First Parish in Cambridge Unitarian Universalist
May 18, 2014
The Feminine Face of God —
Rev. Lilia Cuervo and Mandy Neff
Welcome to First Parish in Cambridge
First Parish in Cambridge is a multi-faith, spirit-filled
congregation devoted to love and justice. We are
moving joyfully into a multiracial, multicultural,
justice-making future. We embrace all ages, races,
classes, abilities, sexual orientations, gender
presentations, and ethnic and religious backgrounds.
Honoring all the faith traditions of the world, we
support each person’s path to wisdom and spiritual
growth. Whoever you are, wherever you are on the
journey of life, we welcome you into our hearts.
If you’re here for the first time, we invite you to
fill out a visitor card located in the pew and leave it in
the collection plate. We’ll sign you up for our weekly
e-mail announcements and monthly newsletter. All
are welcome to join us in Helverson Parlor following
the service for refreshments. Please take a yellow
cup so we can recognize and greet you.
For those attending with children, you are
welcome to worship as a family or children ages 4 and
under are welcome in our Nursery in the Parish House.
Registration is required. An usher can direct you to
Nursery staff. Activity boxes for older children are
also available from the ushers. For more information,
please speak with today’s Newcomer Liaison, Renée
Saindon.
Share the Plate with the
Brazilian Immigrant Center
The Brazilian Immigrant Center (braziliancenter.org)
supports workers’ struggles in the Greater Boston area
around issues of workplace rights and immigration.
Through organizing, advocacy, education, leadership,
and capacity building, they join immigrant workers
and their families in the fight against economic, social
and political marginalization and in working to create
a more just society. Their recent campaigns have
included the Safe Driving Bill, allowing all
Massachusetts residents to apply for driver’s licenses
and learner’s permits regardless of immigration status,
and the Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights, which
would give expanded labor rights to nannies,
caregivers, and housekeepers.
Senior Minister Sabbatical
Our Senior Minister, Rev. Fred Small, is on
sabbatical until August 28. A brochure and detailed
handbook, intended to serve as a handy reference
for congregational life during the sabbatical, is
available from our greeters and ushers.These
resources are also available online:
firstparishcambridge.org/Sabbatical.
Today’s Calendar
Today’s Worship Participants
Lilia Cuervo, Associate Minister
Amanda Neff, Director of Religious Education
Sunday, May 18
9:00 AM Longtimers Breakfast
12:00 PM Youth Group
Jonathan Barnhart, Music Director
The First Parish Choir
Chris Scheller, Worship Associate
3:00 PM
CUUPS Drumming
Circle
3:00 PM Exploring Membership
Helverson
Parlor
Gallery
Barn Room
Chapel
Jack Jurras, Deacon
Renée Saindon, Newcomer Liaison
A looping system is available for people
who are hard of hearing. Switch on the
telecoil in your hearing aids to bring the
speaker’s voice right to your ears.
Religious Education for Children and Youth
Hello Families! Please join us in the sanctuary for a
Story for All Ages.
 Our Nursery, for children under 4, opens at 10:15
AM on the Second Floor
 Preschoolers meet in the Baldwin Room
 Grades K – 1 meet in the Chapel
 Grades 2 – 3 meet in the Barn Room
 Grades 4 – 7 meet in the Gallery
 Grade 8 meets in the Landing Level Room
 Youth Group will meet in the Gallery at 12 noon
Children and youth must be registered to participate in
the RE program. For more information, contact Mandy
Neff at dre@firstparishcambridge.org.
This Week’s Calendar
Monday, May 19
6:30 PM Women Writing Together Fuller Room
Tuesday, May 20
11:00 AM Tuesday Meals
Helverson
Parlor
6:00 PM Spanish Conversation
Baldwin
Room
7:00 PM Standing Committee
Chapel
7:00 PM Young Adults Group
Barn Room
7:30 PM Buddhist Meditation
Fuller Room
Thursday, May 22
Exploring Membership Class is Today at 3 PM
We know that it is a profoundly important decision to
join a community. Accepting an invitation to join First
Parish’s community opens the door to particular
opportunities to learn, grow and share our gifts.
The first step toward becoming firmly rooted in our
vibrant community is attending our next Exploring
Membership Class today Sunday, May 18, 3:00 –
5:30 PM. We hope you are excited about our time
together and we look forward to seeing you there!
For more information, please contact:
Mykal Slack, Community Life Coordinator
CLC@firstparishcambridge.org
Renée Saindon, Membership Committee Chair
membership@firstparishcambridge.org
From Beyond Borders – Sin Fronteras
At our semi-annual meeting on June 1, the
congregation will take a vote to formally join the
Boston New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith
coalition for immigrant justice that we have been
active with for years. A FAQ sheet with a copy of the
pledge is available with more info upon request.
Both Denise Garcia and Karin Lin are active with
BNSM. Please direct any questions to them and Beyond
Borders–Sin Fronteras (formerly Immigration Task
Force) at immigration@firstparishcambridge.org. The
pledge may also be viewed on the Boston New Sanctuary
Movement’s website: bostonnewsanctuary.org.
7:30 PM Choir
Meetinghouse
Friday, May 23
8:00 PM Dance Friday
Barn Room
Call for Social Justice Task Force applications
Social justice is a direct expression of our Unitarian
Universalist faith and a vital part of congregational
life. Each spring, the Social Justice Council
coordinates a process whereby First Parish members
vote to approve Task Forces to organize our action on
priority social justice issues for the next year. This
vote will take place at the June 1 semi-annual meeting.
Current Task Forces are the Environmental Justice
Task Force and the Immigration Task Force (now
called Beyond Borders), which will be submitting
proposals for continuation. The Task Force application
and Q&A are available on the website or at the office.
Final applications are due today, May 18.
From the Environmental Justice Task Force
Your signature is needed to get the Updated Bottle
Bill on the ballot this fall. This Bill will add the
myriad of beverage containers like water bottles,
sports drinks and teas not now covered to carbonated
beverages such as sodas and beer which are covered.
The Bill has been stalled in the legislature for 10 years
despite overwhelming support! The Campaign to
Update the Bottle Bill now needs an additional 25,000
signatures by June 5! Please stop by our table during
Social Hour to learn more and sign the petition. Let’s
get this done!
All-church retreat at Ferry Beach
It’s happening! The all-church retreat will be at Ferry
Beach, Maine, from September 26 – 28.
This will be a great time to relax, get to know oneanother, play on the beautiful beach, worship under the
trees, sing at the campfire and meet other UUs. There
will be activities for children and adults of all ages.
You can pre-register online or for more information
contact Community Life Coordinator, Rev. Mykal
Slack (clc@firstparishcambridge.org) or Marcia Hams
(marciahams@gmail.com). We have reserved 72 beds
plus the campground is available.
Online link:
(https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1DcPmuasBbS_JgjIN
5bVZmOU2sO6BWswMKmvV5owo2hc/viewform)
Ferry Beach is a magical place or contact that can
bring magic to our First Parish community too. We are
forming a planning team now. Ferry Beach is about 1 ½
hours north of Boston on the same cove as Old Orchard
Beach. We can carpool, and the cost will be low for
food plus lodging in four-bed rooms. There is also an
on-site campground for an even lower cost option.
Learn more about Ferry Beach at www.ferrybeach.org.
If there’s anything on your mind or in your heart that
you’d like to talk to a minister about, please don’t
hesitate to ask. To make an appointment
with Rev. Lilia Cuervo, please contact Carol
Lewis at 617-876-7772 or by e-mail at
office@firstparishcambridge.org.
Pastoral Prayer
Congregants may request to have their personal
joys and sorrows named and lifted up in Sunday’s
Pastoral Prayers by e-mailing pastoralprayer@
firstparishcambridge.org by noon on Friday. You may also
fill out a Pastoral Prayer Request Form and leave it in the
Pastoral Prayer Box by 10:30 AM on Sunday mornings.
(Forms and the box are in the Mass. Ave. foyer.)
If you would like your message in our announcements
and monthly newsletter, please e-mail the Pastoral
Associates at pastoralcare@firstparishcambridge.org.
Upcoming Events
Longtimers/Seniors Breakfast on May 18
The next monthly Longtimers/Seniors Breakfast is
Sunday, May 18. These informal social gatherings for
those who have been members for many years and
those who self-identify as seniors are held in the
Parlor beginning at 9:00 AM. You can RSVP to Jane
Sturtevant at sturjn@aol.com or 617-354-9371.
Open Doors presentation on May 18
The Open Doors in Harvard Square group will
conduct an informal presentation of our new historical
exhibit in the narthex after the Sunday service on May
18. Please stop by and support our new outreach
program.
Our first public Open House will be held on May
21, from 11 AM – 2 PM. Volunteer parish members will
guide visitors on a tour of the Meetinghouse, including
the museum-quality historical exhibit, displays on our
architectural evolution and on UUA, UUSC and First
Parish programs. An informative talk on Colonial
history will be given by Vincent Dixon, expert
Harvard Square tour guide at 12 and 1 PM.
Women Writing Together
All are warmly welcomed to attend Women Writing
Together. This safe, hospitable group for women
meets in the Fuller Room on the Mezzanine level
every other Monday, from 6:30 – 8 PM; the next
meeting dates are May 19 and June 2. For
information: womenwriting@firstparishcambridge.org.
Next Contemplative Service — May 28
Join us for our upcoming Contemplative Service. This
could be a spiritual oasis for the tired, the busy, the
lonely, the grieving, as well as energy rechargers for
all. Come, give yourself a treat and in the company of
others celebrate joy, peace, love, beauty and so many
other gifts life bring us when we open to receive them.
The next service is May 28 at 7:00 PM in the Barn
Room. All are warmly welcome.
For more information please contact Rev. Lilia
Cuervo at 617-876-7772, ext. 204 or e-mail
assocminister@fpcambridge.org.
Women’s Book Group, June 3
The book for our June 3 discussion is Raised from the
Ground, by Jose Saramago. We are an informal group
(you do not need to read every book), so come when
you can. The group meets in the Chapel at 7:00 PM on
the first Tuesday of each month.
Pastoral Care (Circle of Care)
The Pastoral Associates, supported by Circle of Care
volunteers, help to provide care to First Parish members
and friends during times of need by providing meals,
rides, and other help. The Pastoral Associate in May is
Tracy Blanchard. You may contact Tracy at
pastoralcare@firstparishcambridge.org.
Safe Congregation
At First Parish we covenant to welcome all people to
the table, to nourish and serve each other and to respect
and honor the inherent worth and dignity of every
person. To achieve these goals it is essential that we
maintain a safe environment that protects children and
adults from harm while fostering their spiritual growth.
We encourage anyone who has witnessed or
experienced verbal, sexual or physical abuse at First
Parish to contact the appropriate team:
SafeCongregation@firstparishcambridge.org
(for issues involving adults), or
safechildren@firstparishcambridge.org
(for issues involving those under 18).
Flowers
A reminder that you can order a bouquet to beautify the
sanctuary on any Sunday throughout the church year.
Bouquets are $35. To sign up for a particular Sunday,
please contact office@firstparishcambridge.org or
617-876-7772.
First Parish Staff and Leaders
Senior Minister.................................... Rev. Fred Small
Associate Minister ............................Rev. Lilia Cuervo
Minister Emeritus............... Rev. Dr. Thomas Mikelson
Worship Leader .................................Rev. Mykal Slack
Music Director ................................. Jonathan Barnhart
Director of Religious Education ................ Mandy Neff
Religious Education Assistant .............. Thaina Serelus
Nursery Care Coordinator ..................... Lace Campbell
Nursery Care Coordinator .................. Jeremy Schwartz
Congregational Administrator.................... Carol Lewis
Office Assistant .....................................Janice Zazinski
Sexton ...................................................... Roland Ellies
Rental Sexton ..........................................George Miller
Community Life Coordinator............Rev. Mykal Slack
Tuesday Meals Program Coordinator
............................................... Rev. Tom Hathaway
Tuesday Meals Kitchen Coordinator ........ Pam Cannon
Tuesday Meals Assistant........................ Brian Downes
Executive Director, Paine Senior Services... Liz Aguilo
Social Worker, Paine Senior Services ....... Maureen Harty
Director, Cambridge Forum ................ Patricia Suhrcke
Standing Committee 2013 – 2014
Chair: .................................................. Susan Shepherd
Vice Chair: ................................................. Peggy Kraft
Treasurer: ................................................. Ernie Sabine
Clerk:........................................................... Linda West
Members at Large: Julie Duncan, Brittney Gardner, Grey
Lee, Nassira Nicola, Rashid Shaikh, Mike Wiggins
Tell ‘Em About the Dream Pledge Campaign
Thanks to those listed below for making a pledge to First Parish for the coming fiscal year (7/1/14 6/30/15). With your support, we can continue to share our dreams of transforming our congregation.
If you haven’t pledged yet, please do so today, at http://firstparishcambridge.org/pledge. Whether
you pledge $10 a month, $100 a month, or whatever, your gift will make our activities possible.
Pledge cards are also available in the church office.
Carol Agate
Ian Agranat & Carol Hani
Ayari Aguayo & Danielle Ceribo
Maria Altamore
Alison M. Altman
David & Sally Ames
Anna & Michael Anctil
Rosalie & Paul Anders
Andy Bader
Helen Glikman & Dan Bartley
Howard Bauchner & Chris McElroy
S. (Sam) Berliner, III
Ted Bischoff & Margaret Drury
Michael Blaguszewski
Jenny Blodgett
Chris Bobel & Thomas Hartl
Elaine Boettcher
Susanna Schroeder &
Walter Bohanna
Colin and Sara Bossen
Loring Brinckerhoff
Janet Burns
David Case & Karen Lombard
Barbara Ceconi
Larry Childs & Alice Heller
Linda M. Clark
Edwin Coleman
Ethan Contini-Field
Gwen Cranmore
Lilia Cuervo
Mary Ann Daily
Lisa Dobberteen
William Dotson
Francis H. Duehay
Julie Duncan & Larry Wald
Julie Ebin
Laura Estan
Claryce Evans
Jean Fuller Farrington
Joanna E. Fink & Richard Gonci
Carrie Fisher & Tom Seufert
Jennifer Fitch & Andrew Drane
Anne-Marie Fitzgerald
Donald & Marjorie Forte
Corinne Foster
Davida Fox-Melanson & Leo
Melanson
Deborah Fraize
Valerie Fullum
Charlene Galarneau & Don Tucker
Denise Garcia & J. Manuel Garcia Carmona
Brittney Gardner
Cushing Giesey & Janice Ellertsen
Gilberto Gonzalez & Michele Sprengnether
Pepper Greene & Alan Hamilton
Marcus Graly
Christine Gram
Jennifer L. Griffith
Suzi Grossman
Megan Haddadi
Catherine & Eric Haines
Grace Hall
Marcia Hams & Susan Shepherd
Stephen Hanna
Daisaburo Hashizume & Jinghua Zhang
Laura Heath & Allegra Stout
Norbert Hofmann & Anita Wagner
Dan Hogan
Steve Imrich & Cynthia Smith
Stacey Jackson Flammia
Elke Jahns-Harms
Lois Josimovich
Tegan Kehoe
Peter Kelsey & Ginger Ryan
Connie & Ernie Kirwan
Elizabeth Kline
Ed Koenig
Gloria Korsman
Peggy Kraft
Sara Krakauer
John Kwoka
Brenda Leahy
Grey Lee
Susan and Bruce Leslie-Pritchard
David & Regina Levine
Arthur & Lyn Lidsky
David Light
Karin Lin & Cade Murray
Ellen Liner
Asher Lipson
Donner Lohnes
Jane Lopez
Dorianne Low
Ken Mattsson
Eleanor G. May
Rebecca Mayfield
Don & Jeannette McInnes
Ryan McMahon
Mary Lou Mehrling
Michael Melford
Grier & Irene Merwin
Heidi Meyer
Shelby Meyerhoff
Cecelia Michaelis
Kylie Mills
Terry Murphy
Barbara Norfleet
Sheila Norton
Susan Nye
Paul Oberhauser & Jennifer Thompson
David Pap
Ondina & Shaun Paul
Winnifred Peart-Harding
Juliette Pickering
Mark Pickering
Katrina Piehler
David Ray
Beth Reagan
Shelley Rieman
Jennifer Rochow
Jessica Roffe
Charles Rogers
Kathryn & David Rosenberg
Kate Ryan
Ernie Sabine
Renee Saindon
Chris Scheller
Susanna Schroeder & Walter Bohanna
Rashid Shaikh & Sharon deVos
Jennifer Shay
Arlene & Josh Sheldon
Peg Slote
Suzi Sluyter
Frederick Small
Anne O. Smith
Carol Springs
Hope Stege
Andy Stein
Tamina Stephenson
Hannah Stites
Natalya Stratton & Greg Stratton
Jane Sturtevant
Eileen Sullivan
Patrick Sullivan & Louise Deiasi
Dorothy Suput & Will Thalheimer
Barbara Sweet
Bill Torcaso
Sandra Uyterhoeven
Lisa & Howard Van Vleck
Maria Cristina Vlassidis Burgoa
Mara Vorhees & Gerald Easter
Nan Waldstein
Michelle Walsh & Clyde Grubbs
Timothy Warren & Sarah Wentworth
Mark David Watanabe
Sandra Schonbrun Wayne
Linda West
Sylvia Wheeler
Carolyn White
Borghild Whittington
Michael and Gail Wiggins
Andrea Williams
Henry N. Winslow
Sam Wohns
Conrad E. & Mary Wright
Marcia Yousik