What are we doing?
October was a very busy month for our team. The celebration of our ONA 25th Anniversary was truly rewarding. This included a dinner for the LGBT Asylum Task Force at Hadwen Park, UCC, a dinner for over 50 people in Edwards Hall and an amazing worship service. Thanks to our Area Associate Conference Minister, Rev. Carol Steinbrecher, for attending and blessing us.
A postcard writing event was held at Mary Memmott’s home on October 2, to get out the vote for the Virginia Governor’s race. We were able to address around 100 cards.
The benefit concert, I Am My Neighbor’s Keeper, was very successful. Beyond that, it was so entertaining.
A total of $4,400 was raised for A Place to Turn.
On October 13, Edwards Church hosted Elaine Huegel with a potluck dinner and discussion of her experiences. It was very interesting for those in attendance.
On October 18, many in our congregation participated in the No Kings rallies in Boston, Ashland, Framingham and perhaps at other places. Thank you to all who were able to show up for our Democracy!
We are in the process of collecting 1,000 boxes of pasta for A Place to Turn and are well on our way to meeting this goal.
In celebration of Indigenous People’s Day, members attended the event on Monday, October 13, at Greater Framingham Community Church (due to rain) where Debbie participated in the planning.
We are gearing up for the Veterans Dinner scheduled for November 9, at 5 pm at Plymouth Church.
The featured speaker is Larry Bazer, Retired Deputy Director of chaplaincy for the National Guard.
It was noted that Transgender Day of Remembrance is November 20 with planning to follow.
Again this year, there will be a Gifts that Give Fair on Sunday, December 7, after church. Please let Fran or Peggy know if you would like to have a table at this event. The deadline for signing up is November 30.
THE NUMBER OF TABLES IS LIMITED TO PLEASE LET US KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
CASA support: Drivers are needed to bring kids to school and then back home. Advocacy is needed with the city to cover this need. Laura Beck is coordinating the pickup of food from Restaurant Depot for distribution through CASA to immigrants. Among our regular helpers with this are Amelia and George Burton,
Janet Sanders, and Ronda Yeomans. If you would like to help with this, please contact Laura Beck at ljbmusicteacher@gmail.com.
Several Edwards members joined 50-60 people at the first stand-out at 10 Speen Street on Tuesday, September 29, for the parents of Gustavo, the young man from Milford who was detained by ICE in September. The family is seeking asylum and were reporting for their regular meeting at the ISAP office in Framingham. They were not detained! These stand-outs are now a regular event every Tuesday at 8:30 am. If you would like more information on this, please contact Laura Beck at ljbmusicteacher@gmail.com.
Discussion was begun about the distribution of JLA funds which takes place in December.
Respectfully submitted,
JLA Team