This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 4 — Worship @ 10:30 am in Parish Hall

It’s New Member Sunday and we have six wonderful folks who will be signing the membership book during the service. It is also World Communion Sunday. Is there a connection? Yes there is and it has to do with this month’s worship theme Kinship. Although most of us are born into families, it is through friends where we learn what it means to make a family. Becoming a member is taking seriously the idea that this community is a place where you can make a new relationships. Relationships that unite us not by blood or by background, but ones united in the higher ideals of hope, faith and love. One of the oldest ways to recognize and celebrate this relationship is through sharing a meal.

This Sunday we will also recognize our historical and religious links through the ritual sharing of bread and wine which draws us together with millions of others around the world.

See you in church,

Hank

Religious Exploration

Sunday, October 4

Religious Exploration Classes This Week:

Spirit Play pre-k – 2nd grades go directly to their classroom at 10:30am

SGM 3rd – 6th grade start in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their classes

Junior Youth Group 7th – 8th graders start in their class at 10:30am

Youth Group 9th – 12th graders go directly to their class

The Nursery is available for children 4 years and younger

News and Announcements

THE RETURN OF THE HARVEST SUPPER!! – Saturday, October 3 @ 6:00 pm

Saturday, October 3, 2015 6:00 – 10 :00 pm

Please come with a dish to share (appetizers, main dish, or dessert) and a bottle of wine to share. Please come, we want you there!!

Door Prizes, Special Sing-along, and Jazz Piano by Joel. Childcare will be available onsite from 6 – 9 pm with a special children’s yoga class at 6:15. Good food and drink, good company, good times.

Sunday, October 4th — a half marathon will be run to support the Council on Aging. The race will begin and end at Town Hall. They will have volunteers stationed around our parking lot so that our spaces will not be used by spectators and supporters of the event. The race begins at 8 am and most participants will come in around 9:30 but there will be stragglers. Between 200 and 250 people are running the race. If you are arriving early for choir or other church related activities, just let the volunteer know you attend First Parish and you will be able to get in to the lot with no problem.

¡CelebrateMilton! 2015

Sunday October 4th, Noon – 4pm

Pierce Middle School, rain or shine.

This year First Parish is a silver sponsor of the event. Drop by our exhibit table staffed by our Membership Committee and encourage your friends to visit as well. Thanks Deb Larson-Venable and Richard Venable Membership Co-chairs for getting this organized.

Milton Community Concerts

On Sunday, October 18th at 4:00 pm

Milton Community Concerts presents “Right on Your Doorstep”, a free benefit concert to support music in the Milton Public Schools. Milton resident Pauline Wells and MHS grad Brandon Grimes headline a wonderfully eclectic program of songs in a variety of styles. They will be joined by pianist Timothy Steele and others right here at First Parish Church. Free admission; a free-will offering will be taken. For more information visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com.

The Search Is On!

News from the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC)

What comes after your participation in the survey?

Beyond Categorical Thinking — Sunday, October 18, 2015

• Worship 10:30 AM
• Workshop 12-3 PM

THINK OF A MINISTER. DON’T THINK OF AN ELEPHANT. Chances are you thought of both. And distinct images perhaps came to mind. In terms of a minister, what images came to mind? Was it a person of a particular gender, race, or age? Beyond Categorical Thinking is part of the search process for our congregation. In finding the person who would be the best match for our minister, we could potentially overlook or even let biases keep us from knowing that a particular person would be the best match for us. Beyond Categorical Thinking helps congregations confront prejudice before it limits their ministerial search. It encourages congregations to trust that they, too, can break old barriers and stereotypes. We will have trainers come and meet with our search committee, lead the Sunday service, and facilitate a 3-hour conversation where will have a chance to examine how we can avoid letting prejudice become a part of our search process. This is yet another way for us to put our faith into lived experience and improve the odds that regardless of identity, we will find the minister who is the best match for us and will serve us well . This opportunity allows the entire congregation fuller participation in the search process. It will allow us to explore our hopes and concerns for a new minister, learn more about the search process, and see how our own history (both personal and congregational) might interfere with our efforts in this search.

Reply to the Evite. Come for the service, stay for the workshop. Significant parish participation is important in attracting the best ministerial candidates.

I did it! Did you?
(complete the Congregational Survey)

LAST REMINDER:

Fill out the Congregational Survey

Survey Close Date: October 4th.

Who is eligible to respond: Members, Friends, Newcomers, Youth who have completed COA.

Does this sound familar?: Yes, Two separate emails sent this week with all the details on how to do this as well as in worship announcements and each week in The Link.

This is your chance to be heard. All survey responses are anonymous.

Your Ministerial Search Committee:

Debbie Alsebai, Charlie Franich, Franc Graham, Elise Henricks, Jim May, Brigitte Miller, and Tracey Robinson.

Kiki’s Corner

Miriam Saavedra is out of the office until Tuesday, October 6. I’m involved with Membership Sunday, Celebrate Milton, and in Miriam’s absence the Nursery and RE this Sunday. Busy times at FP Milton.

There is so much happening these days, an Information Table has materials each week to from newcomer materials to the events calendar to signing up to help the Care Committee. Spotlight this week is on the Social Media Release Form. Other items available – RE Registration, Events Calendar for 2015-2016, Newcomer Materials. Always a good place to check during Social Hour. All completed forms should be placed in the gray box just outside the office. It is the most convenient way for us to handle the paper on Sunday mornings at our very busy church.

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!