This Week in Worship

Sunday, November 30, 2014

10:30am in the Meetinghouse

Most of us know the story of Plymouth Rock and how when the folks getting off the Mayflower needed to come onto land they stepped on it. If you listen the way folks talk about that stone, you would think that by stepping on it they endowed it with some supernatural power. Of course growing up near by to it we would go at least once a year and see my mother giggle as folks took moving pictures of the rock.

There are lots of funny stories about Plymouth Rock, the first that no one really cared about that rock until 1774 when some folks wanting to distinguish American history from British History. Folks seized on it as an attempt to promote the Revolution’s cause by associating it with the Pilgrims. Then there were those guys who dug it up and tried to haul it to the center of town, but in so doing split the rock in half. After that rock was easy prey to everyone who wanted a part. There are pieces of that stone in museums across the country, in churches, and even on e-bay. For many years for their Thanksgiving Day Parade folks in Plymouth would mount the stone on the back of a horse drawn wagon, until one year the wagon broke and the stone once again smashed. After that the federal government came in and made the town glue the remaining parts back together and put it in it’s present location.

So there is no magic power in the rock, and that it is in fact just another boulder dropped off some 20,000 years ago, the myths that surround it are just myths. And yet there is still something sacred and powerful about this story and about the way we Americans feel about Thanksgiving. Our harvest festival, our one day when we recognize how lucky we are and that on this day we try to be humble for all that we have been given.

For all the rocks in our lives, metaphorical and actual, may they be a foundation for all that is great in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving

Rev. Hank

Religious Exploration

The RE Booklet is available HERE!

November 30, 2014

NO RE Today

Children are invited to attend a Workshop Hosted by the Youth Group. We will meet in the Parish Hall at 10:30am and then break into groups.

The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger

Youth Group Happenings

Help support the youth group by bringing your unwanted cans and bottles to church and dropping them off in a labeled trash receptacle in the carriage house. You can drop them off whenever. There is no deadline. The cans will be collected weekly by the youth and all proceeds will benefit the youth group for social action initiatives and activities.

News and Announcements

PRE-ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ON OR BEFORE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Orders Due December 3rd

Pick up your tree on December 6th during the First Parish Fair Trade Holiday Sale.

Order forms are on the Information Table during Social Hour. Return to the gray box outside the Church with your check.

*Julio Cohoy at Milton Public Library December 2

Milton for Peace will present Julio Cochoy giving a talk titled: Never Give Up – My Personal Struggle to heal from the trauma of the Civil War and Genocide in Guatemala.

Julio is the founder and director of Maya Skills, an organization founded in 2007 to create decent employment for women whose husbands or sons were kidnapped and assassinated during the war. Hand-made jewelry created by the women of Maya Skills will be available before and after the event.

When: December 2nd, from 7pm to 8pm at the Milton Library

Handcrafting Justice and Julio Cohoy*

Please join us for the annual First Parish Fair Trade Holiday Sale, featuring beautiful handcrafts from Handcrafting Justice and the return of Julio Cochoy with exquisite Maya Skills jewelry from Guatemala. (see below for more information on Julio)

Sale dates are Saturday 12/6 from 9 am to 1 pm and Sunday 12/7 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. This is a wonderful way to get some holiday shopping done and make a positive impact on our global neighbors by supporting them directly and fairly. We can accept cash, check, and credit cards for Handcrafting Justice. Julio can accept cash and checks. Spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! We hope to see you there!

If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale, including set up, please contact Elise Henricks at (617)306-1608.

Enjoy Breakfast Courtesy of the Membership Committee (Saturday only)

While doing your shopping, enjoy some time for fellowship and brunch hosted by the Membership Committee. If you would like to help cook, serve, set up or clean up contact Charlie Franich of the Membership Committee

Fair Trade Chocolate Sale (New Addition)

Delicious stocking stuffer for your holiday needs. Fair Trade Chocolate sale for the first time backed by the Membership Committee.

Pick up your pre-ordered Christmas tree from Carriage House (Saturday only)

*Julio Cohoy at Milton Public Library December 2. Milton for Peace will present Julio Cochoy giving a talk entitled: Never Give Up – My Personal Struggle to heal from the trauma of the Civil War and Genocide in Guatemala. On December 2nd, from 7pm to 8pm at the Milton Library.

Please join us on Friday night December 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 — Third Annual Family Craft Night

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 company. We will have a light supper available of chili, corn bread and salad. Come reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. An Activity for all Ages. Come One and All!

Paintings by our own Ian Torney on exhibit at the First Parish Gallery

At The Horizon – studies and paintings, an exhibition of works by painter Ian Torney, on exhibit at the First Parish in Milton Church Gallery through December 22,2014.

A Message from the “Bridging Committee”

As part of the many-faceted process of preparing for and accomplishing the selection of our next settled minister for First Parish Milton, the Parish Committee has asked a group of us to help with setting up a series of meetings to have a facilitated discussions amongst members and friends of the congregation. The questions center on the future of FP Milton.

We will be arranging with as wide an array of the congregation as possible, in a series of meetings (yes, more meetings!) from mid-November through January. Some of the meetings will be in members’ homes; meetings may also be held with some other committees of the congregation and, if needed, at the church.

We hope that you will find a way to participate in one of these gatherings, that you will think about the future of First Parish that you will make your voice heard in these discussions.

You can contact, Walt Hagenbuch, “head” of the subcommittee with any questions. Sandra Kohler and India Ennis are the other members of the committee.

Inaugural Theodore Park Lecture, Sunday December 7, 2014 at 2pm — Theodore Pariker Church, 1859 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA

Rabbi Brian Walt — The Prophetic Challenge: Breaking Silence Speaking Truth

You are invited by our sibling UU church to come listen to Rabbi Walt. Music and Reception to follow. Donations welcome. Take a flyer from the Information Table with more details.

VOLUNTEER AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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 23, Sunday, November 30 & Sunday December 7. All presents/gift cards should be dropped off on Sunday, December 14. For questions please contact Beth Gray-Nix.

FATHER BILL’S: We are looking for 2-3 families/couples to cook and serve the evening meal on Sat. Dec. 13th @ Fr. Bill’s. Please contact Pat Gallivan if interested in learning more.

Kiki’s Corner

Parsonage Sold — Some edited excerpts from Chris Pitt’s letter to the congregation. Chris currently serves as Chair of the Parish Committee. A separate email blast was sent on November 19. Copies of full text on Information table.

Last summer, I shared with you the decision of the Parish Committee to sell our former parsonage at 28 Waldo Road. I am pleased to announce that, last week, First Parish completed the sale of this single family residence.

The parsonage was purchased by First Parish in 1997 bought with funds from the unrestricted endowment, which are held by our Trustees of Parish Funds. The net sale proceeds have been deposited back into the unrestricted endowment account.

Thanksgiving week at the office

We will not have regular office hours this week. Miriam and Kevin will be in the office intermittently on Monday and Tuesday. The Link will go out during the week and all preparations for the Sunday service on Nov. 30 will be done. The office will be closed on Wednesday, November 26 and open again on Monday, December 1. I will be away from Nov 21 – November 30. Rev. Hank is doing the Sunday service on November 30. Feel free to email or leave a voice mail knowing that we will respond to you when we all return on December 1. May you holiday be peaceful.

Items for The Link are due Tuesday at 5 pm. Please email both Miriam and Kiki at the office to make sure your item is included.
To quote Peter Bowden, social media guru and UU, “brevity matters”. Please keep your announcement limited to one paragraph. We may limit or edit text.

Have you liked our Facebook Page? If not, You should. Rev. Hank has been sharing some historic photos, others are sharing RE news, FP upcoming events, and photos from this fall.

First Parish is refreshing its public relations materials and will be undertaking more photography and videography of church activities, including religious education events, classes, and children’s church. These images may occasionally be shared with the broader community, e.g. through local media. If you do not want your child’s or your image to be shared beyond the First Parish community, please contact the office.

Items for The Link are due Tuesday at 5 pm. Please email both Miriam and Kiki at the office to make sure your item is included.
To quote Peter Bowden, social media guru and UU, “brevity matters”. Please keep your announcement limited to one paragraph. We may limit or edit text.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

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. Sign Up Here!