This Week in Worship

10:30 a.m. in the Meetinghouse on Sunday, March 26, 2017

This month’s theme: Compassion

A Faith for Both/And – Otto O’Connor

Message from Rev. Lisa

We communicate our values as a congregation in many different ways. One type of expression of who we are and why we are, are the messages we honor by our physical space. Bulletin Boards, website, signage; the feeling of entering the narthex, the offering of information tables.

One such statement, made just before I arrived in August was the rainbow banners hanging in the front of the church. This was in response to the Orlando shooting, when 49 people were killed at a gay nightclub. This communicates the welcome of diversity and advocacy for the disempowered. A resident theologian (which you all are) brought in a rainbow peace flag which will be added to the front display. In doing this, we will be joining organizations throughout the world to herald diversity and inclusiveness. The mission of spreading this message is: “to extend kindness and caring across national borders, with love that includes people of all sexualities, genders, abilities, races, political views, and cultures, and to condemn acts of violence and hatred, embracing peaceful dialogue instead.”

At a time when divisions, posturing, name calling, and hatred are on the rise, it is important to send counterpoint messages. I feel fortunate to be working with this community, full of the potential for counterpoint expressions of love, inclusivity, deep welcome and courage in claiming inherent worth.

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 26 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.

Informational meeting on the upcoming CityReach Boston/Common Cathedral overnight youth group service trip on Friday, April 28 to Saturday, April 29 for youth and parents of youth from 11:45 to 12:15 in the Library.

Youth Group will meet from noon to approximately 1 pm in the Youth room upstairs.

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.

News and Announcements

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.

What: Ostara, the Spring Equinox Ceremony is
When: Saturday, March 25th at
Time: 7:00 p.m. in Parish Hall, pot luck social following.

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. Please RSVP to the Evite that was sent this week.

HERE WE HAVE GATHERED: A WORSHIP WORKSHOP

When: Saturday, April 8th
Time: 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).

First Parish Friends – Summer is coming!

In summer, our worship continues and we move the services to our Parish Hall. We will again have a variety of services that draw on the strengths of our Worship Committee and others in the area. This year as we begin to create a schedule, we are starting by asking if YOU would like to lead a service. It could be either as an individual or as a group. For each Sunday, there will be an assistant from the Worship Committee on hand to help you and we will also be there to guide you in the planning process.

If you have been to the summer services, then you know that they tend to reflect the more relaxed nature of the season. Sometimes we get a chance to experiment with creative ideas which are ideal for a small group – such as outdoor services or a labyrinth walk – or just try something different. The format could be anything from an all-music morning to a service devoted to meditation practices or a traditional UU service. Do you have a sermon in you – something you could tell us about? What can YOU share with the First Parish community?

Sound interesting? Intrigued? If so, either speak to a member of the Worship Committee or email Leslie, Worship Committee Chair.

On Sunday, there will be a sign-up sheet and Worship Committee members available to talk about it during Coffee Hour after the service. Stop by and chat!

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
Time: 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
What: Deep Dive Interplay for people who have at least attended a Life Practice program

Time: 1:00pm – 4:00 pm
What: 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 Needed

First Parish Milton Volunteers are needed this Saturday, March 25th to make and serve meals to the clients at Father Bill’s!

Next Volunteer Opportunity: Sunday, April 23

Contact Peter for more information.

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)

Thank you for your continued support, efforts and input on the Courageous Conversations Event that was held at First Parish Milton last Sunday.

Stay tuned for more information on the next event which will be hosted at St. Michael’s Church in Milton MA. on April 27, 2017

Live Our Values, Give Our Values Stewardship Campaign continues.

Here is the link to the online pledge 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.

Kiki’s Corner

It’s spring and we all get busier with a variety of activities. I’m highlighting some of the church events scheduled over the next 3 months. Are these events on your calendar?

• March 25 – Father Bill’s
• March 25 – Interplay Workshops
• March 25 – Ostara (CUUPS)
• April 7 – Passover Seder
• April 8 – Worship Workshop
• April 8 – Fair Foods, Inc.
• April 9 – Palm Sunday
• April 16 – Easter Sunday
• May 7 – Rev. Lisa’s Installation
• May 14 – Mother’s Day Walk for Peace
• May 21 – Annual Meeting
• May 28 – Union Sunday

We are already making preparations for the Annual Meeting on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Committee Chairs have been asked to prepare their reports. We are looking for new members to a number of committees. Think about ways you might want to contribute to this vital part of the church life. Let me know if you have interest in learning more or ready to sign on!

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!

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.