February 7 at 7:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
February 11 at 2 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
This film by Jewish-Israeli director Shimon Dotan traces the history of Israeli settlements in the West Bank (a clear violation of international law by an occupying power) that began in 1967 and continues to this day at an accelerating pace. The settlement population now tops 850,000 (including East Jerusalem) and has mythologized the touted “two-state solution.” Watch the trailer.
The LSPO invited the L-S high school community to a “coffee chat” with Superintendent/Principal Andrew Stephens on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 8:30 a.m. in Conference Room A. If you would like to submit questions for the superintendent before the meeting or if you aren’t sure you can attend the chat, please use this form and submit as many questions as you’d like.
February 21 at 7:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
February 25 at 2 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
In 2005, 170 Palestinian civil society organizations called for a non-violent boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) campaign to pressure Israel to comply with international law. Although the campaign has gained little traction with the American public, the pro-Israel lobby has aggressively pursued—and in 36 states, succeeded in—enacting legislation that penalizes the free-speech “right to boycott.” The film follows three cases: a newspaper publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech therapist in Texas who were forced to choose between their jobs and their political beliefs. Watch the trailer.
February 21 at 7:30 p.m., Bemis Hall
February 25 at 2 p.m., Lincoln Public Library
In 2005, 170 Palestinian civil society organizations called for a non-violent boycott, divestment, and sanction (BDS) campaign to pressure Israel to comply with international law. Although the campaign has gained little traction with the American public, the pro-Israel lobby has aggressively pursued—and in 36 states, succeeded in—enacting legislation that penalizes the free-speech “right to boycott.” The film follows three cases: a newspaper publisher in Arkansas, an attorney in Arizona, and a speech therapist in Texas who were forced to choose between their jobs and their political beliefs. Watch the trailer.
The Rural Land Foundation will hold its next public forum on the future of the mall on Thursday, Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. via Zoom. Click here to join the meeting (passcode: 94034). Redevelopment of the mall will be guided by rezoning in South Lincoln mandated by the Housing Choice Act. At the first forum on January 18, the RLF unveiled two visual concepts for 40 units of housing and 5,000–10,000 square feet of first-floor and/or street-activating use space.
The First Parish in Lincoln continues its “Conversations on Tap” series at the Tack Room with Rev. Nate Klug in “Talking with Your Kids About Current Events” on Monday, March 4 at 7:30 p.m. Open to all spiritual backgrounds and towns. This year especially, with war in Ukraine and the Middle East and a national election upcoming, we may feel overwhelmed in thinking about how to approach current events with our children.
There will be an informational meeting with representatives of the Housing Choice Act Working Group and the Rural Land Foundation (owner of the mall) on Thursday, March 7 at at 7 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. This will be an in-person event only, and seating will be limited.
The unofficial meeting with town officials including Select Board member Jennifer Glass, Planning Board Chair Margaret Olson, and Director of Planning and Land Use Paula Vaughn-MacKenzie is organized and hosted by Pam and Ken Hurd. It is not a presentation or debate but will focus on questions people may have regarding the proposed zoning changes to the Lincoln Station District in response to HCA.
Geoff McGean and Michelle Barnes of the RLF will also answer questions on the constraints they face in transforming the current mall building into housing with ground floor commercial, perhaps using a schematic plan for illustrative purposes only.
Videos of the RLF’s public forums in January and February can be found on this RLF web page. Read about them in the Lincoln Squirrel articles published on Jan. 21, 2024 and March 3, 2024.
The “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” free speaker series continues via Zoom on Wednesday, March 13 at 7 p.m. with Erika Rumbley, co-founder and director of the New Garden Society and Director of Horticulture at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. She will speak about her work training incarcerated students in the art and science of plants. On Wednesday, March 27at 7 p.m., Doug Sutherland, a summer camp professional, will share his experiences as a Black person in rural New Hampshire, where “belonging” is an assumption for some and unattainable for others.
Click here to register for either talk. The series is hosted by Farrington Nature Linc, Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Walden Woods Project, Mass Audubon, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and Codman Community Farms. Spring 2024 Sponsorship is generously provided by the Ogden Codman Trust and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area.
The Youth Programs Committee at the First Parish in Lincoln is hosting an interfaith candlelight vigil on Wednesday, March 20 from 6–7 p.m. at the white church for all children lost in both the Palestinian and Israeli communities. Children can bring a bird they’ve made for a specific child (see Birds of Gaza for ideas) or for children more broadly. Craft kits with various art supplies to create birds are still available outside the side door of the Stone Church. Birds can be fashioned out of any medium you choose (clay, paper, your own materials, etc.). A short prayer will be offered at the vigil that is appropriate for all ages.
The “On Belonging in Outdoor Spaces” free speaker series continues on Wednesday, March 27 at 7 p.m. via Zoom when Doug Sutherland, a summer camp professional, will share his experiences as a Black person in rural New Hampshire, where “belonging” is an assumption for some and unattainable for others. Click here to register.
The series is hosted by Farrington Nature Linc, Lincoln Land Conservation Trust, the Walden Woods Project, Mass Audubon, deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum, and Codman Community Farms. Spring 2024 Sponsorship is generously provided by the Ogden Codman Trust and Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area.
A memorial for the late Susan Sugar will take place on Sunday, April 6 at 2 p.m. in the First Parish Church across from the library, with a reception to follow. Sugar died on Nov. 7, 2023 at the age of 90 (click here for her obituary).
Residents are invited to meet Massachusetts Auditor Diana DiZoglio on Sunday, April 21 at 3 p.m. in the Lincoln Public Library’s Tarbell Room. DiZoglio, a former member of the Mass. House and Senate, is sponsoring a ballot question allowing the auditor to audit the state legislature and will explain the need for transparency on Beacon Hill. Come join us for an informative short presentation and time for questions. Hosted by the Democratic Town Committee.
The Lincoln-Sudbury School Committee will hold a listening session for students, families, and community members on Monday, April 29 from 7–8 p.m. on Google Meet. These sessions are not public meetings with an agenda, but rather a casual opportunity to meet with committee members (in this case, Lucy Maulsby and Mary Warzynski). Click here to join the meeting.
Join Ministry Associate Sarah Klockowski and the Racial Justice Advocates for a special screening of “The Law and the Prophets” (2023), a compelling and thorough documentary exposing the systems of oppression that Palestinians face in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Israel. This film features interviews with eight individuals, both Palestinian and Israeli, who explain the laws and policies of the occupation. On her recent solidarity trip to the West Bank, Sarah met four of these modern prophets.
After the screening, we will be joined via Zoom by the filmmaker, Rev. Dr. Joshua Vis, and Rev. Chris DeBlaay. Josh and Chris are peace activists working to educate Americans on the realities of the occupation of Palestine. They lead tours to the region and, along with Sarah, were part of the 23-member delegation that traveled to the West Bank and East Jerusalem in late February. They will present material connected to their recent visit to the West Bank as well as insights from historians, activists, and other thought leaders.
If you will be joining us virtually, please Click here to register in advance for this meeting.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about how to join.
Caregivers, students, and community members from our Lincoln and Hanscom schools will have the opportunity to raise items with Matina Madrick and Yonca Heyse of the Lincoln School Committee on Tuesday, May 21 from 6-7 p.m. on Zoom. This session is not a public meeting with an agenda, but rather a casual opportunity to meet with committee members. Click here for the Zoom link.
First Parish in Lincoln is hosting international Buddhist teacher Shantum Seth on Tuesday, May 21 at 7 p.m. Seth was ordained as a Dharmacharya (Dharma Teacher) by the renowned Zen Master, Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) in 2001. He teaches in India and across the world, and leads pilgrimages, called “In the Footsteps of the Buddha” and other multifaith and transformative journeys. He is actively involved in social, environmental and educational programs, including cultivating mindfulness in society with educators, law enforcement, and socially responsible corporations.
Seth will speak about “The Path of the Buddha… Peace in Oneself, Peace in the World.” He will lead a guided meditation in Thay’s tradition, share his experiences walking with Thay in the footsteps of the Buddha, and discuss a new community to realize Thay’s vision in India: Plum Village II.