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… 
This Week in Virtual Worship
Sunday, February 28, 2021 10:30am
February Theme: BECOMING
“Adapting to Now“
Facilitated by: Rev. Lisa Ward
Worship Associate: Elise Henricks
Faith Reflection: Paul Casaz
Music: Tim Steele
Audio Engineer: Madeleine Miller
Virtual Social Hour Host: Allison ZippayPlease see the zoom link below. 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.
Please be on the lookout for an Order of Worship which will be emailed to you on Friday, 2/26
Sunday’s offering will be dedicated to the services and ministry of First Parish.
We will continue having a social hour after services. Just stay on the Zoom worship call. It will be good to worship together. Do join us on Sunday if you can!
I went to the Y to swim laps the other day. I hadn’t been in the water for months. Within half of the first lap, I felt as if the water was holding me. This is a sensation of touch that is rare for many of us in this time of physical distance — being held. As I continued to swim, mindfully experiencing the water washing over me and reshaping around me, I recognized that I needed to pay attention to my being in the world. My full bodied being in the world.
So much of the stresses of covid, now nearly a year long, have to do with fear and deprivation of embodied being. This is what can lead us to a numbness, a compassion fatigue, as the hard news keeps coming. Where is the respite? Where is the hope? Where is the resilience?
It is, as it has always been, in connections; with self, with the other and the world. We just have to be more imaginative these days, more aware. I look into the deep blue winter sky and see a welcoming eternity and possibility. I feel the wind and remember to release what is not necessary. I give it to the wind that passes through me and on to other encounters. The warmth of the sun is an embrace that can feel like love. And the pets we may have or encounter on walks remind us of interbeing delight.
We have done well connecting creatively through zoom and phone callls, distanced walks and internet events. I simply want to lift up, from the gift of the water’s telling, that embodied being can be fosterd, felt and found here and now, with whatever we have before us and within us.
And, ultimately, we are held in a cosmic welcome and embrace of being.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Family Spirit Circle: Family Spirit Circle packets will be delivered this coming weekend on the theme of Unitarian Universalism in all its complexity and simplicity, open endedness and challenge.
Email fpmiltonre@gmail.com if you need the family spirit circle newsletter or would like to be added to our distribution list of RE families.
Minecraft for All Ages: Our ongoing Minecraft group meets on Sundays at 4:30 pm and is open to anyone who enjoys playing this absorbing game. Sessions are recorded and the recordings are retained for six weeks. Two youth must be present for the server to be opened.
Please email fpmiltonre@gmail.com if you would like to participate. You will need a copy of Minecraft (Java preferred but we have a server for Bedrock players as well) and an account. Let us know if you need help getting set up.
Middle and High School Youth: The Youth Visionary Volunteers remain committed to offering opportunities for fresh air, exercise and a chance for social connection during these isolating times. We welcome suggestions, especially regarding possible social justice youth activities.
[In-person religious exploration programs are suspended until we are able to gather together safely. There will be no Sunday morning nursery care, classroom programming, or youth group activities at First Parish Milton while worship services remain virtual only. Fear not! Religious exploration is continuing as we experiment with new ideas and approaches in this time of liminal space.]
MUSIC THIS WEEK
This week Dianna Wilson and Andy Pinkham will be singing a duet called “Let the Mystery Be”, by Iris Dement, a Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter who sang on the soundtrack of the movie SONGCATCHER. Grace Allendorf will be singing live during the service “With So Little to be Sure Of” from ANYONE CAN WHISTLE, music and lyrics by a young Stephen Sondheim.
Table of Contents
For Events, News and Announcements
1. Church Announcement: Photo submission
2. Church Event: Grief Group
3. Chruch Event: Racial Justice Conversations
4. Church Event: Weekly Meditation
5. Stewardship Committee News
6. Membership Committee News
7. Social and Environmental Justice Committee News
Events, News & Announcements
$616.02 was collected for February’s Third Sunday Collection( 2/21) for Mass Interfaith Power & Light.
Thank you for your generosity. Your support helps further thier mission.
On March 14, 2021, we will mark the 1 year anniversary of “distanced” life co-existing with the Covid-19 virus. To commemorate a year filled with great loss, hope, community and innovation- we invite you to submit a photo for our next photo collage. The photo should be of anything you wish that speaks to what your life experience in this Covid year has been. Photos are due to Elise Henricks- please send to elisemhenricks@gmail.com- by March 7th, for inclusion in our March 14th service. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us.
Grief Support Group
Four Tuesdays: Feb 23, March 2, 9 & 16
7:00 pm– 8:30 pm
Facilitator: Rev. Lisa Ward
NEXT DATE IS MARCH 2ND
When we lose a loved one through death, the world is different, our lives shift in meaning, our ground is shaken. We can feel isolated by our grief. We can also feel a lack of strength or initiative to find a way through. One way to help adjust to the new reality and find our inner resources is to share our journey of loss and recovery with others.There are many ways that we grieve and many kinds of losses. This group is focused on loss due to the death of a loved one. The loss can be recent or from years gone by. We ask participants to commit to at least three of the sessions, no new participants after March 2.
Please contact Rev. Lisa: minister@fpmilton.org if you can attend.
Racial Justice Focus GroupConversations by Zoom with Rev. Lisa, Timothy Ellis and Debbie Alsebaimeets on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays monthly All are Welcome!
Next Session: Wednesday, March 10th, 7:00pm – 8:30 pm
This focus group has been meeting since August. Each session is rich with stories, insights, questions, learning, re-learning, sharing of resources, sharing of wisdom. Each session stands alone, so you are welcome to attend at any meeting. Consistent attendance helps deepen trust and exploration. Dismantling systemic racism in ourselves and communities occurs incrementally, discovery by discovery. We recognize the importance of this life-long journey toward transformation and that it is a shared endeavor.
Contact the office to receive the zoom link: office@fpmilton.org.
Meditation NEW TIME
All are welcome to join for 30 minutes of silent meditation/prayer on:
Thursday evenings at NEW TIME 6:45 pm-7:15 pm
Sunday mornings at 9:30am
Newcomers and friends welcome.
Please contact Tracey at tdr02186@gmail.com if you have questions or want to join us!
FROM THE
COMMITTEE February is Stewardship Month! Thank you to the 43 members who have pledged for FY-22 that begins July1, 2021. There’s still time! A jar of chocolate sauce is coming your wayonce you pledge so you will be all set for “Hot Fudge Sunday” on March 14. Just click on this link to make your FY-22 Pledge: Click on this link to pledge
FROM THE
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE
Happening TOMORROW !
Cooking and Laughs with Debbie Alsebai & Steve YakutisFriday, February 26 from 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM Fresh Spring Rolls, Mango smoothies and Pineapple, Mango, Chicken & RiceRecipes and Ingredient lists available by emailing Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net (Ingredient packages available for those interested for $10.) Delicious, Safe and Fun for families, foodies, couples and singles!
FROM THE
Social & Environmental Justice Committee
CCTRJ is excited to begin another Zoom book club. This time we will be reading “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent” by Isabel Wilkerson.
CCTRJ Book Group
Come join us every other Thursday – with the next being March 4th, 2021 at 7PM. Other dates are March 18, April 1st, 15th, and 29th. Thursdays, 7pm
A Green Medley
Save the Dates
Online Speaker Series for March:
Climate Change in the Blue Hills
The Blue Hills Climate Action Coalition invites the community to explore how climate change will alter the Blue Hills and surrounding communities. Experts from organizations in and around the park will reveal how the warming climate will affect the watershed, woodlands, birds, food production and other flora and fauna of the Blue Hills area. To sign up for the Zoom link, visit https://www.bluehillsclimateaction.org/get-involved
The series’ aim is to raise public awareness about the local impacts of climate change and
showcase the groups in the Blue Hills area working to address them. Each lecture will take place at 6:30 pm on the dates listed below. The issues and organizations featured in the series are:
Thursday, March 4
A Local Farm’s Approach to Climate Change
Brookwood Community Farm
How most food is grown and transported has significant impacts on the climate and global warming. Approximately 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions is directly related to food production. But you can make a difference! Learn how you can reduce your carbon footprint by eating locally and choosing food from local and sustainable farms. Brookwood Community Farm’s farm manager Sara Rostampour will discuss Brookwood’s commitment to sustainable practices and how you can become a member to its “community supported agriculture” program.
Thursday, March 18
Birds and Climate Change
Mass AudubonMassachusetts Audubon Society: Birds in the Blue Hills and Beyond. *Dr Jon Atwood, Director of Bird Conservationwill discuss impacts and mitigation strategies.
Wednesday, March 17thAnnouncing a 3-part First Parish Series
GETTING TO ZERO: reducing First Parish’s carbon footprint
Join Social & Environmental Committeefolk Peter Schneider and Tucker Smith in aconversation, part one. Details, links, and resourcematerials COMING soon.
The wonderful volunteer crew !
Volunteers are needed on Wednesday, March 10th. Volunteers acquire food and pack 10-20 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45-1pm on Delivery day. One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton.
If you can help, please contact Peter Schneider at peterlschneider@gmail.com for instructions or if you already know the drill, signup on our schedule Mainspring SignupGenius – please indicate number of lunches you will bring.
Crew at Fair Food Warehouse 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 on the 2nd Saturday of every month, starting at roughly 9 a.m.
Next session is Saturday, March 13th.
If you want to volunteer please signup on Signup Genius by Thursday evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but volunteering typically takes place at First Parish Dorchester, 10 Parish St. in Dorchester, near Fields Corner, or at Fair Foods’ new warehouse in South Boston. Please wear a mask and bring gloves if you have them. Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com