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Happy New Year!
During the month of January, we will be exploring the theme of “Imagination.”
There are many ways we can use imagination, and all of them help to shape our reality. We can imagine a better world or the best possible outcome in any situation and be inspired to work toward them. We can also imagine worse-case scenarios and either begin to prepare for them in practical ways or choose to give up entirely in the face of them. No matter what we imagine, we have agency and we can choose how to respond to what we foresee.
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Happy New Year from the Safe Congregation Committee!
The Safe Congregation Committee strives to create a warm, welcoming, and safe environment in which any member or friend of First Parish will feel comfortable expressing a concern or asking for help in resolving a problem. Last church year we initiated a series of “drop-in” meetings after the Sunday service, welcoming anyone to express their ideas, concerns, or hopes for the church. We are grateful to those who shared their thoughts with us at these sessions, and we look forward to continuing them on a regular basis. Based on input from last year’s participants, we were able to facilitate All-Gender signage on bathrooms, building accommodations to support those with disabilities, and accommodations to increase inclusivity in the format of some of our traditional services.
Members of the Safe Congregation Committee recognize that during the upcoming period of ministerial transition, and the inevitable change it involves, special concerns and issues may arise that we, as a congregation, will need to address in a positive, proactive way. SCC members plan to work closely with other church committees and all members and friends to maintain safe, open, and productive channels of communication throughout this process with all parties feeling good about outcomes. We plan to hold “drop-in” sessions approximately every six weeks, and we welcome private communications at any time.
"Drop-in" session with SCC members after church on Sunday, January 10. Instead of coffee hour you can meet with us in a separate break out room. We welcome you joining us.
Supportively yours,
The Safe Congregation Committee
(Elisabeth Strekalovsky, Nancy Dutton, Beth Parsons, Lauren Strauss)
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Christmas Eve Offering
It's a FPW tradition to give our Christmas Eve offering to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC.org) for their important and impressive work in supporting human rights internationally. In the past, we have done this through Guest at Our Table boxes.
In lieu of that this year, the FPW Social Action Committee hopes you will consider making a contribution by check or credit card either before or after the Thursday evening service. If you prefer the credit card option, please do so though Breeze by clicking "Give Now" and then in the third space to the right, select "Special Collection."
If sending a check is better for you, please make the check out to FPW, write UUSC in the memo line, and send it to the church. You may, of course, donate directly to the UUSC, but we would like to make a lump sum donation on behalf of our congregation.
Thank you for your generosity!
Please make sure we recieve you contribution by Monday, January 4th.
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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.
You are always welcome to share the link directly with friends or family who wish to attend. We only ask that you please share the link directly and take care that it is not posted publicly.
The theme for January is Imagination
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Don't want to miss a service or fun community photos?
"LIKE" the First Parish of Watertown Facebook page, accessible from the FPW website or from this link.
Questions about the FPW FB page? Reach out to Beth Tappan-deFrees or Carole Katz.
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Explore The Performing Project in Lawrence With Beyond Ivy Chord!
Saturday, January 9th at 4:30 pm via Zoom
Join the Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading (UUCR) on Saturday, January 9th as we are treated to musical, spoken word, and other theatrical-inspired performances that were recorded especially for this event by the college alumni and high school students from The Performing Project in Lawrence. Performances include an original song written by a Performing Project graduate who now attends the Boston Conservatory. Performers will join us to reflect upon their performances and to share their plans in the coming years. This event is suitable for people of all ages.
Registration is limited. Please register by Friday, January 8th to be included. One registration per household. Net proceeds will be divided between UUCR and The Performing Project.
To Register for this Event go to https://uureading.org/beyondivychord/
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How can we better help one another in times of struggle?
Do you or someone at FPW need temporary assistance to get through a challenging time? The Fellowship Committee has established an FPW Caring Circle that can offer help. We can set up a Meal Train site where you can list needs for meals, rides or other services during short term difficulties and distribute the information to the congregation via email. For more information, simply email care@fpwatertown.org and let us know how we can he
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