This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 7th, 2014

10:30am in the Meetinghouse

It was early December a couple of years back, and I had just picked my oldest daughter up from daycare. As we drove towards home she let me in on what the hot topic was in her class that day. “Bella celebrates Hanukkah and they get presents everyday for eight days.” To be honest I didn’t have the heart to tell her that almost every Jewish friend I have told me stories that by day six of Hanukkah they are scrambling to find gifts because had lost track and ended up giving out boxes of pencils. I also realized that the only reason why my four year old was interested in her friend’s holiday was less about the faith and more about the swag. But as a good liberal and wanting to get beyond the commercial so I responded, “Bella is Jewish and that is why she celebrates Hanukkah. We celebrate Christmas.” To which my daughter, born to a Yankee father and a mother from Vancouver, replied, “Is that because we’re Canadian?”

In the years since I have tried to teach my girls lessons both theological and geographical. I also heard from a Muslim friend who told me that after she heard me tell this story that she has instructed her children, who are constantly asked why they don’t celebrate Christmas, to simply reply “because we’re Canadians.”
Thanks be to you, oh God of Abraham and the thirty-eighth parallel for making life a little easier all the way around.

See you in Church,

Rev. Hank

ADVENT MUSIC

This Sunday’s Advent service will feature the Meetinghouse choir with guest musician, Frank Grimes on the viola. Frank will also be providing special music during the prelude and postlude. Come and enjoy!

And looking ahead . . . Have you ever heard of “Dueling Divas”? Plan on attending their concert at First Parish on the evening of January 10th. More details forthcoming. You certainly won’t want to miss this one.
Thanks.
Tim

The Worship theme for December is Hope

December 7 Adventures in Advent

Advent, from the Latin word adventus meaning “coming,” it’s a time of waiting and preparation for the celebration of Christmas. Come and hear how this liturgical season which has been gaining favor in liberal churches helps us to reclaim this religious holiday, and how it can be a buffer between us and the onslaught of consumerism.
We’ll be welcoming in new members and celebrating communion this morning!

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 and 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 Eve

5:00 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. Their 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 7, 2014

Children’s Church

Children of all ages are invited to attend worship servicein the Children’s Church.
Adults also welcomed!

10:00am – 11:30am OWL Class will meet in the Parlor

The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger

Time for the Christmas Pageant!

Joel Hiller is working hard creating…

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 7:

• 10:30am – 11:30am, Youth Chat in the youth room
• 12:00pm – 2:00pm Youth Group

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

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!

News and Announcements

There are 56 kids that still need to be selected for the Milton Residence Holiday Gift Program. Please sign up this Sunday December 7 during social hour. All presents/gift cards should be dropped off on Sunday, December 14. For questions please contact Beth Gray-Nix

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.

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)

AFTER THE FAIR…

PLEASE HELP US DECORATE THE MEETING HOUSE WINDOWS WITH WREATHS THIS SATURDAY. WE WILL HAVE THE MATERIALS READY TO GO. EVERYONE LOVES THE WAY THE PLACE LOOKS, HELP MAKE IT SO.

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. Please respond to the evite that has been sent. 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.

VOLUNTEER GIVING OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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.

Kiki’s Corner

PLEASE HELP US DECORATE THE MEETING HOUSE WINDOWS WITH WREATHS THIS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6. EVERYONE LOVES THE WAY THE PLACE LOOKS, HELP MAKE IT SO.

New Member Sunday is December 7.

We welcome 5 new members into our congrgational family. Please congratulate Miriam Febres, Hale and Tucker Smith and Donna and Ian Torney. The Membership Committee will be serving cake during social hour to celebrate this special Sunday.

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.

Lots of activity around First Parish now through Christmas Eve. Milton Residence Fund Holiday Gift program takes over the Meetinghouse for a week. And there are also recitals and special programs going on in Meetinghouse other weeks. The Parish Hall and Activities Room will be in full use for toddlers and the nursery school set. We have several private parties and a special service. Plus all the activities that we have highlighted above. Best to call us first if you are coming into the office. We are around Monday – Thursday 10 -3.

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!