The Link
November 29, 2018
We welcome all to grow deep faith and take bold action.
This Week in Worship
Sunday, December 2, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“Remembering Communal Joy”
Guest Minister: Rev. Martha Niebanck
Barbara Ehrenreich, author, asks a provocative question, “Why do we resist the experience of collective joy?” As we search for ways to feel hope as the days darken, perhaps fully experiencing joy in community might “make a way when there is no way.”
For those that like to read ahead, I recommend “Dancing in the Streets” by Barbara Ehrenreich
About Rev. Martha Niebanck
Rev. Martha Niebanck is the Minister Emerita of First Parish in Brookline having served our UU household of faith at the Doolittle Home, South County Rhode Island, and First Parish in Waltham. Prior to her ordination, Martha worked with infants and families in early intervention first as an occupational therapist, and then as a Family Therapist.
In retirement from parish ministry, Rev. Martha has a coaching practice of spiritual friendship with religious professionals and climate activists as a certified Immunity to Change Coach. She and her husband Josef enjoy living next door to their two grandchildren in Roslindale.
Minister
Rev. Lisa Ward
Here we go, into the frenetic season, when messages of joy, peace and giving are surrounded by buy!, get busy!, glad tidings! Another layer, more so this year than many, is the relentless incivility that is weaving its despair in our society.
How do we find the hope for humanity, the evergreen of abundant life, the nurturing darkness and liberating light? We do this mindfully, intentionally, yes, even counter-culturally. We do this by choosing our way and our frame, by finding the ground of being in the overwhelming details of the day to day.
In congregational life, the ground of being can be practiced and experienced through three avenues: spiritual, service and social. This December, First Parish offers a bit of each. Take a look at the offerings listed below: times of worship and meditation (spiritual), times of agency for the good (service), times of gathering to play and celebrate (social). We are called, especially now, to nurture our goodwill muscles for ourselves, our communities, our society and our planet. Come help yourselves, help each other strengthen a hope-filled way for humanity.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up to age 3.
On Sunday, December 2, all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to the Children’s Church for a multi-age worship service with special guest Rev. Lisa. We will also begin to learn the music for the Christmas Eve pageant.
Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, December 2, from noon to 1:30 pm in the Children’s Church. Please drop off and pick up your youth from the front of the building so they can use the Children’s Church entrance as all other external doors will be locked.
Register your child or youth! All families are requested to register their children or youth for our religious exploration programs. Please use this link to our online form: RE Registration Form (or paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway).
Create fun and decorative holiday crafts! Everyone of all ages can join in to make a flurry of handcrafted items from noon to 2:00 pm on December 2. All materials will be supplied, just add your creative imagination! Hosted by the Religious Exploration Committee. But wait, there’s more!!!
Lunch while you craft! The youth group will have a delicious lunch available for purchase on December 2. Proceeds will help fund youth participation in their spring service trip to CityReach Boston.
Calling performers of all ages for the 2018 First Parish Christmas pageant! During the 5 pm Christmas Eve service we will be offering an adaptation of a favorite holiday story, Christmas Tapestry by Patricia Polacco. There are parts for people of all ages, with varying rehearsal needs. Rehearsals will be held on December 9 and 16 during the service and a dress rehearsal will be held just before the performance.
Please email if you, your child or youth, or your whole family would like to be a part of our pageant! Additionally, let us know what level of involvement would work for you – we are looking for vocal soloists, actors with spoken lines, and actors without spoken lines. You must be able to attend all rehearsals if you wish to have a major part.
This weekend is a busy fundraising run for the youth group’s upcoming Spring service trip to City Reach!
Saturday, December 1st, we are hosting gift wrapping at the First Parish Craft Fair from 9am to 2pm. We are still in need of youth and adult volunteers! Please sign up on at sign up genius link below.
Sunday, December 2nd, we will be hosting a fundraising lunch after the church service. We will be cooking starting at 9am and will be done for 2pm. We have multiple youth and adult volunteer needs and are still in need of lunch supplies to be donated! Please sign up below if you are able to help.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040b44adaa23a57-lucy
MUSIC THIS WEEK
This week the choir will be singing a spirited anthem of joy, “Alleluia” by Armenian-American composer Alan Hovhannes. Cellist Jeremy Harmen will be joining Jennifer Sgroe in the duet “A Perfect Day” by composer Carrie Jacobs-Bond.
Events, News and Announcements
World Market Holiday Craft Fair and Tree Sale
The time has finally arrived! This weekend First Parish will kick off the holiday season with our annual tree sale and fair. On Saturday, trees will be for sale from 9-12 in the lower parking lot. If you haven’t paid yet, please bring your check for $65. Because there will be a *few* extra trees, if you didn’t order in time, you might still be in luck. Come on Saturday morning.
Inside the Parish Hall and Chase Parlor, we will have tables of Fair Trade crafts, local jewelry crafters, gift wrapping from our youth (for a donation) AND a visit from Santa! You can enjoy some coffee and baked goods while doing good and getting a head start on your holiday shopping.
AND NEW THIS YEAR: the party continues! SERRV, the organization from whom we order merchandise, is offering an online sale opportunity. It will begin on Saturday and go until January 1st. All proceeds will benefit First Parish. We will have flyers with information available, but if you want to take a look ahead of time, go to the SERRV site. You will use this unique link when you place an order:
https://www.serrv.org/?a=FirstParish
Since plastic bags are banned in Milton, all shoppers are encouraged to bring their own reusable bags!
Holiday Gift Card Donations for Milton Families in Need
My Brother’s Keeper and the Milton Residents Fund are partnering in order to ensure all Milton families in need of holiday gifts for their children can get them. Those who would like to support our program during the holidays can donate gift cards – Target, grocery store or others. We have found that gift cards collected at the holidays have been a huge help to families struggling throughout the year.
Gift card donations can be put in the grey box outside of the church office. Please label the envelope: Holiday Gift Program. Contact Noreen Kearney Dolan, LCSW for more information. Email here.
The Social Action Committee needs volunteers to help with Fair Foods, which provides healthy produce to low income familites in the greater Boston area. We compile bags of donated produce to distribute.
Meet to carpool in the First Parish lower parking lot, Saturday, December 8, 10 AM
Circle Socials
Circle Socials are simple, potluck events intended to promote deeper, stronger connections within First Parish’s community. No agenda! Hosts provide the venue and “concept,” and guests contribute whatever food-and-beverage-wise hosts may need.
Saturday, December 8, 6-8-ish p.m. will be an adult “happy hour” hosted by Hale and Tucker Smith. Sign-up for this first Circle Social on Membership’s bulletin board or during Social Hours. Participants, please bring finger food snacks or appetizers, cheese, crackers, fruit, etc. and/or a beverage of choice to share (cider, seltzer, wine, beer, etc.).
An important note: 1632 Canton Avenue is at the END of Carberry Lane cul-de-sac, a small development beyond Dollar Lane, on the Blue Hills side of Canton Ave. Driveway is at the very end; parking in the field on left (or all the way up top if mobility/vision needs). 617-361-1734|H 978-866-6695|Tucker’s Cell
Courageous Conversations is a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Each month the Courageous Conversations leadership team in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association brings together a diverse group of people representing a wide array of life experiences, circumstances, and choices. All events are open to the public—anyone can attend a meeting whether or not they have attended in the past.
Tuesday, December 11th, 6:30 PM at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 112 Randolph Ave, Milton, MA 02186. Film Screening and Group Discussion.
We will be watching a documentary by Tim Wise. This documentary examines what it means to be white in a nation where privilege seeps into every institutional arrangement, from education to employment to the justice system.
Tuesday, January 1st, 2019, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Church of Our Saviour, 453 Adams St, Milton. New Year Drumming Circle.
You are invited to join the New Year Drumming Circle. There will be a potluck meal.
Monday, January 21st, 2019 from 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM, Concord Baptist Church, 180 Blue Hill Avenue, Milton. Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
Milton Interfaith Clergy Association invites you to participate in the Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration.
Blue Christmas Service
December 12, 2018
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Children’s Church
Sometimes the holidays hurt. We may be grieving, feel isolated, struggle with the blues. Come gather, as you are, as we bring warmth and light to the truth of our holiday journeys. It is good to be together.
MainSpring in Brockton
Sunday, December 16 from 3pm – 6pm
The Social Action Committee is in need of volunteers to prepare and serve dinner for the clients at MainSpring in Brockton from 3PM-6PM. Sign up at the Social Action table during social hour or email Peter.
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 – 2:00 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, 10:30 am 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, 7:00 pm in the Children’s Church (Note new time)
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.