Conversations at the Meetinghouse

CONVERSATIONS AT THE MEETINGHOUSE

Friday, March 1, 2019 7PM

Unitarian Church of Sharon

4 N.Main Street, Sharon

Free to the Public

Stuart Sears, Ph.D.

“Turkey at Crossroads”

As the dust clears in the latest conflicts in Middle East, Turkey is emerging as one of the most important powers in the region. Dr. Sears examines the priorities and policies of Turkey today as it helps broker a deal in Syria and defends its interests in the Persian Gulf.

Stuart Sears, Ph.D. is a scholar of Arabic and Middle East History with a Ph.D from the University of Chicago in Early Islamic History. He is co-founder of the Arabic Language Associates and previously taught at the American University in Cairo, Egypt.

Conversations at the Meetinghouse is a monthly program held on the first Friday of each month (October to June) at 7PM where members of the community share their expertise and experience about important issues of the day.

Weather-Related Cancellations Call the church at 781.784.3652 to learn whether services or other activities are canceled due to weather. We will update here, too, when possible.
We regularly collect toothbrushes, travel-size soaps, shampoos, conditioners, toothpaste, diapers (including adult sizes), etc., for the residents of Father Bill’s / MainSpring House. Special requests: adult-size shower shoes, combs, hair brushes and feminine care products.
Our February Brown Envelope Social Justice offerings will support the Equal Justice
Initiative (www.eji.org), founded by Just Mercy author Bryan Stevenson . EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the US, challenging racial and economic injustice, and to protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable people in American society.
Feb 17 Intergenerational Cluster Service 10:15 ONLY People of the First Light – Flashback Educator Annawon Weedon, an enrolled member of his mother’s Mashpee Wampanoag Tribal Community, works as the Eastern Woodland song/dance instructor for his father’s Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Community. Join us to explore native American culture from a new perspective.
Feb 24 10 and 10:30 No Free Lunch Wendell Berry has written, “Eaters…must understand that eating takes place inescapably in the world…and that how we eat determines, to a considerable extent, the way the world is used.” This morning we reflect on the environmental – and spiritual – costs of our food choices and on how we can best answer Berry’s call to “eat responsibly.”
Conversations at the Meetinghouse Turkey at Crossroads Friday, Mar. 1st, 7pm. As the dust clears in Middle East, Turkey is emerging as an important power in the region. Stuart Sears, Ph.D., looks at Turkey’s priorities and policies as it helps broker a deal in Syria and defends its interests in the Persian Gulf. Join us on the first Friday of each month (Oct. to June) at 7pm, potluck at 6pm.
Mar 2 Cluster Potluck Join UUs from other Five Point Cluster churches at the Canton Church (1508 Washington St. ) for a potluck dinner from 5-8. Discussion topic cards on each table will help to break the ice. You can register, say what you plan to bring and see which foods may be under represented at http://whoozin.com/7F4-NJ4-JQKK.
CommUnity Closet Our next turn to staff the Closet, located at the UU Church of Brockton (325 West Elm St.) will be on Saturday, March 9th. See Jim Mullin to sign up for a morning or early afternoon shift and a chance to meet our neighbors. Volunteers are also needed to transport and sort donations on an ongoing basis.
Not Just Another Coffeehouse CHANGE OF VENUE IN MARCH The March 16 Coffeehouse will be at the First Congregational Church at 29 North Main St., diagonally across the street from the Unitarian Church of Sharon. across the street. The Beantown Buckaroos will teach the 2-step and there will be lots of fun dancing!
Let’s Laugh Today Join us on the second Saturday of each month from 11am-12pm. Bring water to drink and a donation (non-perishable food for the Sharon-Stoughton Food Pantry or travel-size toiletries for Father Bill’s / MainSpring House).
**PEANUT-FREE** Lunchmaking for MainSpring House All ages are welcome to help make the 100 peanut-free lunches we donate once each month. Remember to bring personal-size items like shampoo, soap, etc., to be delivered with the lunches. See special request notice for additional items.
Recycling Opportunity Do you have gift cards that can’t be reloaded or expired credit cards you’ve sliced up? Our Social Justice Committee has found a recycler who will accept them. Bring them to the Social Justice table on Sundays.
Meditation and Study Group NEW TIME We meet from 7pm – 8pm on Tuesdays, alternating personal seated meditation with other methods. Instruction is available and the group is always open to new participants.
Book Group meets in the library at 7pm on the first Wednesday of most months from September through June. You are welcome to join us, even if you haven’t finished reading the book. See details elsewhere in this scroll.
Shopping for Justice We purchase grocery cards at a discount and sell them at face value. The difference helps to fund our Social Justice work. Cards for Big Y, Shaw’s and Stop & Shop are available during coffee hour.
We support the Ilsa Marks Sharon-Stoughton Food Pantry year-round (and are among the few organizations that do so). The need has continued to grow. Please leave your donations of non-perishable food in the entryway.
Movie Night Join us at 7pm on the 2nd Friday of each month from September through June. Enjoy the movie, lively discussion and free popcorn.
Need a Gift? Depending on store policy, you may be able to use Shopping for Justice grocery cards to purchase other types of gifts cards (e.g., for restaurants, department or home improvement stores, or online music vendors), thus extending our Social Justice programs.
Not Just Another Coffeehouse Join us at 7pm each third Saturday through June for music, snacks and Fair Trade coffee/tea. Not a profit-making enterprise. See details elsewhere in this scroll. (Occasionally it’s on a different weekend.)
Conversations at the Meetinghouse Join us at 7pm each first Friday Oct. through June for a presentation and discussion about a topic of interest. See details elsewhere in this scroll, http://www.uusharon.org/happenings/conversations-at-the-meetinghouse/, or subscribe at http://www.uusharon.org/keep-in-touch/email-lists/subscribe-to-conv-announcements/.