This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 6, 2019

10:30am – 11:30am in the Meetinghouse

“The Call To Self-Forgiveness”

Rev. Lisa Ward

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

As many of you know, the first testimony of the US House of Representatives impeachment inquiry regarding President Trump was held today.  This is the beginning of an arduous process touching the core of our founding principles as a nation.  We have been witnessing a formidable stress test on our democracy for some time.  Now, and in the weeks to come, we will be experiencing a national assessment of the durability of the framework of the US Constitution.

We’ve been here before as a nation, three times since its founding.  The dedication to this nation’s experiment in democracy runs wide and deep, with a resiliency and creativity that has weathered many troubling, unnerving times. But that doesn’t mean we can sit back and watch the political show which is dipping into levels of disdain that may not be survivable if we choose to ignore the impact of language and our relational power.

Our fifth faith principle, “the right of conscience and the use of democratic process within our congregations and in society at large”, calls us to practice equanimity, radical welcome and humility toward the greater good.  These may seem like passive responses to the name-calling, contempt for the truth, power positioning and manipulation that we are witnessing on the media and in legislative halls.  But, indeed, our promotion of principled civility, brave reaching for truth and the vision of a community that thrives in diversity, is what we and our nation needs. We need to pay attention, yes, and defy false and fear based relating; but we also need to invigorate our inner assurance and wisdom toward relational health, individually and in community.

This I pray. 

Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

October 6th will be a Children’s Church Sunday. Children from preschool through grade 7 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to the Children’s Church for a multi-age worship service on the Jewish High Holy Days and to work together on a climate change project.

Please register your child or youth for classes this fall! The Religious Exploration Committee requests all families to register your child or youth. Please use this link to our online form: Online registration form (or paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway).

Youth Chat (for grades 8 through 12) will meet on Sunday, October 6. Youth are invited to begin arriving at 10 am to make a hot beverage and settle in. Formal Youth Chat programming runs from 10:30 to 11:30 am. This week the group will be making climate change art and discussing social justice projects.

Coming of Age (for grades 8 through 10) will meet on Sunday, October 6 for youth and their mentors from noon to 1:30 pm. We will continue getting to know one another through storytelling and other bonding activities.

        Halloween Dance Party

Friday, October 25th

7pm – 9:00pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 10th 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.

MUSIC SELECTIONS

This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem titled “Serenity” by Alec Wyton, with a familiar text by Reinhold Niebuhr. Jen Erbe-Leggett and Claudia Wellington will also be offering “I am Light”, by India Arie.

Annual Animal Blessing

October 13th, 10:30am, Meetinghouse

This day we honor two legged, four legged, winged and slithering beings amongst us with an animal blessing.  You’re welcome to bring your pet to the worship service.

If your pet does not play well with others you can bring a photo or a stuffed animal. All ages welcome.

TONIGHT!!!

Milton Change Makers Fundraiser

Protest and Change Through Music , Story, Song

Food-Drink-Raffle-Entertainent

Thursday, October 3, 2019 

7-10pm

Milton Arts Center

334 Edge Hill Rd, Milton, MA 02186

Suggested donation $20

more info: email kdghoran@gmail.com

TOMORROW!

All Church Council

Friday, October 4th

Parish Hall

6-8pm

Inviting committee leadership to attend to exchange info on committee activities and to provide input on FP plans for the coming year. Light Supper provided. Please RSVP to Susan at manager@fpmilton.org

Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice

Changing the Race Dance:

 A day of story-telling and creative engagement

Led by artist, activist and musician, Soyinka Rahim

When: Saturday, October 5th, 10 am – 3 pm

Morning Session: 10am-Noon; then a lunch provided,

and related session: 1-3pm.

Where: First Parish Milton

October Service Project: Blessing Bags

When:  Monday, October 14th, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Where: First Parish Milton

Courageous Conversations seeks volunteers to help assemble Blessing Bags for people who are unhoused. Blessing Bags are filled with hygiene items, travel snacks, winter clothing, and more.

FAIR FOODS

Fair Foods is a nonprofit organization that rescues nutritious wholesale fruits and vegetables about to be discarded for distribution to members of the community. Join First Parish’s Social Justice Committee for our monthly volunteer day with Fair Foods at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St. in Roxbury. Arrive in Roxbury at 10:30 or e-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com if you’d like to join a carpool leaving from First Parish at 10 a.m. or if you have any questions. Upcoming dates include the following Saturdays: October 5, November 9, December 14 and January 11.

Pot luck this Sunday, October 6th!

Join us every first Sunday of the month after worship in the Parish Hall for our potluck social hour. Mark your calendars! Bring a dish to share.

Lifetouch Photos!

If you selected to have your 8 by 10 photo delivered to the church instead of your home, it is in the office. Please stop by during the week during office hours to pick up your photo, or find them on the table on the library on Sunday morning.

Save the Date 

5th Annual Harvest Supper

Saturday, October 19

Parish Hall

6:00 pm

  We welcome all to this time-honored and beloved First Parish event!  Please bring your favorite dish for the pot luck, beer or wine to share, and your friendly faces.  Connect with friends, old and new, enjoy the music and the great food.  Bring the kids!  

Remember to RSVP to the evite sent out last week

Dish to Pass at Myrtle’s Oct 26

Come to a Circle Social dinner at the home of Myrtle Flight, Saturday October 26 6:00 PM to ? Bring a dish to pass and join friends for an evening of fun and conviviality. No agenda, no itinerary, just a pleasant evening with friends, family and acquaintances. Sign up in the Parish Hall during social hour after church service or on the Membership Committee bulletin board in the Link.

If you are interested in hosting a Circle Social event, contact Richard Venable at r2venable@gmail.com or 617-792-4124.

World Market Holiday Craft Fair

December 7th, 2019

 9:30-1:30

Parish Hall

Local crafters encouraged to contact the

church for an application. Crafts only,

no food or mass-produced items.

$35 per table

Contact: office@fpmilton.org

617-698-6329

EXPLORING AGING TOGETHER

Introductory Meeting: Wed., Oct. 9, 11 – 1 (Bring a bag lunch.)

Location: Chase Parlor (adjacent to the kitchen)
Co- facilitators for this meeting will be Rev. Lisa and Penny Partridge.

What can we learn from each other as we age? We all have stories within us of facing the unknown and navigating changes, of adjusting to loss and appreciating what’s before us. We are forming a discussion group for people sixty and older. Timing and frequency will be up to the group. Topics will come from interests of the members, with help from relevant curricula and books. Please contact the office at office@fpmilton.org if you are interested.

Silent Prayer and Meditation

Silent Prayer and Meditation will restart on Thursday, October 10th at 6:00pm in the Children’s Church.

Sunday morning Silent Prayer and Meditation will resume October 13 at 9am in the Children’s Church.

Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership

Saturday, November 2, 2019

9:00am-3:00pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester

90 Holden St

Worcester, MA 01606

For more information click here

Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if you would like to attend