This Week in Worship

Summer Services 9:30 a.m. – Children’s Church

July 30, 2017
“Articulating Our Pluralism”
Worship Leader – A.J. van Tine
Musician – Tim Steele

In the text of the UU Principles and Sources, it is said that our living tradition draws on “many sources,” and that we are “grateful for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith.” However, this implied pluralism is not clearly defined anywhere in our covenant. How might we articulate it, both to the world and to each other? And what might a greater focus on religious pluralism mean for our practice? Come and hear Harvard Divinity School ministerial student Andrew van Tine contemplate these questions.

Summer Office Information

• Office Hours for the summer generally are Monday – Thursday 10 am – 2 pm. (This may vary depending on vacation schedules).
• If you are coming to the church office, please let us know in advance. We may not hear the doorbell with the window unit air conditioners purring.
• The Link will continue to be published weekly. There will be no written announcements at Summer Services. The deadline remains Tuesday.
• Check Kiki’s Corner for information on the staff’s comings and goings for the upcoming week. Please note Kathy Tracey is on vacation next week. So if you are calling the office, you will likely to be greeted with via voice mail.

Rev. Lisa Ward, Minister

Rev. Lisa will be out of the office July 19 – August 14

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse,
Director of Religious Exploration

Religious exploration programming for children or youth will resume in September. Enjoy your summer, everyone!

Youth room painting will be happening over the summer – helpers needed. Please email me at restaff@fpmilton.org if you’d like to volunteer some time on this much-needed project

News and Announcements

Thursday night meditation will resume August 17th, 2017

Sunday morning (8:30 a.m.) will continue in the Children’s Church through the summer.

Monday, July 31 from 7:00 PM to 9:00PM

Church of Our Saviour at 453 Adams Street, Milton

Read “Waking Up White” by Debbie Irving and then come to the book discussion on July 31. According to Ms. Irving “Waking Up White is the book I wish someone had handed me decades ago. My hope is that by sharing my sometimes cringe-worthy struggle to understand racism and racial tensions, I offer a fresh perspective on bias, stereotypes, manners, and tolerance. As I unpack my own long-held beliefs about colorblindness, being a good person, and wanting to help people of color, I reveal how each of these well-intentioned mindsets actually perpetuated my ill-conceived ideas about race. I also explain why and how I’ve changed the way I talk about racism, work in racially mixed groups, and understand the racial justice movement as a whole”. Light refreshments will be provided. Next Session is August 15 (check out Social Action Committee News) Questions? Please call Debbie Alsebai at 617-696-1276 or email her.

Upcoming Summer Worship Services Schedule through September 3

Time: 9:30 – 10:30 am

Location: Children’s Church

August 6, 2017

“Fear is the Mind Killer”

Fear can motivate us and drive us to excellence, but too often fear cripples and paralyzes our minds. What can scripture and teachings tell us about our fear, and how can we live with it in our uncertain world?

Worship Leader – Alex Engel
Musician – Tim Steele
Worship Associate – Leslie Macpherson Artinian

August 13, 2017

“The Magic Within That Allows Us to Connect with the Divine, Ourselves and Others”

Pat and Susan share the sacred aspects of creativity, inherent in all humans in all cultures, that has helped them to take risks, live with more purpose and joy and to become the creative beings they were meant to be.

Worship Leaders– Susan Batson and Pat Neves
Musician – Tim Steele
Worship Associate – Susan Batson & Pat Neves

August 20, 2017

“Body Wisdom”

In Interplay, a common phrase is “unlock the wisdom of your body”. We are embodied creatures, we humans. There is much we know in our cells.

Worship Leader– Rev. Lisa Ward
Musician – Peter Smith (tentative)
Worship Associate – TBD

August 27, 2017

“The Physicality of Grace”

To piggyback the previous sermon, yet standing on its own, we can feel and find grace in the living of our lives. It comes over us, passes through us, alights upon us. Let us welcome grace into our days.

Worship Leader– Rev. Lisa Ward
Musician – Tim Steele
Worship Associate – Mallory Digges

September 3, 2017 (Labor Day weekend)

“Hope is the Thing with Feathers”

First Parish member Leslie explores what it is that gives us hope and keeps us going.

Worship Leader– Leslie Macpherson Artinian
Musician – Tim Steele

Social Action Committee News

Upcoming Events

August Gathering

Tuesday, August 15 from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Parkway Methodist Church at 158 Blue Hills Parkway, Milton

Join neighbors and friends for jazz music performed by Milton High School Jazz Ensemble “False Lighting”. The concert will be held in the church outdoor courtyard so bring picnic blankets and/or chairs. If it rains we will move indoors. Please bring a dessert or non-alcoholic beverage to share with fellow attendees.

Questions? Please call Debbie Alsebai at 617-696-1276 or email her.

Give Light: Spiritual Nurture for Climate Activism program

The last session is Tuesday, August 29 7:30 – 9:30 pm

Held at the home of Jennie Mulqueen.

Time: 7:30-9:30pm

What is calling you to do environmental justice work? Last opportunity this summer to talk more about environmental justice and what might we do at First Parish. You need not have attended the June program to attend these meetings. If you would like to sign up for one of these gatherings, please contact Jennie by email.

Kiki’s Corner

Monday, July 31 – Thursday, August 3 Staff Updates

• The office is closed on Sundays and Fridays.
• Just Kiki Giatis and Kevin Harnden this week. Everyone one else is away.

Just because it is the summer season does not mean there isn’t work being done by our volunteers.

• Thank you to Karl Pastore for creating a summer services sign for the front of the church giving the new starting time of 9:30 am
• Thanks to Andy Strang for researching and selecting a new refrigerator for the kitchen. ETA the end of July.
• Kudos to Mallory Digges and Leslie Macpherson Artinian for coordinating the Summer Worship Services and for volunteer worship leaders Dianna Wilson, Jeff Stoodt, Robert Johnson and Elise Henricks.

STAY CONNECTED

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

REMINDER THE LINK DEADLINE IS TUEDAYS

“Brevity Matters” – Peter Bowden, Social Media Guru and wise UU

Deadline for submissions is Tuesdays. You need to address email to both office@fpmilton.org and director@fpmilton.org to assure your announcement will be included in the weekly Link. Written announcements for the Sunday Order of Worship are derived from the announcements for The Link. We, from time to time, will also publish non-church events with a connection to a member of the church. Your submission may be edited due to space requirements. We recommend that you submit no more than 1 – 2 paragraphs.

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday – Thursday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

MINISTER OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday – Thurday 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Other times by appointment

The Church office is closed on Fridays

SUMMER SUNDAYS

June 25 – September 3
Worship, 9:30 am in the Children’s Church
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 8:30 am in the Children’s Church
No Religious Exploration Program , Nursery Care, Choir Rehearsal

Beginning Sunday, September 10

Worship, 10:30am 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, 6:30pm in the Children’s Church

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday?1472051612751