This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 30th, 2018

Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

“Inviting Joy”

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

As the new year approaches, I think of the Taoist principle of simplicity.  In our competitive, consumerist culture, there is a tendency to apply “getting ahead” presumptions to one’s spiritual journey.  When wanting to “improve ourselves”  which is an ever demanding stream of consciousness in our culture, we think we need to be different, more, self-sacrificing and wiser in order to call ourselves spiritual.  Lao Tse, the author of the Tao Te Ching, offers a different approach.  To find our spiritual resonance, which is our connection with the life-giving energy of the universe, we shed our conditioning and assumptions, our many identities and power grabs, so that we can be, simply, open-hearted and attentive.  To be wise is far more to listen than to pontificate.  To be grounded is to allow for vulnerability rather than secure walls for protection.  To be fully alive is to flow with circumstance rather than control outcome.

So, as you ponder New Year’s resolutions, take some cleansing breaths until you sense the vibrancy of your being, and the gift of those breaths.  Let yourself, for at least a moment, assume you are enough, you just hadn’t noticed. And ask yourself, what can I let go of that would bring me closer to honoring the unique journey of my life?

May you find life abundant in the new year.

Blessings, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Nursery and toddler care is available this week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. Our caregivers will be Kaitlyn and Kiera. Stop by and say hello!

Religious Exploration for Sunday, December 30: Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the full worship service in the Meetinghouse this week.

Reminder: The Spaghetti Dinner and Karaoke/Bingo night is coming up on Friday, January 11, from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Parish Hall.

Guest At Your Table (GAYT) is the UUSC’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about their work to advance human rights. UUSC works in over 25 countries, with over 75 grassroots partners, so there are thousands of individuals involved in and who benefit from their work.

GAYT is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about the work of the UUSC. Each time you sit down to eat a meal throughout the holiday season consider contributing a few coins to those less fortunately circumstanced. Contributions to GAYT should be brought in for collection on January 13, 2019.

Spaghetti Supper and Karaoke Night! Friday, January 11, will be a fun-filled night with a spaghetti supper, beginning at 6:30pm, and karaoke, beginning when the first person steps up to the mike! A $5 dinner donation per person is suggested. Proceeds will help fund a spring youth service trip to CityReach Boston.

There will also be karaoke and bingo, as well as plenty of opportunity to chat and unwind after the busy holiday season. Bring your friends, bring your neighbors, bring your voices and enjoy!

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This Sunday we will be focusing on music which looks back on the past and forward to the New Year. In the spirit of burning grudges, Jennifer Sgroe will sing “The Twelve Days After Christmas” by Frederick Silver. You will also hear a non-traditional version of “Auld Lang Syne” by Mairi Campbell.

Events, News and Announcements

Join us next Sunday, January 6th, after worship in the Parish Hall for our Monthly Potluck Social Hour!

The next Social Circle gathering will be on January 12th, from 3-5 at Leslie MacPherson’s home. It will be low-key snacks and drinks — Pot Luck. Leslie will provide mulled cider and cookies. Bring a little nibble of whatever sounds tasty. Leslie lives in Quincy in the Hough’s Neck part of town, and a walk down by the beach and seawall is also an option for those who are interested, weather permitting. Note; house has two dogs who are friendly and can sometimes be rambunctious! Let Leslie know if you want to come!

Milton Community Concerts

On Saturday, February 2nd at 7pm MCC and First Parish of Milton is proud to present Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” with live organ accompaniment by virtuoso organist Peter Krasinski.

Mr. Krasinski is known the world over for his live improvised accompaniments to silent films. Following a recent tour of Japan he now comes to Milton to celebrate the 60th installation anniversary of First Parish’s beautiful Schlicker pipe organ.

Tickets are $25 general/$15 seniors/free for 18 and under.

(Snow date: February 16).

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.

Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Church of Our Saviour, 453 Adams St, Milton. New Year Drumming Circle.

You are invited to join the New Year Drumming Circle. There will be a potluck meal.

 Monday, January 21st, 2019 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Concord Baptist Church, 180 Blue Hill Avenue, Milton. Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

Milton Interfaith Clergy Association invites you to participate in the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.

MainSpring in Brockton

We are looking for volunteers to cook and serve at Mainspring on Sunday, January 20th. If you are interested, please stop by the Social Action table at coffee hour and signup!

Snow Closing Information

Winter is coming. Just a few reminders about how First Parish handles Sunday worship and weekeday office closings. On Sundays, we will make a snow closing decision by 8 a.m. Look for cancellations in several places:-First Parish Milton Website-First Parish Milton UU Facebook page

-Channel 5/WCVB television & website

If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does the First Parish office. 

If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.

Effective 12/19/18, Wednesday Evening Service of Centerting is cancelled until further notice.

The church office will close on Monday, December 31st, 2018 at noon.

The church office is closed on Tuesday January 1, 2019. 

Yoga is cancelled on Monday, December 31st, 2018.

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.