Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 10/19/2018

Weekly Link 10-19-18

Church

This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 21, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“On Holy Ground”

Rev. Mary Margaret Earl will be joining Rev. Lisa for this week’s worship service.

The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl is Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. In this ministry, she has worked to strengthen bonds between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She is on the Moral Movement Massachusetts leadership team, which works to connect faith leaders with those impacted by poverty. Prior to her arrival at the UU Urban Ministry, she spent 10 years at a faith-based nonprofit in RI serving the homeless community, She is past president of the Board of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, recipient of the Heroes of Faith Award from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches for her interfaith work, and is a longtime vegan committed to standing up for nonhuman animals.

MinisterMinister

Rev. Lisa Ward

For the first week of November, I will be attending The Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto. “We call upon peoples of faith and conscience to stand for a more just, peaceful, and sustainable world,” reads the Parliament’s website, “and join thousands of interfaith activists from around the world.” Approximately 10,000 persons of faith and conscience will be attending from 80 nations and more than 200 unique spiritual backgrounds. The theme of the week is entitled: “The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change.”

This is an opportunity to discern with others how faith practices and shared endeavors can help steer the world away from violence, disintegration and oppression. It promises to be an embodiment of the aspiration of our sixth principle in Unitarian Universalism: world community, with peace, liberty and justice for all..

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend. I hope to bring back to our community newly found insights, energy for expansion of perspectives and news that thousands believe in the possibility of humanity navigating our lives together.

So May It Be.

Blessings, Rev. Lisa

Religious ExplorationReligious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up to age 3.

On Sunday, October 21, all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms.

Religious Exploration classes will be meeting this Sunday, October 21. Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story will be The Green and Gracious Dragon. Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Holidays and Holy Days curricula, meeting in the kitchen. This week they will be learning about the Hindu holiday of Dussehra, the celebration of good over evil. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing the Friends and Neighbors curriculum, meeting in the Activity room. This group will focus on Judaism this week and next.

Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, October 21, from noon to 1:30 pm in the Children’s Church. Please drop off and pick up your youth from the front of the building so they can use the Children’s Church entrance as all other external doors will be locked.

Register your child or youth! All families are requested to register their children or youth for our religious exploration programs. Please use this link to our online form: RE Registration Form (or paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway).

Halloween Dance Party

Friday, October 26th

7pm – 9:00pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 9th 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.)

Treats and helpers needed: Sign up here if you can help with setup or cleanup, or provide grisly Halloween-themed snacks and desserts.

Youth Yacking

For Sunday October 21st, 2018

Youth Chat, 10:30am – 11:30am: This week’s class will be a continuation of our conversation on topics for the year. Come decide what you want to learn and explore this year in Youth Chat!

YAC, Youth Adult Committee, 12pm – 1:30pm: Youth and Adult committee members are invited to our October YAC meeting to plan upcoming fall events and beyond!

CAT, Community Activity Time, 12pm – 2pm: It is everyone’s favorite time of year… THE HAUNTED HALLWAY! CAT will focus on planning a theme and layout for the haunted hallway that is fast approaching next week.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

The choir anthem for this Sunday is “We Carry Peace” by New Zealand composer David N. Childs, based on a poem by New Mexico poet laureate Keith Wilson.

Image result for we carry the peace david childs

Jennifer Sgroe will be offering a gospel arrangement of “If I Can Help Somebody” by Alma Androzzo.

Events, News and Announcements

There will be a Special Meeting of the Members of First Parish on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. It will be held in the Meetinghouse immediately after the Worship Service. The Special Meeting is being called by the Parish Committee and is being held for two purposes – first, to approve proposed amendments to our By-Laws and second, to approve a proposed expenditure for the painting of the Meetinghouse that was not included in the budget approved by the Members at the 2018 Annual Meeting in May.

In order to expedite the meeting, please read the materials provided which explain both the by laws changes and the meeting house painting recommendation. There will be two learning and commenting sessions held prior to the Special Meeting –

1- Thursday October 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meetinghouse

2 – Sunday, October 21 at 11:45 a.m. in the Meetinghouse

If you want to learn about the by-law amendments and painting proposal, come to either of these sessions. Copies of the by-law amendments and the painting proposal will be handed out at the learning sessions and are also available in advance on the Members page of the First Parish website. Once on the Members Page, click on Congregational Meetings. PLEASE bring your curiosity, questions, comments and concerns to one of these sessions, and then come to the Special Meeting on October 28 to vote.

Thursday Evening Silent Prayer and Meditation has resumed and meets in the Children’s Church 7:00pm-7:30pm.

Harvest Supper 2018

October 20th, Parish Hall, 6:00pm-9:00pm

What would October be without the Harvest Supper? Come join us at this well-loved event to welcome in the fall and the new church year. 4th annual!

What to bring:

· A dish for the potluck

· The whole family

· Your appetite and friendly face

If you enjoy wine or beer, please bring a bottle or six-pack for the bar.

Great conversation, door prizes

Amazing First Parish food and drink

Music and even dancing this year!

Please note: there will be no on-site childcare this year. We welcome all ages at this family event, so please feel free to bring the kids!

Mainspring

MainSpring in Brockton

Sunday, October 21

3-6pm

The Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers to prepare and serve dinner at MainSpring in Brockton from 3pm-6pm on October 21st. To sign up email Peter.

GREEN ACTION TEAM

First Parish GREEN ACTION TEAM is going “live!” Our October theme is PLASTICS. Why, because Milton Town Meeting on October 22 will vote on Warrant Article 12 to ban flimsy, single-use plastic bags in our town. Please contact your own Precinct Town Meeting Members; express your opinion: that you favor a YES vote on Article 12 to BAN PLASTIC BAGS.

Information is provided here and on our team’s bulletin board. Watch for an upcoming Milton Times “Sustainably Speaking” article. Connect the social action dots as well… communities impacted by fossil fuel refineries, manufacturers, landfills, and shorelines. Take ACTION! Contact your elected TM reps.

Let’s do this — together, we can.

Peter Schneider and Tucker Smith, Green Action Team

Samhain Blessings

The season of amber leaves and firelight has long been held as a time of enchantments and charms, mysteries and magic. Bonfires, hayrides, pumpkins and cooler evenings remind us of the importance of family and friendship.

Samhain is a time to honor those who have gone before us. Join the First Parish CUUPS group for a ritual of meditation and prayer, of honoring and giving thanks for those who have gone before us. The ritual will begin at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 27, in the Parish Hall Parlor. Potluck Social Hour to follow.

Holiday Craft Fair

On December 1st, we will be once again having our World Market Holiday Craft Fair! We are in the organizational process now and are looking for folks who are interested in helping with sales that day. Time commitment is minimal. The Fair is happening on Saturday, December 1st . We are looking for two or three people to help sell the merchandise from about 8 am until 1:30 or 2. Also, if you are an artist and would like to sell your own items, we will have a limited number of tables to rent for $30. Please reach out to Leslie if you are interested in helping.

Courageous Conversations

Courageous Conversations is a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Each month the Courageous Conversations leadership team in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association brings together a diverse group of people representing a wide array of life experiences, circumstances, and choices. All events are open to the public—anyone can attend a meeting whether or not they have attended in the past.

Monday, November 19th, 6-9pm, Milton High School (25 Gile Rd., Milton). Conversation with Debby Irving author of “Waking Up White.”

Pre-Order your Christmas Tree!

Reserve now and come pick up Saturday December 1st between 9am-12pm

Frasier Fir 6-7 Feet in height from Granite State Farm in New Hampshire

Trees cut down last week of November; cannot get any fresher!

All proceeds benefit First Parish Milton

$65.00 Per Tree

Forms are posted on the bulletin next to grey box by the church office.

Please put your completed form in the grey box or deliver it to Susan or Megan in person.

You can attach a check to the pre-order form or bring one with you on pick up day, 12/1/18.

Make $65.00 check payable to First Parish Milton with “Christmas Tree” written in the memo section.

Worship and Meditation at First Parish

Sunday Worship Weekly

Worship, 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

Weekly Meditation Offerings

Sundays, Silent Prayer and Meditation, 9am in the Children’s Church

Wednesdays, Evening Service of Centering, 7pm in the Children’s Church

Thursdays, Silent Prayer and Meditation, 7pm in the Children’s Church

STAY CONNECTED

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

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

Sundays through mid June

  • Worship, 10:30 am 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, 7:00 pm in the Children’s Church (Note new time)

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1

You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.