Table of Contents

This Week in Worship

• Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
• Music Info
• RE
• Events
• Social & Environmental Justice
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

March Worship Theme: HUMANITY

“Choice and Chance”

Worship Assistant: Amy Kavadlo

Greeter: Jennifer Grant

Audio: Nicholas Miller

Social Hour: The Dahl Family

 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

---

This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.

It’s cold, flu and covid season

In order to keep our community healthy, we encourage the wearing of masks at worship services if you have cold symptoms or have been exposed to a communicable illness. Masks and Hand sanitizer will be available at all church entrances if needed.

One of the weekly roundup podcasts I listen to has a segment called “can’t let it go”, which invites panelists to share what they can’t get off of their minds about the news of the week. I’m finding myself, even though I am aware that I’m buying into a distracting publicity stunt, unable to let go of the atrocious visioning of “Trump Gaza”. If it’s just a joke, which it isn’t, it’s not funny. At all. If it’s a wake-up call to get people to pay attention to the decades-old political briar patch in the Middle East, it’s astoundingly clueless. In any way, shape or form, this grotesque suggestion is dangerous.

Am I using strong language? Why, yes, I am. I’m finding myself reading James Baldwin these days and sensing we are in a similar place when deep in the 50’s and 60’s. A popular bit of wisdom from Baldwin is this: “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” 

What we can now face, even with a modicum of attention, is the shadow-side of the “American Ideal”: white supremacy culture, imperialism and manifest destiny. It’s all there in the vulgarity of “Trump Gaza”. We UU’s can simply meditate on inherent dignity of all peoples in this interdependent, pluralist world. We need simply honor the Palestinians and their right to a home.

Once that’s realized, the logic of profiting off the suffering of others is obvious, the lack of empathy towards others who are deemed “in the way” is evident, and the megalomania of controlling the world is revealed.

So we are given this choice to see this. We are capable of facing this. We are capable of choosing a different way. And do not fear or look away. As a Quaker colleague would offer: “Way will open”.

With you, Rev. Lisa

Music This Week

This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing two songs from the JUSTICE CHOIR SONGBOOK, a recently released digital songbook made available to choirs around the country by the Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis, MN. All songs in this collection call us to “seek justice, to advocate for the full inclusion of God’s children, to work for racial and economic equity, and to protect the earth.” We hope you enjoy “Love is Love is Love is Love” and “We Walk in Love”. During worship you will also be hearing “Don’t Want to Know” by John Martyn performed by vocalist Franc Graham.

RE This Week

RE classes will be held this week. Welcome back from February Break!

We sincerely thank you for your generous gift to the organizations below. We are so lucky to have your support.

1-12-2025 Granada House $773.56

1-26-2025 ACE $599.74

2-16-2025 Stone House $1,480

2-23-2025 Bikes Not Bombs $667.00

Commitment Sunday is Almost Here

Please Make Your Pledge

And Join Us for a Celebration on March 16th

THANK YOU to all those who have thus far submitted their financial commitment for this year’s Budget Drive. But with just over 2 weeks to go before Commitment Sunday we have yet to hear from about 40% of the congregation. We are counting on you. Here is the link:                                                                    

Pledge Here 

Then please mark your calendars to join us after the Commitment Sunday service on March 16th for our Gathering in Gratitude celebration. Make sure to give some thought to whom you would like to recognize either for their service to the First Parish community or for ways they have influenced your own personal growth.

Thank you,

The Stewardship Committee of First Parish in Milton—Charles Franich (chair), Rob Dahl, Mallory Digges, Jim May.

GREETERS NEEDED!

Please take a look at your calendars and see when you can take a Sunday. It’s an easy way that we contribute to our First Parish community.

Please reach out to Leslie, if you have any questions:

lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com

Link to sign up

Gatherings for your spirit

If there is a topic you would like to explore with others, feel free to contact Rev. Lisa to discuss possibilities. minister@fpmilton.org

Navigating the Political Climate Next meeting March 5th

Will meet via Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

We will meet once a month to help each other sort through the impact of the political climate and share ways to ground ourselves.

Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if interested.

Meditation with Spiritual Prompts has been POSTPONED

 A new date will be determined if there is enough interest.

Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if interested.

Events

TOMORROW Friday, February 28 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM

First Parish and Church of the Holy Spirit Bridging Dinner

Located at First Parish Milton and

catered by Zaz for $25 or what you are able.

Child Care is included. Please RSVP to Debalsebai@gmail.com if you would like to join us.

First Parish Art Festival and Fundraiser

Saturday May 3rd

Calling all First Parish Artists and Craftspeople!  

Please contribute your talents to our first-ever Art Festival and Fundraiser. It will be an immersive artistic experience, with art, music, food, and community. We’re looking for more pieces to add to our auction: visual arts (paintings, photography, sculpture, prints) and selected crafts (quilts, pottery, jewelry).

Share your talents, join the fun, and help raise much needed funds for First Parish.

Contact: jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com

Social & Environmental Justice

CLIMATE ACTION @ HOME: CUT YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

Climate despair got you down? The best antidote is to take action. But what to do first?

Join us for a four-week workshop and discussion series on cutting your carbon footprint. We’ll calculate our household emissions “footprint” and share ideas and experiences for cutting pollution at home, in our daily lives and in our communities. 

Workshops will be held on alternating Tuesdays in March and April via Zoom.

Tues., 3/18: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Tues., 4/1: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Tues., 4/15: 7:00pm-9:00pm

Tues., 4/29 7:00pm-9:00pm

E-mail Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com to sign up.

Next date: March 19th

S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches a month to support shelter guests.

Please sign up whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.

We are counting on your support!

Beyond First Parish

POSTPONED TILL MARCH

First Parish Reading of “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder

REACH OUT TO DEB IF INTERESTED DEBALSEBAI@GMAIL.COM

On Tyranny focuses on the concept of tyranny in the context of the modern United States politics, analyzing what Snyder calls “America’s turn towards authoritarianism”. It is a call to arms and a guide to resistance, with invaluable ideas for how we can preserve our freedoms in the uncertain years to come.

Ramadan Food Drive!

When : Monday, March 3rd- Friday, March 28th

Where: All Milton Public Schools (bins in school lobby)

First Parish Milton, UU – 535 Canton Ave.

(bins at carriage house near lower lot AND IN narthax)

Congregation Beth Shalom – 18 Shoolman Way (bins in lobby)

Who: YOU! Anyone can participate!

Why: Join your Muslim neighbors! Ramadan is a very special time of year for Muslims to help others. It is important to practice gratitude and give to others who are currently struggling.

How: Donate food, dry goods, and hygiene items. All items must have ingredient labels with current expiration dates.

Most-needed Items:

Healthy snacks for kids

Juice boxes

Peanut butter & jelly

Shelf-stable milk

Rice

Canned soup

Mac & Cheese

Pasta & sauce

Canned fruit or vegetables

Dry or canned beans Condiments (incl. salt & pepper) Salad dressing

Cooking oil / Olive oil

Personal care items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap (unscented), shampoo,

body wash

Diapers (size 5 & 6), & baby wipes

 Donations to be distributed to Interfaith Social Services in Quincy. This project is brought to you by Milton Muslim Neighbors, Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, and Milton Public Schools. For more info, please contact Amal at amalkimawi@gmail.com

First Parish Watch Party-Community Conversations

Meet in library Thursday, March 6th 5:30 pm

Revolution of Historical Examination

*see flyer below