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
A reminder the office is closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 31st Service
May Worship Theme: BEAUTY
“The Spirit of Democracy”
Worship Associate: Elise Henricks
Social Hour: Tracey Robinson and Franc Graham
Flowers: Liz O’Rourke
Audio: Holden Driscoll
This week’s offering will be given to THRIVEGulu. THRIVEGulu is a trauma recovery organization based in Gulu, Uganda. First Parish is a longtime supporter of this courageous organization. This year we are especially fortunate to welcome two members of the leadership team at THRIVEGulu: Mah-Séré Keita, Executive Director and Anita Stetson, Director of Operations and Development, US.
After the worship service on May 31, join Séré and Anita in the Chase Parlor to hear just a few of the stories that inspire and nurture THRIVEGulu’s vision for Northern Uganda in which “all people are treated with dignity, live in safety, and have the chance to contribute to the good of the community.”
For more information checkout their powerful website: https://thrivegulu.org/
This Sunday we will be exploring “the spirit of democracy”. I phrase it that way because the democratic process is a cherished value in our way of being in beloved community. Every voice matters.
Philosopher and theologian Cornel West offers this from an essay in the anthology The Good Citizen: “The roots of democracy are fundamentally grounded in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability. Yet democracy is also about giving each person a dignified voice in the decision-making processes in those institutions that guide and regulate their lives. These deeply moral suppositions have a certain spiritual dimension.”
This is not easy, yet in Unitarian Universalist circles this aspiration is sacred. We each have inborn truth and relational power, responsibilities that call us to honoring shared being.
This congregation practices the spirit of democracy in many ways, through encouraging voter participation to endeavoring to be a wholly welcoming community. These practices help not only our faith community but our advocacy for such a way of being in the world. This kind of wisdom, this kind of strength is sorely needed these days. Keep on keeping on!
In Faith, Rev. Lisa
Music
The choir anthem this week is one of our favorites, “Turn the World Around” by Harry Belafonte and Robert Freedman. Scott Ballantine will also be singing a lyrical solo called “Of Thee I Sing” by Jay Althouse and Sally K. Albrecht. The postlude is an interesting mash-up of Stephen Foster songs by American composer Ross Lee Finney.
Religious Exploration
The deadline to register for Summer Program is 5/31! Register here.
Want more ? Find all things Kids and Youth on the RE Linktree. For more information on any of the above contact Susannah at redirector@fpmilton.org or call 470-223-0337
News & Announcements
This is a reminder to check the jackets, water bottles, glasses, etc. in the lost and found container in the kitchen, as well as on the coat racks by Parish Hall. Anything not claimed after the picnic on 6/14 will be donated. Thank you for your cooperation.
Summer Services
Please consider sharing a piece of yourself with us this summer! A summer service doesn’t have to be your life story; you can choose one very specific topic and explore that. It can be personal or more academic. That’s the beauty of it—it’s completely up to you.
And we are here to provide as much help and support as you’d like. We have guidelines, a checklist, and a template for an order of worship. We’ll provide you with a worship assistant and a piano player if you want, as well.
Available dates are July 26, August 2, August 9, August 23.
Please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com if you’re interested.
Events
Membership Orientation June 7th 12:00 pm
On June 7th, the next Orientation session will be held at noon in the First Parish library. We will have a light lunch and spend an hour talking about the history of our denomination and what brings you to First Parish. This is intended for those who are new to Unitarian Universalism but anyone is welcome.
New Member Sunday
We will also be welcoming new faces to membership on the following Sunday – June 14th — so IF you have been thinking about signing the membership book and officially joining the church, now is the time. Please reach out to Leslie if you plan to come or if you have questions.
Childcare will be available
Annual End of Year Church Picnic
June 14, 2026
June 14th will be Rev Lisa’s final service with us AND our picnic. This wll be a pot luck, as we have done the last few years. Please let us know what you would like to bring. NO ONE does Pot Lucks as well as First Parish, so let’s send Rev Lisa off to retirement with a memorable meal.
Here is the sign-up
Social & Environmental Justice
June 17th is the last date – Resumes in September
First Parish makes and delivers lunches to MainSpring (Fr. Bill’s Brockton site) at two locations in Brockton. We 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. Cynthia Guise will be driving this day – any questions can be directed to her at clguise@comcast.net
The Social & Environmental Justice committee thanks you for your continued participation in this effort.
NEXT DATE IS June 17th
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
The Milton Garden Tour
Saturday, May 30th 10am to 3pm
Check in at the Forbes House Museum (215 Adams Street) to receive your garden passport, then explore some of Milton’s most beautiful private backyards at your own pace. Perfect for nature lovers and anyone looking for a relaxing spring outing.
Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 day of. Volunteers receive two free tickets.
Rain or shine.
Hello Neighbors – Celebrate Black History in June!
~Juneteenth in Hyde Park – Sat. June 13th, 10am-2pm, Martini Shell on Truman Pkwy Click here for more information
~5th Annual Juneteenth – Sat. June 20th, 4pm-7pm, Eustis Estate, Milton click here for more information
~Community Reading of Frederick Douglass, Thurs. June 25th, reception 6pm-7pm, reading at 7pm, with Introduction by Winston Daley
sign up here to read a small part of the speech.
The Historic Meetinghouse Tour
Jun 25, 2026, 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
First Church Roxbury (UU Urban Ministry), 10 Putnam St, Roxbury, MA 02119, USA
A guided tour of the historic First Church in Roxbury, led by Executive Director of UUUM, Rev. Mary Margaret Earl. Explore the rich legacy and recent refurbishments of this landmark building at the heart of the UU Urban Ministry.
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.