This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 15, 2017 @10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

What Is Prayer?

October Worship Theme – Spiritual Practices

Minister Rev. Lisa Ward

Abraham Heschel, 20th century Jewish mystic, writes: “Prayer is our humble answer to the inconceivable surprise of living. It is all we can offer in return for the mystery by which we live.”

This Sunday’s worship offering toward October’s theme of “spiritual practice” is a look at prayer. Most of humanity prays in one way or another. It is such a loaded word when coupled with dogma, but when released into an opening of the heart, we know that most of us pray from time to time.

What is prayer?
Prayer is communication with Presence, known by many names.
Prayer is an act of humility: an acceptance of vulnerability.
Prayer is a reaching toward that which heals or brings us to a sense of “home”.
Prayer is acknowledging that there is more than our own selves in the scope of our lives.
Prayer is a sense of the holy which moves in us, amongst us and through us.
Prayer is sacred intention.
Prayer is paying attention.

Come, let us pray together.

Blessings,

Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

• Nursery and toddler care is available every week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. This year our caregivers are Daisy and Grace. Stop by and say hello!
• Religious Exploration for Sunday, October 15: Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the first part of the worship service in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms. Please note that classes end at 11:40 am.
• All classrooms are located downstairs. Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story will be “Mr. Grumpy’s Outing.” Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Super Heroes: Bible People curricula, meeting in the Children’s Church (new location). This week continues the important and exciting story of Moses, the plagues of Egypt and the parting of the Red Sea. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing a curriculum called Friends and Neighbors. This group will meet in the Activity room. This week the class will begin its exploration of Hinduism.
• Youth Chat for grades 9 through 12 will be held in the Youth room on the second floor during the service.
• Youth Trip to Boda Borg in Malden this Sunday! The youth group members and chaperones will be heading offsite on October 15 to participate in various mental and physical Quests which can only be solved through strategic thinking, rapid planning and above all – teamwork! Youth must pre-register to attend – contact the Youth Advisor at restaff@fpmilton.org.
• Register your child or youth! The Religious Education Committee requests all families to register their children and youth before classes begin on September 17. Paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway.

Save the date: The Halloween Dance Party & Haunted Hallway will be on October 27 (see below).

Halloween Dance Party
Friday, October 27th
7pm – 9:30pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 8th annual Spooktacular Dance Party. Costumes, dancing and fun for all! Tell your friends, bring the neighbors, this is a party for everybody.

Experience the Eerie Haunted House created by our ghastly youth group — Go through it if you DARE! (You can request the full scare or a calmer version if you prefer.)

If you would like to help setup, cleanup or providing Halloween-themed desserts, please email Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

News and Announcements

Circle Socials Are Back!

Circle Socials are convivial potluck events intended to promote deeper, stronger connections within First Parish’s community. Hosts provide a main course and coordinate what guests contribute (appetizers, salads/side dishes, desserts, beverages).

Sign-Up this month at Membership Committee’s table during Social Hour for the following dates:

Adult evenings beginning at 6:30 pm (4 dates)
Sunday, 10/29, Friday 11/3, Tuesday, 11/14 and Saturday 11/18.

Family friendly brunch at 10:00 am – Saturday 11/4

Questions? Tucker Smith

Saturday, November 4 at 5pm
Parish Hall Social Action Potluck

The Social Action Committee warmly invites you to a potluck meeting on Saturday, November 4 at 5pm in the Parish Hall to learn more about the work we are doing, ways to get involved, and to celebrate our work.

REMINDER

We have set up office supplies in the Library for volunteers to access. Ushers will do the collection count in the library. Forms, calculators, etc. are in a green box marked “Sunday Collection”. Check the freezer for coffee if you are a social hour host.

Adult Enrichment Programming

CPR for the Soul! InterPlay Gathering in New England

CC King, Dirkje Legerstee, Lisa Laing and others
Milton, MA

Saturday, October 21, 1:00 pm to 4pm

Feeling unnerved by the rapid changes in society and the pace of our lives? Seeking fresh ways to find your groove or ground your days? Interplay may be just the thing. Combining story-telling, simple observation and embodied creativity, Interplay inspires new insights, fresh outlooks and shared truths. Interplay offers the opportunity to experience the richness of community and one’s own agency within it. Come ready to move and play. All bodies are welcome. All abilities embraced.

1:00pm – 4:00 pm Open Play for people of any and all experience.
Newcomers welcome!

Cost: $10-35, sliding scale; don’t let funding concerns keep you away!
Registration/Information: CC King

New Groups Forming

The First Parish Arts Group

If you love thought-provoking art/theater, please join us! One performance per month will be scheduled. We will create opportunities to discuss the themes rendered. If you want to join any of these awesome theatre adventures please email Laurie Macintosh at to be on our elist.

The First Parish Hamilton Book Group

The First Parish Hamilton Book Group will read Hamilton, the book written by Ron Chernow, a book about Aaron Burr (TBD, but probably the novel “Burr” by Gore Vidal), listen to music from the play Hamilton and then go to the play in fall 2018 when it arrives in Boston. If you are interested, email Joe Ayoub.

Saturday, October 14
Meet in the FP parking lot at 10 a.m.

The Green Team next meets
Thursday October 19, 2017, 7:30-9pm
Email Jennie for questions.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Father Bill’s
Volunteers needed to prepare and serve meal dinner in Quincy.
Contact Peter Schneider

Halloween Dance Party
Friday, October 27th
Parish Hall 7pm – 9:30pm

All Church Council
Sunday, October 29, 2017
12 noon – Parish Hall

Wednesday, November 1
Vespers Service for Healing and Wholeness
Children’s Church – 6:30 – 7:15 pm

Social Action Committee News

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Check out the Social Action Calendar the Committee’s Builletin Board
or at the information tables in the Stebbins Parlor and Parish Hall Foyer.

The Green Team

The Green Team will meet at Jennie Mulqueen’s house.on third Thursdays 7:30-9pm: October 19, November 16, Jan 18, Feb 15, March 15, April 19, May 17. There are still slots open on the team. Our agenda this year is to identify and recommend environmental projects for First Parish Milton to undertake 2018-2019.

Email Jennie for questions
Together we can make a difference.

Sign up during social hour to volunteer with Social Action on upcoming Saturdays:

• November 11, 2017
• December 9, 2017

Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry source and distribute the food to those in need. (www.fairfoods.org)

The Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers to prepare and serve meals at Father Bill’s in Quincy on the following dates:

Dinner, Sunday, October 22, 2017
Lunch, Saturday, November 11, 2017

For more information contact Peter Schneider.

The Courageous Conversations Team, in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, Milton Reflecting, and Milton for Peace, invites you to a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Now more than ever, we must engage in this critical work of recognizing and dismantling racism in our society.

For more information, please contact Rev. Maurice Davis at 617 322 1567.

Kiki’s Corner

It has been a busy September and October with more events scheduled for later this month and November. For each activity, there is a group or set of individuals that have organized and planned these events that we all enjoy. So thank you to our Hospitality Committee co-chaired by Jen Pinkus and Amy Kavadlo for planning the Harvest Supper. Kudos to our Social Action Committee (Dave Goodrich, Linda Carney-Goodrich, Pat Gallivan, Tony Dutzik, Tracey Robinson, Deb Alsebai, Peter Schneider , Jennie Mulqueen) for representing us at Celebrate Milton, planning a Social Action Potluck and continue to champion our volunteer efforts at Fair Foods, Inc. And Father Bill’s as well as participating in Courageous Conversations. Bravo Membership Committee, particularly to Tucker Smith, for reviving Circle Socials during late October/early November. And thank you Building & Grounds team (Beth Gray-Nix, chair, Andy Strang, Richard Venable, Tom Kemp, Karl Pastore) for working on small projects around the church this spring and summer. The wheelchair ramp and kitchen steps were painted recently.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

REMINDER THE LINK DEADLINE IS TUEDAYS

“Brevity Matters” – Peter Bowden, Social Media Guru and wise UU

Deadline for submissions is Tuesdays. You need to address email to both office@fpmilton.org and director@fpmilton.org to assure your announcement will be included in the weekly Link. Written announcements for the Sunday Order of Worship are derived from the announcements for The Link. We, from time to time, will also publish non-church events with a connection to a member of the church. Your submission may be edited due to space requirements. We recommend that you submit no more than 1 – 2 paragraphs.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thurday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

SUMMER SUNDAYS

June 25 – September 3
Worship, 9:30 am in the Children’s Church
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 8:30 am in the Children’s Church
No Religious Exploration Program , Nursery Care, Choir Rehearsal

Beginning Sunday, September 10

Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse
Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

EVERY THURSDAY

Silent Prayer & Meditation, 6:30pm in the Children’s Church

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday?1472051612751