Photos from World Peace Day 2013

Peace Pole Rededication

On World Peace Day -- Saturday September 21 -- our giant dove puppet was on hand for the rededication of Bridgewater's Peace Pole at First Parish, ready for the ninth annual Bridgewater Peace Procession.

God Loves Uganda

The Unitarian Universalist Association and the Tufts University Chaplaincy welcome you to attend a screening of the powerful documentary, God Loves Uganda. The screening will be followed by a discussion with UUA President Rev. Peter Morales, Tufts University Chaplain and UU minister Rev. Greg McGonigle, and Ugandan UU minister and LGBT advocate Rev. Mark Kiyimba. The screening and discussion will take place on Friday, October 4, 2013 from 7:00pm-9:00pm  at Goddard Chapel at Tufts University in Medford, MA. Doors open at 6:30 and light refreshments will be available. Please find more information about the film, ongoing events in Uganda, and the screening here. Please share this invitation with members of your congregations and your community: all are welcome to learn about and discuss the impact of exported western evangelism on the lives of Ugandans. A flyer that can be printed and posted at your church is available here. Please feel free to make an announcement in your newsletter or at Sunday Service or post a link to theinformation page on your website. Contact Cameron Archibald at carchibald@uua.org with questions or to RSVP.
In Faith, Rev. Terry Sweetser Vice President for Stewardship and Development

Providence Walk for Farm Animals September 28, 2013 at Johnston Memorial Park

For more than 25 years, Farm Sanctuary has relied on the Walk for Farm Animals to support its life-saving mission to protect farm animals from cruelty, inspire change in the way society views and treats farm animals, and promote compassion. 

First Parish Bridgewater's Animal Ministry is walking with Farm Sanctuary to give animals a voice and to challenge the cruel practices of the factory farming industry. Please support our participation in the Walk for Farm Animals by making a donation today!

Green Sanctuary Committee's Tip of the Month

Celebrate Meatless Monday.!
Here's a link that explains the movement: http://www.meatlessmonday.com/
Not only is it good for the earth, less methane greenhouse gases being produced, but it's better for the body,
less saturated fats that produce the bad cholesterol in the body.

Celebration for Peace

Fri., Sept. 20 - Sun., Sept. 22 the Ninth Annual Celebration for Peace will be held at First Parish Church and Bridgewater State University. The theme is Peace through Embracing Diversity and will start with a very special evening at BSU. Sat. afternoon we will hold our traditional activities. On  Sun. there will be a special service led by Rev. Anita, followed by a ceremony at our new Peace Pole. Mark your calendars and stay tuned for more details.

Fri., Sept. 20

5:30pm – 6:30pm             Barbecue for BSU students, faculty, staff, UU Church, Council of Churches,

                                       Bridgewater Business Association, Bridgewater community and others

6:30pm - 6:50pm              Welcome President Dana Mohler-Faria or EVP Fred Clark and the Rev. Dr. Anita

                                       Farber-Robertson

6:50pm – 7:15pm             Sabrina Gentlewarrior, director of the Diversity Coalition at BSU, – get people to

                                       imagining peace through living a life dedicated to diversity

7:15pm – 7:30pm             Discussion among people

7:30pm – 8:00pm             Time for creating the artwork

7:00m – 8:30pm               Closing remarks

Sat., Sept. 21

• 1:00 Meet at First Parish to make flags and other crafts.
• 2:00 Hold a brief Peace Pole Ceremony with reading of the languages.
• 2:10 Process around the Common and by the area churches with the Peace Banner, flags, pinwheels and possibly dove; stopping for readings.
• 3:00 Return to First Parish for refreshments for marchers.
• 3:30 Hold Playing for Peace program with music by members of First Parish and the BSU Social Justice League

NEW PEACE POLE

You may have been curious about the strange activity on the church front lawn: disappearance of the Peace Pole, orange cone on top of the iron post, hole in the ground, pressure treated post supported by three boards. Well, here's what's happening.

Unfortunately our Peace Pole was decaying and needed attention. Because of unforeseen delays, it went beyond being repairable.  Frankie Finnegan did a lot of research and planning to find a great replacement. Quent Jarvis volunteered to take down the old pole and put up the new one. It has become quite a project because of the 12 inches of cement securing the iron post. After Quent dug out the block, Joe Risko managed to get it out of the large hole so Quent could install the new pressure treated post which will support the new pole. It should be "planted" this week. Take a look when you are at the church next time. 

Formal dedication will be in Sept. as part of out Eighth Annual Celebration for Peace. There are exciting things happening on Fri., Sept. 20 and Sat., Sept. 21. Watch for further bulletins and circle these dates on your calendar.

All this has required more money than we want to take from the Social Justice account, which largely goes for MainSpring lunches and other charities. The total cost, assuming there are no further needs, is $249.71 - $160 for the pole with "May Peace Prevail on Earth" inscribed in 8 languages, $40 shipping and $49.71 Home Depot (the pressure treated post, concrete mix, a mixing tub, a cement tube, some bricks, pebbles and boards to support the post}. If you would like to donate toward this project, please make a check out to First Parish with SJC in the For line and give it to Betty Gilson. Or give her cash if you prefer.

Peace, Shalom, Salaam, Shanti. 

GREEN SANCTUARY TIP of the MONTH

Bringing out the summer clothes? Cleaning closest??/ Clothes have shrunk??? Don't fit??
Donate your clothing to organizations that help with women and men who are disadvantaged and need professional clothing to go on a job interview.
Women can donate professional clothing to “Dress for Success” a non profit organization to help disadvantage women to look their best for a job interview. Men can donate clothing to “Career Gear” suits, shirts, ties. Girls—donate those prom dresses to “Cinderella Project” to young girls who can’t afford a prom dress. Shoes—gently worn- donate to “Soles4Souls” people in need.
All above sites can be googled for location.
I have found a wonderful site to learn how to save time, money and resources. To gain knowledge, insight and be part of a community who care about reducing waste and making an impact on the world Earth911.com. You will be amazed at what you can do to save the earth!

FOURTH, GLORIOUS FOURTH

FIRST PARISH UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH at 50 School Street traditionally sells hand-squeezed fresh lemonade, food, and hosts a book sale during the Arts & Music Festival. Be sure to make a stop on your way over to the festival for lunch, drinks, dessert, rummage, and even water your pet! We'll be there from morning until 3 PM.

A UU from Texas makes a stand for inclusion

Last week Unitarian Universalist Donna Howard gave the invocation at the Texas State Legislature. You can find what she said, and the reactions to it, in this story from the Austin-American Statesman "Herman: A Prayer for and of inclusion."