This Week in Worship

November 14, 2021

“Our Addiction to War”

Facilitated by: Rev. Lisa Ward

Worship Associate: 

Music: Dzidzor Amorin

Social Hour Host: Andy Strang

Greeters: Lisa White, Tracey Robinson & Patricia Ostrem

Flowers: Tracey Robinson

Tent Crew: Richard Venable

This will be a hybrid service. You are welcome to join us in the Meetinghouse (masks required for those over 5 years old and childcare will be available). If you prefer, you are welcome to join us via Zoom.

Please see the zoom link below. 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.

Staying Warm in the Meetinghouse

As the autumn days grow colder, we recommend you dress warmly for worship in the Meetinghouse. In order to keep our air circulating, we will need to keep a few windows open. Remember that our forebears worshiped through the winter with little heat, using an occasional foot stove (heated tin box) or other local remedies.Might you have an extra throw to donate or lend as long as we need to keep the windows open?. You can bring one by on Sunday morning or in the office on Tuesdays or Thursdays.Amazing, all the different ways this pandemic is inviting us to all be in this together and to connect in creative ways!

When I observe Veteran’s Day, it is far more meditative than celebratory. I do honor the heartfelt and courageous choice to serve our country for the sake of its people. I do honor the aspiration for freedom and justice in the world that compels many to this choice, though I would argue that war will never get us there. Regardless, people put their lives in harm’s way and in many life-giving ways for the sake of this country; for the sake of you and me.

 Veteran’s day is meditative for me because I think of those I have known and served who live with the repercussions and ravages of war, often generally ignored or passed over in patriotic celebrations. The word “sacrifice” is used often. How much have we who are not veterans sacrificed to support the lives and livelihoods of veterans and their families? Do we consider, as a society, the trauma, the changed state of being, the wounds – physical, emotional and spiritual – from asking people to go to war.

 It is up to all of us to find another way through to peace and justice. It is up to us to not look away from the consequences of our collective choice toward military solutions. It is up to us to welcome and acknowledge those who did what they thought was asked of them, to serve for the common good.

 And, so, I pray:

 Source of Life in the deepest reaches of our being

And in the out stretches of eternity,

Infuse us with clarity for harmony of being beyond war.

Help us honor those brave, life-giving veterans

Who devotedly put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf.

They are in homes. They are in hospitals. They are living on the streets.

Hold our veterans in the grace of being, especially when haunted by war.

Summon deep care when they brave brokenness of mind and spirit.

Sing praises for their courage, their strength, and their resilience.

May we honor their service with true action and resolve for peace in the

world.

Amen.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

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Upcoming Events

Member Orientation/Reorientation

This month, Rev. Lisa and the Membership Committee will be leading a two-part gathering on the history of Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be UU at First Parish. 

These will be held on two Tuesday evenings over Zoom. These will serve as both a pathway for those who want to join the church AND we are opening it up to all in the church who want to come and learn more about us and our history. Have you always wondered how we became the Unitarian Universalists ? Did you know that in addition to our seven Principles, we also have six Sources ? This is your chance to go deeper into our history.

Interested? Have Questions? Contact Leslie MacPherson at lesliemacpherson@gmail.com.

November 16th 7:00 pm-8:30 pm

Session 1: Roots and Wings

A brief look at the history and faith paths of UUism

led by Rev. Lisa, a lifelong Unitarian Universalist

November 30th 7:00 pm-8:30 pm 

Session 2: UUs at First Parish

A brief history and focus on UUism at First Parish

led by Leslie MacPherson, a lifelong Universalist

JOIN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ON OUR CAMPUS

We will still be dealing with the limitations of COVID during the holiday season. But that is no reason to keep children and families (of all ages) from participating in our Christmas Pageant. So this year we will celebrate our Christmas Pageant, the earlier Christmas Eve service outdoors! This is a congregation wide opportunity to embark on a project for all ages, with strong visibility and welcome.

There are many ways to help to plan, set-up, and/or participate. To volunteer to share in this family friendly celebration, please contact the office at office@fpmilton.org

Religious Exploration

Each Wednesday I send out a weekly email to the Religious Exploration families and teachers as well as FP Milton’s leadership. Last Week/This Week is exactly what the name indicates; what we did last week and what we’ll be doing next week. There are links for read aloud clips of the books we have used so nobody has to miss any of the wonderful stories Katie Covey and the Soul Matters RE team pick for us each month. If there is a special activity coming up or a messy one, I can let parents know to bring a needed item or that something other than Sunday best is a good idea for class time. I update what each age group is doing so all the people with children in our programs, all the teachers and interested parties know what is going on in Religious Exploration. I am working with the web site team to post Last Week/This Week on the site. This may take a week or two. Meanwhile if you would like to receive Last Week/This Week, please shoot me an email at dre@fpmilton.org and I will add you to the distribution list.

Guest At Your Table, a project of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, will begin on 21 November when the children distribute the collection boxes and the Stories of Hope booklets about this year’s guests. Families of one or more are invited to participate. There are several ways you can collect your donation. Some families pick a meal (or several meals) when everyone is together and donate the cost of one more serving of the selected meal(s). Others do a set donation once a week or at another regular interval. What the UUSC hopes is that you when you gather for a family meal, you will read the Stories of Hope together and discuss the problems our Guests are facing and what their project will do to help their communities. The UUSC, with our help, works in partnership with communities in need to address the problems those communities, especially in the field of human rights,  identify as priorities. Guest at Your Table is their longest and biggest fundraiser. To find out more, please visit: https://www.uusc.org/resources/congregations/guest-at-your-table/

Molly B. Nolan, Transitional Director of Religious Education

Music This Sunday

Our guest musician Dzidzor Amorin will be returning this Sunday to lead worship. Pat Neves, Penny Knight and Claudia Wellington will be presenting a song by Allen Toussaint called “Yes We Can Can”.

Table of Contents

News, Announcements and Meetings

1.Social and Environmental Justice News and Events

2.Christmas Tree Announcement

3.Milton Community Concerts Season Announcement

4.Prison Book Program

5.Imaginarium Meeting

6.Meditation

7.Yoga

8.UU Urban Ministry Architecture Series

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From S & EJ Committee

Eleventh Hour Calling Stand Out & Stand Up for Climate

Monthly Standout and Stand Up for Climate

Thursday, November 11, 6-6:30 p.m., 

First Parish Church, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186

Spread the word! Show up!

First Parish Milton UU Church’s Social & Environmental Justice Committee, Sustainable Milton , and Blue Hills Climate Coalition are collaborating to launch a new, public-facing action on the eleventh day of every month, supporting a national movement. Your presence, signage / messaging, and the church’s steeple bells will demonstrate to Milton and beyond that we care about the climate emergency, environmental justice, and municipal planning. This event repeats monthly and welcomes all ages and organizations to participate. Standing up together promotes positive change so bring your: 

• flashlights and headlamps (safety first!)
• light-colored and reflective clothing (safety first!)
• encouraging, motivating, colorful signs and banners**
• noisemakers — cowbells, tambourines, gongs, pots/pans, musical instruments, vuvuzela horns, drums….

Examples: Do your part for Climate ! – Join us monthly ! – Stand up for clean energy ! – Electrify Milton ! – Together We Can Say NO to Fossil Fuels- Milton Climate Action Plan–it’s time !

Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that

would otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed our communities. We volunteer together unloading and sorting food and packing bags once a month.

The next volunteer date is Saturday, November 13th

If you want to volunteer, please sign up on Sign up Genius by Thursday

evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but typically start at 8:30 a.m. at their warehouse in Roxbury.

Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods on weekdays

from early morning until mid-afternoon.

Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com

Sign up to volunteer on Signup Genius

Calling all Father Bill volunteers!

Next date is MONDAY, November 22nd

Volunteers acquire food and pack 10-20 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45 pm-1:00 pm on Delivery day (every other Monday).

One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton.

Sign up on our Mainspring Sign up-please indicate number of lunches you will bring.

If you require more information or have questions please contact Peter Schneider at peterlschneider@gmail.com

Sign up to volunteer on Signup Genius

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Important Info Regarding Christmas Trees

We are sad to report that the vendor who has been selling us trees the last two years called to tell us that because of weather conditions this growing season, they cannot provide trees for us. Needless to say, we are incredibly disappointed. The order for the trees was placed last summer with the expectation that it could be filled. Having worked with different farms on this project for the last few years, I can tell you that at this point, it’s not possible to get another vendor. 

Membership Committee will be looking for a different way to to come together for some moments of holiday spirit. We will bring trees back next year, and if you have any ideas for alternate celebratory gatherings, reach out to Leslie. lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com

Milton Community Concerts is now offering the opportunity between now and December 31st to view any of the livestream concerts from this past year for free. Just go to the website to find the link, and to donate to the concert series if you are so moved. You will also find a listing of upcoming concerts for 2021-22.

For almost 50 years, the Prison Book Program, a non-profit located in Quincy, has been sending free books to individuals in prison as everyone deserves the freedom to read. With each hand-selected book, are several ways to support this important program:

Book Drive: Between now and December 15, you may donate gently used and new paperback books in the following categories:

Nonfiction: dictionaries (in all languages), thesaurus, almanacs, trade skills, business, hobbies, self-help, sports, spirituality and books by LGBTQ authors and people of color.

Fiction: Westerns, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction.

To learn more about the program, visit prisonbookprogram.org

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Imaginarium

Meetings are generally on the Third Saturday in the Meetinghouse (masks required at this time)

10:00 am-12:00 pm (next meeting: ) November 20th

(note day & time change)

The Imaginarium is a group that explores our monthly worship themes through discussion, stories and creative play. We meet once a month, crafting ideas and experiences inspired by the themes. Come, enjoy the shared wisdom, creativity and connection. Each meeting stands on its own. Interested? contact the office: office@fpmilton.org

Meditation

All are welcome to join for 30 minutes of silent meditation/prayer on:

Thursday evenings at 6:45 pm-7:15 pm 

Sunday mornings at 8:30am-9:00am

Newcomers and friends welcome.

Please contact Tracey at tdr02186@gmail.com if you have questions or want to join us!

Classes with instructor Elyse Siegmann!

Online via Zoom (see link below) till further notice

6:30 pm Monday evenings

“Do you love our historic meeting house?? This is a program for you!! For those interested in old Boston churches, architecture, and the Urban Ministry, zoom on in – starting Monday Nov 1!”

The Treasures of the Meetinghouse series

Episode 2

December 6th 6:00 pm-7:30 pm

In the second installment of the “Treasures of the Meetinghouse” series, historian, Thomas Plant, will discuss First Church Roxbury’s historic Hook & Hastings organ. This mid-nineteenth century organ was taken apart and removed from the Meetinghouse to undergo a full cleaning and restoration. Now after months of work, the organ has returned. We will discuss the history and significance of the beautiful Hook & Hastings organ.

link for more information

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STAY CONNECTED

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

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 1:00 pm

Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

Sundays through mid June

• Worship, 9:30 am in the Meetinghouse
• Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1

You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.