This Week in Worship

Sunday, November 23, 2014

10:30am in the Meetinghouse

What a wonderful weekend it was at First Parish, the excitement at the auction, which showed that the theology of abundance is alive and well here. Having Rev. Weller fill our pulpit on Sunday was a thrill for me and I know that many of you remarked that it was good to hear her message. The Parish Committee is moving forward to begin the first steps in the ministerial search process, more of that to come.

With the closing of the Long Island Shelter would you join me in saying a prayer and showing concern for those on the streets during this cold weather. May we be thankful that we don’t live in Buffalo.

This Sunday I’ll be telling the story of the ONE time I didn’t spend Thanksgiving at home, we’ll also celebrate a Harvest Communion. Here’s Linda Pastan’s poem Home for Thanksgiving.

The gathering family
throws shadows around us,
it is the late afternoon
Of the family.

There is still enough light
to see all the way back,
but at the windows
that light is wasting away.

Soon we will be nothing
but silhouettes: the sons’
as harsh
as the fathers’.

Soon the daughters
will take off their aprons
as trees take off their leaves
for winter.

Let us eat quickly–
let us fill ourselves up.
the covers of the album are closing
behind us.

Worship Services for November – The Theme is Forgiveness

11/23 Thanks for Giving Service at St. Mary’s 4:00
Everyone is invited to this wonderful service where members of the various religious faiths in Milton join together to give thanks, honor various volunteers in Milton and catch our breath before we dive head long into the Holiday Season.

11/30 We Begin Again in Love
Part of Forgiveness is beginning again. It can be difficult if you are the one forgiving, but it is life giving for those who have been forgiven. There is only one way to begin again and that is in love.

Religious Exploration

The RE Booklet is available HERE!

November 23, 2014

Multigenerational Service — NO RE Today

7th graders Neighboring Faiths will meet in the library

The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger

12:00pm – 2:30pm Opening Ceremony for Coming of Age
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Youth Group Happenings

Help support the youth group by bringing your unwanted cans and bottles to church and dropping them off in a labeled trash receptacle in the carriage house. You can drop them off whenever. There is no deadline. The cans will be collected weekly by the youth and all proceeds will benefit the youth group for social action initiatives and activities.

News and Announcements

Thanks For Giving Service — Sunday Nov. 23rd at 4:00 at St. Mary’s of the Hills
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Join with others in Milton as we honor the numerous Volunteers of the Year, from all of the religious communities in Milton. This year will be an exciting service with many new faces and voices. You are invited to bring with you a food item for the Milton Food Pantry.

Jen Erbe Leggett is our Thanks for Giving honoree and we invite folks to come and celebrate her! We hope that many will attend as it is an honor to acknowledge all of our community’s volunteers.

At 1st Parish Jen has chaired the Religious Education Committee, organized parties and this year is facilitating the Transition Team aiding the interim ministry process. All the while keeping a constant positive out-look on life. Outside of the church she is a Clinical Social Worker, focusing on postpartum mental health issues. She has worked as a volunteer with Planned Parenthood, Social Workers International and the Boston City Singers.

PRE-ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS TREE ON OR BEFORE SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Orders Due December 3rd

Pick up your tree on December 6th during the First Parish Fair Trade Holiday Sale.

Order forms are on the Information Table during Social Hour. Return to the gray box outside the Church with your check.

A Message from the “Bridging Committee”

As part of the many-faceted process of preparing for and accomplishing the selection of our next settled minister for First Parish Milton, the Parish Committee has asked a group of us to help with setting up a series of meetings to have a facilitated discussions amongst members and friends of the congregation. The questions center on the future of FP Milton.

We will be arranging with as wide an array of the congregation as possible, in a series of meetings (yes, more meetings!) from mid-November through January. Some of the meetings will be in members’ homes; meetings may also be held with some other committees of the congregation and, if needed, at the church.

We hope that you will find a way to participate in one of these gatherings, that you will think about the future of First Parish that you will make your voice heard in these discussions.

You can contact, Walt Hagenbuch, “head” of the subcommittee with any questions. Sandra Kohler and India Ennis are the other members of the committee.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7 — FIRST PARISH FAIR TRADE HOLIDAY SALE

Handcrafting Justice and Julio Cohoy*

Please join us for the annual First Parish Fair Trade Holiday Sale, featuring beautiful handcrafts from Handcrafting Justice and the return of Julio Cochoy with exquisite Maya Skills jewelry from Guatemala. (see below for more information on Julio)

Sale dates are Saturday 12/6 from 9 am to 1 pm and Sunday 12/7 from 11:30 am to 1 pm. This is a wonderful way to get some holiday shopping done and make a positive impact on our global neighbors by supporting them directly and fairly. We can accept cash, check, and credit cards for Handcrafting Justice. Julio can accept cash and checks. Spread the word and invite your friends and neighbors! We hope to see you there!

If you would like to volunteer to help with the sale, including set up, please contact Elise Henricks at (617)306-1608.

Enjoy Breakfast Courtesy of the Membership Committee (Saturday only)

While doing your shopping, enjoy some time for fellowship and brunch hosted by the Membership Committee. If you would like to help cook, serve, set up or clean up contact Charlie Franich of the Membership Committee.

Fair Trade Chocolate Sale (New Addition)

Delicious stocking stuffer for your holiday needs. Fair Trade Chocolate sale for the first time backed by the Membership Committee.

Pick up your pre-ordered Christmas tree from Carriage House (Saturday only)

*Julio Cohoy at Milton Public Library December 2. Milton for Peace will present Julio Cochoy giving a talk entitled: Never Give Up – My Personal Struggle to heal from the trauma of the Civil War and Genocide in Guatemala. On December 2nd, from 7pm to 8pm at the Milton Library.

Julio is the founder and director of Maya Skills, an organization founded in 2007 to create decent employment for women whose husbands or sons were kidnapped and assassinated during the war. Hand-made jewelry created by the women of Maya Skills will be available before and after the event.

Please join us on Friday night December 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 — Third Annual Family Craft Night

We will have a number of craft activities for young and the young at heart. You can learn a new skill, share one you love or just sit and enjoy the company. We will have a light supper available of chili, corn bread and salad. Come reconnect with old friends and make some new ones. An Activity for all Ages. Come One and All!

Paintings by our own Ian Torney on exhibit at the First Parish Gallery

At The Horizon – studies and paintings, an exhibition of works by painter Ian Torney, on exhibit at the First Parish in Milton Church Gallery through December 22,2014.

Inaugural Theodore Park Lecture, Sunday December 7, 2014 at 2pm — Theodore Pariker Church, 1859 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA

Rabbi Brian Walt — The Prophetic Challenge: Breaking Silence Speaking Truth

You are invited by our sibling UU church to come listen to Rabbi Walt. Music and Reception to follow. Donations welcome. Take a flyer from the Information Table with more details.

The First Parish Fun Raiser was a huge success — Over $11,000 was raised!

The room was buzzing; the energy contagious and much fun was had! Thank you to the Fundraising Committee for working so hard on this event!

VOLUNTEER AND GIVING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

It’s that time of year again when First Parish participates in the Milton Residence Fund Holiday Gifts Program. You can sign up in the Parish Hall on Sunday, November 23, Sunday, November 30 & Sunday December 7. All presents/gift cards should be dropped off on Sunday, December 14. For questions please contact Beth Gray-Nix.

FATHER BILL’S: We are looking for 2-3 families/couples to cook and serve the evening meal on Sat. Dec. 13th @ Fr. Bill’s. Please contact Pat Gallivan if interested in learning more.

Kiki’s Corner

Parsonage Sold — Some edited excerpts from Chris Pitt’s letter to the congregation. Chris currently serves as Chair of the Parish Committee. A separate email blast was sent on November 19. Copies of full text on Information table.

Last summer, I shared with you the decision of the Parish Committee to sell our former parsonage at 28 Waldo Road. I am pleased to announce that, last week, First Parish completed the sale of this single family residence.

The parsonage was purchased by First Parish in 1997 bought with funds from the unrestricted endowment, which are held by our Trustees of Parish Funds. The net sale proceeds have been deposited back into the unrestricted endowment account.

Thanksgiving week at the office

We will not have regular office hours this week. Miriam and Kevin will be in the office intermittently on Monday and Tuesday. The Link will go out during the week and all preparations for the Sunday service on Nov. 30 will be done. The office will be closed on Wednesday, November 26 and open again on Monday, December 1. I will be away from Nov 21 – November 30. Rev. Hank is doing the Sunday service on November 30. Feel free to email or leave a voice mail knowing that we will respond to you when we all return on December 1. May you holiday be peaceful.

Items for The Link are due Tuesday at 5 pm. Please email both Miriam and Kiki at the office to make sure your item is included.
To quote Peter Bowden, social media guru and UU, “brevity matters”. Please keep your announcement limited to one paragraph. We may limit or edit text.

Have you liked our Facebook Page? If not, You should. Rev. Hank has been sharing some historic photos, others are sharing RE news, FP upcoming events, and photos from this fall.

First Parish is refreshing its public relations materials and will be undertaking more photography and videography of church activities, including religious education events, classes, and children’s church. These images may occasionally be shared with the broader community, e.g. through local media. If you do not want your child’s or your image to be shared beyond the First Parish community, please contact the office.

Items for The Link are due Tuesday at 5 pm. Please email both Miriam and Kiki at the office to make sure your item is included.
To quote Peter Bowden, social media guru and UU, “brevity matters”. Please keep your announcement limited to one paragraph. We may limit or edit text.

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!