Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 10/26/2018

Weekly Link 10-26-18

A call to Unitarian Universalists from our fifth principle, “the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large”

PLEASE VOTE IN THE MIDTERM ELECTIONS

Church

This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 28, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“Sacred Presence of Our Ancestors”

MinisterMinister

Rev. Lisa Ward

News as of this Thursday morning now reports ten pipe bombs sent to prominent critics of Donald Trump through the mail. The swirl of twitter blame distracts from the fact that inflammatory language, name calling, encouragement of ends justifying the means…any means…is engaging our destructive, ego-driven impulses toward violence.

This is getting increasingly harder for many of us. The level of anxiety, fear, despair and distraction is commanding our attention, invading our sleep and disrupting our hopes for the world. Some of us may feel we have no sea legs, nauseous and unable to find steady ground.

“Us” and “them” tactics are the easiest way to disempower a people. Resist its pull. Recognize its cunning. Find a presence of life deeper and wider than human control. Wisdom of how to choose our relational power will come from there.

Concentrate on the “us”. Not an “us” that is different than “them”. Not a comparative “us”, but a humanity “us”. Affirm life with others who seek to affirm life. Build a vision with others who seek to build a vision that sees the possibility of harmony and justice in the world. What does not affirm life then becomes ever clearer. Concentrate on your YES for life and your ability to say NO will companion you – no to the distractions, no to the demonization, no to the cascading dysfunction of our present civic discourse.

These times call us to practice response – ability. Find ways that ground you: circles of friends, journaling, meditation, physical exercise, faith community, service. These are challenging times. We have each other to discern a better world. Come to church. In the company of countless others, we’ll find a way through.

So may it be. Amen. Rev. LisaReligious Exploration

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 28, all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms.

Religious Exploration classes will be meeting this Sunday, October 28. Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story will be How Kindness Leads to Great Joy. Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Holidays and Holy Days curricula, meeting in the kitchen. This week they will be learning about the Mexican holidays honoring the dead: All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing the Friends and Neighbors curriculum, meeting in the Activity room. This group will discuss Judaism with a guest visitor this week.

Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, October 28, 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.)

Treats and helpers needed: Sign up here if you can help with setup or cleanup, or provide grisly Halloween-themed snacks and desserts.

Youth Yacking

For Sunday October 28th, 2018

Calling all youth in grades 8 and above: Setup for the Haunted Hallway begins at 5 pm on Friday, October 26. We need your creativity and talents to pull this off!

Sunday, October 28: Youth Chat will include a Day of the Dead observance. Arrival time begins at 10:00 am so youth can settle in and make a hot beverage before the formal program which runs from 1O:30 to 11:30 am.

CAT (Community Activity Time) will begin at noon. This will be a longer session than usual as the group will be watching a movie.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This Sunday the choir anthem will be “A Navaho Prayer” by Cary John Franklin, a prolific composer and conductor from Minnesota.

During the offertory a Treble Ensemble will be singing “Breaths” by Ysaye M. Barnwell, text by Birago Diop.

Events, News and Announcements

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 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 the past two weeks, there have been two information sessions to allow members to learn and ask questions about the by-law amendments and painting proposal. They were well attended. Copies of the by-law amendments and the painting proposal are available on the Members page of the First Parish website [ www.fpmilton.org ]. The Members Page password is miltonuu. Once on the Members Page, click on Congregational Meetings. They will also be available at the Special Meeting but you are strongly encouraged to do your homework and read about these matters before Sunday by checking them out on the website. Then come to the Special Meeting on October 28 to vote.

Security Committee Seeks Additional Members

First Parish recently implemented the first stage of its efforts to improve overall security on our campus by installing an electronic lock system with security cameras on the doors in the link, the Parish Hall and the nursery school. There are other sections of the campus to consider, along with security policies and protocols to develop. We need additional members to help us address these issues. If you are interested, please contact Jim May or 617-838-0600.

Silent Prayer & Meditation

Thursday Evening Silent Prayer and Meditation has resumed and meets in the Children’s Church 7:00pm-7:30pm.

Samhain Blessings

The season of amber leaves and firelight has long been held as a time of enchantments and charms, mysteries and magic. Bonfires, hayrides, pumpkins and cooler evenings remind us of the importance of family and friendship.

Samhain is a time to honor those who have gone before us. Join the First Parish CUUPS group for a ritual of meditation and prayer, of honoring and giving thanks for those who have gone before us. The ritual will begin at 3:00pm on Saturday, October 27, in the Parish Hall Parlor. Potluck Social Hour to follow.

Halloween

There will be no Wednesday Evening Service of Centering on Halloween, October 31st.

Volunteers Needed

The Caring Committee is looking for volunteers to assist with a transportation request. Robert Johnson’s wife, Sandra, has weekly chemotherapy treatments. On Wednesdays, she needs to be picked up at their home in Milton at 9 AM and dropped off on Brookline Ave in the Fenway area. She also needs a return trip at 2 PM back to Milton.

View the schedule and sign up here:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1lMZFA8MBEKrN3fRJd1-6ZMFItIh_rxqsJjZJMgYQEvI/edit#gid=375295897

Or contact Amanda Tobey. Thank you for helping us support this wonderful family.

Holiday Craft Fair

On December 1st, we will be once again having our World Market Holiday Craft Fair! We are in the organizational process now and are looking for folks who are interested in helping with sales that day. Time commitment is minimal. The Fair is happening on Saturday, December 1st . We are looking for two or three people to help sell the merchandise from about 8 am until 1:30 or 2. Also, if you are an artist and would like to sell your own items, we will have a limited number of tables to rent for $30. Please reach out to Leslie if you are interested in helping.

Potluck

Circle socials are back! Sign up to share a potluck dinner with fellow members in a members home, or a young-child-friendly brunch with other parents. Look for sign-up sheets during social hour, or contact Richard Venable. Hosts are also needed.

Courageous Conversations

Courageous 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.

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

Gratitude

Gratitude Sanctuary

Friday, November 23

Time: 1-5

Facilitator: Jennie Mulqueen

Following Thanksgiving Day feasts and festivities, First Parish invites all in our community to continue the powerful practice of gratitude in a quiet afternoon of reflection around the fireplace in our Parish Hall. When we create the space to deeply contemplate the blessing of life, our humble hearts can be filled with deep joy for being. Bring one item for a Gratitude Altar as well as journals, dream/vision boards, or any other contemplative project that makes your heart hum. Materials for collage will be on hand. We will begin and end with singing and sharing, and the heart of our time together (3 hours) will be a silent time for project work. All ages welcome. Please let the church office know if childcare is needed by Thursday, 11/15.

Milton Community Concerts

On Saturday, February 2nd at 7pm MCC and First Parish of Milton is proud to present Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” with live organ accompaniment by virtuoso organist Peter Krasinski. Mr. Krasinski is known the world over for his live improvised accompaniments to silent films. Following a recent tour of Japan he now comes to Milton to celebrate the 60th installation anniversary of First Parish’s beautiful Schlicker pipe organ. Tickets are $25 general/$15 seniors/free for 18 and under. (Snow date: February 16)

On Saturday, March 16th at 7pm the Fifth Annual “Sing For Their Supper” free benefit concert. (Snow date: March 23)

On Sunday, April 28th at 3pm the Boston City Singers Tour Choir presents “A Message of Music”.

On Sunday, May 26th at 3pm the British, Nigerian writer, actor, and baritone singer Tayo Aluko presents “Paul Robeson—The Giant, in a Nutshell”.

Mark your calendars! More details to follow.

Christmas Trees

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.

Deadline to submit forms is Sunday, November 25, 2018.

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.

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.