Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
• RE Registration Info
• News and Announcements
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

September Worship Theme: Friendship

“Daring Difference”

Worship Assistant: Lisa White

Greeter: Richard Venable

Audio: Colin Glazer

Social Hour: Welcome Back Brunch by Membership & Hospitality Committees

Please join us for service at 10:30am.

Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. You will be muted, but you can communicate through the chat box. If you do not have zoom on your computer, please download it ahead of time. It is free.

This week’s offering will be given to the Movement Voter Fund. The MV Fund is non-partisan and supports grassroots organizations and their local issues/causes. Cara Feldberg will speak on their behalf.

We had a wonderful ingathering service this last Sunday. It is good to see others and good to be seen. September is a start-up time in our culture, which brings in new plans, ideas for programs and a general sense of possibility in our endeavors together. The Social and Environmental Justice Committee is already busy with varied volunteer opportunities and service projects. Membership and Hospitality are arranging a welcome brunch for this Sunday. The Caring Committee continues to reach out lovingly to members in harder times. The Worship Committee, after a truly inspiring summer service schedule, is ready for a new season. And the RE Committee is taking on this year while still in search for a Director with its usual grace and perseverance. Staff and the Parish Committee are all in in supporting the RE Programming. Do check our volunteer possibilities with RE. The children and youth are delightful.

This is an important time to gather in community. With the national election around the corner, increased anxiety, divisiveness, and hopes for this society call for responsibility in our relational power. The tides of anger and fear are hard to navigate these days. We need to show up for each other. It really makes a difference.

Driving to work today, I had time enough to read a bumper sticker on the car stopped in front of me: “When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace” (Jimi Hendrix). 

Yes, indeed. 

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Music This Week

This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will sing an arrangement of an old Irish tune, “O Give Me Your Hand”. It was composed in the early 1600’s by Ruaidhri Dall O Cathain, and set in this choral version by Michael Ryan. Tenor Daon Drisdom will also be offering a lyrical solo from SWEENEY TODD by Stephen Sondheim, “Not While I’m Around”. 

Don’t forget about the Milton Community Concert on 9/15 at 3pm: “Sing Out Strong: Voting As Freedom”.

Religious Education Registration for 2024-25

Our first day of RE programming will be September 15th. Please register with this link.

These are the programs we will be offering this year:

Babies and Toddlers- Nursery-Safe and nurturing child care by trained nursery staff, No registration needed in advance.

Preschool – Kindergarten- Spirit Play- Lighting a felt chalice and song are followed by a short story on UU themes, then by a “wondering” time that opens up the child’s response to the story, allowing the children to work directly with that story or with art materials, play doh, toys or legos.

1st – 3rd grade LEGO ValUUes- This class introduces the Article II values (pluralism, interdependence, generosity, equity, justice, transformation, and love, plus kindness). Each class includes an opening circle with an opening question and centering exercise, a story and discussion, and a choice of play activities that carry out the theme of the day (including at least one simple LEGO build).

4th – 7th grade-Crossing Paths- This class begins with lighting the chalice and centering exercise before exploring our own faith as well as interfaith connections with our sibling religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Quakerism, Buddhism, and Hinduism through stories and games. Throughought the year we hope to visit, either virtually or in person, neighboring faith communities.

All grades Workshops- Wee The People- Throughout the year, Wee The People, a Boston-based social justice project for kids, will join us for workshops that explore activism, resistance, and social action through the visual and performing arts: music, dance/movement, theater, graphic arts, spoken word, and storytelling.

If questions reach out to Susan at manager@fpmilton.org

Volunteer with Religious Education

Come teach RE this year! Teacher volunteer for 1-3 Sundays a month (not every week, scheduling flexible), are paired with a co-teacher, and receive the material ready to go. If interested in subbing or teaching later in year, please contact us! All teachers and substitutes must have a background check done before teaching. If you are interested, please contact Susan at manager@fpmitlon.org for more information!

News & Announcements

First Parish Welcome Back Brunch

September 15th

 Friends ~ On Sunday after church, the Hospitality and Membership committees are creating a time for food and renewed friendships. Come join us for a bounty of baked goods, quiches, fruits and beverages.

You don’t need to bring anything except yourselves and an appetite! 

We will also come around with a clipboard to get folx to sign up for Coffee Hours, Greeting, etc so look at your calendars and see you there!!

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Please consider getting involved:

First Parish is in need of volunteers for worship assistants, greeters, and social hour hosts.

If interested in signing up please use Sign up Genius link.

We have appreciated your help in the past and hope you can help again.

Thank you in advance.

The Imaginarium is Coming Back!

The Imaginarium is a group that explores our monthly worship themes through discussion, stories and creative play. We meet once a month for two hours (time TBD), crafting ideas and experiences inspired by the themes. Perhaps an interactive reading or story for all ages will show up at worship now and then.  Come, enjoy the shared wisdom, creativity and connection. Each meeting stands on its own. No previous experience necessary.

Interested? contact the office: office@fpmilton.org

Questions? contact Rev. Lisa: minister@fpmilton.org

MCC CONCERT ON 9/15: “VOTING AS FREEDOM”

On Sunday, September 15 at 3pm Milton Community Concerts will collaborate with White Snake Projects on a timely concert called “Sing Out Strong: Voting As Freedom”. Original songs are based on texts written by students, immigrants, and other local community members in response to: “What do voting and freedom mean to you?”. Performers are vocalists Aurora Martin and Chihiro Asano, pianist Jamie Lorusso, and speaker/host Cerise Lim Jacobs, founder of White Snake Projects. Admission is PAY AS YOU CAN, with suggested donation of $25 general/$15 senior/free for 18 and under.  You are invited to visit MCC on Facebook and share these videos, and even watch the complete concert videos at https://www.miltoncommunityconcerts.com/ where you also make a donation if you wish.

Beyond First Parish

Sat, Oct 05 | UU Urban Ministry

UUUM Tours: Trees of John Eliot Square: A historical perspective

Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.

The Trees of John Eliot Square; A historical perspective walking tour

Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.

RSVP or Questions

To secure a spot on the tour, or if you have any questions, email: tours@uuum.org

All tours begin promptly at their start time in front of First Church in Roxbury.

Click To Register

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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 – 1:00 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, 9:30 am in the Meetinghouse
• Choir Rehearsal (most Sundays) at 8:45 am

SIGN UP GENIUS (formerly known as the Planner)

The link to SignUp Genius is: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1

You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.