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Dear ones,
I know that many of you are trying to find your feet after last week… the way our current President and his followers have been behaving leaves us all shaken. Events like this – when a mob forces its way into Congress and terrorizes lawmakers because they don’t like the results of the election – are confusing and scary enough for us as adults to process. For children, they are even more difficult to understand.
We as Unitarian Universalists often participate in marches and protests as a part of our commitment to justice, to democracy, and to creating a peaceful and equitable world for all human beings. We are justifiably proud of our commitment to social justice and action, and it is something I don’t ever want to see us stop doing until we build that ideal world in which all are treated with respect, dignity, and equality. Many among our own congregation have participated in protests for Black Lives Matter, in peace vigils supporting our Muslim neighbors, in the March for Science, the Women’s Marches, in walks for peace and for hunger… our actions are important, they are heard, they make sure that everyone has a voice.
Read More
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Wednesday, January 20, 7:00-8:30:
Listening Deeply to Poetry, The Imagination Edition
Join us as we gather once again 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. This month, we will engage in a deep reading and reflection on 3 poems related to imagination.
Everyone is welcome! You need not have attended before, and 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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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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Facilitators Needed
This year’s Annual Appeal for pledges to support First Parish begins with Circle Suppers which will be held virtually via Zoom between Sunday, February 7 and Sunday, February 21. The Giving Committee is seeking hosts to facilitate the suppers, which involves leading those attending in conversation about their hopes for First Parish during the coming year. If you are interested in being a facilitator or learning more about what it involves contact Bob Shay at bob@rpshay.com.
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New UU Class
Sunday Jan 24 at 11:45 am on Zoom
Rev Wendy will lead a virtual class for anyone curious to learn more about our Unitarian Universalist faith and history. Everyone is welcome.
Class will be held 11:45-1pm. Feel free to grab a bite to eat during the Zoom session. Please RSVP to Sue Sours, suesours@gmail.com, by Jan 22 to receive the Zoom link.
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Important Sanctuary Coalition Effort
First Parish Watertown is part of a coalition of congregations committed to supporting and protecting a woman in sanctuary at First Parish Bedford. Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX) has agreed to send a “Sign-On” letter to all of his 435 colleagues in the House of Representatives, requesting their signatures on a letter that will be delivered to President-elect Biden in the first week of his presidency.
The collective asks that anyone supportive of immigrants in sanctuary contact their US representative and request that they sign the letter. For most of us, that is Katherine Clark (617-354-0292), although for those living further away, it could be someone else. This is a national effort, so calls to representatives in other states are just as important.
For more information and talking points, please see here.
The last date for representatives to sign Rep. Castro’s letter is January 25. For a copy of Rep. Castro’s letter requesting signatures and the letter that is to be sent to President-elect Biden, please contact Jeri Bayer, jwbayer@comcast.net
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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 January is Imagination
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FPW Hobby Night
For our January social offering, the Fellowship Committee welcomes you to our FPW Virtual Hobby Night on Saturday January 23rd from 7:00pm to 9:00pm. Grab your knitting or art supplies, a good book & a cup of tea, your jig-saw or crossword puzzle – whatever activity that bring you happiness – and join us on Zoom for some good company on a cold winter night. We can talk about our hobbies, or about life in general. We can munch on desserts. Come join us for a pleasant evening together.
Watch your email for the Zoom invite the week of Jan 23rd!
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The Green Sanctuary Committee invites interested members to participate in the next meeting to be held Tuesday, January 19, at 7:00 PM.
Already planned for this year is a community read of the book On Fire: the (Burning Case for a Green New Deal), by Naomi Klein, and a viewing and discussion of the film The Story of Plastic.
Contact Kathy Button for more information.
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Facebook Page
Join us as we present our campaign and organizing plans for the new year. Learn how we will build power together and work with our front line and coalition partners.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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Become a pen pal with a person who is incarcerated
(MASC: Massachusetts Against Solitary Confinement)
Training Date: Sun Jan 24, 3:00 PM
MASC is launching a pen pal program for MASC members and people who are incarcerated. We're partnering with Black & Pink Massachusetts, which is the organization that will lead the training.
Attending this training is a requirement for program participation. If you can't make this one, we will be offering other opportunities.
Register Here: https://bit.ly/BPMA-Jan2021-101
We will also appreciate it if you tell us a little more about yourself by completing this form
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The Unity Breakfast, held on Martin Luther King Day, typically attracts 400 attendees. Because of the pandemic, this year’s event sponsored by the World in Watertown will be very different. The 2021 Unity Breakfast program will be virtual, presented in collaboration with WCA-TV. The program will be streamed starting at 10:00 am, January 18, here:
Alternatively, it can be viewed at the same time on local cable TV channels 9 (Comcast) and 3 (RCN).
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