Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 5/9/2019

Weekly Link 5/9/2019

Sunday, May 12, 2019

“A Buddhist’s Reflection on Mother’s Day”Worship Led by Robert Johnson

This ia a Whole Congregation Service (aka Multigenerational Service), with offerings of reflections, times for silent meditation and meditative music.

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

We are blessed with two different offerings for the morning of Sunday, May 12th: Our Sunday worship service will be led by  Robert Johnson, sharing a Buddhist’s Reflection on Mother’s Day.  (Please note the announcement above).  There is also the opportunity to join the 23rd Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace to benefit the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute (please see details in an announcement below).  FP Milton walkers will meet for a meditative gathering at 7:30 am at Town Field Park in Fields Corner, Dorchester before the event begins at 8 am.  Because the walk is now a six mile walk which ends after 10:30 am, we create two different offerings to keep our doors open for worship.  Thank you, Robert Johnson, for sharing your wisdom this Sunday.

For 23 years, the Louis D. Brown Institute has offered an annual opportunity for witness, advocacy and community building, by inviting folk in the City of Boston to walk in solidarity with those who live with the trauma of having lost a loved one to murder.  This is an ache and life-altering reality that can shatter trust and hope for life.  When we walk with those living with such loss we are honoring the difficult journey, we are embodying a witness that helps people feel seen and we are offering solace toward the disabling despair that comes from feeling utterly alone.  There are times, in grief, when we feel alone, times in experiencing violence, when we cannot feel comforted. This reality cannot be fully relieved.  However, we can walk with others, we can say, I will abide with you, I honor your daily courage in facing this journey. 

With gun violence on the rise in our country, it is important that we bring ourselves to this reality. “Every year in the United States, approximately 15,000 people are murdered,” according to the Louis D. Brown website article. “For every homicide victim, there are at least 10 immediate people directly impacted by that loss. It is safe to say each year there are at least 150,000 new survivors of homicide victims dealing with the emotional, physical and financial stress of losing a loved one to a traumatic death such as murder.”

I feel honored to walk with many others this Sunday; for peace, for justice, for beloved community.

In Faith, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Image result for religious exploration

“Some people could be given an entire field of roses and only see the thorns in it. Others could be given a single weed and only see the wildflower in it. Perception is a key component to gratitude. And gratitude is a key component to joy.” ~ Amy Weatherly

Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up to age 3.

Religious Exploration for Sunday, May 12: Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the full multigenerational worship service on Buddhism in the Meetinghouse this week. The service will include silent meditation as well as other Buddhist practices.

Youth program service trip to CityReach Boston May 10-11: Our high school youth worked very hard to raise the money to participate in an overnight service trip to CityReach in Boston, a program offered by Common Cathedral.

The program runs from Friday evening through Saturday afternoon and includes time to meet with and learn about the unhoused population of Boston and then engage in street ministry with this population by offering a meal and an opportunity to select clothing from the items donated by this congregation and the many other congregations whose youth will also be present.

On May 12 youth and their families are encouraged to participate in the 23rd annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace from Town Field Dorchester to Boston City Hall. “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 is healing!” Louis D. Brown Peace Institute. Details about the walk can be found elsewhere in this newsletter.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This week during worship we welcome Owen Hartford on the mandolin and John Berger on guitar to share “Wistful Waltz”, an original composition by Mr. Hartford. Grace Allendorf will be singing two meditative pieces, “Vocalise” by Gabriel Faure and “Sweet Radiant Mystery” by Catherine Dalton.

Events, News and Announcements

Summer is coming! And that means lay-led summer services at 9:30 am in The Children’s Church. Is there some aspect of your spiritual journey that you have wanted to share with the congregation? Is there some part of your social action work that you would like to present to others? This is your chance!  Please email Mallory Digges (maldigges@gmail.com) if you have interest in leading a service. 

The Mother’s Day Walk is a beloved Boston tradition and celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities.

Every year families from across the state and region walk together toward peace.  Join us on Mother’s Day to demand dignity and compassion for
all families impacted by murder.

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

Town Field Park, Dorchester Ave, Fields Corner

Dorchester, MA

Registration Begins:    7:00 am—Meet at church 7:30 am to drive over together, or meet us there

Opening Remarks: 8:00 am

Walk Begins: 8:30 am

Finish at Government Center: approx. 1pm. You don’t have to walk it all!

How can you sign up?

Go to https://www.mothersdaywalk4peace.org/  and register as a participant to join in our team, First Parish Milton. As this is a fundraiser, we are also seeking donations.

What is our fundraising goal?

We’d like to be a TEAM OF FAITH and raise $1500 for the Louis D Brown Peace Institute.

Please join us to build a just and healthy world with love and compassion!

Questions?  Contact Elise Henricks 617-306-1608 (cell) or elisemhenricks@gmail.com

The Annual Meeting of the members of First Parish in Milton will be held on Sunday, May 19, 2019 starting at 11:45 am.

All eligible members will be able to vote on Parish affairs including the budget, our mission statement and more. The Warrant will be released by 5/11- check your email or find it on the members page of the website. The full Annual Report will be available next week for review.

Our Annual Meeting is an important time for all of us to come together in community. Hope to see you all there.

Green Gleanings

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE TRAINING 

Green Action Team is widening First Parish Church’s climate/environment/social justice advocacy reach.  Please consider attending a training workshop (register here!) on May 15 at 7pm in Bedford, MA.  Jennie Mulqueen plans to be there but will drive directly from work. If interested in ride sharing, sign up here! Ride-sharing is good for the earth and idea-sharing!  Bedford, MA is a hike, especially at that time of day, but the payback will be “priceless.”  And while there, take note of First Parish Bedford’s new solar array — it may be in progress, or completed: 21st century meets a venerable Colonial landmark.

Message from the Nominating Committee

When you receive your Notice of the upcoming Annual Meeting, you will find attached a proposed slate of First Parishioners and friends who have volunteered to serve as members of various church committees next year.  Members of the Church who attend the Annual Meeting after the worship service on May 19 will have the opportunity to vote to adopt this slate of Committee members.  Thank you to everyone who has already agreed to serve.  Please consider the following:

– The committee lists are not closed, and may be changed any time between now and the vote on May 19.

– If you have mentioned to me or to the committee chair that you would like to serve and your name is not listed, please accept our apologies and email me, and your name will be placed on the appropriate list.

– If you see your name listed and do not wish to serve on that committee next year, please email me and your name will be taken off that list.

– If your name is not listed and you do wish to serve on a particular committee, please email me and your name will be added.

– Spelling errors, ditto.  Email me and the misssspelling will be corrected.

– The following committees would love to have one or more additional members:

            – CARING

            – MEMBERSHIP

            – PERSONNEL

            – RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION

            – STEWARDSHIP

            – WORSHIP

            – YOUTH ADULT COMMITTEE (YAC)

If you are interested in any of these important areas of church life, or have questions about a particular committee or its work, please email me or the committee chair.

– Remember that it is not necessary to serve on a committee to be involved in its work.  If you don’t have time to serve for the entire year, but want to be involved in occasional one-off projects, please contact the committee chair to volunteer.

Committee work is essential to the life of First Parish and is a great way to get to know people and discover what makes First Parish hum, especially if you are new to our congregation.  Please volunteer, and also take the time to thank others who have stepped up for giving of their time and energy on our behalf.

See you at the Annual Meeting!

On Sunday, May 26th at 3pm Milton Community Concerts presents “Paul Robeson: The Giant, in a Nutshell”. This critically-acclaimed portrayal of the actor, singer, and civil rights activist is written and performed by British/Nigerian actor Tayo Aluko. In this concert he sings some of Robeson’s favorite songs, including Old Man River, along with information about the great man’s life. In a sold-out performance at the BCA in Boston this past summer he received a long standing ovation, as he did at Carnegie Hall in 2012. His appearances this May are in Glasgow, Scotland, Vancouver, BC, and Milton, MA. Tickets (at door only) are $25/$15 seniors/Free 18 and under. Visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com

First Parish Yard Sale

Saturday, June 22, 9 am – 1pm

BRING US your gently used furniture, sporting equipment, toys, clothes, books, lawn and garden items, “boutique” clothes, household goods, bicycles, and more…you can declutter and help us raise funds!!

          DONATION DROP-OFFS JUNE 1- JUNE 15:

Saturday, June 1st, 9am-12pm

Sunday, June 2nd 9:30-10:15am

Sunday, June 2nd, 11:30am-1pm

Saturday, June 8th, 9am-12pm

Sunday, June 9th. 9:30am-10:15am

Sunday, June 9th, 11:30am-1pm

Tuesday, June 11th- 9am-11pm

Thursday, June 13th, 4-7pm

Friday, June 14th, 9am-11am

Saturday, June 15th, 9am-12pm

WHERE:  Drop off your items at the First Parish activities room (basement level) –  use the side door near the carriage house parking lot.                        

If these times don’t work for you, email Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com) to arrange an alternate drop-off time.  We can also arrange to pick up your items!

Please note:  we cannot accept donations of mattresses, bed linens, TVs, cribs, stuffed animals, car seats, underwear, bathing suits, t-shirts, electronics (unless new) and moldy books.  Please help our volunteers – make sure your items are clean and in working order.

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS to staff the drop-off times. If you can help, even for a couple of hours, contact Anita Penta (anita.penta@gmail.com).

For more info about the yard sale and volunteer opportunities, email Jennifer Pinkus at jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com

INQUIRY: WOULD YOU ENGAGE IN THIS OFFERING?

If there’s enough interest, we will find a schedule together.  contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org

SPIRITUAL JOURNALLING GROUP

There are many paths that awaken the heart.

What helps in the journey is finding words to guide or companion you along the way.  These words are in you.

This will be an offering for two hours, once a month: we’ll start with each session standing on its own, so that it is open to drop in’s to try out this practice.

We will approach writing in freestyle, with occasional suggested forms, using prompts through words, meditations or sensory witness (walks, e.g.)

                                        Silent Meditation Cancellation

Silent Meditation is cancelled 4/25-5/14 on both Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings before worship.

Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice

Youth minister and advocate, Carrington Moore, will speak about the realities of the School-to-Prison Pipeline. This event also features the voices of youth who are affected by systemic injustice. Is restorative justice possible? 

Thursday, May 16, 2019

7:00 PM – 9:00 PM 

First Congregational Church, 495 Canton Avenue

Milton, MA 02186

Mission Statement 

Having considered all the feedback received, the Mission Composing Team has arrived at a final version of the mission statement to be voted on in an up or down vote at the Annual Meeting on May 19th.

We welcome all to build a just and healthy world with faith, love, and compassion.

If adopted by the congregation, we will then have a frame as a community to develop action steps. 

Image result for uua general assembly 2019

UUA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Spokane, Washington

June 19-23, 2019

“The Power of We”

General Assembly is the annual business meeting of our denomination, and it’s a whole lot more. Inspirational worship services, informative workshops, entertaining programs, and a bustling exhibit hall help make GA an unforgettable experience for the thousands of Unitarian Universalists that attend. Attendees leave with a renewed sense of energy, inspiration, and innovative ideas to take back to their congregations and communities.

Visit uua.org/ga for

• Programming Information

• Registration and Housing

• Financial Aid Information

• Volunteer Opportunities

STAY CONNECTED

Follow First Parish on Facebook and get updates, poems, announcements and more. You’ll be glad you did!

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

Sundays through mid June

  • Worship, 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
  • Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am
  • Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

EVERY THURSDAY

Silent Prayer & Meditation, 7:00 pm in the Children’s Church (Note new time)

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.