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
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Protection from Malice”
Worship Assistant: Dottie Pitt
Usher: Pat Gallivan
Greeter: Natalie Monroe
Music: Tim Steele
Flowers: Bebe Williamson
Social Hour: RE Students
Audio: Brynne Mershon
Sunday’s offering will be given to Sunflower of Peace organization. Please read the article below under “Announcements” to learn more about their mission and goals. Maryna Bayda, Community Relations Representative will speak on their behalf.
Masks are strongly recommended in the meetinghouse; masks are still required for those who have not been vaccinated. Respect and consideration should be given to all regardless of their masking choice.
This column is slated to appear in the Milton Times. I share it with you, fyi:
There is a legendary quote in Unitarian Universalist circles, attributed to Francis David, a 16th century Unitarian theologian in Transylvania, who lifted up that “We need not think alike to love alike.”
This sensibility is formative in Unitarian and Universalist thought. Our Unitarian forebears risked exile, imprisonment and even execution in promoting freedom of religious thought, acceptance of difference, and honoring the dignity and worth of each individual. Creeds and dogma limit interchange and the health of interdependence, especially when enforced to silence or demonize others.
Francis David, heralding this freedom and the questioning of doctrine, was imprisoned for the crime of “innovation”.
Would this story surprise you if I didn’t place it in the 16th century? Does it sound familiar in what is going on now in the public sphere? What if I changed the word “innovation” to “being woke”?
A cherished part of my pastorate in Milton is to be a part of the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association. I deeply value the discipline of sharing heartfelt care for the larger community through the lens of differing wisdoms, multiple theological understandings, and a variety of traditions. We have to work at finding that place of love that transcends our particular framing of reality. We can sense when Truth emerges from the varied sensibilities in our work together, sometimes compromising, sometimes seeing our biases, and sometimes helping others see theirs. Wonder and humility gets us there.
We need not think alike to love alike. We do not need to silence each other’s inquiry. We do not need to ban each other’s books. We do not need to coerce each other through shaming. We do not need to imprison ways of being in constrictive laws. We simply need to be willing to see, ready to learn, open to the dignity and worth of one other. Therein lies the freedom and the justice and the peace.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music For Sunday
During worship this Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will sing an anthem of hope called “Wake Me A Song” by Victor C. Johnson. Guest soloist Melynda Davis will also be presenting a selection from the musical WAITRESS called “She Used to Be Mine”, by Sara Bareilles.
Religious Exploration
This Sunday, the children in our religious exploration program will be helping to host social hour! Children will be making muffins, fruit salad, and other goodies for everyone after worship. Parents and kids can also feel free to make something at home and bring to social hour ( but please be sure to list potential allergens if so). We’d appreciate help with clean-up afterwards as well.
Events and Meetings
We care about the climate emergency, about environmental justice, about promoting clean renewable energy, and about municipal climate action. TOGETHER is the operative word.
11th Hour Calling
Monthly Stand Out for Climate Action & Justice
Saturday, March 11, 6:00 pm-6:30 p.m.
535 Canton Avenue (next to Town Hall)
Canceled if snowing or sleeting
Gather, drum, chant, learn. BYO posters and percussion. Dress for darkness.
Commitment Sunday is Coming Sunday, March 19th
Sunday, March 19th, when we will close out our church community’s FY2024 Annual Budget Drive with a Gathering in Gratitude Brunch immediately following the service. We are planning a delightful array of food, some spirited entertainment, and the opportunity for members to express their gratitude publicly for any member whose gifts to First Parish they would like to celebrate.
Please join us for an uplifting event, and, by the way, if you haven’t yet submitted your financial commitment, your cordially invited to do so below.
Submit your FY2024 Pledge here
Gratefully,
The Stewardship Committee of First Parish: Charlie Franich (chair), Mallory Digges, Eric Miller, and Mark Ostrem
UU Elevator Speech Group is happening again!
Last spring, Membership held a series called the Elevator Speech, meaning: if you were going to try to explain to someone what being a UU means during the length of an elevator ride, what would you say?
We are doing it again! Everyone is welcome to join us for a virtual conversation on three Wednesday evenings in March from 7:00 pm-8:30 pm. Next meetings are on March 15th and 29th.
Last year’s group found it to be an empowering experience. If you are interested in joining us, please email Leslie: lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com
“TUNES AND TOSSES” ON SUNDAY, MARCH 19th AT 3PM
Milton Community Concerts is proud to welcome back an old friend as the featured performer on its upcoming concert on Sunday, March 19th at 3:00 pm in the Meetinghouse. Multi-instrumentalist and world-class juggler Stuart Ryerse will be presenting “Tunes and Tosses”, a concert of Celtic, folk, and classical music along with some dazzling exhibitions of juggling. Stuart will be joined by several colleagues of his, and he promises a fun afternoon of entertainment.
Tickets are $20 general, 10 seniors, and free admission for 18 and under.
More information to come, or visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com.
News and Announcements
Sunflower of Peace
On March 12th First Parish’s offering will be given to Sunflower of Peace. Their mission is to save lives, address urgent needs and improve the well-being of Ukrainians gravely affected by the Russian military invasion. The organization is raising money to prepare first aid medical tactical backpacks for paramedics and doctors on the front lines. Each backpack is designed for groups of 5 to 10 people. What started as a small non-profit, has grown rapidly to one of the leading aid-providing organizations.
Volunteer Opportunity for Evening Dinner at MainSpring
In need of up to six volunteers to cook and serve an evening dinner at MainSpring in Brockton on Sunday March 19th 3:00pm-6:30p.m
Anyone who would like more information can contact me via email: pl.gallivan@verizon.net.
Job Opportunity at First Parish Milton for a Family Ministries Director
FP Milton seeking a ¾ time Family Ministries Director (FMD) to co-create, innovate, and administer a Religious Exploration (RE) Program for all ages.
This position presents an opportunity to work with a congregation seeking a new religious exploration model for all ages. Current goals are to maintain an RE program for children and youth as well as to integrate family ministry, adult faith development, and intergenerational community building.
A detailed job description can be found here. Cover letter and resume should be sent to REsearch@fpmilton.org by April 15, 2023.
Thank you for your interest! We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Fair Foods
Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that would otherwise be wasted and uses it to feed our communities. We volunteer together unloading and sorting food and packing bags once a month.
The next volunteer date is Saturday, March 11th.
If you want to volunteer, please sign up on Sign up Genius by Thursday
evening before the event. Start time and locations vary depending on Fair Foods’ needs, but typically start at 8:30 a.m. at their warehouse at 70 Amory Street in Roxbury.
Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. Contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685 with any questions or for more information.
First Parish Milton volunteers provide bagged lunches to MainSpring adult shelters in Brockton twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Members of the Social & Environmental Justice committee will make the delivery to Brockton.
Volunteers are needed to acquire food and pack 10 lunches and deliver to the church between 12:45 pm-1:00 pm on Delivery day. One team lead drives all the lunches to the shelter in Brockton. Please note how many meals you are making in comments. We are looking for 70 lunches for each delivery day. Lunches should include sandwich, fruit, drink, snack/chips and sweet/cookies.
The next delivery day will be on Wednesday March 15th and then every other Wednesday throughout the year. We will meet in the lower parking lot between 12:40 and 1:00 PM.
If you haven’t made lunches in a while OR if you are a new volunteer, sign up on MainSpring Sign Up Genius or contact Pat Gallivan at pl.gallivan@verizon.net for more info.
Thanks to all the volunteers that have made this program a success for more than two years !!
Beyond First Parish
Milton Schools Food Waste Diversion Pilot Program
“Cafeteria composting” is happening NOW at Tucker and Glover Elementary Schools. Volunteers needed M-F 11:00 am-2:00 pm (1:00 pm-2:00 p.m. is super hands-on with pre-K/K children, if you are time-limited).
Last week’s first “bucket brigade” was awesome as kids pitched in quickly. At the Tucker, trash shrank from an average 18 BIG bags to 2-3 daily after foods, liquids, recycables, trash, and styrofoam trays were separated. Similar results at the Glover.
Landfilled or burned, solid waste is a Climate Justice/public and planetary health mess. Astonishing results so far. Imagine expanding this program to ALL Milton Public Schools. Let’s make this pilot program proof of success. [Note: Black Earth is the municipal composting contractor].
If you can, please volunteer here and spread the word. BYO rubber gloves & apron.
GET THE BOOK & GET READING!!
Join Tucker Smith on Thursday, March 16 at 7:00 p.m. * to dive into author Doug Tallamy’s book, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard.
Copies of the book will be available to reserve/read in advance. Together, we will brainstorm ways to create America’s newest, largest National Park without any government involvement.
This event is part of “Milton Grows!,” a year-long Milton Public Library program.
[* Note: unknown yet this will be in-person or via Zoom.]
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.