Table of Contents
This Week in Worship
- Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
- RE Info
- News and Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
January Worship Theme: UNITY
“Sustaining Pause”

Music Guest: Arman Mohammad
Worship Assistant: Elise Henricks
Faith Reflection: Owen Hartford
Greeters: Dianna Wilson & Andrea Geyling-Moore
Audio: Nicholas Miller
Social Hour: Tom Kemp & Pat Gallivan
Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. You will be muted, but you can communicate through the chat box. If you do not have zoom on your computer, please download it ahead of time. It is free.
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
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It’s cold, .flu and covid season!
In order to keep our community healthy, we encourage the wearing of masks at worship services if you have cold symptoms or have been exposed to a communicable illness. Masks and Hand sanitizer will be available at all church entrances if needed.

Each week, each day, even each hour carries new information about executive orders and government initiatives that may affect our lives and livelihood. It is hard to keep up, let alone focused. Hang in.
We celebrate the strength of our community in gathering together, and sharing wisdom and resources to support our lives and vision of a just and healthy world.. Know, also, that there are various funds at the ready to assist in fiscal emergencies. When contacted, we most often offer a one-time grant according to need. This is strictly confidential, navigated by myself and Noreen Dolan, Resident Fund Coordinator. The three funds are as follows::
The Milton Residents Fund – grants are distributed to Milton residents, as needed, primarily to prevent utility shutoffs, to prevent eviction, and promote safe and stable housing. Self-referrals and referrals from local agencies serving Milton residents are welcome. Contact Noreen Dolan: 617.696.1214 or email miltonresidentsfund@gmail.com
The Parish Members Fund – Each year, available income from the fund is distributed to First Parish members in need. Referrals to the fund are usually self-referrals. Contact Rev. Lisa Ward: 617-698-6329 or email minister@fpmilton.org. You can also contact Noreen Dolan who would then confer with Rev. Lisa.
Minister’s Discretionary Fund – This is a separate fund, coordinated by Rev. Lisa that assists church members in need and church leadership development. Contact Rev. Lisa: 617-698-6329 or email minister@fpmilton.org.
This is a time to help when we can and ask for help when we need. Let us keep the circle of generosity strong and vibrant.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Music This Week
The music for this week’s worship will be led by Arman Mohammad. Arman will be playing these selections during the service: Falling Grace – Steve Swallow, Menina Da Lua – Maria Rita, and Windows – Chick Corea. Guest guitarist is Pedro Secco.
RE This Week
This weekend, RE classes will resume. Spirit Play will do a story on “Heaven and Hell”, and Crossing Paths will continue its study of Christianity. Passages will continue its curriculum.
Crossing Paths Parents- please note that the field trip this weekend has been postponed.
On 2/16, RE will be hosting social hour! RE families are invited to join us to put together snacks and drinks for after worship service.
On 2/23, Wee the People will be returning for another workshop
News & Announcements
MCC’s “SING FOR THEIR SUPPER” LAST SATURDAY This past Saturday evening, January 25, Milton Community Concerts presented its tenth annual “Sing For Their Supper” concert in the Meetinghouse. The feedback from singers and audience members has been terrific, and we are grateful to all of you who were able to attend. We are thrilled to report that the total donations given to support the Milton Residents Fund and the Milton Community Food Bank were the second most ever raised over the past ten years of this concert.: $2,336.00. This generous donation will have a huge impact for these two important charities. Thank you, First Parish!
Our Annual Budget Drive Begins!
The Stewardship Committee announces that this year’s Annual Budget Drive has begun as of Sunday, January 26th and will conclude on Commitment Sunday, March 16th 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 2026, 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.
Here is the link if you can’t find in your email.
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
First Parish Orientation Session coming up!
Friday, February 7th 5:30pm-7:00pm
The Membership Committee will be holding our next Orientation session on Friday, Feb 7th via Zoom from 5:30-7. At these gatherings, we talk about what your spiritual path has been, a bit about the history of Unitarian Universalism and who we are at First Parish in Milton. Of course, we answer your questions.
We do these sessions periodically so that those who are ready to join can sign our membership book and become church members, as well as for those who just want more information.
Email Leslie at lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com if you are interested and to get Zoom link

GREETERS NEEDED!
Please take a look at your calendars and see when you can take a Sunday. It’s an easy way that we contribute to our First Parish community.
Please reach out to Leslie, if you have any questions:
Gatherings for your Spirit
If there is a topic you would like to explore with others, feel free to contact Rev. Lisa to discuss possibilities. minister@fpmilton.org
Navigating the Political Climate Next meeting Feb 12th
Will meet via Zoom on the second Wednesday of the month 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
We will meet once a month to help each other sort through the impact of the political climate and share ways to ground ourselves.
Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if interested

Grief Support Group
Four Tuesday sessions
Tuesday Feb. 4th, 11th, 18th & 25th
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
When we lose a loved one through death, the world is different, our lives shift in meaning, our ground is shaken. We can feel isolated by our grief. We can also feel a lack of strength or initiative to find a way through. One way to help adjust to the new reality and find our inner resources is to share our journey of loss and recovery with others. There are many ways that we grieve and many kinds of losses. This group is focused on loss due to the death of a loved one. The loss can be recent or from years gone by. We ask participants to commit to at least three of the sessions.
Meditation with Spiritual Prompts
An hour’s gathering by zoom, co-facilitated with Debra Nunziato
First Meeting: Thursday, February 13, 7-8 pm
We will gather to share varied meditation techniques and explore a spiritual reading together. We will determine as a group how often we would like to meet. Contact Rev. Lisa for the zoom link. minister@fpmilton.org
Events

Chocolate Auction
Sunday, February 9th
11:45am in Parish Hall
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.
Questions about the auction or what to make? Contact Deb Alsebai:
- Each item will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Children are permitted to bid, but only under the direct supervision of a parent, please.
- There will again be a Children’s Raffle, raffle tickets available for $1 each immediately before the Auction!
- We are adding an adult raffle as well. Details TBD.
“Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate!” – Chris Pitt
Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier

SAVE THE DATE!
First Parish Art Festival and Fundraiser
Saturday May 3rd
Visual arts – paintings, photography, and selected crafts (quilts, pottery) will be offered for sale (silent and live auction).
We will feature works from our own First Parish artists, as well as other local and regional artists.
Would you have artworks to contribute?
Would you like to join the committee or assist with the event?
Contact: jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com
Social & Environmental Justice

Next date: February 19thS&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches a month to support shelter guests.Please sign up whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.We are counting on your support.

Emerging Adult Conference!
Feb 15-16 in Waltham, MA
Inviting all 18-23 year old’s to our 3rd annual Emerging Adult Conference! Join us for rest and renewal, as well as community and connection. We’ll play games, collage, ask the big questions, talk about what matters most, and sit together in silence and song.
Find out more by clicking here or fill out the interest form here.
We can help with transport!
Are you a UU who went to college in the Boston area?
Sanctuary Boston is a UU community supporting UU college students in the Boston area. We’re building a campus ministry program for our underserved UU students and we need your help to do it!
If you’re a UU who went to college in the Boston area, please fill out this form to connect with us and learn:

First Parish Reading of “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder
Wednesday, February 13 from 7:00pm to 8:30 PM
On Tyranny focuses on the concept of tyranny in the context of the modern United States politics, analyzing what Snyder calls “America’s turn towards authoritarianism”. It is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.
Debbie Alsebai invites you to her house at 11 Morton Road, Milton to discuss “On Tryanny” by Timothy Snyder.
Please let her know if you are planning to attend. Soup and snacks will be served. Debalsebai@gmail.com
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.