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 Ward
- Music
- Religious Exploration
- News & Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
- **Be sure to click “View entire message” below content to see whole newsletter.**
Sunday, March 12th Service
March Worship Theme: POWER
“Power With”
Worship Associate: Dottie Pitt
Social Hour: Stewardship Gratitude Lunch
Audio: Nicholas Miller
*Prayers
If you are attending the service on Zoom and would like a prayer included, please email Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org by 5:00pm on Saturday.
So…there are many reasons, more than I can fathom, that we are now at war with Iran. None of them good enough for the devastation of war. I must admit, I am struggling with navigating my rage. Iranian school children killed, billions that couldn’t be found for social services being spent on the military industrial complex, lies upon lies deemed “exaggerations”, and the absurd and immoral justification of “collateral damage”.
Walking, well pacing, helps. Hugging loved ones helps. Authentic laughter helps. Doing what I can locally helps. This community helps.
Some reasoning tempers the rage into deep frustration (more often than not which leads to an inner call for action). Our present commander-in-chief has filed for bankruptcy six times in his corporate life. We are witnessing how he can and might, if Congress doesn’t act soon, bankrupt the nation. Privilege, which unfortunately is a part of the lives of most of the people in the three branches of government, does not understand consequence. Abundance flows disproportionately in their lives, which can generate magical thinking. Or worse, a sense that it will all go away without much pain or sacrifice.
Promoting interdependence helps. Unavoidable witness of consequence helps. Enough raised voices that threatens the bubble of privilege helps. This community helps.
Thanks for showing up. Thanks for keeping on keeping on in the way that you do, here, at First Parish.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem by English composer Gustav Holst, best known for his orchestral composition “The Planets”. This anthem is called “Turn back, Turn Back”, with a text that advises us to “forswear our foolish ways” so that “Earth might be fair, and all of us glad and wise”. Guy Pugh and Steve Yakutis will also be offering a duet for two recorders, called “Aria del Gran Duca” by Gioseppe Giamberti (1657).
Religious Exploration
Help us prepare for the Egg Hunt!
If you are available to fill plastic easter eggs with candy on the 22nd, we will be setting out the supplies out in the Parlour at 10am the morning of the 22nd so folks can stop by to fill eggs or take some to bring back filled on the 29th. Just stopping by and filling some eggs for a few moments is a huge help!
Drop in for this are welcome and if you can help with the Egg Hunt itself, that would also be amazing! Sign up here.
Friends,
I am delighted that one of our very own First Parish Milton folks is willing to act as our Star Island ambassador this year! While we don’t have a group organized to go, we are encouraging families to attend this special place. If you have been considering going with your family to Star Island, Jennie Mulqueen would love to connect with you! She shares below the impact this special place has made on her and her family and invites you to join with your family this year for Faith Development Week happening July 19-26. Check it out and maybe Star-t a new tradition–see what I did there?!
Warmly, Susannah Bales, DRE
Dear First Parish Friends Known and Unknown,
It was late spring of 2016 when the young mom in my family music demo class at the Hingham Library told me that going to Star Island was the best thing she did with her family growing up. She said she did not particularly identify as religious, nor did her husband who was not UU, but even he really liked Star Island. She invited us to come for the Faith Development Week, as her mother, Cathy Seggal, was a DRE at First Providence for over thirty years and a leader in Faith Development. Taking a leap, I signed us up. And I appreciated the discount for being a first timer!
At the time, my son Atticus was ten and my daughter Sophie was eleven; I had recently separated from their father and just finished my second year of seminary. I had seen the posters advertising Star Island in the link but as far as I knew, no one from Milton went. I have to admit that as we sat on the ferry ride from Portsmouth NH to Star, I began to have doubts. I knew just that one family and felt suddenly overwhelmed by shyness and being alone. As we approached the island and everyone gathered on the side of the ferry to shout the traditional greeting to the folks standing on the dock, my son found me and asked, “What is this?” My stomach fluttered. Maybe I had acted too quickly in signing us up. Were we in for a week of awkwardness and dread?
But Atticus found me at dinner that night and asked, “Are we coming back next year?” And so it began. Returning to Star each summer is one of our favorite traditions, certainly one of the best things I have done with my kids. We met UUs from all over NE and the east coast. Multi-generations. Many grandparents attended with their grandkids. This was finally the place where my kids could be “free rangey” with no guilt, where they could run wild and free, or sit on the porch rocking in a big chair. A true emphasis is placed on radical inclusion and belonging that doesn’t feel forced or “campey”, for lack of a better word. Instead, this is a genuine space in which to grow up and grow faith and to pass that faith along.
I could go on and on, but instead I invite you to reach out with your questions, concerns. As I look back I am forever grateful for the invitation that was extended to me by a fellow UU, for I might never have had the courage to try Star on my own with my kids. This year Faith Development Week is happening July 19-26; I am serving on the Exec Committee, Atticus will most likely be working on the island as a “Pel”, and Sophie will be working in the daycare. It would be a true joy to introduce this sacred place to you and your family in our ever widening circles of love. Please be in touch: jenniemulqueen@gmail.com
RE Linktree QR Code
Want to see what’s happening in Religious Exploration with kids, youth and adults? Scan the RE Linktree QR code to view all our links and need to know info! You can visit it anytime to catch up, RSVP, sign up to volunteer, share info on RE events and resources with friends, see the full calendar and find other resources. Questions: email redirector@fpmilton.org
News & Announcements
March 15th is Commitment Sunday
Please Make Your Pledge
And Join Us for a Celebration on March 15th
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 over 50% of our congregation. We are counting on you.
Join us after the Commitment Sunday service on March 15th 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
Keep the coffee brewin’!
Social hour hosts needed for:
March 22
March 29
New to social hour hosting or need a refresher? A member of the Hospitality Committee will answer your questions prior to hosting, and be present on Sunday morning.
Thank you for your hospitality!
First Parish is in Need of the Tech Mentor for next Church Year- Could You Help Us Fill that Role?
First Parish Milton Tech Mentor
The FPM Tech Mentor is responsible for supporting the youth tech team to ensure that:
- the team has qualified staff
- the team is trained
- the team has a working system
- the team has support
The FPM Tech Team is primarily self-supporting with the Mentor role being the person that helps Techs ramp up, performs maintenance on the Audio / Video / Lighting / Streaming systems, and supports the Techs when situations exceed their experience.
The Tech team is 4-5 Techs that are, ideally, one of each High School year in order to have a ladder of Techs where the more experienced Techs train and support the incoming and less experienced Techs. The Mentor team is 1-2 adults who have the skills and availability to train and be on call for church services and concerts to provide troubleshooting and advice.
The Mentor role is about providing initial training and then guidance and support for the team, stepping in only when needed, doing everything possible to empower the Techs in their role. For instance, the primary training is the youth working with the youth.
It is important for each Mentor to know the system well, especially if they are not always in the church for services. There are several systems in play for a service: Lighting, Audio in the Church, Audio for Zoom and Recording, Cameras/Switcher for Zoom and Recording, Zoom (and Captioning), etc. These are not individually complex systems, but troubleshooting these interconnected systems under a time crunch can be stressful for the Tech and Mentor. Knowing the systems and being able to break down issues into their parts is important. Training will be included this spring!
Scheduling, Training and Communication with the audio techs is done in conjunction with Susan, the Congregational Administrator. You aren’t responsible for managing scheduling, hiring, or payroll.
If this sounds like something you would like to learn more about, please contact Eric Miller (r.eric.miller@gmail.com) or Susan DeMinico (manager@fpmilton.org).
SAVE THE DATE – MAY 17TH
Reminder the Annual Meeting of First Parish will be held May 17th, after worship service. Mark your calendars!
From Membership ~ The UU Elevator Speech
We will gather for three consecutive Thursday evenings, via Zoom. The dates are:
March 19th
March 26th
April 2nd.
Our block is 7:00pm-9:00pm but we likely won’t use the entire time. If you can only attend one or two of the sessions, that’s okay. It’s best to join all three but something can be gained by joining even one.
If you want to join us but haven’t already expressed interest, please let Leslie know lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
SAVE THE DATE TO SET SAIL FOR GENEROSITY
Saturday, April 11th 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Ahoy, FPers!
Our big spring fundraiser auction is less than a month away! Enjoy an evening of socializing to support the FP community and the work we do. A $10 donation at the door gets you two drinks tickets, appetizers, and desserts. During the silent and live auctions, you can bid on some irresistible items—like a sew-a-blouse-in-a-day workshop with Elise Henricks, a week at Ruth Hannon and Charlie Franich’s house in Maine, and a 3-month family membership at the South Shore YMCA—and you can play games like Heads or Tails and Spin to Win—and have your picture taken with Reverend Lisa. While the auction isn’t open to the general public, we do strongly encourage you to bring a friend. You’ll find the link to the auction catalog in the weekly email, so take a look and preview the items to plan your bidding strategy!
Please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com or Jenn Pinkus at jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
Social & Environmental Justice
NEXT DATE IS March 18th
As in the past, First Parish will be making and delivering lunches to MainSpring (Fr. Bill’s Brockton site) at two locations in Brockton. We have been asked to provide 70 lunches on the third Wednesday of each month. The drop-off location will remain at the lower parking lot of FP, and will take place between 12:40 and 1:00. Drivers this year will be Cynthia, Ellen, Mary B., and Pat.
The Social & Environmental Justice committee thanks you for your continued participation in this effort.
Pat & Tracey
Beyond First Parish
Come Together for Democracy: No Kings Rally – March 28
Join members and friends from First Parish Milton and the United Church
of Christ Milton as we head to the No Kings Rally on Saturday, March 28,
on the Boston Common (1:00–4:00 p.m.; speakers begin at 2:00).
Come stand together, raise your voice, and show that our community
cares deeply about democracy and human dignity. Bring family and friends – all are welcome.
On Saturday, March 28th, we’ll gather for the rally in two ways:
- 12:30 PM: Meet at the First Parish Milton parking lot to carpool to the trolley to the Ashmont T Station.
- 1:30 PM: Meet at the Embrace sculpture on the Boston Common.
Singing and Sign-Making for Democracy – March 25th
Prepare for No Kings Day in collaboration with First Parish Milton and the United Church of Christ Milton. Meet and connect with others who will be joining the rally in Boston as well as those who plan to rally in Milton and beyond on the 28th.
Everyone in the community is welcome to join us at First Parish Milton on Wednesday, March 25th at:
- 6:00 PM to connect with one another, sing and make signs for the rally.
- 6:00–7:00 PM: Sign-making party (supplies provided, but bring some if you can)
- 7:00–8:30 PM: Join the Singing Resistance Movement!
Learn popular songs from The Singing Resistance MN and BVOCAL (Boston Voices of
Community and Labor).
“Social justice movements are stronger ‐ more joyful, more resilient, and more powerful ‐ when they include singing!” BVOCAL.
Come for one or both, bring friends, and help build the energy for the rally. All are welcome at every event!
For more info or if you can help carpool to the trolley, email Natalie at
For more about No Kings Day nationwide: www.NoKings.org
First Parish Goes to the Theater!
There is an incredible amount of good theater here in Boston and so many of these shows line up with our UU values. Please join me by emailing Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net if you are interested in tickets. Please indicate # of tickets, seating preference, and if there are any seniors 65+ or Students attending. I am charging Group Face Value for tickets and will organize car pools depending on how many people are attending.
Suffs – Sunday, March 29 at 6:30 PM at the Emerson Colonial Theater
Suffs is about the brilliant, passionate, and funny American women who fought tirelessly for the right to vote. Created by Shaina Taub, the first woman to ever independently win Tony Awards for Best Book and Best Score in the same season. Suffs humanizes, empowers, moves and entertains! Tickets are between $125 and $40 depending on Orchestra, Mezzanine or Balcony seating.
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, 10:30 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: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D44ACA728A02-57884860-20252026#/
You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.