First Parish News Dec 2021

This season of Advent, we are facing so many challenges in the context of the never ending pandemic. In this December newsletter, Pam speaks of the need to recognize—not mask— the darkness. She writes that she is reading "Haphazard by Starlight" by Janet Morley, a collection of poems and reflections on pieces by authors such as Philip Larkin, Sylvia Plath, and Emily Dickinson. Although these are poems about darkness - the darknesses of the self, the season, and the society - some offer the hope of light breaking in; others encourage the reader to sit with and in the darkness. Worship services are focused on the Advent themes of hope, peace, love, and joy. Activities in the church this month include holding the Snowflake Fair fundraiser; supporting the Sponsor a Woman campaign; collecting childrens' hats and mittens for Cradles to Crayons, and adult-size white socks for Haley House.