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… 
Table of Contents
- This Week in Worship
- Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
- Music
- Religious Exploration
- News & Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
- **Be sure to click “View entire message” below content to see whole newsletter.**
Sunday, April 5th Service
April Worship Theme: EMBODIMENT
“Transformation”
Worship Associate: Steve Yakutis
Greeters: Guy Pugh
Social Hour: Andrea Geyling Moore (coffee only)
Audio: Jeremiah Sitkoff
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.
Special Meeting Reminder
First Parish has a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 12th, directly after worship, to vote on funding the basement renovation. After the vote, we will move to the Parish Hall for our special “Loving the Earth” social hour.
Apparently, today, April 2, is “International Fact-Checking Day”. This day was established in 2016 by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). IFCN was founded by the Poynter Institute, a world renowned school for journalists. IFCN promotes clear standards for discernment of the truth of information.
I’m sure many caught the irony of this day falling after “April Fool’s Day”. Perhaps it is a gesture to shake the desire to lie, obfuscate, misdirect and falsely claim out of our system so that we can get down to what is the lifeblood of a healthy democracy: free, fair and reliable information.
When the world-wide web became a reality, the sharing of stories, opinions, influence and news augmented beyond our ability to monitor the flow of information. I remember feeling a chill down my spine at the last Vice-Presidential debate when the then candidate JD Vance protested that the moderator was fact checking him in real time. How have we gotten so far into our disregard of fair play and our rejection of the sacred endeavor of truth?
Yes, in politics we play with ways of seeing things to attain support, but when the phenomenon of “fake news” accusations became parlance, the already fragile trust in democracy diminished.
So today is a reminder to fact-check ourselves and each other when what we are hearing leads us to the choices we make. It is such a gift to be in community with responsible people who seek to “build a healthy world with faith, love, and compassion.”
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Easter Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be opening the service with a boisterous Call to Worship called “Sing a Song Today” by Katherine R. Mitchell-Parker. The anthem for the service is called “Rise”, by VIctor C. Johnson, written in 2015. Grace Allendorf and Scott Ballantine will also be presenting a duet called “Who I Am”, by Sandy Ramos, arranged by Carl Strommen, dedicated to teachers everywhere.
Religious Exploration
Help us prepare for the Egg Hunt!
Do parents have to attend?
No, this will be a chaperoned event, parents are not required to attend. We currently have 3 chaperones confirmed. According to TreeTop Adventures: “Parents do not need to climb with their kids. We do recommend having some climbing chaperones to help kids who may benefit from more consistent adult support in the trees. Our staff is available in the practice area and spread out on the ground throughout the course as needed but climbing adults help climbers throughout the trail if needed. They also give them access to “reach” trails for their age group. Adults can take kids on a “reach” trail for their age in a ratio of 1 adult for every 3 youth.”
For more information email redirector@fpmilton.org
Save the date: RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION SUNDAY
Join us for a joyful service celebrating the children and youth of First Parish Milton and the year we’ve shared together.
This special service will be partially led by our kids, who will share readings, reflections, and moments from their journey this year. Together we’ll celebrate curiosity, community, and the spirit of learning that shapes our program.
All are welcome — families, friends, and the whole congregation! Come celebrate our young people and the vibrant year we’ve experienced together.
RE Linktree QR Code
Want to see what’s happening in Religious Exploration with kids, youth and adults? Scan the RE Linktree QR code to view all our links and need to know info! You can visit it anytime to catch up, RSVP, sign up to volunteer, share info on RE events and resources with friends, see the full calendar and find other resources. Questions: email redirector@fpmilton.org
News & Announcements
TENEBRAE
April 3rd 7:00pm – Childrens Church
Slow, somber, inclusive.
A service to commemorate the tragedy of Jesus’ death.
SAVE THE DATE – MAY 17TH
Reminder the Annual Meeting of First Parish will be held May 17th, after worship service. Mark your calendars!
From Membership ~ The UU Elevator Speech
Last Thursday is TODAY April 2nd
7:00pm-9:00pm
If you want to join us but haven’t already expressed interest, please let Leslie know lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE TO SET SAIL FOR GENEROSITY
Saturday, April 11th 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Ahoy, FPers!
Our big spring fundraiser auction is almost here! Please come! It’s a great opportunity to support the FP community and all the work we do. A $10 donation at the door gets you two drinks tickets, and there’ll be delicious appetizers and desserts that you can enjoy while bidding on amazing donations, playing games like Heads or Tails and Spin to Win—and having your photo taken with the Rev. Lisa!
While the auction isn’t open to all landlubbers, we do strongly encourage you to bring friends. The more the merrier! Babysitting is available—just let Susannah know.
Check out the auction catalog to preview items and plan your bidding strategy! There are vacation homes that provide a fun way to vacation with family, FP friends, or others—and lots more.
Click link below to view catalog:
https://firstparishmilton.betterworld.org/auctions/set-sail-generosity-first-parish
Please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com or Jenn Pinkus at jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
Social & Environmental Justice
Stand Up For Democracy and Our Beloved Earth
Saturday April 11th & Sunday April 12th
It’s a celebratory, action-filled weekend!
April’s Eleventh Hour Standout for Democracy
Saturday, April 11, 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. returns to First Parish Church in Milton along Canton Avenue
Bring your signs, voices, percussion, friends & neighbors
Plenty of time afterward to attend the “Set Sail for Generosity Auction” at 6 p.m
And the following morning, Sunday’s worship is a special “Loving Our Earth” service with decor, music, readings, testimonies, followed after with allied Social Hour refreshments and activism tables.
Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk for Peace
For over 20 years First Parish members have supported the Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. We have donated proceeds from a Share the Plate service as well as signed up as a walking team at the event.
The Louis D. Brown organization serves as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss.
We will be donating our April 26th Share the Plate in support of Louis D. Brown Institute. We will also be gathering on Mother’s Day morning as the FP Milton walking team to walk the 5k route through Dorchester.
Visit the Social & Environmental Justice table in the parish hall following Sunday services for more information or contact Pat Gallivan pl.gallivan@verizon.net or Ellen Barr eriosbarr@gmail.com
NEXT DATE IS APRIL 15th
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
Beyond First Parish
2026 Neponset River Spring Cleanup
April 25th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Scan code for more information and to register.
See or contact Susannah Bales redirector@fpmilton.org or Tucker Smith tsmith62676@gmail.com
2026 Neponset River Spring Cleanup
April 25th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Scan code for more information and to register.
See or contact Susannah Bales redirector@fpmilton.org or Tucker Smith tsmith62676@gmail.com
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.