TheMeetinghouseNews1
TheMeetinghouseNews1
Reflections from Our Lead Minister, Adam Lawrence Dyer
Doing and Being
When I grew up in Massachusetts in the 1970's and 80's there was a tech boom. My dad came to Maynard, MA to work for Digital Equipment Corporation as they expanded their operation around a machine called the VAX 11/780. This refrigerator sized computer was supporting the growth of industry, banking and changing the way everyone in this country and in the world would think about information. Funny thing, it was less powerful than the smartphone some people may be reading this article from today.
Returning to Massachusetts now, there is no more Digital Equipment Corporation.My dad is retired and living in Maryland and the national hub of tech is over 3000 miles away in Silicon Valley. The Information Age has come leaps and bounds and allows us to do things that were once thought to only be science fiction. Every time I do a Skype or Zoom meeting from my phone, or wave an app at a cash register, I have to ask myself "is this real?"
But the Information Age is evolving into something new. All of our lives are asking for something more than just what we can “do.” "Is this real?" is what most of us ask when we think about the state of our government. In a few short months, the dominant political leadership of the United States has taken the nation from being a beacon of global consistency and hope that aspires to the words on the Statue of Liberty, the poetry of Maya Angelou and the songs of Joan Baez to being a country that is seen as erratic, unpredictable, unreliable, still deeply troubled by racism and wholly immature in its ability to recognize basic humanity. We are shocked that we've taken so many enormous steps backward in such a short amount of time. No wonder we ask ourselves “Is this real?”
One thing we can be sure of, First Parish is real and we have incredible opportunities in this moment. But we are wise to remember that these opportunities are not always about what we can “do”; the real opportunity begins with how we can “be”. How we can be in relationship; how we can be motivated by love; how we can be kinder and more compassionate; how we can be humble in our curiosity about the world; how we can be examples of justice.
Let the Information Age and the era of “doing” give way to a new Age of Being where we can begin by being the ones we’ve been waiting for.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CORNER
TheMeetinghouseNews1
Hello and welcome back!
We're so excited to begin a new year of Religious Education. This year our theme will be the Six Sources of Unitarian Universalism ( can learn all about our programs on our website at and please join us for Parent/Caregiver Orientations onSeptember 17:
For grades PK-1, please join your child in Spirit Play
For grades 2-6, join DRE Mandy Neff after worship in the Chapel
For grades 7-9, join OWL facilitators at2:00 pmin the Barn Room (*Required*)
We will worship together at a family-friendly Homecoming service onSeptember 10. As we prepare for another year together, I'd like to share this article by Teresa Honey Youngblood.
Worshiping with Children
By Teresa Honey Youngblood , adapted
*The below are generalities. All children are unique, and we are committed to being inclusive and welcoming to children--and people of ALL ages--with differing cognitive, emotional, and physical abilities.
Ages 0 – 3
- May cry, giggle, mewl, nap, laugh, fuss, chitter-chatter, squeal, or play with small toys
- May nurse, have a bottle, or a sippy cup
- Will likely stay in the sanctuary with their parents (sitting or being held and “bounced”) as long as they are comfortable and content, but may leave midway through if they need to move around more, be loud, or play more robustly
Ages 4-7
- May laugh, clap and sing along with favorite hymns, ask questions of their parents about what is going on, and begin to recite chalice lighting words and other familiar parts of service
- Might read, play on an electronic device, or engage with Soul Work during parts of service that require sustained periods of sitting still and listening
- May talk a little loudly or wiggle a little in their seats as they learn how to share sacred space in a community. They benefit greatly from gentle, kind reminders; graciously given distractions; and smiles and encouraging words when they participate with others in joyful and helpful ways
- Might leave service at some point to be more comfortable and play upstairs with friends in the nursery
Ages 8-11
- Might sing, clap, recite words, light candles of joy and sorrow, follow along in order of service, and contribute readings or other worship elements
- Might sit with parents, or with friends
- May read, play on electronic device, or use Soul Work to help them focus or remain quietly with their families during parts of service that are a bit “over their heads”
- Often want very much to be included and valued, and may seek out ways to contribute to and be part of church community
- Are still learning how to adapt to the culture of church, so may still be a bit loud or wiggly. Doubtless their parents are giving them quiet, kind reminders, and we can support them on this journey of becoming people of faith by offering our patience and acceptance!
Ages 12-16
- May sit together as a group, talking quietly with one another, or sit with families
- Can contribute to service in almost all the ways that adults can: greeting, reading, singing, lighting the chalice, ushering, offering stories during the Story for All Ages, etc.
- May occasionally get carried away and act a bit boisterously. A good way to handle this would be to respectfully communicate it as a concern to the DRE or RE Council chair, so that they may address it with the pre-teens and teens later.
- Likely have well-informed and examined ideas about what it means to be UU’s, and may appreciate being included in “coffee hour” conversations about meaningful topics or asked to help with or contribute to the vibrant life of First Parish. Check with their caregivers, youth advisors, or RE leadership if you’d like some support with this!
In faith,
Mandy
New Baby in the House!
The Foster family welcomed baby Gus, Augustus Cuillin Foster, on his due date, August 13 in the early,early morning. Baby Gus surprised us by weighing in at 10 lbs 3 oz! Kit, JJ, Justin & I are all in love & blessed with lots of help from grandparents!
Best,
Corinne
Homecoming Sunday – September 10
Be sure to mark your calendars and plan to join us on Sunday, September 10 at 10:30 am for Homecoming Sunday. Our new Lead Minister, Adam Lawrence Dyer will be here for the first Sunday of his new ministry with us. Also, plan to stay after worship for a welcoming reception in Helverson Parlor.
LET US KNOW YOU ARE COMING!!!
Registration for our 4th annual First ParishRetreat is OPEN!
October 13 – 15, 2017
Please join the community of First Parish Cambridge as we host our
Annual Retreat to Ferry Beach (Maine).
This year we aim to celebrate the gift of being human. All activities will be inspired by our First Principle:
Affirming the Inherent Worth and Dignity of All
The retreat is a time to relax, connect with old friends and make new ones, engage in deep conversation tied to our first principle, worship under the trees, deepen our connection to First Parish, play on the beautiful beach, sing along at the campfire, laugh, and have fun.
Registration runs now through the end of September.
For those of you who have already registered and paid your deposit, invoices for the remaining balance will be coming out soon. Stay tuned.
DirectLinktoRegister:
Social Justice Breakfast
Now, when acts of justice and compassion are so needed, how can First Parish best meet the challenge?Join members of the environmental justice, beyond borders, and GBIO task forces over breakfast, at9:00 amon Sunday, September 24, to share ideas and plans for the months ahead. In this tumultuous time in our nation’s history, we believe that working for social justice is vital and, in each other’s company, it is rewarding. Our task forces are eager to share thoughts and hear from everyone.
Welcome New Staff
Alex Gaydos is excited to join First Parish Cambridge as the Youth Program Coordinator. Growing up, Alex attended the Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington, VT. She has fond memories of children’s worship, UNICEF receptacles, the UU children’s choir, youth group trips, sanctuary dance parties, her Coming of Age ceremony, and OWL.As an adult, Alex finds spiritual connection in a variety of local contexts including Morning Prayer services at Harvard, volunteering at the First Church shelter, lectures at the Harvard Divinity School, and choral concerts at St. Paul’s Church. Alex is completing an undergraduate degree through the Harvard Extension School, with a focus on literature and religion. In her free time, Alex enjoys nature, reading, and the arts. She is interested in the arts as a context for spiritual expression, connection, advocacy, and meaning-making. Alex looks forward to working with youth at First Parish as they develop spiritual agency in their lives and their communities.
Dorothy Merceda(Afternoon Childcare Provider) is currently a full time toddler teacher at Bright Horizons in Cambridge, MA. She is a recent University of Massachusetts-Boston graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, and also holds an Associate of Science from Roxbury Community College. Being in the Criminal Justice field has always been a passion of hers. Dorothy has worked with children all her life, including raising her two younger sisters.
Andrea Aptecker(Afternoon Childcare Provider) teaches public speaking, writing, and discussion workshops at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education. She is an actor and playwright, and loves children, and story time!
Mary Anne Carlson(Financial Administrative Assistant) is happy to be with like-minded social justice folks as she helps Carol Lewis with multiple bookkeeping and other tasks. She is a volunteer with Moms Demand Action for Gun Violence Prevention and The Chamber Orchestra of Boston.Mary Anne also teaches water aerobics, makes art and loves animals.
First Parish Standing on the Side of Love
Dear Ones:
A number of us showed up in Boston on Saturday August 19th to say “NO” to hate. Although I was soon separated from the First Parish contingent, I will report on my experience.
On Friday evening I attended a Clergy Gathering, where we got our “marching orders” as well as food for our souls and bodies. On the same evening, several congregants participated in an interfaith “Gathering of Unity,” organized by GBIO at Temple Israel, with a large number of area clergy and public officials and more than 1500 people.
On Saturday clergy were dispersed throughout the march, walking with the people, singing and chanting, talking with each other, with the folks along the route and with the police who were doing “traffic duty” to keep the roads closed to automobiles. The atmosphere was joyous and determined.
There were at least 40,000 people rallying for love, and I feel like I met half of them. As I was near the end, by the time we got to the Common, the Nazis had left. The report was that there were fewer than 100. We cheered as we entered the Common.
I was soon with a group of clergy, and we were called to different locations to assist with potential conflicts. Each time, at each location, we found no problems at all. It wasn’t until the SWAT officers arrived that things got heated. Even so, there were only approximately 27 arrests. I noted to friends that, on the previous day there were 33 arrests at the North Shore blessing of the fleet!
My take-aways:
- This rally/march/protest was worth participating in. Boston showed up beautifully.
- The militarizing of our police forces makes them an armed force against the people that they promise to “serve and protect” and increases the levels of anxiety on the streets exponentially
- We need to better understand the Antifa movement
- There is nothing better than being surrounded by people of faith on a mission!
Let us keep learning and showing up.
Bless you all,
Rev. Danielle
Walking the Journey with Immigrants in our Community
In March 2017, First Parish Cambridge voted to join the Cambridge Interfaith Sanctuary Coalition. This group of 11 Cambridge-area congregations is providing sanctuary for a woman and her two young children at the University Lutheran Church in Harvard Square. St. James Episcopal Church recently joined our coalition and we are in discussions with two other interested congregations. To learn more about our sanctuary efforts and our guest, listen to the piece done by WGBH in July:
Cambridge-church-fights-stay-us.
Each member congregation is providing volunteer support to our guests. First Parish currently has 37 volunteers on our roster, but we are continuing to build our community of sanctuary volunteers! Contact Rebecca Balder at to learn more.
Environmental Justice News
Climate Change is accelerating and the current administration has set out to turn back any recent federal efforts to put on the brakes by hollowing out the EPA and withdrawing support for the Paris Climate Accords.
However, this is no time to despair. Many cities, towns and states, rebuking Trump, have committed to the Paris Accords and are leading the work of transitioning from fossil fuels to clean energy. Massachusetts has done much but can do much more. The Environmental Justice Task Force, partnering with other faith groups and climate activists, is supporting the Mass Power Forward legislative agenda here. (
On September 19th the legislature will hold a hearing on a key piece of that agenda. Currently utilities are required to get 12% of their energy from renewable sources such as wind, solar power, and anerobic digesters, and must increase the percentage by 1% a year. We are asking for 50% renewable energy by 2030 which will require a yearly 3% increase in the renewable portfolio standard (RPS). With a 1% increase, we will only be at 25% in 2030.
A higher RPS can drive the growth of renewable energy infrastructure, creating a projected 37,000 new jobs in the next 12 years, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.More info on the RPS here.
Please join the EJTF at the hearing on September 19 at 1 p.m. at the State House. All are welcome at our next meeting on Wednesday September 13th from 7-9 p.m. For more information contact: .
All-Access Queer Yoga with Jade Sylvan
September 15,7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
This class is for anyone who is looking for a yoga practice in a welcoming, explicitly LGBTQIA-embracing environment.
All genders, all bodies, all skill levels are welcome to join this relaxing and invigoratingFridaynight series, hosted by queer artist, writer, and yoga teacher Jade Sylvan. Connect to your center, experience your body, and enjoy being you at this body-, mind-, and heart-positive practice.
Cost is $10-20 sliding scale, payable by cash, Venmo, or Paypal. No one will be turned away for lack of funds!
Jade Sylvan (they/them) is a Kripalu certified yoga teacher and Harvard Ministry Fellow with over five years teaching experience. Jade has studied extensively with Barbara Benagh, Fez Aswat, and Bo Forbes, focusing on Yoga for Anxiety and Depression with the latter. In 2017 Jade completed a specialized training with Jillian Pransky in Restorative and Therapeutic Yoga. Jade came to yoga as a means to deal with depression and chronic pain and found a way of life that they are now thrilled to be able to share with others on their own paths. Jade sees yoga as a way to practice self-care and self-love in order to create a sound container so that the yogi may act out of love and compassion more consistently in the world.
How Ableism Hurts Us All
Please join us following worship onSeptember 24for an Access and Inclusion Ministry workshop,How Ableism Hurts Us All.
Based on the belief that disability is a defect rather than a dimension of human diversity, the term “ableism” is used to describe the discrimination against, and the exclusion of, individuals with mental health and physical disabilities from full participation in available community options, such as employment, housing, and recreation.
Whether or not we are living with a disability, ableism affects us—and not in good way.
Ableism affects those with disabilities by inhibiting their access to and power within institutional structures that fulfill needs, like health care, housing, government, education, religious communities, the media, and the legal system. It also creates environments and practices that favor one group and disadvantage another through arbitrary choices.
Join Director of Religious Education, Mandy Neff to learn tactics and strategies for reducing arbitrary barriers that limit full participation by people living with disabilities, and see how your own destiny and spiritual well-being are inextricably linked to the experience and treatment of all.
Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts
Dear Ones,
Watching the ongoing devastation in Houston is overwhelming and heartbreaking. It is almost too much to imagine. As we sit in front of our television sets or computers, high and dry, watching the efforts to save lives and property we may wonder what we can do. We also may be exhausted and traumatized by the onslaught of news. I pray that you will take time away from the news and refresh your souls. But do not abandon those in need. If you can, I invite you to consider sending a cash donation to any of the many organizations that are providing help. I will include some of those below. Also, I’m sure there will be a time when other types of donations are needed. We will keep you posted on those opportunities. My friends, if you are a praying people, now would be the time to offer prayers to the universe. Be well.