Dorothea Dix anniversary

On this day in 1841, Unitarian Dorothea Dix visited an East Cambridge jail and was appalled to see mentally ill women confined alongside hardened criminals. The 40 year-old teacher and writer had been exposed to the work of English reformers, and now she embarked on a campaign to ensure humane treatment for the mentally ill in America. She began by documenting conditions in Massachusetts.

Read the rest of the story at Mass Moments and consider signing up for daily emails on Massachusetts history.

Haiti Shelterbox project at Sharon UU: Sunday afternoon April 11

The rainy season in Haiti is about to begin.  The Unitarian Church of Sharon plans to raise money to buy two ShelterBoxes for survisors of the earthquake in Haiti.

From 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, children, youth, and adults will erect a "tent city" on the front lawn of the church, at 4 North Main Street in Sharon center.  Each tent on the church lawn will represent $200 in pledges gathered by participants from Sharon, Foxboro, Mansfield, and Norwood.  The group hopes to reach out to all people in Sharon and surrounding towns to raise at least $2000 for ShelterBox.  The event will happen rain or shine.

All are encouraged to visit, donate toward the raising of a waterproof tent in the tent city, and contribute to the ShelterBox cause.  Cash or checks made out to "ShelterBox USA" can also be dropped off at the "drive-thru" donation area in the traffic circle at the front of the church.   All contributions are tax deductible.

ShelterBox responds to natural and manmade disasters by delivering boxes of aid to those who are most in need. Each box supplies an extended family of up to 10 people with a tent and essential equipment to use while they are displaced or homeless people.

For more information visit www.shelterboxusa.org/

One Book One Community - Three Cups of Tea Tea-vent

One Book One Community is hosting a discussion with Dr. Jabbar Al-Obaidi titled, "Women in the Middle East: Factual and Stereotypical Views about Women in the Region." Learn more about the women's issues that you have read about in "Three Cups of Tea," Greg Mortenson's mission to promote peace one school at a time - by building schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Come even if you haven't read the book!


Thursday, March 25th, from 3:00pm-5:00pm, at the Bridgewater Senior Center. Tea and goodies will be served!

This event is free and open to the public.

"A community that opens the same book together closes it in greater harmony."

Male Bonding Band at BSC -- Wednesday March 31

The Social Justice League at Bridgewater State College is holding its second-annual Arts for Advocacy event on Wednesday evening, March 31, from 6 to 9 pm. Come to the ball room on the top floor of the Rondileau Campus Center for visual and performing arts related to social justice.

As part of the festivities, Hearts with Ukes will be performing at 7:00, followed by members of the Male Bonding Band at 7:30. Hearts with Ukes -- led by First Parish member and BSC theater professor Jim Quinn, is a group of youth performers that raises money for children's charities through its performances in the community. The Male Bonding Band will be performing songs from Woodie Guthrie's Dustbowl Collection, to raise awareness of the ongoing problems of desertification and environmental refugees.

More information is available on the event's Facebook page, or by contacting James Hayes-Bohanan.

Empty Bowls Dinner a Success!

Despite the continuous rain and wind on Saturday, we had a successful fundraiser for the Bridgewater Food Pantry and the church's MainSpring House lunch fund! We raised $1,044, selling most of our bowls and lots of raffle tickets. Thanks to all who helped out!

Row for Water -- Arrival expected March 14

Many of our church school students were inspired by the story, told by James Hayes-Bohanan in early February, of Katie Spotz and her "Row for Water" project.

Katie is a young woman from Cleveland who learned about the lack of safe drinking water for many people in the world, and decided to do something rather unusual to help. In early January, she set out on a voyage from Dakar, Senegal, rowing a boat across the Atlantic Ocean, to raise awareness and money. Her goal is to provide  a lifetime of safe water for 2,000 people.

On her blog -- RowforWater.com -- Katie provides daily updates, maps, information about fresh water, and instructions for donating to the cause. As of this writing -- Saturday night, March 13 -- it appears that Katie will make landfall on Sunday, March 14. Let's wish her well as she overcomes some final challenges, and returns to dry land!

Male Bonding Band Irish Concert

The first Saturday after St. Patrick's Day, join the Male Bonding Band for some Irish music, with special guest Hearts with Ukes. (A children's ukulele ensemble that raises money for children's charities. Saturday, March 20, 7pm. Admission $5. For details, click the poster below!

Former child soldier speaking at BSC: Thursday March 4, 7pm

The BSC students invite community members to a special evening with Michel Chikwanine.  Michel is a former child soldier from the Democratic Republic of Congo, and currently a much sought after speaker with Free the Children and Me to We.  For more information and a short video clip of Michel, see: http://www.metowe.com/speakers/MichelChikwanine

WHAT: Michel Chikwanine "Journey to Hope"
WHEN: Thursday, March 4, 7:00PM
WHERE: RCC Auditorium
WHAT ELSE: This event is sponsored by the Free the Children Chapter at BSC, the Social Justice League, and the Student Government Association.