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… 
This Week in Worship
Sunday, April 14
“Unknown Visions of Love”
The Rev. Colin Bossen, guest preacher
Joe Ayoub, worship assistant
There are places where Unitarian Universalists might find the ever loving God of Universalism outside of our tradition. The Rev. Colin Bossen is currently a PhD student at Harvard University where he is studying the relationship between theology and social movements. Prior to returning to academia he served Unitarian Universalist congregations in Ohio and Pennsylvania. He keeps a blog at www.colinbossen.org.
Events and News
TONIGHT!
Thursday, April 11
7PM in the Meetinghouse
Communion & Community
Listening Circle hosted by the Worship Committee
Share your experience and listen to others as we explore the diversity of feelings and thoughts on these topics within our own community.
Listening Circles are guided opportunities to reflect on powerful questions that get to the heart of our spiritual life together.
Responses to melindaandharris@gmail.com – reference Communion & Community in the subject line, or call Melinda @ 617-696-6052
April 12, 7:00pm
Film Premiere
The remarkable story of Waitstill and Martha Sharp, an American minister and his wife who boldly committed to a life threatening mission in Europe to help save imperiled Jews and refugees at the onset of World War II
This week in Religious Education
Spirit Play I (ages 3-5) will meet in their classroom downstairs, where they will hear the story “I Live in the Universe.”
Passages (2nd grade) will meet in the third classroom downstairs to explore the sixth UU principle: the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.
All other children will meet in the Children’s Church before selecting their workshops.
More Events and News
Hope and Caution: The Trans Clergy Experience
Wednesday, April 24, 7pm
In the final Common Hearth program for this year, Rev. Jamez Terry will share his groundbreaking research on transgender clergy members. While covering a broad spectrum of traditions and contexts, this discussion will emphasize the experiences of trans ministers in the UU tradition. These experiences shed light on our collective successes and failures at honoring diversity and living in the spirit of radical welcome
Half-day Retreat for Couples
Saturday, May 4th
Perhaps you’ve experienced the gifts of a small group and wanted to share them with your partner. Or maybe you’d like to bring your faith and your relationship together in a new way. The intimate setting of a small group allows us to do these things at the same time we deepen our connections with others in our church community and help each other navigate the living out of our faith and values. We will be offering a small group for couples, consisting of four to six sessions in May, June, and July. The group will be co-facilitated by Harris and Melinda Collins. As in all small groups, we’ll be working into deep listening and holding of each other as explore and celebrate. On Saturday, May 4th, Melinda and Harris will host a half-day couples retreat as a kick-off for the small group. To register, or for more information, please contact membership@fpmilton.org
Sunday, May 12
Please join us for our annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace! We welcome all to live out our faith by walking in solidarity and witness with those who have lost loved ones to violence. Help us to reach our fundraising goal of $2000 We have had up to 90 people walk on behalf of First Parish in Milton in past years – let’s make this year the best ever!!
If you would like to carpool over, meet at First Parish at 7:45 am in the parking lot and we will travel together to the walk. Otherwise you can meet us there at 8 am.
In addition, we are making a quilt/banner to carry in the Walk. Please feel free to stop by our table in social hour to make a square!
Please contact Elise Henricks at tonyelise@earthlink.net or Tammy Tai at tammyvtai@gmail.com with any questions
Please see the link below to find our fundraising page and sign up. It is not necessary to donate in order to join us, but any contribution helps in the effort.
Annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
Sunday June 2nd from 9-10:15 a.m.
The RE committee is hosting the annual Teacher Appreciation Breakfast to honor everyone who has been involved with Religious Education at First Parish this year. Breakfast will be served to the teachers, substitute teachers and their families and all teachers will receive a gift of appreciation from First Parish. If you would like to thank a teacher by contributing a breakfast item, please sign up on the doodle poll by using this link: http://www.doodle.com/
You have been CHOSEN!
In the interest of efficiency, the Worship Committee has designated a “Chosen Few” to assist during Worship Services as ushers for the remainder of the Church year. Please check the list below to see if you are one of the “Chosen Few”.
The Worship Committee is grateful for your participation as an usher. If, for some reason, you are unable to fulfill your usher duties on your “Chosen” Sunday, please either trade with someone else, or find a replacement.
Thank you, in advance, for your help!
If you do not see your name on the list and you would like to usher, please let Miriam, our new office assistant, know and she will try to fit you in.
Happy spring!
The Worship Committee
Usher Assignments for April, May, and June
April 21 Mark Whall and Liz O’Rourke-Harris
April 28 Rick Malmstrom and Carolyn Newman
May 5 Laurie Webster and Karl Pastore
May 12 Please let us know if you can help on this day!
May 19 Charlie Franich and Ruth Hannon
May 26 Dianna Wilson and Alyson Allen
June 2 Ruth and Clara Heiden
June 9 Beth Gray Nix and Lisa Beck
THANK YOU!
On behalf of MIFRA (Milton Interfaith Refugee Assistance), we would like to thank the talented bakers and generous bidders who made the Chocolate Auction a huge success. The money raised will be used to help the Eritrean and Haitian communities in Dorchester and Roxbury. We are most thankful to our Auctioneer Extraordinaire, Chris Pitt, who made the auction productive and fun for all!
EVERY SUNDAY
Worship, 10:30am in the Meetinghouse
Meetinghouse Choir Rehearsal, 8:45am in the Parish Hall
Silent Prayer & Meditation, 9:00am in the Children’s Church
THE SUNDAY PLANNER
Please consider volunteering for important Sunday worship positions like ushering, hosting social hour, providing flowers for worship, and lighting the chalice.
SIGN UP HERE