This Week in Worship

October 30, 2016 — Meetinghouse @ 10:30 am

October Worship Theme: Truth

Remembrance Sunday

In many cultures, the end of October and the beginning of November is marked by events that celebrate and remember the transitions from life to death with Halloween, All Souls Day, All Saints Day, Dia de los Muertos, and Samhain.

Our special worship service of remembrance will take place on Sunday, October 30th. During the service, a colorful display of mementos dedicated to loved ones will be assembled. Anyone who wishes to remember a loved one should bring a small dish of their loved one’s favorite food, flower, or any kind of memento of them to the service.

Message from Rev. Lisa

The All Church Council was an impressive gathering. Around 20 folk of the church leadership came together to discuss this year’s vision and share what area of focus they were entrusted with. We reaffirmed that this is s a year of organizing and strengthening the infrastructure. It is a time of exploring processes of church programming and endeavoring toward clarity, transparency and access to participation. We discussed communication, brainstorming ways to widen and diversify the scope. We lifted up this year’s arc of worship, focusing our monthly themes on aspects of FP Milton’s covenant in service of identifying more who we are, why we gather and what gifts we give to the world. Next year we can then craft a mission from which our programming will flow.

Throughout this process we can share the treasure that we are through various endeavors. The Membership Committee has scheduled a “Friendship Sunday” for November 13th. This is a day focused on inviting family and friends to First Parish to share a cherished part of your life with them. The goal is to invite them into a bit of your heart’s journey, simply as an affirmation – to spread the good news of your experience in this community.

So members and friends are asked to think of someone you could bring to church on November 13th. The Committee wants to emphasize that your loved ones will not be heavily recruited,; they will simply be whole-heartedly welcomed.

Blessings Be,

Rev. Lisa

Notes:

Rev. Lisa will be out of the office November 1-3 to attend the New England Regional UU Ministers Retreat: “Speaking Truth, Living Truth: Transformative Ministry in the 21st Century”. She will remain on call for pastoral emergencies.

Religious Exploration
Laurel Whitehouse
Director of Religious Education

Religious Exploration

Religious Exploration Wish List
The religious exploration program is seeking: (1) a portable TV and DVD player to show videos to the Our Whole Lives and Friends and Neighbors classes, and (2) small hand weaving looms for our 2nd to 5th graders to use. Please contact restaff@fpmilton.org if you have any of the above items to donate to the program.

• Religious Education classes for October 23
• Preschool through grade 12 begin in the Meetinghouse
• Our Whole Lives class is not meeting today
• Youth Chat and Youth Group are not meeting today

All regular RE 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: Spirit Play in the Activity Room
• Grades 2 through 5: Spirited Adventure in the Preschool classroom
• Grades 6 and 7 will attend the entire Dia de los Muertos service in the Meetinghouse
• Grades 8 through 12 will also attend the Dia de los Muertos service

The next Our Whole Lives class (grades 8 and 9, parental permission required) will be on Sunday, November 6 from 10:30 am to noon in the Activity Room on the lower level.

News and Announcements

Midweek meditation resumes
Thursday, October 27!

We meet in the Children’s Church on Thursdays night from 7:00 pm -7:30 pm.

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)

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Please note: Yoga for October 31, 2016 has been cancelled.

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Milton Community Concert

When: Sunday, November 6th
Time: 6pm in the Meetinghouse.

“Connections: An Operatic Celebration”.

This will be a ticketed (non-benefit) concert: $20 general admission, $10 seniors, 18 and under free. Hope you can come!

Faith Deepening Survey

In response to our website byline, “We Welcome All to Grow Deep Faith and Take Bold Action”, the following survey is an exploration of ways First Parish Milton members and friends might endeavor to grow deep faith this year.

Consider this survey as part of a conversation, even a fishing expedition…what is it that calls you to deepen spiritually? If there is sufficient interest, all offerings, except for Circle Supper, will be held at First Parish.

Please complete no later than Friday, November 11, 2016.

Here is the Survey Monkey link:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/V752FWS

Belated Gratitude and Recognition for the Harvest Supper

A special shout out to the members of the Hospitality Committee and Membership Committee. They did a spectacular jointly organizing and running the Harvest Supper. A wonderful night of good food, good company and fun!

So the next time you see them, please say thank you Hospitality and Membership Committees

Hospitality: Jen Pinkus, Amy Kavadlo, Christa Ayoub, Marie-Laure Brown, Allison Zippay, Mark Whall, Pat Neves, Andy Strang, Anita Penta, and Claudia Wellington

Membership Committee: Deb Larson Venable and Richard Venable, Miguel Rodriguez, Barry Hume, Tucker Smith, Paula Bennett, Julie Blackburn, and Tasha Bello

• Friday, October 28th Halloween Dance Party
• Sunday, October 30th Special Service of Rememberance
• Sunday, November 6th Milton Community Concert
• Sunday, November 13th Friendship Sunday
• Friday, December 2 Holiday Craft Night
• Saturday, December 3 Holiday World Market Fair & Brunch

 

Kiki’s Corner

One of the discussions at All Church Council was on communication. Just a reminder of a couple ways to find out what is happening at First Parish Miilton.

On our website homepage, you can click on the calendar tab and get the master calendar of events happening in the First Parish Community. This includes church events like this Friday’s Halloween Spooktacular Dance Party committee meetings, or Milton Community Concerts.

The Link is sent via email blast to individuals Thursday afternoons. It is also post on the website under “News” and on our Facebook page generally Friday or Saturday. Highlights of the announcements are an insert in our Order of Worship.

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!