This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 15 — Worship @ 10:30 am in Parish Hall

Beyond Categorical Thinking

A few years ago, I had applied to become the minister in a Unitarian Universalist church in the UK, and for a few days I imagined what that would be like. What would the membership be like, what hymnal would we be singing out of, what soccer team would I support, would our girls have English accents? Very soon I received a nice note saying “thanks, but no thanks.” My dreams of my little blonde girls with very toffy accents was dashed, but it was fun to imagine. At this moment there are a number of ministers who are thinking what it would be like to serve this church. They are imaging, what you are like, what hymnal we use, what it would be like to be a Red Sox fan and maybe even if their children will have American accents.

I know that each of you are wondering who the next minister will be and what they will be like. We can wonder, speculate and dream, but whomever it is that is called to be your next minister will not fill all of the assumptions that each of you may have. That is why churches take part in the Beyond Categorical Thinking program, it allows us to be challenged in our assumptions, and aids us to think beyond the categories that we have made in our minds of who the next minister will be.

This is will be an exciting and interesting Sunday and I know that you will get a lot out of the program.

See you in church!
Rev. Hank

Religious Exploration

Sunday, October 18th

• Spirit Play Pre K – 2nd grade go directly to their class room at 10:30am
• SGM 3rd – 6th Graders will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Exploration class. The classes will all meet downstairs and be split into two groups (1) Grades 3 and 4 and (2) Grades 5 & 6.
• Junior Youth Group 7th – 8th Graders meet in the Parlor at 10:30am
• Youth Chat will meet in the youth room at 10:30pm and Youth Group will meet at 12:00pm
• The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger

News and Announcements

Milton Community Concerts — 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.

Maia Sharp In Concert

The Milton Art Center kicks off its Fall Series with celebrated pop singer Maia Sharp this Saturday night, October 17. A favorite songwriter of Bonnie Raitt’s, this California-based artist is making her only area appearance in our town! You can’t miss it – especially because FP Milton’s own Franc Graham is opening for the marvelous Maia. Tickets $15 ($40 for the 3-show series) Doors open at 7

Halloween Dance Party — Friday, October 30th — 7pm – 9pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 6th annual Spooktacular Dance Party

It’s a Halloween Party you’re in for a scare, our treats will delight you, be there if you dare! A night for all ages, much fun is in store, so put on a costume and don’t be a bore.

If you would like to help setup, cleanup or providing Halloween-themed desserts, please email Jen Leggett or Miriam Saavedra.

The Search Is On!

News from the Ministerial Search Committee (MSC)

Beyond Categorical Thinking (BCT)
Sunday, October 18, 2015,
Worship 10:30 am
Workshop 12-3 PM

I know what I’m looking for. Or do I?

This Sunday is the Beyond Categorical Thinking Workshop. Come hear the service, and stay for the workshop: you might be surprised by what you learn. We’ll feed you lunch before the workshop, and we have daycare available. Please see your EVITE for more information.

Survey Says…

Did you know that approximately 75% of the congregation responded to our survey. Want to hear the results? Be on the lookout for excerpts over the next few weeks. Want to know more? Do you have more to say? Please consider attending one of the several cottage meetings scheduled. Look for sign-up sheets at Sunday services and visit the MSC bulletin board in the church’s link.

Your Ministerial Search Committee:
Debbie Alsebai, Charlie Franich, Franc Graham, Elise Henricks, Jim May, Brigitte Miller, and Tracey Robinson.

Kiki’s Corner

We have wonderful resources right in our backyard. The New England Region UUA offers worships and other services to member congregations. They have harnessed the techonology so some programs are virtual (aka webinars). Anyone that has been to one of their programs, always has good things to say about the quality of the program. Check out the website here.

Great Events by our Committees in October!

Congratulations to the Hospitality Committee (including some spouses and friends) for the spectacular Harvest Supper Saturday night. Good food, good company, great music, great door prizes. Door prizes were contributed by Hospitality, Caring, Membership a

nd Religious Exploration Committees. Amy Kavadlo and Jen Pinkus are co-chairs of the Hospitality Committee. Marie-Laure Brown, Christa Ayoub, Pat Neves, Anita Penta, Allison Zippay, Claudia Wellington and Mark Whall are members of this great team.

Congratulations to the Membership Committee. Deb Larson-Venable and Richard Venable, co-chairs, managed to be part of a special Membership Sunday service, make sure the celebratory cake was delivered for Social Hour, and, yes, and represent the church at Celebrate Milton festivities. Tucker Smith also was on double duty both during the worship service and at Celebrate Milton. Thank you all!!

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!