This Week in Worship
Sunday, September 17, 2017
Worship @ 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“Open To Guidance”
Rev. Lisa Ward, Minister
Interdependence is what upholds our lives and challenges us to the core. We support one another, we discover meaning through relating, we accomplish goals through teamwork. Because we know this, because we feel the truth of this in our souls, we risk love, trust, and the building of our lives.
So, when tragedy or adversity hits: a sudden death, a formidable hurricane, life-changing medical news, termination …we are thrown for a loop. The system of interdependence that we relied on changes in the flow of chance and circumstance and we may, for a time, reject this flow, even feel betrayed by life.
But the support through hard times returns us back to each other, and we find, if we are open to the learning, ways we can be supported. We find, if we are willing, the responses that lead to resilience. We see, if we will look, the circles of care that will get us through.
First Parish Milton practices this supportive interdependence. The caring committee is ready to respond. Congregants find ways to help. Our gatherings on Sunday aspire to replenish, challenge and renew all ages to the fullness of our lives. Take heart. Ask when you need help, give of yourselves when you can. Beauty abounds.
With Love,
Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration
- Nursery and toddler care is available every week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. This year our caregivers are Daisy and Grace. Stop by and say hello!
- Religious Exploration begin this Sunday, September 17. Preschool children through grade 8 will attend the first part of the worship service in the Meetinghouse and then move to their classrooms. Please note that classes end at 11:40 am. Children will be walked over to join Social Hour in the Parish Hall after class and need to be met there by a parent.
- All classrooms are located downstairs. Preschool through grade 5 will focus on Bible stories this year. Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Super Heroes: Bible People curricula, meeting in the Primary classroom. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing a curriculum called Friends and Neighbors which is based on the former Neighboring Faiths program. This group will meet in the Activity room.
- Register your child or youth! The Religious Education Committee requests all families to register their children and youth before classes begin on September 17. Paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway.
- Teacher orientation meeting on Sunday, September 17 from noon to 2 pm in the Parlor. Childcare and lunch will be provided. This is a chance for teaching teams to meet and plan the year ahead.
Youth Chat for grades 9 through 12 will be held in the Youth room on the second floor during the service. Youth Group does not meet this week.
- Save the Date: All high school youth and their parents should attend our Youth Program Kickoff Meeting on Sunday, September 24
from noon to 2 pm. - Lunch will be provided. This is an important organizational meeting to share information about the many exciting youth events and activities planned for the year ahead. Please make every effort to attend!
- Child care opportunities at FP Milton: Please email us if you are interested in being part of the child care team. We have occasional opportunities during the year for child care assignments after the service on Sundays or on afternoons/evenings throughout the week. In your email please give us your first and last names, email address, cell number, and confirm that you have completed a babysitting certification program.
News and Announcements
After this evening, 9/14/17 the Thursday evening Meditation will resume on October 5th, 2017
Sunday morning Meditation is available, please enter the Children’s Church on a self-led quiet meditation. Contact the office with any questions at 617-698-6329.
Join us Saturday, September 16 for a Welcome Back Family Potluck and Ice Cream Social
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Parish Hall
Start off the church year by coming to a Welcome Back Family Potluck and Ice Cream Social. Enjoy good food and conversation.
Ice Cream provided!! Bring your favorite topping!!
Feel free to bring your favorite potluck dish. Or if you need more direction, bring the item associated with the first letter of your last name. A-F = Appetizers, G-M = Salad or Sides, N-Q = Drinks (non-alcoholic only), R-Z = Entrees.
Questions? contact us.
Saturday, September 23rd
Prepare and Serve Lunch at Father Bill’s in Quincy
The Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers to prepare and serve lunch at Father Bill’s in Quincy on Saturday, September 23rd.
For more information contact Peter Schneider.
Father Bill’s mission is to end and prevent homelessness with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. Father Bill’s helps people who are struggling with homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness, to achieve self-sufficiency.
ALWAYS MORE ROOM IN THE CHOIR LOFT…
If you’ve ever thought about the possibility of singing in the church choir, why not give it a try this year? There is no audition required. All you have to do is show up at 8:45am for rehearsal on Sunday and join in the fun, while at the same time contributing in a huge way to the morning worship experience. And you don’t need to commit to singing every week if your schedule doesn’t allow it; just sing when you can.
If you think you might be interested please contact Tim Steele. Feel free to contact Tim if you would like to share your musical talents in any other way during this church year.
Saturday, September 23rd at 6 PM
It is the time of the Autumn Equinox. The fields are nearly empty because the crops have been plucked and stored for the coming winter. Pagans celebrate Mabon as one of the eight Sabbats and the 2nd Harvest on the wheel of the year (celebrations based on the cycles of the sun).
Please join The Great Blue Hill CUUPS on Saturday, September 23rd. at 6 PM at First Parish in Milton. Keeping in our new(er) tradition of a Water Ceremony, bring with you a small vessel of water that holds positive energy, a happy memory of your summer that just passed. It doesn’t have to be from that particular place but bestow upon it that energy and bring the story behind it with you.
As always, our celebration will conclude with a feast from our gardens, fields and vines so please bring a dish and drink to share!
The Conversations Continue
When: Thursday, September 28, 2017, 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Where: Church of Christ in Milton, 330 Edgehill Rd Milton, MA 02186
Street Parking is available along Adams St.
This month’s event will center around a discussion of implicit bias and storytelling as a tool of dismantling oppression and liberating ourselves from racism and white supremacy. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, please contact Rev. Maurice Davis at 617 322 1567,.
Social Action Committee News
Upcoming & Ongoing Events
Come check out our table during Social Hour most Sundays!
Join us for our next Committee meeting on Sunday, September 17th at 8:30 am in the Parlor.
Sign up during social hour at the SAC table to join for our next volunteer date taking place on the following second Saturdays of each month:
- October 14, 2017
- November 11,2017
- December 9, 2017
Fair Foods Inc. rescues surplus fruits and vegetables from Boston industry source and distribute the food to those in need. (www.fairfoods.org)
The Social Action Committee is looking for volunteers to prepare and serve Father Bill’s in Quincy this fall. For more information contact Peter Schneider.
Upcoming Dates:
- Lunch at Father Bill’s Saturday, September 23rd.
- Dinner, Sunday, October 22, 2017
- Lunch, Saturday, November 11, 2017
Father Bill’s mission is to end and prevent homelessness with programs that provide emergency and permanent housing and help people obtain skills, jobs, housing, and services. Father Bill’s helps people who are struggling with homelessness, or are at risk of homelessness, to achieve self-sufficiency.
The Courageous Conversations Team, in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, Milton Reflecting, and Milton for Peace, invites you to a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Now more than ever, we must engage in this critical work of recognizing and dismantling racism in our society.
For more information, please contact Rev. Maurice Davis at 617 322 1567.
Check out the Social Action Bulletin Board for the most recent need for volunteers.
FMI|Marvin Venay
Kiki’s Corner
TIme to mark your calendars so you don’t miss a First Parish Milton event! If you are interested in being part of the organizing team, let me know. I am happy to put you in touch with the right people!!
- October 1 Sunday Celebrate Milton
- October 8 Sunday Social Action Committee Potluck (5 – 8 pm)
- October 8 Sunday Blessing of the Animals (Worship 10:30)
- October 14 Saturday Harvest Supper evening
- October 15 Sunday Joint Parish/Trustee Meeting noon
- October 27 Friday Halloween Party and Haunted Hallway evening
- October 29 Sunday All Church Council
- November 5 Sunday Bring a Friend to Church
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