Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 10/5/2018

Weekly Link 10-12-18

Church

This Week in Worship

This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 7, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
Palestine/Israel: A Spiritual Challenge to Unitarian Universalists

We UUs have a strong legacy of social justice. Where do we stand on the occupation of Palestine and our government’s enabling of it? How do our seven principles help us engage? How can our multifaith character be an asset in discussion and action on Israel/Palestine?

A number of congregations around the country are grappling with this issue and the spiritual and political challenges that it poses. To explore this topic, please join Diana Digges, [member of Unitarian Universalists for Justice in the Middle East (UUJME), former editor of the Cairo Times and currently the national legislative coordinator for UUJME] on October 7.

MinisterMinister

Rev. Lisa Ward

This morning as I was driving to work, listening to political news, the phrase “is nothing sacred” rose from within. What is it that we hold dear, what ground of being do we stand on, what is the cohesion that we will not tear apart?

What we are witnessing in the turmoil of the Senate Judiciary hearings for Supreme Court Justice brings forth this vulnerable, despairing, rage-filled question for many, many people: Is nothing sacred?

This cry is surging forth as an added lament for all our current witnessing. We’ve seen abuse of power and broken trust in clergy sexual abuse scandals, the death of unarmed black men by law enforcement, oppression of the disempowered and ruthless dismissal of the lives of black and brown immigrants.

And now the blatant defiance of politics over people, particularly against women, unabashedly determined to follow through on an agenda that could disdain, in one vote, countless survivors of sexual assault, innumerable upholders of telling the truth under oath, and avid proponents of a partisan free Supreme Court. The utter disregard of our responsibility to one another as a nation is wearing down our ideals for the nation.

We are seeing this, more collectively, which in one sense is a step in the right direction and in another a piling on of despairing news that makes each step forward harder to take or even to believe. No, there is nothing sacred in power over others. No, there is nothing sacred in misogyny. No there is nothing sacred in mocking, silencing, discrediting, and promoting hatred of those daring to speak truth to power.

There is something sacred in the miracle of our lives. There is something sacred beyond our human manipulations. There is something sacred in our inborn selves, a wisdom of humanity’s harmony that we have yet to comprehend.

Come together. Share together. Speak of love together. Defy hatred together. Find strength together.

This I pray. Amen.Religious Exploration

Religious 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 7, all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to the Children’s Church for a multi-age worship service celebrating fall harvest festivals from the Pagan, Native American and Yoruban faith traditions.

The Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9) will not meet on October 7.

Register your child or youth! The Religious Exploration Committee requests all families to register your child or youth before attending classes. 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).

Register your child

There is no youth programming scheduled for this Sunday. The youth are invited to attend the church service in the meeting house.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This week the choir anthem will be “Choose to Bless the World” by Nick Page, a Boston-based composer and song-leader.

Fiddle

Special music will be provided by Claudia Wellington, a song by Joni Mitchell called “The Fiddle and the Drum”.

Sunday potluck

First Sundays Potluck

This coming Sunday, October 7th, there will be a potluck social hour (instead of usual hosting) after worship service in the Parish Hall. Please come and join us!

Events, News and Announcements

Security System FAQ’s

First Parish has had our security system installed for about a month now! Thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding as we navigated the new system. Below are a few questions that we have heard asked, and wanted to address to reduce any concerns or anxiety!

1. What happens if I host an event or committee meeting at First Parish and don’t have a key? If you’re scheduling a new event, door access is on the office’s list of things we discuss. We’ll give you a key if It is needed. If you’re a committee member, the committee chairs all have keys.

2. If I try to open a locked door, am I setting off a security alarm? No. The security system allows controlled access to the building, but isn’t a traditional “burglar alarm”. Police aren’t contacted if you try to open a locked door.

3. If I’m hosting coffee hour/ushering/doing anything early at the church and don’t have a key, what do I do? The office and social worker doors (the engine road doors) both automatically unlock at 8:30am. They automatically relock at 12:30pm.

If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to email Susan at manager@fpmilton.org or to call her at the office.

Church Council

Tomorrow! All Church Council Meeting

All Church Council business meeting for the committee chairs and parish committee members will be held tomorrow, Friday October 5th, at 6:00pm in the Parish Hall. All are welcome to attend.

Grief Support Group

Four Tuesdays: October 2, 9, 16, 23

7:00 – 8:30 pm

When we lose a loved one through death, the world is different, our lives shift in meaning, our ground is shaken. We can feel isolated by our grief. We can also feel a lack of strength or initiative to find a way through. One way to help adjust to the new reality and find our inner resources is to share our journey with others who welcome time together devoted to the jorney of loss and recovery. There are many ways that we grieve and many kinds of losses. This group is focused on loss due to the death of a loved one. We ask participants to commit to at least three of the sessions, no new participants after the 9th.

Please contact the office if you can attend.

Wednesday Evening Service of Centering

Children’s Church 7:00 – 7:30 pm

Give yourself some time, in this busy and distracting world, to replenish your spirit in meditative community. This half hour of centering will include one meditative reading, time for meditation and the sharing of insight. Attend when you can.

Parenting As A Spiritual Practice: Parenting Teens

Third Friday of the Month, Parish Hall

First Gathering: October 19th, 6 – 8:30 pm, Pizza and salad provided

Suggested donation toward dinner: $5. Do not let cost prohibit you from attending.

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

Parents encounter many issues living with teen children that surprise, delight and challenge us. We all need support, encouragement and a chance to explore ways to navigate these precious years. We will enjoy a simple meal then share wisdom in a format that invites conversation, workshopping ideas, and hearing each other’s stories.

Please contact the office if you can attend. We need at least six people to attend.

Due to lack of response, the 2nd Wednesday book group is cancelled. Please contact the office if you are interested in a monthly UU faith study group. The format can be determined by interested participants.

Fair Foods

The Social Action Committee needs volunteers to help with Fair Foods, which provides healthy produce to low income familites in the greater Boston area. We compile bags of donated produce to distribute.

Meet to carpool in the First Parish lower parking lot, 10am, Saturday, October 13

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.

Saturday, October 13, 10-3pm First Parish Milton (535 Canton Ave, Milton). Workshop with artist, activist and musician, Soyinka Rahim on articulating our journey with race and racism through storytelling, music and user friendly embodiment exercises.

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

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

Great conversation, door prizes

Amazing First Parish food and drink

Music and even dancing this year!

Onsite childcare will be available from 6-9.

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. Sign up at the Social Action table during social hour or email Peter.

Plastic Bags

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

Yoga is cancelled on Monday, October 8th, 2018.

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, October 8th 2018.

Lost & Found

A cell phone was found in the Parish Hall. Please contact the Church Office at if you know who it belongs to.

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.