THEODORE PARKER CHURCH

Family Game Night
2022-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
All are welcome to join this evening of board game fun. Bring your favorite game to share, or just show up ready to play. This event is focused on the children and families of our congregation, but folks of all ages are welcome to join in. Pizza and other snacks will be provided.

Minister Search Update
2022-12-04 12:00 - 13:00 | Church Sanctuary, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
The Minister Search Committee will hold an Informational Meeting on Sunday, December 4, from noon to 1 p.m., to report back to the congregation on our past five months of work. We will present the results and some observations from all you have shared with us, about your hopes, dreams, and concerns for TPC and our next settled minister. We will also update you about next steps in the search, as we begin the process of candidate identification and interviews. And, we will leave time for your questions as we complete this first phase of the search. The meeting will be held in the sanctuary and on Zoom, so all are able to participate. We hope you will join us!

Music on Centre Presents Singer-Songwriter Kate Campbell
2022-12-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Coming to us from the Mississippi Delta via Nashville, Kate brings a memorable, beautifully balanced evening of song and story that defies categorization, because it is a tale of us and our country. The daughter of a Baptist preacher, Kate’s formative years were spent in the very core of the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and the indelible experiences of those years have shaped her heart and character as well as her songwriting. Over her 18-album career, her music and songs continue to inspire and excite a growing and engaged audience.

“Her literate songs artfully skirt the border between country and rock with a few blues twists…a major talent…simplicity, sincerity, and sophistication run rampant.” BOSTON GLOBE

Tickets can be reserved at musiconcentre@gmail.com or purchased at the door from 6:30 on the evening of the show. Desserts and beverages for sale before the show and during intermission. Free easy parking nearby. Masks optional. For more information, call 617-327-0542

The Starting Point: A Group for Newcomers & Deeper Connections
2022-11-20 12:00 - 13:30, 2022-11-06 12:00 - 13:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Are you new to TPC? Thinking about joining as a member? Been attending for a while but are interested in delving deeper into your spiritual journey, Unitarian Universalism, or community connections? This is a group for you!
Rev. Jo will lead this small group experience with the Welcoming Ministry Team, which offers folks a chance to reflect on their own spiritual journeys, learn about Unitarian Universalism, and explore ways to connect with community life.
The curriculum is designed for four sessions, but we may condense the material. The first two sessions will be Sundays after the services on November 6 and 20 — Rev. Jo will talk with participants about when to schedule potential additional sessions. Please RSVP to Rev. Jo by November 4.

Winter Fair
2022-11-19 10:00 - 14:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
The Winter Fair is your one-stop shopping destination for crafts from around the world, fabric art, holiday items, next-to-new jewelry, delicious edible treats and baked goods, and much more. We look forward to welcoming the community after the pandemic hiatus.
For more information about reserving a table and learning details of what items will be available, contact one of the coordinators: Carol Allen, Jennifer Buchwald, and Jennifer Bottomley.
We’ll see you at the fair!

Salvadoran Student Leader Visits TPC
2022-11-13 11:30 - 13:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Join us after coffee hour on November 13 for a talk with Salvadoran student leader Fran Omar. Fran, who is now a grad student in social work at El Salvador’s National University, will be visiting Boston as part of a national tour sponsored by the Committee in Solidarity with the People of El Salvador. He will be updating us about the situation in El Salvador in light of the continuing “state of exception” in which 56,000 mostly young people have been arrested and held, without due process, in overcrowded prisons. Two youths from our sister community of Plazuelas have been arrested in these sweeps.

Family Game Night
2022-11-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
We’re bringing back a beloved event from pre-pandemic times: RE Community Game Night! All are welcome to join this evening of board game fun. Bring your favorite game to share, or just show up ready to play. This event is focused on the children and families of our congregation, but folks of all ages are welcome to join in. Pizza and other snacks will be provided.

Workshop: Beyond Categorical Thinking
2022-11-05 10:00 - 13:00 | On Zoom
This UUA-facilitated workshop is designed to promote inclusive thinking and help us examine our own individual biases, and open our hearts and minds to the fullest range of ministerial candidates. All are warmly invited to attend. We ask that you register in advance for the BCT at this link. More information: ministersearch@tparkerchurch.org

Community Canines: Dog Body Language and Stress-free City Living
2022-10-23 15:00 - 16:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Join us on October 23 at 3 p.m. for this presentation from acclaimed dog trainer Aubrey Sperry followed by Q&A.

Community Game Night
2022-10-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132

Congregational Gathering about Widening the Circle of Concern
2022-09-25 11:45 - 13:30 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
Facilitated by Meck Groot, Congregational Consultant from the New England Region of the UUA
Have you wondered what WTC is all about? How does this connect with moving forward with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the future? Would you like to know what it means for TPC and our Ministerial search?
Hear from the WTC Working Group, the Board, and members of TPC committees and teams who’ve engaged with chapters in the book over the past year and a half.

Sign Up by Sept. 30 for Small Group Ministry
2022-09-22 - 2022-09-30 | Massachusetts
Are you interested in meeting regularly with a small group of six to eight Theodore Parker Church members to discuss, reflect, and listen? Small Group Ministry (SGM) groups offer a chance to “reach in” with an ongoing group throughout the church year, guided by readings and resources offered on a different theme each month, corresponding to the theme that month for worship services and RE. Examples from the past year are becoming, imagination, play, and beloved community. Groups will convene in October and meet monthly through May/June. In order for us to start in October, we need to hear from all interested people by Monday, September 30. To sign up, contact Mary Ann Millsap today.

Solstice Ritual and Year-end Picnic
2022-06-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Theodore Parker Church yard, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, 02132, United States
Join us on Saturday, June 18 for an early celebration of the year’s longest day. Rev. Jo and Rose will be offering a ritual at 5 p.m., including a labyrinth walk and intention setting to mark the upcoming solstice and welcome the official start of summer. Whether or not you come for the ritual, you’re welcome to join us at 5:30 for a potluck-style picnic to celebrate the end of the church year. All ages are welcome — children and their families are particularly encouraged to join!

Annual Meeting of Theodore Parker Church
2022-06-12 12:00 - 13:00 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
The TPC Annual Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 12 at 12 PM. The congregation will consider reports from the various church committees; will review and pass the annual budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year; will elect officers to serve for the coming fiscal year; and will vote on proposed amendments to the by-laws.
Proposed changes to the by-laws are indicated below in bold. The first change provides a means for individuals to become members when signing the physical Membership Book is not possible (as has been the case at times during the pandemic). The second change acknowledges that the term “Standing Committee” is not in common use and many UU congregations instead refer to that group as the “Board.”
Section 1Ai. Members of the Church (Members) are defined as persons at least 18 years of age who are in agreement with the purposes of the Church, who agree to abide by these bylaws and who have signed the Church’s official Membership Book, or who have provided an electronic signature on an online form established by the Church for circumstances where signing the physical Membership Book is not possible.
Article IV Section 3. Standing Committee, also called the Board
The Standing Committee (The Board) will be comprised of the Executive Committee and at least one (1) and up to five (5) additional members for up to a total of nine (9) members. Members of the Standing Committee (also may be referred to as Members of the Board) shall serve a term of three (3) years. Members of the StandingCommittee shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. Should an elected Member of the Standing Committee be unable to fulfill the entire term, another Member of the Church may be appointed by the Standing Committee to complete that Member’s duties until the next election.

2022-23 Budget Presentation
2022-06-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
This preview of the FY23 Theodore Parker Church operating budget is your chance to understand the church’s revenue and expense projections before members vote to approve the budget at the annual meeting on June 12. Questions encouraged!
This will be a hybrid meeting. Attend in person in the sanctuary or on Zoom.

Annual Plant Sale
2022-05-28 09:00 - 13:00 | Theodore Parker Church yard, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, 02132, United States
The TPC Plant Sale has been a festive spring tradition for our congregation and our neighbors since 2008. It’s also an important source of revenue. This year, besides a huge variety of plants donated by church members and friends, we will have an “Ask the Gardener” table where you can pose your questions to master gardeners.
Here’s how you can participate:

Help Jen Buchwald divide and re-pot plants from her garden on Friday, May 13.
Dig, divide, and pot your extra perennials and houseplants for the sale. Please label your plants with their name and color (if applicable).
Drop off your plants in the breezeway and driveway all day Thursday, May 26, and Friday, May 27 up to 5 p.m.
Volunteer to help on the day of the sale. Helpers are needed early (7:30 a.m.) to move tables and plants to the front lawn; all day to answer visitors’ questions and staff the cash boxes; and after the event to move the tables and unsold plants back to the breezeway. Jennifer Bottomley is volunteer coordinator.

Candlelight Conversation on Shared Ministry
2022-05-25 19:00 - 20:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Rev. Jo and RE Director Rose Gallogly invite you to join them for an intentional, facilitated conversation that seeks to move forward the work we began this past winter in our Shared Ministry Leadership Retreat, in concert with the ongoing self-inquiry work of our interim ministry time. We will be drawing on the work of adrienne maree brown and Susan Beaumont to help us deepen our connections with one another, and to articulate shared intentions for our community — intentions that can help us move as a collective, despite the many uncertainties of these times. All are welcome to join, whether you are brand new to the church or a long-term leader in our congregation.

Mother's Day Walk for Peace
2022-05-08 08:00 - 17:00 | Town Field Park in Dorchester, MA 02122
“The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace (MDW4P) is a beloved 26-year-long Boston tradition and celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities. It is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s (LDBPI) largest fundraising event to grow and sustain our services, advocacy, and training. Our goal is to equip survivors with the tools, resources and opportunities that they need to become architects of their own healing and advocates for social change.”

After two years of connecting virtually, this year the walk will be in person. The walk starts at 8 a.m. on Sunday, May 8 at Town Field Park in Dorchester, MA 02122. The Theodore Parker Walkers will be part of this important walk.

Candlelight Conversation on Shared Ministry
2022-05-01 13:00 - 14:30 | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. (Parish Hall, in person)
Additional conversation on Zoom (time and date TBD)

Rev. Jo and Rose invite you to join them for one of our upcoming Candlelight Conversations on Shared Ministry. These intentional, facilitated conversations will seek to move forward the work we began this past winter in our Shared Ministry Leadership Retreat, in concert with the ongoing self-inquiry work of our interim ministry time. We will be drawing on the work of adrienne maree brown and Susan Beaumont to help us deepen our connections with one another, and to articulate shared intentions for our community — intentions that can help us move as a collective, despite the many uncertainties of these times. All are welcome to join, whether you are brand new to the church or a long-term leader in our congregation.

2022 Virtual Walk for Hunger
2022-05-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Massachusetts
Although COVID has caused organizers to reimagine the traditional Walk for yet another year, hunger and the issues surrounding it remain, with an impact greater on at-risk families. Please consider supporting one of our TPCUU Walkers to help them reach their goal in Project Bread’s Virtual Walk for Hunger. Select a Walker from the Team Roster: Thomas Martin, Susan Caron, and Joy Martin. Once on their page, click the DONATE NOW button. As in prior years, donations to Thomas get doubled.

Candlelight Conversations on Shared Ministry
2022-04-27 19:00 - 20:30 | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m. (Parish Hall, in person)
Sunday, May 1 at 1 p.m. (Parish Hall, in person)
Additional conversation on Zoom (time and date TBD)

Rev. Jo and Rose invite you to join them for one of our upcoming Candlelight Conversations on Shared Ministry. These intentional, facilitated conversations will seek to move forward the work we began this past winter in our Shared Ministry Leadership Retreat, in concert with the ongoing self-inquiry work of our interim ministry time. We will be drawing on the work of adrienne maree brown and Susan Beaumont to help us deepen our connections with one another, and to articulate shared intentions for our community — intentions that can help us move as a collective, despite the many uncertainties of these times. All are welcome to join, whether you are brand new to the church or a long-term leader in our congregation.

Film: Youth v Gov
2022-04-26 18:00 - 20:30 | On Zoom
RJTF Film Series:Youth v Gov

Youth v Gov follows 21 young Americans suing the world’s most powerful government to protect their constitutional rights to a stable climate. Interfaith Power and Light presents this film to members of the Theodore Parker Church community as part of the 2021-2022 Online Justice Film Series by the Racial Justice Task Force (click here for a flyer).

The Zoom theater opens at 5:45 p.m. The film starts at 6, followed by a 30-minute discussion. An RSVP to Helen Horigan is appreciated but not essential. See you at the movies!

Special Congregational Meeting
2022-03-27 11:35 - 12:30 | Parish Hall, 70 Corey Street, West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Theodore Parker Church will hold a special congregational meeting on Sunday, March 27, at 11:35 a.m. at the church and on Zoom.
AGENDA

Parish Hall Kitchen project update and vote on whether to proceed
Updates on the Transition Process and Progress

Pre-registration is required to attend virtually. For information contact the church office.

The 2022 Theodore Parker Lecture — "Housing: The Key to Community"
2022-03-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
Join Theodore Parker Church and City Life/Vida Urbana for the 2022 Theodore Parker lecture, “Housing: The Key to Community,” a conversation with Ronel Remy, statewide organizer for City Life/Vida Urbana. With a transformative justice model of organizing, Ronel bridges across race, culture, and class to build cohesive communities with the skills and resources necessary to address the housing crisis in Massachusetts.

The conversation will take place in the sanctuary and is also available online. Registration is required for both options.

Register for an in-person seat. Following COVID protocols, masks and vaccination are required and seating is limited to allow for social distancing.
Register to attend online on Zoom.

We recommend registering on Zoom even if you are also registering to attend in-person.
For more information, please contact Carey Toran or Karen Kirchoff.

TParkerLecture_2022-final

RJTF Meeting on Reparations and Restoration
2022-03-06 13:00 - 14:00 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
The Racial Justice Task Force continues the exploration of the UUA’s Widening the Circle examination of ourselves and our community. The session will focus on the complex and controversial issue of reparations and restoration for communities of color who have been subject to racial injustice. We will seek to come out of the meeting with various possible ideas regarding how our TPC community, specifically, should respond.

All TPC members and attenders are welcome. No prior preparation or familiarity with the topic is required. Our website provides some optional resources to stimulate your reflecting on the topic. In addition, the chapter on reparations from the Widening the Circle report can be found here.

The virtual meeting will be held on Sunday, March 6, from 1:00 to 2:00. Join on Zoom.

For more information, please contact Cindy Bergeron or Mark Bauer.

RJTF Film Series Presents "Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America"
2022-02-27 19:00 - 21:00 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
Unsettled reveals stories of LGBTQ refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution at home and who are resettling in the U.S. Each of these four new arrivals has escaped potential peril in their native countries for being different. They’ve landed in the purported “gay mecca” of San Francisco, yet even there, building a new life in an adopted nation is a precarious undertaking.
Please invite your friends and share the information with your networks. See the Theodore Parker Church Facebook page for more details.
The Zoom theater opens at 6:45 and the film starts at 7, with a half hour of discussion after. Donations to support future film screenings are welcome but not required. Questions? rjtf@tparkerchurch.org
See you at the movies!
Zoom link here.

Come Sing a Song with Us — Encore!
2021-11-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Theodore Parker Church yard, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, 02132, United States
After the success of the Church Sing on October 3, we are doing it again! All are invited to gather outside the church to sing some of our favorite hymns led by music director Michael Johnson on Sunday, November 7 at 2 p.m. The UUA is still advising congregations not to sing indoors, but singing together outside in the fresh air — masked and at a safe distance — is extremely low-risk. We will sing some of our most beloved songs from our two hymnals. Please bring a mask and water. In case of inclement weather, we will reschedule and announce the cancellation on the website and TPC Talk. RSVP to Michael if you plan to attend.

Film: "Down a Dark Stairwell" (2020)
2021-10-29 19:00 - 21:15 | Church Sanctuary and on Zoom
With the Director, Ursula Liang
Join on Zoom.

The Racial Justice Task Force launches its 2021-22 Film Series with this powerful film. When a Chinese-American police officer kills an innocent, unarmed Black man in an unlit stairwell of a Brooklyn housing project, and the officer is convicted of manslaughter — the first such conviction of an NYPD officer in over a decade — two marginalized communities are tangled in systems unfair to both.

The director, Ursula Liang, will host a discussion with audience members following the film.

TPC’s Zoom Theater opens at 6:45. There is no charge, but space is limited.
Questions? Contact RJTF@tparkerchurch.org
Preview at PBS here.

Lessons & Blessin's — An Outdoor Celebration of Animals
2021-10-17 14:00 - 14:30 | Theodore Parker Church yard, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, 02132, United States
Humans of all ages are invited to come by the church yard with their well-behaved animal companions, photos of beloved pets, and/or stuffed animals for an animal celebration. We’ll bless the animals in our lives and have the opportunity to introduce them to our congregation, answering the question, “What do you learn from your animal?” Chairs will be set up, masks are requested, and leashes recommended. Even if you don’t have pets, you’re welcome to come and appreciate others’!
