Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
• Music
• Religious Exploration
• News & Announcements
• Events
• Social & Environmental Justice

Sunday, January 15th Service

January Worship Theme: The Unknown “The Gift of Awe”

Worship Associate: Tom Kemp

Greeter: Andrea Geyling

Social Hour: Dianna Wilson and Ellen Barr

Flowers: Trisha Tu

Audio: Nicholas Miller

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.

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A Celebration of Life Service for beloved member and former FPM Music Director, Emma Jean Moulton, will be held on Saturday, January 17th at First Parish at 2:00 PM. A reception will follow in Parish Hall.

Listening to speeches by Martin Luther King, Jr – a wonderful annual exercise – I hear the apt descriptions of colonialism and of the poignant naming of the the “triple-prong sickness that has been lurking within our body politic from its very beginning”— “the sickness of racism, excessive materialism and militarism.”

These are words from Dr. King’s keynote address to the National Conference on New Politics, entitled “The Three Evils of Society”, delivered in August of 1967. Here’s some more: “Yes the hour is dark, evil comes forth in the guise of good. It is a time of double talk when men in high places have a high blood pressure of deceptive rhetoric and an anemia of concrete performance.”

There is no doubt in my mind that Dr. King was a prophet, for his words are describing the cultural sicknesses we are presently, blatantly experiencing.

Where does he go with this understanding? He lands on fierce love and nonviolent protest, civil disobedience and faith assurance that, although the rancid nature of human being is possible and presently thriving, the soul nature of human beings can prevail.

“Somewhere we must see that justice is indivisible,” he frames his key note conclusion, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere and I have fought too long and too hard against segregated public accommodations to end up at this point in my life, segregating my moral concerns.

So let us stand in this convention knowing that on some positions; cowardice asks the questions, is it safe; expediency asks the question, is it politic; vanity asks the question, is it popular, but conscious asks the question, is it right. And on some positions, it is necessary for the moral individual to take a stand that is neither safe, nor politic nor popular; but he must do it because it is right. And we say to our nation tonight, we say to our Government, we even say to our FBI, we will not be harassed, we will not make a butchery of our conscience, we will not be intimidated and we will be heard.”

Preach it!

We’ve been here before. We need not despair but rather work that fierce love of being into new ways of being.

This I pray, Rev. Lisa

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Music

This Sunday we honor Martin Luther King, Jr. through our music. The Meetinghouse Choir will be offering Margaret Bonds arrangement of  the well-known freedom song “We Shall Overcome”.

We also welcome guest soprano Sarah Joyce Cooper who will sing a powerful solo called “Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Dave Ragland, on a text by Gwendolyn Brooks. 

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Religious Exploration

• NEW LINKTREE: We have a new one-stop shop for all our links and need to knows for easy access! It’s called Linktree and you can visit it here. You can visit it anytime to invite friends to events, RSVP, see the full calendar or find other resources. Especially helpful when we don’t have extra space in the bulletin, the link, the RE email update, or our own brains! 
• FAMILY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY: Join Susannah and Rev. Lisa an all ages Blessing Bag Making Event January 19th, 2025 9am – 11am! Meet at Cunningham Hall 77 Edgehill Rd, Milton! No RSVP required :) 
• RSVP for Valentines Party on our brand new Linktree, so we know how much pizza to get! It’s Feb. 7th 5-7p in Parish Hall!
• COFFEE HOUSE CHILDCARE: The Blue Hills Coffee House on 1/23 will have Childcare 6:20-9pm! 
• LET’S GO TO THE THEATRE: Families are invited to go see Wonder 2/15 at 2:00pm at the Loeb American Repertory Theater with Debbie Alesbai. This show is both kid-friendly and such a great conversation starter for talking about the UU values, principles and sources! 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. If you would like to go reach out to Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net and indicate # of tickets, seating preference, and if there are any seniors 65+ or Students attending. She is charging Group Face Value for tickets and will organize carpools depending on how many people are attending.
• VOLUNTEER THIS SUMMER: This summer, our congregation wants to create a joyful, meaningful, and safe space for children to explore kindness, creativity, and community — and we need you to help make it happen! Volunteering with the UU Summer Kids Program (Aug 24-28) is a beautiful way to live your values, build relationships across generations, and have a lot of fun along the way. Whether you can help once or all week long, your presence matters. Why volunteer? Earn service hours or professional experience (for students and educators!) Share your talents — from storytelling to arts and crafts, music, science, activism, or simply being a warm, steady presence! Be part of a caring, collaborative team! Inspire curiosity and compassion in our youngest members! No experience? No problem. Training, materials, and support are provided — all you need is a willing heart and a commitment to our community’s values. Sign up today or contact Susannah to learn more about how you can get involved. Together, let’s give our kids a summer they’ll never forget! Let Susannah know if your interested or sign up to volunteer at the Linktree. 

A NOTE ABOUT ICE: 

Dear Friends, 

There is so much going on in the world and our nation and one request hit home for me this week was this: “I’d love some resources about how to talk to kids about ICE.” You got it! I know this conversation is not one anyone wants to have and that having these conversations in an age appropriate way can feel very difficult. And we know that just like other topics that can be tough to discuss with kids, often they are either already more aware than we know OR they are likely to hear from someone else (a friend, a friends parent, media, classmates etc.) about it and what they hear may or may not reflect your families values and/or hopes for them so a willingness to be available to discuss it can be helpful. But how?! Well, there is not one right way to do this. That said there are some good resources out there and some hallmarks of having difficult conversations. I offer these below and if you have resources you would like to share, please do so by emailing me at redirector@fpmliton.org. 

Why and How to Talk about It

Why Talking about Immigration Matters

Advice about how to support kids during crisis

Advice about how to Talk to Kids during loss, crisis, or disaster

Advice from a Clinical Psychologist about how to Talk about ICE with Kids

A Glossary of Terms about Immigration for When Kids Ask Particular Terms

Resources for Families and Friends Affected By ICE 

ICE Hotline and Know your Rights Wallet Cards

For Immigrant Families: Know Your Rights

How to Create an Immigration Emergency Plan for Families

Please know I am available to have a chat with you and/or your kids/youth about any of what they are seeing in the news or hearing about in their community, not as an expert but as a co-journeyer with you in this season. We will meet this moment together, with our values and with our faith, as Beloved Community. 

Warmly, 

Susannah 

Summer Program Volunteers Needed

This summer, our congregation wants to create a joyful, meaningful, and safe space for children to explore kindness, creativity, and community — and we need you to help make it happen! Volunteering with the UU Summer Kids Program (Aug 24-28) is a beautiful way to live your values, build relationships across generations, and have a lot of fun along the way. Whether you can help once or all week long, your presence matters. 

Why volunteer?

• Inspire curiosity and compassion in our youngest members
• Be part of a caring, collaborative team
• Share your talents — from storytelling to arts and crafts, music, science, activism, or simply being a warm, steady presence
• Earn service or volunteer hours (for students and professionals!)

No experience? No problem.

Training, materials, and support are provided — all you need is a willing heart and a commitment to our community’s values.

Ready to help shape a summer full of wonder? 

Sign up today or contact Susannah to learn more about how you can get involved. Together, let’s give our kids a summer they’ll never forget.

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News & Announcements

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! 

Please join us for the All Church Council on January 30 at 6 PM. Representatives from each committee will be there, but all are welcome to attend. You will learn about the plans that are underway for the ministerial transition. We welcome your thoughts to help guide the process during this important step in our church’s evolution and growth. We will have a light supper of pizza and salad. Please join the fun.

If you are a committee or community member interested in attending, please email Susan at manager@fpmilton.org.

Chairs- please response to the evite from Mark for his headcount!

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!

Bags should be gallon sized, freezer Zip lock and should include the following items:

• white unscented bar soap
• toothbrush & toothpaste
• comb
• shampoo
• deodorant
• hand lotion
• tissues small
• hand sanitizer

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

Visit https://miltoninterfaith.wordpress.com for more information.

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!

First Parish’s Bi-Annual Auction is Back !

Saturday, April 11  6:00pm – 9:00pm

Planning is just beginning for one of our favorite events ! Please reach

out to anyone of us on the organizing committee to ask questions, share

thoughts and find out how you can get involved !

Mary Blanchette: mbpa@comcast.net

Cathy McGonagle: owencathy@comcast.net

Mark Ostrem: marko105@aol.com

Jen Pinkus: jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com

Lisa White: lisawhite1250@gmail.com

Allison Zippay: azippay3@gmail.com

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

Click here to Sign-up

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.

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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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.