Table of Contents
- This Week in Worship
- Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
- RE Info
- News and Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
October Worship Theme: Facing Fear
“Belief Beyond Fear”
- Worship Assistant: Dottie Pitt
- Greeters: Guy Pugh and Steve Yakutis
- Faith Reflection: Karl Pastore
- Audio: Eli De Angeli
- Social Hour: Lisa White and Jeff Stoodt
Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. You will be muted, but you can communicate through the chat box. If you do not have zoom on your computer, please download it ahead of time. It is free.
This week’s offering will go towards the service and needs of First Parish.
This Sunday we have the opportunity to explore a topic suggested by last year’s church auction winner. We will look at and learn from the audacious journey of Bishop Carlton Pearson who converted from being an ‘evangelical, charismatic, Pentecostal bishop” (his description) to a Universalist preacher, sharing what he named, “the gospel of inclusion”.
In March 2004, the Joint College of African-American Pentecostal Bishops condemned his teaching as heresy, which led to a considerable loss of followers, and painful estrangements from colleagues, friends and family.
Eventually Bishop Pearson was ordained as a United Church of Christ minister, finding his new avenue as an affiliate minister at the All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Carlton died in November of 2023.
The 2018 Netflix movie “Come Sunday” addresses this journey.
Come this Sunday, and dwell in this fascinating and liberating story of a modern conversion; one that echoes the original founding principles of Universalism, part of the solid ground of Unitarian Universalism.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday we welcome back Arman Mohammed as guest musician. He will be playing “When you Believe” by Stephen Schwartz, “Amazing Grace” – Traditional and “Danny Boy” by Frederic Weatherly – Traditional.
Religious Exploration
Trunk or Treat has been cancelled, but there’s still plenty of Halloween inspired fun. Please join us on 10/25 from 5-7pm for the Haunted Halloween Hang-out in the Parish Hall. Details are below in Events section of newsletter.
Crossing Paths Field Trip- RE classes for grades 4-6
Sunday, October 27th **To meet in church parking lot at 10:00 am**
Crossing Paths will first learn about a faith for several Sundays and then visit (physically or virtually) the associated house of worship. As we are starting with learning about the UU faith, our first field trip will be the historic Arlington Street Church, Unitarian Universalist, Boston on Sunday October 27th. If your child would like to join us, please fill out this permission slip by Friday October 25th. The service begins at 11am. Paul Casaz and I can drive the kids to/from the service. If your kids will be traveling with us, please meet us in the church parking lot at 10am. Alternatively you are welcome to attend, too, and can drive your child and meet us there – you can indicate this on the permission form. After the service, we’re happy to drive the kids back to your respective homes or we can meet you at the church parking lot for pick up. The service is entitled “Ancestors and Angels” and is described as “Mystical connections with folks who have passed are a part of nearly every faith tradition. What can we learn from stories of the presence of ancestors as we navigate our lives in the present? We invite you to bring photos or mementos of loved ones who have passed as we celebrate and remember those we have lost.” We think this will be interesting for the kids!
Jennifer Lofgren, RE Chair
Sunday, October 27th 6:00pm-7:00pm
** Meet at First Parish at 4:30pm**
First Parish Milton is organizing a field trip to the First Parish UU in Arlington MA to participate in a UU Youth Corps event – We will standing up for the Right to Shelter law in MA! The plan is to gather at First Parish Milton at 4:30pm on Sunday October 27 to talk about this important issue and make signs for the protest event. Then we will drive to the First Parish UU Church in Arlington MA to participate in the event from 6-7pm.
This field trip is for youth age 12+. If interested in joining us, please contact Tracey Robinson at tdr02182@gmail.com.
Crossing Paths Parents- please note that this trip is separate from the field trip scheduled at 11am that day to the UU Arlington Church.
News & Announcements
SOCIAL HOUR hosts needed for Sundays, November 10th and November 17th !
If you are available to help, please contact Marie-Laure at marie-laure@bostonbrowns.org.
Available other dates?
Haven’t hosted before or need a refresher? No worries! A member of the Hospitality Committee will be in touch to answer questions, provide instructions, and stop in on Sunday morning.
Thank you for your hospitality!
MCC Musical Marathon Saturday, October 26th
Be sure to “Save the Date” on your calendar for Milton Community Concerts free Ten-Year Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 26, beginning at 2:00. MCC will present “A Musical Marathon Fundraiser: Celebrating Ten Years of Milton Community Concerts.” This will be a full day and evening of music for the entire family, featuring outstanding performers from the past nine years of concerts. Come as you are, and come and go as you please. From 2:00-5:00 will be a series of “mini-concerts”:
2:00-3:00 — soprano Yoonjeong Yoo and baritone Philip Lima
3:00-3:30 — jazz/folk pianist and world-class juggler Stuart Ryerse
4:00-4:30 — sopranos Sarah Callinan and Jane Shivick
4:30-5:00 — jazz accordionist Cory Pesaturo
From 5:00 until 6:00 there will be dinner available in the Parish Hall, with a chance to meet some of the performers.
From 6:00-9:00 will be a concert called “Showstoppers”, during which many of our past performers will get a chance to shine with their one favorite aria, musical theater selection, or instrumental piece.
For more information visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com
Events
Navigating the Political Climate
We will be meeting by zoom from 6:30 pm-7:30 pm every other Tuesday. Upcoming dates are October 29th and Nov 12 & 26. Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org for the zoom link.
Halloween Hang-out
Friday, October 25th 5:00pm-7:00pm
First Parish Friends ~ It’s spooky season and the Membership Committee wants you to come and have a low-key seasonal good time.
On Friday, Oct 25th, we will be in the Parish Hall from 5-7. We will have pizza, salad, treats and drinks plus spooky music and craft projects for all. Costumes encouraged but not necessary.
This is a family-friendly event for all ages! Easy crafts and fun for all.
Please RSVP with this easy link
We want to know how much food to have and if you have dietary needs. THANKS
or email Leslie with any questions lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
Don’t be scared — it’s just for FUN
Harvest Supper
November 9th 6:00 pm-9:30 pm
We invite you to the annual First Parish Harvest Supper, Saturday, November 9, 6pm-9:30pm. It’s a potluck!
Click here to RSVP and to sign up to bring a favorite dish.
This is a much-beloved First Parish tradition of fellowship and good food. Childcare (and child-friendly food!) will be available. We look forward to seeing you there.
First Parish HOLIDAY FAIR – crafters wanted
Saturday, Dec 14th from 10 am-2 pm We will have our amazing Holiday Fair again. More information will be coming but if you know crafters who might like to rent a table, please ask them to email me for information. We are lining them up now. Leslie at: lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
If you want to get involved again, let me know! December will be here before you know it!
Social & Environmental Justice
Next date is November 20
S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches a month to support shelter guests.
Please signup whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.
We are counting on your support!
Prison Book Program
For over 50 years, the Prison Book Program, a non-profit in Quincy, has been sending free books to people in prison, because everyone deserves the freedom to read. Volunteers write personal notes to offer connection to a community outside the prison walls. There are several ways to support this important program:
Book Drive: Between Oct 19-Nov 10, we are collecting gently used paperbacks in the following categories:
Nonfiction: language learning, trade skills, exercise, business, history, hobbies, self-help, science, sports, spirituality and books by LGBTQ authors and people of color.
Fiction: Westerns, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, young adult
Drop off books through the office mail slot or bring them to church and put in box in Narthex.
Buy a special request: visit their wish list to buy the exact book someone asked for.
Beyond First Parish
The scale of destruction in the wake of Hurricane Helene has been utterly devastating to many communities in the southeastern United States. Some Unitarian Universalist congregations have been seriously impacted and others are still trying to assess the damage. You can help support Unitarian Universalists and their communities as they recover from this storm by giving generously to the UUA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Sunday plate collections are an important way to support this fund and we encourage all congregations that are able, to consider taking up such a collection. Disaster Relief Fund donations become grants to Unitarian Universalists, their congregations, and their communities. All gifts granted in the course of immediate crisis response will be extended directly to impacted communities. While an immediate collection is ideal given the immediacy of the need, please consider a gift or dedicated collection at any point, now or in the coming months.
Our hearts are with everyone struggling to get through these days and begin recovery efforts, especially our siblings in LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, who have consistently been the least supported by local institutions. We know that some UU communities experiencing lesser impacts have already been organizing support for more directly-impacted folks. Thank you for being a beacon of hope for so many.