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
- This Week in Religious Exploration
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Surprising Encounters”
Worship Assistant: Franc Graham
Advent Candles: Joanna & Sebastian Jung
Usher: Amy Kavadlo
Social Hour: Tracey Robinson & Allison Zippay
Music: Tim Steele
Audio: Sophie D’Alessandro
Sunday’s offering will go to the service and ministry of First Parish.
Masks are optional for vaccinated people in the meetinghouse; masks are still required for those who have not been vaccinated. Respect and consideration should be given to all regardless of their masking choice.
One of the few bits of church news that I came upon in my concerted effort to “be away” during sabbatical, occurred in September during an encounter with a colleague. She was quite impressed and appreciative of the volunteer efforts of First Parish in Milton toward the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association’s Refugee Resettlement Project. At the recent Thanks-For-Giving ceremony, led by MICA, more details were revealed of this important project to help two Syrian families in their first year of settling into Milton. This is after years of being refugees, slogging through the paperwork and temporary living situations before arriving in the United States.
This is a true interfaith, inter-cultural endeavor, with faith communities pitching in as they can. From furnishing a rental home to tutoring, to transportation, to vital translating, these two families are being welcomed and encouraged to find their way in Milton. Members Amy Norton and Cynthia Guise were recognized at the Thanks for Giving ceremony for their dedicated volunteerism toward this effort. Many other First Parish members have helped in a variety of ways.
This, of course, takes funds. First Parish in Milton was helpful in the first drive. A second ask is in the process right now to reach MICA’s goal of support. To this end, the Parish Committee has approved devoting the Christmas Eve offering to the Resettlement Project. To make the opportunity for contributions more accessible, we will devote any Breeze contributions (how we do online offerings) to the project from December 24 – December 31. If you want to write a check instead, write it to MICA, with “resettlement project” in the memo line.
Here’s a reminder about online giving. Again, wait till December 24 for the Resettlement Program.
How To Give: Simply text (617) 539-7576 with the amount that you’d like to give. Do not add words, simply put the amount. You’ll get an automatic text message back, asking you to do a 1-time set up to create an account with your credit card/debit number. This is contained and safe — it goes directly to a designated First Parish account.
This is wonderful opportunity to put our Principles into action.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music For Sunday
This Sunday the music selections will touch on the theme of Wonder. Grace Allendorf will be singing “Wondering” by Diane White-Clayton. Dr. White-Clayton is both a prolific composer and an acclaimed performer of classical, gospel, and jazz, and currently teaches at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. A small ensemble of singers from our congregation will also be presenting a piece titled “Star of Wonder”.
Christmas Weekend at First Parish
We are offering 3 services Christmas weekend: 5:00pm on Christmas Eve, 10:00pm on Christmas Eve, and 10:30am on Christmas Day. Please see the details below.
All ages welcome at all services.
First Parish Christmas Eve Pageant
5:00 pm – All ages are welcome
The momentum is growing for this year’s outdoor pageant! The pageant is a fun re-imagining of the Nativity. It’s a participatory, family-friendly event. The cast is easily expandable to include extended family or friends who may be visiting (even at the last minute!). Sign up today to join the cast (singing, speaking, or non-speaking) or to provide musical accompaniment by emailing Steve Yakutis (steve.yakutis@gmail.com). There will be a rehearsal on Sunday, Dec 18 right after church.
We also need other help! Do you want to be a guide to assist the audience, help with set-up and break-down, or bake some cookies? Email Sherri at office@fpmilton.org and let her know what you’d like to do.
The outdoor pageant will be held at 5:00 on Christmas Eve, followed by a hot chocolate reception for cast, crew and attendees.
In the event of inclement weather, pageant will be held inside sanctuary.
Christmas Eve- 10:00pm Indoor/Hybrid Meditative Service
Our traditional candelight service- come into the meetinghouse or join on Zoom where we will share reflections, sing carols, lift up the prayerful message of peace for the world. Please see new Zoom Link below for this service only.
Christmas Day- 10:30am service
Join us Christmas Day for an in person only service in the Sanctuary.
Please sign up if you would like to be a worship assistant, greeter, or usher at the 10:00 pm Christmas Eve service.
Religious Exploration
RE classes return this week, with Spirit Play learning about the 3 Wise Women, Holidays and Holy Days exploring Kwanzaa, and Friends and Neighbors continuing thier world religion curriculum. Coming of Age meetings this Sunday at 4pm.
Rehearsels for our Christmas Eve pageant will occur during and after social hour on Sunday. If you’d like to participate, please contact Steve Yakutis at steve.yakutis@gmail.com. We are most in need of folks to help with set-up and break-down. teh day of the pageant.
For planning purposes, services on 12/25 and 1/1 will be multigenerational.
On 1/8, our workshop series continues with a visit from the Ecotarium with their “Turtle Travels” program. Please mark your calendars, and invite friends!
How do turtles survive in different habitats? How might their behavior change when humans move in? Meet a live turtle, handle real turtle biofacts, and gather information about turtle adaptations and life cycles in this interactive program! We will also take on a real-world conservation issue to develop a parcel of land while still keeping the needs of local turtles in mind.
Events and Meetings
STILL ROOM TO ATTEND HOLIDAY BLUES BRUNCH
Saturday, December 17th
10:30 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Home of member Deb Alsebai
More details on sign-up genius.
The holidays are heightened times. This can mean deep grief, loneliness or a sense of isolation. Let’s gather for some good food and fellowship. We’ll socialize and share coping ideas, including some programming offered by Rev. Lisa. This is a time to honor together however we are this holiday season. Please sign up on the below link for planning purposes. All ages welcome.
News and Announcements
The Milton Residents Fund gratefully accepts financial or gift card donations throughout the year to assist families and individuals who are experiencing a financial crisis.
Generally we distribute in increments of $25 and $50. Donations can be left in the grey box in the church hallway. Provide the donors name and mailing address if a tax donation letter is requested.”
Noreen K Dolan, MSW, LCSW
Fund Coordinator
Volunteer Opportunities
Hospitality Committee in Need of Social Hour Hosts
The hospitality commitee needs your help for 2023! We’d like to continue to offer hot beverages and snacks after Sunday services each week. Thank you in advance for your help!
Please consider signing up in sign up genius if you are interested. And as always thank you to all those who have helped in the past.
Social & Environmental Justice Committee in Need of Reps for Info Table
Weekly S&EJ information table in the Parish Hall. Beginning at the close of Sunday services until 12 noon.
Fair Foods
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, January 14th.
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, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. Contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685 with any questions or for more information.
First Parish Milton volunteers provide bagged lunches to MainSpring adult shelters in Brockton twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Members of the Social & Environmental Justice committee will make the delivery to Brockton.
Volunteers are needed to acquire food and pack 10 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45 pm-1:00 pm on Delivery day. One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton. Please note how many meals you are making in comments. We are looking for 70 lunches for each delivery day. Lunches should include sandwich, fruit, drink, snack/chips and sweet/cookies.
The next delivery day will be on Wednesday December 21st and then every other Wednesday throughout the year. We will meet in the lower parking lot between 12:40 and 1:00 PM.
If you haven’t made lunches in a while OR if you are a new volunteer, sign up on MainSpring Sign Up Genius or contact Pat Gallivan at pl.gallivan@verizon.net for more info.
Thanks to all the volunteers that have made this program a success for more than two years !!
Beyond First Parish
GIFT BOOKS FOR THE HOLIDAYS
“Milton Grows!”is a year-long programming initiative of Milton Public Library. Two book discussions will take place in 2023. January (date TBD) will feature Climate Justice: Hope, Resilience, and the Fight for a Sustainable Future by Mary Robinson (former President of Ireland and special U.N. Climate Envoy). The second, March TBD, will be Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard by Douglas W. Tallamy (professor of “bugs,” author. lecturer).
These inspirational books are aligned with our congregation’s social and environmental endeavors so consider gifting, or getting, or checking them out! Register on the EVENTS tab at Milton Public Library’s website.https://miltonlibrary.org/
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.