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
Sunday, January 8th Service
January Worship Theme: The Unknown “The Gift of Doubt”
Worship Associate: Lisa White
Greeter: Patrick Gallivan
Social Hour: Penny Knight and Sarah Wehle
Audio: Jeremiah Sitkoff
This week’s offering will be given to the Granada House. Granada House is a residential rehabilitation service in Allston. Their mission is to help residents live productively and achieve long term recovery from addiction. They use a holistic approach: physical, mental, and spiritual with a strong emphasis on social inclusion with regards to racial, ethnic, socio-economic status, disability, health, and sexual orientation. Deb Larson-Venable will speak on their behalf.
*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.
This week marks the 5th year anniversary of the storming of the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, where more than 2,000 rioters tried to stop democratic process and terrorize lawmakers, injuring 140 police officers in a frenzy of insurrection. This week also marks unabashed violent colonialism within the US government set on “running” another country to extract their oil. The cynical reasoning of law enforcement, which fueled a false narrative of justice for both atrocities, offers yet another lesson in how fragile our democratic republic is.
Just as Democracy takes the assent of the people, so, too, does its dissolution. This is not about one person, it’s about a failure of faith in a shared humanity. Peace and justice are being countermanded by “might makes right”. The celebration of shared life is being bulldozed into greed and corruption.
Right now. This is what is happening right now.
At our monthly Milton Interfaith Clergy Association’s meeting this week, the hopes for this year had a common theme: keep working the ripple effect of goodwill to spread far and wide. That, too, is happening right now.
Which wave will you ride? Come gather in community to keep hope afloat.
Blessings Be. Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday guest soloist David Won will be singing two solos. The first is by American composer Ricky Ian Gordon on a text by Emily Dickinson, called “Will There Really Be a Morning?”. The other is by Leonard Bernstein in a collaboration with WICKED composer Stephen Schwartz, “I Go On” from MASS. For the postlude the Meetinghouse Choir will offer an upbeat anthem by Elizabeth Alexander called “Cherish Your Doubt”.
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
From Membership:
Holiday Fair Thank YOU!
For those who are wondering, the Fair brought in almost $1300 which after expenses, gave us $850. A huge thank you to everyone who baked, donated items, volunteered and of course, SHOPPED. I know most of our crafters were happy with their sales and their interactions with all of you. This is one event that really takes a village and our village came through. BIG Thank you!
If you have any feedback that you can pass along, please do! Contact Leslie at lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
Would you like to host social hour on Sunday, January 18?
If yes, you can click here to sign up.
Thank you. And we appreciate your hospitality!
January 30, 2026
*note this is a date change
EVENTS
DAY OF SERVICE MAKING BLESSING BAGS!
“Blessing bags” offer grace that is small but love filled! They contain personal care items for people who are unhoused / unstably-housed in downtown Boston, and will be distributed to a number of downtown communities on MLK Day, January 19th .
Join with your community to pack these items in bags or drop them off at the event!
Each bag includes…
- white unscented bar soap
- toothbrush & toothpaste
- comb
- shampoo
- deodorant
- hand lotion
- tissues small
- hand sanitizer
all sized to be packed into a gallon-sized freezer Ziplock.
Event Details Monday January 19th, 2025 9 – 11am Cunningham Hall 77 Edgehill Rd, Milton or Bring already prepared bags for drop-off by 11:00am that day to St. Michael’s Church 112 Randolph Avenue, Milton, MA 02186 Simply come along, or contact us through our website
https://miltoninterfaith.wordpress.com
Friday January 23rd 7:00pm-9:00pm
doors open at 6:30pm
FP Blue Hills Coffee House event
The evening will include musical performances featuring local folk/acoustic artists. Coffee, tea, other non alcoholic drinks, snacks and baked goods will be served.
The event is open to the public.
First Parish’s Chocolate Auction
Save the Date!
February 8th
details coming soon!
Social & Environmental Justice
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
January Eleventh Hour Standout for Democracy
Sunday, January 11
Assemble by 3 p.m. in front of First Parish; Adjourn 3:30 p.m.
YOU, your signs, percussion, and voices are welcomed!!
There are 20 LARGE “Signs of Fascism” posters — can we have 20 poster-holders standing out and resisting together? All ages are invited. Milton’s Visibility Brigade stands out in East Milton Square, near the Central Post Office and the I-93 overpass, on Wednesdays, 3-4 p.m. [Note: If future winter weather conditions look hazardous,we will postpone the standout to another date.]
“If Americans rise to the occasion, they can deliver an historic rebuke to [the Washington, D.C. regime], allowing the hard work of repair to begin. Our failure to do so would spell catastrophe for democratic recovery.” The Contrarian, January 5 (slightly edited)
Beyond First Parish
MLK Breakfast Invitation
Saturday, January 17th 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan Square would like to invite First Parish Members to their MLK Breakfast on Saturday, January 17 from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Tickets are $25 and you will be joining Debbie Alsebai and Ellen Barr for this meaningful celebration with out Mattapan neighbors celebrating the contributions Martin Luther King Jr. made to the world. Please email Debbie @DebbieAlsebai to reserve tickets.
Tracey Robinson and Mary Blanchette will be attending this event. Let us know if you want to carpool. tdr02186@gmail.com mbpa@comcast.net
First Parish Goes to the Theater!
There is an incredible amount of good theater here in Boston and so many of these shows line up with our UU values. Please join me by emailing Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net if you are interested in tickets. Please indicate # of tickets, seating preference, and if there are any seniors 65+ or Students attending. I am charging Group Face Value for tickets and will organize car pools depending on how many people are attending.
Wonder – Saturday, February 7th at 2:00 at the Loeb American Repertory Theater
This family musical adaptation of R.J. Palacio’ a NYTimes bestseller and the acclaimed film follows Auggie Pullman, A middle schooler with a facial difference, and his family as they navigate what it means to belong. Celebrating empathy, resilience, and the power of choosing kindness. Tickets are $73 for adults and $30 for students.
Kinky Boots – Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 PM at the Boston Opera House
Charlie Price has reluctantly inherited his father’s shoe factory, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. Trying to live up to his father’s legacy and save his family business, Charlie finds inspiration in the form of Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. As they work to turn the factory around, this unlikely pair find that they have more in common than they realized…and discover that when you change your mind, you can change your whole world. Tickets are between $108 and $40 depending on Orchestra, Mezzanine or Balcony seating.
Suffs – Sunday, March 29 at 6:30 PM at the Emerson Colonial Theater
Suffs is about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season. Suffs humanizes, empowers, moves and entertains! Tickets are between $125 and $40 depending on Orchestra, Mezzanine or Balcony seating.
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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
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