Category Archives: Congregational Happenings

Update from Food Pantry

Posted on by

Jane Zerby writes:

To food pantry volunteers and supporters:

We had a very busy day at pantry yesterday and I want to thank all of you who came to help. You were all terrific! 55 folks came through our doors, quite a large number for us, and we were able to give everyone fresh bread, fruits and vegetables, a wide assortment of staples, and an added treat: donated Girl Scout cookies which brought a smile to all.

Several folks were first-time visitors, so the word about our pantry is still spreading. As usual, our customers included people of all ages and races, speaking several different languages. I think we now have our procedures, and the food, better organized for an easier flow of traffic; we can more easily help people in wheelchairs or who have other disabilities. We’ve learned a lot in 3+ years.

Thanks again, so much, for all your help.

(More pictures after the jump!)

Continue reading →

Share

What’s Happening this Sunday, February 19th, at First Church

Posted on by

Please note: During the month of February, Rev. Terry Burke will be on leave, using up a month of accrued sabbatical time. Rev. Marshall Hawkins will be on call for pastoral emergencies.

11 a.m. Sunday Service: Our preacher is Rev. Marshall Hawkins, the affiliate minister at First Church. Rev. Hawkins will deliver a sermon titled “To Save and To Savor.”

Please join us following the service for coffee and light refreshments. Thank you to Courtney Feeley Karp and Roy Karp for hosting Coffee Hour.

Share

Ibrahim Miari, “In Between” – Sunday, March 4, at 7 p.m.

Posted on by

In Between is a semi-autobiographical one-man show that portrays the complexities and contradictions inherent in Palestinian-Israeli identity. On the precipice between two cultures stands Ibrahim Miari. His play recalls his childhood in Acco, memories of his Jewish and Palestinian grandmothers, of war, and of the struggle to shape and understand his own multi-faceted identity.

Nehar Shalom Community Synagogue, First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist, First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, and JP Forum are co-presenting this production of In Between, which will be performed on Sunday, March 4, at 7:00 p.m. at First Church. To reserve tickets, call Allie at First Baptist (617-524-3992). Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. If you’d like to help promote the show, a one-page flyer for the performance may be found here.

Continue reading →

Share

REMINDER: “Love, Music and Chocolate”: a benefit concert for the Tower Fund – Sunday, February 12, at 7 p.m.

Posted on by

Celebrate Valentine’s Day early at a soirée of beautiful music and decadent desserts featuring JP’s renowned classical guitarist John Muratore!

Mr. Muratore teaches classical guitar at Dartmouth College and Boston University. He is the coordinator of the guitar program at All Newton Music School and a guitarist with Counterpoint Chorus.

The concert is Sunday evening, February 12, at 7 p.m. at First Church. Attending as a couple is not required! A few non-chocolate and vegan items will be provided as well.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door ($15 advance/$20 door for students & seniors). Proceeds will benefit First Church’s Tower Fund.  E-mail fcjpvalentine@gmail.com to reserve your seats!

Nota bene: This event is not suitable for young children.

Share

JP Gazette: “Officials rally against ‘three strikes’”

Posted on by

The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports on the January 27 JP Forum event at First Church:

A panel discussion about controversial prison sentencing reforms—including the “three strikes” laws—turned into a political strategy rally by several prominent Boston elected officials on Jan. 27 at First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist.

Dramatic moments included a convicted felon tearfully describing the impacts of a throw-away-the-key approach to sentencing, and local state Sen. Sonia Chang-Díaz defending her vote in favor of the Senate’s version of the controversial proposal.

Share

Newcomers’ Breakfast – Sunday, February 12th, 9:30 a.m.

Posted on by

All are welcome to join us in the Dining Room on February 12th for a Newcomers’ Breakfast. Longtime church members, first-time visitors, and everyone in between are warmly invited to attend. Share a yummy morning meal with us as we build community and get to know each other a little better. Please RSVP to Paul Miller. Longtime members, let him know if you can bring a dish to the potluck breakfast.

Share

What’s Happening this Sunday, February 5, at First Church

Posted on by

Please note: During the month of February, Rev. Terry Burke will be on leave, using up a month of accrued sabbatical time. Rev. Marshall Hawkins will be on call for pastoral emergencies.

11 a.m. Sunday Service:  Our guest preacher on Sunday is Rev. Clyde Grubbs, who serves as the minister-at-large of the Tuckerman Creative Ministries for Justice and Healing. He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Please join us following the service for coffee and light refreshments. Thank you to George Smith for hosting Coffee Hour.

Share

“Neighboring Faiths” RE Update

Posted on by

Mick Hirsch, Director of Religious Education, writes:

This past Sunday, our inaugural group of “Neighboring Faiths” kids shared with the congregation their experience over the month of January studying Judaism.  Our 10-13 year olds were most excited about their visit to a neighborhood Jewish temple, Nehar Shalom, just down the street from First Church in JP.  From that visit, where we were welcomed to a “good Shabbos!” our kids treated our own congregation to a special treat:  they taught us how to sing the signature spiritual of the Civil Rights Movement, “We Shall Overcome,” in Hebrew! Needless to say, both the kids and the congregation did a great job singing through the transliterated text.

Next Sunday, February 5, our Neighboring Faiths class will begin a month-long segment on Buddhism.

Share

Sermon, January 22, 2012: “Candlemas”

Posted on by

Rev. Terry Burke:

Today we are celebrating Candlemas, a church holiday including the blessing of candles. This should be done closer to February 2nd, but it’s a little early as George Wardle will be preaching next Sunday. Later, for Candlemas, we will be sharing candles and flames as part of our service.

There are many related layers to the holiday of Candlemas. It’s associated with St. Brigid of Kildare, Ireland, whose distinctive cross is on the cover of our order of service. St. Brigid died in the 6th century, and legend has it that when the rite was being conducted to consecrate her as a nun, she was made a bishop instead. St. Brigid was noted for her concern for the poor. We used to celebrate Medieval Feasts at this church, and children of the parish once dramatized the story of the saint’s cloak. A stingy king promised as much land for the poor as St. Brigid’s cloak would cover – her nuns ran with its corners in the four directions as it magically covered his kingdom. There are still Brigidine nuns, and as part of their work they keep an eternal flame.

Continue reading →

Share

Church retreat, March 16-18: “Seeking Your True Self: Embracing Your False Self”

Posted on by

First Church’s annual retreat will be held at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, Massachusetts.  In a supportive and confidential environment, we will explore the question of how we can live authentically, and how that can bring us closer to each other and to God. Come be part of our Spiritual Facebook!

The retreat will run from Friday evening, March 16th through lunch on Sunday, March 18th. The cost is $200 per person, with some scholarships available.

Terry Burke, Ghanda DiFiglia, and Alice Kociemba will facilitate this retreat. Please contact Mary Brady if you are interested in attending, and with any questions you might have.

Share