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 “Fierce Embrace”
Worship Associate: Brigitte Miller
Greeters: Jen Pinkus
Social Hour: Hale & Tucker Smith, Jim May and Mary Blanchette
Audio: Nicholas Miller
This week’s offering will be given to Courageous Conversations Toward Racial Justice. CCTRJ promotes healing, equity, and systemic change by creating structured, safe spaces for authentic, cross-racial dialogue to address racism, privilege, bias, and disparities, transforming beliefs and behaviors for more just outcomes in schools, communities, and organizations. Volunteers Karen Groce-Horan and Jim May will speak.
*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 am looking forward to our annual holiday fair this Saturday (flyer below). It combines so much of our skills, gifts and values. We have a robust freecycle table, touching on our environmental (reuse/recycle) and economic justice concerns. We have local crafters selling their wares, celebrating art and local connections. We have a fair trade table for a supportive reach around the globe. A Milton High School choir shares music as we shop. Free chili is available with the usual excellent cuisine talents of many, and a table is set aside to create pastoral cards.
It is important to play in community, to enjoy each other’s festive hopes and to support artists. Come stop by and share in this event. Many, many thanks to the Membership Committee for their orchestration of the event.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing “How Good It Is”, an uplifting text inspired by the 133rd Psalm, and written by Tony Alonso. Carina Digianfilippo will also be sharing a newly-composed song called “If You Have a Happy Place”, by Eric Sawyer.
Religious Exploration
Christmas Pageant
Wednesday, December 24th, 2025 at 4pm
at First Parish Milton Meetinghouse
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
Entering First Parish
As the days get colder, I wanted to send a reminder about our external entrance doors.
Recently, the social worker door frame was bent due to a wood door stopper being inserted on the frame edge. The door is no longer shutting properly, and we’ve had to call 2 contractors to fix the frame and get the lock to close properly.
Please do not use door stoppers, bricks, or other items to prop doors open for events. If you need to have doors unlocked for you, please talk to Susan or Sherri in the office. We can automatically unlock doors for you, give you a temporary key, or find another solution that works. We will be happy to work with you, and prevent damage from being done to the building.
Susan DeMinico, Congregational Administrator
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. Contact Mary Blanchette 617-512-6893 to donate.
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.
January 30, 2026
*note this is a date change
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.
Looking to make your holiday (and everyday) spending reflect your values?
GoodsUniteUs.com can help. The website has a simple search function that gives you clear information about how companies spend their political dollars and what causes they support. With easy-to-read scorecards and straightforward explanations, you can quickly see whether a company’s actions align with your beliefs before you buy. In a time when our purchases have real social and political impact, GoodsUniteUs makes it easier to shop with intention and support businesses that reflect your values.
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
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.