This Week in Worship

Sunday, May 8 @ 10:30 am in Meetinghouse

Rev. Hank Peirce, Preaching

Well it happened again, I had a dream that I was back in the pulpit of the Medford church. I still dream about standing in the pulpit even though it’s been almost four years since I stepped into the building (like the vampires in the TV show True Blood, a former minister needs to be invited in.) It’s funny how our minds go back to the familiar places, events and actions even when they are no longer actually familiar. Oh I know why it happened, you all have chosen a new minister (an excellent choice by the way) and my time with all of you is drawing to a close.

It is easy to fall back into old ways of thinking. It is easy to fall back into old ways of being and of doing, especially when it things are a little chaotic, or in times of transition. I’m sure some of you reading this are wondering why I’m writing something that sounds like something I would have written when I first arrived. The reason is that in my experience folks are so relieved that the search for a new minister is over that they start to relax, and they start to backslide into old ways of doing things. I once arrived at a church which had had a functioning committee system the Spring before, but once they knew I was coming they all dropped off of their committees and any momentum that they had gained was lost.

Please don’t think that this doesn’t apply to me as well as it does to you. Heck, sometimes even dream about the old pulpits I’ve filled.

See you in church!

Hank

Religious Exploration

Sunday, May 8 – Intergeneral Worship

The nursery is open for children 4 and under.

News and Announcements

LAST CALL FOR JOINING OUR TEAM THIS SUNDAY

Sunday, May 8, 8am-11am. * This year’s walk is re-routed to City Hall where it will conclude with a Rally for Peace. Please note that it is a different, extended route this year; perhaps some will be able to join for part of the walk. We are looking into organizing two groups – one that veers off early, preferable for young kids and folks who need to get to the service at First Parish Milton. Our Team Name is First Parish Milton. They are also asking for folks to wear PURPLE this year!

Questions? contact Jennie Mulqueen

Ready to Register & Donate (all amounts are valuable!!)?

LINK: https://www.z2systems.com/np/clients/lbdpeace/campaign.jsp?campaign=26&fundraiser=14130&

Walking with you is our prayer…we hope you will join us with this opportunity to live into our faith with bold action.

CARING COMMITTEE NEEDS A FEW GOOD COOKS!

The Caring Committee is looking for some help to provide meals on Wednesdays from May 18 through the end of June. Please contact Walt Hagenbuch for sign up instructions for the website “Take them a Meal”. We will be adding more
information on Caring Committee activities and needs on the Member’s Page of the website shortly.

Family Friendly Volunteer Opportunity!

Next Date: May 21

Please join us the 3rd Saturday of every month (May 21, June 18) at 9:00 AM at First Parish Milton’s parking lot. We will then caravan into Roxbury to help unload, sort and distribute fresh produce to an underserved community. This is a family-friendly event… kids of all ages are welcome. Feel free to stay for 30 mins or 3 hours!”

 

From the Ministerial Search Committee—We Are So Grateful!

One last time we, the members of the Ministerial Search Committee, are reaching out to all of you with a grateful embrace. This search process has been an amazing experience for each of us, and we thank each of you for putting your faith and trust in us at such an important time in the life of our congregation. We could not have done it without you.

And Rev. Lisa Ward sends her thanks as well. As many of you know, in starting her own search process after 17 years in Maryland, she was stepping out into mid-air, not sure of what the future would bring for her right up until she heard the results of our vote. She shares our great joy and a small sigh of relief that we have found each other.

We ask you to remember that she now begins two months of completing her ministry in Maryland and saying goodbye to a congregation she has spent a large portion of her life nurturing. She will not be ours until August 1st, but word is that she is making good progress securing a place to live here. So it’s becoming real!

On Sunday we made membership meaningful. In less than two weeks, on May 15th, we will have the chance to do it again at our Annual Meeting. The Ministerial Search Committee hopes that you will be there, and if you come to the service that morning, you will have an opportunity to hear a little more from each of the committee about our experiences this year. Once more, thank you from all of us.

Debbie Alsebai, Charlie Franich, Franc Graham, Elise Henricks, Jim May, Brigitte Miller, and Tracey Robinson.

“Choose or Be Chosen” for next year September 2016- June 2017

SIGN UP IN THE PARISH HALL through MAY 22

You may choose now or be assigned later

Please sign up for the following Sunday morning volunteer jobs:

• Flowers
• Ushers
• Social Hour
• Chalice Lighters

During the year, one detail that the Worship Committee got feedback about was a lack of children and families lighting our chalice on Sunday mornings, which we are addressing in the sign-up for next year. We are including chalice lighting in our slate and ask that next year, families and couples light our chalice as a group at the start of worship.

Please sign up in the Parish Hall during Sunday social hour for one Sunday each of ushering, providing flowers, being a Social Hour host, and lighting the chalice. Sign-ups will continue through May 22. Any spots not filled by that date will then be “drawn” by members of each committee and the entire calendar will be posted. Like last year: first come, first served. If you choose your Sundays in the next month, you should be able to pick the weeks that will work best for you. e. If you have any questions, please speak with Leslie MacPherson Artinian or any member of the Worship Committee. Thank you all for everything you have done this year!

Leslie MacPherson Artinian, Chair, Worship Committee

Looking for a few Greeters for 2016- 2017

Please consider being part of the Membership Committee’s Greeter Program. You will welcome our visitors and newcomers to our worship on Sunday mornings, escort them to Social Hour and engage other members to meet our visitors. Training provided by the Membership Committee.

Contact Richard Venable, Co-chair, Membership Committee if you are interested.

Kiki’s Corner

Factoids of the Week

• Rev. Lisa Ward received a vote of 99% to be First Parish in Milton’s next settled minister.
• The second congregational meeting of the month is May 15. (aka the Annual Meeting). The warrant has been mailed. Thanks to Charlie Franich, Chris Pitt, Walt Hagenbuck and Ruth Hannon for helping get the mailing put together. Information will also be available on the website by early next week.
• Melinda Collins, Dave Egan, and Leslie MacPherson Artinian are your delegates to the UUA’s General Assembly in Columbus, Ohio June 22 – 26
• All Church Council is scheduled for Friday, June 3 at 6 pm. A good opportunity to for committee chairs and members to gather as well as anyone else interested in church business.

Monday Office Closings

May 23, May 30, June 6, June 27, July 4

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!