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
December Worship Theme: ENLIGHTMENT “There is More”
Worship Associate: Tom Kemp
Faith Reflection: Ellen Barr
Greeters: Brigitte Miller and Debbie Alsebai
Social Hour: Dale Golembeski & Amy Kavaldo, Jim May and Mary Blanchette
Flowers: Trisha Tu
Audio: Sofia Nitolo
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
*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.
I arrived in the office today after three days with colleagues in a study group. We were studying ethical living and our responsiveness to theses times. It was nourishing to come together as colleagues. It was also inspiring to share resources, care and courage with one another. In this time of advent which summons the hope of more yet to come and much within to receive it, I share this piece by Howard Thurman that I came across in my research.
“All around us worlds are dying and new worlds are being born; all around us life is dying and life is being born. The fruit ripens on the tree, the roots are silently at work in the darkness of the earth against a time when there shall be new lives, fresh blossoms, green fruit. Such is the growing edge! It is the extra breath from the exhausted lung, the one more thing to try when all else has failed, the upward reach of life when weariness closes in upon all endeavor. This is the basis of hope in moments of despair, the incentive to carry on when times are out of joint and people have lost their reason, the source of confidence when worlds crash and dreams whiten into ash. The birth of a child — life’s most dramatic answer to death — this is the growing edge incarnate. Look well to the growing edge!”
In Faith, Rev. Lisa
Music
This week the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem called “Journey On”, by Victor C. Johnson. Mr. Johnson is a native of Texas, and attended the University of Texas in Arlington. He has written more than 350 choral works, and is an accomplished conductor and organist. Grace Allendorf will also be presenting a solo by Gene Scheer, called “Lean Away” which addresses those things that make us feel a certain way even though we can’t describe the reason why.
Also, a reminder that on this Sunday afternoon, December 7, at 3pm is a “Community Messiah Sing-Along” for both listeners and singers. The Combined Churches of Milton are presenting this event in the Meetinghouse as a fundraiser for the Milton Community Food Pantry and Milton Residents Fund. Admission is free, and donations for these two important charities will be gratefully accepted. Only the Christmas portion of MESSIAH will be presented, along with the Hallelujah Chorus. Soloists from churches around Milton will be featured. Scores will be provided for those who need them (until we run out!).
Religious Exploration
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.
Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 at 4pm
at First Parish Milton Meetinghouse @ 535 Canton Avenue
A joyful, all-ages retelling of the Christmas story — UU-style! Join us in celebrating the spirit of hope, peace, and love through story, song, and laughter. May we kindle the light of love and hope together this season
No Rehearsal — Just Drop In!
Everyone is welcome to take part! Costumes, props, and simple parts will be provided. We will meet in front of the Meetinghouse or inside if the weather is below freezing.
Speaking Roles Available
Email Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.org or text 470-223-0337 if you would you like to help narrate or take a small speaking role. Scripts will be simple and easy to read from the page – no memorization or rehearsal needed!
Featuring:
Beloved carols and seasonal music
A creative, inclusive retelling of the nativity story
Props for all ages (or come as you are!)
Cider and cookies to follow
News & Announcements
The Bell at First Parish
In late summer, we discovered that the church bell would no longer ring when the ropes were pulled. We had hoped for a simple solution- maybe the rope came off the wheel, or it had frayed?- but alas that was not the case. You’ll see a few photos of what we found when we went up to the bell tower. The good news is that the bell itself is unscathed- the bad news is the entire enclosure needs to be rebuilt. As the bell tower was renovated 20 years ago, there were concerns that the structural supports perhaps weren’t holding up, or there were other issues that needed to be addressed before rebuilding. We hired a structural engineer to review the tower, and he ensured us that this damage was due to weather related wood rot and wood choice. This was great news- it meant a contained repair with no core structural issues in the tower. However, by the time this was determined, it was too late into the fall to be able to complete this repair with the cold (the repair is expected to take approximately 3 weeks). Our plan is to do the work as early as possible in the spring, with the goal of having the bell ringing by Earth Day 2026. In the meantime, please do not go up to the bell tower for your own safety, and thank you for your patience as we carefully went through the process of determining how best to care for our beautiful bell.
“If you haven’t hosted before, would you consider giving it a try?”
Social Hour hosts are needed on December 21st
Please click here to sign up.
New to hosting or need a refresher? A member of the Hospitality Committee will connect with you prior to social hour to answer questions, and will be present the morning of your hosting.
Thank you for your hospitality!
Looking for a way to help this holiday season? The Milton Residents’ Fund housed at First Parish is seeking donations of funds or gift cards, to assist low-income children and adults of all ages in Milton this holiday season. Many of our friends and neighbors in Milton have been especially hard hit with lost income, uncertainty about food & heating assistance, increasing costs, or fewer available social supports, so we are hoping to provide assistance through gift cards to grocery stores, Target, TJMaxx/Marshalls, Amazon or use financial donations to purchase tanks of winter heating oil, prevent electric and gas shutoffs and help with small medical bills or car repairs. Donations in any amount are greatly appreciated and will be passed on directly to a Milton family or individual in need. Donations are tax deductible and can be mailed directly to The Milton Residents’ Fund c/o First Parish Unitarian 535 Canton Ave Milton MA 02186 or dropped in the gray box outside the parish office in the hallway. To make an online donation please email the Milton Residents Fund with an amount you would like to donate and Noreen can send a donation link. If you, or anyone you know in Milton, is experiencing a financial crisis and needs assistance with rent, utilities, or unpaid medical bills please call (617) 696-1214 or email with questions to
Wishing everyone a healthy and peaceful Holidays!
Regards,
Noreen K Dolan, MSW, LCSW
Fund Coordinator
Milton Residents Fund
Henry B Martin Fund / Swift Charity
Parish Members Fund, First Parish
Events
DeeDee’s Cry is a Roxbury based non-profit that seeks to provide resources about suicide and gives support to those who have lost loved ones by suicide or who are contemplating suicide. Each year the organization runs a holiday toy drive largely supported by Toys for Tots. This year Toys for Tots is unable to provide as much support and we have been asked, through the UUA Circles of Support, to step up.
We are seeking new toys, for children ages 8-14. Toys should be unwrapped and can be dropped at the Church (Monday-Thursday 9 AM-1 PM) or brought to Church on Sundays including 11/23, 11/30, or 12/7. If you are purchasing a toy online, it can be mailed directly to:
UU Urban Ministry
C/O Vinnie
10 Putnam St. Roxbury, MA 02119
Any mailed gifts need to arrive before 12/13. If you have any questions about DeeDee’s Cry or the toy drive, please contact Ruth Hannon at rthannon47@gmail.com or Mary Blanchette at MBPA@comcast.net.
Saturday, December 13th 9:30am-1:30pm
Fun, food, and festive gifts for all ages! Gingerbread Cookies, Chili Lunch, Music and Santa at 12PM.
First Parish Holiday Fair Update:
We are now set for crafters, musicians and activities for our fair.
What we need now are bakers and cooks for:
*Baked Goods for the bake sale, especially cookies
*Chili and cornbread for the lunch
If you can contribute, please go to the Sign-up Genius and let us know what you can bring:
– We will have a table in the Parlor where kids can purchase inexpensive items to give as gifts. Good ideas are: small soaps, lotions, small toys, candles, etc. We will have a box in the Library where you can bring in these items.
We will again be collecting new or gently worn outdoor clothing and will have our hat and mitten tree in the Narthex.
There are SO many ways you can be involved. If you have questions or ideas, please reach out to Leslie or anyone on the Membership Committee at Lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
Social & Environmental Justice
ADDING “MINDFUL” TO YOUR “MERRY”
Now, and in the New Year
First Parish Milton’s Social & Enviro Justice Committee members share a few ideas and asks as we enter into the “holidaze” and a new year of upheaval on many fronts.
Don’t purchase from three major corporations: Home Depot (ICE enablement), Target (pulled its support for DEI and Pride policies), and Amazon (ICE technology tools and regime enablement). Applying economic pressure on these “ubiquitous brands” is easy to do and effective when millions of shoppers support the boycott — this from Indivisible.
If you’re looking for organic foods, household products, or toiletries, check out Vitacost (owned by Kroger Co.). Online orders are shipped by carriers other than Amazon! For healthy dry goods and ingredients without the plastic trappings,Supply Bulk Foods — it’s a regional eco- friendly shop — perfect for holiday baking.
Shop local. Shop thrift stores (More Than Words, for books). Research your town’s “Buy Nothing/Freecycle” market groups for gifts and all kinds of other items.
Avoid cheap, fast fashion, if possible — buy as much quality and natural fibers as you can.
Make your gifts ~~~ or give the rarest of all gifts: your time. And wrap them with love in a brown paper bag instead of unrecyclable glitz and glam.
NEXT DATE IS December 17th
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
Thursday, December 11, 4-4:30 p.m.
535 Canton Avenue
First Parish in Milton UU Church
Promptly at 4 p.m.: a rousing Resilience Circle to stand out / stand up for Democracy. The Eleventh Hour signature “sound off” starts at 4:11 p.m., lasting eleven minutes. Bring yourselves, neighbors, sound-makers, signs, flags, voices, and energy. This family-friendly event repeats monthly. Sunday, January 11 is next. We are strong: resolved, resounding, resisting, and resilient in challenging times. [Note: Milton Indivisible Visibility Brigade sponsors a weekly Wednesday standout 3:30-5:30 p.m. in East Milton Square.] If there’s BAD weather, particularly for driving/walking, rally one week later on Thursday, December 18
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.