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 “All Our Relations”
Worship Assistant: Steve Yakutis
Greeter: Ellen Barr
Audio: Nicholas Miller
Social Hour: Leslie MacPherson, Brigitte Miller and Jonah Beukman
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
With our Blessing of the Animals coming up this Sunday, I ‘ve been thinking about interdependence – our sharing this planet with two-legged, four-legged, winged, scaled, creeping and crawling beings. What’s needed for balance and, frankly, peace in the world amongst humans is a release of self-centrism. Even more, we must promote a desire for shared life with a lens toward interdependence.
A stark example this morning was an argument against universal health care. The politician stated that we all need to have our own plans, that you should not have to pay for measures of birth control if it’s against your religion , or pay for maternity care if you can’t or choose not to have children. In short, the argument is that we should pay for only the care we need and/or agree with.
Well…with a lens toward interdependence, what we need is a thriving humanity, which means caring for each other. How could I possibly know what care I may need in my life, or what care my loved ones will need? And does one really assume that people without children do not want children and parents to thrive? The short-sighted transactional lens that claims one need only care for “one’s own” is not honoring the gift of life. The sunrise is for everyone, the rivers flow for all life, trees offer oxygen and birds their song. Do we really think we have earned these gifts, or that they should be parceled out only to those who choose to appreciate them?
Unitarian Universalism grounds itself in the interdependent web, with love as its guide. Let us practice some of that love this Sunday with the many species who may enter our doors.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday the music is all inspired by our Blessing of the Animals in some way, shape, or form. The Choir will offer an anthem based on the well-known poem by Emily Dickinson, “Hope is the Thing With Feathers”, composed by Clif Hardin. Our new bass soloist, Scott Ballantine, will be singing a solo by Benjamin Britten called “Consider my cat Jeoffry” [a song which indeed caused my wife and I to name our cat Jeoffry, once upon a time]. To close our worship Carina Digianfilippo and Grace Allendorf will also attempt to present a serious rendition of the “Comic Duet for Two Cats” by Rossini.
Religious Exploration
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.
Trunk Volunteers Needed
Want to join the fun in a big way? Be a Trunk Volunteer at our Trunk or Treat!
- Decorate your car trunk, dress up if you’d like, and pass out candy (please, no nuts).
- Arrive by 2:45 PM for set-up.
- Please register at this link or email redirector@fpmilton.org or text 470-223-0337
- Please Keep decorations and costumes family-friendly—and note, there is no electricity access for trunks.
- The Best Trunk will win a prize (TBA)!
It’s a fun way to celebrate Halloween, connect with neighbors, and spread joy to local kids! Questions? Contact Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.org or text 470-223-0337.
News & Announcements
*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
Sunday October 12th- During Worship Service
All pets- leashed, caged or otherwise safely restrained- are welcome! Stuffed animals are welcome! Photos of beloved deceased pets or those beloved but whom you’d think are better left at home are welcome!
This multi generational service will focus on what our animal friends can teach us, and will conclude with a blessing of each animal. For those worshiping from home, you will be invited to include your pet or a photo of your pet during the blessing.
Grief Support Group
Four sessions, once a week.
October. 8th, 15th, 22nd and 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.
Parish Hall Rental
Are you planning a birthday bash, anniversary celebration, or a big family gathering? Look no further! Parish Hall is the ideal spot for your special occasion. Did you know that First Parish members pay only $150 for 4 hours? This also includes use of parlor and kitchen.
The hall has a maximum capacity of about 120 for cocktails, and 80 seated. We have about 10 six foot rectangular tables (size: 30 x72) & 3 pub height round tables, 70 ladder-back chairs and 26 arm chairs.
If you are interested, please contact Sherri in office at office@fpmilton.org to learn more and/or inquire about availability.
Events
Navigating the Political Climate October 23rd
Meet by Zoom only
Fourth Thursday of the month, starting Sept 25th 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.
SAVE THE DATE:
The annual Harvest Supper is scheduled for Saturday, November 8th, 6:00pm-9:30pm in the Parish Hall.
It is a potluck event with more info to follow.
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.
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
- *Staffed the bake sale table
- *Set up/cleaned up
- *Helped 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
Eleventh Hour Calling for Democracy
Saturday, October 11th, 6:00p.m.
535 Canton Avenue
First Parish in Milton UU Church
Even though this falls on a holiday weekend, assemble at 6 p.m. for a rousing Drumming Circle — no experience required — in preparation to stand up for/defend Democracy. Bring yourselves, neighbors, sound-makers, signs, flags, voices, and energy. This is a family-friendly event repeating monthly. Tuesday, November 11 (Veterans Day) is next. Show that we are resolved, resounding, and resilient in challenging times. Coming together, being together, is restorative.
[Note: Milton Indivisible sponsors a weekly Wednesday standout 4:30-6:30 p.m. in East Milton Square.]
NEXT DATE IS October 15th
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 beginning this month (Sept.17). 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
The Visibility Brigade continues our weekly standout
On the East Milton Overpass (Adams Street)
EVERY Wednesday afternoon from 4:30-6:30pm
Each week, we share a new reminder for rush hour drivers:
WE CANNOT PRETEND EVERYTHING IS OKAY
OUR DEMOCRACY IS AT RISK
WE MUST STAND UP AND SPEAK OUR TRUTH!
Come whenever you are able and stay for whatever time you can spare.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE!
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.