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
Sunday, May 3rd Service
April Worship Theme: BEAUTY
“Unity Sunday at First Parish”
Worship Associate: Dottie Pitt
Greeter: Owen McGonagle
Social Hour: Dottie Pitt & Allison Zippay
Audio: Jeremiah Sitkoff
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
On a radio interview this morning, I heard the phrase: “these are the reasons that I cannot be hopeless”. Nice frame. We are all challenged with finding ways to stay hopeful. We are all capable of finding reasons not to be hopeless.
What I like about this framing, is that the daily deluge of hope-wounding news encourages either a sense of give up or cynicism; both can easily overwhelm hope. But to find the things that still sing in our hearts or interrupt our gloom can create a resilience that human-made catastrophe cannot erase. We’re just plain not in charge of it all.
So, I challenge you to list reasons that defy hopelessness. Most likely, many on the list will seem small – moments of beauty, laughter, pockets of joy, something more to learn, etc…These things are under the radar, so to speak, of the dementors of hopelessness. Gathered enough by enough people and a culture can downright change. May it be so.
Amen. Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday we welcome the choir from United Congregational Church (Matthew Larson, Minister of Music) to join with our Meetinghouse Choir in singing the anthem “Make Space for Life to Live” by Michael John Trotta. Mr. Trotta is an accomplished composer, conductor, and educator. He says he was inspired to write this piece during long walks on the beach as he watch the “vastness of the sea”, teaching him to experience the simple joys that every moment has to offer. Grace Allendorf will also be offering a song called “Where the Music Comes From”, by American composer Lee Hoiby.
“Celebrating Asian Composers and Performers: An AAPI Concert” Saturday May 9th
On Saturday, May 9 from 2-5 and 6-9 Milton Community Concerts presents a family-friendly come-and-go-as-you-please free benefit concert: “Celebrating Asian Composers and Performers: An AAPI Concert”, in honor of AAPI Heritage Month.
Donations will go to support the Asian Community Fund at the Boston Foundation. Dinner will be available for purchase in the Parish Hall from 5:00-6:00. Twenty-seven Asian performers will be sharing their time and talents for this event. During the concert, at 7:00pm, a group of singers will be singing an anthem composed by First Parish choir member Trisha Tu. If anyone would like to be a part of this group please let Tim know (eliztim95@gmail.com). We would love to have a large group of singers participate.
Religious Exploration
The nursery is open on Mother’s Day weekend, but there will not be RE class. Instead families are invited to the Mother’s Day Walk for Peace!
The deadline to register for Summer Program is 5/31! Register here.
Upcoming Know Your Rights Keychain making event for all ages is happening on 5/31!
OWL registration is open for Fall 2026 hosted by both FPM and Milton UCC register here
The Youth Art Gallery is still accepting submissions! Contact Dianna Wilson at diannaw710@gmail.com if questions.
First Parish Milton Unitarian Universalist and United Congregational Church in Milton offering Our Whole Lives (OWL) Class in Our Community
Adolescence is a time of rapid growth, exploration, and important decision-making. Young people deserve honest, accurate, affirming, and developmentally appropriate information about sexuality—information that supports their health, strengthens their sense of self-worth, and helps them build respectful, responsible relationships.
For these reasons, First Parish Milton and United Congregational Milton are proud to jointly offer a comprehensive sexuality education class using the Our Whole Lives (OWL) curriculum for 9th-10th graders coming Fall 2026. Classes will be once a month Sundays from 1pm to 4:30pm (with time for snacks and breaks built in).
“Honest, accurate information about sexuality changes lives.” That’s the promise of Our Whole Lives (OWL), a comprehensive, lifespan sexuality education curriculum. This comprehensive sexuality education curriculum is made possible by a long-standing ecumenical partnership rooted in shared values of dignity, compassion, and justice. For 25 years, this co-published curriculum by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, has empowered participants to dismantle stereotypes and assumptions, build self-acceptance and self-esteem, fosters healthy relationships, and strengthen decision-making skills.
This class will seek to support teens as they navigate identity, relationships, communication, consent, boundaries, sexual health, and decision-making in ways that are informed, thoughtful, and grounded in respect for themselves and others.
By offering OWL together, our congregations affirm that providing teens with reliable information, trusted adults, and a safe, values-centered learning environment is an expression of faith and care. We are honored to support our youth during this important stage of life and to offer OWL as a resource that empowers them to make healthy, responsible, and authentic choices.
For more information contact redirector@fpmilton.org or call 470-223-0337.
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
Reminder the Annual Meeting of First Parish will be held May 17th, after worship service. Mark your calendars!
SOCIAL HOUR hosts needed:
May 24
If you are new to hosting or need a refresher, don’t worry! A member of the Hospitality Committee will answer your questions, and provide instructions.
Social & Environmental Justice
MILTON GREEN UP 2026
MAY 1ST-3RD WEEKEND
DIY / FAMILY / NEIGHBORHOOD / GROUP
This annual town event, in collaboration with Sustainable Milton, is an important rite of Spring! Please sign up here to register. Special green trash bags and info packets are available starting April 27 at Milton Town Hall Engineering Office.
IMPORTANT: Green Up trash bags will be picked up for disposal by DPW Town Staff on Monday May 4th. Telling us where your trash stash will be located is CRUCIAL. DPW crews can’t pick up the bags if they don’t know exactly where they are- and all your hard work would be for nothing!
Check out the Town’s webpage for more details and suggestions.
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
ELEVENTH HOUR STAND UP FOR DEMOCRACY
Monday, May 11th
6:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
This monthly event will repeat at First Parish Church in Milton UU, 535 Canton Avenue. Bring your favorite signs from May Day or NO KINGS 3.0, your Singing Resistance voices, percussion, friends and neighbors to amplify messages of Community and Resilience. Take a break from your Monday-as-usual routine, stand up, and JOIN. It’s family-friendly and lively at rush hour.
**The next event will be held Thursday, June 11, 6-6:30 p.m. at the same convenient venue in Milton’s town center. Spread the word.
NEXT DATE IS MAY 20TH
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
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.