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
First Parish was in the news !
Member Luisa Pena Lyons with her non profit Bridge Forward
This Week in Worship
November Worship Theme: DIFFERENCE “The Lure of Combat”
Worship Associate: Lisa White
Greeters: Bill & Deb Kelley
Social Hour: Guy Pugh & Steve Yakutis
Flowers: Deb Kelley
Audio: Nicholas Miller
This week’s offering will be given to Reclaim Our Vote. Reclaim Our Vote is a grassroots, primarily volunteer-run campaign that focuses on increasing BIPOC voter turnout through post-carding, texting, and phone banking. Working with local, on-the-ground partners and our Democracy Centers, we build effective, respectful, and relevant campaigns that engage BIPOC voters around upcoming elections. Natalie Monroe will speak on its behalf.
*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.
As many of you know, I sent out an email announcing my retirement from full-time ministry after June 30, 2026. Here’s the earlier text:
“After 34 years of ordained ministry, I will be retiring from full-time Parish Ministry on June 30th. Serving First Parish in Milton for these ten years has been a delightful, challenging, and fulfilling experience.
I offer this news early in our church year so that we can continue to work together, easing into the logistics of transition. The leadership here at First Parish is strong and your care for each other is a thing of beauty.
More news will unfold in the beginning of the calendar year.”
I’ve received messages of congratulations, surprise and good wishes. Thank you for your responsiveness. We have plenty of time to mindfully deepen beloved community together, something that is so needed for navigating our lives. I’m fully here through June and grateful for our work together.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This week the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem called “Peace, Like Welcome Rain” by Dr. Mark Patterson, an award-winning composer from Virginia. The anthem is a call for peace, which he says is “challenging us to live and work together to unite our communities for the greater good”. Hunsaker soloist Scott Ballantine will also be offering a solo called “Be Ye Kind, One to Another”, by Katherine K. Davis.
MCC UPCOMING CONCERT On 11/16
Also a reminder that Milton Community Concerts will present it’s eleventh annual “Sing For Their Supper” free benefit concert on Sunday, November 16 at 3pm in the Meetinghouse. Ten singers will be featured in a program of opera favorites and familiar musical theater selections, all to benefit the Milton Food Pantry and Milton Residents Fund.
Religious Exploration
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. If you prefer not to use Amazon, that’s fine too! So if you are picking something off the list from somewhere else, please simply drop items off outside of RE office door! 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!
Warmly,
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.
Stocking Welcome Gifts – December 7th
During RE Class time on December 7th, all ages will be making Stocking Welcome Gifts for families served by the Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI). This special project will take place in the Parish Hall. Many thanks to Tracey Robinson from the SEJC who will lead the discussion about IFSI and the experiences of immigrants in our community, particularly children. You can support their efforts by donating supplies directly through our Amazon List your donations will be delivered right to the church. If you prefer not to use Amazon, that’s fine too! We welcome donations of small kid friendly stocking stuffers (please choose travel friendly items that are individually wrapped, not homemade and no nuts). Please drop items off outside of RE office door. Every item helps make this expression of care and connection possible. Thanks in advance for your support!
News & Announcements
Harvest Supper This Saturday
November 8th 6:00 pm-9:30 pm
We hope to see you at our Annual Harvest Supper!
Please RSVP to bring a dish (no soup please) and RSVP if you have not already.
This is a beloved potluck tradition with wonderful food, conversation, and community.
Childcare will be available.
*Please click below to RSVP and sign up to bring a dish:
Click here to sign up to bring a favorite dish
ALL CHURCH COUNCIL
Friday, November 7th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Open to ALL!
Please join the Committee Chairs to discuss how committees can advance church priorities in the upcoming church year.
A reminder- The office will be closed on Tuesday, November 11th in honor of Veteran’s Day.
It’s Orientation Time!
Have you been coming to First Parish for awhile and want to know more? Have you been thinking about joining as a member? First Parish Membership will be holding our next Orientation session in November.
These generally run about two hours and cover the history of our Unitarian and Universalist roots- as well as the wonderful people and activities at First Parish
These are either done on an evening via Zoom or on a Sunday after church.
If you are interested— or eager to know more— please reach out to Leslie. Let us know what your day/time preference is.
Looking forward to getting to know you better!
Contact Leslie at Lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
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
Events
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
A Few Words About SNAP
Families in MA eligible for SNAP food benefits receive, on average, $200 per week for a family of 4. Effective Nov 1, families who relied on SNAP benefits will be out of luck and out of food.
Please consider a donation to your favorite food pantry or shelter:
- The Greater Boston Food Bank,
- The Food Project, Milton Community Food pantry
- OR the next time you go to the library bring a few non-perishable items -“Take One Leave One” shelves located in the front vestibule.
A friend recently shared with me that she carries granola bars in her car – so she has something to hand out to that hungry person on the corner…
Small actions speak louder than words. Do what you can
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
Eleventh Hour Calling for Democracy
Tuesday, November 11, 4-4:30 p.m.
[Note the earlier time!!!]
535 Canton Avenue
First Parish in Milton UU Church
Gather by 4 p.m. for a rousing Resilience Circle to stand out / stand up for Democracy. Our “sound off” starts at 4:11 p.m. and lasts for eleven minutes. Bring yourselves, neighbors, sound-makers, signs, flags, voices, and energy. This family-friendly event repeats monthly. Thursday, December 11 is next. There is strength in Community: We are resolved, resounding, resisting, and resilient in challenging times. [Note: Milton Indivisible Visibility Brigade sponsors a weekly Wednesday standout 4-6 p.m. in East Milton Square.]
The Green Monster ???
Have you noticed a green hue emanating from the front facade of our historic Meetinghouse lately? No, it’s not Halloween theatrics. The greenish wash of light shines symbolically to show that our church is grounded in the Unitarian Universalist green principle of interconnectedness, paired with the active work of Climate Justice.
On Sunday, April 12, 2026, Social and Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC) members will offer a special service for the Earth. Want to be involved? Come by our table during Social Hour.
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.