Concerts Series

Local and international artists perform in a series of three or four concerts each year. Concerts are generally held on Sunday afternoons, followed by a reception. Concerts are open to the public.

Class: Resilience Practices for Social Justice Organizers

Thursday, January 15, 2026

In this 6-week interactive class, we will explore resilience tools for social justice organizers using embodiment practices from the Alexander Technique, Somatic Experiencing, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, tai chi, and generative somatics. 

In a co-created safe space, we will explore how to prioritize centered and grounded well-being, prevent burnout, and promote sustainable community engagement.

  • How do the social, environmental, and political conditions affect our systems (mind-body-spirit)?
  • How can we learn to notice those effects, track our typical patterns of response, and learn how to respond differently when under pressure?
  • How do our beliefs and thoughts affect how we move, and vice versa?
  • How can we move from stuck/overwhelmed/angry/hopeless to determined/supported/hopeful/ready to act?
  • How can we move from an "I" perspective to a "we" perspective, broadening our sense of community?

Breathwork, somatic practices, and conscious awareness in movement can help us to regulate our nervous systems so we are more capable of listening to others with compassion, seeking common ground, and speaking with our authentic voices. In that way, we act in support of collective power, a power with rather than power over.

Hannah Greene is a certified Alexander Technique teacher and Registered Somatic Movement Educator. She worked in electoral politics and governmental communications for progressive candidates and office holders in the Bay Area. She lives in Acton with her family and enjoys choral singing, hiking, camping, Buddhist meditation, and supporting social justice causes.

Suggested donation is $80 to $120 for all six sessions. Space is limited, with priority given to those signing up for all six sessions. Advance registration is required, using the form below.

REGISTER HERE:

https://fpcosna.breezechms.com/form/resilience-practices-class-2026

Six-week class starting Thursday, January 15, 6-7 pm
Dates: 1/15, 1/22, 1/29, 2/5, 2/12, 2/26
Community Room
First Parish Church of Stow and Acton

Questions? Please contact Chris Hossfeld at music@fpc-stow-acton.org.

Photo credits, L to R: Vincent M.A. Janssen, Pexels; Phillip Pessar, Creative Commons License; Life Matters, Pexels

Resilience Practices for Social Justice Organizers

Suzie Cartreine and the Turkey Hill Ragtime Orchestra

Sunday, March 15, 2026

Toe-tapping fun for the whole family

 

The FPC Music Committee is proud to present Suzie Cartreine and the Turkey Hill Ragtime Orchestra in concert in the Sanctuary on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

The Orchestra plays vintage arrangements of ragtime music and popular songs from the 1890’s – 1920’s. That includes rags, fox-trots, slow drags, two-steps, waltzes and more, and features works of Joplin, Salisbury, Lamb, Turpin, Berlin, and others. They put a smile on your face and a spring in your step!

Founded in 2022, Turkey Hill Ragtime Orchestra sprang from pianist Suzie Cartreine’s lifelong love of ragtime, combined with her academic interest in historical performance practice.

The band is drawn from a roster of professional-level musicians from the Greater Boston area. Recent appearances include the New England Folk Festival, Chelmsford Open Spaces, the Medford Library Summer Concert Series, and numerous porchfests in the Boston area.

Suzie Cartreine was Director of Music and Organist at FPC from 2002 to 2011.

The suggested donation is $20 to $40. Donations will be accepted at Eventbrite, at the door, and at coffee hour on March 8 and March 15.

Audio and video samples are available on YouTube:

 

Turkey Hill Ragtime Orchestra