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

“Toward A Culture of Peace”

Worship Assistant: Brigitte Miller

Greeters: Amy Kavadlo & Dale Golembeski

Audio: Colin Glazer

Social Hour: Franc Graham, Elise Henricks & Tony Dutzik

Social Hour:  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.

Leading service and music today is Jim Scott. Jim mixes songs and stories in a message of peace and reconciliation for a wounded world and our struggling community. Amid wars, cataclysmic weather events, and a divided society, long term visions of sustainability have lately been obscured if not abandoned. In this season of rebirth, optimism and renewal of spirit for the work we have before us, our charge is nothing less than a job of healing, the earth and ourselves.

The first quarter of this century has been a doozy for humanity, and also for our country. It started with September 11, then invading Iraq, the Boston Marathon Bombing, devastating weather and fire events, COVID-19, video  documented murders of unarmed Black people by police with the horrendous witness of the murder of George Floyd, and now the dismantling of democracy with the rise of authoritarianism and oligarchy. Sorry to lay that out (and I’m sure you can think of more) but it could explain the wave of cruelty and lack of empathy in so many who are deciding to follow and vote for the logic of authoritarian rule.

There have been some promising changes as well, though many weren’t ready for them. The first Black President and First Family for two terms, increased visibility of BIPOC leadership and Congresswomen, including a Vice President of Black and South Asian heritage. Some advances in LGBTQAI public leadership, and a Native American Secretary of the Interior. Let alone all the technology advancements with alarming speed.

We’ve been navigating a lot as a people, much of which is in the realm of trauma. Trauma can cause emotional disconnection which weakens an ability for empathy. This is not giving excuses for the present cruelty, but it is a caveat. We must forge connections every day and find each other worthy of dignity every day. Let yourself off the hook if you are trying to handle it all alone. None of us can.

Thank you, First Parish, for your presence to and for one another. Keep on keeping on. It may not feel like much, but it is adding strength to resistance and resilience.

Sending love, Lisa

Rev. Lisa will be off March 21st thru March 28th

Music This Week

This Sunday we are pleased to welcome guest musician and worship leader Jim Scott. A life-long Unitarian-Universalist, Jim has played at over 700 UU churches in four decades, and his songs are included in UU songbooks. He will be leading the service with his warmth and humor, and with his jazz and world music influenced songs. The Meetinghouse Choir will sing one of his anthems, called “I Am Waiting”.

RE This Week

RE Classes will be held this Sunday. On March 30, we will welcome Wee the People for a social justice workshop for all ages.

News & Announcements

A Great Big Thank-YOU from Stewardship

The Stewardship Committee of First Parish would like to shout out a great THANK-YOU to all our stalwart members and friends who have stepped up during this year’s Annual Budget Drive as well as to all those wonderful folks who helped us to pull off another delightful Gathering in Gratitude Celebration last Sunday.

As of Sunday, we had secure financial commitments totaling $211,638.00 from 84 of our member households. We are still holding out hope of hearing from another 10 or so households who have made pledges in the recent past and from whom we still hope to hear this year. For your convenience, we will continue to keep the pledge “link” available here in the Link for the next few weeks.      

Respectfully,

The Stewardship Committee of First Parish in Milton

Charles Franich, Rob Dahl, Mallory Digges, and 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 April 2nd 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.

Events

From Membership: Rescheduled First Parish Orientation — in person!

Sunday, March 23rd 12:00pm in Library

The Membership Committee is excited to announce the date of our upcoming informational orientation for those interested in First Parish. On Sunday, March 23rd, we will gather in person in the church Library at noon. We’ll have a light lunch and talk about the history of Unitarian Universalism, First Parish UU in Milton and what joining the church means. We want to know what your spiritual path has been and answer your questions.

Though meant primarily for those who are new to First Parish, it is open to all.

Childcare will be provided upon request.

Please RSVP to Leslie if you want to attend, so we have enough food (Dietary needs too) lesliemacpherson@gmail.com

Committee Fair – April 6th during Social Hour

The Committee Fair is back! Please join us on Sunday, April 6th during social hour (11:30 – 12:30) in the Parish Hall.

Committees are essential to the life and growth of First Parish. At the fair, you can find out more about our committees and decide which ones you may want to join. Participating in a committee is a wonderful way to deepen your engagement to church, practice our values, make new friends and do great work. Come and share your talents, or try something completely new. We need you! Committees are now forming for the next church year beginning in July.

Committee Chairs – please plan to staff a table at the fair!

ELEVENTH HOUR CALLING for DEMOCRACY April 11th Gather Friday, April 11th, 6:00 p.m.

On the green in front of First Parish Church, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton Singing, drumming, chanting: choose your noise-maker and visuals (signs, posters, flags) community potluck to follow ~~ ALL ARE WELCOME AT THE TABLE.

Milton Creates!

A Community Arts Festival at First Parish

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 fine 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

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday May 3, 2025

Milton Green Fair 

During the Green Fair, we will be joining with Bikes Not Bombs for a local Bike Drive – Please plan to bring used bikes to First Parish on May 3! BNB accepts donated bikes to be refurbished and redistributed through local and international social justice projects.

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., 04/1: 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: April 16th

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

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

Tuesday, April 8, 10am-4:30pm ~ Register by March 25th

RSVP HERE

BE HEARD!

ANNUAL ADVOCACY DAY with

 UU MASS ACTION

It is said that as few as five phone calls to a legislator “flag” an issue, putting it  on her/his/their radar.

You may volunteer to make 1:1 calls in advance OR to  participate in scheduled group ZOOM sessions 2:00pm-4:30pm on April 8 with your legislator/aide. A training session is required to “ZOOM” (date/time info. forthcoming) but consider it skills-building to make you a better advocate. You will be educating about consensus-driven, selected bills and ASKING for your state senator and representative’s official endorsement.

 It’s up to all of us to promote the legislation Massachusetts needs to address: Trump’s mass deportation agenda, corporate pollution, utility profiteering, new gas infrastructure, and indoor/outdoor air pollution. SEJC invites — yes, exhorts — your partnership. Please sign up at our table during upcoming Social Hours or by contacting Tucker Smith tsmith62676@gmail.com

SAVE THE DATE & PARTICIPATE!!!

GREEN UP MILTON WEEKEND 2025

Saturday, April 12th & Sunday, April 13th

 Call to action for a cleaner, greener town. Recruit family, neighbors, scout troops, sports teams, classes and clubs. Form your team to collect litter anywhere around town crying out for a clean sweep.

Register here to see all you need to know to know about special trash bags, when, where,, how, etc. Why? Because litter degrades our natural assets all around us: rivers, streams, fields, and forests. Resolve, going forward, to use few single-use disposables — and when you do, recycle properly.

Sponsored by Sustainable Milton and Milton DPW.

Appreciatively, 

Tucker

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.