Sunday, September 29, 2019

10:30am – 11:30am in the Meetinghouse

“Finding Our Footing”

How can we feel grounded in our lives?

Rev. Lisa Ward preaching

First Parish members ~ A final request for the pictures in the directory: IF you weren’t able to attend the photo sessions at church and plan to submit a digital picture, it must be sent to Leslie by Sunday, September 29TH. The package will be submitted on October 1st. Also: the free 8 x 10 photos will be mailed to the church. An announcement will be made when they arrive. Please email your pictures to: lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com

Minister

Rev. Lisa Ward

As I watch the varied responses to Greta Thunberg and her brave, eloquent, clear-minded advocacy around climate change, I am reminded that we, as a species, have work to do.   The media coverage of responses not only shows that there is still a significant amount of people who are ignoring or disdaining the science of climate change — it also illustrates ways that we treat one another when we disagree.

The disdain of the scientific fact of climate change and humanity’s part in this urgent matter is highest – perhaps you guessed it – in the United States. According to a Newsweek article, within a survey of 28 countries, the US statistic of climate deniers is 15%. Some completely deny climate change is a phenomenon, while others deny that humans have anything to do with it.  Fifteen percent. 

There are probably many factors, but two that leap out to forme are lifestyle and economics.  Nationally, we don’t spend a lot of time outdoors, and our open spaces are shrinking.  We are also privileged, in general, not to be experiencing the dangerous effects of climate change, so the fact of this urgency is presently personally avoidable.  Another probable factor is economic.  Denial is strong when people feel threatened in some way, and in a capitalist society, money is given a lot of power. Pursuit of wealth often supercedes promotion of health.  

The other stark reality, highlighted in the media, is the unhealthy ways that we can relate to one another when we disagree, especially when issues of survival are at play.  We have, for example, the occupant in the White House mocking Greta Thunberg and certain pundits in the media calling her “mentally ill”, out of ignorance about asbergers syndrome, which is not a mental illness, but simply a neuro-diversity. 

Name-calling, negative gossip, and characterizing are tactics that we use to silence, discredit or intimidate others to avoid authentic debate or challenges to the  status quo.  When we resort to personal jabs and distortions, we are misusing our relational power.  It’s a good indication that a person feels threatened when choosing to use such negativity.

We, as Unitarian Universalists, affirm and promote principles that honor relational power and the dignity of others. These are disciplines that need to be practiced so that we can dwell in diversity with shared truths, teaching moments and healing consensus. Let us come together to intentionally find ways to dwell in vibrant community.  It is vital work for a just and healthy world.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

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

Religious Exploration classes will meet on Sunday, September 29. All children from preschool through grade 7 will begin in the Meetinghouse and then move downstairs to their classrooms. 

~Preschool through grade 1 will be enjoying Spirit Play in the Preschool classroom. The story this week will be “How Wonders Began” from Source #1 Wonder and Awe. 

~Grades 2 and 3 will be exploring the UU Principles during the fall and the Passages program beginning in January, meeting in the Juniors classroom. This week they will read “Old Turtle” as they discuss Principle 2 All People Should Be Treated Fairly.

~Grades 4 through 7 will be continuing the two-year Friends and Neighbors curriculum, learning about various faith traditions through videos and visitors. Our focus this week will be on Unitarian Universalism as a basis for comparing other faiths as we move through the year. This group meets in the Activity room. 

~Grade 8 will be participating in the Coming of Age program this year.

It is time to register your child or youth for classes this fall! The Religious Exploration Committee requests all families to register your child or youth. Please use this link to our online form: Online registration form (or paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway).

Youth Chat does not meet on Sunday, September 29. Next meeting will be on October 6.

Coming of Age for grades 8 through 10 does not meet on Sunday, September 29. COA will meet on October 6 for youth and their mentors from noon to 1:30 pm. We will continue getting to know one another through storytelling and a shared project.

Music Selections

This Sunday we will hear a guest cellist and pianist from the Key Notes School of Music play a favorite melody by Camille Saint-Saens, “The Swan”. Grace Allendorf will also be singing a new arrangement of the Shaker song,”Simple Gifts”, by Joseph Brackett, Jr.

Events & Announcements

Save the Date!

All Church Council

Friday, October 4th

Parish Hall

6-8pm

Inviting committee leadership to attend to exchange info on committee activities and to provide input on FP plans for the coming year.

Pot luck next Sunday

Join us Sunday, October 6th after worship in the Parish Hall for our monthly pot luck. Bring a dish to share!

Save the Date

5th Annual Harvest Supper

Parish Hall

6:00pm

Mark your calendars!  The 5th Annual First Parish Harvest Supper is coming up soon – Saturday, October 19.  Great food, great company and fabulous music.  Bring the whole family!

Remember to RSVP on the evite sent out this week

FAIR FOODS

Fair Foods is a nonprofit organization that rescues nutritious wholesale fruits and vegetables about to be discarded for distribution to members of the community. Join First Parish’s Social Justice Committee for our monthly volunteer day with Fair Foods at the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St. in Roxbury. Arrive in Roxbury at 10:30 or e-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com if you’d like to join a carpool leaving from First Parish at 10 a.m. or if you have any questions. Upcoming dates include the following Saturdays: October 5, November 9, December 14 and January 11.

WATCH THIS SPACE for Circle Social announcements!

Coming Soon

EXPLORING AGING TOGETHER

Introductory Meeting: Wed., Oct. 9, 11 – 1 (Bring a bag lunch.)

Location: Chase Parlor (adjacent to the kitchen)
Co- facilitators for this meeting will be Rev. Lisa and Penny Partridge.

What can we learn from each other as we age? We all have stories within us of facing the unknown and navigating changes, of adjusting to loss and appreciating what’s before us. We are forming a discussion group for people sixty and older. Timing and frequency will be up to the group. Topics will come from interests of the members, with help from relevant curricula and books. Please contact the office at office@fpmilton.org if you are interested.

Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice

Changing the Race Dance:

 A day of story-telling and creative engagement

Led by artist, activist and musician, Soyinka Rahim

When: Saturday, October 5th, 10 am – 3 pm

Morning Session: 10am-Noon; then a lunch provided,

and related session: 1-3pm.

Where: First Parish Milton

October Service Project: Blessing Bags

When:  Monday, October 14th, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM

Where: First Parish Milton

Courageous Conversations seeks volunteers to help assemble Blessing Bags for people who are experiencing homelessness. Blessing Bags are filled with hygiene items, travel snacks, winter clothing, and more.

Yoga!

Mondays, 7:30pm-8:30pm

Parish Hall

Pay at the door

Slow flow vinyasa class that uses poses, breathing, meditation and focus to introduce ease. Modifications given for all levels.

Questions? Contact Office@fpmilton.org

Claiming Our Spiritual Leadership

Saturday, November 2, 2019

9:00am-3:00pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester

90 Holden St

Worcester, MA 01606

For more information click here

Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if you would like to attend

Milton Change Makers Fundraiser

Protest and Change Through Music , Story, Song

Food-Drink-Raffle-Entertainent

Thursday, October 3, 2019 

7-10pm

Milton Arts Center

334 Edge Hill Rd, Milton, MA 02186

Suggested donation $20

more info: email kdghoran@gmail.com