February Worship Theme

Bonds of Love

We often invoke the power of love as a religious theme. Sometimes we’re talking about affection, sentimentality. And often we use it as shorthand for the power of that which ties us to one another and is more powerful than just a fleeting “good feeling.” This month, we reflect together on the different kinds of relationships through which we experience the divine: marriages, friendships, parent/child relationships, and mentorship.

This Week in Worship

Sunday, February 9, 2014
10:30am WORSHIP

Protracted Ambiguity
The Rev. Hank Peirce
Music by Emma Jean Moulton with the Meetinghouse Choir

Have you ever been in that place in your life where you were waiting for a change to happen, but frightened of what that change would look like? You are stuck in neutral and want to be moving, but unsure which direction would be best. At times like that our faith can give us the support we need, not to help us choose, but to sit with that feeling of protracted ambiguity.

About Our Guest Preacher:

The Rev. Hank Peirce comes from old Swamp Yankee stock, and grew up attending the 1st Unitarian in New Bedford. As a teen he was active in UU youth circles, and is guilty of proposing the name YRUU. He says that he has a full slacker resume which includes stints as a house painter, a bicycle messenger and a roadie for a number of punk rock bands. Hank has been featured in a number of documentaries on 80’s rock, in print and even on MTV. Over the last fifteen years he has served our churches in Auburn, ME and Medford, MA and is presently the Interim Minister at the First Parish Church United in Westford, MA.

Rev. Parisa will be with the children’s programs this Sunday

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook! “Like” our page www.facebook.com/FirstParishMiltonUu
and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

We can also be found on Twitter at @FPMilton

Religious Exploration

Sunday, February 9, 2014

RE Spring Classes Start

Spirit Play students go directly to their classroom.

Small Group Ministries students will begin in the Meetinghouse.

Neighboring Faiths will meet in the Library.

Passages will meet in their classreoom.

Youth Chat will meet in the youth room at 10:30.

Youth Group will meet at 12pm till 2pm.

Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact the office at office@fpmilton.org.

Youth Group Happenings…

First Parish in Milton’s First Annual…
Sweetheart’s Dinner!
February 8th
5pm-8pm

Admission: $20 per adult
$15 if a teen clothing or
school supply item is donated

There will be dinner, dancing, live music, a raffle and more at this adults only Valentine’s fundraiser benefiting the First Parish Youth Group and Bridge over Troubled Waters, an organization benefiting Boston’s homeless youth.

Babysitting will be provided; each adult ticket covers babysitting for one child with each additional child costing $5.

Annual Budget Drive FY15

Goal $260,000.00
Raised to Date $122,040.00
% of Goal to Date 47%

We are grateful to the following people
who have already made their pledge for next year.

Debbie Alsebai
Mike & Tasha Bello
Mary Blanchette & Jim May
Bob & Anne-Marie Buckland
Chris & Karla Clifford
Harris & Melinda Collins
Nancy & Dan Devine
Mallory Digges
Donna Drewes
Charlie Franich & Ruth Hannon
Dale Golembeski & Amy Kavadlo
Ann Hallett
Ruth Heiden & Marsha Maurer
Elise Henricks & Tony Dutzik
Laurie MacIntosh
Brigitte & Eric Miller
David Morse
Gillian & Matthew Najarian
Amy Norton
Mark & Patricia Ostrem
Glenn Pavlicek & Anita Penta
Sue Phillips & Tandi Rogers
Chris & Dottie Pitt
Tracey Robinson
Jeff Stoodt & Lisa White
Andy Strang
Bebe Williamson
Thank you for your generosity.

If you’ve received a pledge form, please turn it in or mail it to the church office!
Pledges all due by February 28!

News and Announcements

Meditation meets weekly Sundays and Wednesday

Meditation continues Wednesday evenings from 7:00pm-7:30pm as well as Sunday from 9:00am-9:30am both meet in the Children’s Church. All are welcome to join us and enjoy some peaceful, restful quiet.

New Member Orientation Class will be meeting on Sunday, February 9 (1 – 3pm) and Sunday, February 23 (noon – 2pm)

We will be meeting in the Chase Parlor after the Chocolate Auction Sunday February 9. Lunch and childcare provided. Please email Kiki Giatis at director@fpmilton.org with any questions.

February 9 – 16TH ANNUAL CHOCOLATE AUCTION

St. Valentine’s Day, when we celebrate the patron saint of Chocolate, is once again just around the corner. At First Parish, that means it’s CHOCOLATE AUCTION time again!

Looking for a tasty token with which to express your love for your Valentine? Or simply ready to satisfy your own sweet tooth?

Be at Church on Sunday FEBRUARY 9th for the Chocolate Auction. This event, which has become an annual tradition at First Parish, will take place in the Parish Hall right after the worship service. ALL members of the congregation are encouraged to bring some goodie of substance for the auction. Chocolate is the essential ingredient. [For those of you who have a sweet tooth but not a chocolate one – perhaps someone else will do a Non-Chocolate Auction, but this is not that event…] Please plan ahead – think NOW about what you might be able to contribute. Items should be attractively presented and ready to be carried home (meaning – don’t expect to get the plate or dish back). A small card or label identifying the item and any information (ingredients – especially whether there are nuts or nut oils, name of maker, interesting recipe history if any) – will be very helpful and much appreciated by your humble auctioneer. If you have a chance, please email (cspitt@comcast.net) Chocolate Auctioneer Chris Pitt in advance and let him know what you plan to bring, but note that this is not required and is not a condition for participating. Just make, bake, mix, fix, or buy – and bring it on the 9th.

Items to be auctioned are brought to the Parish Hall before church on the morning of the Auction, where they will be on display before the service and immediately after, before the Auction starts. Each item will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Children are permitted to bid, but only under the direct supervision of a parent, please. There will also be a Kids’ Raffle! All of the proceeds of this year’s Chocolate Auction will be given to support the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. This is a unique, fun and yummy way to raise funds for an important local social action service. Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!

Any questions at all, call or email Chris Pitt.

It’s back! The first art/creative salon of 2014 is Fri, February 28, 7pm.

So put that date on your calendar!

Agenda includes brainstorming artist/material/technique ideas for the future, discovering each other’s talents/aspirations for the group, and Superfun surrealist art games!

Examples:

• http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/exhibitions/Modern/resource/1049
• http://startstudioarts.si.edu/2010/12/surrealist-games.html
• http://sourceryforge.org/index.php/Surrealist_games

 

Separated and Divorced Support Group – Next Meeting in Chase Parlor from 12 noon – 1:30 pm on Sunday, February 16. This group will be meeting the first and third Sundays of the month.

First Parish Wants YOU! …

First Parish depends on the leadership and energy of lay volunteers to make our community thrive. Serving on a committee or working group can be a great way to help build our church while learning new skills and making new connections. There are opportunities for leadership immediately and for the 2014-15 church year. To find out more, e-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@earthlink.net or Kiki Giatis at director@fpmilton.org.

Our Caring Committee helps connect and respond with compassion to the expressed needs and concerns to members of our community. Please consider ways you might help out when needed. Volunteers may help drive someone to doctor’s appointments, church or church events; make a meal and deliver it, help with simple home repairs. Check out all the possibilities, including joining the Caring Committee. Forms are available on the information table located in the Parish Hall. We are grateful to all those that already have been a great help with a variety of needs including those on short notice.

A Home-Grown Café Blue Hills

Saturday, March 1st, 7 to 10pm in the Parish Hall

Please join us on Saturday, March 1st from 7 to 10 pm for a night of home-made music by members of our own First Parish congregation.  We’ll have some light refreshments, and donations will be gratefully accepted to help with repairs to our First Parish organ.

If you are interested in performing or willing to help with set up, please see Charlie Franich of the Membership Committee or send him an email at pemaquid@aol.com.

Are you celebrating Thirty Days of Love ?

It is not to late to join. Standing on the Side of Love is a community of people compelled to speak out against oppression, united in the common belief that love is the ultimate guiding force of our world. What is your intention this month? What will your spiritual journey for social justice look like?
Sign up at here to get daily emails with reflection and action suggestions with a “Share the Love” Sunday on the 16th. You can also follow the Days of Love on our facebook page.

Kiki’s Corner

Please note that the nursery is open on Sunday mornings from 10 am  – 11:45 to take care of children ages 4 and under. It is also open during First Parish events when childcare is provided. The nursery is staffed by two babysitters each week. The nursery room is locked at all other times.

I hope that everyone is marking their calendars for all the fabulous upcoming events at First Parish.  Check the information table for the latest flyers and information on these events.

EVERY SUNDAY
Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse

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. The link to SignUp Genius is:

Sign Up Here!