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 & Religious Education
Sunday, April 21
“Our Real Work”
Rev. Parisa Parsa
with music from Claudia Wellington and Franc Graham as well as the Meetinghouse Choir
In this world of brokenness, heartbreak and loss, on this planet so precariously balanced, how do we determine what we are here to do, and how, and with whom?
Religious Education
Spirit Play I and II (ages 3-6) will meet in their classrooms downstairs, where they will hear the stories “Love You Forever” (I) and “Many Paths to God” (II).
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.
Small Group Ministries (grades 3-6) will begin in the meetinghouse before being dismissed to their classes.
Neighboring Faiths (7th grade) will meet in the parlor to begin exploring paganism
Extra Meetinghouse Choir rehearsals for Music Sunday:
Sunday morning, 8:30 – 10:00AM. Additional rehearsal after church in the Meetinghouse, 12-noon – 12:45.
Events and News
First Parish has been in discussions with Temple Shalom of Milton for much of the last two years about the possibility of engaging in a shared-space building project on our campus. The Parish Committee believes that partnering with the Temple provides an opportunity to model our values of radical welcome and interfaith cooperation and to address very real facilities needs on our campus in a way that stewards resources wisely. At this year’s Annual Meeting, to be held after worship on May 19, we will vote on whether to move forward in partnership with the Temple. This is a big decision for our church, and we want you to be informed and involved. Over the next several weeks, we will hold a series of small-group information sessions and discussions in which you will hear more about the proposal and have an opportunity to share your excitements and concerns.
Please attend one of these important discussions. You can view dates and sign up on doodle pool by using this link: http://doodle.com/6tutc8yyywpztsd2au9wr58k/admin?#table
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
Climate Revival –
An Ecumenical Festival to Embolden the Renewal of Creation
Saturday, April 27, 2013 10am-4pm
Featuring national and international leaders
Come to Old South Church UCC and Trinity Church (Episcopal) on Boston’s Copley Square
http://www.macucc.org/events/detail/1104
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