Bethany Russell-Lowe, Worship Leader

Bethany Russell-Lowe grew up at First Parish in Lexington. She graduated from Andover Newton Theological School with her Master of Divinity in December 2016. She is currently serving as the Ministerial Intern at the two UU churches in Syracuse, NY.

Guest musician will be Sarah Hager.

We’ve been together for 325 years!  First Parish is planning a celebration on Sunday afternoon December 3rd, for the congregation and for the wider Lexington community, to celebrate this occasion. The event will feature a dramatic presentation by Don Cohen of the creation of the church body and of our covenant. It may also include period music, bell-ringing, a procession, our first Communion tankards, and a 17th-century (modified!) lunch. Please put this event on your calendar.

The month of November will provide other opportunities to celebrate the existence of the congregation. Programs being considered are art and document exhibits featuring FP history; a Thursday evening adult education series on UU history; related projects for children and youth; the creation of a model of our first church building (even as we begin congregation-wide discussion of our capital campaign for a building that meets our developing needs); and outside speakers.

The 325th Celebration Committee is working with the History Committee and with Lexington historians such as Richard Kollen, Sam Doran, and Charlie Bowen to research the period in which the church and town were founded.

We are looking for volunteers for all aspects of these events. Please contact Helen Cohen if you are interested (helencohen@rcn.com) or any member of the committee.

Our next meeting is on Wednesday, August 2, at 1:00pm, in Rev. Anne Mason’s office. Whether or not you can make that meeting, you can join in the fun and in helping us to reflect on the meaning of becoming a church at any time in the next months. Thank you!

The 325th Celebration Committee: Helen Cohen, The Rev. Anne Mason, Dan Fenn, Bill Smith, and Don Cohen

Next Wednesday, July 12th, marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of Henry David Thoreau. The Thoreau Society, located in Concord, is throwing a celebration starting on Tuesday, July 11th through Sunday, July 16th. There will be walks in woods, panel discussions, performances, book readings (including one by Richard Higgins, husband of Rev. Jenny Rankins, from his recently published book, Life in the Woods), and many other events. Click here to find out more information.

“The whole course of human history may depend on a change of heart in a single, solitary, even humble individual. For it is within the soul of the individual that the battle between good and evil is waged and ultimately won or lost.”
― Henry David Thoreau

JOIN US TO SEW for

DAYS FOR GIRLS

SATURDAY JULY 29^TH FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 1:00 PM

AT FIRST PARISH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST IN LEXINGTON

Days for Girls is an organization that provides health education and feminine hygiene kits to girls and women in more than 100 countries who otherwise would not have access to either. Their mission states, “Days for Girls is dedicated to creating a more free, dignified, and educated world, through providing lasting access to feminine hygiene solutions and health education.” Visit their website to learn more information.

Join us to sew reusable cloth kits for girls who do not otherwise have access to sanitary products. Please bring your sewing machine! Supplies will be provided.

Questions? Contact Amy Breiting or Roberta Pittore for more information.

Please join us for summer worship services! Summer services begin at 10:30am in the sanctuary. The worship leaders and guest musicians are listed below. All are welcome!

The office hours will be reduced beginning June 26 through August 18. The office will be open Monday through Thursday from 8:30am to 1:30pm.

Rev. Anne Mason: Beginning June 26, I will be on vacation through the month of July. Lisa Perry-Wood will be on-call for pastoral emergencies and can be reached at lperrywood@gmail.com or 781-883-3411. In August, I will be on study leave but available for ministerial support. Please email me at minister@fplex.org or leave a message at 781-862-8200 x2.

Lisa Maria Steinberg: I will be on vacation the weeks of June 20-26 and July 22-29. Throughout the summer, I will be working both offsite and in the office planning next year’s children, youth, and adult programming. I’m available by appointment any time outside of vacation by emailing me at dre@fplex.org.

Rip Jackson: Over the summer, I will be offline enjoying vacation and comp time. I will also be in the office at the end of July. I will be attending three continuing education workshops between late July and early September. And finally, I will be doing some work offsite beginning to prepare and plan for next year’s music and concerts. Please leave me a message at music@fplex.org.

Jane Foley: I will be on vacation the weeks of June 20-23 and August 7-11. Voicemail will be monitored during those weeks, and email will be answered when I am in the office. Messages can be left at admin@fplex.org or 781-862-8200 x1.

Bob Coughlin: I will be on vacation from June 30 – July 15. For building emergencies, contact Jane Foley in the office at admin@fplex.org or 781-862-8200 x1.

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