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
October 10, 2021
“Kindred Lives, Kindred Spirits”
Facilitated by: Rev. Lisa Ward
Worship Associate: Tom Kemp
Music: Tim Steele
Audio Engineer: tbd
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 be dedicated to the service and ministry of First Parish.
Sunday, October 10th is the Annual Blessing of the Animals.
All are welcome to bring your pets to the worship service at 10:30 am. Those who are not entering the Meetinghouse at this time are welcome to bring your animals to the Courtyard at 10:30 am. Our Religious Exploration time will be devoted to the importance of taking care of our animal companions, touching on the wisdom of St. Francis.
Those who have animal companions who do not play well with others, feel free to bring a photo or stuffed animal to represent your pet.
Here are the logistics in this Covid challenged time:
Our indoor worship service will be about 45 minutes long. We will then all go out together to the courtyard for the animal blessing. In case of inclement weather, Rev. Lisa will bless the animals in the Meetinghouse, then join the families in the courtyard to bless the animals under the tent.
Come one, come all. It is a joyous time!
The office is closed on Monday, October 11th in observance of Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
Evaluation of self and of life seems to be one of the outcomes of living in a global pandemic. How do we make it through the day? How do we like ourselves without the distracting busy-ness? How do we stem the fear and despair? How do we live into our newly forming lives?
Erik Vance, staff editor for the “Well desk” of the New York Times, listed six ways that have helped him, as he phrases it, “stay connected”: he keeps a bird feeder outside his window, works out every day, solves puzzles, drinks good tea, hits a punching bag and hugs his 5 year old son.
Let me flesh out this shared wisdom as possible spiritual tools. The ways of grounding described are ways to connect with nature, one’s body, a simple task or routine, savoring, emotional release and affection.
We are complex creatures, navigating body, mind and spirit. In order to show up in our lives, it’s important to honor this splendid and humbling mix. Can you find a way to notice the natural world in your day, to move your body mindfully, to connect with a simple task, to savor a moment, to give space to how you are feeling and to show affection? What would your list be?
May wonder abound, help be available and peace be with you. Not all the time, but within the course of your days.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Religious Exploration begins when worship begins and ends when worship ends. Parents need to sign their children in on the Contact Tracing sheet each Sunday.
To provide shade when the sun is shining and to protect us in light showers, we need a Tent Team to arrive by 9:30 to put up the tent. With 4 people, it takes about 5 minutes to get the tent out into the courtyard (we store it just inside the door from the courtyard near Parish Hall) and put it up. The Tent Team needs to stay until Hospitality starts closing up shop. It takes 5-10 minutes to get it down and back to the storage location. Please go to the congregation’s Sign Up Genius if you can help, or please contact Molly Nolan at dre@fpmilton.org.
This week in Religious Exploration for Children & Youth we will all be together with our companion animals for a taking up the theme for October, Cultivating Relationships. We will be including cultivating relationships with the other animals who live on planet Earth. This is a non teaching Sunday for our Religious Exploration volunteers. Depending on turnout, we could use a couple people to help with children and companion animals. The afternoon class will continue their exploration of justice making in Heeding the Call .
Save the Date!!! Creepy Carriage House is scheduled for the evening of Saturday 23 October. This event is put on by youth and adults of the congregation. If you would like to help organize the event or participate on the day of, please contact Charles Franich at pemaquid@aol.com or Molly Nolan at dre@fpmilton.org
Molly B. Nolan, Transitional Director of Religious Education
MUSIC THIS SUNDAY
This Sunday we celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with an anthem called “Living Water, Guiding Spirit” by Joseph M. Martin. It is based on a Native American melody called LAQUIPARLE and will feature singers Grace Allendorf, Penny Knight, Daon Drisdom, Steve Yakutis, and Guy Pugh.
As a part of our Blessing of the Animals celebration Grace and Daon will present a fun duet based on an Old American melody, “I Bought Me a Cat”, arranged by Philip Lawson.
Table of Contents
For Events, News and Announcements
1.Interactive Photo Assignment
2.First Parish Connections
3.Upcoming Meetings
4.All Church Council Meeting
5.Meditation
6.Yoga
7.S & EJ Committee News
Interactive assignment with the
PHOTO DISPLAY ON THE LINK
While we are still outside for social hour after worship, you may not have noticed the wonderful exhibit of photographs, taken by Owen Hartford. They are displayed all along the physical link (the corridor that connects the Meetinghouse with Parish Hall). At some point (wearing masks), we commend you to behold these works of art: a display of moments in Milton this last year.
Below are a small portion of the photos on display. We will be posting a PDF of the all the artwork next week. Many thanks to our curator, Dianna Wilson, for her work on bringing art to the Link hallway.
For those unable to visit the building, we have provided a sampling from the exhibit below. There are many more to see !
Recently, at the last Imaginarium gathering, we enjoyed a writing exercise that, with Owen’s approval, we are inviting the community to engage, if you so choose. You are invited to write a haiku. The haiku is a poetry form that is meant to capture the gem of a moment as it moves you to observance and connection, just like Owen’s photographs.
The haiku form consists of three lines in this pattern:
Line 1: 5 syllables
Line 2: 7 syllables
Line 3: 5 syllables
Regard one of the photos and let your mind enter the captured moment. Are there stories that arise for you? Or possibly another image? How does the photo grab your attention and sense of wonder?
Journal, a bit, on the photo, or talk of it to someone else. Then, without too much thought, write your haiku. Feel free to send your haiku to the office (office@fpmilton.org), letting us know which photo you are highlighting. We’ll post the haiku (anonymous or with your name – your choice) near the photo.
A quick example: a haiku about the assignment:
- A year within reach
- Joy and distance in focus
- Photos touch on truth
There are many ways we can connect and engage in community. Have fun! Send us your haiku.
Ever wish you had a way to connect with everyone at First Parish to . . .
find a babysitter, pet sitter, or house sitter? Request recommendations?Make an announcement? Extend an invitation? Share information (recipes, etc.)? Do you have something to give away ? (a la Buy Nothing pages)
Introducing First Parish Connections!
First Parish Connections is a new Facebook group that allows us to connect directly with each other for community support and service coordination.
This is a private group, open to members and friends of FPMU.
To join, log into your Facebook account and in the search box, type “First Parish Connections.”
You’ll need to answer a security question, and then wait for your membership to be approved. Once you’re a member of the group, please read and adhere to the guidelines—then get started connecting!
Questions? Please contact the office at office@fpmilton.org, Leslie MacPherson at lesliemacpherson@gmail.com or Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Racial Justice Focus Group
Next meeting by zoom: Wednesday, October 13th
7:00pm-8:30 pm
This group is geared toward deepening awareness of systemic racism in our lives and society. We discuss issues, share experiences and strive to re frame our understanding away from white dominant culture toward diversity, equity and inclusion. This year we will be focusing on the 8th Principle Project, an initiative within the UUA to claim an anti-oppressive faith culture with the accountability of action. All are welcome to attend when you can. Come share in this vibrant, fulfilling journey toward a just and healthy world. Contact the office, office@fpmilton if you are interested in attending.
Imaginarium
Meetings are generally on the Fourth Thursday in the Meetinghouse (masks required at this time)
7:00pm-9:00pm (next meeting: October 28)
The Imaginarium is a group that explores our monthly worship themes through discussion, stories and creative play. We meet once a month, crafting ideas and experiences inspired by the themes. Come, enjoy the shared wisdom, creativity and connection. Each meeting stands on its own. Interested? contact the office: office@fpmilton.org.
Grief Support Group
Four Tuesdays: Oct. 19 & 26, Nov. 2 & 9
7:00pm – 8:30 pm
Through Zoom at this time, (in person pending)
Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward
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, no new participants after Oct. 26.
All Church Council Meeting
Friday, Oct 15th
6:30 pm-8:00 pm
Several times a year, we gather for our All Church Council. All committee chairs or representatives are encouraged to attend. The gathering is open to all church members and friends. This is an opportunity for church leadership to connect and discuss goals and challenges for the year.
We will be holding the meeting over Zoom
Meditation
All are welcome to join for 30 minutes of silent meditation/prayer on:
Thursday evenings at 6:45 pm-7:15 pm
Sunday mornings at 8:30am-9:00am
Newcomers and friends welcome.
Please contact Tracey at tdr02186@gmail.com if you have questions or want to join us!
Yoga
Classes with instructor Elyse Siegmann!
Online via Zoom (see link below) till further notice
This is a NEW Zoom link!
6:30 pm Monday evenings
From S & EJ Committee
Open Air Art Exhibit
Oct 17, 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
UU Urban Ministry, 10 Putnam St, Boston, MA 02119, USA
For those who were inspired by Rev Mary Margaret Earl last Sunday and are looking for a fun fall outing next weekend, check out the upcoming Art Show at the Urban Ministry. This event is part of the UUUM’s Roxbury Artist Amplification Project, and will feature the work of artists featured in our Artist Directory.
Calling all Father Bill volunteers!
next date is MONDAY, October 11th!
Volunteers acquire food and pack 10-20 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45 pm-1:00 pm on Delivery day (every other Monday).
One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton.
Sign up on our Mainspring Sign up-please indicate number of lunches you will bring.
If you require more information or have questions please contact Peter Schneider at peterlschneider@gmail.com
Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-mainspringfather1
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, October 16th
PLEASE NOTE DATE CHANGE
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 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
Sign Up Here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090d44aca728a02-fair
UU Monthly Action Hour
Next one on Thursday, October 28th 12:00 pm
Do current news headlines overwhelm you? Do you find it challenging to make time to DO SOMETHING, like signing petitions, calling your legislators, or sending emails about issues you care about?
UU Mass Action’s monthly action hour is for you! Some members of First
Parish’s Social and Environmental Justice Committee have taken part in past
months. Justice issues include immigration, climate, economic, indigenous
people’s, and more… all aligned with front line community partners and
Mass Power Forward. Templates and scripts are ready made: all we need is
you! Make a sandwich and tune in here.
Register Here: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0udu2hqDouGdHF4l-ByHAyYGvLw5ZE034g
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.