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
- This Week in Religious Exploration
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Beloved Community”
Worship Assistant: Amy Kavadlo
Music: Tim Steele
Audio: Nina Truog
Sunday’s offering will go to the service and ministry of First Parish.
Masks are strongly recommended in the meetinghouse; masks are still required for those who have not been vaccinated. Respect and consideration should be given to all regardless of their masking choice.
The Racial Justice Task Force has invited the congregation to add our voices to the “8th Principle Project”, a denomination-wide endeavor to deepen intention and accountability in addressing systems of oppression. Please scroll down this e-newsletter for further explanation.
Part of the discernment is to come to a shared understanding of terminology. One phrase that peaks interest is “beloved community”. What are we talking about here? Who are we talking about here? Why is it important in anti-oppression work?
These are open questions that inspire diverse imaging and visioning. This Sunday’s worship will focus in on Dr. Martin Luther King’s imaging of beloved community. He learned the term from philosopher-theologian Josiah Royce, and found a way to popularize it in the civil rights movement.
Though, I do want to say, that this week has been spirited by beloved community at First Parish. Countless volunteers rallied around the wake and memorial for Chris Pitt. The nourishment of food for the family, visits for condolences, and volunteer support for the standing room only memorial service. Pitching in, inspired by love and compassion, giving of what we can. Beauty to behold. Beloved Community that inspires.
Grateful for you, Rev. Lisa
Music For Sunday
This Sunday guest soloist Vanessa Naghdi will be returning to sing “We are One, We are Many”, by Rick and Hillary Wagner, arranged by Jim Scott. Vanessa is a Persian-American soprano who recently sang the role of Flora in LA TRAVIATA with Mass Opera at the Eustis Estate in Milton. She was also featured in performances with the St. Petersburg Opera and Opera Colorado. Claudia Wellington and Pat Neves will also be singing “Lean on Me’ by Bill Withers.
Religious Exploration
This Sunday there will be an all ages workshop in the Parish Hall.
Coming of Age will meet at 4pm.
Events and Meetings
From Membership Committee
First Parish Membership is starting up our walking group again. Dianna Wilson will gather interested walkers at 12:15 pm on Sunday, January 29th at the entrance to the Pope John Paul II Park in Dorchester. Contact Dianna if you are interested in walking: diannaw710@gmail.com or 857-251-2485
New Member Orientation
First Parish Membership will be offering an Orientation session at the end of the month. It will be held in two parts, over Zoom, on the evenings of January 31 and February 7th.
If you have wanted to become a member, let Leslie or Rev Lisa know that you are interested in attending. Let us know if you have questions,too! Lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
Milton Interfaith Clergy Association
ANNUAL REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION
Kenote address by Rahsaan Hall
“A time comes when silence is betrayal”
Monday, January 16, 2023
6:30 pm- 8:00 pm
Concord Baptist Church
180 Blue Hill Ave.
Milton, Ma
www.cbcboston.org and click on Live Stream, or visit Concord Baptist of Boston-
Milton, MA on YouTube channel.
HELP THE MILTON INTERFAITH CLERGY ASSOCIATION MAKE BLESSING BAGS!
Blessing bags” offer grace that is small but love-filled! They contain personal care items for people who are un housed / unstably-housed in downtown Boston, and will be distributed through the Cathedral Church of St. Paul on Monday, January 16. Join with your community to pack these items in bags!
Each bag includes…
white unscented bar soap
toothbrush
toothpaste
comb
shampoo
deodorant
hand lotion
sunblock
tissues
small hand sanitizer
paper face mask
…all sized to be packed into a gallon-sized freezer Ziplock bag.
Event Details
Monday January 16 2023
Bring loose items to assemble bags with others to Cunningham Hall located at 77 Edgehill Rd, Milton from 8:00 am to 11:00 am or Bring already prepared bags for drop-off to St. Michael’s Church located at 112 Randolph Avenue, Milton, MA 02186 by 11:00am that day.
News and Announcements
An Update on Stewardship’s Hoped-For Souper Supper of Gratitude Event for Saturday, January 21st
Sadly it now appears that, with the rise of Covid infections regionally as well as within the First Parish community, it will not be feasible to hold a face-to-face Souper Supper of Gratitude gathering in the Parish Hall on January 21st. The Stewardship Committee will continue to explore the possible alternatives and will keep you all posted.
In the meantime, consider using this season to find ways to express your gratitude to those in our community you have been meaning to thank—for their service, their talent, their generosity, their smile, for anything you can think of. And hang in there while we all muddle through!
The Stewardship Committee—Charlie Franich, Mallory Digges, Eric Miller, and Mark Ostrem
What’s all this talk about an 8th Principle?
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, First Parish in Milton affirms and promotes seven principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. Our congregation’s Racial Justice Task force is supporting a movement within the UUA to adopt an 8th principle focused on racial justice. To that end we will hold a series of listening circles in January where members and friends can learn about the proposed principle. We hope you can join us. All sessions will be on ZOOM and the link will be emailed to you prior to the session for which you register.
Sunday, January 15 – 12:00 pm
Wednesday, January 18 – 7:00 pm
Sunday, January 22 – 12:00 pm
Thursday, January 26 – 7:00 pm
Sunday, January 29 – 12:00 pm
Fair Foods
Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed our communities. We volunteer together unloading and sorting food and packing bags once a month.
The next volunteer date is Saturday, January 14th.
If you want to volunteer, please sign up on Sign up Genius by Thursday
evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but typically start at 8:30 a.m. at their warehouse at 70 Amory Street in Roxbury.
Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. Contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685 with any questions or for more information.
First Parish Milton volunteers provide bagged lunches to MainSpring adult shelters in Brockton twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Members of the Social & Environmental Justice committee will make the delivery to Brockton.
Volunteers are needed to acquire food and pack 10 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45 pm-1:00 pm on Delivery day. One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton. Please note how many meals you are making in comments. We are looking for 70 lunches for each delivery day. Lunches should include sandwich, fruit, drink, snack/chips and sweet/cookies.
The next delivery day will be on Wednesday January 18th and then every other Wednesday throughout the year. We will meet in the lower parking lot between 12:40 and 1:00 PM.
If you haven’t made lunches in a while OR if you are a new volunteer, sign up on MainSpring Sign Up Genius or contact Pat Gallivan at pl.gallivan@verizon.net for more info.
Thanks to all the volunteers that have made this program a success for more than two years !!
Beyond First Parish
Dr. MLK Jr. DAY of Service in Milton
Please join us to assemble blessing bags for unhoused and housing unstable community members!! On Mon. January 16th from 10:00 am-11:30 am at First Congregational Church – 495 Canton Ave. Milton. Any donation of supplies to help fill the bags is accepted with gratitude!!
Courageous Conversation Toward Racial Justice Presents: Under The Skin: Racism & Trauma
Join us virtually for a conversation with Dr. Flavia De Souza on the effects of Racism on Physical and Mental Health
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 ~ 6:30 pm-8:30 pm
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, 9:30 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: http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-sunday1
You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.