Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 9/7/2023

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 9/7/2023

Table of Contents

  • This Week in Worship
  • Message from Rev. Lisa
  • This Week in Religious Exploration
  • Events and Meetings
  • News and Announcements
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

“The Spirit of Welcome”

Worship Assistant: Chris Clifford

Greeters: Brigitte Miller & Leslie MacPherson

Audio: Nicholas Miller

Social Hour: Anita Penta

Sunday’s offering will go towards the ministry and service of First Parish. 

Please join us for service at 10:30am.

Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. You will be muted, but you can communicate through the chat box. If you do not have zoom on your computer, please download it ahead of time. It is free.

I’ve been thinking about the rhythm of our church year which includes our “Ingathering Sunday” right after Labor Day. We’ve just been gifted this summer with worship services led by congregants and supported by the worship committee; sharing stories, art, wisdom and life lessons that enrich the narrative of our faith community.

The anticipation of the fall, new beginnings and continued programming is upon us. What will be the flow of this full service church year? What I’ve observed is a great deal of engagement on many levels, which bodes well for fulfilling experiences. Many committees held retreats this summer, honing in on their particular mission to serve our congregation’s overall mission, which is to welcome all to build a just and healthy world. Stay tuned for news of projects and initiatives geared to engage us in shared service and ministries.

We are also embarking on a new chapter with Religious Exploration and Family Ministries as we welcome Louise Smith-Erb to our staff. I have no doubt you, too, will feel the lift of their energy and wisdom as we enliven our collective hopes for a vibrant faith community.

Though lofty, I’m feeling the overall focus of this year is to find, deepen and model hope for humankind. That begins with each one of us, then one relationship, rippling out into our lives, so in need of grounding and celebration. Let’s give it a go, shall we?

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Religious Exploration

Religious Education Registration

Welcome to a new year of Religious Education ! We will be gathering for all-ages worship on September 10th and our first day of RE programming will be September 17th. Please register and learn more about our programs with this link. Reach out to Family Ministries Director Louise with any questions re@fpmilton.org.

Volunteer with Religious Education

Come teach RE this year! Teacher volunteer for 1-3 Sundays a month (not every week, scheduling flexible), are paired with a co-teacher, and receive the material ready to go. The only prep required is a background check. If you are interested in teaching, please use the link to let us know more. Reach out to Family Ministries Director Louise with any questions (re@fpmilton.org).

Music This Week

During worship this Sunday the choir will be singing “Together We Are” by Brian Tate, a Canadian composer currently teaching in Vancouver. Our quartet of Hunsaker soloists (yes, we have four of them now!) will be singing “Alleluia!” by David Maxwell. As many of you know David Maxwell, the brother of our retired music director Emma Jean Moulton, passed away recently, and this selection to honor his memory as well as his great work as a musician and composer. 

We are happy to welcome two new Hunsaker soloists this week. Elaine Daiber (soprano) and Michael Aoun (bass/baritone), and to welcome back Grace Allendorf and Daon Drisdom!

Events and Meetings

Hospitality Committee Meeting

Hello! Our first Hospitality Committee meeting for this fall will be Sunday, September 10, 6:30pm via Zoom. We will plan for the upcoming Welcome Back Brunch (Sept. 24) and Harvest Supper (late fall), and social hour hosting throughout the year. AND welcome our new members.

We look forward to seeing you then. Enjoy the weekend.

Allison, Anita, Marie-Laure, committee co-chairs

“A BIT OF BROADWAY MAGIC” OPENS MCC FALL SEASON

On Saturday, September 23 at 7pm Milton Community Concert presents Broadway and TV star Ron Raines as one of four singers who will be singing a program of Broadway favorites in “A Bit of Broadway Magic”. Mr. Raines has been nominated for Emmy Awards (3 times for his role as Alan Spaulding on “A Guiding Light”), as well as Tony and Grammy Awards.

He has sung with major orchestras all over the world, and has sung numerous leading roles on Broadway, including the 2012 production of Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES, where he sang opposite Bernadette Peters. He will be joined by a talented trio of singers in their own right, soprano Mara Bonde, mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy, and tenor Jermaine Smith. Timothy Steele will be the pianist. The concert will take place in the First Parish Meetinghouse, and tickets (available at the door only) will be $20 general/$10 seniors/free for 18 and under. 

*See flyer below

News and Announcements

Save the Date! 

First Parish is having a Welcome Back Brunch on September 24th, after church.

More information and sign-ups will be coming, but we wanted to get the word out now.

Hospitality and Membership are joining forces to welcome everyone back for our church year.

What tasty dishes can YOU make??? Start thinking!

We are looking for Social Hour Hosts

We look forward to seeing you at our Social Hours after church beginning on Sunday, September 10th. We are looking for hosts, and you can sign up at Signup Genius. New to hosting or need a refresher?  A member of the Hospitality Committee will contact those who sign up to offer guidance and answer questions. Thank you!!

Sunday Service

First Parish is in need of volunteers for worship assistants, greeters, and social hour hosts (see above).

If interested in signing up please use Signup Genius link.

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

Beyond First Parish

Sep 09, 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Tour begins at the UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St, Boston, MA 02119, USA

About the Event

Enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years. Tour led by historian Thomas Plant.

RSVP: If you plan to attend, or have any questions, please email: tours@uuum.org


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.