Bob Kinsman honored with Lifelong Learning Award
BILLERICA — AgeSpan honored Billerica resident Robert Kinsman with an Inspiring Lifelong Learning Award, recognizing his lifelong commitment to community service and passion for learning. Kinsman was one of five residents from across the Merrimack Valley and North Shore who were honored for embodying the spirit of lifelong learning and serving as role models within their communities. The awards were given out at the AgeSpan Annual Luncheon in November, at the Blue Ocean Event Center in Salisbury.
A retired engineer and U.S. Air Force veteran, Kinsman has dedicated his life to helping others. He has held leadership roles with numerous organizations, including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Disabled American Veterans, Billerica Lions Club, Billerica Historical Society, Bennett Public Library and the Billerica 350th Anniversary Celebration Committee, among others.
“Service has always been very important to me, whether it was serving my country, serving my community, or serving locally as a volunteer,” Kinsman said. “I try to stay involved and busy at the same level that I did when I worked in a paid job. Now I’m getting paid in different ways. It’s just as rewarding.”
AgeSpan is a private, nonprofit agency dedicated to helping people in northeast Massachusetts maintain the highest level of independence, health and safety as they age. AgeSpan is a Massachusetts Aging Services Access Point and an Area Agency on Aging.
For more information, call 800-892-0890 or visit AgeSpan.org.
UNESCO Learning City
LOWELL — The city of Lowell was officially designated a United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization Learning City, becoming the first municipality in the United States to earn this international recognition. UNESCO announced the 72 newest members to its Global Network of Learning Cities on Dec. 4, highlighting cities around the world that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to lifelong learning for residents of all ages.
Lowell’s selection reflects the city’s 200-year legacy as a place where learning, innovation and cultural exchange have always been central to community life.
The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities now includes 425 cities from 91 countries, collectively supporting nearly 500 million residents. As a member of the UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities, Lowell will collaborate with cities around the world to share innovative practices, develop inclusive learning policies and create new programs that support education, sustainability, equity and community well-being.
For more information, visit, uil.unesco.org/en/learning-cities/lowell.
Save the date: Leave-taking service for Christ Church United
LOWELL — Christ Church United, a fixture of spiritual life and social justice in Lowell for over 50 years as a federated congregation, will hold a formal Service of Leave-taking on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 2 p.m., 180 East Merrimack St.
The congregation reached the difficult decision to close following years of declining membership and the rising costs of maintaining their large, historic building. Members of Lowell’s historic CCU worshiping community plan to move to First Congregational Church of Billerica beginning in late January, ensuring that the CCU spirit of inclusivity and service continues in new forms as the congregation itself completes a legal dissolution process.
The Service of Leave-taking is an invitation to all to honor the history of this congregation and celebrate its life in the community. The service will say goodbye to the building while blessing the “living stones” as the congregants carry the CCU spirit to their new home in Billerica.
For more information, visit wewelcomeall.org.
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