- Sunday Service
This Sunday at 10:00am (NOTE EARLIER TIME) we worship (virtually) with the thousands of Unitarian Universalists who are attending our annual meeting in New Orleans, including Marianne DiBlasi, Ben Soule, Deb Weiner Soule, and Beth Walsh. The worship of General Assembly is always a highlight of the year, with fabulous music, preaching, and the overwhelming presence of so many Unitarian Universalists in one place. We will celebrate the election of our new UUA president, and perhaps we will hear some of the passionate work of those gathered this year who will have wrestled with the many issues facing our denomination. Worship here at First Parish will be in Parish Hall as we watch the livestream of worship at General Assembly.
- From Your Minister
Summer Solstice is upon us – that time of year when the days and nights hang in equal balance. Simon and I are trying to shift the balance of our time in the next few weeks, moving from work related concerns to house and garden and family topics. As always we listen and read and absorb what is going on in the world around us, filled with concern for all who are marginalized and in threat of losing their health care or being deported. And in the midst of all of that, there must be time for some wonder-filled moments of paying attention to the beauty of this world, in the bird songs and flowers around us.
May your summer days have moments of beauty and relaxation wherever you can find them. May your summer evenings linger joyfully with friends and family. If you travel to special places, remember to bring back a sample of water from your sacred places for our Ingathering in September.
Thank you all for an incredible first year together. Thank you for the flowers and the framed copy of memories from the Installation. Thank you for being the wonderful, purposeful and joyful people that you are.
Have a restorative summer, and come to church when you can for we will have great preaching from our guest ministers all summer long!
Blessings,
Rev. Anne
- Important Building Update
Thank you for your patience during the remodeling of First Parish. The work in remodeling the lower level is finished except for some decorating details, and looks wonderful!
Please note the following changes:
Traffic:
Starting on Wednesday, June 20, the traffic pattern to enter and exit the parking lot will return to normal.
Entrances:
The front doors will be closed for the remainder of the summer painting, due to scaffolding hazards and debris. All entrance and exit will be through the rear door. The front door will remain an emergency exit only until the scaffolding is removed.
Rest rooms:
The use of the rest rooms has changed, as many parties need access. In an effort to minimize disruption of the FUSE summer program, the use will be as follows:
—First floor rest room: First Parish staff, members, and painters only (no children or FUSE staff). The room will be marked “First Parish Use Only”.
—Lower level ADA rest room: FUSE staff and those needing an accessible rest room only (no children). The room will be marked “FUSE Staff Only, Mon-Thur, 9:00-2:30”.
—Lower level women’s and men’s rooms—FUSE campers only M-Th, 9:00-2:30. No non-FUSE adults permitted during these hours. The room will be marked “FUSE Camper Use Only”.
Windows:
All windows on the lower level are new, safe, and have full screens. Feel free to open them during your meetings, but in order to ensure building safety, please double check that all are closed and locked before you leave.
Enjoy the summer, and contact Jane Foley with any issues or questions. Office hours are M-Th, 8:30-1:30.
- Creative Callings this Thursday
All are welcome to participate in an informal group of members and friends who enjoy fiber arts. On Thursday, bring your knitting, crocheting, beading or other fiber work and meet in the church parlor from 2:00 pm to 3:45 pm for a low-key time of fellowship, creativity, and sharing of ideas.
Just drop by or email Karolyn Eisenstein to join the email list.
- This Saturday – Sewing for Days for Girls
JOIN US TO SEW for
DAYS FOR GIRLS
SATURDAY JULY 29TH 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.
- Deadline – Focalpoint for July and August
There will be one summer edition of the Focalpoint, which will include information for both July and August. If your committee or program have events or gatherings during the summer, please send the information along to Jane Foley at admin@fplex.org. The deadline for the July/August issue is Monday, June 26th.
- Summer Services 2017
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!
Date Worship Leader Musician June 25 GA livestream worship 10am in Parish Hall July 2 Marianne DiBlasi Sarah Hager July 9 Bethany Russell-Lowe Sarah Hager July 16 Lisa Perry-Wood Yukiko Sekino July 23 Lisa Perry-Wood Yukiko Sekino July 30 Lisa Perry-Wood Yukiko Sekino August 6 Lisa Perry-Wood Yukiko Sekino August 13 Rev. Anne Mason Yukiko Sekino August 20 Joe Foster Yukiko Sekino August 27 Lisa Perry-Wood Yukiko Sekino September 3 Mandy Beal Hannah Shields - Staff Summer Schedule & Office Hours
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.
- This Week at First Parish
Wednesday, June 21 Office Closed Thursday, June 22 Office Closed Creative Callings 2:00 p.m. Parlor Meditation 4:00 p.m. Parlor Friday, June 23 Office Closed Private event 3:00 p.m. Parish Hall & Sanctuary Saturday, June 24 Private event 10:00 a.m. Upstairs Rooms Private event 6:30 p.m. Parish Hall & Common Room Sunday, June 25 Livestream Worship from GA 10:00 a.m. Parish Hall Monday, June 26 Tuesday, June 27
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.