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… 
Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 at 4:00pm
at First Parish Milton Meetinghouse
No Zoom Available
A joyful, all-ages retelling of the Christmas story — UU-style! Join us in celebrating the spirit of hope, peace, and love through story, song, and laughter. May we kindle the light of love and hope together this season
No Rehearsal — Just Drop In!
Everyone is welcome to take part! Costumes, props, and simple parts will be provided. We will meet in front of the Meetinghouse or inside if the weather is below freezing.
Speaking Roles Available
Email Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.org or text 470-223-0337 if you would you like to help narrate or take a small speaking role. Scripts will be simple and easy to read from the page – no memorization or rehearsal needed!
Featuring:
Beloved carols and seasonal music
A creative, inclusive retelling of the nativity story
Props for all ages (or come as you are!)
Cider and cookies to follow
Worship Associate: Tom Kemp
Greeter: Ian Kemp
Audio: Sofia Nitolo
The 10pm Christmas Eve offering will be given to IFSI. The Immigrant Family Services Institute provides targeted academic support and enrichment services, using an holistic approach that addresses the unique challenges of immigrant children as a way to maximize their full potential in school and beyond.
Table of Contents
- This Week in Worship
- Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
- Music
- Religious Exploration
- News & Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
Sunday, Dec. 28th Service
December Worship Theme: ENLIGHTMENT “Give Me a Word”
Worship Associate: Jennie Mulqueen
Worship Associate: Amy Kavadlo
Social Hour: Ellen Barr and Dianna Wilson
Audio: Alex Felix
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
*Prayers
If you are attending the service on Zoom and would like a prayer included, please email Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org by 5:00pm on Saturday.
For the Christmas week, I offer two wonderfully written tributes.
An excerpt from “Amazing Peace: A Christmas Poem” by Maya Angelou:
At this Holy Instant, we celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ
Into the great religions of the world.
We jubilate the precious advent of trust.
We shout with glorious tongues at the coming of hope.
All the earth’s tribes loosen their voices
To celebrate the promise of Peace.
“The Work of Christmas” by Howard Thurman:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
when the star in the sky is gone,
when the kings and princes are home,
when the shepherds are back with their flocks,
the work of Christmas begins:
to find the lost,
to heal the broken,
to feed the hungry,
to release the prisoner,
to rebuild the nations,
to bring peace among the people,
to make music in the heart.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday 12/28, the music for the morning service looks ahead to the upcoming New Year. Claudia Welling will be singing “Auld Lang Syne”, and Grace Allendorf will be singing two New Year’s songs, by Irving Berlin and by Paul Horner.
Religious Exploration
RE Supply Wishlist:
If you happen to have any gently used children’s toy trucks, specifically “dump trucks” or “recycling trucks”, our Spirit Play classroom would love to have them! Our RE program is hoping someone has some they can donate so we don’t need to purchase new ones. Contact Susannah at redirector@fpmilton.org and thanks in advance!
News & Announcements
January 30, 2026
*note this is a date change
ADDING “MINDFUL” TO YOUR “MERRY”
Now, and in the New Year
First Parish Milton’s Social & Enviro Justice Committee members share a few ideas and asks as we enter into the “holidaze” and a new year of upheaval on many fronts.
Don’t purchase from three major corporations: Home Depot (ICE enablement), Target (pulled its support for DEI and Pride policies), and Amazon (ICE technology tools and regime enablement). Applying economic pressure on these “ubiquitous brands” is easy to do and effective when millions of shoppers support the boycott — this from Indivisible.
If you’re looking for organic foods, household products, or toiletries, check out Vitacost (owned by Kroger Co.). Online orders are shipped by carriers other than Amazon! For healthy dry goods and ingredients without the plastic trappings,Supply Bulk Foods — it’s a regional eco- friendly shop — perfect for holiday baking.
Shop local. Shop thrift stores (More Than Words, for books). Research your town’s “Buy Nothing/Freecycle” market groups for gifts and all kinds of other items.
Avoid cheap, fast fashion, if possible — buy as much quality and natural fibers as you can.
Make your gifts ~~~ or give the rarest of all gifts: your time. And wrap them with love in a brown paper bag instead of unrecyclable glitz and glam.
Looking to make your holiday (and everyday) spending reflect your values?
GoodsUniteUs.com can help. The website has a simple search function that gives you clear information about how companies spend their political dollars and what causes they support. With easy-to-read scorecards and straightforward explanations, you can quickly see whether a company’s actions align with your beliefs before you buy. In a time when our purchases have real social and political impact, GoodsUniteUs makes it easier to shop with intention and support businesses that reflect your values.
NEXT DATE IS January 21st
As in the past, First Parish will be making and delivering lunches to MainSpring (Fr. Bill’s Brockton site) at two locations in Brockton. We have been asked to provide 70 lunches on the third Wednesday of each month. The drop-off location will remain at the lower parking lot of FP, and will take place between 12:40 and 1:00. Drivers this year will be Cynthia, Ellen, Mary B., and Pat.
The Social & Environmental Justice committee thanks you for your continued participation in this effort.
Pat & Tracey
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, 10:30 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: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D44ACA728A02-57884860-20252026#/
You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.