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
Palm Sunday
“Seeing Anew “
Worship Assistant: Elise Henricks
Faith Reflection: Tucker Smith
Greeter: Brigitte Miller
Audio: Colin Glazer
Social Hour: Stephanie Pedotti
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 go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
A liberation theologian, who I studied with in Seminary, wrote a brief, wonderful book in the late 20th century of reflections about Jesus. Dorothee Solle expressed the complex nature of his message in modern times. Here is an illustration, on behalf of the coming Palm Sunday. We’ll get another taste at worship.
“go ahead and compare him with other great figures
socrates
rosa luxemburg
gandhi
he’ll stand the test
it would be better of course
if you compared him
with yourself.”
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday you will hear two different music selections based on the same anonymous text, “Will You Teach Me”. The first is by Victor Johnson, and will be sung by the Meetinghouse Choir. The second is by Eric W. Unruh, and will be sung by tenor Daon Drisdom.
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”.
RE This Week
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
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 two options to participate, all potlucks: two dinners—Friday, March 22nd and Friday, April 5th
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.
Don’t forget to RSVP to the Evite that was sent TODAY, 3/21!
Looking forward to seeing everyone April 6th!
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.
STORYTELLING IN THE CHILDREN’S CHAPEL
April 27th at 4:00 pm
Do you have a story you want to share? Come join us at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, in the Children’s Chapel. Our gathering will be like the Moth Radio Hour with a five minute limit for each story – but it’s not a competition. You can just listen if you want. The theme will be “Beginning.”
Questions? Contact Dan Di Angelo (dandda14@gmail.com) or Penny Partridge (ppartridge9@icloud.com).
Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
TODAY
March 21st 7:00pm-8:00pm
“Waking Up White” Book Discussion
This week we will be watching a video and then discussing it along with the first 3 Chapters: Childhood in White, Midlife Wake-Up Calls, Why Didn’t I Wake Up Sooner?
Please share with friends and family in and out of church that might be interested.
Contact Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net with any questions.
April 3rd 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!
Climate Action@HOME
SUNDAY May 5, 2024 12:00pm-1:00pm Chase Parlor
Climate Action at Home wraps up our year-long series of discussion. Come learn more about Carbon Footprints!
A small FPM group has been meeting for several months learning how to calculate our own Carbon Footprints. We would like to share what we learned and see if others are interested in learning more about their own carbon footprints. Please join us.
Bikes not Bombs
Anyone want a tour of Bikes not Bombs?
Dnaye Fangonga visited First Parish last Sunday to share his experience and passion for the wonderful organization Bikes Not Bombs – located in Jamaica Plain. Dnaye has invited us to bring a group of interested people to tour the headquarters in JP and learn more about how social change fuels the work they do.
If you are interested in joining a field trip, contact Tracey (tdr02186 @gmail). We will identify possible dates in the coming month.
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 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.