Reflections from Our Interim Minister, Rev. Clyde Grubbs

See you in Columbus, Ohio.

One of the tasks of Interim Ministry is to “reconnect the congregation to the [resources] of the wider association.” The Unitarian Universalist Association is a strong support for congregations during the transition period, not only aiding your lay leadership and staff but showing you many new and exciting ways to “do church.”

That is why I am encouraging you to think about attending General Assembly. It is a wonderful opportunity to expand your horizons and deepen your understanding of our dynamic faith community. General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. Attendees worship, witness, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through democratic process. This year, it will be from June 22-26 in Columbus, OH.

The theme for GA 2016 will be “Heart Land: Where Faiths Connect.” The world we live in is impacted by many religions and therefore we must become more aware of other faiths who may be justice partners with us. People are crossing borders of religion and spiritual practice to create wholeness in their lives individually and collectively. The labels—Christian, Jew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, theist and non-theist—no longer define who or what we love, or how spirit moves in our lives. This work is reflected at First Parish through our membership with the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization.

General Assembly 2016 in Columbus, Ohio will assemble leaders and communities of many faiths to worship together, learn from one another, and create a new vision of faith that no longer divides us, but connects us to an interdependent future that works for all.

There will be many opportunities to exchange ideas with other congregations and see what are emerging as best practices for today’s faith communities. There will be scholarships to help attendees go, and First Parish may consider ways to help create a delegation.

In Peace, Rev. Clyde Grubbs

International Women’s Day telling the Upcoming Worship Services story of women organizing against March 6 International Women’s violence in Boston for over two decades. Day The Rev. Michelle Walsh and Dr. March 13 Stewardship Clementine (Tina) Chéry will celebrate Kickoff The Meetinghouse News March 2016 2 Ministerial Intern March is The Louis homicide victims themselves and Seanan Fong will D. Brown Peace and families of others.” For more share the vision of Institute. In their prisoners must information, the abundant own words, “The address, and then please visit: congregation as Louis D. Brown move beyond the http://ldbpeaceins we kickoff the First Peace Institute, shame, pain and titute.org/. Parish Budget founded in 1994 trauma associated Drive. after the murder with their of Louis D. Brown, experience in March 20 is a non-profit order to begin to Jesus, organization advocate for Revolutionary dedicated to Congregational Conversations Today begins Holy educating young to Identify our Needs in Our Next Week, the central people and the Settled Minister celebration of community about Christianity. Who the value of peace Please mark your calendars and plan to was this Jesus? and assisting participate in a series of Congregational Why is he survivors of Conversations important to homicide victims to help us identify our needs in our next Unitarian with immediate settled minister. In community, we will Universalists? Rev. crisis management use appreciative inquiry to discern what Clyde Grubbs services and we need in a settled minister for our preaches. ongoing support to congregation. continue to make "Appreciative Inquiry is about the co- March 27 Louis’ vision a evolutionary search for the best in Easter reality. The Peace people, their organizations, and the Easter celebrates Institute works relevant world around them." the renewal of with the life. We tell a community as well Our first in this three-part series was on story of resurrection of as government February 28. In a two hour session, the heart, a agencies and attendees discussed what shared renewal of NGOs to promote ministry means to them and how this can community. Rev. education, be maintained with a settled minister. Clyde Grubbs collaboration, and The next preaches. policy advocacy at Congregational Conversations will be on local, regional, Sundays, March 20 and April 10 at state, and national 12:30 pm in the Barn Room. Our levels. As an community is a democracy that functions organization best with the input of all our members. founded and Please join in this exciting process! staffed by families impacted by violence, the Religious Education Corner by Mandy March Shared Peace Institute Neff Offering understands the There is a beautiful metaphor in The Shared many obstacles Buddhism – one that can be broadened Offering recipient and barriers that to apply to UU religious education as for the month of families of well. “The ideals at the heart of The Meetinghouse News March 2016 3 Buddhism are collectively known as the window as I write this), your teachers ‘Three Jewels’, or the ‘Three Treasures’. and I know there are sports, These are the Buddha (the yellow playgrounds, and hikes beckoning. But jewel), the Dharma (the blue jewel), there are also members of your First and the Sangha (the red jewel). It is by Parish community beckoning! The making these the central principles of teachers are preparing fun lessons that your life that you become a Buddhist.” they’re eager to share with your children, Some people say that of these three, the to help nourish their spiritual lives. If community of learners is most important, there’s a conflict you can’t avoid, please because the “Buddha once said let their teacher know. that kalyana mitrata – spiritual We do ask you to bring your children friendship or ‘friendship with what is regularly to RE this spring so they can beautiful’ – is the whole of the spiritual benefit from the lessons their teachers life.” You can find more on the Three have planned – but more than that, so Jewels at they can benefit from being in our UU https://thebuddhistcentre.com/text/thre version of the Sangha, the spiritual e-jewels. community. This is the group of spiritual If we are speaking about RE as Unitarian friends, both wise adults and peers going Universalists, we can think of Buddha as through the same developmental issues, the teacher, Dharma as the lesson, and who will be there to help guide your Sangha as the community of spiritual child, support them in times of challenge, learners. These three make up the celebrate good times with them, and help Sunday morning RE experience for our them make moral choices as they grow children. This spring, your volunteer RE up. Here’s to spiritual friends! teachers are so excited to make a In faith, difference in your children’s lives. They Mandy are full of suggestions for making the program better! One thing they asked me for was more consistency in the schedule. With the RE Committee and staff, we are re-adjusting the schedule to reduce Ingatherings and breaks in the flow of teaching. And one thing they asked you, caregivers A Message from Standing Committee and parents, for was help with attendance. They wanted to remind you In alignment with our congregation’s commitment to environmental justice, First of the first Principle our children learn – Parish’s Environmental Justice Task Force has “Each person is important.” Each child’s asked the Standing Committee to approve presence in Religious Education is their request that the Parish join the important, so please bring your Massachusetts Interfaith Coalition for child(ren) weekly! We have a full, Climate Action. MAICCA is a new coalition of exciting year planned and we want you 62 parishes and congregations in the greater there for it. Your child will learn the most Boston area. when they know their teachers, classmates, rituals and songs. By joining MAICCA a parish or organization is agreeing to support the overall mission of As our weather gets positively spring-like the group which is to promote a clean, just (there is a chirping bird right outside my The Meetinghouse News March 2016 4 energy future in Massachusetts. Including Greater Boston Interfaith Organization  to inform and educate members of the As a member of the Greater Boston organization about MAICCA legislative Interfaith Organization (GBIO), First goals and activities; Parish members and friends are invited  to recruit participants for MAICCA and encouraged to participate in the activities and events (lobby days, workshops, forums) following events. If you want to attend,  To help spread the word about please let Elizabeth Kline MAICCA goals and activities to other ([email protected]) or Marcia Hams congregations and organizations. ([email protected]) know in advance, as they are our co- The focus of MAICCA is on Massachusetts legislative priorities. This year that includes: liaisons to GBIO. lifting the caps on solar power; supporting  GBIO Delegate Assembly on the investment in offshore wind; ensuring that evening of March 8. Location to be energy efficiency programs are available in determined. This event will include low- income communities; fixing gas leaks; updates on key actions and strategy and rejecting public subsidies of gas pipe discussion. lines.  Workshop on Talking about Your Wishes for End of Life Care – The members of the EJTF recommend that March 10 & April 7 we join MAICCA because we share the same This is a GBIO partnered project goals and by collaborating with this larger with The Conversation Project, group, we have the potential to make our Pastoral Care Associates and work to halt climate change stronger and will staff from Paine Senior have more opportunities to share knowledge, Services. Older persons may be resources and campaigns. There is no cost especially interested in this two- to First Parish to join, and the MAICCA part training program. interfaith action will enhance and not  Series called “Rejecting the compete with our work with the Greater Rhetoric of Otherness,” final Boston Interfaith Organization (GBIO). In session is March 15 at 7:00 fact, twelve of MAICCA member pm at Bethel AME in Boston. congregations are also members of GBIO. Light refreshments will be served. While GBIO acknowledges that climate Hospitality Update: Have A Religious justice is an important issue, it is not one of Experience at Social Hour its top priorities. Being a member of MAICCA would enable our congregation to join with interfaith partners working to stop Is Social Hour a religious experience? climate change. We would be building You bet! Our covenant calls us to enduring relationships with community "welcome all people" and justice partners. to "nourish and serve each other, our community and our world." By sharing Standing Committee will be voting on this food and drink, we continue an age-old request from ETJF at the March meeting on ritual for welcoming friends and also March 22, 2015 (note: Standing Committee newcomers. plans to meet the 4th Tuesday in March). We welcome feedback from the Recent changes to Social Hour mean that congregation on this proposal via email at we are ALL called to engage in this [email protected] welcoming ritual. Each Sunday, three of g by March 18. us will bring food for the social hour. Sign up for your turn online at The Meetinghouse News March 2016 5 http://firstparishcambridge.org/get- connected/social-hour or contact Steve Hanna or Emily Guthrie .

If you're worried about what to bring, no need. Diversity is one of our core values so feel free to bring whatever you want. Just think about what you would like to offer to your community. As for quantities, remember that about 100 people will be sharing the food that you and two others bring on Sunday. So please bring enough to be a good snack for 30-35 people. If you want to be reimbursed, please place your receipts attached to a reimbursement request Annual Fund Drive begins March 13 into the metal box outside the office in the 3 Church Street foyer. We can afford This year’s annual fund drive begins on to reimburse you up to $30 for your March 13. If you were here last year, it food. will look very similar to that process. We have a team of over 30 volunteer “visiting stewards” who will have one-to- one conversations with as many of us as possible. The one-to-one conversations allow us to build and enhance the First Parish community, and share our passions and hopes for the future.

Please come to the service at 10:30 am on March 13! Most of our one-to-one conversations will take place between March 13 and April 3.

In preparation for your conversation with a visiting steward, please be thinking about what you most cherish about First Parish and ways you envision that we might continue to enhance our beloved community.

Consistent with our commitment as a justice-seeking congregation, both within the church and the wider world, we also Thank you!! ask that you consider the Suggested Fair Share Giving Guide that we will be sending out. It asks you to consider your The Meetinghouse News March 2016 6 income and an appropriate percentage of which we are a part.” that income – with higher percentages for those with more financial resources.

We who benefit from the commitment of the people who built and sustained this Transformation Team community for many generations are Words from our Communications and now called upon to continue to sustain, Membership Coordinator protect, and enhance it - for ourselves On Sunday February 21, 30 individuals and for those who follow us. Please attended the Transformation Team's continue to be generous. screening and discussion of the first half of the film, Cracking the Codes: The Karin Lin, Susan Shepard, Don Tucker System of Racial Inequality. It was a and Linda West – Stewardship varied group, featuring both long-time Committee members members of the congregation and [email protected] newcomers; the atmosphere was energetic and intensely engaged, with attendees meeting in the Chapel to eat Environmental Justice Task Force and talk long before the event was due to begin. Good news about climate change! Cracking the Codes featured both a By changing how we manage land, we comprehensive history of the roots and can take CO2/carbon out of the causes of systemic racial inequity as well atmosphere. C02 is one of the as moving personal perspectives from greenhouse gases which are released by activists and others. During the burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) and screening, gasps could be heard from the which is what is responsible for our audience in response to the egregious warming planet. circumstances that were detailed. By the By changing how we think about and end of the event, many were visibly manage water, we can cool areas of the moved. Periodically, Rev. Clyde Grubbs planet. and lay leaders would halt the film to Both can help reverse climate change as engage in discussion. Those attending we also work to reduce emissions. That split into four groups for in-depth is the good news. The challenge is to discussions; the groups stayed together understand the ideas and disseminate for the whole event. them widely in order to change human behavior. As is well known, changing As a member of staff, I observed each of human behavior, our own and others, is the discussion groups deep in not a new idea to UUs. conversations. Each group commented We invite you to join us on March 6, on the film itself, but also connected 12:15 to 1:45 pm for an interactive what they were watching to personal discussion (with short video clips) to experiences of justice education and to working in harmony with nature in order their own life experiences. I heard to reverse climate change, grow memories of racism and prejudice, healthier food, decrease food shortages, reflections of white privilege, retellings of and “live our respect for the the times they had stood up for justice interdependent web of all existence of and regrets of when they had not. The Meetinghouse News March 2016 7 other the best practical wisdom for Cracking the Codes became not just an movement-making, mingled with educational tool but a platform for truth- theoretical underpinnings and theological telling and growth in our own reflection. Join thought leaders like Chris congregation. The Chapel became a Crass, Melissa Harris-Perry, Jacqui Lewis, sacred space where attendees could ask and Miguel De La Torre; and activists like questions and tell their own stories Linda Sarsour, Micky ScottBey Jones, and without guilt or shame. Some stories Alexie Torres. In plenaries, short talks, resonated widely, with listeners and small group conversations exclaiming that the same had happened surrounded by music and art, we will to them. Others, such as Ministerial create strategies for change. Activists, Intern Seanan Fong's account of when analysts, preachers, poets, prophets, his identity shifted from 'minority' to teachers, trainers, writers, queer, and 'majority,' incited a new direction of straight folk of all faiths ready to make a conversation. change: If you are interested in going, please contact Carol Lewis at As a staff member at First Parish in office@firstparishcambridge. Cambridge and a Unitarian Universalist Interfaith Film Event – April 3 myself, I was so proud of our community “When a nation builds roads into another that afternoon. Rev. Grubbs and the country to extract its raw materials and Transformation Team put together a truly cheap labor, we shouldn’t be surprised when great event. Trust me when I say that people take those same roads following this film and discussion series on racial everything that has been stolen from them.” – Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre inequity is not to be missed! Beyond Borders – Sin Fronteras (BBSF) is excited to present an interfaith The Transformation Team has also collaboration film event with announced that the second half of renowned Denver-based Cracking the Code will be screened, scholar/activist Rev. Dr. Miguel intermingled with conversations, on De La Torre and his Sunday, March 13 at 12:15 PM and on 55-minute documentary Trails of Wednesday, March 16 at noon. Light Hope and Terror on lunch will be served. I do hope that you Sunday, April 3, can attend. 3:00-5:30 p.m. in our own Meetinghouse! Co- by Emily Guthrie, Communications and sponsoring organizations Membership Coordinator include First Parish in Brookline, UU Mass Action, UUA, UUSC, Leading Edge Conference: April 15- Church of the Covenant (Presbyterian/UUC) , 17 the Missions and Social Justice Committee of Revolutionary Love: Tools, Tactics and First Church in Cambridge (Congregational, Truth Telling to Dismantle Racism. UCC) and the Boston New Sanctuary Middle Collegiate Church in New York Movement. Come to learn, network, and City. demonstrate First Parish Cambridge’s Many members have attended this leadership in Boston-area social justice inspiring conference in the past. At the efforts! 10th annual Leading Edge Conference and the 6th annual Transform Network Based on the book by the same name, Trails Gathering, we will learn and teach each of Hope and Terror explores the plight of the undocumented Latin American immigrant The Meetinghouse News March 2016 8 from the stories of two young teenage girls – Every issue of the Meetinghouse News one a story of hope and the other a story of features a Membership spotlight on a few terror. The film focuses on the historical and individuals from First Parish. To nominate economic reasons for mass migration, how a member, please contact Emily Guthrie, the militarization of the border creates abuse Communications and Membership and death for people crossing borders, and Coordinator how some communities of faith have taken action and are standing in solidarity with the ([email protected]). Happy people being terrorized by the current learning! system. Trails of Hope and Terror reveals the Name: Thomas Hartl underlying causes of the human rights Preferred pronouns: he/him/his violations occurring on the US southern City of residence: Arlington borders which the popular national How I spend my time: Assistant immigration narrative ignores. Professor of Actuarial Mathematics at Bryant University. Love to cook yummy The 55-minute film will be followed by a vegan food for my family and friends. panel discussion with De La Torre as well as Enjoy hanging out with friends, figure representatives from Boston-area immigrant advocacy organizations. Copies of the book skating, reading, and travel. will be for sale and can be signed by the Family: Always a tough question, author. Tickets are $15 general, $5 because our older daughter, Gracie student/senior; scholarship tickets are James, died in 2010 at age 17. Surviving available and donations are gratefully family members are my partner, Chris accepted. All proceeds after expenses will be Bobel, our son, Craig Hartl, and our donated to local immigrant-led groups. younger daughter, Zoe Habel. Our current family pet is a cat called Fuzzy. To view the 2-minute trailer: Theology: I am an https://player.vimeo.com/video/79285280 avowed non-theist Facebook event: who thinks that https://www.facebook.com/events/4454332 72334093/ intentional living and Tickets: https://trails-of-hope-and-terror- religious ritual are vitally film.eventbrite.com/ important both to communities and Rev. Dr. Miguel De La Torre individuals. In terms of (http://www.drmigueldelatorre.com) is personal spiritual practices I Professor of Social Ethics and Latino Studies am attracted to Zen Buddhism and at Iliff School of Theology in Denver. He has Mindfulness, but I don't do a good job authored over thirty books and is the editor prioritizing these practices in my day-to- of the Journal of Race, Ethnicity, and day life. My vegan-ism is an expression Religion (www.raceandreligion.com). Dr. De of my belief that humans did NOT inherit La Torre is a frequent speaker at national conferences on race and justice that First the earth, and that we should live in way Parish Cambridge members have attended, that respects and promotes a live in including The Leading Edge, UUA Mosaic dignity for all living evolvees (as a non- Makers, and the UUA General Assembly. theist, I refrain from using the word creature). For more information, contact BBSF at Role(s) at First Parish: Currently [email protected]. teaching Building Bridges; member of Investment Committee What I value most about First Membership Parish: My family and I were truly and The Meetinghouse News March 2016 9 profoundly touched by the outpouring of other accomplishments, First Parish was support from the FPC community when able to upgrade its lighting and Gracie was killed. We experienced heating system, ensure purchase of unconditional love in action, and I aspire eco-friendly carpeting from a local to be part of a community that practices vendor, see to it that the North unconditional love on an ongoing basis. Wall was insulated as it was Three interesting facts about me: repaired, and work to increase recycling and reduce waste. Another 1) I grew up in Bavaria, but started part of the process was drinking beer in Scotland, where I lived developing our Sustainability Committee to oversee for 9 years. the efforts of First Parish towards sustainability. 2) I am pretty dyslexic, but it did not The Sustainability Committee has worked closely stop me from achieving my academic with Buildings and Grounds and the Environmental goals. Justice Task Force and has been instrumental in 3) I grew up in West Germany, but planning and executing our semi-annual Work traveled to East Germany as a teenager Days. on multiple occasions while the Iron Recognizing that sustainability is a shared Curtain was still intact. responsibility, the Sustainability Committee invites all members of First Parish to join in this effort. Reviewing the Sustainability Action Plan on our Name: Noe Kamelamela website, you will see that its Preferred pronouns (e.g. goals are closely aligned with th she/her/hers): I don't have a the UU 7 Principle: “Respect preference for the interdependent web of City of residence: Somerville all existence of which we are a part.” You can help honor that How I spend my time: Jogging, Yoga, principle by promoting greater Tai Chi, Theatre, Reading sustainability at First Parish in Family (including pets!): Wife Kitty many individual ways. In and also a cat, Izzy particular, we urge you to review the list below to Theology: UU covers it, grew up in a become more mindful of the ways you use our church that taught many religions, didn't common facility. If you have questions or concerns, know about UU until I moved to Boston. don’t hesitate to contact either Linda Clark or Robin Role(s) at First Parish: Welcome Team Brown at [email protected]. What I value most about First We are also hoping to gain new members to Parish: Conversation, ability to Sustainability Committee and would be happy to contribute to a welcoming community speak with anyone who might be interested. Please Three interesting facts about me: email us at the email address above if you have an 1. I grew up in Hawai'i interest. 2. I frequently know sports, but am not a ----- fan of any teams The Sustainability Committee reminds all 3. Winter is my favorite season parishioners that it is important that we are aware of our responsibilities to move News from the Sustainability us further along the path to the achievement of all our Sustainability Committee Action Plan’s goals. To do so, we ask all In the spring of 2013, after a two-year process, First to please consider each of the following: Parish developed its Sustainability Action Plan  Turn out the lights at the (SAP), earning its certification as a Sustainability conclusion of your activities! Community Leader. Through the process, among Conserve energy and save FPC The Meetinghouse News March 2016 10 money. Spirit and Action: A Three-Part  In the kitchen, use only the eco- Series on Structural Racism in friendly soap products found under Boston the sink! Ask Roland if you need The UU Urban Ministry invites you to join supplies. us for this thought-provoking three-part series. "Spirit and Action" creates a  PLEASE do not use bottled water, sacred space for participants to learn disposable plates, cups, or cutlery about, and engage in, issues surrounding when hosting events or serving income inequality, environmental racism, food at meetings! The kitchen is and the impacts of urban renewal and well supplied with non-disposable gentrification on low-income dishes and utensils. All dirty communities. All sessions at the UUUM. dishes and utensils must first be Dinner offered at 6:00 pm, programs washed then sterilized. start at 6:30pm. Instructions on use of the sterilizer Session 1: Income are posted in the kitchen. Please Inequality (Tuesday, March 1) consult this guide whenever Featuring Boston City Councilor cleaning dishes. Tito Jackson and Darnell Williams, CEO Urban  Use the recycle bins! Glass bottles League of Eastern Mass. (rinsed), tin cans (rinsed), Session 2: Environmental cardboard (including clean pizza Racism (Tuesday, March 8) boxes), paper (including empty Featuring youth leaders from coffee cups but not napkins) are Alternative for Community and all recyclable under Cambridge’s Environment (ACE), Boston single stream process. Please take Student Advisory Council (BSAC), advantage of this opportunity. We and Roxbury PAY per barrel for our trash pick- Youth Programs (RYP) up, but recycling pick-up is FREE. Session 3: Urban Renewal Then, Gentrification Now (Tuesday, March  When making purchases, please 22) consult our Purchasing Guidelines Featuring State Representative (in the Sustainability Action Byron Rushing Plan, posted on the FPC website) or consult with the Calling all Singers! Hope Out Loud Sustainability Committee. We need Community Choir to: be aware of social justice, Along with Sam Martinborough, director environmental, and ethical of MssngLnks in Boston, we are forming considerations; contribute to the a community choir that will sing as part local economy; improve access, of the UU Urban Ministry's annual Hope safety and inclusivity; be Out Loud concert on April 10, 2016. environmentally responsible in Individual singers and UU regional choosing products of recycled churches and choirs are all invited to sing materials and in seeking other and participate in this cross cultural ways to reduce impact on the celebration! All rehearsals will happen environment. out of the Urban Ministry at 10 Putnam UU Urban Ministry Street in Roxbury. A light supper will be The Meetinghouse News March 2016 11 provided from 6:30-7:00 pm. Rehearsal This January, we started our eighth year will begin at 7:00 pm and go no later of monthly sing-alongs at Sancta Maria than 8:30 pm. Nursing Facility. Many thanks to all of the DATES: First Parish members and friends who Tuesday, March 29- rehearsal (first have participated over the years. Next rehearsal was in February) events are Saturdays, March 5, April Sunday, April 10- Hope Out Loud 2, May 7, and June 4 at 10:00 am. We’ll performance (3:00 pm performance meet at 799 Concord Ave in Cambridge with 1:30 call) in the 5th floor activity room- but feel free to come late or leave early if you have a tight schedule; we’ll finish by noon. April Week 2016: "Making Friends, Children, newcomers and non-FP Doing Justice" folks are all welcome. For more Hey UU Youth! What are you doing information, to request a ride, or to be during April School Vacation Week? Join added to the email list for future events, the Roxbury Youth Program and come please speak with Elke Jahns-Harms or learn about urban social justice issues, email sing -alongs- challenge oppression, roll up your [email protected] . sleeves and volunteer in the City of Boston! Parenting Discussion Group- March 6 Tuesday, April 19, 10:00 am-5:00 and March 13 pm If you already signed up for DRE Mandy Wednesday, April 20, 10:00 am- Neff’s Parenting Discussion Group, the 5:00 pm discussion dates are March 6 and Thursday, April 21 10:00 am-8:00 13 from 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm. pm (fun field trip planned for this evening!) Young Families Potluck – March 19 Fee: Sliding Scale $100-$10 All families with young children are heartily invited to the Young Families Potluck at 4:30 pm in the Barn Room. For more information, please contact [email protected].

Long Timers and Seniors Breakfast- March 20 Our next social breakfast for long timers and seniors at First Parish (the third Sundays of the month) will be from 9:00 am to 10:00 am on March 20. You are Community Events most welcome to come anytime during Here’s a sampling of community events that hour for good food and relaxed happening at First Parish. Be sure to conversation. check our calendar, announcements and website for updates and other events. Iranian Perspectives with the Middle East Education Group- April 3 First Saturday Sing-alongs at Sancta The Middle East Education Group will Maria- March 5 offer an opportunity to meet some The Meetinghouse News March 2016 12 Iranian friends of one of our members throughout the Americas, be declared on and learn about Iranian culture and that same day because of the date's society. Watch weekly bulletins for more significance. They consider it a first step details as the date approaches. At 12:15 toward recognizing the genocide of pm in the Chapel. For more information, millions of Indigenous people and email [email protected]. the theft of their lands that began with the arrival of Columbus. It is a meaningful symbolic gesture in addressing the pain caused to Native Peoples by the many years of celebrating Columbus as a hero. Cities including Cambridge Forum Seattle, Denver, Albuquerque, Portland OR and more have all done this -- let's Do we have the media we deserve? As make Cambridge the next! Here are 3 we prepare to elect the next President, actions that the Indigenous organizers we ask what is wrong with the state of have asked supporters to take at this journalism in America today. Join our time: lively discussion on March 9, at 7:00 pm. First Parish in Cambridge. Featuring 1. Please write a letter to the Cambridge Lonnie Isabel, Peter S. Goodman, and City Council or call them to let them Sam Fleming. Free and open to the know that you care about this issue and public. Learn more about the featured want them to vote in favor of declaring speakers here: the second Monday in October as Lonnie Isabel teaches at the Columbia Indigenous Peoples Day. You can write Graduate School of Journalism. Peter S. to [email protected] with a copy Goodman is the Global Editor-In-Chief of the to International Business Times. Sam [email protected] so the City Fleming is Director of News and Clerk enters your letter into the formal Programming at WBUR. record. It would be helpful if you could also cc United American Indians of New England via [email protected] so that they know you have sent a letter of support. Let the councilors know that you live or work in Cambridge and that this issue is Support Indigenous Peoples Day in very important to you. Ask your friends Cambridge! and neighbors to do this, too.

There is an Indigenous Peoples Day 2. If you are on Facebook, please Like resolution currently before the and Share the Facebook page Cambridge City Council that would make “Indigenous Peoples Day Cambridge MA” a much-needed change to a longstanding which they will be using for a lot of injustice. For decades, many communications and updates (you can Native people have been calling for an also Like the Facebook page for end to the public celebration of "Indigenous Peoples Day Boston MA"). Christopher Columbus on the second Monday in October. They have 3. In addition to this, if you want to also asked that Indigenous Peoples Day, endorse this effort or if your organization a day to honor Indigenous Peoples from will endorse this effort, or if you have The Meetinghouse News March 2016 13 ideas about how you can be helpful, Julia Steele Allen is an award-winning please contact [email protected] playwright and activist who directly. They would love to hear from wrote Mariposa & the Saint: From you. Thank you! Solitary Confinement, A Play Through Letters based entirely on letters written between Allen and Sara (Mariposa) Fonseca while Mariposa was held in the Security Housing Unit of a California women’s prison. The play is performed by Allen and Ray Huth and directed by Noelle Ghoussaini.

“We are happy the Milford Performing Arts Center is hosting a production because of the strategic location as headquarters of the state’s Department of Corrections,” said Susan Tordella of EMIT. “We anticipate the play will offer insight and information into what it’s like to be confined in a space the size of an elevator for days, weeks, even years.”

Massachusetts is included in the year- long nationwide tour because Beacon Hill Attend a performance and discussion legislators are considering new limits to on incarceration! regulate the inhumane use of solitary confinement. The United Nations has Mariposa and the Saint, a one-act play of declared that more than 15 days in the true story of a woman locked in solitary confinement is cruel and unusual solitary confinement for nearly three punishment. The 45-minute performance years, will be performed at the Milford will be followed by 45 minutes of Performing Arts Center, 150 Main St., discussion and action steps. Milford on Thursday, March 24 at 8:00 pm. Admission is by donation. The The New Yorker wrote of Mariposa and performance is co-sponsored by End the Saint, “The play presents solitary Mass Incarceration Together (EMIT), a confinement as a particularly egregious task force of UU Mass Action Network. failure on the part of the prison system to approach prisoners—not just the good We especially invite UUs in the Milford and the innocent but also the guilty and area to participate in this powerful the bad—as complete human beings.” informative dramatic event. Raising awareness about the cruelty of solitary A short video of the play can be watched confinement is part of EMIT's quest for online at http://tinyurl.com/Mariposa- justice and reform in Massachusetts. Saint. This video is hosted by Please invite your state representatives TheMarshallProject.org, a nonprofit, and senators to attend this nonpartisan news organization covering performance. America’s criminal justice system, which was founded by former New York Times The Meetinghouse News March 2016 14 journalists. Their stated mission is owner may experience even more loss and feelings “create and sustain a sense of urgency of helplessness in the face of a fast clean out. about criminal justice in America.” To make the task of organizing less overwhelming I have a few suggestions on productive ways to make The Milford production is co-sponsored decisions about keeping or discarding items and by the Milford Performing Arts Center; methods to make the task more manageable: EMIT – End Mass Incarceration Together,  What is your ideal space? What vision do a task force of Unitarian Universalist you have for your home? Take some time to Mass Action Network; and CEPS. For think about and write down your goals more information, contact [email protected]. The tour is  Establish three rules to live by. Some presented in partnership with local examples: grassroots campaigns, including the 1) It is good quality Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement in New York 2) I don’t have any others like it (CAIC), California Coalition for Women 3) I’ve used/worn/read it in the past Prisoners, California Families Against 6 months Solitary Confinement, Youth Justice Coalition ACLU of Colorado, Prisoners'  OHIO: Only Handle It Once. I know this is Legal Services of MA, Decarcerate tough one, but try to stick with it. If you PA and WISDOM. cannot, follow the next suggestion.

Performances are followed by a  Set up bags: Keep, Donate, Discard, Not discussion on the issue with action steps Sure (this bag you need to go back to at the available for audience members. To date, end and make a final decision) hundreds of people have signed petitions or letters to legislators, and more than  You will discard an item if you buy a similar 100 have sent postcards to Mariposa, item ( 1 in 1 out) who is still incarcerated. For more  Use labels, lists, and other visual cues to information, visit www.juliasteeleallen.com remind you of what you already have  Break large tasks into smaller manageable Paine Senior Services parts Tips for Managing Clutter  Work systematically in one room or one Maureen Harty, LICSW area. Try not to jump around One of the ways Paine Senior Services can assist elderly Cambridge residents is in providing  Give yourself breaks and rewards for coaching and sometimes hands on assistance with finishing a task managing clutter. As one ages illness, changes in cognitive abilities, depression, anxiety, and grief Sometimes you cannot do it alone. Is there a family can make the task of managing paperwork and member, friend, or agency you can contact to help? belongings overwhelming. Sometimes elders have Somerville Cambridge Elder Services can to down size as they move into smaller sometimes provide heavy chore. The Cambridge apartments/condos or assisted living facilities. Council on Aging and Paine Senior Services has Family members and caregivers are more than workers that can also help guide you towards willing to help “get rid of stuff” but a person’s resources. belongings can have significant meaning and the The most important thing to remember is to be The Meetinghouse News March 2016 15 gentle with yourself. Set reasonable goals. Respect your own pace. If you are interested in receiving assistance in organizing from Paine Senior Services please feel free to contact Maureen Harty, LICSW at (617) 864-2580.