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… 
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Sunday, February 16th, 2020
Sympathetic Joy
Rev. Lisa Ward
To counter this competitive society driven by meritocracy, we need to develop our ability to be happy for another’s happiness or “success”, in the hopes that we will thrive.
Minister
Rev. Lisa Ward
Next Wednesday, February 19, I will join protesters in Weymouth, MA who “stand out” on a regular basis in opposition to a proposed compressor station, to be engineered by Spectra Energy, Inc. This is a day in the midst of my study week, which is appropriate since I have much to learn about industry and environmental justice.
According to the “No Compressor” website (https://www.nocompressor.com/location-of-proposed-compressor): SPECTRA Energy is a Houston-based energy conglomerate with a market capitalization of approximately $17 Billion dollars. Spectra is proposing to build right next to a public park, and between the new Fore River Bridge and the Water Treatment Plant. There are more than 900 Homes within a 1/2-mile, and there are more than 13,000 children who attend 33 different schools within 3 miles of the site.
Some of the main issues lifted up on this website to encourage rejection of this compressor station are:
Compressor stations release dangerous chemicals into the air.
The Fore River Basin is the largest herring run in New England. There has yet to be a full environmental impact report for this proposal.
Weymouth & Quincy are already heavily burdened by industry and environmental pollutants.
There are many opportunities to address environmental justice. We do what we can in this marathon of habituating care for the Earth and its creatures. Each effort brings more awareness, vision and hope to building a just and healthy world. I look forward to this day of learning.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Rev. Lisa will be on study leave from Monday, February 17th through Monday, February 24th. She will be on call for member pastoral emergencies.
Religious Exploration
Nursery and toddler care is available every week in the Link hallway from 10:15 to 11:45 am. Our caregivers will be Tanisha and Bella. Stop by and say hello!
Religious Exploration for Sunday, February 16: Preschool children through grade 7 will attend the first part of the worship service in the Meetinghouse and then move downstairs to the hallway classrooms.
Our 2nd through 4th graders will continue to focus on Principle 3: We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together as part of the Passages program, meeting in the Primary classroom.
Children in preschool and grades 1,5,6 and 7 will gather in the purple classroom for an art session making “Good Eggs” for Easter and thank you cards for pledge donors.
Youth Chat will not meet this week. Enjoy the beginning of February vacation!
Coming of Age will not meet this week. Enjoy the beginning of February vacation!
Sanctuary Boston Trip This Coming Wednesday, February 19th, 6:30pm!
Coming of Age will be making a group trip to Sanctuary Boston. All youth group members, parents, siblings, mentors, etc are invited to attend. This is a UU informed non-traditional worship service that is held twice a month in alternating locations. The service will begin at 6:30pm at First Church Boston at 66 Marlborough St in Back Bay. The plan is for everyone to transport themselves there due to differing schedules and transportation needs. Please let Sara Elizabeth and Laurel know if you are planning on attending.
An Announcement from Sara Elizabeth:
This is a difficult message to write. After a great deal of personal reflection and discernment, I have decided to resign from my position as Youth Advisor, effective at the end of this church year in June.
Working in this community the past six and half years has been such a blessing and opportunity for growth. This faith community and position have taught me more about myself and my faith than I ever could have imagined. It was in this community that I discerned my path into seminary and my calling to Unitarian Universalist ministry. I am so grateful for the opportunity – and love – you all have provided me the past few years.
Though I am leaving this position, I intend to remain a member of this church and a part of this faith community. I believe it will take time for us all to adjust to my new position as a member and not a staff person, but I am excited to see things from the other side! Please know that I am taking a deliberate step back from all involvement with the youth group for at least the next year. In order for our youth group and the new incoming youth leadership to flourish, they need to be able to forge their own path forward. This is a beautiful opportunity for change and growth, and I am excited to see it happen!
Thank you again for not only this opportunity but also this community which has truly blessed me over the past nearly seven years. I am grateful for this space and look forward to how I can continue serving it in the future. As always, you are more than welcome to contact me with any questions.
Blessings,
Sara Elizabeth
SOLAR PANEL PROJECT UPDATE
Now that we’ve had the marvelous unanimous vote for solar panels and electrical upgrades, the “sausage making” process of permitting, electrical construction bids and fundraising has begun. This is a very fluid process that will take months. We will give periodic updates in the link for those interested in following the flow. For more details, feel free to contact members of the solar panel committee (listed below).
Feb. 7th — Bidding inquiries were sent to four electrical engineering companies for bids on the electrical upgrades. the work will need to be done during a time when electricity can be shut down for a few days.
Feb 10th — The permitting paperwork has been received by Eversource. This is a 55 business day process. The contract with the solar panel company will then be signed upon Eversource’s specific site particulars. We will then have a better idea of the timing of the solar panel installation.
As of Feb 11th — 58 1/4 solar panel donation pledges have been made. Contact Debbie Alsebai for legacy campaign details and/or to join the campaign task force. See the campaign update fuurther down In Faith, Ruth Heiden, Lisa White, Karl Pastore, Tony Dutzik
Events, News & Announcements
First Parish Auction 2020:”Spring for Good!”
Auction Need of the Week
Calling all Season Ticket Holders…..
Do you have season Tickets (or a portion thereof) for Red Sox, Bruins, Celtics, Patriots or Revolution????
We are hoping to have a sports themed table at the auction that will include tickets to the Boston teams, as well as memorabilia.Would you consider donating a pair of tickets to the auction? Please fill out a donation form or contact Mallory Digges (maldigges@gmail.com) if you have something to donate.
Let’s share our generosity and talents while raising FUNds for FP!
THANKS IN ADVANCE
Chocolate Auction Thank you!
Many many thanks to all who participated in this year’s Chocolate Auction – those who baked, bought and brought the fabulous items we bid on and raffled off, Jen Erbe-Leggett who once again provided invaluable service as assistant treasurer, Xavier Sophinos who delivered auctioned items to the high bidders, the social hour crew who worked around us and stayed late to clean up, all of you who got into the spirit of the bidding, and especially the dedicated group who stayed to the bitter end. Special thanks to a couple of supporters who made a post-auction donation to lift our proceeds to the next level. A fun time was had by all, AND we raised $2,400, our highest total ever, all of which will be added into the congregation’s Solar Panel Legacy Project to contribute 3 solar panels to the solar power installation coming to First Parish this summer.
Congratulations!! Until next year…
Your humble Chocolate Auction Team,
Chris & Dottie Pitt
SAVE THE DATE & RSVP NOW
PLAN YOUR OWN MEMORIAL SERVICE
March 7 — 1 – 3:30
Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward
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.
Please rsvp to the office: office@fpmilton.org, if you plan on attending.
Bring a dish to pass and enjoy an evening meal in someone’s home with fellow parishioners! No agenda– just a pleasant evening and conversation. Members and non-members alike are welcome. Suppers are planned for the following dates at the home of Myrtle Flight (in Milton)
Friday, Feb 21, 6 – 9 PM
Sunday, March 15, 5 – 8 PM
Monday, April 13, 6 – 9 PM
Sign up during coffee hour following any Sunday service, or contact Debbie Alsebai (617-821-9460) or Richard Venable (617-792-4124)
“Recommendation from our Social Justice Committee”
Boston’s Black Restaurant Challenge is ON!!
Join the Challenge by trying a few new restaurants with wide range of options – several are close by in Dorchester and Mattapan. The list includes take-out, bakeries, and options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Check out this article on Boston.com for more info!!
Part 2: Looking at the System
Time: Monday, February 24th, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Milton Hospital, Nangeroni Education Center
(199 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA 02186)
Join us for a discussion on social determinants of health such as cultural competency, trust concerns, housing access, immigration status, and language barriers.
Advance registration will be required, so please RSVP here or e-mail courageousconversationsmilton@gmail.com.
FILM DOCUMENTARY “Eat Up!”
Presented By Rise Documentary Film Series
Thursday, February 27, 2020
6:30 PM reception – 7:00 PM screening & post-discussion
Mother Brook Arts & Community Center
123 High Street, Dedham, MA 02026
Tickets: $12
“EAT UP is a story of a women-driven initiative about power, food, and the future of children, and how hard it can be in America to do the right thing in the face of unwieldy regulations and corporate interests. EAT UP ripples from Boston to cafeterias across the nation, offering a model for healthy eating and how to navigate the politics of our most difficult terrain: public schools.” Watch entrepreneur, bureaucrat, school principal, and cafeteria staff “laugh and cry, as they deconstruct and then reconstruct a system that is so deeply entrenched and has so many depending on its success.” [source: www.risedocfilms.org]
Collage Art Reception to Meet the Artists
Sunday, March 8th during coffee social hour after worship service-11:30am
Welcome the artists and other folks from Winter Valley, a non -profit retirement community just down the road. Liz O’Rourke is the Activities Director there and she made this show possible for us to enjoy.
Many artworks are for sale. A list will be made available in March.
Solar Panel Legacy Project
So far 58 1/4 panels have been donated! Everyone is encouraged to live our UU values and get in on this gift to the future.
Pledge Forms will be available at our Coffee Hour table which will be a regular feature on Sunday’s until we wrap up the campaign on 5/1 or when all the panels have all been spoken for. Each Panel is $800 and if necessary payment can be spread over 3 years for just $23 a month. 3 panels would just be $67 a month. 1/4 and 1/2 panels are also available.
Think of who you want to commemorate!
We are looking for ideas on our Legacy installation so stop by the table with your ideas and see the marvelous ones JB Clancy drew up.
Help Wanted – our committee is looking for a few others members if you would like to be part of this important Legacy Project. Stop by our table at coffee hour or reach out to Debbie Alsebai at 617-821-9460.
June 24, 2020-June 29, 2020, Providence RI
Early Bird Registration is now Open!
Click here for more information.
We our new Church Directory has been updated on the Member’s page of the website!
You can search by last name, view photos, get contact info- everything you’d need!
If you need the username/password for the site, please just email the office.
If you’re a member or contributing friend who needs a hard copy of the directory still, copies will be available at social house after worship service this Sunday.
Snow Cancellation Information:
If the Milton Public Schools close for snow, so does First Parish. Sundays we realize are trickier. We will call it by 8 a.m. on Sunday. Look for cancellations in three places. If you don’t see cancellation information, we are open.
~Channel 5, WCVB television. Look for First Parish – Milton. Check their website if you want to get automatic, direct notification through the TV station. www.wcvb.com.
~Check our Facebook page. First Parish Milton UU. We will post cancellations there. Our Facebook page also feeds our Twitter account @FPMilton.
~Check our website, www.fpmilton.org. We put a banner on the home page with closing information.