This Week in Worship

September 11, 2016 @ Meetinghouse, 10:30 am

Ingathering Sunday
Worship Leader Rev. Lisa Ward

Message from Rev. Lisa
(minister@fpmilton.org)

A common challenge amongst us Unitarian Universalists is describing our faith. We are met with a creedal question – “what do UU’s believe” – a question that cannot be singularly answered. We do not have a set and ordered way to describe the faith journey of Unitarian Universalism because we are a covenantal faith, a religion of beloved community and of humility toward ultimate truth.

As a covenantal religion we abide by a framework of relating to deepen in faith and inspire our lives. We venture into the spiritual discipline of interdependence, which leaves room for chance and change, and is humble toward evolution. When in covenant we claim: “I will abide with you in this common endeavor, be present as best as I can in our becoming.” This calls for a level of trust, courage and willing engagement that needs to be nurtured, renewed and affirmed on a regular basis.

And so we come together this Ingathering Sunday, back from our summer adventures and into the full service church year. We gather together as a new community, bringing what we know of ourselves and each other to commune inspire and learn of the wisdom and potential of our lives individually and with each other.

Do come for an early pancake breakfast offered by the youth group, then a formal processional into the church from the front lawn and a rousing welcome of one another.

Come let us worship together.

News and Announcements

Sunday, September 11th

Ingathering and Pancake Breakfast!

Once again the youth of First Parish help us kick off the church year with a great breakfast. So come and celebrate Homecoming Sunday with a full belly!

When: Pancake Breakfast Begins at 9:00am

Our Newest Members of the First Parish Staff

Welcome Laurel Whitehouse

We are thrilled to announce that Laurel Whitehouse will be joining us as our part-time Director of Religious Education. Laurel has been a DRE in the UU congregation in Belmont, has done extensive training in the Renaissance Modules (the UUA’s DRE training), and is trained in Spirit Play (a Montessori approach to religious education) and OWL (Our Whole Lives: a UUA lifespan sexuality curriculum). Laurel is eager to nurture a vibrant religious exploration program. This year, as a half-time DRE, her priority will be to solidify the foundation of our RE program for our children and youth. Laurel’s first Sunday with us will be on September 18, when she’ll join the children in Children’s Church (a monthly multi-age gathering). She can be reached by email at restaff@fpmilton.org

Welcome Kathy Tracey

We are pleased Kathy Tracey has joined our staff as administrative assistant. Kathy started Monday, August 26. She has been a legal assistant for Boston law firms and most recently worked as an administrative assistant for a small company. Kathy is a Milton resident and lives within walking distance of the church. We are delighted she is part of our team. She is looking forward to meeting many of you on Ingathering Sunday. She can be reached by email at office@fpmilton.org

Proposed Small Group Forming: Worship Theme “Think Tank”.

This is a group that will meet once a month to brainstorm ideas about the following theme of the month. We will engage our own stories and musings, along with sharing resources that might inform upcoming sermons and discussions. Please contact the Kathy Tracey (office@fpmilton.org) if you are interested. We will need at least 6 participants for a viable group.

Interactive Bulletin Board

Have a quote or a thought about the theme of the month that you’d like to share? Perhaps an image or your own drawing? We have created an interactive bulletin board in the hallway outside our offices (aka “the link”) for people of all ages to add a thought or image as a visual musing of our monthly theme.

COME JOIN THE CHOIR!

If you’ve ever thought it might be a fun thing to sing with the choir at a morning service, please come this Sunday, September 11th, and give it a try. There is no audition. There is no long-term commitment. Just come and share the joy of singing with others who share the same joy. There is always room for more in the choir loft! Rehearsals are on Sunday mornings from 8:45-10:00.

And for anyone in the congregation who has a musical gift to share (vocal or instrumental) and would like to provide special music for a Sunday service, express that desire to Tim.

Religious Exploration

(RE) is getting ready for the fall…

Teacher Training Scheduled for Sunday, September 18

Teacher Volunteers Needed

5 Sundays this Fall

The RE Committee urgently needs adults who are willing to serve as part of a fall semester teaching team in our cooperative Sunday school program. Teaching teams are made up of four adults covering a ten Sunday semester, so the commitment is just five Sundays. Each team already has experienced teachers who are willing to provide the leadership, and the RE Committee will provide training, curriculum, materials and any other support you need to be successful.

This fall, we are looking for:

• 2 Teachers for our Spirited Adventure program (Grade 2 – Grade 5)
• 2 Teachers for our Friends and Neighbors program (Grade 6 – Grade 7)

If you would be willing to commit to sharing your time and talents for five Sundays this fall, please let us know by emailing bridget@sitkoff.net as soon as possible. We are eager to welcome our children back with a full slate of teachers.

Thank you so much for all you do for our children and our program,

The First Parish RE Committee

Nursery Care Team – Teenagers and Youth

Please email office@fpmilton.org if you are interested in being part of the Nursery Care team on Sunday mornings. Hours are 10 am – 12 noon. We also may have some opportunities for other babysitting assignments at church other than Sunday mornings. In your email please give us your first and last names, email address, cell number, and confirm you have completed a babysitting certification program.

Register your Child or Youth

This may be done electronically on the Members Page. The form is the first menu pick under Religious Exploration.

• Sunday, September 11 Pancake Breakfast & Ingathering Sunday
• Sunday, September 18 Children’s Church RE Teacher Training
• Sunday, September 25 RE Classes Begin
• Sunday, October 2 All Church Council

On Saturday October 1st from 9:30 to 2pm, UU Mass Action and All Soul’s Church in Braintree are hosting an early church year Justice Conference. The Fair Share Tax Amendment and Criminal Justice issues will be highlighted.

Lunch, information, and the opportunity to collaborate with other UU’s are on the menu. Please consider attending.

All Souls Church is at 196 Elm St. Braintree, MA 02184. Please call Rev. Steve Wilson for more information. (617) 852-2292.

Kiki’s Corner

Welcome Back!

I celebrate my third anniversary with First Parish Milton on Friday, September 9th. Time flies when you are having fun. We are delighted that Kathy and Laurel have joined our FP Staff Team. We are all learning together and it will probably be a little chaotic our first weeks together. Please have patience.

Shout out to our favorite sexton, Kevin Harnden, for making sure our meetinghouse and other facilities are in great shape to begin our program year.

STAY CONNECTED

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EVERY SUNDAY

Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse

Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church

THE SUNDAY PLANNER

Please consider volunteering for important Sunday worship positions like ushering, hosting social hour, providing flowers for worship, and lighting the chalice. Sign Up Here!