Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 3/27/2015

Weekly Link 3/27/2015

Church

This Week in Worship

Sunday, March 29 @ 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

Last week the internet was filled with photos of eggs standing on end. For a long time, even before the internet, people have believed the idea that on the spring equinox you can balance an egg and even a broom on end. The truth is that you can balance an egg or a broom or other things on any day, but most folks only try it on this day with equal day and night. So why eggs, why not the Autumnal equinox? The first day of spring is of course celebrated throughout human history as a time of natural and spiritual rebirth following the “dying of the year” in winter. What better symbol for fertility and re-birth than an egg.

This Sunday we recognize Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem with our Palm Sunday service. There will be a big ole’ service on Easter morning at 10:30 and an Egg hunt afterwards.

I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at church over the next ten days.

Hank

March 29th Palm Sunday: From Nomads to Pilgrims

How do we transform ourselves from individuals to a religious community? How do we put together our broken lives in a way that not only serves us, but God? This is the journey we are on from nomads to pilgrims.

March 22, 2015

Dear Members of First Parish Milton:

In this letter you will find important information about the Minister Search Committee election, which is happening this week. To be informed, you should read it all.

After much fanfare, process and talk, it is now time to choose the members who will serve on our Minister Search Committee. All of you have been encouraged over the past several months and have had the opportunity through our nomination process in the past two weeks to consider “who among us would have your trust in working on our common behalf on our Search Committee?” Now it is time to choose.

Below is the list of names from which the Committee will be chosen. All have been certified to meet the qualifications of this election (all are members of First Parish Milton, all are age 16 or older, and none is presently serving on the Parish Committee or the Transition Team). All have agreed to serve if elected. The Committee will have seven members. You will choose four in this election; the top four names on the vote tally will automatically be on the Committee. Shortly after the polling has ended, the Parish Committee will choose three other members from the names remaining on the list, to round out the Committee as much as possible.

The candidates are:

  • Debbie Alsebai
  • Joe Ayoub
  • Melinda Collins
  • Charlie Franich
  • Ruth Heiden
  • Elise Henricks
  • Franc Graham
  • Jim May
  • Brigitte Miller
  • Tracey Robinson
  • Jeff Stoodt
  • Deb Larson Venable
  • Lisa White
  • Bebe Williamson

Polling will start on this Wednesday March 25 at 6:00 pm and will end at noon on Sunday March 29. Each member may vote once, for up to four names. There will two methods of voting, by electronic and paper ballots.

Electronic Balloting – During the voting period, anyone who has access to a computer may CLICK HERE and be taken to a form of electronic ballot on which you can register your vote.

Paper Balloting – Anyone who wishes to vote by paper ballot rather than electronically may do so on Sunday March 29 at Church. On that day only, a voting table will be open in the Church Library from 945-1030 and from 1130-1200 at which you can vote by paper ballot.

Absentee Balloting – Anyone who is sick or shut-in and cannot use a computer or come to the Church on the 29th may request an absentee ballot, by calling the office (617-698-6329) during normal business hours anytime before 300 pm on Thursday March 26 and requesting an absentee ballot. A member of the Parish Committee will contact you and bring a paper ballot to your home to allow you to vote.
Hopefully this will accommodate everyone’s right to vote.

This is one more opportunity to participate in directing the future of First Parish. We hope you will take it, and vote.

In faith,
Chris Pitt
Chair, Parish Committee

Deepen your Loving Connection with your Child

Religious Education – Common Hearth Event

Friday, March 27th, 6pm – 8pm

Dinner followed by a parenting seminar by Beth Greenawalt entitled: “Deepen your Loving Connection with your Child”

Bring the kids: Miss Julie from Petit Papillon Yoga will take them through a fun yoga workshop.

CLICK HERE for more information

Please Join us for an Evening of Fun and Information at First Parish. This is a free event and all are welcomed!

FP Milton

Religious Exploration

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Spirit Play (Pre K – 1st grade) will meet in their classroom.

Passages 2nd graders will go directly to their classroom.

Small Group Ministries 3rd – 6th Graders will begin in the Meetinghouse before being dismissed to their Religious Education class. The class will be creating Grass Heads, dont’t miss it!

Neighboring Faiths 7th Graders will meet in the library.

OWL 8th Graders will meet in the Children’s Church (Class runs from 10:00am – 11:30am)

Youth Chat students will go directly to the youth room.

The Nursery is available for children ages 4 and younger.

Youth Group Happenings

The Youth Group and Caring Committee are partnering up to create care packages for First Parish Youth who are away at college. Stop by the Youth Group table during coffee hour to see how you can help.

Volunteers needed!

Social Hour Host and Ushers

Part of the Sunday morning worship experience is assisted by volunteers who provide flowers, light the chalice, greet us in the narthex, host social hour and usher. We have many open usher slots from now until the end of our program year in June. Please consider being volunteer for this position as well as the others. CLICK HERE to view the Sign Up Genius and add your name to the date and slot you wish to fill.

10th Annual UU Advocacy Day

REGISTER NOW ADVOCACY DAY, TUESDAY, APRIL 14 Register by April 1st and the appointment with your legislator will be made for you. Check out their website for more information on Advocacy Day as well as their other activities.

Upcoming programs from the New England Region of the UUA.

Saturday, April 18 – 9:00am to 3:00pm

The Future of Small to Mid-Size Congregations:A WORKSHOP FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEADERS CONSIDERING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THEIR CHURCH’S FUTURE

Location: Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, MA

Saturday, April 25, 2015 from 1 pm – 4 pm

Combined District Annual Meetings Saturday at First Parish Church in Weston

KikiKiki’s Corner

I will be out of the office from Wednesday, March 18 – Sunday, March 29. Check in with Miriam on anything that needs immediate attention. Otherwise, drop me an email and I will respond it it when I return. Happy Spring to All!

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!