February Worship Theme

Bonds of Love

We often invoke the power of love as a religious theme. Sometimes we’re talking about affection, sentimentality. And often we use it as shorthand for the power of that which ties us to one another and is more powerful than just a fleeting “good feeling.” This month, we reflect together on the different kinds of relationships through which we experience the divine: marriages, friendships, parent/child relationships, and mentorship.

This Week in Worship

Sunday, February 2, 2014
10:30am WORSHIP

Love, Peace, and Awakening

Rev. Parisa Parsa
music by Emma Jean Moulton and the Meetinghouse Choir

Nicholas Sparks has written that “The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds.” How are we drawn, sustained, and tethered to love in our spiritual lives? How can we cultivate its gifts in our community, in our personal relationships, and in our world? All these questions will be definitively answered by 11:30 on Sunday, so don’t miss it!

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook! “Like” our page www.facebook.com/FirstParishMiltonUu
and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

We can also be found on Twitter at @FPMilton

Religious Exploration

Sunday, February 2, 2014

Children’s Church

Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger.

Youth Chat will meet in the youth room at 10:30.

Youth Group will meet at 12pm till 2pm.

Neighboring Faiths – Go to the library and be prepared to leave for the mosque by 10:30.

RE Spring Classes start on February 9th

This is what the classes look like:

This session we will combine Spirit play I with Spirit Play II which will be meeting in the activities room down stairs, the teachers for Spirit Play will be Chris Clifford, Bridget Sitkoff, Melinda & Harris Collins, and Brigette Miller.

3rd and 4th grade Small Group Ministries class will be co-taught by Jen Erbe Leggett and Myrtle Flight.

5th and 6th grade Small Group Ministry class will be co-taught by Donna Drews, David Goodrich, and Kathryn Durlach.

Neighboring Faiths will continue to meet in the Library

Youth Chat will continue to meet in the youth room

Passages taught by Marie-Laure Brown will also be starting on this day.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the office at office@fpmilton.org. Teachers are preparing and excited to see all your kids on Sunday, February 9th.

Youth Group Happenings…

First Parish in Milton’s First Annual…
Sweetheart’s Dinner!
February 8th
5pm-8pm

Admission: $20 per adult
$15 if a teen clothing or
school supply item is donated

There will be dinner, dancing, live music, a raffle and more at this adults only Valentine’s fundraiser benefiting the First Parish Youth Group and Bridge over Troubled Waters, an organization benefiting Boston’s homeless youth.

Babysitting will be provided; each adult ticket covers babysitting for one child with each additional child costing $5.

Annual Budget Drive FY15

We are grateful to the following people who have already made their pledge for next year. We have raised $103,340.00 (40%) of our goal of $260,000. Thank you for your generosity.

• Mary Blanchette & Jim May
• Mike and Tasha Bello
• Bob & Anne Marie Buckland
• Chris & Karla Clifford
• Harris & Melinda Collins
• Nancy & Dan Devine
• Charlie Franish & Ruth Hannon
• Dale Golembeski & Amy Kavadlo
• Ann Hallett
• Ruth Heiden & Marsha Maurer
• Elise Henricks & Tony Dutzik
• David Morse
• Gillian & Matthew Najarian
• Amy Norton
• Mark & Patricia Ostrem
• Glenn Pavlicek & Anita Penta
• Sue Phillips & Tandi Rogers
• Chris & Dottie Pitt
• Tracey Robinson
• Jeff Stoodt & Lisa White
• Bebe Williamson

If you’ve received a pledge form, please turn it in or mail it to the church office!
Pledges all due by February 28!

News and Announcements

IMBOLC
Saturday, February 1, 7PM Parish Hall

While it may seem strange to be celebrating the coming of Spring while snow still covers the ground and the bitter winds of winter still whip around our shoulders, the old name of this Sabbat actually explains the reasoning. Imbolc literally means “in the belly” – thus, though the land is still covered with snow and frost, within the belly of Mother Earth, the first faint stirrings of the seeds of the new season are beginning.

A festival celebrating light in the darkness, the Rite of Imbolc is the celebration of the rekindled fire both within ourselves and in the world.

All are welcome to celebrate Imbolc with 1st Parish’s Earth-Centered-Spirituality Group…We share a pot-luck feast after ritual…

Questions? contact Mark Whall: 617 282 4075 markonwall@gmail.com

Sunday, February 2 12:00 – 1:30 pm
Divorced or Separating?

A group for personal reflection and peer support is gathering, made up of members of First Parish and First Congregational Church. Join us for an initial meeting on Sunday, February 2 from 12-1:30 in the Chase Parlor at First Parish. If you have questions or want more information, please contact Andy Crum at agcrum@gmail.com.

Meditation will be meeting weekly Sundays and Wednesday beginning February 2 and February 5.

Meditation continues Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-7:30pm as well as Sunday from 9:00am-9:30am both meet in the Children’s Church.

All are welcome to join us and enjoy some peaceful, restful quiet.

New Member Orientation Class will be meeting on Sunday, February 9 (1 – 3pm) and Sunday, February 23 (noon – 2pm)

If you have been in touch with me about the orientation, you will be getting further information by e-mail. If you have not heard from me or are interested in attending Feb 9 and 23, please email me director@fpmilton.org to sign up now. Lunch and childcare provided. – Kiki Giatis

Emma Jean Moulton and the Meetinghouse Choir will be preforming again February 9th. The choir will rehearse that morning from 8:45am-10:00am

February 9 – 16TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE AUCTION

St. Valentine’s Day, when we celebrate the patron saint of Chocolate, is once again just around the corner. At First Parish, that means it’s CHOCOLATE AUCTION time again!

Looking for a tasty token with which to express your love for your Valentine? Or simply ready to satisfy your own sweet tooth?

Be at Church on Sunday FEBRUARY 9th for the Chocolate Auction. This event, which has become an annual tradition at First Parish, will take place in the Parish Hall right after the worship service. ALL members of the congregation are encouraged to bring some goodie of substance for the auction. Chocolate is the essential ingredient. [For those of you who have a sweet tooth but not a chocolate one – perhaps someone else will do a Non-Chocolate Auction, but this is not that event…] Please plan ahead – think NOW about what you might be able to contribute. Items should be attractively presented and ready to be carried home (meaning – don’t expect to get the plate or dish back). A small card or label identifying the item and any information (ingredients – especially whether there are nuts or nut oils, name of maker, interesting recipe history if any) – will be very helpful and much appreciated by your humble auctioneer. If you have a chance, please email (cspitt@comcast.net) Chocolate Auctioneer Chris Pitt in advance and let him know what you plan to bring, but note that this is not required and is not a condition for participating. Just make, bake, mix, fix, or buy – and bring it on the 9th.

Items to be auctioned are brought to the Parish Hall before church on the morning of the Auction, where they will be on display before the service and immediately after, before the Auction starts. Each item will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Children are permitted to bid, but only under the direct supervision of a parent, please. There will also be a Kids’ Raffle! All of the proceeds of this year’s Chocolate Auction will be given to support the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. This is a unique, fun and yummy way to raise funds for an important local social action service. Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!

Any questions at all, call or email Chris Pitt.

First Parish Wants YOU! …

First Parish depends on the leadership and energy of lay volunteers to make our community thrive. Serving on a committee or working group can be a great way to help build our church while learning new skills and making new connections. There are opportunities for leadership immediately and for the 2014-15 church year. To find out more, e-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@earthlink.net or Kiki Giatis at director@fpmilton.org.

Our Caring Committee helps connect and respond with compassion to the expressed needs and concerns to members of our community.  Please consider ways you might help out when needed.  Volunteers may help drive someone to doctor’s appointments, church or church events; make a meal and deliver it, help with simple home repairs.  Check out all the possibilities, including joining the Caring Committee.  Forms are available on the information table located in the Parish Hall.  We are grateful to all those that already have been a great help with a variety of needs including those on short notice.

A Home-Grown Café Blue Hills

Saturday, March 1st, 7 to 10pm in the Parish Hall

Please join us on Saturday, March 1st from 7 to 10 pm for a night of home-made music by members of our own First Parish congregation.  We’ll have some light refreshments, and donations will be gratefully accepted to help with repairs to our First Parish organ.

If you are interested in performing or willing to help with set up, please see Charlie Franich of the Membership Committee or send him an email at pemaquid@aol.com.

Are you celebrating Thirty Days of Love ?

It is not to late to join. Standing on the Side of Love is a community of people compelled to speak out against oppression, united in the common belief that love is the ultimate guiding force of our world. What is your intention this month? What will your spiritual journey for social justice look like?
Sign up at here to get daily emails with reflection and action suggestions with a “Share the Love” Sunday on the 16th. You can also follow the Days of Love on our facebook page.

Kiki’s Corner

Our Annual Budget Drive is underway. Blank pledge forms and envelopes are on the Information Table if you keep forgetting to bring your pledge form back. Please put sealed completed pledge in the Return Basket in the Parish Hall, the lockbox (aka the gray box) next to the office door. You may also mail in your pledge form. If you haven’t received pledge information by mail by February 7, please contact me. (director@fpmilton.org) We would like all pledge forms returned by Friday, February 28th. We are grateful for all the generous people in this congregation.