This Week in Worship

October 9, 2016 @ Meetinghouse, 10:30 am

OUR ANNUAL ANIMAL BLESSING SERVICE IS THIS SUNDAY

October Worship Theme: Truth

Worship Leader Rev. Lisa Ward

It’s time once again to honor the four-legged, winged, finned, furry and slithery creatures in our lives. Come celebrate our connectedness to all creatures in the blessing of our animals. Please bring your pets on leashes or in carriers. You may also bring photos or representative stuffed animals if that makes more logistical sense. We will gather together for the worship hour, which will include a formal blessing of each animal present or represented. This is a multi-generational service. Nursery care is available for ages four and younger.

Message from Rev. Lisa

It was impressive. Table after table of folk at the Pierce Middle School were lifting up their contribution to Milton and the surrounding areas on October 2nd. Churches, social services, advocates for the environment, promoters of peace. The gym was alive with play and the cafeteria vibrant with performances. Milton knows how to celebrate itself! Our membership committee had the ingenious idea of giving away small crackerjack boxes with a label identifying us. Many flocked to the table to get a box, either just for a snack or to remember the joy of cracker jacks in childhood seeking the treasure of a prize inside. Nice metaphor. There are, of course, many treasures inside of First Parish Milton.

Being a newcomer myself, I am just beginning to learn of the treasures of this congregation. That’s much of the work that we can do together this year. As we engage this new chapter we can take the opportunity to discern who we are, why we gather and what gifts we give to the world. Eventually, that will translate into a mission which can focus our treasures to grow deep faith and take bold action. Then folk will flock to our table for more than attractive treats: they will have a deeper sense of how we serve the community. I am grateful to embark on this journey of discernment with you and humbled by the many gifts you give to one another.

Blessings Be,
Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse – Director of Religious Education

Our Whole Lives Class on October 7th is canceled. The first Our Whole Lives class will be on October 16th from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm (during the service and extending one hour beyond.)

Seeking children and youth who would like to be involved in the song “All God’s Creatures Have a Place in the Choir,” whether it be singing, chiming in on the chorus, or just hanging out. **Rehearsal would start at 9:30 on Sunday, October 9, in the Sanctuary with Joel Hiller.

Sunday, October 9, will be a multigenerational service for the Blessing of the Animals. Children and youth from preschool through high school will be attending the full service in the Sanctuary.

News and Announcements

The Harvest Supper Returns!

When: Saturday, October 15th, 6 pm

The Hospitality and Membership Committees are hosting this time-honored event for the second year. A time to renew old friendships and make new ones. A treat for the whole family! Bring a dish for the potluck and a bottle of wine to share. There will be a cocktail hour from 6-7, followed by a pot luck dinner and dessert.

Door prizes and games are all part of the fun! Good company, good conversation, good food and drink. Join us! Onsite childcare available from 6 pm – 9 pm

Please respond to your Evite invitation!!

Social Action Committee

Goals and Updates

The Social Action Committee (SAC) recently met and discussed goals for the year. We will continue our work with Father Bill’s, Fair Foods, the Mother’s Peace March and Renewal House.

SAC is considering a few other initiatives and will provide an update as planning is clarified. The Social Action Committee needs members and volunteers, if you are interested in learning more please email Linda or David.

Deb Alsebai and Linda Goodrich attended the UU Mass Action and All Soul’s Church Justice Conference on Sat. October 1. We met members of Social Action Committees from other congregations and learned about their work. There was a very moving presentation on criminal justice reform and on income inequality. We learned about several projects other UU congregations are working on to address these issues. We left inspired and thinking about how our Social Action Committee can add to this good work.

The Heritage Task Group is forming with an eye toward the living legacy of First Parish Milton

Scott McIsaac has agreed to chair the task group. Please contact the office (office@firstparish.org) if you are interested in being a part of this adventure. Meeting times will be established by the group.

There are artifacts, historical records, boxes of writings, and gifted treasures squirreled away in closets, nooks and crannies about the church building. There are files and furniture collecting dust that may no longer speak to our living legacy. The Heritage Task Group will work together to locate and catalogue what is of historical significance, then propose to the Parish Committee to either store (in a designated area for archives), display (on walls and/or alcoves) or pass on (to museums, etc) the materials. In this way, we will utilize the treasures we have to intentionally teach about who we are now, which includes where we have come from.

ALL CHURCH COUNCIL RESCHEDULED!

When: Sunday, October 23 at noon

Committee chairs and members are invited to the first of three All Church Councils this program year. A light lunch will be provided. Look for an evite next week.

Halloween Dance Party
When: Friday, October 28th
Time: 7pm – 9pm

The RE Committee is hosting its 7th annual Spooktacular Dance Party

If you would like to help setup, cleanup or providing Halloween-themed desserts, please email Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Education, at restaff@fpmilton.org

“Save the Date: Milton Community Concert Presents . . . .”

The first Milton Community Concert of this year will be on Sunday, November 6th at 6pm in the Meetinghouse. The title of it is: “Connections: An Operatic Celebration”.The performers, who come from St. Petersburg, Russia, Korea, and the United States are all connected through the music as a reflection of the need for all parts of the world to feel connection to each other.

The artists are Maria Lyudko, soprano; David Won, tenor; Georges Devdariani, clarinet; and Tim Steele, piano. This will be a ticketed (non-benefit) concert: $20 general admission, $10 seniors, 18 and under free. Hope you can come!

• Saturday, October 15 Harvest Supper
• Sunday, October 23rd All Church Council
• Friday, October 28th Halloween Dance Party
• Sunday, November 6th Milton Community Concert
• Sunday, November 13th Bring a Friend to Church
• Friday, December 2 Holiday Craft Night
• Saturday, December 3 Holiday World Market Fair & Brunch

Kiki’s Corner

The office is closed on Monday, October 10 for the holiday.

Our Link and announcement deadline is Tuesday, October 11 for the October 13 Link. See details below on instructions for submission.

If you are planning a church event, check in with the office. We can give guidance on communication planning and other logistics. We think it will make the planning easier for you.

We post at least once a week on our Facebook page. “Like” our page. Follow us and like/love/wow our posts. Often we have pictures of recent events like Celebrate Milton.

Social Action Opportunities

We have a Social Action bulletin board in the link which provides information and flyers on various social justice opportunities: in Milton, with the UU Urban Ministry and the wider world. We also summarize events here.

MILTON DIALOGUES: Building Race Relations

Share your thoughts, feelings and experiences around ethnicity, race and community and hear those of others.

People who live or work in Milton are invited to register now to participate in a four-session dialogue series conducted by experienced co-facilitators. We will gather on four Monday evenings in October and November: October 17 + 24, and November 7 + 14. All sessions will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm at Milton Public Library, 476 Canton Avenue, Milton MA 02186.

A commitment to attending all four sessions is requested as each session builds on the prior one, enabling participants to build understanding.

Register Now at rwolff@miltondialoguesbrr.org or 617-922-0191.

Please provide us with Your Name; Email Address; Phone Number; Whether You Live or Work in Milton; the Racial Group you most closely identify with (to help us assemble a diversely balanced group of participants as mentioned above).

To register or for information: rwolff@miltondialoguesbrr.org or 617-922-0191

Flyers about this event are on the Information Tables in the Stebbins Parlor and Parish Hall Foyer

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!