This Week in Worship

Sunday, December 8th, 2019

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

And so we’ve entered the December holiday season.  A constant message this month, as we walk the streets or tune into the media, is give, give, give, buy, buy, buy, joy, joy, joy.  We are also called, within this urging to celebrate (and spend money doing it) and find our own strength for goodwill, peace and justice in the world.

The holidays can be a strain for those struggling to find that inner strength – a struggle for those without the comfort of friends or family – a struggle for those who have lost their ability to hope, or feel free, or find their stride.  When loss is heavy within us, we may not feel like celebrating, we might even wonder if something is missing in our capacity for joy, since we’re urged over and over to feel it.

And yet, this diminishing of hope or energy is something that originally inspired winter holidays.  Within the holi-daze of consumerism and competition lies the impulse to gather, to kindle lights in the darkness, to generate warmth in the cold.  If you feel overwhelmed or disconnected, remind yourself that the gifts we truly need are connection, warmth and kindness.

Below you will find many offerings in this next month to connect, to share warmth and care at First Parish.  Come on Sunday and experience the gift of your presence with and for one another.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Congregational Discernment Toward Installing Solar Panels 

We are progressing toward a congregational vote scheduled for Sunday,

January 12.

A brief summary of the proposal is posted at the end of the link hallway.  An executive summary is available upon request.  We have also sent this information via email to members and contributing friends.

Mark your calendars for a presentation by Isaac Baker of Resonant, Inc after worship service on December 8.

It is important that we discern this project together before the vote.  We

have set up opportunities for smaller groups to meet and discuss the plan.  All ages are welcome in this discernment.  Parents: please feel free to encourage your youth to share their opinion.

Please click on the link below to sign up for your listening circle:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-solar

Religious Exploration

Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up through age 3.

Religious Exploration classes will meet on Sunday, December 8. All children from preschool through grade 7 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move downstairs to their classrooms.

• Preschool through grade 1 will be enjoying Spirit Play in the Preschool classroom. The story this week will be The Man in the Moon for Source 3: Wisdom from the world’s religions. 
• Grades 2 and 3 will be exploring the UU Principles during the fall and the Passages program beginning in January, meeting in the Juniors classroom. This week they will read The Lorax as they discuss Principle 7: We should care for our planet Earth.
• Grades 4 through 7 will be continuing the two-year Friends and Neighbors curriculum, learning about various faith traditions. Our focus this week will be on Christianity and Christmas. This group meets in the Activity room. 
• Grade 8 will be participating in the Coming of Age program this year.

Youth Chat (for grades 8 through 12) will meet on Sunday, December 8th. We will be meeting early starting at 9am for everyone that is able to join. We will be cooking a meal to serve as a fundraiser. We will be cooking 9am to 11:30am, serving 11:30am to 12:30pm, and cleaning up 12:30pm to 1:30pm.

Coming of Age (for grades 8 through 10) will not meet this Sunday, December 8th.

Youth Group Fundraiser this Sunday, December 8th! We will be meeting starting at 9am and will be done by 1:30pm. Please sign up as an adult or youth volunteer on our Sign-Up Genius!

MUSIC SELECTIONS

This week the Meetinghouse Choir will be offering an arrangement of a Scottish folksong by Betty Fidler, called “I Know Where I’m Going”. Claudia Wellington will be singing “May I Suggest”, by Susan Werner.

Events, News and Announcements

World Market Holiday Craft Fair

December 7th, 2019

 9:30-1:30

Parish Hall

First Parish members: Our World Market Holiday Craft Fair is coming!! This year, we are doing something new; we have invited local artisans to come and offer their crafts for holiday purchasing. In addition, we will have our usual tasty assortment of Equal Exchange Fair Trade items — coffees, teas and cocoa — plus new items from a co-op of West Bank farmers which includes dates, nuts, olive oil and couscous. Also new this year: CHOCOLATE from Goodnow Farms.

There will be holiday music and treats to nibble while you shop and socialize with friends old and new.

Green Gleanings

December 6 Climate Strike — keeping the pressure on!

The strike will begin at Copley Square at 10:30 am and march to Boston Common. The strike/march portion ends at 2:30 pm, followed by direct actions at the Statehouse. Join for as much or as little of the day as you can. This is a link for the RSVP form. Once you fill out the form, take a minute to send it to 3+ friends and invite them to join. By doing this, you help grow people power which is how a movement wins. Tucker Smith/Green Action Team plans to attend, taking the Mattapan trolley from Central Ave. stop around 9:30 (or rendezvous at First Parish Church first).

Christmas Tree Pick-up Reminder

We have 6 trees remaining if you want one! Not too late to order! Just email office@fpmilton.org and bring payment on Saturday or Sunday!

 Pick-up times are Saturday, December 7th from 9:00am-1:00pm and Sunday, December 8 from 11:45am-1:30pm. Weekday pick-up’s can also be arranged with the office. Proceeds go to First Parish. Thank you!

December 8 Come to Lunch After the Service!

The youth group will have a delicious chili and gluten-free cornbread lunch available for purchase on December 8. Suggested donation is $5 per person, $20 per family. Proceeds will help fund youth participation in future service trips.

EXPLORING AGING TOGETHER

Second and Fourth Wednesdays of the Month

11 am to 1 pm, (Bring a Bag Lunch)

Chase Parlor (next to the kitchen)

Open Meeting.  Come when you can.  Newcomers welcome.

Next Session: December 11th

What can we learn from each other as we age? We all have stories within us of facing the unknown and navigating changes, of adjusting to loss and appreciating what’s before us. We will meet twice a month to share our wisdom, our queries, our wonderings.  Each session will focus around a theme. More questions?  Contact Penny Partridge at ppartridge9@icloud.com.

Parenting Teens As A Spiritual Practice

Friday, December  13th, 6:00 – 8:00 pm

Pizza and salad provided. Suggested donation toward dinner: $5.  Do not let cost prohibit you from attending.

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

Parents encounter many issues living with teens that surprise, delight and challenge us. We all need support, encouragement and a chance to explore ways to navigate these precious years. We will enjoy a simple meal then share wisdom in a format that invites conversation, sharing ideas, and hearing each other’s stories. Please contact the office: office@fpmilton.org if you can attend. We need at least six people to attend.

Holiday Gift Card Drive

Deadline is Friday, December 13th

It’s time again to contribute gift cards to the annual Milton Resident’s Fund Gift card drive.  The MRF works in coordination with the Milton Public Schools and with My Brother’s Keeper to provide gift cards that help local families create their own special holiday celebrations.  Noreen Dolan, the MFR social worker, has suggested $25 cards from Target or Shaw’s.  For those who prefer to give toys, there are collection boxes for new toys in all the Milton Public Schools.  If you are interested in assisting with the sorting of toys and gifts, contact My Brother’s Keeper about their volunteer opportunities.  The deadline for gift cards is December 13 – please bring to church and deposit in the Gray Box next to the church office. And thank you for your help.

FAIR FOODS

Fair Foods is a nonprofit organization that rescues nutritious wholesale fruits and vegetables about to be discarded for distribution to members of the community. Join First Parish’s Social Justice Committee for our monthly volunteer day with Fair Foods at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St. in Roxbury. Arrive in Roxbury at 10:30 or e-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com if you’d like to join a carpool leaving from First Parish at 10 a.m. or if you have any questions. Upcoming dates include the following Saturdays: December 14 and January 11.

Coming this spring: The First Parish Auction on March 28, 2020!

Traditionally held on a biannual basis, we are now gearing up for the 2020 auction. And that means volunteers – LOTS of them. We need folks to work on Donations, Food and Beverage, Music and Entertainment, Decorations, Check out and Operations, Publicity, and Online. This is truly an all church effort. Won’t you  join us?

Email to volunteer: Lynne Stack: lmstack258@gmail.com or Mallory Digges: maldigges@gmail.com

June 24, 2020-June 29, 2020, Providence RI

Early Bird Registration is now Open!

Click here for more informaiton.

Snow Cancellation Information:

If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does First Parish. Sundays we realize are trickier.  We will call it by 8 a.m. on Sunday.  Look for cancellations in three places.  If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.

~Channel 5, WCVB television.  Look for First Parish – Milton.  Check their website if you want to get automatic, direct notification through the TV station. www.wcvb.com. 

~Check our Facebook page. First Parish Milton UU.  We will post cancellations there.  Our Facebook page also feeds our Twitter account @FPMilton.

~Check our website, www.fpmilton.org.  We put a banner on the home page with closing information.