Rev. Lisa Ward has been our settled minister since August of 2016. Ordained in 1992, Rev. Lisa has served congregations in New York City, Queens, White Plains, NY and Harford County, MD. A graduate from Union Theological Seminary in NYC, she has engaged in social justice initiatives throughout her career… 
This Week in Worship
Sunday, February 3rd, 2019Worship at 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
“Lessons for Future Ancestors”
A reflection on finding success at the laundromat, heavy suitcases, and attending to the complexity of our times with love and resilience. Join us for a service of song and silence and a celebration of the journey we make in community.
Our Guest Minister This Week: Matt Meyer
Matt is a musician and community organizer who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston.
Minister
Rev. Lisa Ward
I hope you are planning to come to one or all of the events celebrating the 60th anniversary of our Wigglesworth Memorial Organ this Saturday. Months of preparation by our Music Director, Tim Steele, and the Music Committee has created offerings of a soup supper, a short history presentation, and a showing of the silent film, Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid”, with live organ accompaniment by internationally reknowned organist Peter Krasinski. Check for details below.
First Parish member Jeff Stoodt featured Peter Krasinski and the upcoming concert in a Milton Access TV interview:
There are so many wonderful elements of congregational life in this weekend. The events lift up the importance of history in this centuries old Meetinghouse. The gathering of soup and stories embraces the affirmation of community. And the welcome and celebration of music, in its many forms, is an important aspect of First Parish in Milton.
Come. Carve out some time and celebrate with us.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
We’re getting busier!
Do you have an upcoming meeting or gathering and need to book a room at the church?
Contact our Church Calendar Keeper, Megan Benders, at office@fpmilton.org to reserve space.
Religious Exploration
Nursery care will be available from 10:15 to 11:45 am in the Link hallway for infants and toddlers up to age 3.
On Sunday, February 3, all children from preschool through grade 8 will attend the entire multigenerational worship service in the Meeting House. Matt Meyer is an inspired drummer and storyteller and this service promises to be a treat for all ages!
Our Whole Lives Program (Grades 8 and 9, parental permission required): The Our Whole Lives class will meet on Sunday, January 27, from noon to 1:30 pm in the Children’s Church. Please drop off and pick up your youth from the front of the building so they can use the Children’s Church entrance as all other external doors will be locked.
Last chance to return Guest At Your Table boxes!
Register your child or youth! All families are requested to register their children or youth for our religious exploration programs. Please use this link to our online form: RE Registration Form (or paper registration forms are available on the RE bulletin board in the Link hallway).
Breakfast for Dinner! Saturday, February 9 at 6:30 pm
On Saturday, February 9, the youth of First Parish Milton will host a fun evening to earn money for their May service trip to CityReach Boston. This time, however, they will not be serving spaghetti. Join them for a real midwinter treat, breakfast for dinner! Wear your pajamas and slippers as you enjoy pancakes, bacon and other breakfast goodies. Gluten-free options will be available. Suggested cost is $5 per person. Please come and help the youth raise the final $236 needed to fund their trip. Linger after dinner to play board games together by the fireside. Bring your favorite board game to share and play!
Events, News and Announcements
Join us in the Parish Hall after worship for our montly pot luck!
Soup-er Supper! This Saturday!
On Saturday, February 2nd at 5:30, come one and come all to the Parish Hall. The First Parish “SOUP-ER SUPPER” will be an opportunity to socialize and also learn about an important event in the history of the church. Come enjoy an array of soups, followed by a brief talk at 6:10 from a guest speaker about our historic Wigglesworth Memorial Pipe Organ, which was installed 60 years ago. No ticket is required for this supper, but a $5 suggested donation will go to support the First Parish Organ Fund. This supper will be followed by a concert featuring the organ in the Meetinghouse at 7pm.
Milton Community Concerts
This Saturday, February 2nd at 7pm MCC and First Parish of Milton is proud to present Charlie Chaplin’s “The Kid” with live organ accompaniment by virtuoso organist Peter Krasinski.
Mr. Krasinski is known the world over for his live improvised accompaniments to silent films. Following a recent tour of Japan he now comes to Milton to celebrate the 60th installation anniversary of First Parish’s beautiful Schlicker pipe organ.
Tickets are $25 general/$15 seniors/free for 18 and under. Pay at the door.Cash, check, or credit cards accepted.
(Snow date: February 16).
Calling First Parish Cooks!
Robert Johnson and his family have found the weekly drop off of meals to be very helpful as they adjust to Sandra’s passing.
If you are able to bring a meal, https://takethemameal.com/ will bring you to a sign-in page. You will find the meal calendar and lots of information about their preferred foods. To find the calendar just put in Robert’s last name and the password 4540.
Mark your calendar for Dave Egan’s ordination service!
This Sunday, February 3rd, at 3:00, First Parish UU Canton along with Old Ship Church in Hingham will co-ordain First Parish Milton member Dave Egan to the Unitarian Universalist ministry. The service will be held in the Old Ship Meeting House, 107 Main Street, Hingham, MA. All are invited! Dave served as the intern last year at Old Ship and as the intern in Canton the year before. He is currently the Director of Family Ministry at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, as well as the Program Director for the Friday Night Supper Program, a weekly meal served to the homeless community in Boston.
SPIRITUAL WRITING WORKSHOP
First Wednesdays: 7 pm – 8:30 pm (Beginning February 6th)
Children’s Church, First Parish in Milton
Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward
There are many paths that awaken the heart. What helps in the journey is finding words to guide you along the way. These words are in you. Come find your voice through writing exercises. We will compose invocations, meditations, prayers, hymns, benedictions, and readings. You do not have to be experienced at writing, simply bring your experiences. Ages 16 and older welcome.
Please RSVP to Megan at: office@fpmilton.org. We’ll need at least six participants. Plan on four sessions.
Circle Socials
Circle Socials are social potluck/participatory events intended to promote deeper, “funner,” stronger connections within our First Parish community. Sign up during Social Hours or email event hosts.
Sunday, February 3, 5:30 p.m
Hosts- Deb Larson-Venable and Richard Venable
Get ready for a Superbowl Circle Social! Hosts will serve vegetarian chili and cornbread. Guests bring a snack, salad, dessert or beverage. Limit 10 adult guests. Note two friendly dogs and one friendly cat will join us for the excitement. To sign up, email Richard or sign up on the list on the Membership bulletin board in the Link.
Saturday, February 9, 3-6 p.m.
Hosts – Guy Pugh and Steve Yakutis
Outdoor winter fun at their Ponkapoag/Canton home; warm beverages and hearty appetizers following
Sunday, February 10, 4:30-6 p.m.
Hosts – Brigitte and Eric Miller and family
Simple dinner for families of young children. We will provide child-friendly food (pasta, fresh fruit, etc) in our Milton home. New and long-standing families welcome. We have 2 cats.
All Church Council
Parish Hall
6:00pm – 8:30pm
The Feb. 8 All Church Council meeting has been rescheduled to Friday, March 29th.
First Parish Chocolate Auction!
St. Valentine’s Day, when we celebrate the patron saint of Chocolate, is once again just around the corner. At First Parish, that means it’s CHOCOLATE AUCTION time again!
Be at Church on Sunday, February 10th for this annual tradition at First Parish starting at 11:45am. All members of the congregation are encouraged to bring some goodie for the auction. Items to be auctioned are brought to the Parish Hall before church on the morning of the Auction, where they will be on display before the service and immediately after, before the Auction starts. Items may be home-produced or purchased. Chocolate is the essential ingredient! Items should be attractively presented and ready to be carried home. A small card or label identifying the item and any information (ingredients – especially whether there are nuts or nut oils, name of maker (you or your family), interesting recipe history if any) – will be very helpful and much appreciated by Your Humble Auctioneer, Chris Pitt.
Courageous Conversations is a monthly series of dialogue-centered programs on racism and privilege designed to address racial healing and justice in our town. Each month the Courageous Conversations leadership team in partnership with the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association brings together a diverse group of people representing a wide array of life experiences, circumstances, and choices. All events are open to the public—anyone can attend a meeting whether or not they have attended in the past.
Save the Date for the February Courageous Conversations Event, centered on the School to Prison Pipeline. This event will also have a potluck dinner.
Parkway United Methodist Church158 Blue Hills Parkway, Milton, MA 02186
Sunday, February 10th, 2019
5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Green Gleanings
Are you bombarded with climate-news from all sides? So much to read; so little time; what’s factual vs. “alternative”? GAT member Tucker Smith recommends highly a New York TImes weekly e-newsletter called, “Climate Forward.” In it, journalists publish 1-2 BRIEF stories, insights, and tips so that readers can learn and ACT subsequently in daily life. Take a look, or subscribe (free)
A recent edition covered revolving doors. MIT studied campus pedestrians and found that only 23% of able-bodied people chose to use its revolving doors. Habitual use “would save 14.6 tons of carbon emissions annually — that amount generated by heating five households. Multiply that across all the revolving doors in the world and the energy savings could be significant.” Who knew?! What other habits shall we consider?
How do I create an account on Signup genius??
By creating your own account you can log in and sign up for Sunday Service Participation opportunities, swap your dates with other congregants, or enroll in signups created by the Church.
Here’s how to creat your own account:
-Go to https://www.signupgenius.com/index.cfm?go=c.Login
-Then click on new account. (Located below the facebook login option)
-Enter your own email and password.
-Click on the search button/magnifying glass icon that in the right top corner.
-A page should appear that says ‘search for a signup’.
-Enter the office email (office@fpmilton.org) and click the “I’m not a robot button’. Then the church’s signups will appear.
-Be sure to go back into your email account and open the email from Sign up Genius, subject line “Welcome to SignUpGenius”. Then click on the orange button that says “Activate my account.” Otherwise you won’t be able to log in again.
That’s it! You’re all set to use SignupGenius!
Snow Closing Information
Winter is coming. Just a few reminders about how First Parish handles Sunday worship and weekeday office closings. On Sundays, we will make a snow closing decision by 8 a.m. Look for cancellations in several places:-First Parish Milton Website-First Parish Milton UU Facebook page
-Channel 5/WCVB television & website
If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does the First Parish office.
If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.
Worship and Meditation at First Parish
Sunday Worship Weekly
Worship, 10:30 am in the Meetinghouse
Weekly Meditation Offerings
Sundays, Silent Prayer and Meditation, 9am in the Children’s Church
Thursdays, Silent Prayer and Meditation, 7pm in the Children’s Church
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 – 2:00 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, 10:30 am 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, 7:00 pm in the Children’s Church (Note new time)
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.