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Do you ever wake up with a song in your mind? I do. Today I woke up singing our Hymn of the Month, The Lone Wild Bird. This is not unusual for me. The music around me really does permeate my inner life. Inside my head, I tend to continue to sing music I am playing on my oboe, choir music, children’s music, and now even hymns. I am constantly finding new ways to do old songs. Considering the upheaval of the last few weeks, the dream lives we have could be corrupted with the political landscapes around us. I have been told that you can program your dreams by imagining their content as something positive and even a song! What I know for a fact is that singing is healing, and healing is our theme for this month.
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Wednesday, November 18,
7:00-8:30
Listening Deeply to Poetry,
Take Two
Last month, 8 of us gathered on Zoom to read and reflect on 3 poems using an adaptation of the Christian tradition of Lectio Divina. The basic idea of Lectio Divina is to deeply listen to a text by reading it multiple times with different questions in mind each time.
We had so much fun, we’ve decided to do it again and invite YOU to join us! And so this month, you are invited to join Rev. Wendy and others for a deep reading and reflection on 3 poems related to this month’s theme of Healing.
There is no need to prepare anything ahead of time. Just bring yourself, perhaps a love of poetry or a longing for deeper spiritual engagement, and an openness to listening in community.
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All Hands on Deck!
Grab Your Favorite Rake and Come to a Party!
Our First Parish trees have said goodbye to their leaves, and we need your help to gather them up and prepare our grounds for winter. Please join members of our Building & Grounds Committee at 9:00 AM on Saturday, Nov. 21, (rain date: 1:00 PM, Sunday, Nov. 22), for our annual fall clean-up. Many hands make light work - so any amount of time you can spare will be much appreciated. Be sure to bring a rake, work gloves, and a mask. All work will be done outside, at a safe distance from one another. This may be one of the few times this fall when we can actually greet each other in person, so please don't miss this opportunity to take care of our church while enjoying the (distant) company of friends.
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Please tell us …
what makes FPW special?
The Communications Committee is enhancing the FPW website to make it easier to use and more informative … and to support the ministerial search process. It will have a new home page, new pictures, better navigation, and new content.
We’d also like to include brief testimonials – only 2 or 3 sentences – from members that describe, simply and honestly, what makes FPW special. We believe these brief statements will be effective in attracting visitors and newcomers … and ministerial candidates!
Please send your brief testimonial, about why FPW is special for you and your family, to Allison (office@fpwatertown.org). We would appreciate hearing from you by Tuesday, November 17. Thank you.
Website Working Group, Communications Committee
(Chuck Dickinson, Kate Hanson-Plass, Sheri Kennedy, Sue Sours, Neil Johnson, Ben Jerome, Allison Hewett)
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Winter Solstice Planning
This year we plan to honor the Return of the Sun over Zoom on Monday December 21st from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. If you have ideas for service elements that might work over Zoom, or would like to participate in some way during the service, please email Izzy (izzyt@rcn.com) with your thoughts.
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Join the First Parish Community!
Do you consider First Parish your spiritual home?
If so, consider becoming a member!
First Parish welcomes people of all religious backgrounds who affirm the worth of human beings, advocate freedom of belief, and the search for advancing truth.
What does it mean to be a member at First Parish?
Membership is how you indicate that you are part of the First Parish community.
Members can vote on important issues such as the annual and other congregational meetings, including the ministerial search. While the majority of committees are open to anyone who is interested, certain committees require membership.
Members are formally welcomed generally twice a year in a New Member Welcome at a Sunday service and Fellowship/Membership committees host social events throughout the year.
Okay, how do I become a member?
Simply speak with our minister, Wendy, or the membership committee to get started (Clint and Sue Sours co-chair, Kat Cass, Melinda Dennis, David Morrison, Martha Scott), email: membership@fpwatertown.org
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FPW Trivia Team?
The Watertown Community Foundation is holding its annual Trivia Night virtually at 7:00 pm on Friday, November 20. Chuck Dickinson and I would like to enter an FPW team, but we know that to be competitive we need some team mates from a younger demographic, if you get our drift.
If you are interested, email Bob at bob@rpshay.com. |
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Sunday Services are currently being held on Zoom. Please contact office@fpwatertown.org by Saturday for this week's link or to be added to the weekly mailing.
The theme for November is Healing.
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The First Parish of Watertown,
Unitarian Universalist
Warrant for Special Congregational Meeting
Sunday, Nov 22nd, 2020
at 12:00 noon after the service
To: Michael Collins,
Clerk of the First Parish of Watertown, Greetings:
You are hereby requested to notify and warn the legal members of the First Parish of Watertown to meet on SUNDAY, THE 22 OF NOVEMBER, 2020 at 12:00 noon or immediately after the service, to act on the following articles, viz:
Article 1 Vote. To vote to ratify the election of Norah Mulvaney-Day as a member of the Parish Committee.
Article 2. To transact other business that may legally be brought before the meeting.
Given under our hand on this 5th day of November 2020.
Parish Committee, Sue Twombly, Chair
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Fellowship Event of the Month
Join us on Zoom
Saturday November 21st at 6:00pm
FPW Gathering of Friends Potluck
Make and enjoy your favorite meal in the company of FPW friends. This will be an open conversation event. Watch your email the week of for your Zoom invitation.
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FPW Social Action Event
In recognition that November 2020 is Native American Heritage Month, the FPW Social Action Committee is pleased to sponsor a community talk-back session on Tuesday December 1st at 7:00pm with Dr. Mishy Lesser, Learning Director of Upstander Project/Dawnland.
The film “Dawnland” is the untold story of Indigenous child removal in the US through the nation’s first-ever government-endorsed truth and reconciliation commission, which investigated the devastating impact of Maine’s child welfare practices on the Wabanaki people.
This beautiful and awakening film may be viewed for free via PBS at any time during the rest of November using this link. We ask that you take time to watch this film (1 hour) at your convenience this month and then plan to join our Zoom discussion on December 1st. Zoom details will be sent by email the week of the event.
We would also like to share the many wonderful learning resources that are available on the Native American Heritage Month website.
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FPW Virtual Art Show
Looking for Donations
The pandemic has stopped us from hosting our Harvest Art Show but we are creating an Online Art Auction in its place. Without our usual rental income the church’s budget is stretched thin so our goal is to raise at least $3,000 to help with this year’s expenses. So far I’ve received commitments from over ten artists who are willing to donate one or two pieces for our auction. Now I’m reaching out to the whole community to ask for a donation to our auction. We are primarily looking for handmade items or works of art, but other items are also welcome. Perhaps a gift basket?
To donate please send (1) a jpeg of the item, (2) with a description (size, materials, etc.) and (3) an estimated retail value to Carole Katz at katz.carole@gmail.com. We’re hoping to have the auction available for bidding by December 1st, if not sooner, so please have your donations sent by November 23rd. Thank you.
Please note: This auction will be promoted widely, beyond our FPW community. Do you have something to contribute? Also note: We will be hosting an online Service Auction that will be available to the FPW community only, date to be determined.
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I have been quilting up a storm before and during the COVID-19 lockdown and so I have a large selection of quilted items to sell, just in time for holiday giving. Items include: quilts, table runners, wall hangings, potholders, bibs, purses made from Bob’s ties, and holiday decorations.
If you are interested in seeing what I have, email me at missy@rpshay.com and I can send pictures. Or I’d love to have you see the items in person in my home, masked and sanitized.
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Social Action's November Giving Box will be in continued support of our long-time recipient, The Grow Clinic!
In light of COVID and hospital restrictions, the Grow Clinic is requesting essential item gifts in the form of $25 gift cards from specific stores in lieu of the usual children's gifts.
Izzy and Beth Tappan-deFrees will be collecting money and then purchase gift cards on 11/30. We can work with Venmo (@bethtd), cash, or checks (mail to 52 Columbus Ave, Waltham, MA 02451.) We will do a bulk purchase the weekend after Thanksgiving, and mail it to Grow Clinic. If you prefer to send us gift cards directly, please call us. Let us know your questions! (Beth - 781-248-6936)
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