“Throw Open the Doors” – Rev. Danielle Di Bona
Welcome to First Parish!
First Parish in Cambridge is a multi-faith, spirit-filled congregation devoted to love and justice. We are
moving joyfully into a multiracial, multicultural, justice-making future. We embrace all ages, races, classes, abilities, sexual orientations, gender presentations, and ethnic and religious backgrounds. Honoring all the faith traditions of the world, we support each person’s path to wisdom and spiritual growth. Whoever you are, wherever you are on the journey of life, we welcome you into our hearts.
If you’re here for the first time, we invite you to fill out a visitor card located in the pew and leave it in the collection plate. We’ll sign you up for our weekly e-mail announcements and monthly newsletter. All are welcome to join us in Helverson Parlor following the service for refreshments. Please take a “terra cotta” mug so we can recognize and greet you.
For those attending with children, you are welcome to worship as a family or children ages 4 and under are welcome in our Nursery in the Parish House. An usher can direct you to Nursery staff. Registration is required. Activity boxes for older children are also available from the ushers. For more information, please speak to William Williamson, our Membership Coordinator.
Shared Offering
Each month, First Parish gives away one half of our undesignated Sundayoffering to non-profit organizations doing social service or social justice work in our area.
This month’s recipient is United American Indians of New England a (UAINE),a Native-led organization of Native people and their supporters who fight back against racism and support Indigenous struggles, not only in New England but throughout the Americas.
UAINE has been in the primary leader in New England for the recognition of an Indigenous Peoples Day to be celebrated on the secondMondayin October andhas been a major mobilizer for efforts to be in solidarity with Indigenous Activists working to protect our air, water and land against corporate assaults.
Welcome to Religious Education 2016-17!
Please join us for a Story for All Ages, then RE programs:Nursery Age 4 and under Nursery, Fl. 2
Spirit Play Pre K - Gr. 1 Baldwin Rm
Moral Tales Gr. 2 -3 Barn Rm., Fl. 2
Toolbox of Faith Gr. 4 -6 Chapel, Fl.1
Coming of Age Gr. 7 - 9 Field trip
Today's guest choral director and pianist
LindaBrown-San Martin,the winner of the New England Conservatory’s 2009 Gospel Music Award for “longevity in music ministry,” is today’s guest choral director and pianist. She has directed choirs at numerous local churches and colleges after becoming the first Gospel Choir Director at her alma mater, Wellesley College. Past accomplishments also include touring Armenia as part of the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Project, and leading the 200+ voice Mystic Chorale for 3 Gospel seasons, which resulted in several CD recordings. She has served as Minister of Music at Bethel AME Church in Jamaica Plain, and as an elementary music teacher for 13 years. Currently, Ms. Brown-San Martin directs the Children’s Choir at Twelfth Baptist Church in Roxbury, and is also director of Lesley University’s UNITY Gospel Choir.
"What's YOUR ministry?" – Today at Noon
Our Whole Lives (OWL) team info session for those curious about volunteering as a facilitator in First Parish's comprehensive and progressive sexuality education program. This powerful, life-changing course was created by the UUA and UCC denominations.
OWL helps child and youth participants learn about sexuality - from "safe touch" for young ones to safe internet skills for youth - as part of their healthy, whole life. If you have strong safety boundaries, feel a call to facilitate conversations and activities with our young people, and are comfortable tackling sensitive topics, please join us in the Chapel at Noon for dessert and to learn more about whether facilitating OWL is part of YOUR ministry!
Day of the Dead service- November 6
Please bring a photo or other memento of a loved one who has passed to join us in honoring and remembering our dead. Come early before the service to contribute flowers and additional decorations to the altar.
Fall Semi-Annual Meeting –
Sunday, November 6 at Noon
Members are notified that the Semi-Annual Meeting of the members of the Parish and Church will be held on November 6th, 2016 at noon in the Meetinghouse.
The agenda will include reports on the Vision of Ministry for 2016-2017, the Goals of Interim Ministry for 2016-2017, the Capital Improvement Plan,andGovernance changes. The Search Committee will also present a report. The warrant for the meeting can be found on our website.
Childcare will be provided during the meeting.Lunch will be for sale prior to the meeting.
The Ministerial Search Committee wants to hear from you now!
Whether you are a member of FPC or a friend…
Whether you are a new comer or a long timer at FPC …
Whether you come toSundayservices regularly or you have other association with FPC …
Whether you are old or young, have children in RE, or
Whoever you are, wherever you are
The Ministerial Search Committee wants to hear from you now!
As we prepare materials to inform prospective ministers about First Parish, we have two final opportunities to hear from you:
A Conversation with the Search Committee --Sunday, October 30, at12:15 PM. Come and share your views on important aspects of our congregational life – for example are welivingour mission, what are our ambitions and challenges in the short- and long-run, and how do we expect the new called minister to help us fulfill our mission. Refreshments and childcare will be provided.
Complete Congregational Survey. We are collecting information about who our members and friends are, what we like about worship services and spiritual practices at First Parish in Cambridge, which of the variety of church activities we participate in, what we would like to see more or less of, and how we expect the new minister to help meet our goals and ambitions. The web-based survey can be found at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fpc2016search
and will take only about 30 minutes to complete. If you prefer to fill-out a paper version, copies will be available on the New Comer Liaison Table.If you have any questions, email us
Thank you! – Joanna Fink, Cushing Giesey, Marcia Hams, Gloria Korsman, Karin Lin, Rashid Shaikh and Alex Taylor.
The Middle East Education Group
Members of the Middle East Education Group, strongly advocate efforts to counter Islamophobia and invite you to join them on a visit to the Islamic Center of Boston in Wayland, MA on Saturday November 5 10:00 am – Noon. Sponsored by the STAR adult religion program of First Parish UU of Arlington MA. All ages are welcome. We will have to arrange our own car-pooling and our number of spots may be limited. Please RSVP if you are interested. Email
Leadership Training- November 11th Weekend
One of the key reasons First Parish UU in Cambridge joined GBIO (Greater Boston Interfaith Organization) last October was the promise of leadership training.
Here is our opportunity. Anyone connected with First Parish can go to the 3 day training (Friday, November 11th,Saturday, andSundayfrom9 AM to 9 PMin Dorchester (Boston) for a minimum cost to cover food. The place is accessible by the Red Line subway.If interested please contact Elizabeth Kline () right away so that we can reserve you a place. This is also a wonderful opportunity to get to know people from different faith backgrounds and diverse geographical locations.
The First Parish Community Auction
November 13 & 20th
The First Parish auction will beNovember 13 and November 20th. Todayis the last date to submit auction items so if you haven't committed yet to offer a dinner, a service or even a long weekend if your vacation home, please stop by the auction table in social hour or . In order to bid at the auction, you need an auction number. If you bid last year, you will be automatically assigned the same number. If you are new, stop by the auction table to get a bidding number. You can also get a bidding number onNovember 13orNovember 20th. This year is looking like a great auction but we can always use more items! Thank you for your support.
Safe Congregation
At First Parish we covenant to welcome all people to the table, to nourish and serve each other and to respect and honor the inherent worth and dignity of every person. To achieve these goals it is essential that we maintain a safe environment that protects children and adults from harm while fostering their spiritual growth. We encourage anyone who has witnessed or experienced verbal, sexual or physical abuse at First Parish to contact the appropriate team (adults and children respectively):
Events This Week
Monday October 31
8:30 am Groove Baby in the Chapel
5:30 pm Harvard Extension Drama Class in the Barn Rm
6:30 pm AA in the Parlor
Tuesday November 1
9:00 am Yoga in the Barn Room
5:30 pm Tuesday Meals Dinner in the Parlor
6:00 pm Spanish Conversation in the Baldwin
7:00 pm Young Adult Group in the Nursery
7:00 pm Buddhist Meditation in the Fuller
Wednesday November 2
9:30 am Yoga in the Barn Room
5:00 pm Sanctuary Worship in the Barn Room
6:00 pm Compensation Team in the Landing Rm.
6:30 pm Two Brattle in the Baldwin Room
7:00 pm BBSF in the Chapel
Thursday November 3
9:00 am Yoga in the Barn Room
12:00 pm Yoga in the Barn Room
6:00 pm Yoga in the Barn Room
7:00 pm Social Justice Council in the Chapel
Friday November 4
9:00 am Groovy Baby Music in the Chapel
Saturday, November 5
8:00 am Cambridge Minyan in the Parlor and Chapel
8:30 am GSA in the Chapel
10:00 am Yoga in the Barn Room
10:30 am Watercolor Class in the Chapel
1:30 pm Day of the Dead set up in the Meetinghouse
4:30 pm Women’s Circle in the Barnroom