Table of Contents

This Week in Worship

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

Click here for Sign-up genius to volunteer for greeter, social hour, flowers, etc.

This Week in Worship

February Worship Theme: LISTENING

“Half of Language”

“If it is language that makes us human, one half of language is to listen”

-Jacob Trapp

Worship Assistant: Tom Kemp

Greeter: Richard Venable

Audio: Alex Feliz

Social Hour: Heather Scranton & Laura Reis

 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 be given to the Stone House. The Stone House combines the security of a safe environment with a range of programs and services — residential and community based — to support trauma recovery, personal growth and development of essential life skills. Their overarching mission is to help participants create a path to a secure, positive and fulfilling life.

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.

There are so many things that we can take notice of in the news these days. I try to gloss over some of it and allow myself to take notice when I feel a pull or, frankly, a gut reaction. As I have offered, it is not a time to be reactive, to bite every hook thrown out for our attention. This week, however, presented a clear teaching moment. This week presented a clear view of blatant colonialism, revved up by previous outrageous acquisition and power grab proposals by our president. 

At a press conference last Tuesday, standing next to Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump proposed the U.S. take “ownership” in redeveloping Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” This is the psychosis of “Manifest Destiny”, which corrupted the forming of this nation. This immorality is no different than Andrew Jackson’s Indian Removal Act, leading to the “Trail of Tears”. Of course, the current President has Andrew Jackson’s portrait in the oval office.

To this I cannot look away. It is a metastatic spread of malignant capitalism, militarism, racism, and exceptionalism. It is not merely absurd. It is dangerous. Let us be clear that the Palestinian people have inherent dignity and a right to a homeland. Let us have no doubt that a US real estate mogul has no business acquiring this land. Let us not forget the horrors endured in the power grab to define this nation. We do not want to repeat this. We do not want to be this kind of a people.

This I pray. Rev. Lisa

Music This Week

This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be presenting a very unusual and engaging setting of “This Little Light of Mine”, a traditional spiritual arranged by Moses Hogan. Mr. Hogan is internationally renowned for his spiritual settings, but during his lifetime he was also an accomplished pianist and conductor. He studied at the Oberlin Conservatory and the Juilliard School of Music before completing his studies in Vienna. Carina Digianfilippo will also be singing a solo by Margaret Bonds on a text by Paul Laurence Dunbar, called “Sympathy”.

RE This Week

Please join us for the Valentine’s Day Party on Saturday- more info under Events.

On 2/16, RE will be hosting social hour! RE families are invited to join us to put together snacks and drinks for after worship service.

On 2/23, Wee the People will be returning for another workshop.

News & Announcements

Our Annual Budget Drive Begins! The Stewardship Committee announces that this year’s Annual Budget Drive has begun as of Sunday, January 26th and will conclude on Commitment Sunday, March 16th with our Gathering in Gratitude Celebration. The financial commitments that we receive from our members and friends over the next two months will be used to cover First Parish’s operating expenses for Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on July 1st. Each household will be receiving an email from Stewardship in the next week or so asking for your contribution. Embedded in the email will be a “link” via which you can simply and easily submit your financial commitment for next year.

Here is the link if you can’t find in your email.

There is so much going on at First Parish, and we want to be sure we can support it. If you have already been a financial supporter of First Parish, we are very grateful. Our hope is that you would consider a 3% addition to the amount you contributed last year. If this is your first time making a financial commitment, we will be very grateful for whatever you choose to contribute.

Thank you and may all your wallets be willing!

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

First Parish Orientation Session coming up!

Friday, February 7th 5:30pm-7:00pm

The Membership Committee will be holding our next Orientation session on Friday, Feb 7th via Zoom from 5:30-7. At these gatherings, we talk about what your spiritual path has been, a bit about the history of Unitarian Universalism and who we are at First Parish in Milton. Of course, we answer your questions. 

We do these sessions periodically so that those who are ready to join can sign our membership book and become church members, as well as for those who just want more information.

Email Leslie at lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com if you are interested and to get Zoom link.

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.

Navigating the Political Climate

Next meeting Feb 12th Will meet via Zoom on the second 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

An hour’s gathering by zoom, co-facilitated with Debra Nunziato

First Meeting: Thursday, February 13, 7-8 pm

We will gather to share varied meditation techniques and explore a spiritual reading together. We will determine as a group how often we would like to meet. Contact Rev. Lisa for the zoom link. minister@fpmilton.org

Events

Valentine Making Party!

Saturday, February 8th 5:00-7:00 in Parish Hall

 Come share the love!  First Parish young at heart, families, and friends are invited to come and make Valentines together in the social hall from 5-7pm on Saturday, February 8th. 

There will be lots of crafting supplies to make your own Valentines to take home and share! Pizza and drinks will be available for snacking. Free to attend.

We hope you will stop by and join us for whatever time works for you and your family! Sponsored by the RE Committee.

Chocolate Auction

Sunday, February 9th

11:45am in Parish Hall

This is a delightful all church event, brought to First Parish by Chris and Dottie Pitt. Many thanks to co-founder Dottie Pitt, who will once again serve as registrant extraordinaire to keep track of bids. All ages are welcome, and child care is available in the nursery for age 5 and younger if desired. 

Questions about the auction or what to make? Contact Deb Alsebai:

debalsebai@gmail.com 

• Each item will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Children are permitted to bid, but only under the direct supervision of a parent, please.  
• There will again be a Children’s Raffle, raffle tickets available for $1 each immediately before the Auction!  
• We are adding an adult raffle as well. Details TBD.

“Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate!” – Chris Pitt

Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!

SAVE THE DATE!

First Parish Art Festival and Fundraiser

Saturday May 3rd

Visual arts – paintings, photography, and selected crafts (quilts, pottery) will be offered for sale (silent and live auction).

We will feature works from our own First Parish artists, as well as other local and regional artists.

Would you have artworks to contribute?

Would you like to join the committee or assist with the event?

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., 3/4: 7:00pm-9:00pm
• Tues., 3/18: 7:00pm-9:00pm
• Tues., 4/1: 7:00pm-9:00pm
• Tues., 4/15: 7:00pm-9:00pm

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

Next date: February 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!

First Parish Reading of “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder

Wednesday, February 13 from 7:00pm to 8:30 PM

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.

Debbie Alsebai invites you to her house at 11 Morton Road, Milton to discuss “On Tryanny” by Timothy Snyder.

Please let her know if you are planning to attend. Soup and snacks will be served. Debalsebai@gmail.com

Emerging Adult Conference!

Feb 15-16 in Waltham, MA

Inviting all 18-23 year old’s to our 3rd annual Emerging Adult Conference! Join us for rest and renewal, as well as community and connection. We’ll play games, collage, ask the big questions, talk about what matters most, and sit together in silence and song. 

Find out more by clicking here or fill out the interest form here.

We can help with transport!

Are you a UU who went to college in the Boston area?

Sanctuary Boston is a UU community supporting UU college students in the Boston area. We’re building a campus ministry program for our underserved UU students and we need your help to do it!

If you’re a UU who went to college in the Boston area, please fill out this form to connect with us and learn.

REGISTER HERE for this virtual Black History Event

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.