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
- Actions for Justice and Democracy
This Week in Worship
October Worship Theme: CONNECTION “Grounded: Staying on course during turbulent times”
Led by Rev. Mary Margaret Earl
Worship Assistant: Elise Henricks
Greeter: Natalie Monroe & Michael Grant
Flowers: Liz O’Rourke
Audio: Jeremiah Sitkoff
Social Hour: Julie Blackburn, Liz O’Rourke & Elizabeth Menne
This week’s offering will be given to the UU Urban Ministry. Executive Director Rev. Mary Margaret Earl will remind us why we support this organization which has been organizing and mobilizing UU congregations since 2006.
*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.
The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl has served as Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry for 11 years. In this ministry, she works for racial justice and to strengthen connections between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She has served on the leadership team of Moral Movement Massachusetts, the Roxbury Cultural Network, and the search committee for the Roxbury Community College president. Prior to her arrival at the UU Urban Ministry, she spent 10 years at a faith-based nonprofit in RI serving the homeless community, She is past president of the Board of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, recipient of the Heroes of Faith Award from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches for her interfaith work, and received a Courage of Conscience award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Ma. She is a longtime vegan committed to standing up for nonhuman animals.
My mother loved Halloween. It was her favorite holiday. One year, when I was around 10, she was the passenger in a serious auto accident, just before Halloween. She lost all her teeth in the upper bridge, had a bandage all around her head and scars on her face from being hurled into the windshield….She couldn’t wait to answer the door for unsuspecting trick or treaters. Looking quite the fright, she delighted in participating in this night of fright, toothless grin and all.
This advocacy was deep and wide. For several years we would convert our entire three story house and basement into a haunted house, complete with adult guides combing through the turn of the century home while gouls and goblins (that would be the children and their friends of many ages) jumped out, screamed in the halls and moaned in the corners. The piano played by itself as a child pulled threads underneath and doors creaked open by themselves through ropes and pulleys. We raised money for the local Association for Equal Opportunity. I ended up being the artistic director of the haunted, it therefore being my first production gig.
A gift of Halloween is to play with fear of the unknown, to creatively share the need to support one another in our fears. This Sunday afternoon (3-5 pm), a boisterous and friendly “Trunk or Treat” is happening on our campus. Come, share, shriek, laugh, bounce in bouncy houses and co-mingle. It is good to be together.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Next week in worship:
Weaving Our Lives: Our Annual All Souls Service
Sunday, November 2nd
During this worship service you will be invited to bring a photo or memento of a loved one who has died to the altar table, light a candle and share the name of the person you are honoring, as we hold this naming in loving presence.
Music
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing a rousing gospel selection called “I’m Gonna Lift My Brother Up”, with words and music by Rose Sanders. In addition to this anthem you will hear “Lead With Love” by Melanie DeMore sung by Pat Neves and Karl Pastore.
MESSIAH SING ON DECEMBER 7th 3:00pm
Looking ahead to December, there will be a town-wide Messiah-Sing on Sunday, December 7th at 3pm in the Meetinghouse. Singers and listeners are welcome to attend this informal and fun sing-through of the Christmas portions of Handel’s MESSIAH. Music will be provided, or you can bring your own score. Soloists from several churches in Milton will also be singing. This will be a fundraiser for the Milton Food Pantry and the Milton Residents Fund.
Religious Exploration
Safe Environment Training
Sunday Nov. 2, 9am-10:15am Parish Hall
Susannah will be offering a Safe Environment Training on our existing Safe Environment policy and best practices for RE volunteering but this training is available to any volunteer at FPM and we encourage anyone to attend. Nursery care will be available! Please note the time change from earlier versions and that it is daylight savings time, so please adjust your clocks!
Honoring Our Elders: Gift-Making for Folks at Winter Valley Assisted Living
On 11/23 during RE Class time, our children and youth will be creating handmade gifts to share with the residents of Winter Valley Assisted Living Community — a joyful and intentional way to live into our shared values of interdependence, generosity, and love. Through crafting and giving, our young people will have an opportunity to practice how kindness can weave generations together. You can support their efforts by donating supplies directly through our Amazon Wish List and your donations will be delivered right to the church. Every item helps make this expression of care and connection possible. Thanks in advance for your support and effort to come together in the spirit of abundance & gratitude!
We want to Hear from the Teens!
The RE committee was just talking about how we want to offer ways for the pre-teens and teens to build a sense of community at FPM! That said, we want to do it in a way that is connected to the things they care about and enjoy! We’d love to hear from anyone in 5th grade and above about what they are interested in at church but also even what they are interested in when not at church! We are thinking about starting with some fun one-time offsite opportunities (like an escape room, a corn-maze, treetop ropes course, etc.) so if your preteen or teen has particular interests already we’d love to know what they are so we can be mindful of that as we plan and build opportunities with them! You and your teens can text or email Susannah at 470-223-0337 or redirector@fpmilton.org to begin the conversation!
Babysitting Referral List
We know one big struggle parents face it to secure childcare when needed! So in an effort to support families we created a babysitting referral list for families in the First Parish Milton congregation. This is simply a referral list for parents who are looking to hire directly for their own personal childcare needs. Contact Susannah for more info at redirector@fpmilton.org.
Trunk or Treat: Candy, Costumes & Community Fun!
Sunday, October 26th 3:00pm-5:00pm
First Parish Milton Parking Lot
Come in costume and enjoy an afternoon of safe, family-friendly Halloween fun! Details:
- Free Admission
- Geared toward younger children, but all ages welcome
- Stroller- and wheelchair-friendly
- Trick-or-treating from decorated trunks
- Bouncy house fun and Touch-a-truck for Kids from Milton Public Works!
- Nut-free candy will be available and also some non-candy treats for kids.
- Rain Plan: If the weather is bad, the fun moves indoors!
This event is co-sponsored by First Parish Milton and United Congregational Church Milton.
Questions? Contact Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.org or text 470-223-0337.
News & Announcements
First Parish HOLIDAY FAIR –
Saturday, Dec 13th
9:30 am-1:30pm
We will have our amazing Holiday Fair again. More information will be coming but if you know crafters who might like to rent a table, please ask them to email me for information or send them the application below. We are lining them up now! Leslie at: lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
*Help is Available*
If you are a First Parish member who has been laid off due to the Government Shut Down, remember there is a parish member’s fund that can be accessed for a one-time grant.
Contact Rev. Lisa minister@fpmilton.org
Grief Support Group
Last session will be October 29th 7:00pm-8:30pm
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.
Please email minister@fpmilton.org if you are interested.
Spam Emails
Just an internet safety reminder- before you open any emails- especially emails with attachments- be sure to check that recognize the email address of the sender. A First Parish member recently had this happen, so we wanted to share some tips.
Phishing emails are designed to outsmart the spam filters on the email, so as a reminder:
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from someone or company you know or trust, like a friend, or your bank. The message could be from a scammer, who might:
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
- say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
- include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
- want you to click to open a link — but the link has malware
While real companies might communicate with you by email, legitimate companies won’t email or text with a link to update your payment information.
Events
Navigating the Political Climate October 23rd
Meet by Zoom only
Fourth Thursday of the month, 7:00pm-8:00pm
Some are struggling with the divisive nature of politics in their families or circles of friends. Others feel a kind of “existential dread” in witnessing how we are treating one another in the public square and through media.
We gather via zoom every for an hour to address issues of civility, handling difficult conversations and/or the challenges of democracy.
Harvest Supper
November 8th 6:00 pm-9:30 pm
Join us for our Annual Harvest Supper!
This is a beloved potluck tradition with wonderful food, conversation, and community.
*Childcare will be available.
Click here to sign up to bring a favorite dish
Plan Your Own Memorial Service
November 15th 1:00-5:00pm
A true gift that you can give your loved ones is to offer suggestions for planning your memorial service. At a time when they will be struggling with grief, some clarity supports their gathering to honor your life. We will walk through several possible aspects of a memorial service, offer resources and devote time to explore your unique being – your unique voice. Email office@fpmilton.org to sign up.
From the Membership Committee:
The calendar may say October, but the Membership Committee is already thinking about December! We have already begun planning our annual fun-fest: the Holiday Fair!
This year, it will be held on Saturday, December 13th. To help us plan better, we are reaching out to you now We are hoping that those of you who volunteered before will help again and come to our two planning meetings in November. (likely Zoom meetings.) Last year, we had an amazing crew who helped with:
- Greeting shoppers and crafters
- Monitoring chili lunch table
- Staff the bake sale table
- Set up/clean up
- Help with sales at Fair Trade table
Whether or not you helped before, you are definitely encouraged to join us.
Please email with your interest and questions: lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
Social & Environmental Justice
NEXT DATE IS November 19th
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
Actions for Justice and Democracy Coming Up Soon
Join us for this interesting panel with perspectives on how the portrayal of People of Color and communities of Color is changing in Boston’s theater scene and in the arts organizations. What role have Black and Brown people played in these local struggles and changes and how have positions of influence been gained? What impact do these changes have on the community as a whole?
Your Voice Matters #1
Warrant Article 4, Milton Special Town Meeting
October 28-29
Sustainable Milton’s website contains an in-depth informational primer about Warrant Article 4 to be voted upon at the Special Town Meeting next week. If YOU are a Town Meeting Member, Milton has the opportunity to adopt greenhouse gas reduction goals aligned with state law, to apply for municipal clean-energy grant funding, and more. If YOU are a Milton citizen, please ask your precinct Town Meeting Members to study Article 4 and act pro-Earth (your precinct representatives are listed HERE. Speak up!
Your Voice Matters #2
MAKE POLLUTERS PAY BILL
H.1014 / S.588
The gist of this legislation is that “Fossil fuel companies have knowingly endangered our world for decades, putting lives and livelihoods at risk – they should be responsible for the damages. The Climate Adaptation Superfund will provide funding for projects across the Commonwealth to keep our communities safe from the impacts of climate change,” (Better Future Project Fact Sheet) Vermont and New York have passed similar bills. UU Mass Action considers this bill a climate justice priority, along with the NAACP. Contact your legislators, Gov. Healy, Senate President Spilka, and House Speaker Mariano to enact this law. A petition is here. 206 more signatures to reach the goal!
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.