Small & Mighty

Small changes can be a lever for big transformations.  Often-overlooked actions, people and practices can have incredible power in our world and in our lives.  Through the Advent season, we’d like to share stories – both ancient and modern, from many cultures – in which the power of a single step, a single person, a single action had a major impact.

This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 15, 2013

10:30am WORSHIP

“The War of Christmas”
Rev. Parisa Parsa
Music by Emma Jean Moulton and the Meetinghouse Choir

There is a lot of talk this time of year about the war on Christmas. The story of Christmas actually predicts a revolutionary vision: in the birth of an infant of low status will come the toppling of injustice. Christmas has nothing to do with what kind of cheerful greetings we offer each other; it is about preparing for — and perhaps even working for — the kind of justice that would be made by any God worth believing in.

CALLING ALL MANGER ANIMALS, ANGELS, SHEPHERDS… It’s Pageant Time!

Would you or your child like to take part in our annual Christmas Pageant? We’d love to have you!
Rehearsals will be December 15 and 22 from 12-1pm in the Meetinghouse, Pageant is on Christmas Eve at the 5pm service.

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Here’s a video from the 2008 presentation of this pageant for inspiration:

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, December 15, 2013

Spirit Play (Pre k – 2nd grade)

3rd – 6th Graders will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Education classes.

7th Graders will meet in the Library.

Youth Chat will meet in the youth room.

Holiday Cheer!

Diane Ferrari’s elfs are hard at work!

Sorting gifts to be delivered for this years Milton Residence Fund
Holiday Gifts Program from many groups around Milton.

It is proof that a small action can have a mighty impact.

Thank you to those who donated to the abundance this year.

News & Announcements

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

The youth group will be doing a holiday gift wrapping fundraiser on Sundays December 15th and 22nd. There will be a drop-off table in the Parish Hall from 9:30am-10:30am before church, and all gifts may be picked up after service from 11:30am-12pm.December 15 and 22

The youth will be wrapping gifts for the following suggest donations:

Small: $3

Medium: $5

Large: $8

Cash and credit cards will be accepted.

Meditation Wednesday evenings

Have you been wanting to try meditation but could not find the time? Would you like some quiet time for prayer and reflection during the busy holiday season? Join us in the children’s church Wednesday evenings from 7:00-7:30pm and see how restorative a quiet 30 minutes can be. Questions? Contact Tracey Robinson: robi301@yahoo.com

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!

Merry Christmas!
Happy Horus!
Cheery Mithra!
Joyous Yule!
And don’t forget Krishna! And Attis! And Dionysus!

After all the mad rush of Christmas is done, join 1st Parish’s Earth-Centered-Spirituality Group in a celebration of the “Reason for the Season” – the rebirth of the sun at the Winter Solstice in the great wheel of the year.
All are welcome!

We’ll celebrate with song, prayer, and merry-making, including a gift lottery. Please bring a potluck snack and libation to share; if you are interested in participating in the gift lottery, also bring a wrapped $20 gift…gift need not be bought:might be some treasure you already have (something you like ,and would be happy keeping…makes the best gift you know!…)(don’t have to bring a gift!…just yourself is fine!)…see ya!…

Friday, December 27th, 7:00pm in the Parish Hall

God rest ye merry, paganfolk,
Let nothing you dismay.
Remember that the Sun returns
Upon this Solstice day.
The growing dark is ending now
And Spring is on its way.
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy,
Comfort and joy!
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy.

*Melt-in-Your-Mouth Cranberry Pie* Several people asked for the recipe to the cranberry pie Michael Chinman brought to last Sunday’s social hour. It is in the church cookbook (Ellen White does have some copies left for sale), but here it is too:

• 2 cups cranberries
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/4+ sticks butter

Set the oven to 325 degrees

In 10” pie plate,

• Spread cranberries
• Sprinkle 1/2 cup sugar
• Sprinkle nuts

In separate bowl,

• Beat eggs
• Add melted butter
• Mix in flour and sugar
• Pour over berries

Bake 60 mins

 

Kiki’s Corner

Snow Cancellations. Please check Channel 5 (WCVB) if you think we are
cancelling services due to snow. You may sign up for email and text alerts through their website www.wcvb.com. We also will post on our web page. Decisions will be made by 8 a.m.

Volunteers Need for the Winter Snows and Christmas Eve.
Christmas Eve 4 pm. We need help lighting and placing the luminarias made at the Children’s Church this month before the 5 pm service. Contact Rev. Parisa if you can help us out. (minister@fpmilton.org)

December, January and February. We are looking for some volunteers to become a snow shoveler brigade. Both adults and teenagers are welcome to join. Teenagers may receive community service hours for the work. Please contact me at director@fpmilton.org with your name and dates available.

SAVE THE DATES – Sundays January 26 and February 9. New Member Class will be offered.

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.
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