Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

On this day, a year ago, a gunman killed 17 students and staff and injured 17 others at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.  Valentine’s Day.  For any who knows grief – and we all do – anniversaries, especially the first one, are particularly unnerving.  Emotions, memories, fear rise to the surface, sometimes like an ambush or tidal wave.  It’s important to trust our body wisdom when grief arises, it’s important to allow it room.  It is also true that the feeling may be too large or heavy or overwhelming to carry on one’s own.  That’s natural, and again, something to trust.  We need one another in the flow and narrative of our lives.

The people of Parkland, like far too many of our citizens throughout the years in schools and cities, homes and faith communities,  have the added challenge of having experienced a trauma of mind-boggling violence.  There is no set timing for healing from such an event.  It is a day by day, even minute by minute endeavor.  Life changed for many that day in fundamental ways.  Innocence lost, sense of safety lost, sense of political will questioned.  Issues of gun safety, of mental illness, of a culture of violence still loom large.  We can address it all, if we have the political will to do so.

But we also need to feed, nourish and cultivate our basic humanity.  We do this by facing what we are to one another, by having the courage to feel the connections we make and break, by holding ourselves and each other accountable, and by staying in the rough spots till transformation heals.  May we, on this anniversary of yet another senseless school massacre, resolve to find the strength and wisdom of humanity to identify the systems that harm us and open our spirit to wholeness.

This I pray.

Rev. Lisa

We’re getting busier!

Do you have an upcoming meeting or gathering and need to book a room at the church?

Contact our Church Calendar Keeper, Megan Benders, at office@fpmilton.org to reserve space.

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, February 17, all children from preschool through grade 8 will attend the entire multigenerational worship service in the Meeting House.

Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives Class does not meet this Sunday. Class will resume on March 3rd.

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).

Thanks to all who attended the Pancakes for Dinner and Game Night last Saturday. Your generosity helped the youth raise an additional $262 towards funding a May trip to CityReach Boston to learn about and serve the unhoused. Year-to-date, the youth have now raised their entire trip cost of $840. Thank you, everyone!

The 2019 GBBC will be held Friday, February 15, through Monday, February 18, 2019. Anyone can take part in the GBBC, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard or anywhere in the world. All you need to do is count birds for as little as 15 minutes on one or more days of the four-day event and report your sightings online at http://gbbc.birdcount.org/

MUSIC THIS WEEK

The musical selections today are in honor of our guest musician’s grandmother, Marilyn Klein-Boyce, a “hidden figure” in the legacy of influence in his life and Fairfax County, Virginia. Marilyn was an environmental activist, primarily around local water pollution issues, and a talented musician. “It will be my honor”, writes Stuart, “ to share with you my pianistic interpretations of “Salve Regina”, “The Sound of Music”, and some good old fashioned doodling, in honor of one of my greatest heroes.”

Events, News and Announcements

Many thanks to all who participated in this year’s Chocolate Auction – those who baked, bought and brought the fabulous items we bid on, Dianna Wilson who contributed items for the Kids’ Raffle, Jen Erbe-Leggett who provided invaluable service as assistant treasurer, those who got into the spirit of the bidding and the wonderful young helpers who delivered auctioned items to our high bidders, the dedicated bidders who stayed to the bitter end, the social hour crew who worked around us and stayed late to clean up.   As always, a true group effort.   A fun time was had by all, and we raised over $1400 to support the work of First Parish.  See you again next year – February 9, 2020 – put it on your calendars now!

Your humble Chocolate Auction Team,

Chris & Dottie Pitt

Come express what First Parish means to you in a collage making workshop! Attendees will be encouraged to express their views creatively about what they think the mission of First Parish should include. Please feel free to bring magazines, or other collage materials if wanted, but all materials will be provided.

Workshop Options: 2/21 7-9pm (activities room) OR 2/24 12:30-2:30pm (parish hall). Please sign up using the link below:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-listening1

MainSpring Brockton

THIS SUNDAY!

 Sunday, February 17th, 2019, 3pm-6pm

We are looking for volunteers to cook and serve at Mainspring. If you are interested, please stop by the Social Action table at coffee hour and sign up or email Peter Schneider at peterschneider@gmail.com

Stewardship Update

Members of the Stewardship Team will be meeting with committees for 15-20 minutes over the next few weeks to answer questions and help folks begin thinking about their pledges for next year. If you are unable to participate in a committee meeting, a member of the Stewardship Team may contact you.

Additionally, there will be an information session for any interested folks after church at noon on February 24th.  A letter with an attached pledge form will be forthcoming. Mark your calendars for Commitment Sunday on March 10th!

Circle Socials

**Circle Social on Saturday, March 2nd has been cancelled until further notice**

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.

Join the March Courageous Conversations event

March 18th, 2019

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Church of Christ, 330 Edge Hill Road, Milton, MA 02186.

SPIRITUAL WRITING WORKSHOP

First Wednesdays: 7 pm – 8:30 pm (Next workshop March 6th, 2019)

Children’s Church, First Parish in Milton

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

There are many paths that awaken the heart.  What helps in the journey is finding words to guide you along the way. These words are in you. Come find your voice through writing exercises.  We will compose invocations, meditations, prayers, hymns, benedictions, and readings.  You do not have to be experienced at writing, simply bring your experiences.  Ages 16 and older welcome. 

Please RSVP to Megan at:  office@fpmilton.org.  Plan on three more sessions.

Integrated Stewardship that Engages All Workshop

Hosted by New Endgland Region UUA

Saturday, March 9th, 2019

Parish Hall, 9:30am- 3pm

A workshop designed for board members, stewardship & finance committees, religious professionals, and new leaders who want to align their efforts to spark the generous gifts of their community to bless the world.

For more details or to register, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/integrated-stewardship-that-engages-all-registration-53023407439

Green Gleanings

Green ACTION Team members: Christa Ayoub, Paul Casaz, Pat Gallivan, Jennie Mulqueen, Peter Schneider (co-chair), Hale and Tucker Smith (co-chair), and Rev. Lisa Ward (ex-officio)

Composting 101 — Care and Feeding of Our Composter

YES items — fruit & veggie matter; spent flowers; tea & coffee grounds; bread & pastries.

NO items — NO animal stuff (dairy, meat, poultry; fish, bones, feces [ewwwww!!!] NO butter/lard/grease/oil; NO wood (tree debris).

Note: a smear of cream cheese on leftover Social Hour bagels is okay, however, a tub of it, a large block of hard cheese, a glob of butter, etc. is not.  May common sense prevail.

All Church Council

Parish Hall

6:00pm – 8:30pm

The Feb. 8 All Church Council meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, March 29th

The church office is closed and yoga is cancelled on

Monday, February 18th, 2019.

How do I create an account on Signup genius??

By creating your own account you can log in and sign up for Sunday Service Participation opportunities, swap your dates with other congregants, or enroll in signups created by the Church.

Here’s how to creat your own account:

-Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.Login

-Then click on new account. (Located below the facebook login option)

-Enter your own email and password.

-Click on the search button/magnifying glass icon that in the right top corner.

-A page should appear that says ‘search for a signup’. 

-Enter the office email (office@fpmilton.org) and click the “I’m not a robot button’. Then the church’s signups will appear.

-Be sure to go back into your email account and open the email from Sign up Genius, subject line “Welcome to SignUpGenius”. Then click on the orange button that says “Activate my account.” Otherwise you won’t be able to log in again.

That’s it! You’re all set to use SignupGenius!

Snow Closing Information

Winter is coming. Just a few reminders about how First Parish handles Sunday worship and weekeday office closings. On Sundays, we will make a snow closing decision by 8 a.m. Look for cancellations in several places:-First Parish Milton Website-First Parish Milton UU Facebook page

-Channel 5/WCVB television & website

If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does the First Parish office. 

If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.

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.