Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 11/7/2014

Weekly Link 11/7/2014

First Parish Milton

This Week in Worship

Sunday, November 9, 2014

10:30am in the Meetinghouse

This Sunday : The Divinity of Forgiveness

In some versions of the Lord’s Prayer people ask to have their trespasses forgiven, others their debts and still others ask to have their sins forgiven, all then say that they will forgive those who have offended them. It is an interesting, and important formula first we are forgiven and then we forgive others. Although some may say that it is too self centered, I believe that it is impossible for us to understand the power of forgiving someone if we haven’t felt the amazing grace of being forgiven.

On this Sunday after such a bruising election season it will be important for us to ask for forgiveness in how we have talked about those who share different values, people who may be sitting right across the aisle from us.

See you in church,

Rev. Hank

Worship Services for November, the theme is Forgiveness

11/16 Building A New Way Together The Rev. Vail Weller
Today we are very lucky to be joined by Vail Weller who is the Congregational Giving Director at the UUA and a dear friend. She will be helping us kick off our annual stewardship campaign and preaching on the stewardship theme of “Building a New Way Together.”

11/23 A Thanksgiving Away
Come hear the story of the only time I ever spent Thanksgiving away from home, the only time I ever had Thanksgiving in the South.

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 online. CLICK HERE to check it out!Classes Sunday, November 9, 2014

K through 2nd graders Spirit Play students will go directly to their classroom.

3rd through 6th graders Small Group Ministry will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Education classes.

7th graders Neighboring Faiths go directly to the library.

8th Graders Owl Program goes directly to the Children’s Church at 10am.
(OWL meets from 10am – 11:30am)

Youth Chat go directly to the youth room at 10:30am.

The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger

Babysitters Needed!

The Nursery at First Parish in Milton is looking for babysitters. If you have a teenager who has taken the babysitting course and is available to work Sunday mornings please email me.

LegosA Call for Legos

We are looking to add legos to our Spirit Play room. If you have any pieces that are no longer being used and would like to find them a good home please bring them in.

Thank you,
The RE Committee

News and Announcements

SUNDAY, NOVEMEMBER 9TH – 12 noon – 1 pm Opening Reception of Ian Torney: At The Horizon – studies and paintings. Exhibited on the Gallery Wall of the Link.

Party-DancingThe First Parish Fun Raiser

The First Parish Milton Fall Funraiser is just around the corner. Your chance to bid on and win fabulous vacations, exquisite works of art, delectable gourmet items and highly sought after services. Check out the insert in the order of worship or on the Information Table at social hour for the most up-to-date lists of items to bid on.

Late breaking addition – New vacation rental in Sunapee, NH

Just come to marvel at the offerings and support our faith community. Most of all we need you and your friends to come.

MeditationSilent Prayer & Meditation

Sundays, 9:00am & Wednesdays, 7:00pm
Children’s Church
Each week we offer a brief reading on a spiritual theme, followed by 30 minutes of silence. Whether you are new to silence or a longtime practitioner, you are welcome to join us for this restoring practice.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6 AND SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7

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. 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.

Sara Hickman to Shine in Milton — Saturday, November 8th

sara hickman

She’s coming to the Milton Art Center on Saturday night, November 8!. Now, for $20 on a “date night” in Milton, you can experience her music live!

Saturday, November 22, 2014 from 10 am to 3 pm

20th Annual Dickens Festival at All Souls Church, 196 Elm Street, Braintree.

KikiKiki’s Corner

There are lots of things happening in the life of the church over the next few weeks. Several volunteer opportunities specifically for the Milton Residence Holiday Gift program and Handcrafting Justice. Good time to sign up for Sunday flowes, ushering or social hour in December or plan ahead for 2015.

IPlease remember to loop in the office for any space and communications needs if you are part of the planning groups for events.

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 reserve the right to edit the text if your announcement is longer than 1 paragraph. First Parish news and announcements take priority over community events connected to First Parish members.

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.

CameraFirst 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!