Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• This Week in Religious Exploration
• Events and Meetings
• News and Announcements
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

“The Gardener’s Guide to Justice”

Guest Minister: Rev. Mary Margaret Earl

Worship Assistant: Dottie Pitt

Usher: Lisa White

Greeter: Steven Yakutis

Social Hour: Andy Strang

Audio: Nina Truog

Sunday’s offering will be given to Reclaim Our Vote. Ongoing voter suppression and voter list purging have been disenfranchising millions of eligible voters — especially voters of color. Reclaim Our Vote works in those voter suppression states. Our volunteers inform and mobilize voters of color to make sure they are registered and they know how to get a ballot and vote.   

Masks are optional for vaccinated people in the meetinghouse; masks are still required for those who have not been vaccinated. Respect and consideration should be given to all regardless of their masking choice.

Greetings!

Well, it’s indisputable, isn’t it? Fall has arrived. One can’t help but

notice the crispness of the air and the calendar tells the story too.

October is here.

When I was a kid, fall was my favorite season. I liked going back to school and it felt like my mind woke up as the weather cooled, summer being so languid. The leaves changing colors never lost their magic. Spring was my least favorite; it seemed sort of a nonentity to me back then, go figure.

Now I’d have to say that spring is a strong contender for first place. The excitement of seeing the buds on the trees, the early flowers showing forth, the smell of the earth softening with the warmer days. After along winter there is nothing quite like more light and more green. If I’d have to choose a least favorite season I suppose I’d say winter. It does get long. But it’s in fourth place not by much. It has its own magic of stillness that invites a chance to go inward. And of course there is nothing quite like that first snowfall.

We’ve passed through more than one round of seasons in a pandemic. Many of us have spent more time outdoors, and that has had its gifts.

I am a New Englander, that’s for sure, happy to be in a place where change is so visibly constant and nature teaches us the story of life, death, rebirth and the truth that much happens that we cannot see.

What’s your favorite/less favorite season? I’d love to know,

Sending you the warmth of a comfortable sweater,

Rev. Tricia

The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl has served as Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry for 8 years. In this ministry, she has worked to strengthen bonds between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She has served on the Faith in Solidarity leadership team and the Roxbury Cultural Network. Prior to her arrival at the UU Urban Ministry, she spent 10 years at a faith-based nonprofit in RI serving the homeless community, She is past president of the Board of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, recipient of the Heroes of Faith Award from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches for her interfaith work, and received a Courage of Conscience award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Ma. She is a longtime vegan committed to standing up for nonhuman animals.

Music For Sunday

This Sunday Guy Pugh will be offering a solo called “Go Forth into the World in Peace” by Antony Baldwin, a British composer and concert organist, born in 1957. You will also hear “It’s in Every One of Us” by David Pomeranz, an inspirational and upbeat solo sung by Daon Drisdom.

Religious Exploration

This Sunday, children and youth start in the Meetinghouse and will be sung out to RE classes. Our Spirit Play children will hear the story of How Stories Began. In Holidays and Holy Days, our elementary aged children will explore Sukkot. In Friends and Neighbors, our middle school youth explore which faith traditions the group is interested in learning about this year. Youth participating in Coming of Age will meet in the youth room at 4:00 pm and they will start getting to know one another while also helping to decide which activities will help them get the most out of the class.

Still need to register your child? The registration form can be found here. We are still looking for a second staff person for the nursery – please contact bridget@sitkoff.net if you know of someone interested!

Events and Meetings

Yoga

Yoga classes have returned in person with instructor Elyse, on Mondays 6:30pm in Parish Hall! Please feel free to join us any Monday you are available. Please bring your own yoga matt.

Invitation to Weekly Meditation

Creating a peaceful space, a few minutes each week, is a quiet and powerful way to maintain balance in these hectic and challenging times.

Every week a small group “gathers” for silent meditation/prayer. We meet on Sunday morning 8:30am-9:30am and Thursday evening 6:45pm-7:45pm. We meet via Zoom for the convenience of those who live at a distance and for those who prefer to join from home. All are welcome. Contact Tracey at tdr02186@gmail.com for more info.

Peace is this moment without judgment. That is all. This moment where everything that is, is welcome.

ANNOUNCING: Milton Grows

Milton Grows is a year-long initiative of the Milton Public Library, focused on gardening and sustainability, in collaboration with partners Sustainable Milton and The Friends of the Milton Public Library. Some avid First Parish gardeners will be involved instruction ally, too.

 Starting in October 2022, Library patrons can enjoy: a robust slate of programming for all ages; the establishment of a Seed Library; and the construction of container gardens on our Canton Avenue patios, which will be planted, maintained, and harvested by library patrons.

Saturday, October 8, 2:30 PM is the first program! Historic New England will present “All About Herbs” for children ages 5-12 with an adult companion. Reserve your spot asap through MPL directly: 

For more information

Trunk or Treat at First Parish!

Saturday, October 29   4:00 pm–5:00 p.m.

First Parish is holding a fun Halloween activity for members, friends, and the community.

Halloween is just around the corner!

On Saturday, October 29, bring your car to First Parish,

decorate the trunk,and give out candy to trick-or-treaters!

Prizes will go to scariest trunk, funniest trunk,

and best all-around decorations. 

Ways you can participate:

• Decorate the trunk of your car and give out candy

• Donate candy

• Help out at the event (set up, direct cars to spots, clean up, etc.)

• Bring your kids and their friends in their Halloween costumes

 to trick-or-treat from car to car

If you’re interested in helping, please let Lisa White know lisawhite1250@gmail.com

News and Announcements

ATTENTION SINGERS (and not just choir members)!!

Have you been waiting for the chance to sing in a large choir again, but haven’t been able to find the right opportunity that fits in your schedule? I hope you’ll consider joining the First Parish Meetinghouse Choir and other choirs from around the South Shore for an exciting concert at our church on Sunday, November 6 at 3pm: “Sharing Ourselves, Reuniting Our Voices: Music By Carol Koffinke”. These combined choirs will be presenting the world premiere of a new piece called “Life”, for choir and four professional soloists.

 Please contact Tim (eliztim95@gmail.com) if interested or if you have any questions. Rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings from 10:00 am-12:00 pm on 10/8, 10/15, 10/22, and 10/29 (you are required to attend all of these). The final dress rehearsal (required) will be on Thursday, 11/3 from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm in the evening.

All rehearsals will be in the Meetinghouse. Come and join in the fun!

Volunteer Opportunities

Sunday Service

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

If interested in signing up please use Signup Genius link.

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

Thank you in advance.

Fair Foods

Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that wwould otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed our communities. We volunteer together unloading and sorting food and packing bags once a month.

The next volunteer date is Saturday, October 15th.

If you want to volunteer, please sign up on Sign up Genius by Thursday

evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but typically start at 8:30 a.m. at their warehouse at 70 Amory Street in Roxbury.

Sign up here!

Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods on weekdays from early morning until mid-afternoon.Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685.

The first delivery day will be on Wednesday October 12th and then every other Wednesday throughout the year. We will meet in the lower parking lot between 12:40 and 1:00 PM.

Thanks everyone.

Pat Gallivan

Social & Environmental Justice Committee

Sign up here

Beyond First Parish

CelebrateMilton! 2022

Celebrating Diversity in our Community since 1993!

Sunday October 2nd, Noon – 4pm

Pierce Middle School

Free Admission, plus:

Food l Entertainment l Children’s Amusements

l Silent Auction and Raffle  l Dozens of Local Exhibitors

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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.