Our Vision:
We aspire to be a beacon of
liberal religion, strong community,
and transformative service,
rooted in Love.
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From the Minister
Greetings All,
Frederick Buechner wrote, “Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it, no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it, because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,
and life itself is grace.”
Grace is our worship theme for April. Here are some questions I’m thinking about as I prep for the month ahead perhaps; they resonate with you:
- How do we UUs understand grace?
- How do you know when grace is present in your life or when it is absent?
- How do you practice noticing beauty and love in your life?
- In what ways do you experience beauty and love in life that are unearned, or graced?
- How does noticing gifts of life call you to live with more compassion or love?
“Community is another source of grace,” writes Matthew Fox. "In community we are meant to grace one another; to be sources of grace; healers by way of grace."
Peace,
Rev. Erin (she/her), Interim Minister
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A Month of Sundays
In April 2024
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Amazing Grace
Rev. Erin
Sunday, April 14, 2024
This I Believe - Sarah and
Rev. Erin
Sunday, April 21, 2024
The Social Justice Committee and Rev. Erin
Sunday, April 28, 2024
Rev. Danielle
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Notes from the Music Director
What a wonderful Hallelujah Chorus we sang on Easter Sunday. Thank you to all
who joined in!
Our Choir Anthems for April :
April 7-Amazing Grace arranged by Jay Althouse
April 14-Bless the World- a chant by Elizabeth Norton
“ With our minds and our hearts and our hands, may we choose to bless the world”.
*April 21- No Anthem or choir rehearsal. * Music at this service will be provided by members of the congregation.
April 28 -Down to the River to Pray by Alison Kraus.
Choir Rehearsals continue Sunday mornings from 9:00-10:00. Anyone in 7th grade or older is welcome to come sing with us!
Happy Spring!
Beth (she/her),
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Happenings for the Month of April 2024
at First Parish
Anti-Racist Working Group
Sunday, April 7, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Finance Committee
Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Parish Committee Meeting
Thursday, April 11, 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Anti-Racist Working Group
Sunday, April 14, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Social Justice Committee (Zoom)
Thursday, April 18, 2024, at
7:00 p.m.
Game Night
Friday, April 19, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the church.
Social Justice
Sunday, April 21, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Erdman
Thursday, April 25, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Erdman
Friday, April 26, 2024, 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the church.
Anti-Racist Working Group
Sunday, April 28, 2024
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. at the church.
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Social Justice and Denominational Affairs |
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April Special Collection
In honor of Earth Day and environmental issues highlighted in April, donations to the plate on Sunday, April 7 will benefit the Farm to Food Pantry program at The Friends of Holly Hill Farm.
Holly Hill Farm is the only working farm in Cohasset and has been farmed continuously since the early 17th century. The farm is located along the historic Quanohassit (indigenous term for long, rocky shore), and set among historic 18th century farm buildings on beautiful conservation land. Founded in 2002, Friends of Holly Hill Farm is a 501c3 non-profit Certified Organic farm that utilizes regenerative farming methods to grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers for the community year-round. In keeping with its educational mission it has partnerships with over 40 South Shore schools, a Farm to Food Pantry community service program for teens and adults to grow food for local food pantries, and Best of the South Shore 2023 popular summer day programs and year-round on the farm educational programs for children. Its active conservation and preservation programs aim to protect the natural surroundings, maintain healthy ecosystems, support local birds, and insects, wildlife, and pollinators.
Jon (he/him), Holly Hill’s Community Outreach Director, will join us on April 7 and tell us about Holly Hill Farm and their Farm to Food Pantry program. He will be available during coffee hour if anyone has any questions.
If you don’t have a chance to donate on Sunday 4/7 at church, you can donate any time during April by going to:
The First Parish website under the One Time Gifts option and specifying “Holly Hill” in the notations box.
Or via the Friends of Holly Hill Farm website; write in the comments that you are from First Parish UU making a contribution to the Farm to Food Pantry Program.
What is the UUA’s Welcome Renewal Program?
First Parish obtained Welcoming Congregation status from the UUA in 2006 after engaging in a program designed to help congregations be more intentionally welcoming to individuals, families, and communities of all sexual orientations and gender identities. In 2015 the UUA introduced the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal program in which congregations take a prescribed number each year to demonstrate their ongoing commitment to being welcoming and learning about and supporting the current needs and concerns of LGBTQ+/TGNB* people.
These are the Five Practices of Welcome Renewal identified by the UUA:
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Become a Welcoming Congregation - This is the process FPUU completed in 2006; it does not need to be repeated.
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Welcoming Worship Services - Include at least two Welcoming Worship Services into our liturgical schedule that uplifts the themes of LGBTQ+ / TGQNB* welcome and inclusion.
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Welcoming Days of Observance - Celebrate, reflect, observe the Welcoming Days of Observance included on the Welcoming Congregations Calendar throughout the year.
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Welcoming Congregation Module - A Welcoming Congregation Module is a webinar or seminar made available to the congregation and community that informs, educates, and raises awareness about the issues and needs of the LGBTQ+ / TGQNB* community. Hosting a movie “talkback” or book discussion group can also fulfill this practice
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Support a Welcoming Project - Welcoming Congregations are encouraged to donate to an LGBTQ+ / TGQNB* organization, campaign, or project of their choice
*TGQNB stands for Transgender, Genderqueer, Non-binary
The Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee will participate in the worship service on Sunday, April 21 to kick off our first year of Welcome Renewal. Examples of some of the actions and events we are planning or considering:
- Adding at least one service with themes of LGBTQ+/TGQNB* welcome and inclusion to the Pride service in June that has already become an annual event.
- Encouraging the use of pronouns on a regular basis by adding them to the Order of Service for people participating in Sunday services and reprinting all of our church name tags to include pronouns. We make these changes not to be performative but to make clear that we make no assumptions and we welcome individuals, families, and communities of all sexual orientations and gender identities into our church community.
- Acknowledging Days of Observance that are important to the LGBTQ+/TGQNB* community and allies in services, with posters around the church, through special events, or with information on the coffee hour table, as we did on March 31 to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility.
- Promoting events that celebrate the achievements of and contributions to society by LGBTQ+/TGQNB* people.
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Hosting a book club or movie night about an LGBTQ+/TGQNB* themed book or movie. We hope to hold a movie night in May to view and discuss the documentary, Disclosure, which examines Hollywood's depiction of transgender people in film and television and the impact it's left on both the transgender community and American culture.
- Holding workshops or promoting UUA webinars on LGBTQ+/TGQNB* issues.
- Hosting a recurring activity for LGBTQ+/TGQNB* youth at First Parish that creates a safe space and encourages connections with other youth.
April Social Justice Committee Meeting Thursday, April 18
All are invited to our monthly meetings. We meet on Zoom from 7:00 -
8:30 p.m. Included in this month’s agenda are finalizing the plans for the April 21 service to officially begin our participation in the Welcome Renewal program and other related activities planned to occur before the end of this church year
Ellen,(she/her) Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee Chair
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Game Night Friday, April 19, 2024,
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
On Friday, April 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., there will be a Game Night at the church. Game Night is hosted by Conor. Come enjoy the night and bring a game or two that you like or a deck of cards.
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The Rowe Center
Sharing the Magic of Rowe
As we eagerly anticipate the arrival of summer, we are particularly excited this year as we prepare to celebrate a milestone—a century of adventure, community, and discovery at Rowe. This season is a testament to our commitment to creating enriching, inclusive, and memorable camp experiences for all.
A Special Invitation to First-Time Campers
In honor of our 100th anniversary, we're delighted to offer discounts to all first-time campers. It's our way of saying "welcome" to new members of the Rowe community and to ensure that everyone has the chance to experience the magic of our camps.
Woodside Campership Fund: Embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
We believe that summer camp experiences should be accessible to all, regardless of financial background. That's why we're exceptionally generous this year with financial aid awards through the Woodside Campership Fund, which focuses on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. If you or someone you know could benefit from this support, we encourage you to apply. Together, we can ensure that the transformative experiences at Rowe are available to campers of all backgrounds. Applicants can complete a financial aid request when they register for camp.
Why Join Us This Summer?
As we mark the 100th anniversary of Rowe camps, our celebration extends beyond reminiscing over a century's worth of cherished memories; we're eagerly looking ahead to the new ones we'll create together. Rowe caters to all by offering a spectrum of activities, whether your heart lies in the serene beauty of nature, the exhilaration of forming new friendships, or the thrill of embarking on new adventures. What truly distinguishes Rowe is the empowerment of our campers to shape their own distinct camp experiences. Here, campers are encouraged to become independent thinkers, making choices about their participation in activities that resonate most with them. Rowe is a place where every voice matters, and the dignity and worth of every individual are upheld.
Share the Spirit of Rowe
If you know friends or family members who would enjoy the Rowe experience, please share this invitation with them. Our community thrives on the diversity of its members, and every new camper adds something special to the fabric of our camp.
Join Us for a Unique Summer Camp Experience
We can’t wait to welcome you and your campers back to camp. With a century of history behind us, we're more committed than ever to making this summer unforgettable. Register now to secure your place, and let's make history together. I am available to assist you as needed. I look forward to connecting with you.
Clay
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Finance Committee
BOTTLES & CANS UPDATE
It's been almost a full year since we officially started collecting bottles & cans at the Transfer Station! As of 3/26/24, the crew, led by Howard, Mike & Mark , has brought in $5,618! Many thanks to this hard-working bunch who have toiled in rain, wind, and all kinds of weather to make this effort a success!
They work on Tuesday afternoons all year long, for 2-3 hours. They welcome all volunteers! Contact Howard or Mike if you would like to help!
Thank you, Howard, Mike & Mark, and all the volunteers who have helped over the past year!
The Finance Committee
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View the GA Schedule
Get ready for the 2024 Virtual UUA General Assembly! As we await the announcement of two additional featured programs, you can now dive into the GA schedule to explore the diverse lineup of informative workshops, inspirational worship services, and much more!
Discover which programs will be available on-demand and which will be live events. Additionally, get a sneak peek into the array of workshops through preview videos.
Stay tuned for updates and mark your calendars for an enriching experience at the 2024 Virtual UUA General Assembly!
Call for Submissions: Music for GA 2024 Sunday Morning Worship
We all know the joy of singing together. Even when we are online, togetherness is demonstrated through music created in the community. GA Sunday Worship Leader Rev. Molly Housh Gordon, GA Sunday Worship Leader, and Natasha Steinmacher, GA Music Coordinator are seeking congregations that are willing to contribute a choral video to this year's service. If your congregation has an active choir and the equipment to record a performance, please submit your contact information so that worship planners can connect with you.
General Assembly and Conference Services Frequently Asked Questions
Will we be able to show the GA Sunday Worship service during our regular service time?
Yes. The worship will be available for download one day before the live stream on Sunday, June 23, to congregations who request access. Beginning May 1st, an early access form will be available for congregations broadcasting the GA Sunday worship at their respective worship times.
Does our congregation need a music license if we broadcast the service online for our members?
Yes. All music presented at GA is licensed for GA only. To broadcast any service with music, a license or permission is required. Congregations may purchase their own annual CCLI license or purchase a streaming license for individual song titles through OneLicense.
Participate in Live Pre-GA Webinars!
GA on-demand presenters have the benefit of recording their sessions live with YOU in the audience! That's right, you can be part of the action as these awesome sessions are captured to add to our on-demand library for GA 2024.
If you're registered for GA, you'll get an email early next week with special Zoom links to join these pre-GA workshops live. It's your chance to dive into some amazing content before the main event kicks off. But remember, you need to be registered for GA to join in live.
Access to GA Content
No smartphone? No problem! Virtual GA is accessible via desktop computer, laptop, and tablet too! The Whova desktop view will give you all of the same features and access of the mobile app. Check out the Whova tutorial linked below for more information. The GA App powered by Whova will be live to all registrants in early June.
Register for UUA General Assembly
Will you join us for this year's virtual GA featuring prominent speakers, dynamic worship, and exclusive access to on-demand programming? Whether you are a seasoned attendee or a first-timer, this is your opportunity to be a part of an extraordinary gathering. Register today and join us at General Assembly 2024.
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April Monthly Calendar 2024
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