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, January 25th Service
January Worship Theme: The Unknown “Big Music Sunday”
Worship Associate: Dottie Pitt
Social Hour: Pat & Leah Gallivan and Tom Kemp
Audio: Alex Feliz
This week’s offering will be given to the Stone House. The Stone House combines the security of a safe environment with a range of programs and services — residential and community based — to support trauma recovery, personal growth and development of essential life skills. Their overarching mission is to help participants create a path to a secure, positive and fulfilling life. Kathryn Fagan, Interim CEO & COO 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.
Snow Expected Sunday/Monday
We are expected to have a large snowstorm between Sunday and Monday this upcoming weekend.
As of right now, we are planning on having Sunday Services, as the storm is not expected to start until the afternoon.
As a reminder, if we cancel Sunday Services due to weather, we will send out an email, post a notice on our Facebook page, and update our website by 8am Sunday.
Yoga has been cancelled for Monday, 1/26- the instructor, Elyse, will be sending an email to everyone as well.
On Tuesday, I attended a Congressional Hearing on Haitian TPS Termination, which is scheduled to go into effect on February 3, unless a postponement is put into place. It was held in Mattapan, chaired by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, co-chair of the House Haitian Caucus, with various civic leaders, faith leaders, TPS holders and allies.
Here are some statistics: 77,000 Haitians call Massachusetts home. This state houses the third largest diaspora of Haitians in the country. Nationwide, 350,000 TPS holders are in jeopardy of losing their status, 45,000 of which are in this State. With our work with IFSI (Immigrant Family Services Institute), we know that many Haitians live in Mattapan and surrounding areas.
The hearing was just that: a 3 hour listening session of how the expiration of TPS will affect residents, businesses and the labor market. A corollary was the sharing of justification for the worthiness of TPS holders and the horror of returning to Haiti; a dangerous, presently ungovernable country. I was saddened and, frankly appalled, that we have to justify the worth and dignity of Haitians in this present political climate. The malice and the cruelty that is rampant in our country is heart-breaking, and terribly self-destructive.
There is another witness occurring this Friday in Minneapolis against the tactics and brutal culture of ICE. Faith leaders and allies from all over the country will march in solidarity for justice, freedom and equity, defying ICE’s tactics.
Katy Fazio, Minister of Children and Families at United Congregational (across the town green) will be attending this witness. Let us send prayers, strength and love to her and the many people who will be joining voices in solidarity.
Rev. RG Wilson-Lyons has invited our congregation to a Find Hope Now Dinner on February 5th at 6 pm to hear of Katy’s experience. Scroll down for more information in a flyer. If interested: Please RSVP for dinner by clicking HERE.
It’s important to remember that none of us can do it all, but in solidarity we can support one another in a larger web of advocacy. Show up when you can. Give support when you can. Keep yourself grounded and ready for response.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday is Music Sunday, featuring a multitude of musicians from our First Parish community under a theme of “Folk Songs and Spirituals”. The Meetinghouse Choir will offer a spiritual called “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around”. Other music will feature the First Parish Chamber Ensemble, Owen Hartford, Charlie Franich, Karl Pastore, Claudia Wellington, and our four Hunsaker soloists. The folk songs will come from the US, Colombia, Newfoundland, and the Bahamas. The service will close with a full ensemble singing “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”.
Religious Exploration
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!
- 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!
- 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
News & Announcements
Aging Together: The Prequel
A new small group for folks exploring and approaching retirement and beyond
February 22nd following social hour
In Teen Room Upstairs
and/or reach out to Dianna Wilson and Paul Casaz
We sincerely thank you for your generous gift to the organizations below. We are so lucky to have your support.
· Courageous Conversations 12/2025 $885.00
· IFSI 12/24/2025 $642.00
· AFAB 11/23/2025 $1,063
· Reclaim Our Vote 11/09/2025 $780.00
· UU Urban Ministry 10/26/2025 $960.00
· Movement Voter Fund 10/19/2025 $1,077.00
· UU Mass Action 9/28/2025 $676.00
Our Annual Budget Drive Begins!
The Stewardship Committee announces that this year’s Annual Budget Drive will begin as of Sunday, January 25th and will conclude on Commitment Sunday, March 15th with our Gathering in Gratitude Celebration. The financial commitments that we receive from our members and friends over the next two months will be used to cover First Parish’s operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2027, which begins on July 1st. Each household will be receiving an email from Stewardship in the next week or so asking for your contribution. Embedded in the email will be a “link” via which you can simply and easily submit your financial commitment for next year. In future weeks we will also include the “link” here in the Link for your convenience.
There is so much going on at First Parish, and we want to be sure we can support it. If you have already been a financial supporter of First Parish, we are very grateful. Our hope is that you would consider a 3% addition to the amount you contributed last year. If this is your first time making a financial commitment, we will be very grateful for whatever you choose to contribute.
Thank you and may all your wallets be willing!
The Stewardship Committee of First Parish in Milton—Charles Franich (chair), Rob Dahl, Mallory Digges, and Jim May
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
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 First Parish performers. 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
28th Annual Chocolate Auction –
Sunday, February 8th, 11:45 – 1:00 (or so) in the Parish Hall
With love in our hearts and chocolate in our hands, our beloved chocolate auction is coming right up! This is a delightful all church event, brought to First Parish by Chris and Dottie Pitt. Many thanks to co-founder Dottie Pitt, who will once again serve as registrant extraordinaire to keep track of bids. All ages are welcome, and child care is available in the nursery for age 5 and younger if desired.
Here’s how to get started:
* Beforehand, bake/create/donate a chocolate confection or anything with chocolate in it.
*The item needs to be attractively presented and ready to be carried home, without expecting the dish to be returned.
*Please label the item and list the ingredients, especially if it is gluten-free, or there are nuts or nut oils in it.
*When you decide on a home-produced or purchased item with chocolate as the main ingredient, please drop it off at Parish Hall before the worship service on February 8th.
Questions about the auction or what to make? Contact Deb Alsebai: debalsebai@gmail.com
Thank you in advance for your delectable contribution!
Stay tuned for the next installment about the Chocolate Auction in next week’s LINK.
“Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate!” – Chris Pitt
Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!
This is a great way to introduce your non-First Parish friends to how much fun we have at FPM.
First Parish’s Bi-Annual Auction is Back !
Saturday, April 11th 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
Ruth Hannon:
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
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.
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.