*Office CLOSED Monday, October 9th in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day*

Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Rev. Lisa
• This Week in Religious Exploration
• Events and Meetings
• News and Announcements
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

“Dwelling Together”

Worship Assistant: Steven Yakutis

Greeter: Guy Pugh & Richard Venable

Audio: Atticus D’Alessandro

Sunday’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.

Please join us for service at 10:30am.

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.

Sunday, October 8th will be our Annual Blessing of the Animals

All pets- leased, caged or otherwise safely restrained- are welcome! 

Stuffed animals are welcome! 

Photos of beloved deceased pets or those beloved but whom you’d think are better left at home are welcome! 

This multi generational service will focus on what our animal friends can teach us, and will conclude with a blessing of each animal. For those worshiping from home, you will be invited to include your pet or a photo of your pet during the blessing.

Join us this Sunday as we listen for what animals have to teach us.

In the engineering world, there is a term called biomimicry. It refers to creating designs and mechanical systems from the inspiration of animals. This is true also in fashion, architecture, Native American spirituality and the ancient Chinese Qi Gong movements and martial arts. Animal wisdom ties into our body wisdom, because, of course, we, too, are animals, sharing this world together.

Here are just a few examples:

Ø Scientists studied the power and durability of the teeth of ants to design machinery to make tiny parts for tech like smartphones.

Ø How snakes slither on their bellies is being studied in hopes of developing new, hard-wearing paints and surfaces.

Ø An engineer at a Japanese rail company took inspiration from a kingfisher’s beak to re-design a high speed rail to streamline airflow to decrease the loud noise of the speeding train

Ø Humpback whales have ridges on their fins to help them swim. Similar tech is used in wind turbines

Ø Gloves that help climbers scale vertical walls were developed by studying the feet of geckos as they can stick to surfaces .

Ø Velcro was invented when an engineer studied how burrs attached to his dog’s hairs with interlocking tiny hooks.

Ø Qi Gong, a classic Chinese physical exercise, fashions motions inspired by tigers, deer, bears, monkeys and birds. The exercise has been a method to build up health and to prolong life for millennia

This Sunday is our annual Animal Blessing. Come enjoy the many ways we connect to this vibrant, being-filled world.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Dear friends and families of RE programming,

Thank you to everyone who was part of our experiment of worshipping in the Children’s Church last weekend! The RE committee is continuing to reflect on how we want to incorporate this place into our programming. Feedback is always welcome.

Blessing of the Animals is our multigenerational worship this Sunday, so we’ll only have the nursery open. On October 15th, we’ll have a Harvest Communion for kids of all ages instead of age-specific programming. 

Lots more details about upcoming events can be found in our new Family Ministries newsletter, The Wiggle Pew.

Reach out to Louise (re@fpmilton.org) with any questions! 

We’ll see you soon!

With gratitude,

Louise

Music This Week

This Sunday Tim will be back to lead the Meetinghouse Choir, who will sing the anthem “I’ll Be There” by Marilyn Bergman, Alan Bergman, and Dave Grusin, arranged by Jeremy Fox. This anthem is dedicated to the pets who give us such companionship and support. The worship theme of The Blessing of the Animals is also celebrated in solos by Elaine Daiber and Daon Drisdom.

SAVE THE DATE FOR NEXT CONCERT

On Saturday evening, October 28 at 7pm will be a free benefit concert called “Embracing Coretta”. It will celebrate Coretta Scott King with a narrator, four singers, and a pianist in a program of art songs and spirituals. This program will be repeated on Monday, October 30 in Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory as Tim Steele’s sabbatical project, in collaboration with Embrace Boston and the NEC Office of Cultural Equity and Belonging. It will include a world premiere of a song called “Dear Coretta”, written for this occasion by composer J. Jakari Rush.

Events and Meetings

REMINDER!

Open to ALL!

Please join the Committee Chairs as we plan the church year ahead and our discernment process of Article II.

Friday, October 13th

6:00pm – 8:00pm

Trunk or Treat at First Parish!

Sunday, October 22 at 12:00 p.m.

Halloween is just around the corner!

On Sunday, October 22, bring your decorated car to First Parish, and give out candy to trick-or-treaters!

Ways you can participate:

•   Decorate the trunk of your car

•      Donate candy

•      Help out at the event (set up, direct cars to spots, clean up, etc.)

•      Bring your kids and their friends in their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat from car to car

If you’re interested in helping, please let Lisa White know: lisawhite1250@gmail.com.

Harvest Supper Potluck- Saturday, November 11, 6:00 pm in the Parish Hall

More info to follow.

News and Announcements

Climate Action @ HOME

The Climate Action Team will hold an open Q&A on Sunday 10/8 at 12 noon in the Chase Parlor. 

This is the first in a monthly series of Q&A session on ideas for Climate Actions@HOME. 

We are starting with an informal gathering to hear you ideas and questions.

What Climate Action activities you are thinking about for your HOME? 

Join us in the Parlor after worship on Sunday October 8th at 12:00 pm.

Breeze Tutorial

Did you know that First Parish has an online directory called Breeze? It’s a convenient way to find phone numbers, email addresses, and street addresses. If you haven’t already activated your account, see the email you should have received on September 14th with the link to do that. You can watch this video [see below] for some tips on setting up your account. If you’ve already activated your account and just need the link, click here. If prompted, the church name is “Firstparishmiltonuu”.

Anyone wanting to inquire about using space at First Parish, what is on the calendar, or wanting items to be added to the weekly newsletter, announcements, etc. please send email to Sherri, Admin. Asst. at office@fpmilton.org.

We are looking for Social Hour Hosts

We are in need of social hour hosts for Sunday, October 8 and October 22 you can sign up at Signup Genius. If you are new to hosting or need a refresher, our Hospitality Committee members will provide information and guidance!  Thank you !

Sunday Service

First Parish is in need of volunteers for worship assistants, greeters, and social hour hosts (see above).

If interested in signing up please use Signup Genius link.

We have appreciated your help in the past and hope you can help again.

Thank you in advance.

Mainspring lunches are BACK!

S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the first and third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches twice a month to support shelter guests.

 See updated instructions on the Mainspring SighUpGenius page and signup whenever you can help out.

We are counting on your support!

Beyond First Parish

Start your weekend at MAC’s First Friday Teaching Artists Exhibit Opens at the Milton Art Center, a First Friday event

October 6th 6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Refreshments available

The public is invited to an opening reception, Teaching Artists, a First Friday event, October 6, 6-9pm, at the Milton Art Center at 334 Edge Hill Road in Milton.  Refreshments available.

 This exhibit showcases the art of the artists who teach at the Milton Art Center.

 View the art of Marjorie Saintil-Belizaire, Mairead Dambruch, Camille DeMarco, Sue Hoy, Scott Love, Katherine Jordan, Laurinda O’Connor, Kate Ollerhead-Galvin and Joan Clifford.

 Music by Dark Crushes.

First Friday events are free and family friendly.

Pilgrimage Retreat to Scotland July 2024

Former Sabbatical Minister Tricia Brennan (Fall 2022) is co-leading, with Rev. Jenny Rankin, two pilgrimage retreats to the island of Iona, Scotland, next July 3-10 and 12-19, 2024. Their vision is to offer people a chance to find their own story amidst the stories, beauty, and soulfulness of Iona.

For further details, photos and testimonials, check out the website: Iona-pilgrimages.squarespace.com. You can also contact them at revtbrennan@gmail.com and revjenny@comcast.net. https://iona-pilgrimages.squarespace.com/