This Week in Worship

Sunday, September 16, 2018
Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“Hello Again: the Journey of Forgiveness”

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

What a wonderful Ingathering Sunday! From a delicious pancake breakfast prepared by the youth to the rousing congregational procession into the Meetinghouse and the uplifting multigeneraltional gathering. We are a vibrant, creative faith community with much to share and much to offer.

Fall scheduling is underway. I hope most of you were able to mark your calendars with the help of the “save the date” email sent last week from our terrific office staff. We’ll send a monthly reminder of events three months out to help in your scheduling.

Some programming is also gearing up for the fall. Please see below for the descriptions. Supporting each other through grief, exploring Unitarian Universalism, having a weekly opportunity to center through a midweek meditative service, forming a story telling troupe and sharing the journey of parenting are offerings to come.

And if you want to share musical talents in the worship service, please do contact Patricia Ostrem, chair of the music committee, or Tim Steele, music director. There is a welcoming notice on the music committee bulletin board in the link hallway and an envelope for suggestions as well.

Onward into the fall season! It’s good to be together.

Blessings, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Laurel Whitehouse, Director of Religious Exploration

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

On Sunday, September 16, all children from preschool through grade 8 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move to the Children’s Church for a multi-age worship service.

Religious Exploration classes will begin meeting on Sunday, September 23. All classrooms are located downstairs. Preschool through grade 5 will focus on World Religions 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 Holidays and Holy Days curricula, meeting in the Primary classroom. Grades 6 through 8 will be continuing a curriculum called Friends and Neighbors which is based on both the Crossing Bridges and Neighboring Faiths programs. 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 23. Paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway.

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.

First off, a big thanks to everyone who helped out with the pancake breakfast! It was a huge success and could not have been done without each and everyone one of you.

This week for youth programming, come join us for Youth Chat (10:30am-11:30am) to participate in a fun creative activity to get to know one another and reconnect after a long summer apart!

We will also be having a YAC (Youth Adult Committee) meeting 12pm to 1pm. All youth are invited to attend.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

The music for Sunday, September 16th will include a beautiful and lyrical setting of a William Schulz text by Massachusetts composer Jim Scott: “Come Into This Place”, sung by the Meetinghouse Choir. Grace Allendorf will be also be singing “Think On These Things” by Robert MacGimsey.

Events, News and Announcements

As was communicated earlier, the security system is now in place. This calls for a few adjustments in our access to the office building. Feel free to contact Jim May or Chris Clifford, co-chairs of the security team, with any questions. Below are some frequently asked questions:

Which of our doors are changed?

The two office doors on Engine Road, the black double door leading into Parish Hall, the Nursery School entrance off the lower parking lot.

How do we now get in?

Staff, Committee Chairs and the Parish Committee Exec will have key fobs. On days other than Sunday, you will need to enter through one of the doors on Engine Road. There is an intercom system. You can be buzzed in. On Sunday, the Meetinghouse will be open. The Children’s Church will be open Sunday morning for meditation. On Sunday mornings, the Engine Road entrances (office and social worker) will be unlocked from 8:30 am – noon.

Are the internal locks changed?

No. The locks and keys for doors inside the building remain the same. Also the Meetinghouse and Children’s Church entrances are unchanged.

Grief Support Group

Four Tuesdays: October 2, 9, 16, 23

7:00 – 8:30 pm

When we lose a loved one through death, the world is different, our lives shift in meaning, our ground is shaken. We can feel isolated by our grief. We can also feel a lack of strength or initiative to find a way through. One way to help adjust to the new reality and find our inner resources is to share our journey with others who welcome time together devoted to the jorney of loss and recovery. There are many ways that we grieve and many kinds of losses. This group is focused on loss due to the death of a loved one. We ask participants to commit to at least three of the sessions, no new participants after the 9th.

Please contact the office if you can attend.

Midweek Centering Service, Starting October 3rd

Wednesdays, Children’s Church 7:00 – 7:30 pm

Give yourself some time, in this busy and distracting world, to replenish your spirit in meditative community. This half hour of centering will include one meditative reading, time for meditation and the sharing of insight. Attend when you can

UU BOOK STUDY GROUP

Second Wednesdays, 7:30 – 8:30, Children’s Church

Beginning on October 10th

The UU Book Study Group will explore the nature of Unitarian Universalism through the frames of UU authors. Our first Book Study will be Our Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism by the Rev. John A. Buehrens and F. Forrester Church. The 2nd edition is named A Chosen Faith (with different preface authors). Both Amazon.com and the UU Bookstore have copies. We will cover Part One (through p.38) at our first meeting. Feel free to contact Rev. Ward (minister@fpmilton.org) if fiscal assistance is needed to purchase the book.

Parenting As A Spiritual Practice: Parenting Teens

Third Friday of the Month, Parish Hall

First Gathering: October 19th, 6 – 8:30 pm, Pizza and salad provided

Suggested donation toward dinner: $5. Do not let cost prohibit you from attending.

Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward

Parents encounter many issues living with teen children that surprise, delight and challenge us. We all need support, encouragement and a chance to explore ways to navigate these precious years. We will enjoy a simple meal then share wisdom in a format that invites conversation, workshopping ideas, and hearing each other’s stories.

Please contact the office if you can attend. We need at least six people to attend.

Story for All Ages Troupe Forming

Rev. Lisa invites those who would like to render a story for all ages as a story troupe. We will find ways to express meaning through acting, movement, sound. This year we’ll tell a story together every two months. This requires at least one midweek rehearsal (1 ½ hours) and coming in early on the given Sunday. Our first story telling will be September 30th., rehearsal 7 pm Thursday the 27th.​ All ages and abilities welcome. Please contact the office if you are interested.

The Caring Committee is looking for some parishioners to sign up for meal delivery for one of our parishioners and his family. Robert Johnson has found a weekly meal drop off to be a blessing as he supports his wife Sandra, his twin daughters Annie and Susie, and his son Spencer. Sandra has been battling cancer and continues to undergo treatment. If you can help out, click on the link above to sign up. Thanks so much for the ways you care for one another.

Courageous Conversations is a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Each month the Courageous Conversations leadership team in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association brings together a diverse group of people representing a wide array of life experiences, circumstances, and choices. All events are open to the public—anyone can attend a meeting whether or not they have attended in the past.

• Monday, September 17th, 7-9pm, Cunningham Hall (77 Edge Hill Rd, Milton). Talking about Racism – the Courage, Compassion and Discomfort!
• Saturday, October 13, 10-3pm First Parish Milton (535 Canton Ave, Milton). Workshop with artist, activist and musician, Soyinka Rahim on articulating our journey with race and racism through storytelling, music and user friendly embodiment exercises.
• Monday, November 19th, 6-9pm, Milton High School (25 Gile Rd., Milton). Conversation with Debby Irving author of “Waking Up White.”

The Caring Committee is looking for several new members! This committee facilitates care giving within the First Parish Community, providing such services as meal delivery, rides to appointments or to church, emergency child care, and hospital visits. While there are times when committee members complete these tasks themselves, it is equally important to extend these opportunities to the larger FP community – the committee serves as the facilitator of that process.

If you are interested, please contact Amanda Tobey. Our next meeting is Thursday, September 20 at 7:30 PM in the library and we would love to see you there!

Mabon Autumn Equinox Celebration

September 22, 2018

Parish Hall 3:00pm-7:00pm

Mabon (pronounced MAY-bone), is the Autumn Equinox and the 2nd of the Harvest festivals. It is a time of balance and thanksgiving. The balance is between light and dark as well as the warmth we leave behind us knowing the cold that lies ahead. While we celebrate the gifts of the land, we also accept that the soil is dying as Mother Earth begins to hunker down for the long winter’s rest.

Whether your fruits were produced from toiling in gardens and lawns, working at your job, raising your family or just coping with the hustle-bustle of everyday life, be thankful for the warm, wonderful summer and the happy moments you take with you to the next season.

Join the Great Blue Hills Chapter of CUUPS on Saturday, September 22nd at 3 pm at First Parish Church Milton, as we join in circle and ceremony to give thanks to the waning sunlight and prepare for the cold, dark winter that follows.

Our ritual will include the traditional Water ceremony, so please 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!

Our Neponset Community Celebration

Saturday, September 29, noon-3pm (rain date Oct 6)

Between Mattapan Square and Central Avenue at the Harvest Bridge and Ryan Playground.

Please join Mattapan Milton Neponset Community to celebrate the Neponset Greenway Extension of the path joining Milton and Mattapan. We have a beautiful river and pathway and it is time to come together as one community and claim it.

Festivities include:

· A family friendly 2 mile bike ride.

· Live musical acts and spoken word.

· Community sponsored displays and food.

· Make your own tree ornament and other arts and crafts for kids/adults.

Meditation

Thursday evening 7:00pm Silent Prayer and Meditation will resume October 4, 2018 and is cancelled for September.

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-sunday1

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