This Week in Worship

October 16, 2016 — Meetinghouse @10:30 am

Religion and Science: Partners In Truth

October Worship Theme: Truth

Worship Leader Rev. Lisa Ward

Message from Rev. Lisa

There is a posting in the First Parish Library, right above the copy machine. It reads: “5th Grade Class Rules”. The rules are as follows: Listen to others and don’t talk when someone else is talking. No trash talk. Hands to yourselves. Be kind….Not exactly the behavior we are observing this election season. The appalling degradation of civility on a national scale, coupled with the subtle and not-so-subtle disregard of civic responsibility threatens the very nature of our democratic republic. Many people are uneasy about our future as a nation, some are triggered by the unchecked predatory and bullying behavior, others are cynically removing themselves from the process. We are being challenged to take a serious look at our civic responsibility to maintain a government of the people, by the people and for the people.

This doesn’t just mean that we vote; though that is essential and still not equally available to all. It doesn’t just mean to have an opinion; though that, too, is important, especially as a result of careful consideration. Our civic responsibility in a democratic republic is to foster opportunity for civil discourse, educate citizenry of the ramifications of our choices, honor government as a means to assure equal distribution of rights and value the diverse threads within the fabric of this nation.

And how does that happen? We can start with those 5th grade class rules. More often than not, civility encourages civility. We continue by refusing to engage in toxic behavior. We avoid “us” and “them” stances which inevitably lead to forms of violence. We claim our ability to focus on health. We gather strength from others focusing on health. And we create communities through principled being like Unitarian Universalist congregations. Don’t despair: keep on keeping on, find help when you need and believe in the strength of mutual regard. It is the balm that holds our lives together.

In Faith,

Lisa

FAITH IN ACTION

Our offering this Sunday will be given to Father Bill’s of Quincy, MA as recommended by the First Parish Social Action Committee. All cash and designated checks collected this Sunday will go to this important service. Any checks without a memo to Father Bill’s will be applied to your pledge.

Their mission statement: “Father Bill’s…is committed to ending and preventing homelessness in Southern Massachusetts with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. We help people who are struggling with homelessness or are at risk of homelessness to achieve self-sufficiency.”

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse
Director of Religious Education

Our Whole Lives Class Begins on Sunday, October 16

When: 10:30 am to 12:00 pm (90 minutes) in the Children’s Church

Our Whole Lives Parent Orientation Session: Sunday, October 16, from 11:30 am to 12:00 pm in the NURSERY. All custodial parents of 8th and 9th graders must attend an orientation session and sign an Our Whole Lives permission form in order for their youth to participate in the program.

RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION WISH LIST:

The religious exploration program is seeking a portable TV and DVD player to show videos to the Our Whole Lives and Friends and Neighbors classes, among others. Please contact restaff@fpmilton.org if you have a TV or DVD player to donate to the program.

Religious Education classes for October 16

• Preschool through grade 7 begin in the Meetinghouse
• All classes will meet downstairs. Please note that classes end at 11:40 am. Children in second grade and younger need to be met in their classroom by a parent. Older children will be released at the end of class to go to Social Hour in the Parish Hall.
• Preschool through grade 1 will meet in the Activity Room for the Spirit Play program. Grades 2 through 5 will meet in the Preschool classroom and will be piloting a version of the Spirit Play approach for slightly older children called Spirited Adventure. Grades 6 and 7 will meet in the Primary classroom and will be piloting a curriculum called Friends and Neighbors which will combine social justice projects with portions of the Neighboring Faiths program. All classrooms are on the lower level.
• Youth Chat (non-OWL grade 9 youth through grade 12) will meet in the second floor Youth Room from 10:30 to 11:30 am, followed by Youth Group (grades 9 through 12) from noon to approximately 1:30 pm.

Register your Child or Youth

Unfortunately, the online registration form had a technical glitch and did not capture data entered over the summer and early fall. The Religious Education Committee is asking all families to complete a paper registration form instead. Thank you for your understanding as we work to construct our registration database.

Nursery and Toddler Care Team

Teenagers and Young Adults

Please email restaff@fpmilton.org if you are interested in being part of the Nursery Care team on Sunday mornings. Hours are 9 am – 12 noon. We also may have some opportunities for other child care assignments at church other than Sunday mornings. In your email please give us your first and last names, email address, cell number, and confirm you have completed a babysitting certification program.

News and Announcements

The Harvest Supper Returns!

When: Saturday, October 15th, 6 pm

The Hospitality and Membership Committees are hosting this time-honored event for the second year. A time to renew old friendships and make new ones. A treat for the whole family! Bring a dish for the potluck and a bottle of wine to share. There will be a cocktail hour from 6-7, followed by a pot luck dinner and dessert.

Door prizes and games are all part of the fun! Good company, good conversation, good food and drink. Join us! Onsite childcare available from 6 pm – 9 pm

Please respond to your Evite invitation!!

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If you thought you missed the fall First Parish Milton All Church Council we have great news! You didn’t! So please come and join us.

When: Sunday October 23, 2016, 12:15 -2:15

Where: Parish Hall and you are invited.

In the past, the chair person or a representative from each committee would gather to report to the other committees on activities, plans and visions for the year ahead.

As we begin a new chapter in our congregational life under the leadership of Reverend Lisa Ward, please know that all are welcome to come and listen, come and have their voices heard.

Come and find out for yourself what is happening. Come and find out how you can be a part of this vibrant community. You do not need to be on a committee, just be interested in who we are and what we might become. Come please come.

Halloween Dance Party

When: Friday, October 28th @ 7pm – 9pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 7th annual Spooktacular Dance Party

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 setup, cleanup or providing Halloween-themed desserts, please email Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Education, at restaff@fpmilton.org

Straight Out of Nashville – Jim Lauderdale

Where: Milton Art Center, 334 Edge Hill Road Milton MA 02186

When: Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm

Come hear this multiple-Grammy award winning songwriter and recent Lifetime Achievement Winner from the Americanan Music Association. (Opening will be former First Parish members the Wolff Sisters.

Admission: $20

Tickets available at www.miltonartcenter.org

“Save the Date: Milton Community Concert Presents . . . .”

The first Milton Community Concert of this year will be on Sunday, November 6th at 6pm in the Meetinghouse. The title of it is: “Connections: An Operatic Celebration”.The performers, who come from St. Petersburg, Russia, Korea, and the United States are all connected through the music as a reflection of the need for all parts of the world to feel connection to each other.

The artists are Maria Lyudko, soprano; David Won, tenor; Georges Devdariani, clarinet; and Tim Steele, piano. This will be a ticketed (non-benefit) concert: $20 general admission, $10 seniors, 18 and under free. Hope you can come!

• Saturday, October 15 Harvest Supper
• Sunday, October 23rd All Church Council
• Friday, October 28th Halloween Dance Party
• Sunday, November 6th Milton Community Concert
• Sunday, November 13th Bring a Friend to Church
• Friday, December 2 Holiday Craft Night
• Saturday, December 3 Holiday World Market Fair & Brunch

Kiki’s Corner

Sunday, November 13 is Bring a Friend to Church

Start thinking about who you might bring to our worship that Sunday. Rev. Lisa, the Membership Committee and I are starting to work through the details of the day.

If you are planning a church event, check in with the office. We can give guidance on communication planning and other logistics. We think it will make the planning easier for you.

We post at least once a week on our Facebook page. “Like” our page. Follow us and like/love/wow our posts. Often we have pictures of recent events like Celebrate Milton. We also often share posting from the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and other UU organization and bloggers.

Social Action Opportunities

We have a Social Action bulletin board in the link which provides information and flyers on various social justice opportunities: in Milton, with the UU Urban Ministry and the wider world. We also summarize events here.

MILTON DIALOGUES: Building Race Relations

Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences around ethnicity, race and community and hear those of others.

People who live or work in Milton are invited to register now to participate in a four-session dialogue series conducted by experienced co-facilitators. We will gather on four Monday evenings in October and November: October 17 + 24, and November 7 + 14. All sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton MA 02186.

A commitment to attending all four sessions is requested as each session builds on the prior one, enabling participants to build understanding.

Register Now at rwolff@miltondialoguesbrr.org or 617-922-0191.

Please provide us with Your Name; Email Address; Phone Number; Whether You Live or Work in Milton; the Racial Group you most closely identify with (to help us assemble a diversely balanced group of participants as mentioned above).

To register or for information: rwolff@miltondialoguesbrr.org or 617-922-0191

Flyers about this event are on the Information Tables in the Stebbins Parlor and Parish Hall Foyer

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!