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
“Love Endures”
Sunday’s offering will be given to the Immigration Family Service Institute in Mattapan. The Immigrant Family Services Institute provides targeted academic support and enrichment services, using an holistic approach that addresses the unique challenges of immigrant children as a way to maximize their full potential in school and beyond .Dr. Geralde Gabeau, Executive Director, will speak on behalf of the charity.
Masks are strongly recommended 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.
A decade, or so, ago, I was in a women’s self-defense class, clad in knee pads and elbow cushions, hidden behind a full helmet with a face cage. We students looked ready for a roller derby, except that we were anxious and hesitant, knowing that our soon-to-be physical contact with our teacher, the aggressor, was in no way a sport. Our attire was light compared to that of our instructor, who donned pads and protections over most of her body in preparation for our forceful defense to simulated attacks.
As I stood on the sideline, nervously awaiting my turn, I watched our leader offer her skill, focus, body and determination to give us the chance to learn how to claim our space, our worth, our freedom to be. She lumbered around, bite plate intact, commanding an outfit resembling the Michelin tire man, receiving blows, shouts, head butts and shoves to give us confidence, awareness, insight and options.
Our teacher/aggressor comes to this work as a forensic nurse. Having witnessed the result of violent crimes towards hundreds of women, ages 6 months to 96 years, she gathered her hard-earned wisdom to help transform society, person by person.
This nurse, whose heart could have fully hardened from the world she observed in work, chose to teach, to face reality and practice hope.
That’s love.
When we gather our vulnerability, our pain, our fear and yet choose to give, to share and affirm others, we manifest love. When we teach because we have learned, when we embrace because we have needed holding, when we welcome our days because they are before us, we are practicing love.
That’s not something I expected to learn that evening. But the lesson was there, and a blessing to behold.
In faith and love, Rev. Lisa
Music For Sunday
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be offering “Of Love and Understanding” by Betsy Jo Angebranndt, with text by Kenneth Patton. Guest soloist Brianna Robinson will also be singing a solo by Euridice Osterman, called “Security”, with a well-known text from the Song of Solomon about the strength and power of love. We welcome Ms. Robinson who is an Emerging Artist with Boston Lyric Opera and a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University.
Religious Exploration
RE classes are being held this weekend. Join Spirir Play for the Green and Gracious Dragon, Holidays and Holy days for a celebration of Powamu, or Friends and Neighbors as they explore Christianity. Coming of Age meets at 4pm to learn about meditation.
On 2/12, we are having another workshop and all children (and friends!) are invited to attend. Description below:
Matt Steinberg, professional drummer and music teacher will be joining us for a special youth drum class. There will be fun drumming games for all to participate in, including a favorite of Mr. Steinberg’s students: Drum Tennis. Additionally, the children will learn improvised and traditional African rhythms with a focus on unity and collaboration.
Please see the offering below from Laboure College, a free training on teaching adults how to identify, understand and respodn to signs of mental health challenges. There are 4 spots remaining.
Youth mental health first aid training to take place Feb. 10 at Laboure College, Milton
You are more likely to encounter someone having a mental health crisis than having a heart attack.
February 10, 2023, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
This free training is a must do for anyone working regularly with, or parenting, youth ages 12-18. Youth Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among children and adolescents ages 12-18.
We will cover:
- Common signs and symptoms of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders and attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD).
- Common signs and symptoms of substance use challenges.
- How to interact with a child or adolescent in crisis.How to connect the youth with help.
- Expanded content on trauma, substance use, self-care and the impact of social media and bullying.
Coffee and lunch provided by the generosity of BID Hospital, Milton. Generous support also from Mike’s 5K.
If you have any questions, please email info@milton-coalition.org
Events and Meetings
WELCOME BACK WITH WAFFLES!
We hope you can join us for a post holiday brunch February 5th, after the service.
We will be serving crispy, delectable yeast risen waffles hot off the press, both fully loaded gluten and gluten free versions, as well as sausages, fruit, coffee, OJ, and other treats.
Limit – 2 waffles a person (unless heavily bribed) Hope to see you there !
COMING SOON! SOCIAL & ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE COMMITTEE FREECYCLE TABLE
What? Imagine a small-scale, indoor, yard sale
When/Where? during Sunday Social Hour starting February 5th in Parish Hall.
Why? To share what we have but no longer need, want, or have room to keep; to bypass the solid waste stream
Who? You ! All ages welcomed.
New Member Orientation
First Parish Membership will be offering an Orientation session at the end of the month. It will be held in two parts, over Zoom, on the evening of February 7th.
If you have wanted to become a member, let Leslie or Rev Lisa know that you are interested in attending. Let us know if you have questions,too! Lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com.
11th Hour Calling
Monthly Stand Out for Climate Action & Justice
Saturday, February 11, 6-6:30 p.m.
535 Canton Avenue (next to Town Hall)
[Canceled if snowing or sleeting]
Gather, drum, chant, learn. BYO posters and percussion. Dress for darkness. Thank you to Milton’s Select Board, which unanimously approved the formation of a 9-member Climate Action Planning Committee as soon as possible. This is a critical first step in aligning our town with Massachusetts law to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Progress!
Chocolate Auction, Sunday, February 12th @ 11:45 am in Parish Hall
A poignant event this year, as we honor the dedication of Chris Pitt, co-founder with Dottie Pitt.
Search out favorite recipes and bring a chocolate dish for the auction and/or a readiness to bid.
News and Announcements
Learning about climate change and what we can do about it
First Parish Milton is committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions on the church campus by 2035. Greening our church campus, however, is just the beginning. Learning more about climate change and how we as individuals can take action to improve the health of our planet is a key part of our “Getting to Zero” commitment.
The Getting to Zero education team invites you to complete a survey to help us learn about the congregation’s specific interests so that we may provide information, workshops and “doable individual actions” to address climate change.
Visit us at the Social & Environmental Justice table during social hour on Sunday where you can complete the survey and talk to members of the team. OR click button below to fill out the survey online.
Stewardship Month is Here!
The Stewardship Committee suggests that you ask yourself these questions in order to help you decide how much you can afford to give towards our upcoming FY2024 budget which begins on July 1st, 2023:
Why am I here?
Why do I give to this community?
Where does this community fit into my overall yearly giving?
Do I feel involved in the life of this church by my giving?
For how many years has my level of giving to this community remained the same?
Where would I like to see this community go in the future?
How can I help it get there?
Submit your FY2024 Pledge here
Feel free to give any feedback you would like to any of us on the Stewardship Committee
Charlie Franich pemaquid@aol.com
Mallory Digges maldigges@gmail.com
Eric Miller r.eric.miller@gmail.com
Mark Ostrem marko105@aol.com
What’s all this talk about an 8th Principle?
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, First Parish in Milton affirms and promotes seven principles, which we hold as strong values and moral guides. Our congregation’s Racial Justice Task force is supporting a movement within the UUA to adopt an 8th principle focused on racial justice. To that end we will hold a series of listening circles in January where members and friends can learn about the proposed principle. We hope you can join us.
All sessions will be on ZOOM and the link will be emailed to you prior to the session for which you register.
Feb 5th 9:00 am church
Feb 12th 7:00 pm Zoom
Feb 19th 12:00 pm church
Feb 26th 12:00 pm church
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, February 11th.
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 February 15th 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 !!
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.