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CHURCH HAPPENINGS

***Sunday, June 16th***
Please join us in the Parish Hall for our first summer service presented by church members Margaret Suby and David Dorney. The title of their sermon is “UU Resurrection.” If we don’t believe in creedal ideas cane we still have a resurrection?

***Young Church***
Alice Laramore will be teaching Young Church this Sunday. There will be a little chapel where children will share their joys and concerns, then there will be a story with a puzzle, followed by a craft.

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SAVE THE DATE – UPCOMING EVENTS

***Next Sunday, June 23rd***
Terry will be doing a sermon about Rev. Will Campbell who died recently. Rev. Campbell was caricatured in the comic strip “Kudzu” as Rev. Will B. Dunn. He was an activist minister in the Civil Rights movement and was the only white person invited by Martin Luther King to be present at the founding of the Southern Christian Leadership Council.

Visit our online calendar at: http://www.firstchurchjp.org/events/

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WAYS TO CONNECT OR CONTRIBUTE

Terry Speaking at JP Forum Event – Tonight!
Terry will be one of several people speaking at the Jamaica Plain Forum’s event “A Dialogue for Safe & Sound Gun Laws in our Communities.” It will take place on Thursday, June 13th from 7 pm – 9 pm. Please join your neighbors to talk about how gun violence has hurt you, your children, and your community. Download the flyer for this event.

Common Cathedral – this Sunday!
Come join members of the Social Action Group as we participate in Common Cathedral on Sunday, June 16. This is our annual trip to Boston Common to provide lunch to the homeless population there and participate in the outdoor worship service. We will be meeting at First Church around 9 am to prepare about 150 sandwiches and snack bags to distribute. Then we will head to the Common just before noon and finish for the day at around 2pm. We could use help preparing the food and also distributing. Also, donations of food items (from a particular list of needs) or money to help pay for the food gratefully appreciated. For more information, contact Sarah Sinclair: sars_sinclair@yahoo.com

From Ecclesia Ministries: Thank you for partnering with common cathedral to share hope, love and Christian community with people experiencing homelessness in Boston. The most important thing you have to offer is yourself. The fact that you are willing to spend a Sunday coming to Boston to be with people whose lives are in disarray is an incredible blessing to them. Your witness to the members of our congregation is that they are worth your time and effort; that they are loved – by you and by God. You are witnesses of God’s love to the common cathedral congregation. Thank you! That said, we are confident that your group will also gain something from the experience of worshiping with us. Anytime we step outside our comfort zone, and take a risk to just be with people who are different from ourselves, we can’t help but be changed by the experience. So, we look forward to hosting you in our church – common cathedral.

Last Chance! Service Auction – Bidding Ends this Saturday, June 15th
Don’t miss out on a pot of lovely herbs, weeding, delicious food, chauffeur for an afternoon, a weekend in Maine, and many more.Making a bid is simplicity itself:

1. Go to this On-line Auction Site: 2013 Service Auction
2. Register on the auction site with a user name and password.
3. Choose one or several AWESOME items
4. BID!

Emory Disney Performance
Church member Emory Disney will be performing her own composition entitled “In Terra Pax” at her Phillips Andover 50th Reunion this Sunday, June 16th, at 9:15 am. All are welcome to attend.

GBIO News
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization will be holding its second annual Public Health Conference on Sunday, June 23, 3:00 pm – 6:30 pm at Andover Newton Theological School, 210 Herrick Road, Newton Centre (Newton Centre T stop). Workshops Include: Holding Compassionate Health Care Conversations, Improving Patient/Physician Communication, Addressing Violence in Our Communities, and Evidence Based Care. Please let Marshall Hawkins know if you are interested in attending, 617-477-9146.

Church Council Meeting
A Church Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 26th at 7:00 pm. The purpose is to block out the 2013-2014 Church Calendar. Per our by-laws, the Church Council is led by the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee and comprised of the chair or representatives of each church committee. All church members are welcome to attend. For those unable to attend, please send relevant dates/information to Sarah Hawkins at sarahmartinhawkins@gmail.com.

Smoked Rib Dinner
Please come to our annual Smoked Rib Dinner on Saturday, July 20, 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. A specialty of First Church is the smoked ribs meal which has been served annually for over 20 years. This year for the first time it will be a separate event from the Spring Fair. Karl Haakonsen will be preparing the ribs using the techniques and recipes for rub and sauces learned from Emerson Stamps. These are extraordinary ribs. You should invite your BBQ loving friends to buy tickets. The meal will include sides (cole slaw, beans, rice pilaf, and cornbread.) Helpers will be needed to set up, prepare sides, and clean up. To volunteer, please contact George Wardle.

Tickets are $15 and will be on sale at coffee hour or can be purchased by emailing George Wardle or contacting him by phone: 617-327-2868.

***Gerry Wright in the Boston Globe***
Long-time church friend Gerry Wright was featured in last Sunday’s Boston Globe. The article describes a 50th anniversary reunion on Mt. Washington between Gerry and a Mt. Washington weather observatory worker who saved the lives of Gerry and another hiker when an unexpected storm descended upon them. Read the article here.

***First Church Summer Services – changes listed***
The schedule for this summer’s services will be as follows: 6/23 – Terry Burke; 6/30 – Alta McDonald; 7/7 – Peter Connolly; 7/14 – Roy and Courtney; 7/21 – Abby Krueger; 7/28 – Lina Fox; 8/4 – Kimberly Wootan; 8/11- Kimberly Wootan; 8/18 – Karl and Cherisse Haakonsen; 8/25 – Ghanda DiFiglia; 9/1 – Terry Burke.

First Church Choir Performance
We have loaded onto YouTube our First Church Choir’s performance on June 2 of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, arranged by our music director Ellen McGuire, to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the first performance: http://youtu.be/Jp6h5eBE6vI If you would like further information about the music or lyrics, please contact Ellen at nelle@ymail.com.

Gardening Help Needed
We still need help with gardening! For the last few summers Margaret Suby and Judith Garfunkel have been donating their time and the garden materials needed to spruce up the front yard. There’s still much to be done to keep the gardens thriving through the hot summer months. Regular watering especially. Or maybe you have a special interest or skill that would further the goal of making First Church an attractive and inviting neighbor. Call Judith Garfunkel (617-327-9238) or Margaret Suby (617-522-1478) if you can help.

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Wish List
Terry would like a small white noise maker to place outside his office to ensure privacy when he meets with folks.

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ONGOING CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Building Use
Did you know that you can rent the Parish Hall or a smaller space for a celebration, group meeting or other event?? Contact Monroe Heyman for more details.

Greeters Needed
Whether an “old-timer” or new to our community, we all can appreciate the simple act of being greeted. If you’ve enjoyed this yourself, then pay it forward! It’s easy, there’s no long-term commitment, and it means a lot to the church. Please see Paul Miller to sign up, learn more, or have your questions answered.

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Announcements will run for no longer than 3 weeks, unless there are specific date parameters. You may resubmit your item after it has run for the allotted time.When submitting items for the weekly newsletter, please limit them to 250 words or less. If you have a special event that may need more space, please check in with Jennifer for special parameters. If you would like your announcement included in the weekly newsletter, please send them in by Wednesday evening at 8 pm.

Regular office hours are currently 9 am to 1 pm, Tuesdays and Thursdays. You may contact the church administrator, Jennifer, by emailing Firstchjp@aol.com.

Jennifer Waddell, Congregational Administrator
First Church in Jamaica Plain UU
6 Eliot Street
P.O. Box 300186
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
617-524-1634
Website: www.firstchurchjp.org

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WAYS TO CONNECT OR CONTRIBUTE

***Our Condolences****
Our deepest sympathies go out to Cathy Baisly for the loss of her sister who died this week. May light perpetual shine upon her.

***Terry Speaking at JP Forum Event***
Terry will be one of several people speaking at the Jamaica Plain Forum’s event “A Dialogue for Safe & Sound Gun Laws in our Communities.” It will take place on Thursday, June 13th from 7 pm – 9 pm. Please join your neighbors to talk about how gun violence has hurt you, your children, and your community. Download the flyer for this event.

***Common Cathedral***
Come join members of the Social Action Group as we participate in Common Cathedral on Sunday, June 16. This is our annual trip to Boston Common to provide lunch to the homeless population there and participate in the outdoor worship service. We will be meeting at First Church around 9 am to prepare about 150 sandwiches and snack bags to distribute. Then we will head to the Common just before noon and finish for the day at around 2pm. We could use help preparing the food and also distributing. Also, donations of food items (from a particular list of needs) or money to help pay for the food gratefully appreciated. For more information, contact Sarah Sinclair: sars_sinclair@yahoo.com

From Ecclesia Ministries: Thank you for partnering with common cathedral to share hope, love and Christian community with people experiencing homelessness in Boston. The most important thing you have to offer is yourself. The fact that you are willing to spend a Sunday coming to Boston to be with people whose lives are in disarray is an incredible blessing to them. Your witness to the members of our congregation is that they are worth your time and effort; that they are loved – by you and by God. You are witnesses of God’s love to the common cathedral congregation. Thank you! That said, we are confident that your group will also gain something from the experience of worshiping with us. Anytime we step outside our comfort zone, and take a risk to just be with people who are different from ourselves, we can’t help but be changed by the experience. So, we look forward to hosting you in our church – common cathedral.

***GBIO News***
The Greater Boston Interfaith Organization will be holding its second annual Public Health Conference on Sunday, June 23, 3:00 pm –  6:30 pm at Andover Newton Theological School, 210 Herrick Road, Newton Centre (Newton Centre T stop). Workshops Include: Holding Compassionate Health Care Conversations, Improving Patient/Physician Communication, Addressing Violence in Our Communities, and Evidence Based Care. Please let Marshall Hawkins know if you are interested in attending, 617-477-9146.

***Church Council Meeting***
A Church Council Meeting will be held Tuesday, June 26th at 7:00 pm.  The purpose is to block out the 2013-2014 Church Calendar.  Per our by-laws, the Church Council is led by the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee and comprised of the chair or representatives of each church committee. All church members are welcome to attend.  For those unable to attend, please send relevant dates/information to Sarah Hawkins at sarahmartinhawkins@gmail.com.

***Smoked Rib Dinner***
Please come to our annual Smoked Rib Dinner on Saturday, July 20, 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall. A specialty of First Church is the smoked ribs meal which has been served annually for over 20 years.  This year for the first time it will be a separate event from the Spring Fair. Karl Haakonsen will be preparing the ribs using the techniques and recipes for rub and sauces learned from Emerson Stamps.  These are extraordinary ribs.  You should invite your BBQ loving friends to buy tickets. The meal will include sides (cole slaw, beans, rice pilaf, and cornbread.) Helpers will be needed to set up, prepare sides, and clean up. To volunteer, please contact George Wardle.

Tickets are $15 and will be on sale at coffee hour or can be purchased by emailing George Wardle or contacting him by phone: 617-327-2868.

***First Church Summer Services***
The schedule for this summer’s services will be as follows:  6/23 – Terry Burke; 6/30 – Alta McDonald; 7/7 – Peter Connolly; 7/14 – Roy and Courtney; 7/21 – Abby Krueger; 7/28 – Margaret Suby and David Dorney; 8/4 – Kimberly Wootan; 8/11- Kimberly Wootan; 8/18 – Karl and Cherisse Haakonsen; 8/25 – Ghanda DiFiglia; 9/1 – Terry Burke.

***First Church Choir Performance***
We have loaded onto YouTube our First Church Choir’s performance on June 2 of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring, arranged by our music director Ellen McGuire, to celebrate the hundredth anniversary of the first performance: http://youtu.be/Jp6h5eBE6vI  If you would like further information about the music or lyrics, please contact Ellen at nelle@ymail.com.

Special Appeal
We are making a special appeal for this year’s budget. If you can help by adding to your pledge this year, please contact our board chair Andrea Clardy at afc4@cornell.edu.

Farewell to Janna
Please plan to attend the celebration for Janna Maria Fröhlich, soloist of First Church for 29 years, at coffee hour on Sunday June 9. Janna will be resigning at the end of June to continue her journey in music therapy.

“I would not be pursuing a degree in Music Therapy without having been a spiritual “music therapist” first, so my career trajectory relates directly to my service at First Church.  I have wonderful memories of singing and playing great music of all kinds up in the loft and down at the piano. It’s been a pleasure to work closely with Ellen and Terry all these years.  We were a great team!  I will still be a member of the Church and hopefully involved in maintaining the Eliot Street Soiree, or whatever other public music events the music fundraising events team pursues so that our beautiful Parish Hall still has wonderful music made in it that can be shared with the public.  I was married in this Church.  My children were raised in it.  I have also served as RE committee chair and Youth Events coordinator, and cherish some great memories of that work and of the wonderful children that I shared my time with. It has been an important spiritual home for me and my family.  Being able to sing and play music with both my children (and once my husband played the bagpipes too!) is very special to me. I will miss everyone, but I will visit when I can, and when my weekend intensive classes permit! There is so much more I could say…thanks to ALL who have ever commented on how my music made a difference to them.  It is a great gift to me when someone tells me that my music helped them in their spiritual journey.  Janna

Gardening Help Needed
Yearning to be in touch with nature this summer?  There’s an opportunity right here at First Church.  For the last few summers Margaret Suby and I have been donating our time and the garden materials needed to spruce up the front yard.  There’s still much to be done to keep the gardens thriving through the hot summer months.  Regular watering especially.  Or maybe you have a special interest or skill that would further the goal of making First Church an attractive and inviting neighbor.  Call me (Judith Garfunkel, 617-327-9238) or Margaret Suby (617-522-1478) if you can help.

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ONGOING CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Building Use
Did you know that you can rent the Parish Hall or a smaller space for a celebration, group meeting or other event?? Contact Monroe Heyman for more details.

Yoga News
After three wonderful years, Margaret has ended Monday Night Yoga. Thank you for your support. Keep up your home practice. Namaste.

Greeters Needed
Whether an “old-timer” or new to our community, we all can appreciate the simple act of being greeted. If you’ve enjoyed this yourself, then pay it forward! It’s easy, there’s no long-term commitment, and it means a lot to the church. Please see Paul Miller to sign up, learn more, or have your questions answered.

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“Moving Forward…Proud, Strong, United”

Once again, if your congregation has not signed up to march behind its own banner this year, you are welcome to join us. REGISTER yourself or a group.

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WAYS TO CONNECT OR CONTRIBUTE

***Special Appeal***
We are making a special appeal for this year’s budget. If you can help by adding to your pledge this year, please contact our board chair Andrea Clardy at afc4@cornell.edu.

***Social Action Group Meeting This Sunday at 10am***
The Social Action Group will be meeting this Sunday, June 2nd, at 10am in the Morse Room. We will be planning the Common Cathedral event taking place later in the month, among other business. All are welcome, whether or not you have ever been to a SAG meeting or are a church member.

Farewell to Janna
Please plan to attend the celebration for Janna Maria Fröhlich, soloist of First Church for 29 years, at coffee hour on Sunday June 9. Janna will be resigning at the end of June to continue her journey in music therapy.

“I would not be pursuing a degree in Music Therapy without having been a spiritual “music therapist” first, so my career trajectory relates directly to my service at First Church.  I have wonderful memories of singing and playing great music of all kinds up in the loft and down at the piano. It’s been a pleasure to work closely with Ellen and Terry all these years.  We were a great team!  I will still be a member of the Church and hopefully involved in maintaining the Eliot Street Soiree, or whatever other public music events the music fundraising events team pursues so that our beautiful Parish Hall still has wonderful music made in it that can be shared with the public.  I was married in this Church.  My children were raised in it.  I have also served as RE committee chair and Youth Events coordinator, and cherish some great memories of that work and of the wonderful children that I shared my time with. It has been an important spiritual home for me and my family.  Being able to sing and play music with both my children (and once my husband played the bagpipes too!) is very special to me. I will miss everyone, but I will visit when I can, and when my weekend intensive classes permit! There is so much more I could say…thanks to ALL who have every commented on how my music made a difference to them.  It is a great gift to me when someone tells me that my music helped them in their spiritual journey.  Janna

Gardening Help Needed
Yearning to be in touch with nature this summer?  There’s an opportunity right here at First Church.  For the last few summers Margaret Suby and I have been donating our time and the garden materials needed to spruce up the front yard.  There’s still much to be done to keep the gardens thriving through the hot summer months.  Regular watering especially.  Or maybe you have a special interest or skill that would further the goal of making First Church an attractive and inviting neighbor.  Call me (Judith Garfunkel, 617-327-9238) or Margaret Suby (617-522-1478) if you can help.

First Church Summer Services
Do you have thoughts or an experience you’d like to share with the congregation in a sermon? The lay-lead summer services are the perfect opportunity to do that. The summer schedule runs from June 16 to September 1. There is a prepared script for the liturgy and someone available to make sure the Parish Hall is set up and you have everything you need. The congregation often says they appreciate hearing the thoughts of other members. If you’d like to lead one or provide music (we always need musicians!) contact Alice Hawley or speak to her at coffee hour.

Prayer Group 
Come join us in group prayer this Sunday and next, from 9:30-10:30 in the large room upstairs from the parish hall. Beginners welcome. Follow the signs! In the wake of the recent tragedies in our city and in the world, and as you carry your own personal heartaches, perhaps you find yourself wrestling with God, in anger or in doubt. questioning your relationship with the higher power you thought you knew. In this 4 week peer-led prayer group, we’ll provide one another with support and encouragement in discovering, recovering, and strengthening our connection to the god of our own understanding. Contact Sarah Hawkins with questions.

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WAYS TO CONNECT OR CONTRIBUTE

***Farewell to Janna***
Please plan to attend the celebration for Janna Maria Fröhlich, soloist of First Church for 29 years, at coffee hour on Sunday June 9. Janna will be resigning at the end of June to continue her journey in music therapy.

***Gardening Help Needed***
Yearning to be in touch with nature this summer?  There’s an opportunity right here at First Church.  For the last few summers Margaret Suby and I have been donating our time and the garden materials needed to spruce up the front yard.  There’s still much to be done to keep the gardens thriving through the hot summer months.  Regular watering especially.  Or maybe you have a special interest or skill that would further the goal of making First Church an attractive and inviting neighbor.  Call me (Judith Garfunkel, 617-327-9238) or Margaret Suby (617-522-1478) if you can help.

First Church Summer Services
Do you have thoughts or an experience you’d like to share with the congregation in a sermon? The lay-lead summer services are the perfect opportunity to do that. The summer schedule runs from June 16 to September 1. There is a prepared script for the liturgy and someone available to make sure the Parish Hall is set up and you have everything you need. The congregation often says they appreciate hearing the thoughts of other members. If you’d like to lead one or provide music (we always need musicians!) contact Alice Hawley at ahhawley@mindspring.com or at coffee hour.

Prayer Group 
Come join us in group prayer for four Sundays, starting May 19th and continuing through June 9th, from 9:30-10:30 in the large room upstairs from the parish hall. Beginners welcome. Follow the signs! In the wake of the recent tragedies in our city and in the world, and as you carry your own personal heartaches, perhaps you find yourself wrestling with God, in anger or in doubt. questioning your relationship with the higher power you thought you knew. In this 4 week peer-led prayer group, we’ll provide one another with support and encouragement in discovering, recovering, and strengthening our connection to the god of our own understanding. Contact Sarah Hawkins with questions.

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Everyone, please talk up the Fair and send folks to our Facebook page.

Spring Fair Treasures Table
We need treasures! This year as part of our Spring Fair on Saturday June 1 we will have a “treasures table” with items that will be priced at $20 and higher. We are looking for treasures from your homes in very good to excellent condition that will cause customers to mob the table and pay top dollar for these cherished items. If something is dirty or broken, or kind of ugly, we don’t want it. If something is in excellent working condition or lovely to look at, we want it. Please contact Robert Amelio  or call Robert or Tim Williamson at 617-522-4466 to talk about your treasure and where to deliver it. Robert and Tim will be the final arbiters on what will grace the Spring Fair treasure table.

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ONGOING CHURCH HAPPENINGS

Building Use
Did you know that you can rent the Parish Hall or a smaller space for a celebration, group meeting or other event?? Contact Monroe Heyman for more details.

Yoga News
Join us on Monday for Evening Yoga (6:45 – 8:15 pm) for 90 minutes of stretching, flexing and core strengthening (suggested donation: $15). Please try to be on time, out of respect for other attendees. Some mats and props will be available to borrow. Bring a friend! For any questions about yoga, contact Margaret Suby. All donations go to the work of First Church in our community.

Greeters Needed
Whether an “old-timer” or new to our community, we all can appreciate the simple act of being greeted. If you’ve enjoyed this yourself, then pay it forward! It’s easy, there’s no long-term commitment, and it means a lot to the church. Please see Paul Miller to sign up, learn more, or have your questions answered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Moving Forward…Proud, Strong, United”

Once again, if your congregation has not signed up to march behind its own banner this year, you are welcome to join us. REGISTER yourself or a group.

Trans lives can be beautiful and joyful. Trans stories can be filled with adventure, love, and inspiration. Every November, we gather to remember those in our community who have been lost to violence. This May, we gather to celebrate our vibrant *living* community. Join us!

The day begins at 2:00 with a Trans Family Picnic on the Esplanade (near the Hatch Shell). Bring your kids, your partners, your pets – families of all sizes and descriptions are welcome.

We will continue with an interfaith service of celebration at MCC Boston. The 6:00 service will be led by a diverse group of trans faith leaders and is open to people of all spiritual or religious backgrounds.

At 7:30 pm, prepare to be blown away by a fantastic performance featuring trans talent from near and far, including Rahne Alexander, Evan Greer, Mykal Slack, Johnny Blazes, Liam Bechen, BOI Sha, and Jamez Terry.

Additional information can be found at http://mccboston.org/

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