Our Guest Minister This Week: Deb Morgan Bennett 

Deb Bennett is a newly fellowshipped Unitarian Universalist minister. She has served as intern and summer minister at the Winchester Unitarian Society, Winchester, MA and provides regular support for the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pittsfield, MA and the Unitarian Universalist Meeting South Berkshire in Housatonic, MA. Deb is currently a full time resident chaplain at Albany Medical Center.

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

What a joy it was to attend Dave Egan’s ordination at the Old Ship UU Church in Hingham last Sunday.  Both the Old Ship Church and First Parish UU Canton co-ordained Dave, as he served as intern in each church.  First Parish Milton agreed to sponsor Dave several years ago to provide a congregational affirmation for pursuing the ministry.  He has ties with First Parish in Milton and with First Congregational in Milton, UCC, where his family attends.

All this mix of connections points to a treasured skill that was articulated during the ordination, that he meets people where they are and brings authenticity to his pastoral and prophetic presence.  His mother, the Rev. Carol Rosine, Minister Emerita of the First Universalist Society in Franklin, Mass, formally gave the right hand of fellowship during the service.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the house; and for the postlude, we all sang “Son of a Preacher’s Mom”, a lyrical twist on Dusty Springfield’s tune, “Son of A Preacher Man”.

Unitarian Universalism, because of congregational polity (local governance), empowers congregations to recognize the ordination of ministers.  Yes, there are many institutional and preparatory hoops to go through in order to ground aspirants in the work, but in the end, it is the acclaim of the people that brings assurance, hope, responsibility and encouragement to the journey of ministry.  This is a sacred task, both in entering ministry and in a congregation’s willingness to recognize the path. 

Many blessings to Dave and all his ministry for years to come.

Rev. Lisa

We’re getting busier!

Do you have an upcoming meeting or gathering and need to book a room at the church?

Contact our Church Calendar Keeper, Megan Benders, at office@fpmilton.org to reserve space.

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 all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms.

Religious Exploration classes will be meeting this Sunday, February 10.

Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story will be “I Live in the Universe,” a story from Source #5 and the use of science and reason. Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Holidays and Holy Days curricula, meeting in the Kitchen. This week they will be learning about the Hopi holiday called Powamu, which honors bean planting season, and making tortilla soup. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing the Friends and Neighbors curriculum, meeting in the Activity room. The class will have an introductory lesson on Buddhism.

Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required):

The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, February 10, from noon to 1:30 pm in the Children’s Church. Please drop off and pick up your youth from the front of the building so they can use the Children’s Church entrance as all other external doors will be locked.

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).

Breakfast for Dinner! Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm

On Saturday, February 9, the youth of First Parish Milton will host a fun evening to earn money for their May service trip to CityReach Boston. This time, however, they will not be serving spaghetti. Join them for a real midwinter treat, breakfast for dinner! Wear your pajamas and slippers as you enjoy pancakes, bacon and other breakfast goodies. Gluten-free options will be available. Suggested cost is $5 per person. Please come and help the youth raise the final $236 needed to fund their trip. Linger after dinner to play board games together by the fireside. Bring your favorite board game to share and play!

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This week the choir will be offering an anthem with a theme of Social Action, called “We Believe” by Sarah Watts. The text states “We believe in the power of the heart to change the world.”

The prelude and offertory will be provided by guest pianist Sean Hurley, who will play two contrasting pieces by Giacomo Puccini and Randy Newman.

Events, News and Announcements

THIS SUNDAY!

First Parish 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!  

Be at Church this Sunday, February 10th for this annual tradition at First Parish starting at 11:45am. All members of the congregation are encouraged to bring some goodie for the auction. 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. Items may be home-produced or purchased.  Chocolate is the essential ingredient! Items should be attractively presented and ready to be carried home.  A small card or label identifying the item and any information (ingredients – especially whether there are nuts or nut oils, name of maker (you or your family), interesting recipe history if any) – will be very helpful and much appreciated by Your Humble Auctioneer, Chris Pitt. 

Circle Socials

Circle Socials are social potluck/participatory events intended to promote deeper, “funner,” stronger connections within our First Parish community. Sign up during Social Hours or email event hosts.

Sunday, February 10, 4:30-6 p.m.

Hosts – Brigitte and Eric Miller and family     

miller.brigitte@gmail.com

Simple dinner for families of young children.  We will provide child-friendly food (pasta, fresh fruit, etc) in our Milton home.  New and long-standing families welcome.  We have 2 cats.

**Social Circle on Saturday, February 9th and Saturday, March 2nd have both been cancelled until further notice**

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.

Sunday, February 10th, 2019

5:00 PM-8:00 PM

Parkway United Methodist Church158 Blue Hills Parkway, Milton, MA 02186

Join us to build new knowledge and engage in discussions on the School to Prison Pipeline. There will be a potluck dinner – You are encouraged, but not required, to bring food to share.

MainSpring Brockton

We are looking for volunteers to cook and serve at Mainspring on Sunday, February 17th, 2019, 3pm-6pm. If you are interested, please stop by the Social Action table at coffee hour and sign up!!

SPIRITUAL WRITING WORKSHOP

First Wednesdays: 7 pm – 8:30 pm (Next workshop March 6th, 2019)

Children’s Church, First Parish in Milton

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

There are many paths that awaken the heart.  What helps in the journey is finding words to guide you along the way. These words are in you. Come find your voice through writing exercises.  We will compose invocations, meditations, prayers, hymns, benedictions, and readings.  You do not have to be experienced at writing, simply bring your experiences.  Ages 16 and older welcome. 

Please RSVP to Megan at:  office@fpmilton.org.  Plan on three more sessions.

Integrated Stewardship that Engages All Workshop

Hosted by New Endgland Region UUA

Saturday, March 9th, 2019

Parish Hall, 9:30am- 3pm

A workshop designed for board members, stewardship & finance committees, religious professionals, and new leaders who want to align their efforts to spark the generous gifts of their community to bless the world.

For more details or to register, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/integrated-stewardship-that-engages-all-registration-53023407439

Green Gleanings

Compostable Cds?

Well, unfortunately, no. In fact, cds can take up to a million years to decompose in a landfill. As we confront the whole messy matter of trash, we can be courageous by caring enough to develop a keener awareness of how and if our materials break down. Of course, many materials produced in the late 20th century are far from biodegradable.

What can we do with all those cds produced in the last four decades? We could get creative and make a wall mural like this one:

We could also find local centers that recycle cds or that can tell us more about healthy options:

http://www.cdrecyclingcenter.org/centers/submission

All Church Council

Parish Hall

6:00pm – 8:30pm

The Feb. 8 All Church Council meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, March 29th

How do I create an account on Signup genius??

By creating your own account you can log in and sign up for Sunday Service Participation opportunities, swap your dates with other congregants, or enroll in signups created by the Church.

Here’s how to creat your own account:

-Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.Login

-Then click on new account. (Located below the facebook login option)

-Enter your own email and password.

-Click on the search button/magnifying glass icon that in the right top corner.

-A page should appear that says ‘search for a signup’. 

-Enter the office email (office@fpmilton.org) and click the “I’m not a robot button’. Then the church’s signups will appear.

-Be sure to go back into your email account and open the email from Sign up Genius, subject line “Welcome to SignUpGenius”. Then click on the orange button that says “Activate my account.” Otherwise you won’t be able to log in again.

That’s it! You’re all set to use SignupGenius!

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.

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.