A LOSS IN OUR ALLIANCE COMMUNITY
Beatrice Meirowitz Shriver, a long-time active member in the Alliance passed away on January 13th after a short illness. Her family, John and Diane and Laura Shriver, will hold a memorial service at First Parish this Sunday afternoon at 2:00PM with a collation following the service. Alliance members are encouraged to come and participate in the collation, if you wish, in the set-up (beginning at 1:00PM) and take-down and the serving of catered refreshments. Her obituary is available in the Boston Globe. She will be greatly missed.
Alliance Programs & Gatherings
Click for Program Brochure updated for Spring 2020
Writing a Garden CATHIE DESJARDINS Friday, October 18 Potluck dessert-7:00pm; program-7:30pm
In her new book of poems, Buddha in the Garden, Cathie Desjardins takes us on a seasonal swirl through all the life experiences to which gardens are a gateway. Cathie’s Alliance talk is about both the process of making a book and making a garden and includes selected readings and photos. Buddha in the Garden will be available for signing.
WRITING YOUR OWN THIRD ACT ANNETTE SAWYER & LOUISE STRAYHORN FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15 Potluck Supper-6:30pm; program-7:30pm
With planners and facilitators, Annette Sawyer and Louise Strayhorn, we will spend an evening in community exploring a positive vision for our “third act”. We will open a conversation about what we can move toward and explore in a place where we are our most creative. Come join us as we begin the first steps on a staircase of growth!
To prepare, come with your hopes and questions and please have watched Jane Fonda’s Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wzTFgG136Y
Annual Chowder Supper Friday, January 10 Supper-6:30pm with potluck dessert
Welcome in the New Year with a warm tradition—a chowder supper! Several chowders, salad, and home-made cornbread and lots of stimulating conversation! 
Genevieve Baldwin, recipient of the youth summer seminary scholarship, shared her experiences in Colorado last summer with us. Also, our 3-year Giving Plan has been successful, but it is time for us to review for the future. We will begin the discussion now and vote on it at the Annual Meeting in May.
5 EASY WAYS TO DE-STRESS AT WORK AND AT HOME NANCY WEBBER Friday, March 20 Potluck dessert-7:00pm; program-7:30pm
Like it or not stress is part of our lives. While we cannot always control our circumstances, we can control how we respond. Nancy Webber has created an experiential program for De-Stressing. We will practice effective stress relievers including deep gentle stretches and breathing techniques. Our focus will be on releasing stress and tension throughout the body. All activities will be accessible to all and can be done standing or seated in a chair. The program will conclude with a seated Progressive Relaxation Response sequence inspired by Dr. Herbert Benson. These carefully curated relaxation exercises will leave you feeling calm and centered.
ALLIANCE SUNDAY SERVICE – April 5
it’s impossible SPEAKER: PAMELA KRISTAN
RECEPTION AFTER THE SERVICE please bring refreshments to share
If you’ve ever despaired at not being able to do it all, you’re not alone. None of us can do it all—it’s impossible. We, of unlimited thoughts and desires, live in a limited world of time and space (what a bummer!). This fundamental condition—our heads in the clouds and our feet on the ground—is our dilemma as two-leggeds. On Alliance Sunday we’ll explore how to hold this curious position with grace and power. Pam Kristan has led workshops at Rowe Conference Center, WomenExplore, and Rolling Ridge Conference Center based on her book, Awakening in Time —Practical Time Management for Those on a Spiritual Path. She attends First Church in Jamaica Plain UU, has moderated panels for National Take Back Your Time Day and has been featured in national broadcast/print media. Her mission is to bring more ease and effectiveness into people’s lives. (Info at www.Pamelakristan.com.)
ALLIANCE ANNUAL MEETING FRIDAY, MAY 8 DINNER-6:30PM WITH POTLUCK DESSERT MEETING AND PROGRAM-7:30PM