This Week in Worship

Chaos or Community?

Rev. Lisa WardSunday, January 19th, 2020

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

At the Boston Civic Leaders Summit last November, one of the organizers began her address by saying, “thank you for activating democracy”.  That’s what we, as a member congregation, have done in our discernment around installing solar panels on the campus of First Parish in Milton.  Bravo!  Brava!

Through careful, intentional processes and research, we, as a congregation, combined talents, wisdom, visioning and opportunity for feedback to assure that each voice counts and that we are all accountable to the outcome.  And what a joy filled outcome it was, with a unanimous vote at last week’s special congregational meeting (85 yes, 0 no)  to install solar panels.  The process now will take several months of permitting and positioning before the panels are installed.

One can celebrate democracy without a unanimous vote, of course, but this resounding “Yes!” will echo beyond our walls and campus.  Many thanks to the Parish Committee, the Green Team, the Solar Panel Task Force and the office staff for their perseverance, patience, courage of conviction and welcome of difference.  Well done, First Parish in Milton.  Beautifully done.

This bodes well for continuing our mission “to welcome all to build a healthy world with faith, love, and compassion.”

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up through age 3.

Religious Exploration classes will meet on Sunday, January 12. All children from preschool through grade 7 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move downstairs to their classrooms.

• Preschool through grade 4 will combine today in the Primary classroom for a lesson on Principle 1: Each and Every Person is Important. 
• Grades 4 through 7 will be continuing the two-year Friends and Neighbors curriculum, learning about various faith traditions. This week they will learn about some of the lesser known faith traditions. This group meets in the Activity room. 
• Grade 8 is participating in the Coming of Age program this year which meets from noon to 1:30 pm.

Youth Chat (for grades 8 through 12) will meet this Sunday, January 19th. Our focus will be on finding and committing to social justice projects to finish out the year with.

Coming of Age (for grades 8 through 10) will meet this Sunday, January 19th. This week’s lesson focuses on

Climate Change Lobbying Day: Our Climate, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for climate action through youth and teaching youth how to advocate for climate action in the process, is hosting a day of lobbying at the Massachusetts State House on Wednesday, January 29th.

More information on the lobbying day can be found here.

If you plan to participate, please use this link to RSVP.

Upcoming Dates to Note:

         2/7 Breakfast for Dinner and Game Night Youth Fundraiser

         2/7 Youth Group and Coming of Age Late Night

         2/19 Coming of Age Trip to Sanctuary Boston

         3/14 Youth Group Overnight

         3/15 Youth Led Worship Service

MUSIC SELECTIONS

This week Stuart Ryerse will be the Music Director.  

Events, News & Announcements

The Social Justice Committe Meeting is cancelled TODAY-January 16th

The Green Action Team Meeting is cancelled TODAY-January 16th 

Eben Bein, organizer for youth-powered Our Climate, and Izzy Goodrich (maybe?), will lead a 6:30 gathering at Strauss Library (Centre Street location but off-street/campus parking), Milton Academy, to prepare / train for the next Inter-generational Climate Lobby Day on January 29.  First Parish’s Andrea Geyling (Milton A.’s Community Service Coordinator) has organized that. 

If you’d like to attend and learn more about effective advocacy techniques, all are welcome.

Finally, yay Solar!!  What an exciting vote — thank you to all who invested so much time and effort in the process to date.

Tucker

On Sunday, January 12th we held a Special Meeting of the Membership. We voted to install solar panels on the parish hall, the link and the children’s church.

This historic vote was Yes: 85 No: 0

We will now be working with Resonant Energy, Inc. who will facilitate paperwork, permits, interaction with Eversource and installation of the panels.  This process will take several months.  Stay tuned for periodic updates.

Thank you to all who participated in this year long process of discernment.

Ruth Heiden, Chair, Parish Committee

A NOT-TO-BE-MISSED CONCERT 

On Saturday, January 18th at 7pm in the Meetinghouse, Milton Community Concerts presents “Rockin’ With Renaissance Men: A Benefit Concert”. The concert will feature Renaissance Men, New England’s professional male vocal chamber ensemble, who will take you on a musical journey from the church to the tavern, including virtuosic Renaissance polyphony, traditional Bluegrass tunes, rollicking Estonian folk music, drinking songs from around the world, and even pop songs. Also on this concert will be a guest appearance by the celebrated women’s ensemble, Ensemble Lyrae. Typically tickets for a RenMen concert cost $35-$40, but in this case admission is free; a suggested donation of $20 will go to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness. The RenMen are one of the hottest musical groups in the country, having just recorded their second album. They have garnered a devoted following to their concerts, broadcasted live-streams, and social media outlets.  Visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com for more information.

Green ACTION Gleanings

Talking about Climate Change in 2020, Part 3

Last week’s Link introduced the metaphor of “Rampant vs. Regular CO2.  This week’s FrameWorks Institute science topic is about understanding THE OCEAN AS CLIMATE’S HEART.

A human heart circulates blood and regulates the body’s temperature. In a similar manner, the ocean controls the circulation of heat and moisture throughout the climate system through winds and currents.  When we burn fossil fuels, we stress the ocean’s ability to maintain a stable climate. Living near the coast as we at First Parish Church do, we are vulnerable to new extremes of tides, wind, and weather.  The Town of Milton, and many others, is meeting now to plan ahead prudently. Have you talked with your town and state legislators about reducing the use of fossil fuel systemically through carbon polluter fees, clean transportation, and green/renewable infrastructure?  Talk it up! 

Next Green Action Team meeting will meet on Thursday February 6th at 6:30 PM in the church library.

Monday, January 20, 2020

St. Michael’s Episcopal Church-112 Randolph Ave.-Milton

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

The Milton Interfaith Clergy Association is honored to present their annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Service Project. 

This project will feature the creation of Blessing Bags, which contain supplies of toiletries and necessities for unhoused people.

Volunteers for the indoor project are asked to bring their own donations of the following contents for the blessings bags: Gallon ziplock bags, tissues, toothpaste, shampoo, bar soap, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, body wash, deodorant, body warmers, gloves, socks, toothbrushes, chapstick, feminine products, granola bars, small snacks, small water bottles, disposable razors, $5 gift card for DD, McDonalds, or Burger King. Unscented toiletries are preferred.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but please note all those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and those aged 13-17 must bring a note from their parents to participate. These projects are eligible for Community Service Hours, so please bring your service forms with you.

Volunteers of all ages are welcome, but please note all those 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult and those aged 13-17 must bring a note from their parents to participate. These projects are eligible for Community Service Hours, so please bring your service forms with you.

Office Closed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday, January 20th

Yoga CANCELLED as well

EXPLORING AGING TOGETHER

Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the Month

11 am to 1 pm, (Bring a Bag Lunch)

Chase Parlor (next to the kitchen)

Open Meeting.  Come when you can.  Newcomers welcome.

Next Session:  January 22nd

What can we learn from each other as we age? We all have stories within us of facing the unknown and navigating changes, of adjusting to loss and appreciating what’s before us. We will meet twice a month to share our wisdom, our queries, our wonderings.  Each session will focus around a theme. More questions?  Contact Penny Partridge at ppartridge9@icloud.com.

Do you ever listen to the Moth Hour and think, “I wonder if I could ever tell a story like that?”

You can! You are cordially invited to a free storytelling workshop and open mic event designed to help you embrace your inner storyteller and connect to each other by sharing stories.

When: Saturday, January 25, 2020, 6pm-9pm

Where:  Parish Hall, First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA

6-7pm:  Storytelling workshop led by Now Listen Here producers and Moth storytellers, Julie  Baker and Bart Thompson. This no-pressure, introductory class will help you learn how to find, develop, and deliver a compelling and true 5-minute story with no notes.

7pm: Light refreshments and soft drinks

7:30-9pm: Open Mic Storytelling. We open the doors to a public storytelling event. Stick around to hear fantastic tales from seasoned and beginning storytellers or put your name in the jug to possibly tell your own story.

Racial Disparities in Healthcare

Part 1: Looking Back 

Time: Tuesday, January 28th, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Church of Christ (330 Edge Hill Road, Milton, MA 02186)

Courageous Conversations will provide a general introduction to the racial disparities in healthcare. We will examine historical practices, discriminatory research, and events that have led to the disparities we face now.

Visit www.courageousconversations-milton.org to RSVP

While we enjoy comfort food, burrow into our couches under a pile of blankets and hibernate a bit, we also notice that the sun is getting a little brighter, and we know that the seeds of life are quickening within the earth.

Imbolc, “in the belly”, is the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox.  It is celebrated as Candlemas in the Christian liturgical calendar when candles are blessed, as St. Brigid’s Day in Ireland, and by pagans as a time of honoring the pre-Christian Goddess Brigid as healer, keeper of the hearth,  and muse of the arts.   It is a fire festival celebrating warmth, purification and the spark of inspiration in the midst of winter’s icy grip.

Join the First Parish CUUPS as we light the fires, sing in the returning sun, and celebrate our own illumination and inspiration.

Imbolc Ritual:   Saturday, February 1st 3:00pm-Parish Hall

All are welcome; Pot Luck feast following the ritual.

Sunday, February 9

22nd ANNUAL 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 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.  Items may be home-produced or purchased.  Chocolate is the essential ingredient.  [For those of you who have a sweet tooth but not a chocolate one – some year 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 (you or your family), interesting recipe history if any) – will be very helpful and much appreciated by Your Humble Auctioneer. 

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 again be a Kids’ Raffle, with raffle tickets available for $1 each immediately before the Auction! 

Be there!  Bring a guest  – the more bidders, the merrier!

Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate!

Any questions at all, call or email Your Humble Auctioneer, Chris Pitt

FIRST PARISH AUCTION

COMING SOON! The best deals this side of the Neponset! That’s right… the First Parish Auction is set for Saturday, March 28^th from 6-9 pm.

The event includes both silent and limited live auctions, hors d’oeuvres, bar and fellowship. 

Mark your calendars and invite your friends! 

DONATIONS NEEDED: Whether you’re at the car wash, nail salon, yoga class or local restaurant, these are all good places to ask for a donation to support First Parish. Requests for donations are best received from regular customers.  Also, don’t overlook your attic or basement for a special donation to the auction. (No yard sale items please.) Be part of the Auction by contributing a gift or service. 

VACATION HOMES WANTED: Please consider contributing time at your “special place” and share it with another First Parish family. Such a gift provides significantly to the Auction’s success. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Interested in having fun early in 2020 while raising the necessary funds to support the ongoing work of First Parish? Join our energetic team! We still need assistance in the following area: Donation Coordination, Food/Beverage Coordination, Set-up/Clean-up.

TO DONATE AND/OR VOLUNTEER: Contact Lynne Stack  lmstack258@gmail.com 508-944-4014

Mallory Digges maldigges@gmail.com  508-962-1924

June 24, 2020-June 29, 2020, Providence RI

Early Bird Registration is now Open!

Click here for more informaiton.

Snow Cancellation Information:

If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does First Parish. Sundays we realize are trickier.  We will call it by 8 a.m. on Sunday.  Look for cancellations in three places.  If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.

~Channel 5, WCVB television.  Look for First Parish – Milton.  Check their website if you want to get automatic, direct notification through the TV station. www.wcvb.com. 

~Check our Facebook page. First Parish Milton UU.  We will post cancellations there.  Our Facebook page also feeds our Twitter account @FPMilton.

~Check our website, www.fpmilton.org.  We put a banner on the home page with closing information.