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
- Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“In Longer Day-Turning Toward the Sun”
Worship Assistant: Christopher Clifford
Audio: Atticus D’Alessandro
Social Hour: Dan De Angeli & Dianna Wilson
Please join us for service at 10:30am.
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.
Service will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
Join us on December 31st for a special service with guest minister, Jim Scott.
Jim Scott’s songs (like “Gather the Spirit”) are in our Unitarian Universalist hymnals. As co-chair of the UU Ministry for the Earth, Jim was one of the creators of the Green Sanctuary program. A longtime member of the Paul Winter Consort, Jim was co-composer of their celebrated “Missa Gaia/Earth Mass.” He has produced 9 albums and created the “Earth and Spirit Songbook.” Pete Seeger called Jim “Some kind of a magician.”
Music This Week
This Sunday we are pleased to welcome guest musician and worship leader Jim Scott. A life-long Unitarian-Universalist, Jim has played at over 700 UU churches in four decades, and his songs are included in UU songbooks. He will be leading the service with his warmth and humor, and with his jazz and world music influenced songs.
Events and Meetings
Climate Action@HOME – upcoming discussions
The Climate team is planning monthly updates after worship for those who want to learn more about climate action. If you have topics you would like to discussion please contact Tracey Robinson at tdr02186@gmail.
January 14th- Heat Pumps: Come hear a panel of FPM members share info about their experience with installing heat pumps in their homes.
Join us 12:00 pm after social hour in the Chase Parlor.
News and Announcements
Childcare during Choir Rehearsals
Starting in January 2024, childcare will be available in the nursery starting at 8:30am for caregivers to attend choir rehearsal. If you have any questions about joining the choir, please contact Tim at eliztim95@gmail.com. If you have any questions about childcare, please contact Louise at re@fpmilton.org.
January is a great month to volunteer!
It is cold outside – but warm at First Parish!
CLICK HERE to SIGN UP!
We are looking for SOCIAL HOUR HOSTS, GREETERS & WORSHIP ASSISTANTS
Haven’t done this before or need a refresher? No worries! A committee member will reach out to you the week of your sign up to provide instructions and guidance.
Thank You and we look forward to your participation!
Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
Racial Justice Task Force
Bridging Dinner
First Parish and Church of the Holy Spirit’s next Bridging dinner will be held on Friday, January 19 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Debbie Alsebai’s house at 11 Morton Road, Milton.
The dinner will be catered by a local black owned restaurant and dessert will be Deb’s popular carrot cake. $25 per person.
Please RSVP if you would like to join the gathering.
THE GIFT OF EARTH (& JUSTICE) ADVOCACY from First Parish Social & Environmental Justice Committee
We know we can make individual choices to live more sustainably, to lessen impacts on our shared planet (thus far, no Planet B. ) Collectively, our choices matter. ADVOCACY, supporting key legislation and informing our legislators about important pending bills, is even more important. It’s easy to identify your state legislator (s) here — input your zipcode.
For a proposed bill to become law, State House co-sponsors give it clout and influence its chances of approval. Legislators represent you: make sure they know what matters to you. Call, email, text, and/or post on social media. Hearing from as few as five or six constituents about a particular bill puts it on their radar. Really.
Here are two bills with impact which merit your action:
H3690 and S2104— the Bigger Better Bottle Bill represents a proven way to reduce plastic pollution by expanding product categories and raising the deposit fee to 10 cents. Our state’s current system is outdated and insufficient. Imagine: no more alcohol NIPS, water, or sports/vitamin beverage bottles littering the streets, riverways, or beaches. [a MassPIRG initiative]
S.481 / H.872 (aka Polluters Pay) — this establishes a climate change superfund and promotes polluter/manufacturer responsibility to “clean up its act.” Right now, consumer-citizens pay for all the bad outcomes like solid waste, litter, and public health risks. [a UU MASS Action campaign item]
It’s wonderful that First Parish members live in many different municipalities: Boston, Canton, Milton, Quincy, Randolph, and more. Together, we can make an an impact IF we advocate for it.
January 3rd is the next date!
S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the first and third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches twice a month to support shelter guests.
See updated instructions on the Mainspring SignUpGenius page and signup whenever you can help out.
We are counting on your support!
Beyond First Parish
SAVE THE DATE to join us for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day Project
Monday, January 15th 10:00 am-11:30 am
Cunningham Hall-75 Edge Hill Road., Milton
We invite families and friends to join us in assembling “blessing bags” for those in our area facing the challenges of housing and living in harsh weather.
Sponsored by Courageous Conversations Towards Racial Justice.
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.