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… 
This Week in Worship
“Choice & Chance”
Facilitated by: Rev. Lisa Ward
Worship Associate: Franc Graham
Music: Tim Steele
Audio: Nina Truog & Graham Goodrich
Flowers: Beth Gray-Nix
This will be a hybrid service. You are welcome to join us in the Meetinghouse (masks required for those over 5 years old and childcare will be available). If you prefer, you are welcome to join us via Zoom.
Please see the zoom link below. 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.
Sunday’s offering will go towards UU Mass Action.
Brand new Director, Rev. Jo Murphy will visit First Parish to remind us why we support this organization which has been organizing and mobilizing UU congregations since 2006. FP Milton looks to it and its community organizers for guidance on justice issues and legislation related to them. Together, our voices are amplified in the State House–as the rallying chant goes, “This is what Democracy looks like !” To learn more visit UU Mass Action.
Revised Safety Policies
Updated guidelines are posted at the top of our church website homepage for easy reference. If you have questions about these guidelines contact Tracey Robinson (email is best: tdr02186@gmail.com) or contact Rev Lisa Ward.
Tonight I will be attending the vigil for democracy in front of Town Hall dedicated to Americans Coming together. Please see the info just below my column. Congregants had reached out to me before Christmas to have this information in the Link as officially endorsed by First Parish in Milton. I had originally felt that there were edges of partisanship in the motivations for this event and followed that response to encourage citizen participation but not have it officially announced. I believe now that I was in error and greatly appreciate the feedback received last night from members of the social and environmental justice committee.
This was not an issue of whether democracy is important, which our fifth principle affirms, but an issue of maintaining a full welcome, a wide circle of diverse engagement in our beloved community. It was pointed out to me last night that everything seems to be politicized these days. I agree, and that was part of my reasoning not to strengthen that response.
January 6th was a terrible event that needs full accountability, as I have preached about more than once. Again that was not the issue I was wrestling with. I had the sense that edges of divisiveness were a strong potential (othering “right wingers”, e.g.), so I honored the difficult discipline of leaving room for varied perspectives into the way forward for the good of all. Again, I believe I erred in my original assumption, and I apologize. This offering tonight is, indeed, promoting democracy beyond partisanship.
I am grateful to those who shared their concerns with me. That is how we grow, learn and strengthen together. It is an honor to keep showing up, as best as I can, in this faith lived community.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
TODAY-January 6th Candlelight Vigil for Democracy
When: Thursday Jan 6th 5:30 pm
Where: Milton Town Hall (also in Quincy, Boston, and other towns in the area)
Bring a flashlight or battery operated light and wear a mask
January 6 was a violent and deadly attack against all Americans – against our country, our democracy, and our freedom as voters to choose the leaders that represent us so that we have a government of, by, and for the people.
So this January 6, exactly one year later, Americans across race, place, party, and background are holding candlelight vigils to say: In America, the voters decide the outcome of elections.
The promise of democracy is not a partisan issue but a calling that unites us as Americans. Coming together, we can prevent another January 6th attack and realize the promise of democracy for all of us – no matter our color, zip code, or income – so we all have an equal say in the decisions that shape our daily lives and futures.
Religious Exploration
In-person Religious Exploration is canceled for Sunday 9 January. There are Three Kings Day information and story in the 5 January edition of Last Week/This Week. Please contact Molly at dre@fpmilton.org if you are not currently receiving it. Last Week/This Week goes out to Religious Exploration Families and the leadership of First Parish Milton every Wednesday. We are working on getting some curricular resources to parents in lieu of this Sunday’s class.
Thirty Days of Love
January’s theme isf Living with Intention. Perfect timing for our congregation to join in Side With Love’s Thirty Days of Love program. For many years Side With Love has offered Thirty Days of Love as a way to harness the power of love to stop oppression. From roughly Martin Luther King Day until St. Valentine’s Day we intentionally expand our understanding and practice of love. The Thirty Days of Love has a different area of concern each week with suggestions for activities and learning. Resources for families, individuals and communities are supplied. And there are events associated with the Thirty Days of Love. Activities each week will include Read, Watch, Act, Listen and Worship ideas and opportunities.
Week 1: Reproductive, Gender & LGBTIQA Justice
Week 2: Democracy 7 Voting Rights
Week 3: Decriminalization & Racial Justice
Week 4: Climate Justice
The site is adding items as they are confirmed in the run up to the start date of 17 January, so be sure to check back if you do not find what you are looking for.
Molly B. Nolan, Transitional Director of Religious Education.
Music Selections
On November 26, 2021 the music world lost one of its most powerful and influential voices in composer Stephen Sondheim. This Sunday, in his memory, Grace Allendorf and Daon Drisdom will be singing “Move On” from his Pulitzer Prize-winning musical SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE. Jennifer Sgroe will also be singing “All of Life is Calling Me” by Joyce Poley.
Table of Contents
News, Announcements and Meetings
1.Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr virtual Celebration
2.Social and Environmental Justice News & Events
3.Aging Together Announcement
4.UU Urban Ministry Architecture Series
Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Celebration-Virtual
Monday, January 17, 2022 at 6:30 pm
2022 Theme
The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.
Keynote Speaker
Dr. Regine Michelle Jean-Charles
Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, Director of Africana Studies
in the department of Cultures, Societies, and Global Studies
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Northeastern University
The public is invited to join the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association (MICA) as we remember and honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Cooking for Mainspring January 29th !
The Social and Environmental Justice and Membership committees are joining forces to prepare and deliver a hot, healthy meal to Mainspring in Brockton on Saturday January 29th!
Due to the pandemic, we cannot serve meals at the shelter, but they are thrilled to receive contributions for hot dinners.
Volunteers from First Parish, Milton will be providing steaming Shepard’s pie and amazing apple crisp for dinner at Mainspring on Saturday January 29th.
Saturday, January 29th
10:00 am
Join an online cooking class with Debbie and Steve – all cooking done in your own home
1:30 pm -2:15 pm
Deliver prepared food to parking lot at First Parish – S&EJ will deliver the meals to Brockton – similar to our lunch delivery program.
More details and info on how to sign up next week!!
News from S & EJ Committee
11th Hour Calling” – Monthly Stand Out for Climate Action
Tuesday, January 11, 6-6:30 p.m. [Rain/Snow: Wed. 1/12]
First Parish Church lawn ~ Gather round the spotlight
Show up and show that we care about the climate emergency, environmental justice, and Milton’s municipal response planning. For safety: flashlights / headlamps / light-colored or reflective clothing. For impact: signage / posters and noise makers (be creative). We welcome all — it’s energizing — bring friends and neighbors!
Mainspring Lunch Bag Program
Next date is Wednesday, January 19th
The Sign up Genius has the Wednesday dates listed- you can sign up now!
If you require more information or have questions please contact Peter Schneider at peterlschneider@gmail.com
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 8th
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 on weekdays from early morning until mid-afternoon.
Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com
A Message from the AGING TOGETHER GROUP
Our group has filled its spaces. We will revisit the possibility of more new members in a few months.
(ppartridge9@icould.com, cspitt@comcast.net).
“Do you love our historic meeting house?? This is a program for you!! For those interested in old Boston churches, architecture, and the Urban Ministry, zoom on in!”
The Treasures of the Meetinghouse series
Episode 3
January 10th 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
In the third installment of the “Treasures of the Meetinghouse” series, William Cheney, Executive Director of the Willard House & Clock Museum, to discuss the many historic clocks on both the exterior and interior of First Roxbury Church.
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.