lean in to the community that allows us to share our authentic selves in a way the work world may not.

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Conversations are alive throughout the nation now on how we facilitate a shared sense of belonging embracing both groups.  How can those raised as UUs help us keep their wisdom, and still feel fed?  How can those who came to UUism as adults find their way in to our community?  Do we create more groups that aren’t tied to a traditional church building - like the Sanctuary community, a week of camp, or a group that meets in a coffeehouse?  As we experiment with worshiping in the Barn Room, we can all see that different spaces help create different experiences.  Do we bring children and youth fully into the existing adult worship community, and expand worship design to be more multigenerational each week?  Do we add Wednesday night experiences or early morning Sunday worship with a different focus?  Do we bring youth onto committees, to benefit from their perspectives and practices?  Do we look to create something completely new and uncharted?  All of these are experiments going on around us in UU communities.  As we grow into this new ministry, we will also stretch ourselves into occasional discomfort and occasional joy, as we join the experiments that will help us stay in community with the youth we raise.  This is the beginning of the conversation - I invite you to join me in this creative endeavor, and to call me back into flexibility when I grow rigid.  I’m looking forward to this new step together on our journey.Mandy Neff

Shared Offering for AprilThe Shared Offering recipient for April is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute: www.ldbpeaceinstitute.org. Founded in 1994 by the parents of Louis D. Brown who was killed at age 15 in the crossfire of a shootout in 1993, the Institute’s mission is to be a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss. Their principles are those that many of us strive for and believe in: Love, Unity, Faith, Hope, Courage, Justice, and Forgiveness.

In addition to being the Shared Offering recipient for April, the Institute will again sponsor the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace, and we’re hoping many from our congregation will participate.

Be sure to register for UU ADVOCACY DAY – Tuesday, April 10 (9:30 – 4:00)at Arlington St. Church (leave for the State House at 1:00 PM)

CLICK HERE  for tickets - $35

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(If a subsidized ticket will help you come to this event, please email lwagner@uumassaction.org)

What the fee covers: Building use fee $600, lunch $12 per person, speaker honorariums, staff time and materials Help make this event a success and register early!  Why: To give us enough time to make legislative appointments for you To get the preparation materials to you before the event. This gives you a chance to

understand the legislation and discuss it with others at your congregations.

This year our program will include: Music – Matt Meyer, Rhythm Revelations Spoken Word Poet – Anthony Thomas Keynote – Rev Elizabeth Nguyen, Senior Strategist - Side with Love, Witness Ministries in

Multicultural growth and Witness  There are many important bills that need to pass this session.  Most of the priority legislation will be climate bills, but we will also be advocating for the Safe Communities Act, Raise the Minimum Wage and Paid Family and Medical Leave.

Immigration News: Message to Senator Warren: Keep Families Together A group of people from MCAN (Massachusetts Community Action Network) and UU MA Action smashed ICE with hammers outside the JFK building on Tuesday March 27.  The group went inside and up to Sen Warren's office.  Pastor Edwin Johnson from St. Mary’s Church in Dorchester led us in a song and dance in the reception area. This brought out the staff (including Warren's chief of staff in MA) -- so we didn't have to try to meet with her! And we were dancing and singing not shouting so the chief of staff was listening to us. We thanked Warren for voting No on the budget (which included more $ for ICE), and we asked that Warren take a public MORAL stand on immigrant justice and that she speak out to DEFUND ICE and that she take a stand supporting all the eleven million undocumented people living in fear and terror in our country. We asked her to Keep Families Together.

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Our General Assembly Delegates 2018First Parish is pleased to send 4 delegates to the UUA General Assembly from June 20 – 24 in Kansas City, MO. Delegates were selected by the Governing Board after submitting applications. Here are brief profiles of our 4 delegates.

Gloria Korsman joined First Parish in 1995. She is passionate about our covenant and mission. She loves working and worshiping with our beautiful community, embraces the congregation’s commitment to multiculturalism and anti-racism, and values our many ministries within the congregation and out in the world. Gloria bikes all year to church, and to her day job at Harvard Divinity School. She lives in Cambridge with her lovely wife Kerrie.

Karin Lin has been a member of First Parish since 2009 and has served on the Transformation Team, Beyond Borders - Sin Fronteras, Stewardship, Membership, and the Ministerial Search Committee. She works as a software engineer and lives in North Cambridge with her husband Cade and their two daughters.  With the Rev. Nancy Palmer Jones of San Jose, CA, she is co-authoring a book on UU congregations on the road to multiculturalism.  She has attended General Assembly as a delegate every year since 2010.  (Karin’s daughter, Kyla (now 13), has been coming with her to GA since 2014 and they both look forward to this time together in Kansas City!)

Peter Lowber has been a member of First Parish Cambridge since last October. Previously, Peter was a member of Arlington Street Church for 22 years. At GA he will focus on sessions on immigrant justice, countering White Supremacy and countering Islamophobia. Peter is a member of the Beyond Borders / Sin Fronteras and the Middle East Education groups at First Parish. He is also a volunteer for the Cambridge Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition.

Hannah Stites has been attending First Parish Cambridge since 2010 and has been a member since 2011. At First Parish, she’s been a mentor for Coming of Age twice, the volunteer advisor for the Youth Group, a part of the Membership Team, The Welcome Team and this past fall semester, she taught the Fourth and Fifth Graders in RE.   Hannah is so grateful for the opportunity to be a delegate and she hopes to take workshops in dismantling white supremacy, and workshops that can benefit the RE program and the Membership Team.

An Update: The Resisting White Supremacy SeriesCharlene Galarneau

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For many white people, the idea that we have racial identities is difficult to come to terms with. We usually see ourselves simply as people. Whiteness by virtue of its status as the dominant social position is unmarked. It is relatively easy for a white person to go through life never thinking about their own racial identity. Whiteness functions as the normative ideal against which other people are categorized and judged. But, because we occupy the dominant position in the racial hierarchy, white people are important parts of the racial system of the United States. And, as a result of the part we play in that system, we have a crucial role to play in dismantling racism.

- Cynthia Kaufmann

These words closed the first session of our winter/spring “Resisting White Supremacy” series. Understanding the “crucial role we [white people] have to play in dismantling racism” is foundational to this six-session workshop facilitated by Ken Wagner – an experienced leader in this work and now President of the UU Allies for Racial Equity.

Early on Ken asked for a strong commitment to attending the entire series. Roughly 40 persons have shown up each Sunday to stretch our minds, hearts, and souls - together. Over lunch – thanks to all cooks/food organizers! - we’ve been guided through small and large group discussions of the readings we’ve done, as well as sharing what we’ve learned when we put up our racism/white supremacy radar in our daily lives. Other creative activities have made visceral what has been lost due to racism.

The first couple of weeks started at a personal level, exploring how each of us understands our own ethnic and /or racial identity and learning from others about theirs. Session 3 focused on systemic embodiment of racism and white privilege in the world with attention to the words and experience of Kenny Wiley, a not-so-long-ago member of the FPC community. And our last session together delved into “conservative” and “progressive” expressions of racism as well as examples of color-blindness, color muteness, and more.

Soon we’ll directly address the meanings and manifestations of “white supremacy” and how these are surfacing in Unitarian Universalism at the denominational and congregational levels. In a reading for next time, Ijeoma Oluo says, “Your privilege is the biggest risk to this [anti-racism] movement,” and then, “Your privilege is the biggest benefit you can bring to the movement.” If you want to learn more about how these seemingly contradictory claims are both true, you can read her powerfully blunt piece, “Welcome To The Anti-Racism Movement – Here’s What You’ve Missed,” here [https://theestablishment.co/welcome-to-the-anti-racism-movement-heres-what-you-ve-missed-711089cb7d34].

This workshop series is almost over but this is certainly not the end of FPC’s work and discussions are underway about future activities. Please consider participating in them! In the meantime, I invite you to consider these closing words from our last session:

White people will have quite enough to do in learning how to accept and love themselves and each other, and when they have achieved this – which will not be tomorrow and may very well be never, the Negro problem will no longer exist, for it will no longer be needed.

James Baldwin

Beyond Borders/Sin Fronteras and Middle East Education Group

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The Islamic Society of Boston (ISB) has been in Cambridge for more than 20 years. This year they are holding the Second Annual Open Mosque Day on Sunday, April 8, 2018, from 11:00am to 5:00pm at the mosque, located at 204 Prospect Street, Cambridge, MA 02139.

Members of both Beyond Borders/Sin Fronteras and the Middle East Education Group will be leaving from First Parish about 2 pm and arriving at the mosque about 2:30. Join us either place as we meet our neighbors and visit their spiritual home.

Their invitation to us is:“We want to take this opportunity to extend a very special invitation to you. We welcome you, your family, your kids, your friends, your neighbors, and everyone who would like to get to know our Muslim neighbors and connect. Every person is welcome of any tradition or no tradition – we want to invite you to experience our hospitality. If you have questions, concerns, or would like to share company with your Muslim neighbors, you are more than welcome.

…In the Islamic tradition, we have a saying: “Be good to all, for each person is either your sister/ brother in faith, or your sister/ brother in humanity.” We hope you get to experience a taste of that sister/brotherhood on this day, and may continue to maintain this fellowship for time to come. The invitation is open – feel free to come whenever and with whomever you’d like during the day.”

The open house is suitable for children of all ages. If you have questions or need more information, feel free to contact Grace Hall (gracewhall@msn.com, 215-858-5448). We hope you will join us on April 8.

The 22nd Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace: Dignity and Compassion for AllFirst Parish Folks - Let’s Really Turn Out For the Walk this Year!!

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Want to Keep the Energy Going For “March For Our Lives”?

The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute says: We’re very proud of all the young people who took action in Boston and all over the country this weekend. Thank you for your courage. You’re making our movement stronger.We want to celebrate the leadership of Boston survivors. Operation LIPSTICK and We Are Better Together Warren Daniel Hairston Projectand Mothers for Justice and Equality and My Brother's Keeper 617 mobilized dozens of young survivors to go to the #MarchForOurLives in DC!Homicide is an issue that cuts across race and class, yet we know communities of color are most affected. Together, we can transform the way society sees murder victims and our families.We urge you to stay involved in peacemaking.

Walk with us on Mother's Day toward peace.

The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace has been gathering those affected by gun violence and their supporters for 22 years. Join us on Mother’s Day to demand both an end to this violence and dignity and compassion for all families impacted by murder.

The Mother’s Day Walk is also the Peace Institute’s most important fundraising event. We’re asking you to invest in community-based solutions to a complex problem. In 2018, our goal is to raise $400,000 for our critical programs and services. Invest in peace this Mother’s Day - Sunday May 13, 2018.

The Mother's Day Walk for Peace started in 1996 so families of murdered children and young people could receive support and love from their neighbors. It is a center for healing, teaching, and community organizing.  It provides vital crisis management, counseling, and funeral and burial assistance to family members of homicide victims.Join a Group of Parishioners who will be walking.  For all the details and to register for our Team, go to Register and Donate

That will bring you to the First Parish Cambridge page where you can register and donate. All walkers must register. Registration cost this year is $10 per walker, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds. When you register, be sure to select First Parish CambridgeUU as your team.  At the end of your registration there will be an opportunity to donate.Can’t do the walk?  You can still donate on our page.  You may also donate through the church by writing a check payable to First Parish and write “Walk for Peace” in the memo line.  If you have any questions about registering or donating, either come to our table in Social Hour or contact Chris McElroy at cmcelroy52@gmail.com.  All details on the walk are available at mothersdaywalk4peace.org 

From First Parish GBIO Task ForceEND MASS INCARCERATION - HISTORIC BILL NEARS FINAL VOTE

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A historic bill to improve the Massachusetts criminal justice system is now ready for final votes in the legislature.  First Parish has contributed to the successful campaign for The Criminal Law Reform Omnibus Bill through our participation in Greater Boston Interfaith Organization and UUMassAction. We now have a chance to push for final passage and for the governor to sign it. 

On Friday, March 23rd, Judiciary Chairs Representative Claire Cronin and Senator William Brownsberger, the lead conferees on criminal justice reform, filed the House-Senate compromise bill with the Senate clerk. The next steps for this historic bill is that it will return to the House and Senate for an “up or down” vote (meaning, no more amendments) and then head to the Governor’s desk! (New bill # S. 2371) 

The conference committee’s bill includes all four of GBIO’s priority concerns: (1) Solitary Confinement (replaces the “isolation concept” with more human treatment of individuals “confined to restrictive housing”); provides access to vocational, educational, and rehabilitative programs; requires training for correctional officers; protects LGBTQ prisoners. (2) Mandatory Minimums (eliminates mandatory minimums for non-opiate, non-weight retail drug offenses while strengthening minimum mandatories for opioid trafficking). (3) Bail Reduction (requires bail to be set only as needed to ensure person returns to court; allows judges to use community corrections facilities); and (4) Fees (no parole fee for first year; no probation fee for the first six months after release).

There are many additional changes and improvements in the criminal justice system. For a full list and copy of the legislation, go to https://willbrownsberger.com/final-criminal-justice-package-released.

UU Mass Action (Laura Wagner, Executive Director) has organized a UU Advocacy Day! (April 10th) at the Arlington Street Church (351 Boylston Street, Boston). If interested ($25 fee), go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/uu-advocacy-day-tickets-43038642739

Contacts: Margaret Drury and Chris McElroy

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The Middle East Education GroupAnnouncements for April 2018

Annual 1for3 Walk for Water - Saturday April 28, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM in Cambridge. South Plaza at Kendall Square. 450 Kendall Street. Registration begins at 10:00 AM.The Middle East Education Group encourages you to support the Annual 1for3 Walk for Water to support refugees in Palestine.  UUs for Justice in the Middle East-MA Chapter has a team with a goal of $500.  In addition to the financial goal, UUJME-MA hopes to rally 50 marchers.   General information about the walk here.  https://www.classy.org/event/walk-for-water-5k-in-support-of-palestinian-refugees-2018/e166551Donate to the UUJME-MA team here. .  https://www.classy.org/team/160635

Combatants for Peace -  Saturday, April 28, 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM The Middle East Education Group will co-sponsor a rare opportunity to meet some inspiring men from Palestine and Israel at the Belmont/Watertown United Methodist Church, 421 Common Street, Belmont, MA 02478.   In 2006, Israeli and Palestinian former combatants laid down their weapons and established Combatants for Peace. They forswear violence and advocate together for an end to the Occupation. Combatants for Peace was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2017.Jamel Qassas and Rami Ben Ari will be telling their personal stories of transformation from violence to nonviolence, and sharing the work that they are doing to end the occupation and to bring peace to their homeland.Sponsored by Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment. Other Co-sponsors: UUs for Justice in the Middle East-MA Chapter, Newton Dialogues on Peace and War, Cambridge United for Justice with Peace (UJP), Arlington United for Justice with Peace, Massachusetts Peace Action, Survival Education Fund, Inc., Veterans For Peace, Chapter 9, Boston, The Smedley D. Butler Brigade.For more information: www.watertowncitizens.org or watertowncitizens@gmail.comTransportation: Bus 73 from Harvard Square to Cushing Square. Driving: There is a parking lot behind the church and on-street parking nearby. 

Cambridge-Area Gospel Choir Returns to First Parish on April 29, 2018

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The First Parish Music Team is excited to announce that again this spring, an expanded Gospel Choir comprised of participants from our church as well as from the greater Cambridge-Somerville area will sing at First Parish. There will be three consecutive Thursday evening rehearsals beginning April 12 and culminating in a special Gospel Music Sunday service on April 29. Renowned gospel choral leader, Linda Brown-San Martin, will return as guest director of this choir. Beloved for her work with many area singers, Ms. Brown San-Martin is the winner of the New England Conservatory’s 2009 Gospel Music Award for “longevity in music ministry,” and has directed choirs at numerous local churches and colleges after becoming the first Gospel Choir Director at her alma mater, Wellesley College. Past accomplishments also include touring Armenia as part of the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Project, and leading the 200+ voice Mystic Chorale for 3 Gospel seasons, which included several CD recordings. In the past, she served as Minister of Music at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain, and as an elementary music teacher for 13 years. Currently, Ms. Brown-San Martin directs the Children’s Choir at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury; is the Organist at First Congregational in Whitman; and has directed Lesley University’s UNITY Gospel Choir for 20+ years. She has led multiple Gospel Sunday services at First Parish and notes that “in challenging times such as these, the joy, love, resiliency and unity generated by singing gospel music can truly be a healing balm for the soul.” Rehearsals will take place at First Parish from 7:00-8:30 PM on Thursday evenings beginning April 12, and continuing on April 19 and 26. In keeping with gospel music tradition, all songs will be taught aurally. The director requests that interested singers commit to attending at least two of the three Thursday night rehearsals. In addition, all singers will need to attend a mandatory dress rehearsal on Saturday, April 28 from 1:00-3:30 PM, as well as the Sunday morning rehearsal on April 29 at 9:00 AM, prior to the 10:30 Gospel Music Sunday service.

Singing with Linda Brown-San Martin is a joyful, high energy experience! Do sign up to join this choir, and invite music-loving family, friends and neighbors to join you. Interested singers should register before Monday, April 9, with First Parish Music Director, Jonathan Barnhart, at (617) 876-7772 or at musicdirector@firstparishcambridge.org. Questions? Contact Music Team co-chair, Irene Merwin at (617) 731-9096, or email her at irrom1@gmail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTSFirst Saturday Sing-alongsEvery month, a group of us get together at Sancta Maria nursing home to sing songs with the

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residents. It's been so nice getting to know them and seeing them light up when singing an old favorite.  No rehearsal or musical talent needed ... this is not about "performing for" but rather "singing with". The songs are easy and familiar (think "When the Saints Go Marching", "Take Me Out to the Ballgame", "This Land is Your Land") and we'll have plenty of large print song sheets for everyone. Reasonably tranquil children, newcomers and non-First Parish folks are all welcome. No need to make a regular commitment, or even to RSVP ahead of time - just show up. If you've never been here, don't be shy!! You can show up unannounced (I promise we'll be nice to you), or feel free to send me an email beforehand to introduce yourself. We'd be delighted to have you.For more information, to offer or 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.

Elders GroupThe next meeting of the First Parish Elders Group will be on Tuesday, April 3 at 2:30 pm inthe Chapel. We will be examining many topics that affect our senior community, including medical issues, social issues and actions and activities that elders can participate in. All elders are invited. Please join us. Questions?  Email Rev. Danielle at devminister@firstparishcambridge.org

Sanctuary Boston WorshipSanctuary Boston is a Unitarian Universalist evening worship community that meets right here at First Parish Cambridge. Our worship series “Down by the Riverside” continues for two Wednesdays in April. Our worship is a gathering of song, reflection, and connection. Sanctuary Boston members are extending a special invitation for the First Parish Cambridge community to join us at worship on Wednesday April 4 at First Parish Cambridge and on April 18 in Boston. Gather at 6:30 pm for

food in the Barn Room and we will begin with music at 6:45 pm.

April 4- First Parish - Water that Remembers – reflection by Rev. Joanna LubkinApril 18 - First Church Boston - Water that Calls You Home - reflection by Rosemary Dodd

Still Openings for Auction Events!Community Auction events are a great way to get to meet new people, build relationships and raise money for First Parish. Several events at the church still have openings - email auction@firstparishcambridge.org to reserve a spot. Events include:

Italian Baked Pasta Dinner on 4/14 at 6:00 pm Saturday Brunch on 4/21 at 11:00 am. 

Events are $15 for adults; $5 for children. Details about the events can be found at http://www.firstparishcambridge.org/auction. If you have questions contact Eileen Sullivan at auction@firstparishcambridge.org

Volunteer OpportunitiesAre you crusader for community building? Do you have a skill for scheduling?  Are you passionate about programming for all ages?  The First Parish Retreat Organizers are looking for volunteers to join the planning team! The annual retreat occurs each year in October, but the planning begins each year in April/May.  If you are looking for a way to share your talents in a way that directly benefits the community of FPC please reach out to Renée Saindon (renee.d.saindon@gmail.com) for ways to get involved at a level of participation that works best for

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you.  This fall we will reflect on our Second Principle taking last year's celebration of inherent worth and dignity within each individual to the next level: to our community at-large through justice, equity, and compassion in human relations.  All perspectives and imaginations welcome. 

Help make “An Afternoon at the Opera” a success!The wonderful section leaders of the First Parish Choir are performing "An Afternoon at the Opera" on Sunday, April 22nd at 2:00 pm at First Parish. This is part of the First Parish Community Auction. We need two volunteers to usher/set up reception from 1:15-2:15. After 2:15, the volunteers can enjoy the show. We are also looking for 3-4 people to provide desserts for the intermission. If you can volunteer, contact Eileen Sullivan at  auction@firstparishcambridge.org. Please note that unlike our other auction events, you can donate at the door and attend this wonderful event. A $30 donation is requested. If you already paid, your name will be on a list at the door.

Mass Peace ActionMembers of the Cambridge faith community and Massachusetts Peace Action have organized a discussion on the Poor People’s campaign and its call to stand together for peace, and against hatred and fear.  It will be held on Thursday, April 12, from 7:00-8:30 PM at St. Paul’s AME Christian Life Center at 85 Bishop Allen Drive, near Central Square. The Poor People’s Campaign, led by Rev. William Barber, carries the legacy of Martin Luther King, who called for a moral revival to end poverty, racism, and militarism; the campaign has added the fourth crucial issue of ecological devastation. People impacted will tell their personal stories. Adam Dyer will also speak, joined by Leslie Sterling, rector of St Bartholomew’s Church, and campaign leaders. The campaign calls for morally driven non-violent action that embraces common guiding principles: to recognize that all of life is deeply interconnected and to love and respect each other. This is an opportunity to discuss with other Cambridge congregations how we might engage.