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
Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
This Week in Worship
This Week in Religious Exploration
This Week in Music
Events and Meetings
News and Announcements
Volunteer Opportunities
Beyond First Parish
Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
Elon Musk, in his bid to buy twitter, speaks of liberating “free speech”. We heard this recently, as well, from Mark Zuckerberg, in referring to the issue of communication mandates for Facebook. Both mega-rich CEO’s fancy themselves free speech pioneers, when, in fact, they are revealing the short- sightedness of privilege. And, although they may fancy themselves as crusaders, it is far more about the bottom line than moral grounding.
“Free speech” in civic society is not about saying anything you want to say at any time. Speech is an effort toward impact and influence. We are relational creatures; we affect one another in our interactions. Free speech in the public square is about choosing what to say, and choice is about responsibility. Our speech, our reaching toward shared meaning or understanding, has the capacity to coerce, obfuscate, deny, distract and abuse others. If we choose to use our relational power without regard for the harmful effect, we are weakening the fabric of society.
Too often in this society, we talk of rights without regard for responsibility. The “rugged individualist” should be able to carve one’s way, according to those with privilege enough to ignore all that supports one’s journey. If we want freedom and justice for all, then we cannot disregard the “all” to get there. Just sayin’.
Blessings, Rev. Lisa
This Week in Worship
“……the tender gravity of kindness”
Facilitated by: Rev. Patricia Brennan
Worship Assistant: Tom Kemp
Music: Dzidzor Amorin
Audio: Sophie D’Allessandro & Nina Truog
Social Hour Host: Owen and Cathy McGonagle
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Worship Services are hybrid.
Join us in person or on Zoom.
Please see the zoom link below. 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.
Sunday’s offering will be given to the Louis D Brown Peace Institute. The Mother’s Day Walk for Peace is a beloved Boston (and FPM) tradition and celebration of our potential to create more peaceful communities. It is the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s largest fund raising event to support their services, advocacy and training. Reentry Services Coordinator, Kamal Oliver will be speaking.
First Parish would like to thank you for March donations. We are lucky to have your support !
Back Bay Choral $401.31
MA Interfaith Power & Light $541.37
Rev. Patricia Brennan has been a UU minister for some 20 years, primarily serving as an interim minister to congregations in MA and RI. Rev. Tricia Brennan will also serve as sabbatical minister here at First Parish from August 15th to November 15th while Rev. Lisa is on sabbatical. Rev. Brennan is shifting into a ministry of spiritual direction and retreat leadership, and is studying spiritual guidance through the Shalem Institute. She lives in Jamaica Plain.
This Week in Religious Exploration
Nursery care for young children is available starting before worship and continuing until noon. Children participating in our Religious Exploration program gather in the Meetinghouse for the beginning of worship. We will proceed to classes together after the Story For All Ages. We will walk children up to social hour after class – parents are also welcome to come down to the Activities Room to find us. Children and youth are also always welcome to remain in the Meetinghouse during worship.
This week, our theme is celebrating our power to bring beauty into the world. Children and youth will read The Big Orange Splot and explore ideas of individuality and community through a collage project. We will also be starting to plan our participation in RE Sunday. If you child cannot join us this Sunday, but would like to have a role on RE Sunday, please reach out to bridget@sitkoff.net.
This Week in Music
This Sunday’s service will feature regular guest musician Dzidzor Amorin. Also a vocal ensemble led by Penny Knight will be sharing a musical selection.
One last reminder to check out the Milton Community Concert this Saturday, May 7th at 7pm. The concert is “Gamechangers: A Musical Celebration”, inspired by Jackie Robinson. It is a free benefit concert to support Bridge Over Troubled Waters, an agency providing services for homeless, runaway, and at risk-youth.
Events and Meetings
Saturday, May 7, 2022 at 7pm, Milton Community Concerts at First Parish of Milton (535 Canton Avenue) presents “Gamechangers: A Musical Celebration”
A free benefit concert inspired by Jackie Robinson, which recognizes and celebrates past and current-day risk-takers, ground breakers, and boundary shifters who provide inspiration through their courage, vision, and determination. An outstanding and diverse lineup of singers in music ranging from jazz to opera. Net proceeds go to support Bridge Over Troubled Waters, Inc, an agency providing life-changing services for homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth. Visit miltoncommunityconcerts.com
Louis D. Brown 26th Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace
May 8th 8:00 am Town Field Park-Dorchester
For several years, members and friends of First Parish Milton have participated in this walk and have collected donations to support this important event. After a two year pause due to Covid, walkers will again be meeting in Dorchester to join numerous groups & individuals to march to end violence.
There will be two ways to provide financial support to Louis D. Brown. The organization will be accepting on-line donations and First Parish has registered as a donor team – First Parish UU Milton. The second way to support this work will be at the May 1st Sunday service at FP Milton. A speaker from LDB will be speaking at this service and proceeds from passing the plate will go to LDB.
To donate on-line, begin by going to the Louis D. Brown Mother’s Day Walk website page. Under the 26th Annual Mother’s Day Walk for Peace heading, you should select Donate. Now, scroll to Choose Your Recipient and select Team. Enter our team information: First Parish Unitarian Universalist Milton and then complete your donation info.
A brief history of this walk and the work of the organization is attached.
Any Questions regarding this event can be directed to the FP Social & Environmental Justice Committee. We hope to see you on the walk.
Pat Gallivan
Click here for a brief history.
First Parish Crafternoon
Join us for a First Parish Crafternoon!
Some of us who do handcrafting are getting together on Saturday 4/30 from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Parish Hall to share what we’re making and hang out together. If you have a hand project you’re working on, like knitting, sewing, crocheting, drawing, embroidery, please join us and bring it along. This is not necessarily an instructional session, but tips and tricks can certainly be shared! We’ll talk about whether we might want to have some future shared projects or teaching sessions, and if we’d like to make this a regular thing. All are welcome, whatever your knowledge or skill level. Even if you don’t have a project but would like to bounce around ideas, please join us!
Contact Elise Henricks at elisemhenricks@gmail.com with any questions.
Yard Sale
The Yard Sale will be June 18th, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Start your spring cleaning and organizing your treasures for donation. We’ll be collecting items from June 4th – June 15. Reach out to Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com) if you want to be part of the organizing committee.
Social & Environmental Justice
MAY 11th HOUR CALLING CLIMATE STANDOUT
& COMMUNITY DRUMMING WORKSHOP
Wednesday, May 11th
5:30 p.m. Workshop & Practice; 6:11-6:22 “Calling the Alarm”
First Parish Milton UU, 535 Canton Avenue
Matt Meyer, Boston percussionist and community organizer, will lead a free, 45-minute workshop for all ages and abilities (no experience required) starting by 5:30 p.m. Some instruments will be available to try. Consider BYO buckets, pots/pans, shakers/noisemakers and drumsticks or similar. Students of music, families, activists – all are welcome. Spread the word. Standout for climate justice and action everywhere, starting here. Sponsored by First Parish and Sustainable Milton.
The Racial Justice Focus Group invites you to join us in understanding the Widening the Circle of Concern UUA report.
In a nutshell, the report, which reads more like a book than a report, is about addressing the White Supremacy Culture within Unitarian Universalism.
Explore with us why we are engaging in studying the recommendations in the report with the intent of taking action toward implementing the recommendations. For example, many UU churches, have placed BLM signs on their front lawns, now many are adopting or in the process of deliberating adoption of the 8th principle which is about building a “beloved” community and dismantling racism and other systems of oppression within ourselves and within our communities. These are great first steps, but what does it mean to actually “live” the 8th principle?
We meet on the 4th Wednesday of each month from 7-8:30PM. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Lisa for the zoom link: minister@fpmilton.org.
If you can’t stomach yet another zoom meeting, we encourage you to at least pick up a copy of the report to read on your own and provide suggestions or feedback on what recommendations speak to you. Several copies are available at the office. You can also access a pdf, with audio access, here: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/widening
News & Announcements
Worship Committee – SUMMER SERVICES
We now have only the last two summer services (8/28, 9/4) for which we need lay leaders. Meanwhile, take a look at the first four. These lay led Sunday services will be in the Meeting House and will be “hybrid.” (You can Zoom in from wherever you are; but if you’re nearby and can do so, we hope you will give these volunteers your physical presence.) Pianist Liz Dunne Alvarez will again play for several summer services.
6/19 Penny Partridge & Rosemary Zander “In Awe and Praise of Friendship”
6/26 Guy Pugh & Steve Yakutis “Simple Gifts – Lessons from the Amish”
7/3 Jeff Stoodt & Lisa White “Musings on Independence Day”
7/10 Jennie Mulqueen & Amy Kavadlo “Sing a Song into Prayer”
Volunteer Opportunities
Ramadan Food Drive
When : Friday, April 8- Friday, April 29
Where: All Milton Public Schools (bins in school lobby)
First Parish Milton, UU – 535 Canton (bin at carriage house near lower lot)
Congregation Beth Shalom – 18 Shoolman Way (bins in lobby, April 8-15 and 25-29)
Who: YOU! Anyone can participate!
Why: Join your Muslim neighbor! Ramadan is a very special time of year for Muslims to do good deeds. It is important to practice gratitude and give to those struggling to put food on their tables.
How: Donate food, dry goods, and hygiene items. All items must have ingredient labels with current expiration dates.
Most needed items:Canned meat or tuna;Mac and cheese; Cereal or oatmeal;Pasta and sauce; Peanut butter & jelly; Canned fruit and vegetables; Healthy snacks for kids; Dry or canned beans; Juice boxes; Condiments; Shelf-stable milk; Salad dressing; Rice; Cooking oil/olive oil; Canned soup; Diapers, wipes; Personal care items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, unscented bar soap, shampoo, body wash.
Donations to be distributed to local food pantries and social services. This project is brought to you by Milton Muslim Neighbors, Milton Interfaith Clergy Association, and Milton Public Schools. For more info, please contact Amal at amalkimawi@gmail.com
Social Hour Host Needed
Our in-person courtyard social hour is back. Hosts are needed May 8th and May 22nd.
Ushers and greeters are needed during service.
We have appreciated your help in the past and hope you can help again. Please sign up here if you are interested.
Main Spring Lunch Program
First Parish Milton volunteers provide bagged lunches to Mainspring shelters in Brockton and Stoughton twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. Next delivery date is Wednesday, May 4th. Pat Gallivan will be the organizer/driver.
If you haven’t made lunches in a while OR if you are a new volunteer who would like try it for the first time, see the instructions on the Mainspring SignUpGenius page or contact Pat Gallivan pl.gallivan@verizon.net for more info.
Thanks to all the volunteers that have made this program a success for more than two years!!
Fair Foods
Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that wwould 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, May 14th.
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 on weekdays from early morning until mid-afternoon.
Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685
Beyond First Parish
Celebrate the Moms in your life – AND support the Peace Garden at the UU Urban Ministry at the same time.
The Urban Ministry will send a card for every $25 donation if you provide the address.
If you are interested in visiting the new Peace Garden at the Urban Ministry, talk to Tracey or Mary.
Green Up the Blue Hills!
May 1, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Meet: Temple Beth David of the South Shore
1060 Randolph Street, Canton, MA
A great event for the whole family! Help keep the forest healthy! Enjoy music, refreshments, crafts, and activities for children!
Click here for more information and to register for this great event
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.