TJ Harper Worship Service this Sunday, March 11th

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Sermon title: The Subtle Gap of Oppression
Scripture Reading: Exodus 1: 6-22 (New International Version “NIV”)
Hymn 1: Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Hymn 2: Go Down, Moses (Let My People Go)

Bio: TJ Harper serves as the Massachusetts and Connecticut Conferences’ Associate for Racial Justice Ministries. Previously, TJ operated a nonprofit organization known as the Social Justice Sewing Academy (SJSA), with programs in Chicago and Oakland, that has worked with over 900 youth through a sponsorship by Rev. Jesse Jackson’s Rainbow/Operation PUSH. Prior to SJSA, TJ worked with the StriveTogether Foundation, a network dedicated to improving educational outcomes for children; City Hall in Chicago; and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin’s Office. He is also a 2014 Public Policy and International Affairs Fellow alumnus at Princeton University.

Workshop in Fellowship Hall after service: Examining a Church’s Goal to be Racially Inclusive

News from PruCom

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From PruCom – New Building Use Policy

Did you know that for Westford to legally incorporate as a Town in 1729 it was required to have a Church and a Minister? That Church was First Parish of Westford and for over 100 years Church and Town were one. Town Meetings were held here in our building until 1868 and the Church was the center of all religious, political, and social activity. Even Westford Academy graduation exercises took place here through 1907!

More than 275 years later as stewards of our historic Church building we are charged with protecting and preserving it, not just for our Congregation, but also for the community at large. With that in mind, the Prudential Committee has been diligently working on a revision of our Building Use Policy in order to safeguard and maintain the structure while simultaneously making it available to the Westford community in a streamlined, simplified and equitable process. A summary of the new policy follows:

a)  Various spaces in our building are available for use by local groups whose goals are not inconsistent with our mission regardless of race, ethnicity, gender and its expression, or sexual orientation.
b)  Pricing has been established with the goal of being affordable but at the same time accounting for our obligation to care for and maintain the building. Rules and restrictions have been put in place to protect the Church and furnishings and in consideration of our neighbors.
c)  We are working on an approved list of groups who are affiliated with the Town or the Church and have historically been allowed to use rooms without charge – we want to keep that list short and not make exceptions to it so that the wear and tear on the building is generally paid for by those who actually use it.
d)  Active Church members continue to be allowed to use the Sanctuary for wedding ceremonies, and the Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall for funerals, without charge. In addition, active Church members are eligible to use all rooms for other personal (but not commercial) activities at half the price charged to the general public up to three times in each calendar year.

You can view the new Building Use Policy in its entirety by clicking on this attachment: FINAL Building Policies and Event Form-2.12.18 Please contact the Prudential Committee with any questions about this new policy.

Office is closed today due to weather

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New Year’s Day party

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Join First Parish family and friends in ringing in the New year at a pot luck supper with music, games and dancing.

January 1, 6PM in the Fellowship Hall

Each family will bring a pot luck dish and contribute $10 for supplies. The $10 fee will be waived for anyone who helps with the organization or cleanup.

Please respond to the event organizer, Carolyn Lumenello at [email protected] with the following information: Name, phone, email, number in family, pot luck dish you will bring and what you’ll be helping with.

Ideas for potluck: chicken wings, pasta, pizza, casserole, vegetable dish, and salad.

Help needed: table setup, decorations, beverage server, kitchen help, shopper, and admissions.

 

2021 Greens Festival

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Refugee Dinner-Sunday, October 29th

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This past Sunday FPCU hosted 11 members of two Afghan immigrant families for dinner and camaraderie. About 25 of our Church folks set up and decorated the hall, cooked some really wonderful food and then waited in slightly anxious anticipation for the families to arrive. We all wondered how we would be able to communicate with these guests, many of whom spoke little or no English and all of whom had lived lives in a far-away place, so different from our own. There was no need for concern! Those with better English skills translated for the others; and it turns out everyone can talk about and make themselves understood when it comes to family, culture and food! In a day and age when we are constantly bombarded with angst producing news, this night of cooperation, friendship and unexpected rapport was truly a bright spot. We will be doing it again, hope you can join us next time!

Rev. George Downey Memorial

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A memorial for George Downey will take place on Saturday, October 14th at 2:00pm at UU Church in Groton, 1 Powderhouse Road, Groton, MA 01450.
If you are interested in contributing a dessert, please email Linda Marple at [email protected].

Bereavement Support Group begins 10/11

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First Parish Church United of Westford is offering a series of six bereavement support sessions to the community at large. These will be held on October 11th, October 18th, October 25th, November 1st, November 8th, and November 15th from 7:00pm to 8:30pm, in the Minister’s Study at First Parish Church United, 48 Main Street, Westford, MA 01886. There is no charge.

Your leader will be Beth Morrison LCSW. If you are interested please call our Caring line (217) 649-3535 or email [email protected]. Please leave your name and phone number. Beth will call you back to ask a few questions and reserve your place.

Oktoberfest-last day to sign up-10/8

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The last day to sign up will be this Sunday, October 8th during coffee hour. There is a sign-up sheet on the door of the main office and one in the kitchen.

Have you ever tasted Warsteiner beer? Do you put Ingelhofer mustard on your brats? If you have not, please join us for our fun Oktoberfest on Saturday, October 14th, at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall for a beer and wine fest.

We will be serving several different German beers and wines, with a hearty German meal of bratwurst (with all the fixins’), potato salad and Bavarian desserts. If beer/wine do not interest you, please just come for the fun and some Apple cider, German pretzels, and root beer, which will also be available for your delight.

We will be serenaded with German songs, and polka dancing is possible, so bring your favorite beer stein, and your lederhosen (or dirndl skirts) for a thoroughly enjoyable evening with our church friends.

Given the substantial servings of the meal and beer, admission cost will be $15 per person. Sign-up sheets will be available during coffee hour and in the office. All are welcome! Bring your friends