In-Person Meetings for Worship and RE canceled for February 1
Meeting for worship in the meetinghouse and RE are canceled for Sunday, February 1, due to icy conditions on Commonwealth Avenue.
No In-Person Meeting Sunday, January 25
Due to weather conditions. Meeting by Zoom is still scheduled for 11 am.
Reading Between the Lines, February 1, 9-10 am
The Adult Spiritual Education Committee will host a one-hour Reading Between the Lines—through Zoom—on First Day, Feb. 1, from 9-10 am. We will discuss—along with single lines from Micah, Psalm 15, and 1 Corinthians 1, the Beatitudes—found In Matthew 5:1-12. As part of our conversation, we’ll see the translation offered by Neil Douglas-Klotz in his book Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus. Words like “ripening,” “dissolving,” “extra unhealthy holdings,” going beyond who we thought we were, “darkness” as meaning “what’s unknown,” and more—will help us as we consider—with new eyes and ears—a text that may now seem too familiar to us. We’ll consider a progression of steps rather than a set of formulas. The facilitator will send the Zoom link through the Newslist a few days before the discussion.
RE Announcements for February & March 2026
Please note: Movement Circles were cancelled due to weather and have been rescheduled for May.
- February 15th - Faith & Play: The Story of John Lewis
- February 22nd - Fourth Sunday Age- Related Classes
- March 1st - Ramadan Group Lesson
- Willow Working Group (Ages 9-17): Next Meeting, March 1st 12:15 - 1 pm
- March 8th - Second Sunday Age-Related Classes
- Roleplaying Friendly 8s - March 8th (Second Sundays), 12:30-2 pm
Earthcare Working Group Explores Environmental Concerns from Data Centers and AI, January 11
All are welcome to an informational program with guest speaker Tim Cywinski, Communication Director of the Sierra Club Virginia Chapter on First Day, January 11 at the rise of Meeting (12:30 - 2:00 pm).
The Earthcare Working Group, continuing our exploration of water issues, became interested in the phenomenal impacts of data centers. Data center developers are increasingly tapping into freshwater resources to quench the thirst of data centers, which puts nearby communities, and the greater aquifer source, at risk. A medium-sized data center can consume up to roughly 110 million gallons of water per year for cooling purposes, equivalent to the annual usage of approximately 1,000 households. Larger data centers can consume up to 5 million gallons per day, or about 1.8 billion annually, equivalent to usage of a town of 10,000 to 50,000 people!
We have invited Tim to do a deeper dive in our exploration. Tim is a noted expert speaker on data centers and skilled at empowering Virginians to voice their concerns when faced with powerful companies proposing such projects in their community. He will share latest information on the exponential increase of data centers in Virginia, their energy, environmental and economic impacts and what citizens can do. Tim will also share briefly on the environmental and environmental justice - related legislation being brought to this year’s General Assembly and ways we can support them.
Please bring your questions and thoughts to this first program of the New Year. There will be snacks! Questions? Contact Barb Adams.