This Week in Worship

Sunday, September 24, 2017 @ 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse

September Worship Theme – Spiritual Journey

Minister Rev. Lisa Ward

Our Jewish sisters and brothers marked the beginning of their High Holy Days last evening (September 20th), observing Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. One of the disciplines during this ten day observance is to practice repentance and forgiveness. It is a wise way to clear the being for a new year. As a nod to this tradition, the sermon this Sunday is “Finding Forgiveness”.

There are times when one comes to realize that there is not enough apology in the world to heal a wound. That’s when one arrives at the entrance of forgiveness.

It has little to do with the size of the offense or the breadth of the violation.
It has to do with the realization that what is done is done.

If removed from danger or further violation, the process of forgiveness can begin.

This realization can lead us, if we let it, to understanding that the only reason the pain is not over is because we won’t let it go.

The timing of the letting go is up to the one hurt. It is important to move on, but not through the coercion of “supposed to be”. Wounds need healing. The hope is that the healing is the priority and not the wound. The hope is that learning from our experience is the vision and not revenge.

Nature is not symmetrical, it is complimentary. The healing one needs cannot be delivered in the same measure as the offense. Nor does it mean letting the offender “off the hook”. It is not guaranteed that the offender ever comes to that place of healing with us.

Forgiveness is not beholden to anyone else’s behavior. It is the ticket to a journey without baggage and a present without fear. It is accepting the fact that we cannot have a better past. We may someday see it differently, but we cannot change it. Life goes forward: forgiveness provides a way.

Rev. Lisa Ward

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 for Sunday, September 24. 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.

All classrooms are located downstairs. Preschool through grade 2 will be enjoying the Spirit Play program in the Preschool classroom. This week’s story is about “How Stories Begin.” Grades 3 through 5 will be exploring the Super Heroes: Bible People curricula, meeting in the Primary classroom. This week begins the important and exciting story of Moses. 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. This week each class member will consider what type of religion or faith tradition they would start if “I Were A Founder.”

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.

Youth Chat for grades 9 through 12 will be held in the Youth room on the second floor during the service. Note: All high school youth and their parents should attend our Youth Program Kickoff Meeting this Sunday, September 24, from noon to 2 pm in the Parlor. 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!

Beginning October 17: Coming of Age for Grades 9 to 11.This year we will be offering the Coming of Age program to help youth (and their mentors!) learn more about Unitarian Universalism and articulate their own beliefs. Please contact me at restaff@fpmilton.org if you would like to register your youth or if you would like to serve as a mentor.

Child care opportunities at FP Milton: Please email restaff@fpmilton.org 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

The Green Team will have its first meeting TONIGHT !
Thursday, September 21st
7:30 – 9pm
Jennie Mulqueen’s house

Email Jennie for questions.

Our agenda this year is to identify and recommend environmental projects for First Parish Milton to undertake 2018-2019. We will ground our work in spiritual practice and awareness. Together we can make a difference.

Saturday, September 23rd at 6 PM

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.

Administrative Assistant’s new office hours

Kathy Tracey, our administrative assistant, will be working in the church office Monday through Thursday from 10 am – 3 pm. We’ve extended the office days an hour because of our increased activity within the faith community. The increased activity is good news for First Parish, though this means Kathy will no longer have hours on Sunday mornings. We’ve set up office supplies in the library for volunteers to access. This will take a little time to adjust to. Let’s see how it flows. Blessings, Rev. Lisa

Coming Soon!

The beloved Harvest Supper returns on
Saturday October 14th, 6-10pm.

Join us to renew old friendships, make new ones and enjoy a delicious pot luck dinner. More details to follow…

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.

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 from 9:00 – 9:30 a.m.

Social Action Committee News

Upcoming & Ongoing Events

Join us for our next Social Action Committee meeting Sunday, September 24 at 8:30 am in the Parlor.

The Green Team

Meetings will be held on third Thursdays 7:30-9pm: September 21, October 19, November 16, January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, and May 17. There are still slots open on the team.

Our agenda this year is to identify and recommend environmental projects for First Parish Milton to undertake 2018-2019. We will ground our work in spiritual practice and awareness. Think about joining our dynamic team; while attendance at meetings is recommended, it may not be necessary for you to get involved

Green Team Members: Walt Hugenbach, Christa Ayoub, Hale/Tucker Smith, Peter Schneider, Lisa White, Jeff Stoodt, and Jennie Mulqueen.

Email Jennie for questions.

Together we can make a difference.

Sign up during social hour to volunteer with Social Action on upcoming Saturdays:

• 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 meals at Father Bill’s in Quincy on the following dates:

• Dinner, Sunday, October 22, 2017
• Lunch, Saturday, November 11, 2017

For more information contact Peter Schneider.

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.

Kiki’s Corner

We still are without voice mail in the church office. A replacement part is needed to do the repair. If you need to reach the minister or a staff member and we are unavailable when you call, please send an email. Thanks for your patience.

We had a nice turnout (over 30 folks) for our Family Potluck & Ice Cream Social last Saturday night. Thank you David Leggett and Debbie Alsebai for being the champions of this event. A good time was had by all. In true First Parish Milton tradition, the food and conversation was great!

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 8 Sunday Social Action Committee Potluck (5 – 8 pm)
• October 8 Sunday Blessing of the Animals (Worship 10:30)
• October 14 Saturday Harvest Supper 6 – 10 pm
• October 15 Sunday Joint Parish/Trustee Meeting noon
• October 27 Friday Halloween Party and Haunted Hallway evening
• October 29 Sunday All Church Council

STAY CONNECTED

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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

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