February's Theme:

Surrender: The practice of claiming power

From the Minister

"Always say ‘yes’ to the present moment," wrote Eckhart Tolle. "What could be more futile, more insane, than to create inner resistance to what already is? What could be more insane than to oppose life itself, which is now and always now? Surrender to what is. Say ‘yes’ to life — and see how life suddenly starts working for you rather than against you."

Surrender is our worship theme for the month. Even in this time of resistance it is important to think about the moments in our lives when surrender is an act of claiming power. 

Here are some questions I'm thinking about as I prepare for the month ahead; perhaps they will resonate with you:

• When/how in your life have you surrendered? Do you regret the decision?
• What is the nature of surrender?
• When has letting go meant gaining power and strength and not giving up either?
• How is surrender a yielding and not a giving up?
• Is surrender an act of awareness or is it something that is done unconsciously?
• When have you chosen not to surrender? Do you regret the decision?

Peace,

Erin

minister@firstparishscituate.org

From the Parish Committee

Hello friends! So — wasn't January somethin'? As we find ourselves confronting so many unknowns, so many challenges to our UU values, it's good to remember we have each other, and all that can mean.

On the theme of Surrender, can we gain strength by surrendering into our community? Together as a congregation, we have access to more ideas, deeper resources, more helping hands, wider experience, broader perspectives—also more fun, caring, and deep compassion. First Parish's ministries of Social Justice and Caring & Concerns are two particularly good pathways to giving and receiving the best of what we offer each other. Whatever you're feeling, you're not alone and there are things we can do. "Say yes to the present moment"!

The Parish Committee, and the Music Director Search Committee, and the Ministerial Search Committee are all looking forward also to saying Yes! Here's an update on that:

Search Updates: The Ministerial Search Committee is on track in the process of finding a new minister, working with the UUA and Rev Erin and others on protocols and best practices. We are preparing also to say goodbye to Erin and to Beth at the end of this church year. This summer we'll work on a recipe for presenting the community with a First Parish everyone can love, using new ingredients for minister, admin, and music director!

The ministerial search is in the interview stage, and we are actively seeking candidates for a Music Director and Church Adminstration & Communication Coordinator (click the links for the job postings, and share if you have leads).

FPUU Church Administrator Job Posting

FPUU Music Director Job Posting

Kate and Ann, Co-Chairs

kate.glennon@firstparishscituate.org

ann.svensen@firstparishscituate.org

Religious Education Update

January has flown by and so much has happened in RE! Our theme for January was Justice, which will continue to be sprinkled through the remainder of the church year, as standing up for our rights and for the rights of others feels more important than ever.

The children learned about MLK and what he fought so bravely for, what it means to be kind, all the reasons people (including young children) march, and the importance of listening to the calm and quiet of an owl moon on a cold winter’s night.

This month we will start to explore our duty to our Earth. The children will start seedlings that will be planted on the church grounds later in the spring. They will get to see the fruits of their labor and learn how they play an important role in keeping our planet strong and healthy. They'll even get to go on a fun scavenger hunt to explore the grounds (details to follow).

February promises to be a fun and explorative time for the children in our RE program, and we look forward to seeing them grow with us!

**2/2 the children will be upstairs for the entire service**

See you on Sunday!

Tricia

recoordinator@firstparishscituate.org

Notes from the Music Director

Choir Rehearsals continue Sunday mornings, 9:00 in the Sanctuary.

Anyone in 7th grade or older is welcome to sing with us.

Choral Anthems this month:

February 2nd - The Sound of Winter by Jay Althouse asks the simple question “Can you hear a snowflake falling?” “ Listen to the sound of winter……Mmm” ❄️Matt Meyer will lead this service with singing and drumming! Don’t miss it!

February 9th - Blessing by Donna Hebert : for the dedication of Harper Elizabeth Booth.

February 16th - Give Me Birds at the Dawning by Betsy Binstock

February 23rd - NO CHOIR REHEARSAL OR ANTHEM

Christina Laberge will lead the music today in my absence.

See you in Church,

Beth Dubuisson

elizabeth.dubuisson@firstparishscituate.org

Social Justice and Denominational Affairs News

Join us at the February Meeting!

Thursday February 20 from 7 - 8:30 pm (online) 

If you are interested in expanding the social justice ministry at First Parish in new areas or you would like to join ongoing efforts for renewing our Welcoming Congregation status within the UUA’s Welcome Renewal Program, please join us for part or all of the meeting.  

Social Justice Special Collection

Donations to the plate during the Sunday service on February 2 will be sent to the American Red Cross, specifically to help victims of the wildfires in LA. The Red Cross assists people in meeting their immediate and long-term needs including:

• Emergency Shelter
• Food Distribution
• Clothing and Essentials
• Counseling
• Financial Assistance
• Recovery Planning

Last week the Red Cross reported that they have provided more than 11,300 overnight stays in shelters and, with their partners, more than 102,000 meals and snacks. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The plate collection is the 1st Sunday of the month,

but you can donate online anytime from the First Parish website

• Click the blue Online Giving button. Choose 'One Time Gifts' and specify the name of the organization in the Note box [Red Cross LA Fires]
• Or click on the logo featured in our Special Collection sidebar. Every month it links directly to the organization's giving page. [Choose 'California Wildfires 2025' from here]

Welcome Renewal News - February 7 is National Black HIV/Aids Awareness Day (NBHAAD), dedicated to acknowledging the disproportionate impact of Aids and HIV on Black and African American communities. 

We will observe this day on Sunday Feb. 2 during coffee hour by providing information on the topic to help us understand the ways racism and mistrust in the healthcare system affect the likelihood that black people will seek and accept diagnosis and treatment.

Inhabiting Our Freedom Dreams: 30 Days of Love, January 20 - February 14 - Last year’s 30 Days of Love focus was on reimagining our world and relationships in an interdependent future. This year, 30 Days of Love will share practices we can take together to bring those dreams of justice and liberation into being. This year’s theme, Inhabiting Our Freedom Dreams, draws inspiration from Robin D.G. Kelley’s Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination. Resources related to the following weekly themes will be published each Tuesday on the Side with Love website:

• “We are home” - From the the immigrant justice coalition lead by United We Dream 
• “Trans people are divine”- From the creators of the Black Trans Prayer Book
• “Water Is Life”- From the Standing Rock protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline
• “There are Black People in the Future”- From artist Alisha B. Wormsley

The resources on the website will include a Side With Love message providing political education and context with lessons and inspiration, a journal practice, a creative/art practice, a body practice, and a family-friendly, multigenerational activity that builds community. We hope you will find one or more ways to engage with the weekly themes during the next month.

Ellen, Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee Chair



Around the Parish

FIRST PARISH IS HIRING!

We are in search of a Parish Administration & Communications Coordinator. Know anyone who might be interested? Reach out to Ann and Kate. Share the news and the Job Posting!

ann.svensen@firstparishscituate.org and kate.glennon@firstparishscituate.org

SPRING FAIR: SAVE THE DATE! Saturday, May 17th!

This will be a multi-faceted event with a plant sale, craft sale, bake sale, yard sale and Art Sale! if you’ve started planning your garden, think about dividing and sharing some plants, or starting some seeds for the sale. Have any spring and summer themed crafts you would like to offer, or delicious baked goodies? Cleaning out a basement, attic or garage and want to set up a table to sell your wares? Need some new art for your home? We hope to sell some of our Kay Shaw treasures as well as other artists’ work. 

CELEBRATE BETH! SAVE THE DATE! Sunday, May 18th!

A luncheon to celebrate Beth Dubuisson's retirement will be held after church on Sunday, May 18th Planning is underway!  

BOTTLES AND CANS UPDATE

Our small crew continues to work at the transfer station on Tuesdays sorting and bagging redeemables. Each week brings over $100 for the church! Help is always welcomed from 1:30-3:30 pm every Tuesday. You can also help by leaving your redeemables in the church garage (PLEASE - NO TRASH OR RECYCLING!).  

Contact Howard M, Mark McG or Mike McG for more information.

OPERATION SHIPSHAPE: Kitchen Cleanout!

Beginning after church this Sunday, February 2, we will be moving accumulated trays, bowls, mugs, etc. from the kitchen to tables in the Sloop Room. Please take home items that are important to you. Items remaining after church on February 16 will be brought to Savers.

Questions? Please reach out to Jean.

Coffee Hour for February 2025

February brings us back around to the beginning of the coffee hour rotations: A-B-C (sorted by the initial letter of the last name). The following wonderful volunteers have already signed up for the listed Sundays:

February 2

Laura C. -- cheese and crackers

Mary B. -- baked goods and fruit

Janie C. -- Congo Bars

Lisa B -- fruit and pastries

February 9

Laura--cheese and crackers

Mary--cupcakes

Janie--Congo Bars

February 16

Laura--Cheese and crackers

Mary -- Valentine's Day something!

February 23

Laura--Cheese and crackers

Mary--baked goods and fruit

Janie--Congo Bars

Lisa B.--fruit and pastries

So it looks like we are all set for February 2 and 23. There's still an opportunity to augment the offerings for February 16 and 9.

If you would like to bring something on one of these Sundays, please email Lin. I will send updates to the host group. You can check with each other to make changes if needed. Everybody in the February group is invited to help with cleanup.

Contributors usually bring one to three items each for their Sunday. Remember, NO NUTS or NUT PRODUCTS! A church member is deathly allergic to nuts.

Thanks to all you generous contributors!

Lin, Coffee Hour Coordinator

Mark, Brewmeister

February Monthly Calendar 2025

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