The Alliance is the women’s organization in our church, with a mission to support the women in our church, and through that support to advance the interests and efforts of our entire church. Formal membership in The Alliance is open only to women, but Alliance activities are inclusive across gender and age: men attend meetings as guests and as speakers, and The Alliance is supportive of, and supported by, the youth and children of First Parish. The Alliance hosts several programs each year from October to May. Most programs are held on Friday evenings. For more information, contact alliance@firstparish.info.

Click here for the list of Alliance Board Officers and more information about our charitable 3-year Giving Plan.

Alliance Programs & Gatherings 2020-2021

Boxed images of smiling Alliance Board at Zoom meeting

Save these dates and join us! 

Fridays: Oct 2, Nov 13, Jan 8, Feb 12, Alliance Sunday Service-Apr 11, Alliance Annual Meeting-May 14

ALLIANCE ANNUAL MEETING AND PROGRAM

Friday, October 2, 7:00-8:30pm

Our business meeting will review the nominated Board officers for the year, confirm the budget, and determine the beneficiaries of our Giving Plan.  The meeting will be followed (at 7:45PM) by a program.

Joan Martin of the Board of the League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters, why it is still relevant today
The LWV and the 19th Amendment for the women’s right to vote are in their 100th anniversary year!

Joan will speak about the history and goals of the League and explain how the League has established its positions on current issues. Discussion will follow. Please join us with questions!

Robin Schoenthaler
Friday, December 4, 7:30-9:00PM

Dr. Robin Schoenthaler Dr. Robin Schoenthaler will update us on the latest information about COVID before the holidays. She practices at the MGH Department of Radiation Oncology at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA and has a particular interest in treating women with breast cancer. She is the Director of Medical Education at Emerson Hospital and Chair of the Medical Education Committee.

Julie Dahlstrom
Friday, January 8, 7:30-9:00PM

Julie Dahlstrom Julie Dahlstrom, a member of First Parish, is clinical legal fellow at Boston University School of Law where she oversees the Human Trafficking Clinic, which was named one of top 25 most innovative clinics by preLaw magazine in 2014. The clinic is unique in its focus on holistic, multi-disciplinary lawyering and building sustainable law enforcement partnerships.

Diane Taraz
Friday, February 12, 7:30-9:00PM

A First Parish favorite, Diane Taraz will present a program of songs and stories with the Civil War as a backdrop.

Time Travel to the Future: Preparedness Planning Throughout Life (a program co-sponsored by the Alliance and STAR)
Friday, March 12, 7:30-9:00PM

We will travel through time, in a multi-perspective discussion of how to plan for and through life’s transitions. Together we will imagine and create the kind of end-of-life “road map” we may wish to leave for our loved ones and community. Take a look at this very thorough checklist as a reference point, and join us for a panel discussion with Rev. Erica Richmond and First Parish community members Kathy Kemp and Alice Austin. They will share their perspectives on “being prepared”. In small group reflection we can each consider what further planning we may wish to take action on, and how best to gather and communicate “need to know” logistical, spiritual and practical information for those who will see us through and past our final days.” Our program is open to all. Questions are welcome via alliance@firstparish.info.

Marta Varee Pearson
ALLIANCE SUNDAY SERVICE – April 11

Marta Varee Pearson is the winner of the 2020 UUWF Sermon Award for her sermon, Georgia Blew My Mind in 2019: Moving Past Dreams to Action. Marta Varee Pearson is the winner of the 2020 UUWF Sermon Award for her sermon, Georgia Blew My Mind in 2019: Moving Past Dreams to Action.

ALLIANCE Annual meeting and Program

with Elizabeth Hunter

Friday, may 14, 7:30-9:00PM

The Alliance will hold its Annual Meeting to review the Board officers for the coming year and vote on the budget for the coming year. Our program will follow with First Parish member, Elizabeth Hunter, talking about her theater company, Theatre@First, how it got started, and what the future holds.