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CalendarExploration for Adults~ nurturing our spirits ~At First Parish, there are religious exploration programs for adults, just as there are for the children and youth. Here's a sampling of the kinds of adult programming being offered at First Parish during the 2009-10 year that we hope to offer in the future. Childcare or transportation can often be arranged in advance by phoning the First Parish office.Adult programs often come about as "grass roots" initiatives, with individuals and groups, clergy and laypersons, all bringing ideas for programs to fruition. Those with ideas and passions get the ball rolling, enlist other interested folks, and take it forward. Programs Offered Weekly
Programs Offered Monthly
Programs Offered as a Series
Programs Offered Throughout the Year (but not regularly scheduled)
One-time Programs
Programs offered WeeklyMindfulness Meditation Study & PracticeThis group is held throughout the program year, currently on Thursdays from 1:00-2:30pm in The Commons. This group was initiated by Laine Gifford, a member who is a practitioner of Buddhist Meditation in the Vipassana tradition. This group meets weekly to explore fundamental aspects of meditation and mindfulness as they apply to everyday life. The group will also provide a setting to learn about and receive support for the development of a regular meditation practice at home. These meetings are open to people with little or no experience in meditation as well as to experienced practitioners. Sometimes we will read from selected books on the topic and discuss them at the next meeting.For information contact the group leaders: Laine Gifford, Susan McKain, Fran Sharp Quilting & CraftingAre you interested in joining with a group of women (men are welcome, too!) to quilt, knit, or engage in whatever craft or hobby you do?A group gathers to work on quilts that we are making for hospice patients, and also to work on our own projects. It's helpful, it's inspiring, it's a learning experience, it's FUN. All are very welcome. Currently we are meeting on Wednesdays from 7:00-9:00pm in The Commons. To have your email address added to the quilters' list (to find out about a cancellation, for instance), contact Bev or Fran. For information contact participants Bev Waring, Fran Sharp, or Cilla Reising Programs Offered MonthlyCarbon-Consciousness GroupAre You Ready to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint (Even More)? Come check out the "Carbon Consciousness Group" that meets one Thursday evening a month to discuss reducing one's carbon footprint at home and in our towns. It's a great opportunity for discussion including such topics as lowering home energy usage, home insulation, gardening, vegetarianism, the Transition Initiative (a nationwide program supporting sustainability), local food, community supported agriculture, community supported fishery, feasibility of using wind power, solar energy, photovoltaics for our homes, geothermal home heating systems, local and state politics, 350.org, raising chickens, the bottle bill and more. But it's more than discussion. Group members support and help one another to consume less, drive and fly less, and generally use fewer resources. They have attended energy fairs and lectures, viewed films, and read books between meetings. The group meets at First Parish. They decide their next meeting date by polling the group. For information, contact group leader Leslie Lowe Chalice CirclesThese are monthly groups for "spiritual deep-diving," focused on a different topic each month, using a structured format based on deep listening, personal sharing, and commitment to the group for the year. Each circle is made up of six to 12 people and meets for two hours, usually in someone's home. A trained convener leads the meeting using a standard format: opening words, chalice lighting, check-in, exploring a topic, check-out and closing words. Chalice Circles provide an opportunity for exploration to those seeking spiritual growth, those looking to know themselves better and those who simply want to consider questions of faith and meaning. Chalice Circles are always open to new members and, once a year in the fall, all the circles have an open enrollment period where participants may recommit or opt out, and newcomers may join. All offerings — both those continuing and also those being added — will follow the established Chalice Circle or covenant group format which fosters deep listening by enabling only one person to speak at a time without feedback, advice-giving, or exchange of ideas. Chalice Circles are not discussion groups but opportunities for deep, personal, spiritual exploration in the company of others. Each Chalice Circle commits to doing at least one service project together during the year. For more information: see Public/ChaliceCircles Fourth Tuesday Lunch DiscussionsDuring our drop-in, bring-your-own lunch on the fourth Tuesday of the month we have a focused conversation around a particular theme. ¬†Participants are very welcome to help choose upcoming discussion topics. A few past topics:
For information contact leaders Ginny Steel or Nina Piazza of the Community and Hospitality Committee Programs Offered as a SeriesThe Annual Collegium (2010: "Sharing Our Spiritual Journeys")A group of 10 to 20 adults gather together for a series of meetings to exchange observations, opinions, ideas and personal experiences about a preselected religious topic. The conversation is based on required readings as well as participants' personal experiences. †In these conversations, there are no "experts." †What each person knows, believes, and chooses to share is equally important. † Past topics have included: God, Jesus, Unitarian Universalist Principles and Purposes, Hebrew and Christian scriptures (The Bible), and the participants' religious and spiritual journeys. For information contact Rev. Katie Lee Crane Spiritually-Themed Book GroupIn fall 2009, Annmarie Allen and Bev Waring led the first three-session group on the book Dear Heart, Come Home - The Path of Midlife Spirituality by Joyce Rupp. They had a very enthusiastic response, and the group was quickly filled. The book that led the participants through stories, poetry, guided visualization and more, to find those "inner treasures that wait to be discovered as we enter unknown, inner territory and reflect upon our life."We hope that they or others will lead similar groups in the future. watch for announcements in our biweekly Connector of a new group forming. For information about future book groups, watch the Connector and website, or contact the office. Spiritually-Themed FilmsFilm lovers are welcome to show films in The Commons throughout the year on topics of interest to members and friends of the congregation. Enjoy the luxury of large-screen and surround sound. There is always a discussion following the sometimes entertaining, sometimes provocative films. Stay tuned to the Connector and website for information about upcoming films. For information call the fps office Life After 80! Series on Aging for the Greater Communities(offered spring 2010 to continue into fall 2010)This series, conceived of and planned by Rev. Katie Lee Crane and Ms. Bev Waring, is co-sponsored by First Parish of Sudbury, St. Elizabeth's Episcopal Church, Congregation Beth El of the Sudbury River Valley, and the Sudbury Senior Center. Sessions are intended for people at least 80 years old and those approaching their 80s. It is for healthy seniors, as well as those living with a variety of medical conditions. It is for caregivers who live nearby and those who live far away from the ones who will need their care; it's for those already assisting loved ones and those who will be called upon at some time in the future. The first session featured Dr. Dennis McCullough, author of "Your Mother" who spoke about "Slow Medicine"- a plan for preparing for death; it is a plan for understanding, for caring, and for living well in the later years of life."¬† The second session was a discussion of "Advance Directives," the kinds of documents elders should have before anything serious happens, for example, living wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, and most important of all: frank conversations with those you love. Further sessions in the series are planned for fall 2010. For information, contact Rev. Katie Lee Crane Programs Offered Throughout the Year (Not Regularly Scheduled)Women's Alliance Potlucks, Programs and RetreatsThe Women's Alliance of First Parish is defined as ALL women members and friends of the congregation.The alliance meets every month to six weeks for informal potluck dinners and business meetings, usually in the home of a member or at First Parish. ¬†All women are welcome at any time. Announcements of meetings are in The Connector and on the website. Every spring the members of the alliance participate in a weekend retreat, where the focus is on a spiritual topic, and to enjoy time together from Friday evening through early Sunday afternoon. The 2010 Retreat will be held from May 14 to 16 at the Rolling Ridge Retreat Center in North Andover, Mass. For information about the alliance, contact the president of the women's alliance. Green Sanctuary InitiativesThe congregation continues to devote special energy and attention to environmental awareness, advocacy, and justice. Basing our congregation-wide initiative on the principles of our faith plus the moral and ethical imperatives to attend to the needs of our natural resources, we hope to earn the designation "Green Sanctuary" for our intentional efforts toward "reducing our collective and individual footprint" on our planet. In September 2009 a Sudbury Habitat for Humanity duplex home was dedicated. Its extensive environmentally friendly landscaping was designed and planted by the First Parish of Sudbury Landscape Committee and others. The home had heating and lighting energy conservation measures requested by our Green Sanctuary Committee with Sustainable Sudbury members, saving its new owners over 25% on utility bills. The home obtained an Energy Star rating. In October 2009 the committee organized and led the First Parish Sudbury participation in the "350 Day" demonstrations which were intended to raise awareness of the critical need to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere below 350 parts per million. Youth rang the meetinghouse bell 350 times and members participated in demonstrations on the Town Common and at the Old North Bridge in Concord. During the 2009-10 program year, we have initiated a program to help FPS members become more aware of the amount of fresh water they use. There is an online form to record water usage and information about how water usage affects the environment and what people can do to conserve water in their homes and outside lives. Sue Carboni is the coordinator for this program. Please contact Sue for more details. For information contact Committee co-chairs and see Committee report Hearthside ChatsAs often as possible, the Rev. Katie Lee Crane, or the guest preacher, hosts a Sunday morning conversation about the worship service and the week's sermon topic. The Hearthside Chats are announced in advance and held at 11:45 a.m. in the Brackett Room. Stay tuned to The Connector and website for details. For information contact the First Parish office One-Time ProgramsA Community Service of Healing & Comfort(offered in fall 2009):On a Sunday afternoon in November, people gathered together from surrounding communities for a service of healing and comfort. It was intended for the many people experiencing loss— for example, loss of loved ones, health, abilities, jobs, or savings. Change brings loss and loss brings grief. Loss forces us to let go, to say goodbye to people and expectations and things that felt like certainties. This service is one small way to acknowledge these changes and "return" to the new realities of our lives. The Community Service of Healing and Comfort: "Take My Hand." was sponsored by the Pastoral Associates at First Parish of Sudbury, our lay ministry team. "Take My Hand" can mean all kinds of things: Take my hand, I'm frightened. Take my hand, I'm here for you. Take my hand, it'll be easier if we can face this together. Take my hand, I need a little support right now. Take my hand, I'm not able to do what I used to be able to do. Often, circumstances demand a pastoral response. Whenever possible, our pastoral ministers offer communal opportunities for people to come together to reflect and share. For information contact Rev. Katie Lee Crane |
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