First Parish Unitarian Universalist Cohasset
E-mail Update – January 26, 2010
T he golden notes of Bach will rise from our organ and choir come Sunday as we welcome Sylvia Berry, forte pianist who performed here in October, as our guest organist and our choir performs two movements of the breathtaking Bach cantata, “Wachet auf!” Prepared for the Sunday before Christmas, the much anticipated service was snowed out. We trust Mother Nature will be eager to hear the January performance. Our children will again join us for the first part of worship, Jim FitzGerald will offer our chalice reflection, and I will offer a message around a theme that is at the heart of all religion, “Life and Death.” It promises to be a worship experience rich with every dimension of how we live the depths and heights of this miracle in which we find ourselves.
The echoes of this past Sunday still resound! What a vibrant service of stories and music, images and artifacts our Common Hope Vision Team created. Their ten days in Guatemala this past October with project Common Hope came to life for the rest of us as they movingly shared with laughter and tears how meaningful it was to connect with long sponsored children (some of them now adults), families, and the entire village of Antigua through teaching, dining together, building an entire home, and finding themselves family with friends who for some had been known only through letters and photographs. To learn more about this extraordinary venture that is Common Hope, visit www.commonhope.org. Our Common Hope Vision team continues to collect toothbrushes and toothpaste, supporting Common Hope’s dental care in the Guatemalan communities of their affiliated families. Many were gathered last Sunday. More are welcome and can be dropped off in the basket at the entrance to the Parish House.
From Bach to toothpaste, across life and death, we seek to be, in the words of our mission statement, an “inclusive spiritual community affirming our Unitarian Universalist principles and putting them into action by worshipping together, caring for one another, and working for a safe, just, and sustainable world.” So may it be.
I love you each and all,
Jan
Haiti – First Parish responds generously! Thank you!
The full non-pledge plate offering the Sundays of January 17 and 24 were dedicated to the UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Thanks to the decision of our Outreach Committee, this fund will also be the recipient of our 25% non-pledge plate offerings from February through August. Thus far, First Parish has contributed $1,150 to this fund that will permit our UUSC to partner with groups in Haiti to reach the most marginalized of our Haitian neighbors and complement the massive aid programs of larger emergency response organizations. To learn more visit www.uusc.org or pick up an updated flyer at the entrance to the Parish House.
Ushers needed for January 31st! Ushers also needed for 2/7 & 2/14. Coffee hour hosts needed for 2/14 & 2/21!
These are completely enjoyable ways to be hospitable. If you can help, please phone Sandy Bailey at the Parish House ASAP (781-383-1100).
The events of this week are as follows:
This Week
Tuesday, January 26
9:15 AM – Circle Ministry (group led by Annie Spang and meeting on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
1:30 PM – Staff Meeting – Minister’s study
7:30 PM – Circle Ministry (group led by Jack & Carol Martin and meeting on the 2nd & 4th Tuesdays)
Wednesday, January 27
9:15 AM – Circle Ministry (group led by Polly Cowen & Linda Daignault and meeting on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays)
7:00 PM – Minister-BCD Board Roundtable at Murray Church in Attleboro
Thursday, January 28
7:55 PM – Choir Rehearsal – Meeting House
Saturday, January 30
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM – Growing Stewardship and Generosity in our Congregations – a workshop of our Ballou Channing District – Unitarian Church of Barnstable, 3330 Main Street, Barnstable, MA
Laurel Amabile, Director of our UUA Annual Program fund, will present strategies for effective, year-round stewardship and fund-raising programs, using role playing and small group discussions. Designed for congregational leaders, ministers, finance and canvass committees. Registration fee is $10, payable at the door (includes lunch and beverages). Registration is required. Contact the BCD office by Wednesday, January 27 at BCDOffice@verizon.net or 508-559-6650.
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Circle Ministry Leads Food Drive
Two Circle Ministry groups will be at the entrances of Shaw’s and Stop & Shop to hand to shoppers printed lists of food requests that will benefit the Cohasset Food Pantry and Wellspring. Group members will have shopping carts waiting to receive the purchased goods. Given the outpouring of generosity when a Circle Ministry group did this last spring, it’s likely that several cartloads will be received.
This is part of an all-out food drive by our Ballou Channing District. Several congregations are participating. All of us can help. For specifics, please see the January newsletter, The Common, p. 6, and this coming week’s e-mail update or contact Jack Martin at 781-749-3364 or drandmrsg@verizon.net or Annie Spang at 781-749-3364 or aspang1@verizon.net.
5:00 PM – A memorial service for Diana (Deedee) Rousseau will be held in the Meeting House
Sunday, January 31
9:45 AM – Childcare for our youngest. All other children will join their parents and the full congregation for the first part of worship in the Meeting House and then leave for RE classes, which extended to 11:15 AM. Our Whole Lives (OWL) meets at 9:45 AM at First Parish UU in Scituate.
10:00 AM – Worship in the Meeting House
Sylvia Berry will be our guest organist, our children will join us for the first part of worship, our choir will perform two movements of J.S. Bach’s Cantata # 140, Wachet auf, and Jan will lead worship, with a message on “Life and Death.”
Come join us for this extraordinary worship experience! Bring your un-churched friends and neighbors. Bring your children!
All are invited for refreshments and fellowship right after worship.
12:15 PM – Joint Meeting Of RE Committees of First Parish UU Cohasset and First Parish UU Scituate – at the Scituate congregation, 330 First Parish Road
For more information on activities at First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Cohasset, refer to our December newsletter, The Common, and to our website at www.firstparishcohasset.org.
We have a faith worth sharing and a church worth growing!
Come, and bring your children and your un-churched neighbors!
