This Week in Worship

10:30 a.m. in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, March 19, 2017

This month’s theme: Compassion

Fierce Compassion

Message from Rev. Lisa

The town-wide Steering Committee for the Courageous Conversations initiative met this last Sunday to plan the upcoming event to be held here, at First Parish, this Sunday at 5 pm. (See details below). We are making headway, both in forming a thriving coalition of church and civic leaders and in determining ways to address dismantling racism. It is an exciting initiative in which I have the pleasure of being a part of, along with first Parish’s anti-racism task group chair, Deb Alsebai.

Last Friday the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association drafted a letter and began forming a town-wide initiative to address anti-semitism. This initiative, named “It’s Time To Talk About Hate” will focus on developing guidance on how to have constructive conversations about hate, civility, respect, and interdependence for all ages. A third incident of anti-semitism has called religious and civic leaders to action. Many First Parish congregants have been publicly vocal calling for a systemic response.

These positive initiatives, strengthening and affirming the values of peace, justice, compassion and responsibility speak volumes to how Milton leaders are coming together for the sake of the health of the community. First Parish is right there in the mix, encouraging this work of diversity and coalition. Let us keep up the good work as we engage our lives with respect for the interdependent web of all existence.

Blessings Be,

Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse
Director of Religious Education

What’s happening in religious exploration this weekend?

Nursery care will be available from 9:00 am to noon for infants and toddlers.

On March 19 preschool children through grade 7 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. Children will be walked over to join Social Hour in the Parish Hall at the end of class and need to be met there by a parent.

• Preschool through grade 1: Spirit Play in the Preschool classroom
• Grades 2 through 5: Spirited Adventure in the Activity room
• Grades 6 and 7: Friends and Neighbors in the Primary classroom
• Grade 8 and 9: Our Whole Lives class (parental permission required) will meet from 10:30 to noon in the Children’s Church
• Youth Chat will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the Youth room upstairs. Youth Group does not meet this week.

City Reach Donations Needed!

In preparation for the Youth Group’s social justice service trip, we are collecting donations for the homeless population that City Reach serves year round. We are collecting the following:

• NEW Socks!
• NEW Underwear!
• New or Lightly Used Bags! (Backpacks, fanny packs, tote bags, etc)

Donations will be collected until the date of the Youth Group’s service trip on April 28th. There will be a sign and collection box in the Parish Hall.

Please contact Sara Elizabeth Santa Cruz, the Youth Advisor, if you have any questions.

CityReach is our 3rd Sunday Recipient March 19th

News and Announcements

3rd Sunday Collection – March 19, 2017

CityReach is an overnight urban outreach program begun in March 1996 for youth (with accompanying adults), young adults, and college students from churches of any denomination. The program gives these young people the opportunity to learn first hand about homelessness from people who have experienced it. During the 20 hour session, participants join CityReach staff in street ministry and offer hospitality, food and clothing. This is followed by times of sharing and reflection. The Youth from First Parish will be attending this program later in the Spring.

The Caring Committee and the Youth Group are teaming up again to provide care packages to our young adults. We would like to receive monetary donations to offset the shipping costs. Please let us know if you’d like to donate goods to create the care packages.

There will be a signup at coffee hour or you can send the youth’s name, mailing information, and any dietary restrictions to Amanda Tobey or 508-579-5118.

Courageous Conversations towards Racial Justice

When: Sunday, March 19, 2017 @ 5 – 8 pm, Parish Hall

The Courageous Conversations Team, in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, Milton Reflecting, and Milton for Peace, invites you to 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. Our March gathering will feature a screening of the first 6 chapters of the film Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity to frame our discussion. There will be a potluck before the screening, so if you’re able, please bring a clearly labeled dish to share. Childcare will be provided. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Debbie Alsebai.

Saturday, April 1st at 7pm in the First Parish Meetinghouse.

Milton Community Concerts presents “Black and Green for Rosie’s”, a free benefit concert to support Rosie’s Place, the first women’s shelter in the US, based in Boston.

Vocalists Pauline Wells and Robert Honeysucker will present a program of African-American songs, including spirituals, and Irish folk music. These two popular local singers are also close friends and are looking forward to singing together for a good cause.

Come enjoy a fun evening of music and fellowship. A free-will offering will be taken.

Passover Seder

Friday, April 7 from 6:30 to 8 pm in the Parish Hall.

All are welcome to the multigenerational Passover Seder Interfaith Haggadah service.

A Passover-style potluck dinner will take place during the service. All are welcome.

HERE WE HAVE GATHERED: A WORSHIP WORKSHOP

When: Saturday, April 8th @ 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Meet in the Meetinghouse

Wonder how worship works? Want to experiment with ways toward wonder? Open to all interested, we will explore the elements of worship, try our hand at various worship styles and suggest monthly themes for next year’s full service year (Sept 2017 through June 2018).

CPR FOR THE SOUL: CREATIVITY and PLAY to strengthen RESILIENCE

When: Saturday, March 25 – 2 Sessions
Where: First Parish in Milton
Who: Lisa Ward and CC King

Feeling unnerved by the rapid changes in society and the pace of our lives? Seeking fresh ways to find your groove or ground your days? Interplay may be just the thing. Combining story-telling, simple observation and embodied creativity, Interplay inspires new insights, fresh outlooks and shared truths. Interplay offers the opportunity to experience the richness of community and one’s own agency within it. Come ready to move and play. All bodies are welcome. All abilities embraced.

When: Saturday, March 25: two sessions @ 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Deep Dive Interplay for people who have at least attended a Life Practice program

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00 pm
Open Play for people of any and all experience. Newcomers welcome!

Suggested Exchange: $10-35, sliding scale; don’t let funding concerns keep you away!

Registration/Information: Lisa Ward

First Parish Milton, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton, MA 02186

Social Action

Check out the Social Action Flyer on the Information Tables in the Parish Hall and Stebbins Parlor. Most Sundays, the Social Action Committee will also have information available on their table during social hour.

Social Action Committee meeting is Sunday, April 2 at 8:30 AM in the parlor.

Volunteers from First Parish Milton needed to make and serve meals to the clients at Father Bill’s on the following dates in 2017:

• Saturday, March 25
• Sunday, April 23

Please come to the SAC table at coffee hour for more details.

Next volunteer days are April 8 and May 13!

Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry sources and distributes the food to those in need. (www.fairfoods.org)

Some Meeting information from our Unitarian Universalist denomination

Our UUA’s General Assembly 2017 is from June 21 – 26 in New Orleans, LA. First Parish Milton may send up to 4 delegates and there are some funds available to help with registration expenses. If you are interested in serving as a delegate, please let me or Rev. Lisa know. The rates for registration increase on May 1. All sorts of information is on the website at http://www.uua.org/ga including program themes, guest speakers, and housing information.

Closer to home, the New England Regional Assembly takes place April 21-22 in Woburn, MA. Friday evening you are invited to the UUA presidential forum with all three candidates in attendance. This is free but you still need to register. Saturday is worship and programming. Rev. Robin Bartlett is the worship preacher. For more information, check out their website at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/new-england-regional-assembly-2017-registration-28581951386

Kiki’s Corner

Live Our Values, Give Our Values Stewardship Campaign continues.

Here is the link to the online pledge form:

https://fpmilton.org/annual-budget-form/

Paper Forms and envelopes are available in the narthex and on the bulletin board outside the church office. Please place your pledge form in the gray box outside the office door or in the collection plate. Please let me know if you have any questions on how to submit your pledge.

Thank you for your generosity.

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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!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

• Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 3 pm
• Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

• Tuesday – Thurday 10:00 am – 3 pm
• Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays.