This Week in Worship

Sunday, October 8, 2017
10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
The Blessing of the Animals

October Worship Theme – Spiritual Practices

Minister Rev. Lisa Ward

Last evening was the first of a new offering at First Parish: a monthly healing and wholeness chapel service in the Children’s Church, first Wednesdays, from 6:30-7:15 pm. So much is going on in our world individually, communally and globally. It is hard to stay centered on that which abides to give strength, wisdom and encouragement. It is good to gather in community for prayer, reflection, shared hopes and resilience. I invite you to come one first Wednesday and see if it resonates, nurtures or holds you in your journey.

A colleague shared this quote by Mahatma Ghandi:

“I dimly perceive that whilst everything around me is ever changing, ever dying, there is underlying all that change a living power that is changeless, that holds all together, that creates, dissolves, and re-creates. . . . in the midst of death life persists, in the midst of untruth truth persists, in the midst of darkness light persists.”

May it be so.

Rev. Lisa

Parish Committee News from Chris Clifford, Parish Committee Chair

Please have a seat!

Perhaps you have noticed the rainbow array of Adirondack style chairs gracing the courtyard in front of the Parish house. Maybe you have been fortunate enough to relax in one. I will tell you from personal experience that they are very comfortable and a perfect place to sit and enjoy the day.

The chairs are a gift to First Parish from Karl Pastore. Karl made the chairs from start to finish using recycled wood and thoughtfully painted them in the rainbow colors reflecting the flag we proudly display on the front of the meeting house. On Sunday, take a moment to admire the work, perhaps sit for a moment of reflection and give a word of thanks to Karl.

Chris Clifford, Chair
Parish Committee

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

• Nursery and toddler care is available every week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. This year our caregivers are Daisy and Grace. Stop by and say hello!
• Religious Exploration for Sunday, October 8: Preschool children through grade 12 will attend the full Blessing of the Animals worship service in the Meetinghouse.
• Register your child or youth! The Religious Education Committee requests all families to register their children and youth. Paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway.
• Youth Chat and youth group will be hosting social hour this Sunday.
• Possible Youth Outing on October 15: We are trying to determine if there is enough interest to schedule a fun youth outing after the service on October 15. Registered youth should have received a text message from our Youth Advisor asking if they want to join this activity. Youth need to RSVP to the Youth Advisor or this trip won’t happen!
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• Beginning October 17: Coming of Age for Grades 9 to 11.This year we will be offering the Coming of Age program to help youth (and their mentors!) learn more about Unitarian Universalism and articulate their own beliefs. Please contact me at restaff@fpmilton.org if you would like to register your youth or if you would like to serve as a mentor.

News and Announcements

Adult Enrichment Programming

NEW GROUP FORMING within our Adult Enrichment Programming

The First Parish Arts Group!

If you love thought-provoking art/theater, please join us! One performance per month will be scheduled. We will create opportunities to discuss the themes rendered. Folks can carpool in together from First Parish or meet us at the theater. The monthly offerings will be varied to accomodate varied fiscal abilities. If you want to join any of these awesome theatre adventures please email Laurie Macintosh to be on our elist.

The first theatre offering is for Oct 5th: Constellations at the Central Square Theater. Please contact Laurie asap so tickets can be secured.

Co-chairs Laurie MacIntosh and Deb Alsebai.

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The beloved Harvest Supper returns

Come one, come all to the 3rd annual First Parish Harvest Supper. This well-loved event is a wonderful way to celebrate the new church year. A time to renew old friendships and make new ones.

What to bring:

• a dish for the pot luck
• the whole family
• your appetite

Door prizes and games are all part of the fun! Great conversation, music, food and drink. Don’t miss it! On-site childcare available from 6 pm – 9 pm. Please respond to the evite that has been mailed out.

Thursday evening Meditation will resume tonight October 5th, 2017

Sunday morning Meditation is available, please enter the Children’s Church on a self-led quiet meditation from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

October 14, 2017

Volunteer on the 2nd Saturday of the month. Meet at First Parish at 10 am to travel together to Roxbury. Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry source and distribute the food to those in need.

The Green Team

Next Meeting
When: Thursday October 19, 2017 @ 7:30-9pm

Email Jennie for questions. Together we can make a difference.

Circle Socials Are Back!

Circle Socials are convivial potluck events intended to promote deeper, stronger connections within First Parish’s community. Hosts provide a main course and coordinate what guests contribute (appetizers, salads/side dishes, desserts, beverages).

Sign-Up this month at Membership Committee’s table during Social Hour for the following dates:

Adult evenings beginning at 6:30 pm — Sunday, 10/29, Friday 11/3, Saturday, 11/4, Tuesday, 11/14 and Saturday 11/18. Family friendly brunch at 10:00 am – Saturday 11/4

Questions? Contact Tucker Smith

Social Action Committee News

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Check out the Social Action Calendar the Committee’s Builletin Board
or at the information tables in the Stebbins Parlor and Parish Hall Foyer.

The Green Team

The Green Team will meet at Jennie Mulqueen’s house.on third Thursdays 7:30-9pm: October 19, November 16, Jan 18, Feb 15, March 15, April 19, May 17. There are still slots open on the team.

Our agenda this year is to identify and recommend environmental projects for First Parish Milton to undertake 2018-2019.

Email Jennie for questions Together we can make a difference.

Sign up during social hour to volunteer with Social Action on upcoming Saturdays:

• October 14, 2017
• November 11, 2017
• December 9, 2017

Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry source and distribute the food to those in need. (www.fairfoods.org)

The Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers to prepare and serve meals at Father Bill’s in Quincy on the following dates:

• Dinner, Sunday, October 22, 2017
• Lunch, Saturday, November 11, 2017

For more information contact Peter Schneider.

The Courageous Conversations Team, in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, Milton Reflecting, and Milton for Peace, invites you to a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Now more than ever, we must engage in this critical work of recognizing and dismantling racism in our society.

For more information, please contact Rev. Maurice Davis at 617 322 1567.

Kiki’s Corner

The office is closed on Monday, October 9, 2017 for the holiday.

• October 15 Sunday Joint Parish/Trustee Meeting noon
• October 27 Friday Halloween Party and Haunted Hallway evening
• October 29 Sunday All Church Council

REMINDER

We have set up office supplies in the Library for volunteers to access. Ushers will do the collection count in the library. Forms, calculators, etc. are in a green box marked “Sunday Collection”. Check the freezer for coffee if you are a social hour host.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

REMINDER THE LINK DEADLINE IS TUEDAYS

“Brevity Matters” – Peter Bowden, Social Media Guru and wise UU

Deadline for submissions is Tuesdays. You need to address email to both office@fpmilton.org and director@fpmilton.org to assure your announcement will be included in the weekly Link. Written announcements for the Sunday Order of Worship are derived from the announcements for The Link. We, from time to time, will also publish non-church events with a connection to a member of the church. Your submission may be edited due to space requirements. We recommend that you submit no more than 1 – 2 paragraphs.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thurday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

SUMMER SUNDAYS

June 25 – September 3
Worship, 9:30 am in the Children’s Church
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 8:30 am in the Children’s Church
No Religious Exploration Program , Nursery Care, Choir Rehearsal

Beginning Sunday, September 10

Worship, 10:30am 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, 6:30pm in the Children’s Church

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday?1472051612751