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
- RE Info
- News and Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
October Worship Theme: Facing Fear
“Braving the Mirror”
Worship Assistant: Brigitte Miller
Greeter: Dianna Wilson
Flowers: Dianna Wilson
Audio: Colin Glazer
Social Hour: coffee only-Marie Laure- Brown
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.
Beginning at sundown last evening (10/2) our Jewish neighbors embarked on the ten days of Teshuvah, or the Days of Awe. This is a major faith observance of celebration, repentance, renewal and reverence to usher in the Jewish new year. It begins with Rosh Hashannah, a celebration of the creation of the world, and ends with Yom Kippur, a day of fasting and atonement, being mindful of one’s way in the world and with one’s connection to the sacred gift of life.
What a challenging and liberating way to enter a new year: an intentional calling to account of how practitioners each relate to themselves, each other, their faith community and creation. It is a call to begin again with humility, gratitude and faith in reconciliation, in learning how better to bring wholeness to our lives and the world.
Part of the practice of Unitarian Universalism is to engage with the wisdom of other faith traditions for the welcoming of world community and the deepening of ones own faith understanding.
Our 4th to 7th graders are exploring interfaith understanding through the Curriculum “Crossing Paths”, with teachers Jennifer Lofgren and Paul Casaz. I had the joy of visiting this class to witness a great conversation of shared, yet varied faith journeys. There is so much we can learn from one another.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem by Gerald Custer called “I Will Be the Light”. Dr. Custer wrote this piece as a “musical gesture of solidarity, a promise by the singers that they will bear witness to the power of light over darkness, . . . that they will be a voice for the voiceless.” He is on the faculty at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan.
Grace Allendorf will also be offering a musical setting of a text from the Book of Ephesians in the Bible called “Be Ye Kind, One to Another”, by Katherine K. Davis.
Religious Exploration
Trunk or Treat
Sunday, October 20th 2pm
Bring your decorated car to First Parish, and give out candy to trick-or-treaters!
Ways you can participate:
• Bring your kids and their friends in their Halloween costumes to trick-or-treat from car to car.
• Decorate the trunk of your car
• Donate candy
• Help out at the event (set up, direct cars to spots, clean up, etc.)
News & Announcements
RECLAIM OUR VOTE
We reached our goal of writing 500 postcards destined for Texas voters! Thank you to everyone who showed up on Sunday to make it happen. We couldn’t have done it without you!
With gratitude, SEJC committee.
SOCIAL HOUR hosts needed for Sunday, October 6th & Sunday, October 13th
Haven’t hosted before or need a refresher? No worries! A member of the Hospitality Committee will be in touch to answer questions, provide instructions, and stop in on Sunday morning.
Thank you for your hospitality!
MCC NEWS AND UPDATE
During worship this Sunday a special recognition of Milton Community Concerts’ tenth anniversary season by the Town of Milton will be shared. On Saturday, October 26 will be a celebration of that anniversary as MCC will present a “Musical Marathon Fundraiser” from 2-9, featuring outstanding performers from the past nine years of concerts. This “come as you are” and “come and go as you please” event will be FREE ADMISSION, with donations happily accepted. We will share more information over the next few weeks, but for now be sure to save the date on your calendar! For anyone who would like to take part in the planning of this celebration, please join other MCC supporters at a meeting in the Meetinghouse at 12 noon this Sunday,10/6.
The Imaginarium is Coming Back!
The Imaginarium is a group that explores our monthly worship themes through discussion, stories and creative play. We meet once a month for two hours (time TBD), crafting ideas and experiences inspired by the themes. Perhaps an interactive reading or story for all ages will show up at worship now and then. Come, enjoy the shared wisdom, creativity and connection. Each meeting stands on its own. No previous experience necessary.
Interested? contact the office: office@fpmilton.org
Questions? contact Rev. Lisa: minister@fpmilton.org
Events
How Goes It With Your Spirit?
Please find below possible programs to be facilitated by Rev. Lisa this fall. Please contact the office (office@fpmilton.org) if you have an interest in attending. Scheduling will follow according to interest. More information can be found in the email that was sent out on September 24th
Grief Support Group
Four sessions, once a week.
Navigating the Political Climate
Meet by Zoom only, Every other week
Caregiver’s Support Group
Two Wednesdays a month, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Parenting As A Spiritual Practice
Fridays 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, with a light dinner and childcare (either once or twice a month)
Plan Your Own Memorial Service
Half Day Workshop, Date TBD
ALL CHURCH COUNCIL
Friday, October 4th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Open to ALL!
Please join the Committee Chairs to discuss how committees can advance church priorities (new UU values, climate change, RE programming) in the upcoming church year.
A light supper will be served. Please let Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com) know if you’ll be attending.
Halloween Hang-out
Friday, October 25th 5:00pm-7:00pm
First Parish Friends ~ It’s spooky season and the Membership Committee wants you to come and have a low-key seasonal good time. On Friday, Oct 25th, we will be in the Parish Hall from 5-7. We will have pizza, salad, treats and drinks plus spooky music and craft projects for all. Costumes encouraged but not necessary. Let Leslie know if you can come and what dietary needs you have:
Don’t be scared — it’s just for FUN
Social & Environmental Justice
The next date is October 16th
S&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 signup whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.
We are counting on your support!
Prison Book Program
For over 50 years, the Prison Book Program, a non-profit in Quincy, has been sending free books to people in prison, because everyone deserves the freedom to read. Volunteers write personal notes to offer connection to a community outside the prison walls. There are several ways to support this important program:
Book Drive: Between Oct 19-Nov 10, we are collecting gently used paperbacks in the following categories:
Nonfiction: language learning, trade skills, exercise, business, history, hobbies, self-help, science, sports, spirituality and books by LGBTQ authors and people of color.
Fiction: Westerns, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction, fantasy, young adult
Drop off books through the office mail slot or bring them to church and put them in the collection boxes.
Buy a special request: visit their wish list to buy the exact book someone asked for.
Donate: share the plate on October 20th
Beyond First Parish
The scale of destruction in the wake of Hurricane Helene has been utterly devastating to many communities in the southeastern United States. Some Unitarian Universalist congregations have been seriously impacted and others are still trying to assess the damage. You can help support Unitarian Universalists and their communities as they recover from this storm by giving generously to the UUA’s Disaster Relief Fund.
Sunday plate collections are an important way to support this fund and we encourage all congregations that are able, to consider taking up such a collection. Disaster Relief Fund donations become grants to Unitarian Universalists, their congregations, and their communities. All gifts granted in the course of immediate crisis response will be extended directly to impacted communities. While an immediate collection is ideal given the immediacy of the need, please consider a gift or dedicated collection at any point, now or in the coming months.
Our hearts are with everyone struggling to get through these days and begin recovery efforts, especially our siblings in LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, who have consistently been the least supported by local institutions. We know that some UU communities experiencing lesser impacts have already been organizing support for more directly-impacted folks. Thank you for being a beacon of hope for so many.
UUUM Tours: Trees of John Eliot Square: A historical perspective
Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.
The Trees of John Eliot Square; A historical perspective walking tour
Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.
RSVP or Questions
To secure a spot on the tour, or if you have any questions, email: tours@uuum.org
All tours begin promptly at their start time in front of First Church in Roxbury.