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
November 21, 2021
“More Than Just Us: Justice”
Facilitated by: Rev. Lisa Ward
Worship Associate: Amy Kavadlo
Music: Tim Steele
Social Hour Host: Marie-Laure Brown
Greeters: Richard Venable & Cynthia Guise
Ushers: Heather Scranton & Winston Feliz
Bell Ringer: Feliz-Scranton Family
Audio: Nina Truog
Tent Crew: Richard Venable
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 to Thrive Gulu. THRIVE Gulu assists communities in post-conflict northern Uganda to heal from the traumatic effects of war, sexual exploitation, extreme poverty and the resulting loss of opportunities. Mike Bello, Board Chair will be speaking.
Staying Warm in the Meetinghouse
As the autumn days grow colder, we recommend you dress warmly for worship in the Meetinghouse. In order to keep our air circulating, we will need to keep a few windows open.
On Sunday afternoon, Nov. 21, the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association will be hosting the annual celebration of Thanks-For-Giving. It will be virtual again this year, thanks to Milton Access TV. All are welcome to zoom in. Please find details further down in this enewsletter.
This is a town-wide gathering designed to highlight honorees from various town organizations on behalf of their volunteer service for the year. Many volunteers do many things, however each organization is asked to highlight one or two.
Our congregation’s Parish Committee unanimously nominated Pat Neves and Claudia Wellington, who have facilitated spiritual sustenance, heart nourishment and joyful sounds through their dedication to music in our faith community. Especially during these Covid times, Claudia and Pat have braved innovation, digital collaboration, and technology to enhance our musical experience at First Parish.
Here are the short bios that will be shared at the webinar on Sunday, November 21, at 4 pm.
Pat Neves, co-chair of First Parish in Milton’s Music Committee at First Parish, has given of her musical talent for many years. Last year, she contributed her technological expertise for online worship, organizing small ensembles for integrated zoom performances. Pat’s passion for connecting through music has greatly enhanced the spirit of our community.
Claudia Wellington, co-chair of First Parish in Milton’s Music Committee, has been a prolific contributor of music for worship for many years. She also recruits lay musicians, encourages them and assists them in duets and nsembles. Claudia’s talent and devotion to the musical life of our church is a true gift of heart.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Look for your Guest At Your Table boxes this Sunday! We are beginning our participation in Guest At Your Table, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s biggest and longest fundraising and education effort. Read the Stories of Hope when you gather for a family meal, contribute the value of a serving of what you are eating together in the collection box, do so as frequently as it works for your family, and at the end of the campaign we pool all the contributions we’ve collected and support the work of the UUSC. The children in Religious exploration will have the boxes and Stories of Hope booklets at coffee hour. If you are attending worship online, please email Molly Nolan at dre@fpmilton.org and we’ll get a box and booklet to you.
Molly B. Nolan, Transitional Director of Religious Education
Music This Sunday
This Sunday a small ensemble of singers will be presenting “Song of Freedom” by David Maxwell. A prolific composer, Mr. Maxwell has served for a number of years as Minister of Music at State Street Church-UCC in Portland, ME; he is also the brother of our previous First Parish Music Director Emma Jean Moulton. Jennifer Sgroe will also be offering “I Dream a World” by composer, conductor, and educator Cedric Adderley on a text by Langston Hughes.
JOIN THE OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE THE CHRISTMAS PAGEANT ON OUR CAMPUS
We will still be dealing with the limitations of COVID during the holiday season. But that is no reason to keep children and families (of all ages) from participating in our Christmas Pageant. So this year we will celebrate our Christmas Pageant, the earlier Christmas Eve service outdoors! This is a congregation wide opportunity to embark on a project for all ages, with strong visibility and welcome.
There are many ways to help to plan, set-up, and/or participate. To volunteer to share in this family friendly celebration, please contact the office at office@fpmilton.org
Table of Contents
News, Announcements and Meetings
1.MICA Thanks for Giving Service
2.Member Orientation/Reorientation
3.Imaginarium
4.Social and Environmental Justice News and Events
5.Milton Community Concerts Season Announcement
6.Prison Book Program
7.Meditation
8.Yoga
9.UU Urban Ministry Architecture Series
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Milton Interfaith Clergy Association
invites you to attend the Annual Thanks for Giving Service
Sunday, November 21, 2021 at 4:00 pm
Where we honor Volunteers of the Year from Milton Faith and Civic Organizations
Guest Speaker
Deborah Milbauer, creator of “The Milton Family Portrait Project” who will help us Celebrate America’s Diversity:
“Those who came by choice, by force, and who were already here.”
This service is being shown on Zoom.
Upcoming Events
Member Orientation/Reorientation
This month, Rev. Lisa and the Membership Committee will be leading a two-part gathering on the history of Unitarian Universalism and what it means to be UU at First Parish.
These will serve as both a pathway for those who want to join the church AND we are opening it up to all in the church who want to come and learn more about us and our history. Have you always wondered how we became the Unitarian Universalists ? Did you know that in addition to our seven Principles, we also have six Sources ? This is your chance to go deeper into our history.
Interested? Have Questions? Contact Leslie MacPherson at lesliemacpherson@gmail.com.
November 30th 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Session 2: UUs at First Parish
A brief history and focus on UUism at First Parish
led by Leslie MacPherson, a lifelong Universalist
Imaginarium
Meetings are generally on the Third Saturday in the Meetinghouse (masks required at this time)
10:00 am-12:00 pm (next meeting: ) November 20th
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
News from S & EJ Committee
“Condor and The Eagle” Documentary
First Parish Lexington invites us all to watch this powerful film, free or by voluntary donation, any time through Nov 30th. It brings alive wisdom and courage of trans-continental Indigenous leaders working for climate justice. A vivid film to inspire and heal.
Join a Zoom discussion on November 21, 5:30 PM
Big news for Father Bill’s and MainSpring!
Sharing a letter addressed to Lynne Stack:
Dear Lynne,
Earlier today, Father Bill’s & MainSpring (FBMS) was blessed to be joined by a compassionate group of community and business leaders to break ground on the Yawkey Housing Resource Center, our bold vision bringing innovation and best practices to Quincy.
The Yawkey Housing Resource Center, named in honor of the Yawkey Foundation’s longtime support of FBMS, will transform how our agency approaches homelessness by streamlining services and removing barriers for our neighbors facing a housing crisis.
And today’s groundbreaking wouldn’t have been possible without our generous supporters. We are taking a giant leap in our fight to end homelessness – thanks to people like you.
Read event coverage in the Patriot Ledger:
The Yawkey Housing Resource Center, comprised of two new buildings, will be home to: a day center with housing assistance, healthcare and other supportive services; an emergency shelter with showers, a kitchen, and a dining area, and 30 on-site permanent supportive housing units for formerly homeless individuals.
We expect the first phase of the Yawkey Housing Resource Center to be completed by spring 2023, with the 30 units of housing to open by summer 2023.
If you are interested in learning about “A Path Home,” our capital fund raising campaign in support of the Yawkey Housing Resource Center, contact our Chief Development Officer Catie Reilly at cmreilly@helpfbms.org.
Thank you for supporting our mission,
John Yazwinski
President & CEO
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, December 11th
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 weekdaysfrom early morning until mid-afternoon.
Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com
Sign up to volunteer on Sign up Genius
Calling all Father Bill volunteers!
Next date is MONDAY, November 22nd
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 to volunteer on Sign up Genius
Milton Community Concerts is now offering the opportunity between now and December 31st to view any of the live stream concerts from this past year for free. Just go to the website to find the link, and to donate to the concert series if you are so moved. You will also find a listing of upcoming concerts for 2021-22.
Book Drive Still going now till December 15
You may donate gently used and new paperback books in the following categories:
Nonfiction: dictionaries (in all languages), thesaurus, almanacs, trade skills, business, hobbies, self-help, sports, spirituality and books by LGBTQ authors and people of color.
Fiction: Westerns, thrillers, mysteries, science fiction.
To learn more about the program, visit prisonbookprogram.org
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!
Classes with instructor Elyse Siegmann!
Online via Zoom (see link below) till further notice
6:30 pm Monday evenings
“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 – starting Monday Nov 1!”
The Treasures of the Meetinghouse series
Episode 2
December 6th 6:00 pm-7:30 pm
In the second installment of the “Treasures of the Meetinghouse” series, historian, Thomas Plant, will discuss First Church Roxbury’s historic Hook & Hastings organ. This mid-nineteenth century organ was taken apart and removed from the Meetinghouse to undergo a full cleaning and restoration. Now after months of work, the organ has returned. We will discuss the history and significance of the beautiful Hook & Hastings organ.
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.