This Week in Worship

Sunday, February 11, 2018

Theme: Surrender

Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

It was a treat to attend the performance of “Thurgood” with high schoolers and eighth graders on February 7th. This powerful rendering of the first African American US Supreme Court Justice had the audience laughing and sighing, learning and connecting the dots to curricula that many have or will study. This event points to the efforts of the town of Milton to address the “No Place For Hate” pledge made some years before.

This also points to the innovative and undaunted service of Deb Alsebai, our anti-racism working group leader of First Parish’s social action committee. It was from her initiative that the actor Johnny Lee Davenport travelled to Milton to deliver the play twice in one day: once for the students and then at night for the public.

The work of justice is not linear. One thing does not necessarily lead to another. It’s important that we address a justice issue in many ways, through conversation and connection, through education and vigils, through art and witness. There is so much that we can do together. What a gift we can be to one another to advance our consciousness toward peace and justice for all.

Let’s keep on keeping on.

Blessings, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

Nursery and toddler care is available every week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. This week our caregivers are Daisy and Bella. Stop by and say hello!

Religious Exploration for Sunday, February 11: Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the first part of the worship service in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms. Please note that classes end at 11:40 am.

Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story will be “It’s Not My Problem.” Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Super Heroes: Bible People curricula, meeting in the Children’s Church. This week will continue the account of King Ahab, Elijah and the Fiery Chariot. Grades 6 through 8 are following a curriculum called Friends and Neighbors, meeting in the Activity room. The class will be discussing Buddhism this week.

See the Youth Yacking column for news on grades 9 through 12 this week.

Register your child or youth! The Religious Education Committee requests all families to register their children and youth. Paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway.

Youth Yacking

Sara Elizabeth Santa Cruz, Youth Advisor

Thanks to all youth and parents who stepped up for both this past week’s breakfast for dinner fundraiser and sleepover. It was a huge success, and I was so grateful for everyone’s spirit and energy.

This week’s youth programming:

Coming of Age, 10:30am – 12pm

This week, class will focus on the important topics of prayer and meditation. Mentors will be joining the class as we talk about finding your own meaning in these spiritual practices as well as what these can bring to others.

Community Activity Time (CAT), 12pm – 2pm

CAT will be meeting in the youth room to put together college age care packages!

Events, News and Announcements

REMINDER – Notices for The Link need to be send to both office@fpmilton.org and director@fpmilton.org. It is how we make sure your announcement is included each week. Please send your announcement on Tuesdays for inclusion in the Thursday edition of The Link and Sunday announcements.

“ALL THAT JAZZ!!” – 6:30pm – SATURDAY NIGHT MARCH 24TH

Mega First Parish Fun Raiser

LIVE AUCTION!! SILENT AUCTION!!

Vacation homes, restaurants, books, painting donated by our own Diane Sawyer, Boston Baroque subscriptions and much more! Look below for a sneak peak of even more items.

• 4 tickets to the performance “Later the Same Evening” by American composer John Musto and in the new black box theater at the New England Conservatory!
• 3 private 1 hour Yoga instruction with Tatiana Tosi
• 2 Bottles of homemade Wine
• Family Photo Portraits!
• Vacation rentals in Provincetown, a Maine Cottage, or a New Hampshire Farmhouse!!!
• REQUEST FOR AUCTION ITEMS: If you have something you would like to donate: a service, an interesting item sitting in your attic, tickets, please contact Jen Pinkus.

ALL ARE WELCOME. JOIN THE FUN!

JOIN OUR NEXT PLANNING MEETING!

Sunday, February 18th at 11:45am in the Parlor!!!

For more information, contact Ruth Heiden

Sunday. February 18th

MainSpring in Brockton – 3 – 6 pm

The Social Action Committee is seeking volunteers to prepare and serve dinner at MainSpring in Brockton, every third Sunday of the month from 3PM-6PM. Next date is Feb 18. Sign up at the Social Action table during social hour or email Peter

Annual Toiletry Drive for Renewal House

February 2018

Please donate full sized products. Do not contribute sample sized products or any product that has been used or opened.

These items have been specifically requested:

Laundry detergent, liquid fabric softeners, shampoo, conditioner, soap, deodorant, lotion, toothpaste, food storage containers, sandwich and food storage bags.

Renewal House is also in need of gift cards to Stop & Shop and Walgreens

If you have questions contact Linda.

Saturday, February 10, 2018 – 10am

Meet at First Parish – Saturday, February 10th – 1:30 – 4:30

Green Team Workshp #3 of 4: Ethics and Mapping Congregational Impact

Building on mindfulness and gratitude, this workshop will take us outside our congregational walls to more deeply understand our congregation’s environmental impact as well as our interconnectedness.

The workshop will start with a centering story from Joanna Macy and viewing the 2007 short film “The Story of Stuff”. We will then identify a research team on which to work (land, air, water, or waste). Your team will report back at the March 3 workshop. The workshop will end with the hopeful visioning of Joanna Macy’s short film “The Great Turning.” We need as much help and brain power as we can muster!

The compiled research and examination along with personal reflections will provide essential light to guide the First Parish journey forward. We hope to see you there – remember, just showing up means a lot! Your presence is holy.

Workshops 4 & 5: Saturday, March 3 and Saturday, April 21

20th Annual Chocolate Auction – February 11, 2018

THIS SUNDAY

Be at Church on Sunday FEBRUARY 11th for the Chocolate Auction. All of the proceeds of this year’s Chocolate Auction will be donated to support the work of a local nonprofit food-related service organization – Fair Foods Inc. – which our Social Action Committee continues to assist This is a unique, fun and yummy way to raise funds for worthy local food-related social justice in action. Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!

Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate! Any questions at all, call or email your Humble Auctioneer, Chris Pitt.

Sunday, February 11th from 5pm to 8pm

Held at Parkway Methodist Church on Blue Hill Parkway – Thomas Shapiro, wealth gap expert and author

Join us for a discussion & potluck

A facilitated discussion on race, injustice, and the wealth gap in America. Discussion will feature a presentation by scholar Thomas Shapiro, wealth gap expert and author of Toxic Inequality: How America’s Wealth Gap Destroys Mobility, Deepens the Racial Divide, and Threatens Our Future. This event is part of a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Now more than ever, we must engage in this critical work of recognizing and dismantling racism in our society

Milton Community Concerts

Saturday, February 24 at 7 pm

4th Annual Sing For Their Supper

This free benefit concert in the Meetinghouse features ten of the top opera singers in New England as they donate their time and talents in this program of opera and musical theater. All money raised will be given to the Milton Food Pantry and the Milton Residents Fund. Free admission, free-will offering. Visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com

First Parish Orientation

Saturday, March 3 – 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Parish Hall

Whether you have been coming to worship for a few weeks or a few years, you are invited to First Parish Orientation. Come learn more about Unitarian Universalism’s principles & purposes and its history with Rev. Lisa. A few of our members will share their experiences at FP and why it is a special faith community. Find out how you, too, may become a member. Childcare is available if requested before February 21.

If you want to participate or have questions, please email us.

From the Stewardship Committee

Upcoming Stewardship Conversations

• Thursday, February 15, 7:30 – 8:45 pm, at home of Chris Hart at 55 Woodland Road, Milton
• Sunday, February 25th, 9:00am to 10:15am, Chase Parlor at First Parish
• Sunday, February 25th, 12:00pm to 1:15pm,TBD at First Parish

Signing up is easy! Just go to this Doodle Poll link:

https://doodle.com/poll/kz5hdvs8gdu6k5q2

then type your name, check the session you plan to attend, and click DONE. That’s it.

Money Moment:

• How many UU’s does it take to change a light bulb?
• Did you know that there are 160 lights around the ceiling of the Meetinghouse? The cost for an 8-pack of bulbs is $14.
• How many UU’s on ladders would it take to change all of those bulbs?
• How much would it cost?

Worship, Vespers and Meditation at First Parish

Sunday Worship Weekly

Worship, 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse – Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am

Vespers Service for Healing and Resilience

6:30 – 7:15 pm – Children’s Church

First Wednesday of the Month

Weekly Meditation Offerings

Sundays, Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

Thursdays, Silent Prayer & Meditation, 7 pm in the Children’s Church

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.