Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 12/12/2014

Weekly Link 12/12/2014

First Parish Milton

This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 14, 2014

10:30am in the Meetinghouse

So my task at home this week is to put that plastic shrink wrap up on the windows before it gets cold. When I am doing it, I always think of the folks in substandard housing, and especially the homeless of Boston. This fall the Long Island shelter was closed because of the deplorable shape of the bridge that links it with the main land off of Quincy. With its closing 700 beds that were filled by those in need of shelter, and those in need of health care are mostly out on the streets.

The homeless do not come from some foreign country nor are they bused here by other state governments. They are the people that you and I went to school with, the people who may have served in the armed forces of our nation. No space ship dropped them off, they are our neighbors who fell through the cracks and now find themselves on our doorsteps. Mayor Walsh of Boston has said that he is making their shelter a priority and I am sure he means that, I am also sure that he could do with a phone call or an e-mail reminder or our concern for those on the streets.

So as you prepare your home for the holidays, setting up the tree, hanging up lights, remember that for many the way to get ready for this season is more about preparing their homes for the wet and cold winter, and work to end homelessness in this region.

This is the third Sunday in Advent, I look forward to seeing you at church.
Rev. Hank

The Worship theme for December is Hope

  • December 14:  Not Hell but Hope
    Two hundred and seventy-three years ago this week the Reverend John Murray was born, the founder of modern Universalism. We’ll celebrate this wise pastor and look at how his influence still informs our beliefs today.
  • December 21: Searching For the Holy
    Here we are on the edge of the holidays, and I wonder if you have had a chance to find the holy in the holiday yet? In the hustle and bustle of shopping, parties and TV specials have you found time to seek what is truly at the center of your faith? Today’s service might bring you what you have been looking for.
  • December 24: Christmas Eve5:00 Our first service this evening will be an enjoyable trip into the traditions of these winter holidays we’ll be singing Christmas carols and have our pageant. We will all get involved in this fun,joyous service and season!10:00 How Strange a Christmas Day
    Tonight marks the 100th anniversary of a truce that occurred in the middle of the First World War. There in the trenches soldiers put down their guns and celebrated their common humanity. Join us,as we, too, remember our common humanity and the message of Peace
  • December 28: First Footing
    This morning we’ll think about the ways we start off our New Year.

Religious Exploration

December 14, 2014

  • Spirit Play(Pre K – 2nd grade) will meet in their classroom.
  • 3rd – 6th Graders Small Group Ministry will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Education classes.
  • 7th Graders Neighboring Faiths will meet in the library.
  • 8th Graders OWL will meet in the Children’s Church (Class runs from 10:00am – 11:30am)
  • Youth Chat will meet in the youth room.
  • The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger.

Time for the Christmas Pageant!

Joel Hiller is working hard creating…

Christmas pageant

And we need you, kids of all ages!

Pageant Rehearsals will be December 14th and 21st right after worship and run for one hour. The pageant is held Christmas Eve at 5pm. Can’t make the rehearsals? No problem. Just let us know that you are interested and you are in! This is what makes it the BEST!

Parent volunteers play a big role so please sign up to help out. We are in need of a seamstress, our just some one that can help put costumes together, also parent helpers for Christmas Eve to be stage managers during the service (shuffle kids between scenes, adjust mic, move props, etc.).

Don’t be shy, a signup sheet will be posted on the RE board or you can contact me HERE.

Thank you!
Miriam Febres

Youth Group Happenings

December Youth Schedule:

December 14:

9:00am – 10:00am, YAC meeting in the Parlor
10:30am – 11:30am, Youth Chat in the youth room
12:00pm – 2:00pm, Youth Group
December 21: Youth Attend service
December 28: Youth Attend Multi-generational

News and Announcements

Don’t forget, Friday, 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. Please respond to the evite that has been sent.

An Activity for all Ages — Come One and All!

Milton Residence Holiday Gift Program.

All presents/gift cards should be dropped off on Sunday, December 14. (THIS SUNDAY)

gift wrapping

Gift Wrapping Fundraiser

The Youth Group will be doing a holiday gift wrapping fundraiser on Sunday, December 7th, 14th and 21st. There will be a drop-off table in the Parish Hall from 9:45am-10:30am before church, and all gifts may be picked up after service from 11:30am-12pm.

The youth will be wrapping gifts for the following suggested donations – Small: $3, Medium: $5, Large: $8. Cash and checks accepted.

The Youth Group will also be gift wrapping Saturday, December 6th during the Handcrafting Justice Sale. Don’t miss this fun filled event with goodies provided by the Membership Committee and shopping that supports fair trade.

Youth group continues to collect unwanted bottles and cans bringing your unwanted cans and bottles to church

Help Support the First Parish Youth Group!

Fair Trade Chocolate Sale

Still working on your holiday shopping? Want to do good work in the world, help the church, AND get a great gift? Stop by the Parish Hall after church this Sunday to purchase Equal Exchange products. Items include fairly-traded coffee, honey, travel mugs and several bars of delicious chocolate. Like Milk Chocolate with Peanut Butter? Delicious Dark Chocolate with Raspberry? Stop by Leslie’s table in the Parish Hall and pick some up! Cash or checks, only please.

Taking Stock Workshop with Jennie Mulqueen

When: Tuesday, December 30, 12:30-5:30

The Religious Exploration Committee is sponsoring the Taking Stock Workshop this year. You will spend the afternoon gathering materials from the year and spend the day in reflection: writing, journaling, collaging, or any combination thereof. Please contact Jennie to enroll or get further information.

Have you noticed more press about First Parish in the Milton Times and website publication My Town Matters? Charlie Franich is coordinating an effort for FP committees to put together an article each month for submission to these publications. He is also working on widening the circle to Dorchester and Quincy. The choir was highlighted in My Town Matters this week. Please thank Charlie when you see him for this work. If you or your committee is interested and wants to participate, contact Charlie.

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.

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 or to learn more at pl.gallivan@verizon.net.

KikiKiki’s Corner

Tis the season of gratitude. We have had many successful events over the past few weeks due to the planning and organizing of many folks. Thank you Chris Clifford and Richard Venable for hanging wreath on the Meetinghouse windows this past weekend. And also to Charlie Franich who worked on re-hanging the ones that had fallen. It is not an easy job and much appreciated by the minister and staff. Thanks to Elise Henricks, Charlie Franich, and Leslie MacPhearson Artininian for taking leadership roles in continuing the tradition and evolution of the First Parish Holiday Fair.

Each year, Roger Gray makes the Christmas tree sale happen. Great appreciation to Beth Gray-Nix, Jennifer Grant, and Marie Laure Brown for coordinating the Milton Residence Fund Holiday Gift Program for First Parish. We all are still singing the praises of the FunRaiser Committee headed by Ruth Hannon and also included Franc Graham, Dana Clancy, Cliff Clifford, Patricia Ostrem and probably a couple of more folks that I missed. Say thank you to each of them when you see them next. It is the individual efforts that make this community so vibrant.

Thinking about becoming a member of First Parish?

Last week we welcomed 5 new members into our congrgational family. If you have been attending First Parish and think you might want to consider membership here, please let me know. Part of the path to membership is attending a new UU class. Rev. Hank and I are looking to schedule this class in the first quarter of 2015. Please let me know if you are interested.

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.

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!