Sunday, January 26, 2020, 4pm | Stearns Room
Join FPL’s new antiracism group to view and discuss the three-part PBS Documentary series, “Race: The Power of an Illusion.” This series compels viewers to examine some of their most fundamental beliefs about concepts of race.
On January 26th we will be screening Episode One: The Difference Between Us, which follows a diverse group of teenagers as they discover some surprising truths about their DNA. Join us as we seek to deconstruct our own false and harmful beliefs about race in commitment to our values as an open and welcoming community church.
Category: Adult Programs
Upcoming Event: Climate Sunday, 1/12/20
Sunday, January 12, 2020, 10am | Sanctuary and Parish House Auditorium
Join The First Parish in Lincoln & Conservation Law Foundation for Climate Sunday on January 12th.
Climate Sunday is a gathering for all those who are interested in learning more about their role in creating a healthy and thriving New England. The First Parish in Lincoln is partnering with CLF and their highly successful advocates in order to hold interactive workshops discussing a variety of issues, such as environmental justice, transportation, and zero waste.
These workshops will provide an opportunity to learn about the current state of environmental advocacy in Massachusetts from the experts who are working on the ground. You are welcome to join us for the entire day or only the climate sensitive lunch and afternoon workshops.
Event Schedule:
10am — Church service led by Rev Jenny Rankin. Reflections by Peter Shelley of CLF.
11:15am – 12pm — A small climate fair (with appetizers!) featuring accessible action items for climate care. Representatives from HomeWorks Energy, Green Energy Consumers Alliance, and Mothers Out Front in Lincoln will answer questions followed by lunch beginning at 11:45am.
12:15pm — Presentation over lunch by CLF President Brad Campbell.
1 – 3pm — Experts from CLF will speak and encourage discussion on Climate Change, Clean Transportation, Environmental Justice, Zero Waste, and Plastics.
Event: Food for Thought January 2020
Wednesday, January 8, 2020, 5:30-7pm | Parish House Auditorium
A Conversation between Adult Children and Aging Parents
Take a night off from the kitchen and share a simple supper and stimulating conversation as we explore how parents and adult children address the challenges of aging while respecting independence and privacy. Led by Lincoln therapist, Jane O’Rourke, a panel of elders and mid-life children will start off the discussion. Over dessert and coffee there will be time for you to exchange your thoughts and ideas with your table companions. Come by yourself, or bring a friend or child. All are welcome!
FPL Book Group — February Meeting
Tuesday, February 4, 2020, 6:30-8pm | Stearns Room
Founding Gardeners: The Revolutionary Generation, Nature, and the Shaping of the American Nation, by Andrea Wulf
From the bestselling author of The Invention of Nature, a fascinating look at the Founding Fathers like none you’ve seen before.
For the Founding Fathers, gardening, agriculture, and botany were elemental passions: a conjoined interest as deeply ingrained in their characters as the battle for liberty and a belief in the greatness of their new nation.
Founding Gardeners is an exploration of that obsession, telling the story of the revolutionary generation from the unique perspective of their lives as gardeners, plant hobbyists, and farmers. Acclaimed historian Andrea Wulf describes how George Washington wrote letters to his estate manager even as British warships gathered off Staten Island; how a tour of English gardens renewed Thomas Jefferson’s and John Adams’s faith in their fledgling nation; and why James Madison is the forgotten father of environmentalism. Through these and other stories, Wulf reveals a fresh, nuanced portrait of the men who created our nation.
Click here to order the book.
Course Offering: Creativity as Spiritual Practice
Wednesdays, January 15th, 22nd, and 29th, 1 – 2pm | Church Library
Instructor: Rev. Jenny Rankin
Making things by hand. It’s an ancient idea. A simple idea. And it turns out, it can be good for the soul! Join Jenny Rankin and a small group as we come together for this contemplative hand work group in the heart of the winter.
Whether you are knitting a sock, painting a picture, caning a chair seat, whittling, or just beginning to think about getting started on some new practice of your own, we hope you’ll join us. Bring whatever it is you are working on or thinking about working on. We’ll spend time in silence, conversation as we explore together how creativity may be an over-looked spiritual practice in our lives.
Course Offering: Spiritual Autobiography
Tuesdays, January 14th – February 11th, 7 – 8:30pm | Church Library
Instructor: Rev. Jenny Rankin
Join Jenny Rankin and a small group as you are invited to reflect, consider your life through a “spiritual” lens, and write about it. You have the freedom to define “spiritual” in your own way!
Through a series of in-class exercises and short writing assignments, participants will begin to consider the different chapters or steppingstones of their life’s journey up until now. We will have short (two page) weekly writing assignments, culminating in the final writing of a “spiritual autobiography” (6-8 pages in length).
Each person will bring different experiences and questions to the class. Some things to consider: What have been the gifts and graces of your life? Where were the losses and hurts? How would you articulate your sense of the sacred, God, or what spiritual vocabulary do you use? What “language of reverence” do you speak?
Participants will be invited to read their writing to the class. The “right to reticence” is always encouraged. Attendance is expected at each session.
Labyrinth of Light
This year, we will not be holding a Solstice Service on Saturday, December 21. Instead, you are invited to participate in an intergenerational Labyrinth of Light organized by Margit Griffith and Sarah Klockowski. It will be held in the Parish House Auditorium on Saturday, December 21 from 12-8pm, and on Sunday, December 22 from 12-5pm. All ages are welcome!
Please contact Margit Griffith (margit@fplincoln.org) if you would like to assist in creating the Labyrinth and/or if you would like to volunteer some time to sit and welcome guests while the doors are open.
A new solstice committee will be forming in the spring for Solstice 2020.
Hygge for Beginners
Thursday, Dec. 12, 2019, 5:30-7pm | Donaldson Room
The Danish expression, Hygge, is an attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments. Rather than drudge through the winter, hygge is about celebrating coziness, comfort, warmth and family; as well as practicing mindfulness. Join Margit and Meredith as they create space for us to explore this cozy tradition. Email sarah@fplincoln.org to sign up.
Antiracism Book Group
Thursday, December 19, 5:30-7pm | Garrison Room
Part one of a three-part discussion of the New York Times Bestseller, How to Be an Antiracist by Dr. Ibram X. Kendi. This session will focus on chapters 1-6. Facilitated by Sarah Klockowski.
Session 2: Thursday, Jan. 16, 5:30-7pm
Session 3: Thursday, Feb. 13, 5:30-7pm
FPL Book Group Discussion
Tuesday, December 3, 2019, 6:30pm – 7:30pm | Stearns Room
Please join us to discuss the biography of Alexander von Humboldt, the visionary German naturalist whose ideas changed the way we see the natural world – and in the process created modern environmentalism. And come with your ideas about the next book we might read.
The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt’s New World, by Andrea Wulf.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23995249-the-invention-of-nature