January 8, 2011, 9am - 4pm:   Called Forth:  An All-Day Contemplative Retreat with Marta Flanagan

HOW?

Register w/office before Dec. 31st at churchoffice@firstparish.info or call 781-648-3799, ext. 10

WHAT:

What are you called to be and do in your life?  This day-long retreat will provide us with the opportunity to consider anew our purpose and direction in life.  Often times what we call "retreats" wind up being forums, workshops or meetings.  Marta will facilitate an honest-to-goodness retreat.  Our time together will include silence, prayer, and journaling.  We will share simple meals.  Please wear comfortable clothing (bring layers so you can go outdoors) and bring journals and pens, yoga mats, and anything else that might add to your day.

If you missed Marta’s retreats in 2009-2010 this is your chance to see what everyone has been talking about!

A fee of $55 covers breakfast, lunch and rental of the comfortable facilities at Rolling Ridge.  If this fee creates an obstacle please contact Marta (marta@firstparish.info ).  Please be sure to register by December 31st.

First Tuesday, 7 pm:  This I Believe
A Monthly Credo Making and Discussion Program Led by Marta Flanagan

Tuesday evenings at 7 pm:  Dec 7, Jan 4, Feb 1, Mar 1, Apr 12 in the Parlor.

Please remember to bring writing materials and a journal if you are using one.

Sunday, January 2, 12-2 pm:  The Problem of Evil:  A discussion with David B. Parke

Evil has been defined as the absence of the good.  A modern understanding of evil postulates that evil is a powerful reality in its own right, as in Captain Ahab's obsession with the white whale, or the act of murder.  The matter is complicated because natural catastrophies such as hurricanes and earthquakes (those not caused by human actions) result in death and human diminishment which are experienced by the victims as evil.

How do Unitarian Universalists grapple with the concept of evil?  Join retired UU minister, David Parke in a provocative discussion on Sunday January 2nd after Sunday worship service in the sanctuary at 12 noon.

David promises that our time together will edify and reassure those present, and might just have some effect on church priorities and programming.

David Parke is a retired (2005) UU minister, historian, and editor.  His interest in theology was kindled during three years 1952-55 at the University of Chicago Divinity School.  Theologically he describes himself as a biblical humanist.  David offered a STAR Program in May 2010 entitled "Is Theology Necessary?"  and rejoins us for STAR's first program in 2011.

Thursday evenings, January 13, 20 & 27, 6:30-9:30 pm:  God in America:  A Congregational Viewing and Discussion

How has religious belief shaped American history?  What role have religious ideas and spiritual experience played in shaping the social, political, and cultural life of what has become the world's most religiously diverse nation?  God in America, a presentation of American Experience and Frontline, explores the historical role of religion in the public life of the United States.

The six-hour series interweaves documentary footage, historical dramatization and interviews with religious historians.  In three evenings we view the program and discuss the potent and complex interaction between religion and democracy, the origins of the American concept of religious liberty, and the controversial evolution of that ideal in the nation's courts and political arena.  We'll consider the role religious ideas and institutions have played in social reform movements from abolition to civil rights, examining the impact of religious faith on conflicts from the American Revolution to the Cold War, and how guarantees of religious freedom created a competitive American religious marketplace.

Did you miss the PBS series?  Yearning to talk about it with others?  Please come join us!  We'll provide the popcorn and you can bring a brown bag dinner or a dish to share.  RSVP with church office.

Tuesday, January 18:  Estate Planning and Planned Giving

Would you like to remember First Parish in your will?  Bequests and other forms of planned giving offer advantageous ways to support First Parish and receive significant tax advantages.  Some of these giving vehicles provide life income at attractive rates and may be appropriate for you and your family.  Rob Fish, a noted local estate planning attorney will conduct a free educational seminar on planned giving.  Rob will touch on the basics of estate planning that will all need to know as well as the many pathways to generosity that will allow First Parish to continue its future work as a vibrant liberal religious community.

First Wednesday, 7:15-8:30 pm:  SOUL - Sharing Our Unique Lives
Women's Ritual and Discussion Group - Registration required

Are you interested in women's ritual and feminist spirituality?  A group of women meets monthly to create and practice woman-centered ritual and discuss our spiritual lives from a feminist perspective.  The group is an outgrowth from last year's "Cakes from the Queen of Heaven" class.  All women in the congregation are welcome to join us!  This is not a drop-in group - registration is required and we request a six-month commitment once you have attended a meeting and decide you'd like to continue with us.  The group meets at the church on the first Wednesday evening of each month.  The next meeting is October 6 at 7:15 pm in the parlor, led by Wendy Paramore.  For more information and/or to register, please contact Nan Owens at NanandSue@aol.com or at 617-776-2503.

What Can We Do About Climate Change?
A Monthly Book Discussion Group (Friday Evenings)
Facilitated by David Landskov & Ricky Carter

Sixty-three percent of Americans believe that global warming is happening, but many do not understand why, according to a national study conducted at Yale University.  Only 57 percent of Americans know what the greenhouse effect is, 45 percent understand that carbon dioxide traps heat from the Earth's surface, and just 50 percent understand that global warming is caused mostly by human activities.

Do you want to learn more about this major crisis of the 21st century?  Join a new STAR program offered by the Green Sanctuary Group.  Our first book is the very readable The Future of the Weather by Heidi Cullen.  We will finish discussing this book in the first part of our meeting.  Our second book is Earth by Bill McKibben.  The second half of Eaarth gets you over any worries that the first half started.

At coffee hour we sell the books we will discuss, charging the discounted tax-free cost we pay at The Book Rack in Arlington Center.  Of course you may get the book to read any way you like.  Please pre-register by Oct. 25 at our table at coffee hour or through the church office (churchoffice@firstparish.info). 

Wednesdays February 2, 9, 16, and March 2:  Menu for the Future

The Green Sanctuary Climate Change Team, working in conjunction with STAR Programs, invites you to a curriculum produced by the Northwest Earth Institute entitled "Menu for the Future."  The course is scheduled for Wednesdays February 2, 9, 16, and March 2.  We will explore how food systems operate and the role that we as consumers have in a global food market place.

We will consider food from multiple perspectives - ecological, cultural, economic, and social and health wise.  Participants will be read authors such as Wendell Berry and Francis Moore Lappe.

The cost for the book Menu for the Future is $20.00.  To sign up for the course contact the church office at churchoffice@firstparish.info.  We need a minimum of six participants to start the program.

The course leaders are Bill and Peggy Gardner.  Bill brings 40 years of experience as a UU minster and social activist.  Peggy teaches yoga to seniors.  She has been growing plants and vegetables for 40 years.

What Does the Qur’an Say about Gender?
Monday, March 7, 7-9 pm — church parlor, no registration required
Facilitated by Lori Kenschaft*

Do you know that the Qur’an never suggests stoning as a punishment for adultery? That comes from Deuteronomy. You may be surprised by other things the Qur’an does and does not say about women, gender, and sexuality. Come learn!

This two hour program will explore specific verses from the Qur’an, put them in the context of biblical passages and Arabic culture of the time, briefly explain how these teachings have been interpreted over the intervening fourteen centuries, and include time for questions. Many people have misconceptions about what the Qur’an says about women, gender, and sexuality. This program will enable participants to engage in conversations about gender politics in Islam with a basic grounding in the actual teachings of the Qur’an.

Monday, April 4, 7-9 pm
A Very Brief History of Islam — church parlor, no registration required
Facilitated by Lori Kenschaft*

Does Islam confuse you? You are not alone! This two hour program will offer a framework for thinking about the history of Islam and the modern Muslim world. It will start with Muhammad and the early believers, explain the growth and flourishing of Islam as a world spanning civilization, and suggest ways to understand key events and centuries-long tensions that have shaped the world we live in.

Most Americans learned little or nothing about Islam in our formal education, making it hard to understand current events. Obviously, a two-hour program can only skim the surface. But we will cover some of the basics of what everyone should know while offering an interpretation of history that will help participants make sense of our world.

Lori Kenschaft has a masters in theological studies and a doctorate in American studies, and has led numerous adult education programs. She has a deep interest in helping Americans learn more about Islam.

STAR stands for "Spirit Transformation Adventure Reflection"

The Adult Programs Working Group has been having a lot of complicated fun designing programs for the congregation through June. If you have a project under way that you’d like us to know about and list as part of STAR, please email Bonnie Zimmer via star@firstparish.info. This program is a work in progress so please share your ideas and reactions.

To register for programs, contact Joan Dyer, Office Manager, at 781-648-3799 extension 11 or email officemanager@firstparish.info

Rev. Marta Flanagan is eager to hear about any obstacles preventing you from participating. Please let us know so we can make our programs available to all!