This Week in Worship

The Link

October 11, 2018

We welcome all to grow deep faith and take bold action.

This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 14, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“The Earth and It’s Creatures”
Blessing of the Animals

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

If you haven’t experienced the calming spirit of the Children’s Church, I recommend it. Every Sunday morning, the doors are opened at 9:00- 9:30 am for silent meditation.The doors are also open on Thursday evenings, from 7 – 7:30 for silent meditation. And we’ve added a centering service on Wednesday evenings, 7 – 7:30 pm. The offering on Wednesday includes two shorter meditations, coupled with a centering reading and time to share insights.

Why these offerings? We, in this society, often spend far more time on DOING than on BEING. We can get so caught up in the business of our lives that we can lose the sense of the value of our lives. We can become so distracted by all that is going on that we find ourselves lost in the shuffle.

All that we need for resilience, clarity and wonder is within our being. When grounded in our inborn truth, which is a spiritual practice, we can then relate to ourselves, each other and the world with a natural wisdom that affirms life. Our life choices can then flow from that wisdom.

Check it out one of these days. It’s a half hour. Just a taste of a valuable spiritual practice. See if you can find a way to have meditation as a regular part of your lives. It’s worth it.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of 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, October 14, all children from preschool through grade 8 will attend the entire multigenerational animal blessing worship service in the Meeting House.

Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, October 14, 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! All families are requested to register their children or youth for our religious exploration programs. 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).

Halloween Dance Party

Friday, October 26th

7pm – 9:00pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 9th annual Spooktacular Dance Party. Costumes, dancing and fun for all! Tell your friends, bring the neighbors, this is a party for everybody.

Experience the Eerie Haunted House created by our ghastly youth group — Go through it if you DARE! (You can request the full scare or a calmer version if you prefer.)

If you would like to help with setup or cleanup, or provide grisly Halloween-themed snacks and desserts, please email Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration.

The youth are invited to attend the Blessing of the Animals service together from 10:30 – 11:30 with their own furry, feathery, or scaley friends.

Afterwards, we will be going on a hike in the Blue Hills with interested youth and dogs! From 12pm – about 2pm come stretch your legs and enjoy the great outdoors!

MUSIC THIS WEEK

The music for this Sunday’s Blessing of the Animals service will feature fun animal-themed selections. We welcome guest musician Stuart Ryerse to lead the service. Mr. Ryerse will share his talents as a guitarist, pianist, and composer. He will be assisted by vocalist Jeff Stoodt as we close the service with a spirited rendition of “The Cat Came Back”.

Events, News and Announcements

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There will be a Special Meeting of the Members of First Parish on Sunday, October 28, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. It will be held in the Meetinghouse immediately after the Worship Service. The Special Meeting is being called by the Parish Committee and is being held for two purposes – first, to approve proposed amendments to our By-Laws and second, to approve a proposed extraordinary expenditure for the painting of the Meetinghouse that was not included in the budget approved by the Members at the 2018 Annual Meeting in May.

In order to keep the Special Meeting short enough that people will stay for the votes, there will be little or no debate on these subjects at the Special Meeting itself. Instead, there will be two learning and commenting sessions held prior to the Special Meeting –

1- Thursday October 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the Meetinghouse

2 – Sunday, October 21 at 11:45 a.m. in the Meetinghouse

If you want to learn about the by-law amendments and painting proposal, come to either of these sessions. Copies of the by-law amendments and the painting proposal will be handed out at the learning sessions and are also available in advance on the Members page of the First Parish website [ www.fpmilton.org ]. PLEASE bring your curiosity, questions, comments and concerns to one of these sessions, and then come to the Special Meeting on October 28 to vote.

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Security System FAQ’s

First Parish has had our security system installed for about a month now! Thank you to everyone for their patience and understanding as we navigate the new system. Below are a few questions that commonly asked, and I wanted to address to reduce any concerns or anxiety.

1. What happens if I host an event or committee meeting at First Parish and don’t have a key? If you’re scheduling a new event, door access is on the office’s list of things we discuss. We’ll give you a key if It is needed. If you’re a committee member, the committee chairs all have keys.

2. If I try to open a locked door, am I setting off a security alarm? No. The security system allows controlled access to the building, but isn’t a traditional “burglar alarm”. Police aren’t contacted if you try to open a locked door.

3. If I’m hosting coffee hour/ushering/doing anything early at the church and don’t have a key, what do I do? The office and social worker doors (the engine road doors) both automatically unlock at 8:30am. They automatically relock at 12:30pm.

If you ever have questions or concerns, please feel free to email Susan at manager@fpmilton.org or to call her at the office.

Thursday Evening Silent Prayer and Meditation resumes tonight in the Children’s Church 7:00pm-7:30pm.

Wednesday Evening Service of Centering

Children’s Church 7:00 – 7:30 pm

Give yourself some time, in this busy and distracting world, to replenish your spirit in meditative community. This half hour of centering will include one meditative reading, time for meditation and the sharing of insight. Attend when you can.

Parenting As A Spiritual Practice: Parenting Teens

Third Friday of the Month, Parish Hall

First Gathering: October 19th, 6 – 8:30 pm, Pizza and salad provided

Suggested donation toward dinner: $5. Do not let cost prohibit you from attending.

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

Parents encounter many issues living with teen children that surprise, delight and challenge us. We all need support, encouragement and a chance to explore ways to navigate these precious years. We will enjoy a simple meal then share wisdom in a format that invites conversation, workshopping ideas, and hearing each other’s stories.

We do not have enough rsvp’s yet. Please contact the office: if you can attend. We need at least six people to attend.

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Fair Foods

The Social Action Committee needs volunteers to help with Fair Foods, which provides healthy produce to low income familites in the greater Boston area. We compile bags of donated produce to distribute.

Meet to carpool in the First Parish lower parking lot, 10am, Saturday, October 13th

aCourageous 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.

Saturday, October 13, CHANGED TIME: 10-1pm First Parish Milton (535 Canton Ave, Milton). Workshop with Interplay Leaders CC Kiing and Lisa Ward. Soyinka Rahim is not able to attend due to a biking injury. She is on her way to full recovery. We will gather to work on articulating our journey with race and racism through storytelling, music and user friendly embodiment exercises.

Monday, November 19th, 6-9pm, Milton High School (25 Gile Rd., Milton). Conversation with Debby Irving author of “Waking Up White.”

Harvest Supper 2018

October 20th, Parish Hall, 6:00pm-9:00pm

What would October be without the Harvest Supper? Come join us at this well-loved event to welcome in the fall and the new church year. 4th annual!

What to bring:

· A dish for the potluck

· The whole family

· Your appetite and friendly face

If you enjoy wine or beer, please bring a bottle or six-pack for the bar.

Great conversation, door prizes

Amazing First Parish food and drink

Music and even dancing this year!

Onsite childcare will be available from 6-9.

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MainSpring in Brockton

Sunday, October 21

3-6pm

The Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers to prepare and serve dinner at MainSpring in Brockton from 3pm-6pm on October 21st. Sign up at the Social Action table during social hour or email Peter at peterlschneider@gmail.com

First Parish GREEN ACTION TEAM is going “live!” Our October theme is PLASTICS. Why, because Milton Town Meeting on October 22 will vote on Warrant Article 12 to ban flimsy, single-use plastic bags in our town. Please contact your own Precinct Town Meeting Members; express your opinion: that you favor a YES vote on Article 12 to BAN PLASTIC BAGS.

Information is provided here and on our team’s bulletin board. Watch for an upcoming Milton Times “Sustainably Speaking” article. Connect the social action dots as well… communities impacted by fossil fuel refineries, manufacturers, landfills, and shorelines. Take ACTION! Contact your elected TM reps.

Let’s do this — together, we can.

Peter Schneider and Tucker Smith, Green Action Team

Pre-Order your Christmas Tree!

Reserve now and come pick up Saturday December 1st between 9am-12pm

Frasier Fir 6-7 Feet in height from Granite State Farm in New Hampshire

Trees cut down last week of November; cannot get any fresher!

All proceeds benefit First Parish Milton

$65.00 Per Tree

Forms are posted on the bulletin next to grey box by the church office.

Please put your completed form in the grey box or deliver it to Susan or Megan in person.

You can attach a check to the pre-order form or bring one with you on pick up day, 12/1/18.

Make $65.00 check payable to First Parish Milton with “Christmas Tree” written in the memo section.

Lost & Found

A cell phone was found in the Parish Hall. Please contact the Church Office at office@fpmilton.org if you know who it belongs to.

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.