- Tonight! Are You a New Empty Nester?
How do you feel now that one/all of your kids are off to college or on their own? Join us in this group meeting to talk about the changes, challenges, and joys of having either one child or your youngest leave the nest this year. Your family structure is different now; how is the change affecting you? This discussion group will meet on Wednesday, October 12th at 7:30 in the Common Room. If there is interest, further meetings will be scheduled. The discussion will be facilitated by Cindy Anderson and Jane Eckert.
~Ruth Rose
LRE Committee/Adult Programs
- Sunday Service
Guest minister, the Rev. David S. Blanchard, will preach this week on how “most of us find it easy to blame our troubles on the past. Any sentence that begins “If only…” hauls our focus backwards as if we could take back time and spin it forward in a different fashion. I would ask, “how’s that working for you?” In his sermon, “Hope for the Past,” Rev. Blanchard will invite you to find a source of healing in the sufficiency of what was.
There will be Sunday School for Pre-K through 8th Grade. The nursery will be open for babies and toddlers.
This Sunday, the sanctuary choir will sing the very moving Zulu anthem “Ukuthula,” and Haydn’s joyful “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” (from Heiligmesse). Elizabeth Walsh will sing John Bucchino’s thoughtful “Temporary” for the offertory. Rip Jackson will play on the organ Bach’s chorale setting of “Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele BWV 654” and his magnificent transcription of Vivaldi’s “Allegro” (from Concerto in F Major) for the centering music and postlude.
Listen to last Sunday’s sermon by Rev. Anne Mason, “Doors of the Heart.”
- Guest Minister, Rev. David S. Blanchard
The Rev. David S. Blanchard begins his 30th year in ministry this fall. A graduate of Harvard Divinity School, David spent those three years of study also working with the First Church in Belmont. Future ministries took him to Lexington KY, Syracuse NY, Canton NY, and Rochester NY. He is the proud papa of two daughters, Julia and Emily, who are now married and launched on lives of their own. The author of “A Temporary State of Grace,” David’s words have often been published in denominational collections.
- October’s Plate Collection
On Sunday, October 16th, an original and active member of the organization Lexington CommUNITY, Sam Zales, will speak about the importance of Lexington’s annual Martin Luther King “Day of Service” Celebration that is held every January. Sam has been a prime mover in the development of this celebration that engages the whole community in public discourse on the topics of diversity and social justice. First Parish has always been well represented in furthering this program that embodies the core values of our beliefs as a church.
This is a chance to give financial support to this important and inspiring community organization. The plate collection on Sunday, October 16th will be generously donated to Lexington CommUNITY so that Sam’s work, and the work of many members of this church who have served closely with him, will continue.
- Activities Fair this Sunday
Do you have a knack for gardening? Are you a history buff? Have you always wanted to teach? This Sunday in Parish Hall during social hour, various committee and activity chairs will be available to discuss the many opportunities for connection at First Parish. Wherever your interest lies, there’s a place here for you!
- Social Action co-sponsors the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute Presentation
The Social Action Committee of First Parish, in collaboration with other religious institutions of Lexington, are co-sponsoring The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute presentation, “Transforming Society’s Response to Homicide.” The presentation will take place on Sunday, October 23rd at 1:30 pm at the Follen Church, 755 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington.The featured speaker is Peace Institute Founder and President, Chaplain Clementina Chéry, along with staff members.
All are invited to attend this important event, which is free and open to the public.
“The Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, founded in 1994 after the murder of Louis D. Brown, is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating young people and the community about the value of peace and assisting survivors of homicide victims with immediate crisis management services and ongoing support to continue to make Louis’ vision a reality.” To learn more about the Institute, please visit their website.
- News from the Board
First Parish Members and Friends,
The Parish Board is seeking a First Parish member to serve as the Parish Clerk. The Clerk is the member of the Board who is responsible for taking and publishing minutes of all Board meetings. The Clerk also calls to order the Semi-Annual Meetings and takes minutes of those meetings. The Clerk has a one-year term, renewable for up to five years.
If this important position interests you, please contact me or a member of the Committee on Leadership and Service (Elisabeth Jas and Erik Svenson). The congregation will vote to confirm appointment of a new Clerk at the October 30th Semi-Annual Meeting.
In the spirit of community,
Tom Rich
Board Chair
- This Week at First Parish
Wednesday, October 12
Adult Program – Empty Nester 7:30 p.m. Common Room Choir Rehearsal 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Thursday, October 13 Creative Callings 2:00 p.m. Parlor Meditation 4:00 p.m. Parlor In Good Company Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Sanctuary Friday, October 14 Saturday, October 15 In Good Company Concert 7:30 p.m. Sanctuary Sunday, October 16 Worship Service 10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Activities Fair 11:45 a.m. Parish Hall Children’s Choir Rehearsal 11:45 a.m. Sanctuary & Parlor Coming of Age 5:45 p.m. Parker Hall OWL 6:30 p.m. Common Room SHYG 7:00 p.m. Parker Hall Monday, October 17 Staff Meetings 11:00 a.m. Office Tuesday, October 18 Lexington Ski Club 7:30 p.m. Parker Hall Insight Meditation 7:30 p.m. Common Room Buildings and Grounds 7:30 p.m. Parlor - Creative Callings this Thursday
All are welcome to participate in an informal group of members and friends who enjoy fiber arts. We gather in the church parlor each second and fourth Thursday from 2:00 pm to 3:45 pm for a low-key time of fellowship, creativity, and sharing of ideas.
This Thursday, October 13th, we will continue with our special project of simple knitting (e.g., shawls) for the hospital- or home-bound among us.
Just drop by or email Karolyn Eisenstein to join the email list.
- Saturday Night – In Good Company Concert
In Good Company will present “Hail to the Chief” at First Parish on Saturday, October 15th, 7:30pm in the Sanctuary.
Buy your Hail to the Chief tickets now and get preferred seating, closer to the stage!
Only those who purchase tickets ahead of time will get preferred seating.
Tickets bought at the door will be general admission.
This will be a rousing and delightful musical about presidential campaign songs — before there was Queen or Katy Perry, candidates and their supporters had to write their own promotional tunes. You may have seen White House Chair, which was a solely choral performance. “Hail to the Chief” takes everything great about that show and brings it to another level, so come see the transformation for yourself! Journey back to a simpler time with us when Donald’s ancestors still went by Drumpf and the only way people could insult each other was with pen and ink. As a special treat, there will be an opening act, a performance by the Lexington High School Jazz Combo playing selections from the Great American Songbook.
- Legacies Workshop
Please join Meg Newhouse as she leads a half-day interactive workshop on living as legacy—the ongoing imprint of one’s life and gift to future generations. Participants will explore the legacies they have received and those they have already “bequeathed.” The workshop will be a self-contained overview based on Meg’s new book, Legacies of the Heart: Living a Life That Matters.
Saturday, November 5th from 9am to 12pm, Common Room. Sign up at the piano or with Jane Foley, Parish Administrator, at admin@fplex.org.
- The Great Fall Auction
The auction is coming! The auction is coming! In case you didn’t see Laura Juitt’s beautiful auction posters in the Parish Hall, this year’s Great Fall Auction is on Saturday, November 19th. Doors open at 6 PM; bidding on silent auction items goes from 6 – 7:30 PM; and the live auction starts at 7:30 PM. Credit cards and checks will be accepted this year.
Please submit your auction donations by October 19th to FallAuction@fplex.org or you can click here to use our on-line form.
Thank you, from the Auction Team — Margie and Bob Gibbons, Toni and Pete Tasker, and Tom Rich (Chair)
Weekly Update
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The email newsletter of First Parish in Lexington is published on Wednesdays at 4 pm. Submissions are due on Mondays at 10 am. Email submissions or inquiries to the church office.