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
- News and Announcements
- Events and Meetings
- Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Love Is What It’s All About”
Guest Speaker: Rev. Ken Read-Brown
Worship Assistant: Dottie Pitt
Faith Reflection: Dianna Wilson
Chalice Lighter: Pat Gallivan & Tracey Robinson
Greeter: Dianna Wilson
Flowers: Amy Kavadlo
Audio: Nina Truog
Social Hour: Charles Franich & Ruth Hannon
Please join us for service at 10:30am.
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 Bikes Not Bombs. Bikes Not Bombs uses the bicycle as a vehicle for social change to achieve economic mobility for Black and other marginalized people in Boston and the Global South. Ndaye Kanonga, Sr. Dir. Development & External Affairs will speak on the organizations behalf.
Rev. Ken Read-Brown retired in 2022 after 35 years as minister of First Parish in Hingham (Old Ship Church). Ken lives in Hingham with his wife Susan. They have three grown and married children and six grandchildren. Ken earned a BA in philosophy from Haverford College and his Master of Divinity from the Starr King School for the Ministry in Berkeley, CA. He currently serves on the interfaith committee which organizes the “Listening to Other Voices” speaker series at Glastonbury Abbey in Hingham, and on the Communications Committee of Elders Climate Action.
In several gathering check-ins this week, the joy of Spring approaching is on our hearts. The peak of crocuses and increased birdsong encourages us to embrace a readiness of being.
I’ve sometimes wondered at the nature of Creation and how we are wired: that we, indeed, can find it beautiful and feel a joy in living. There is a simple logic of shared being there and a deeper logic of peace and sustainability.
Joy does not make us insensitive to the world’s ills, but rather deeply in touch with the yearning for connection. It does not make us frivolous, but rather serious about all that we can feel and face with one another.
We cannot prevent all sadness, we cannot prevent all destruction, and pain is clearly a part of our lives. But joy is also a part of our lives — an inborn potential and a key to our survival.
We need to make room for that kind of knowing – for that kind of being…the original invitation to be alive in this astounding gift of life that we are given.
May the occasional noticing of Spring inspire in you a sense of possibility.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing “Never Give Up’ by Rollo Dilworth. Mr. Dillworth teaches at Temple University and wrote this anthem using a text created by 8th graders at Woodrow Wilson Middle School in Philadelphia. Grace Allendorf will offer a solo called “Without a Song’ by Vincent Youmans.
Milton Community Concerts would a like to invite you to our final concert of the season on Sunday, April 28 at 3pm, “In Community: A Concert Celebrating LGBTQ+ Stories”.
UU Summer Fun Registration!
It’s time to formally register for our UU summer fun! Follow this link to register. Per the recommendation of the Religious Education Committee, we are shifting our age range to also welcome preschoolers whose older siblings will also be attending our summer fun and/or who attend Spirit Play but may not be entering first grade. Please reach out to Louise (re@fpmilton.org) with questions about this new policy. We continue to want to be flexible and accommodating, while still prioritizing safety and a quality experience for all involved.
News & Announcements
From the Caring Committee:
Calling all cooks, drivers, and helpers! The Caring Committee needs to update its roster of volunteers. Volunteers receive emails from the Caring Committee asking for help when community members need support. Examples include
– cooking a meal for someone when they are recovering from surgery, or for a family when they are grieving
– driving someone to or from a medical appointment
– mowing a lawn or other light housework when someone is ill or recovering from surgery or an injury
If you would like your name added to the list of volunteers, please let us know by filling out a form by the grey box in the link or contacting a Caring Committee member at social hour or by email.
Caring Committee members: Marie-Laure Brown, Suzanne Glazer, Laura Reis, Heather Scranton, Lisa White
Suitcase Drive
Take this opportunity to clean out your closet, attic or basement.
Suitcases, backpacks and shoulder bags needed for Haitian immigrants. They are staying in a shelter in Cambridge and need to leave during the day. Many are spending the day at Church of the Holy Spirit in Mattapan carrying their belongings in plastic bags.
If you want to donate contact Mary Blanchette at mbpa@comcast.net.
Events and Meetings
Circle Suppers Are Back!
Here’s an opportunity to socialize with First Parish friends and acquaintances in an informal setting. These gatherings will include facilitator-led discussions of the proposed changes to Article II, which we’ll be voting on at Annual Meeting in May so that our delegates to General Assembly can represent our wishes.
There are three options to participate, all potlucks: two dinners—Friday, March 22nd and Friday, April 5th—and a brunch—Saturday, March 30th. The brunch date will have childcare available.
Sign up for your preferred date and food contribution here:
If you need help with Sign Up Genius or have questions, please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com.
New Member Pizza Night!
Friday, March 22nd 5pm-7pm
Membership is inviting any new-ish members to join us for pizza and a night of low key hanging out.
Anyone who’s joined First Parish in last 4-ish (5?) years is welcome.
We’ll have pizza, salad and treats, a fire in the fireplace and conversation.
If you have a craft like knitting, bring it! We’ll have some simple crafts for kids.
Please email Leslie if you want to come and let us know how many and what your dietary needs are. Hope you can come.
Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
March 20th is the next date!
S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the first and third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches twice a month to support shelter guests.
See updated instructions on the Mainspring SignUpGenius page and signup whenever you can help out.
We are counting on your support!
Beyond First Parish
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Sponsored by
Milton Interfaith Clergy Association
Thursday, June 27th 1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills
18 Shoolman Way
Milton, MA 02186
The blood drive will be live and ready for scheduling by March 18th.
To schedule appointment on or after Mar 18 please visit www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: MICA Or call 1 (800)-Red-Cross
RAMADAN FOOD DRIVE
Drop off boxes located in the Narthax and outside by entrance to Carriage House Nursery School (by the door). See below for more information:
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.