Wednesday, February 1, 2023
Next Sunday in Worship

In Person & Online


ZOOM LINK


Meeting ID: 946 7374 0010

Passcode: FPLex

Dial in: 646-876-9923


YouTube LINK

I recall when my family was "church shopping" that it was an intimidating experience visiting new places with unfamiliar faces. If I had no exposure to UU, my family would not have visited FPLex nor joined. Many of you have joined FPLex because you had friends at FPLex or were invited by friends to join this great community. Sometimes that is all it takes. In light of this, we are having a "Bring a Friend" to FPLex on Sunday, 2/5. Please encourage friends and others who you think would be interested in joining this community. We encourage children and youth to invite their friends as well.  

Brian Herrick, Board Chair


In RE, we will kick off February with Bring-a-Friend Sunday with not-to-be-missed activities for the U.U. Explorers and their friends. And Junior Youth Group and Senior Youth Group (and friends they bring) are invited to go to the Lunar New Year Celebration in Lexington with their leaders from 5:30 to 9pm (or anytime they can make during this window). 


The Voices on the Green kids program returns with Robi and Hilary (her Music Therapist colleague) leading the youth in storytelling, music, song writing, artful creating, yoga, games, and other fun activities.  

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First Parish OFFICERS and ByLaw Revisions: Congregational Conversation on February 5th


Join in a conversation after the church service on February 5 about the proposed By-Law Revisions for CHURCH OFFICERS (Treasurer, Secretary, At-Large Board Members, Trustees, Auditors, and more), recommended by your Governance Task Force: Erik Svenson, Laura Rosen, Debbie Armstrong, and JoAnn Mulready-Shick. We want to hear from everyone about these suggested revisions before we vote! Get in the know! Share your thoughts! Grab your coffee and return to the Sanctuary for the conversation or stay on Zoom.

Lexington Tree Protection Petition


Trees are one of the best defenses against the growing impacts of climate change. 

Lexington is losing too many of its trees. We lose them primarily to development and neglect.


Lexington averages about 75 home tear downs and several new home subdivisions each year.  Many builders clearcut these lots before building new homes. And many healthy large trees are being removed by homeowners who don’t have any construction underway.


Shade trees can take 100 years or more to mature and fill the canopy. Trees cut down now cannot be regrown during our children's lifetimes.


A group of Lexington residents has written a Statement of Concern with a petition to bring attention and action to this issue. See the statement and petition at: 

www.lexingtontreestatement.org . Please sign the petition and share this information and link with others.


Summary of important benefits of trees:


Trees and other plants are a natural “carbon sink”. Trees and other plants use the energy of sunlight with the process of photosynthesis to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air and water (H2O) from the ground and convert them into wood (which stores the carbon in the trees -- carbon dioxide is reduced to carbohydrates) and oxygen which is released into the atmosphere. As long as a tree lives, that carbon stays within it and trees can live for decades or centuries. 


Trees shade land and buildings in the summer and buffer against wind in winter which reduces heating / cooling energy use by 25 - 40 %. A tree canopy can provide a 15 - 20° F reduction on the hottest summer days.


Trees improve air quality through uptake of gaseous pollution.


Trees provide habitat for countless species of animals and plants.


Trees enhance property values.

Living Our Values for the 2024 Elections


February book read: The Great Experiment: Why Diverse Democracies Fall Apart and How They Can Endure, by Yascha Mounk.


In this provocative and well-reviewed book, the author explores the challenges to multi-ethnic, diverse democracies around the world, concluding that increasing ethnic diversity makes it far more difficult to govern these democracies. He argues that majority and minority groups can—and must—find ways to build common ground in order for our diverse democracies to endure. In these uncertain times, with so many threats to our U.S. democracy and to other democracies around the world, this is a timely book to read and discuss.


Come join us for this three-session discussion group: Wednesday February 8, 15, & 22 at 4:30 - 5:30p.m. on Zoom. Register in advance for this meeting. If you do not register, you will not receive the Zoom link good toward joining any of the three sessions.


After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information good for joining all three sessions. 

Invitation to Soul Matters Groups.

 

Soul Matters provides a gentle connection with an informal, intimate group who will listen and support you based on our monthly topic. You will receive a small packet each month explaining the theme. This theme is reflected in our Sunday worship services and RE programming.  This is not a therapeutic group, rather it is a way to connect with others in a meaningful way. There is no judgment, only listening and affirmation.

 

We have openings as we expand and grow together. Please contact Jane Beswick.

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IN-HOME POTLUCK DINNERS


Back by popular demand! Small groups of 8-10 people will gather monthly for potluck dinners in members' homes. The groups will meet for (4) consecutive months from March to June of 2023. At each dinner, participants will agree upon the next date, host and food contributions for the next dinner. If you would like to participate, please complete this form entirely. The deadline for sign-ups is February 17, 2023. Contact Sara Mannix for more information.

Potluck Signups

New Online Platform for Sunday Offering


Wait, DON'T PANIC! This is a good thing. Really! You will still scan a QR code, but there is a new platform, Square, which actually makes things simpler and more efficient for you and for staff alike. Here is a brief tutorial video to help you:

From choir rehearsals to Soul Matters, Building Bridges to Meditation Group, Soul Matters to Urban Ministry, Democracy Team to Climate Action Team and all of the other wonderful ways to get involved here at First Parish, please check the church calendar.

Submissions for The Weekly Update are due by the end of day, Mondays. To submit an article or information for consideration, please use this form.

Coming Soon In Religious Exploration 


Next weekend, on February 10th & 12th: All youth, kids, families, and your friends are invited to the special Friday evening "Celebration of ALL kinds of LOVE" event starting at 6pm. Yes, individuals and families of all ages are invited for a Multigenerational Event festival, celebrating all kinds of love and shifting Valentine’s Day heteronormative traditions. Dress as you wish! Come enjoy pizza, crafts, a service project, dancing, games, and prizes!  Sunday the 12th will bring more love and diversity affirming activities for our UU Explorers group!

Office: (781) 862-8200 | www.FPLex.org

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