This Week in Worship

10:30 a.m. in the Meetinghouse – Sunday, May 7, 2017

This month’s theme: Nature

Today we welcome tenor David Won to our morning service. David will be singing LOVE CANTATA, a set of 6 songs based on the biblical text: 1 Corinthians 13. Rev. Lisa will share short reflections inspired by the text.

This cantata was written for David by composer Pascal Szymczak in November, 2016 and was premiered on February 25, 2017. Mr. Szymczak, who lives in Paris, was present for the local premiere and also attended a concert that same weekend here at First Parish.

Message from Rev. Lisa

It’s hard to believe that my Installation is right around the corner. This Sunday, at 4 pm, we are going to have a wonderful celebration of our shared ministry, followed by an outstanding reception, organized by the Installation Committee. The chairs, Miguel Rodriguez and Barry Hume, have crafted a letter for this week’s Link. Let me whole-heartedly second that this is an amazing committee, having worked for months to bring this day about.

Blessings,

Rev. Lisa

Dear First Parish Community:

This coming Sunday May 7 at 4PM, First Parish in Milton will celebrate an important moment in the church’s 339-year history: the Installation Ceremony of its 21st Minister, the Reverend Lisa Ward. We have been honored to co-chair this event for our faith community, and we hope you can join us to welcome Lisa and to celebrate this historic and joyous occasion.

So many of you have volunteered to share your culinary talents – and we thank you! Please be sure to bring your food dish or beverages to the Parish Hall by no later than 3PM on Sunday. Servers will be there to receive your items. If you haven’t signed-up yet, then please, know that there is still time! As you know, we are serving all kinds of finger food – so, if you’d like to participate, then please follow this link: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-rev.

The offering during the ceremony will benefit the UUA Living Tradition Fund, which provides ministry support in the form of scholarships for theological education, assistance with higher educational debt, and ministry emergency relief. It’s a special fund that supports our UU tradition in so many ways.

Finally, please be aware that childcare for infants and toddlers will be provided.

Again, thank you for your participation. The installation committee has been working hard and we promise you that this will be a beautiful ceremony. We look forward to celebrating with you on this historic occasion.

With much gratitude,

Barry Hume and Miguel Rodriguez
On behalf of our amazing installation committee`

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse
Director of Religious Education

What’s happening in religious exploration this weekend?

On May 7th nursery care will be available from 9:00 am to noon for infants and toddlers.
Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the first part of the worship service in the Meetinghouse and then move to the Children’s Church to learn about Earth-centered Traditions, our UU Source #6.

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 8: Children’s Church service
• Grade 8 and 9: Our Whole Lives class does not meet this weekend
• Youth Chat (grades 9 through 12) will meet from 10:30 to 11:30 am in the youth room upstairs. Youth Group does not meet this week.

News and Announcements

When: Sunday, May 7th.

INSTALLATION CEREMONY FOR REV. LISA WARD
Time: 4:00 P.M. in the Meetinghouse
Reception Immediately Follows

Louis D. Brown Peace Institute – Mother’s Day Walk for Peace

ABOUT 2017 MOTHER’S DAY WALK FOR PEACE

The 21st Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace: “In Unity, There is Healing: Invest in Peace”

The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace is a celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities. Every year families from across the state and region walk together toward peace because in unity, there’s healing! Join us on Mother’s Day to demand dignity and compassion for all families impacted by murder.

All walkers must register. Registration cost this year is $10 per walker, however no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Location:

Town Field Park, 1520 Dorchester Ave, Fields Corner, Dorchester

• Opening Remarks: 8:00 am—meet us at the backstop on the baseball field
• Walk Begins: 8:30 am
• Walk Ends: about 1 pm at City Hall (you can do all or part of the walk)

How can you sign up?

Go to http://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org to register as a participant and join our team, First Parish in Milton Walks for Peace. As this is a fundraiser, please consider donating toward our goal of $2000.

Questions? Contact Elise Henricks 617-306-1608 (cell)

Newsflash: Mother’s Day March for Peace Song Leading!!!

Jennie Mulqueen received exciting word from Mother’s Day March for Peace organizers that they would like a group of 10-15 singers to come to the podium to lead the crowd in singing “Guide My Feet” (Grey Hymnal, 318). First Parish Singers will be given no more than three minutes.

Folks will need to be at the march/field by 7:30am. Both the governor and the mayor will be there shortly thereafter to speak. Who’s in? Message from Jennie: “I am very excited for this very visible opportunity to bring song back into the arena of social justice. I hope you can join me on stage, as First Parish could be a leader in raising collective voices in song at these events. Please let me know by email if you are interested. So far we have Franc Graham, Rev. Lisa Ward, Cynthia Guise, Diana & Henry, Ele, Anne Walters, Sophie & Atticus D’Alessandro, Jennie Mulqueen, – – – who else? Email me: jenniemulqueen@gmail.com

SOCIAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The next Social Action Committee Meeting is this
Sunday, May 21 at 8:30 AM in the Library

The last volunteer day of the program year is May 13! Meet at FP Milton at 10:30 am

Save the date! Sunday, June 11, 2017 after coffee hour.

In the Meetinghouse

How Can First Church Become a Greener Congregation? The Social Action Committee invites you to join us in exploring this very question and start planning a green initiative for next year. We will host guest speaker, Reverend Fred Small, co-chair of Religious Witness for the Earth, a national interfaith network dedicated to public witness on environmental issues, especially global climate change.

For more information contact Jennie Mulqueen at jenniemulqueen@gmail.com.

Kiki’s Corner

Social Hour after our worship service this Sunday will be held in the Stebbins Parlor and Link. This will be social hour “light” with some cold drinks and some snacks. Thank you to Mark Whall for working out all the logistics. It is good to have even a short time to gather after the service as well as welcome visitors.

The Parish Hall/kitchen area will be all prepped for the Installation Reception. The set up will actually be starting on Friday afternoon!

Reminders & Notes:

Next Sunday, May 14th is the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace. Please sign up to walk or donate or contaact Jennie Mulqueen if you are going to sing. Lots of information in the News and Announcement section of this Bulletin. This is a First Parish tradition.

Another tradition is Union Sunday. This year it is Sunday, May 28th at the First Congregational Church across the green. Rev. Lisa will lead the service.

Please note their Sunday worship service starts at 10 am. The First Parish UU office will be closed that day.

I will be on vacation from May 17 – May 23.
The office will be closed on May 29th in observance of Memorial Day.

STAY CONNECTED

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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.