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, April 12th Service
April Worship Theme: EMBODIMENT
“Earth Service”
Worship Associate: Christopher Clifford
Greeters: Jennifer Mulqueen
Social Hour: Andrea Geyling Moore
Audio: Alex Felix
This week’s offering will be given to the Neponset River Watershed Association. Since their founding in 1967, their mission has been to protect and restore the natural resources of the Neponset River, its tributaries, and surrounding watershed lands for the benefit of present and future generations. The Association fulfills this mission through environmental monitoring, public education, advocacy, coalition-building and hands-on implementation projects. Taber Keally, Board Member, will speak on their behalf.
Special Meeting Reminder
First Parish has a Special Congregational Meeting on Sunday, April 12th, directly after worship, to vote on funding the basement renovation.
After the vote, we will move to the Parish Hall for our special “Loving the Earth” social hour.
This weekend highlights most of what nurtures our faith community. It’s a busy weekend.
On Saturday, we have public witness: the 11th hour stand- out for democracy (3 pm). Later that day we have our bi-annual auction: a sharing of treasures and pleasures with good eats, joviality and, hopefully, generous bidding.
The following day is an “Earth Service”: shared ministry highlighting congregants’ and nature’s wisdom, including a share the plate for the Neponset River Watershed. Immediately after the service we will practice our democratic principle with a congregational vote on renovating our lower level for future possibilities. Then, a social hour of again, good eats, along with education about plant-based food and ecological initiatives. And finally, there will be a joint meeting with the Parish Committee and Trustees to sort through the results of the congregational vote and tend to the business of financial health.
Wow!
Truth to power, play with a purpose, praise of creation, call to participation in the health of the world, tending to our needs for a strong infrastructure to build upon the beauty tendered, in time, talent and treasure. Impressive.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
PS. Scroll down this link for details on the events.
Music
This Sunday Yukiko Oba will be leading the music portions of the service from the piano, while several others will be providing special music as well. Guy Pugh and Steve Yakutis will be offering a recorder duet as a prelude to the service. Jeff Stoodt will be singing “A Flower is a Lovesome Thing” by Billy Strayhorn, adapted by Tom Cleary. Billy Strayhorn was an accomplished American jazz composer, pianist, and arranger who worked with Duke Ellington for three decades.
Religious Exploration
RE Special Guest This Sunday
Liam Kenney is a second year Master of Divinity student at Harvard Divinity School (HDS). His work examines embodied practices across faith traditions, informing his current field education in the HDS Garden under the theological supervision of Leslie MacPherson. When not working, Liam is playing, either on the basketball court with his teammates, or on the trail with human and nonhuman friends he meets along the way. To learn more about the theory behind his RE lesson this week, read his article here.
Do parents have to attend?
No, this will be a chaperoned event, parents are not required to attend. We currently have 3 chaperones confirmed. According to TreeTop Adventures: “Parents do not need to climb with their kids. We do recommend having some climbing chaperones to help kids who may benefit from more consistent adult support in the trees. Our staff is available in the practice area and spread out on the ground throughout the course as needed but climbing adults help climbers throughout the trail if needed. They also give them access to “reach” trails for their age group. Adults can take kids on a “reach” trail for their age in a ratio of 1 adult for every 3 youth.”
For more information email redirector@fpmilton.org
Save the date: RELIGIOUS EXPLORATION SUNDAY
Join us for a joyful service celebrating the children and youth of First Parish Milton and the year we’ve shared together.
This special service will be partially led by our kids, who will share readings, reflections, and moments from their journey this year. Together we’ll celebrate curiosity, community, and the spirit of learning that shapes our program.
All are welcome — families, friends, and the whole congregation! Come celebrate our young people and the vibrant year we’ve experienced together.
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
SAVE THE DATE – MAY 17TH
Reminder the Annual Meeting of First Parish will be held May 17th, after worship service. Mark your calendars!
SAVE THE DATE TO SET SAIL FOR GENEROSITY
Saturday, April 11th 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Ahoy, FPers!
Please come! It’s a great opportunity to support the FP community and all the work we do. A $10 donation at the door gets you two drinks tickets, and there’ll be delicious appetizers and desserts that you can enjoy while bidding on amazing donations, playing games like Heads or Tails and Spin to Win—and having your photo taken with the Rev. Lisa!
While the auction isn’t open to all landlubbers, we do strongly encourage you to bring friends. The more the merrier! Babysitting is available—just let Susannah know.
Check out the auction catalog to preview items and plan your bidding strategy! There are vacation homes that provide a fun way to vacation with family, FP friends, or others—and lots more.
Please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com or Jenn Pinkus at jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com with questions or for more information.
The Committee Fair is back!
Please join us on Sunday, April 26th 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!
Social & Environmental Justice
Stand Up For Democracy and Our Beloved Earth
Saturday April 11th & Sunday April 12th
It’s a celebratory, action-filled weekend!
April’s Eleventh Hour Standout for Democracy
Saturday, April 11, 3:00 – 3:30 p.m. returns to First Parish Church in Milton along Canton Avenue
Bring your signs, voices, percussion, friends & neighbors
Plenty of time afterward to attend the “Set Sail for Generosity Auction” at 6 p.m
And the following morning, Sunday’s worship is a special “Loving Our Earth” service with decor, music, readings, testimonies, followed after with allied Social Hour refreshments and activism tables.
Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk for Peace
For over 20 years First Parish members have supported the Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk for Peace in Dorchester. We have donated proceeds from a Share the Plate service as well as signed up as a walking team at the event.
The Louis D. Brown organization serves as a center of healing, teaching, and learning for families and communities impacted by murder, trauma, grief, and loss.
We will be donating our April 26th Share the Plate in support of Louis D. Brown Institute. We will also be gathering on Mother’s Day morning as the FP Milton walking team to walk the 5k route through Dorchester.
Visit the Social & Environmental Justice table in the parish hall following Sunday services for more information or contact Pat Gallivan pl.gallivan@verizon.net or Ellen Barr eriosbarr@gmail.com
NEXT DATE IS APRIL 15th
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
2026 Neponset River Spring Cleanup
April 25th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Scan code for more information and to register.
See or contact Susannah Bales redirector@fpmilton.org or Tucker Smith tsmith62676@gmail.com
2026 Neponset River Spring Cleanup
April 25th 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Scan code for more information and to register.
See or contact Susannah Bales redirector@fpmilton.org or Tucker Smith tsmith62676@gmail.com
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.