Hospitality

Hospitality – how we greet the stranger – is a central part of religious and cultural practices all over the world.  The promise of “radical hospitality” – hospitality as a way of being, that in fact grounds our being – is one we have sometimes talked about in this church.  What forms does hospitality take when we are willing to go deep with it?  How can we know ourselves in the stranger, and how can we make peace through this practice?

This Week in Worship

Sunday, November 24, 2013

10:30am WORSHIP

Thanks and Giving

Rev. Parisa Parsa with special musical guest Matt Meyer and our own Jennie Mulqueen and Tim Steele

What is it like to have to flee your home? What does it mean to offer true hospitality to those who have been cast out? Our month of radical hospitality meets the story of Thanksgiving this week in a music-filled celebration including our annual cornbread ritual.
Our ritual this year will include food items to donate to the Interfaith Social Services Thanksgiving Food Drive. Please bring what you can.

http://www.interfaithsocialservices.org/network/thanksgiving-meals

Especially needed items are: Tuna, canned meat, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, rice, canned soup, mac & cheese, spaghetti, pasta, pasta sauce, canned fruit, canned vegetables, dry or canned beans, condiments, salad dressing, instant potatoes, gluten free foods, low-sodium canned goods, toiletry items (bath soap, toilet paper, shampoo, toothpaste), and baby items (diapers, formula, etc.)

This week we will dismantle our Dia De Los Muertos altar. If you brought a memorial item for a loved one, please take it with you after worship this Sunday, or come and pick it up during church office hours.

Special Thanksgiving week office hours:

Rev. Parisa will be in the office on Monday this week, and will be away Tuesday through Sunday, returning to the office on Monday December 2.

The office will be open Monday and Tuesday (November 25 & 26) from 9 am – 12 noon and Sunday, Dec 1 from 10 am to 12 noon.

Last week’s collection raised $966 for the UUSC/UUA Haiyan Relief Fund.

Are you a parent of a teen who could use some extra support? Please contact Rev. Parisa to discuss some upcoming possibilities here at church. minister@fpmilton.org or 617-698-6329 x102

Religious Exploration

Sunday, November 24, 2013

This week there will be no RE classes. All are invited to the Meetinghouse for a multigenerational service.

Children’s Church Service Project BAKE SALE This Sunday!

Don’t forget to bring some cash to support the Children’s Church service project.

For those baking:

Items for the bake sale should be individually wrapped and packaged (cookies, cupcakes, etc) , unless it is a larger item meant to be purchased as a whole (like a pie). Please include a card that describes the item. Bake sale items may be dropped off in the Parish Hall before church on November 3. Thank so much for supporting your children in fulfilling their service pledge!

Looking for Volunteers to Help on Sunday morning, December 1, 2013. A message from RE Chair, Jen Erbe Leggett:

We need your help. On Sunday, Dec 1st, the RE program will be a Workshop Sunday. The fabulous Bridget and Nathan Sitkoff will be lovingly sharing their family’s Jewish heritage with latke making and a Hannukah craft. They have it all planned and under control– and we need one or possibly two extra adults to help out with the festivities.

Who would like to serve our congregation in this important way on that day? Please let us know ASAP by replying here or contacting Jen Erbe Leggett directly at jerbleg@gmail.com. And thanks!!!

News & Announcements

Sunday, November 24th from 4- 5:30pm

The Milton Interfaith Clergy Association (MICA) invites the Milton community to its 7th annual, “Thanks for Giving” Celebration at St. Mary of the Hills Church, 29 St. Mary’s Road, Milton.

The highlight of this celebration will once again be the presentation of “Thanks for Giving Volunteer of the Year” Awards by Milton’s community and religious organizations. MICA is proud to host an event that honors the service of those who make their lives a testament of generosity by giving of themselves. At the same time, with Thanksgiving approaching, the gathering will also serve as a reminder of the ongoing issues of poverty and hunger by raising funds for the Milton Residents’ Fund, which benefits families in need in Milton and collecting food for the Milton Food Pantry.

Melinda Collins and Glenn Pavlicek are our Thanks for Giving honorees and we invite folks to come and celebrate them!

The celebration will be followed by a simple supper of soup (meat and vegetarian) and bread hosted by Milton’s Faith Communities.

We hope that many will attend as it is an honor to acknowledge all of our community’s volunteers.

A Lotsa Helping Hands

For Steve Weiser

There has been a Lotsa Helping Hands website set up to support Steve Weiser https://www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/711408/ click on the link, or paste it in, then: use the ‘Join this Community’ link to fill out the form which is a Request to Join the Community. Once you’ve done this, you will receive an email stating that you are ‘Pending Member’.

On this site you will be able to sign up to help Steve with different needs as well as see updates and pictures. Your help is greatly appreciated, thank you!

Holiday Gift Project

It’s that time of year again when First Parish participates in the Milton Residence Fund Holiday Gifts Program. You can sign up in the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 17, Sunday, November 24 and Sunday December 1. All presents/gift cards should be dropped of on Sunday, December 8. For questions please contact Ruth Heiden.

The Art/Creativity Salon

Friday, November 22 at 7pm in the Parish hall

Join us for an evening of art making and play. The Art/Creativity Salon is a monthly gathering for people to explore different kinds of
art in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Each month, different members will introduce a new art technique, material, or concept for the group to try without the pressure of preconceived notions of success. The goal is to simply play and see what develops. Discover a talent you didn’t know about, find a new art-buddy that speaks your language. Join us! Questions? Contact Andy Crum

Friday night December 6, from 6:30 to 8:30

Third annual family craft night.

Do you hear those old sleigh bells jingling? Do you long for a simpler time? We can’t turn back the clock but we can gather in community to share a simple meal, express our creativity through crafts and share a jolly good time as the holiday season beckons us.
We will have a number of craft activities for young and the young at heart. You can learn a new skill, share one you love or just sit and enjoy the merriment.

We will have a light supper available with some delicious soups, pastas and chilies. Time to reconnect with old friends and make some new ones.

We might tell some stories and sing some songs. Can you sing? Will you sing along with us? Most importantly we have an opportunity to join together and share our spark. Please come one and all.

Saturday, December 7th

Handcrafting Justice Fair and other Holiday Events. Volunteers needed to help with the sale and breakfast.

Handcrafting Justice Fair-Trade Sale, 9am- 1pm Also Sunday, December 8th from 11:30am – 1pm.

Handcrafting Justice is an international project that empowers woman in the developing world to lift themselves out of poverty through the creation of unique handmade goods. Sale features 100% Fair Trade products from Africa, Asia, & Latin America: toys, Home Décor, Pottery, Cards & Gifts, Bags, Purses & Indigenous Art.

First Parish volunteers are needed for this sale. If you are able to help out, please contact Elise Henricks. Sign up at the Information Table. Saturday shifts: 8 – 10:30 am and 10:30 am – 1 pm. Sunday from 11:30 am – 1pm.

Membership Breakfast

While doing your shopping, enjoy some time for fellowship and brunchhosted by the Membership Committee. Contact Charlie Franich, pemaquid@aol.com, if you would like to help with the breakfast. Help set up, bring food, etc.

Christmas Tree Sale

Pick up your grade A1 premium Fraser Fir Christmas trees. Trees must be pre-ordered and prepaid. Forms are available around the church to order a tree.

Kiki’s Corner

Information Table is a good place to:

1) Order your Christmas Tree for pick up on Dec. 7.  Forms and check should be placed in the Office Lockbox.

2) Find out more detailed information on opportunities to serve at Father Bill’s.  Contact: Pat Gallivan  There is a particular need for December 22, 2013.

3) Sign up to help with the Handcrafting Justice Sale onDecember 7.

4) Pick up fliers on other upcoming events

We have updated the Church Directory.  Several hard copies are available.  If you have information that needs updating, please update in the master copy.  Next edition will likely be early in 2014.

EVERY SUNDAY
Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse
Meetinghouse Choir Rehearsal, 8:45am in the Parish Hall
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

THE SUNDAY PLANNER
Please consider volunteering for important Sunday worship positions like ushering, hosting social hour, providing flowers for worship, and lighting the chalice.
SIGN UP HERE