This Week in Virtual Worship

May 2,2021

“Sharing The Center”

Facilitated by:  Rev. Lisa Ward

Worship Associate:  Chris Clifford 

Faith Reflection: Tony Dutzik

Music:  Tim Steele

Audio Engineer:  Brynne Mershon

Virtual Social Hour Host:  Jennifer Pinkus

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.

Please be on the lookout for an Order of Worship which will be emailed to you on Friday, 4/30

​   Today’s offering will be dedicated to the services and ministry of First Parish.

We will continue having a social hour after services. Just stay on the Zoom worship call. It will be good to worship together. Do join us on Sunday if you can

It’s been 6 months since the Milton Select Board’s Equity and Justice for All Advisory Committee convened.  I have the honor of being the Milton Interfaith Clergy Association (MICA) representative on the committee.  We have been given a charge to research, evaluate and recommend measures of reform on behalf of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in town government and Milton public service.  This is an 18 month endeavor.  Last night, Pat Lattimore, one of the co-chairs of the committee, presented our preliminary findings and recommendations to the Select Board.

I continue to be impressed by the civic mindedness of Milton citizenry.  This next step into mindfully working together with a DEI frame has much potential about it.  One hopeful aspect is the acknowledgement from the many DEI groups that have sprung up since the murder of George Floyd that this is a long progressive journey.  The acknowledgement, as well, is that equity is multi-layered, moving beyond the optics of diversity into the restructuring of power dynamics and access to opportunity in order to live fully in our society.

This year, our Environmental and Social Justice Committee has strengthened its outreach and deepened its purpose in response to the urgencies of these times.  The committee meetings are full of advocacy, accountability of projects and good-hearted humor.  The care for a just and healthy world is carried out, first, in care for each other.  Here, too, we understand the work of environmental and social justice as a long progressive journey.  I am uplifted by the consistent and courageous care that I see on a regular basis within this congregation.  Keep on keeping on, First Parish in Milton!

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Religious Exploration

Family Spirit Circle: Family Spirit Circle packets were delivered this past weekend on the power of Prayer. One of the related activities was to decorate and hang prayer flags. The words and pictures on prayer flas create spiritual vibrations that are carried far and wide by the wind. All beings that are touched by that wind are uplifted and made a little happier. The silent prayers on the flags are blessings spoken on the breath of nature. 

Email fpmiltonre@gmail.com if you need the family spirit circle newsletter or would like to be added to our distribution list of RE families.

Middle and High School Youth: Social justice/climate justice options for youth this May are: 

(1) Join the GreenUp Milton! litter collection effort on May 1. See the social justice column later in this newsletter for more info.

(2) Youth are encouraged to attend the final Getting to Zero conversation online on May 5. 

(3) The 25 Days of Walking campaign in support of the 25th Louis D. Brown Peace Institute’s Motherhood March for Peace is underway but it is not too late to join! Youth are encouraged to join the campaign for as many events as possible (the 25 days are from April 5 to May 7, with an online finale on May 9th at 9:00 am).

(4) March for George and Justice on May 25. Details coming soon. Youth are welcome to join the planning team for this event, let Rev. Lisa know if you’d be interested in helping out.

We welcome suggestions for youth programming opportunities, especially regarding possible social justice youth activities.

~ Our bodies may not be touching, but our hearts are still connected.

MUSIC THIS WEEK

This week a group of singers from the congregation will be joining togetherin “Gather the Spirit” by Jim Scott. This pre-recorded video was puttogether by Pat Neves with the assistance of an on-line recording platformcalled Songalong (Mike LaFleur, founder and developer). Also GraceAllendorf will be singing a short song by Jeraldine Sanders Herbison called”We Met By Chance”. Ms. Herbison is a native of Richmond, VA and taught formany years in secondary schools in Virginia and Maryland. Several of hercello works have been performed at the Kennedy Center, including her CelloConcerto #1, commissioned by the Afro-American Chamber Music Society.

Table of Contents

For Events, News and Announcements 

1. Ramadan Food Drive

2. Benefit for the UU Urban Ministry 

3. Milton Community Concerts

4. Church Event: Racial Justice Conversations

5. Church Event: Weekly Meditation

6. Worship Committe News

7. Membership Committe News

8. Environmental Committe News

9. Social and Environmental Justice Committee News 

Events, News & Announcements

RAMADAN FOOD DRIVE

Monday April 26th — Monday May 10th

Join your Muslim Neighbor! Ramadan is a very special time of year for Muslims to do good deeds. It is important to help and give to those struggling to put food on their tables.

Donate food, dry goods, and hygiene items. All items must have ingredient labels with current expiration dates.

Most-needed Items:

Healthy snacks for kids
Juice boxes

Peanut butter & jelly
Shelf-stable milk
Rice
Canned soup
Personal care items: toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap (unscented), shampoo, body wash

Mac & Cheese
Pasta & sauce
Canned fruit or vegetables
Dry or canned beans Condiments (incl. salt & pepper) Salad dressing
Cooking oil / Olive oil
Diapers (size 5 & 6), baby wipes

All donations can be dropped off between now and Monday, May 10th in the Carriage House.  There will be marked bins to store items.

Donations to be distributed by Interfaith Social Services in Quincy. This project is brought to you by Milton Muslim Neighbors (MMN), Milton Interfaith Clergy Association (MICA), and Milton Public Schools (MPS). For more info, please contact Tahra at tmg726@gmail.com.

Benefit for the UU Urban Ministry

featuring Catie Curtis

Sunday, May 2, 2021 3:00pm-4:00pm

Classical Chamber Music & FUUSion (aka the FUUSN Band)

Zoom LinkMeeting ID: 879 2888 2887Passcode: 147573

MILTON COMMUNITY CONCERTS

Now is the time to check out Milton Community Concerts livestream concert event, “Lifting Our Voices: Songs of Struggle and Hope by African AmericanComposers”, with guest speaker Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.  If you weren’t able to attend the concert live, you still have the opportunity (until May 11th) to log in and view it at sparrowlive.com/miltoncommunityconcerts. You will be supporting the Neponset Neighbors Together Fund when you do.

MCC PRESENTS A VIRTUAL MOTHER’S DAY CONCERT WITH AN INTERNATIONAL FLAVOR

On Mother’s Day, May 9th at 3pm Milton Community Concerts will present a live-stream benefit concert, “Music She Wrote: Songs By and About Women”. This one-hour program will feature a diverse and prestigious group of composers and performers in a multicultural program to benefit Rosie’s Place Women’s Shelter in Boston. This concert will also feature a talk by opera creator and Pulitzer Prize-winning librettist Cerise Jacobs.

Tickets can be purchased on the Sparrow Live concert platform: (sparrowlive.com/miltoncommunityconcerts) for a $10 donation, and the concert will be streamed for a full month, until June 9th.

Racial Justice Focus GroupConversations by Zoom with Rev. Lisa, Timothy Ellis and Debbie Alsebaimeets on the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays monthly

All are Welcome!

Next Session: Wednesday, May 5th, 7:00pm – 8:30 pm

This focus group has been meeting since August. Each session is rich with stories, insights, questions, learning, re-learning, sharing of resources, sharing of wisdom. Each session stands alone, so you are welcome to attend at any meeting. Consistent attendance helps deepen trust and exploration. Dismantling systemic racism in ourselves and communities occurs incrementally, discovery by discovery. We recognize the importance of this life-long journey toward transformation and that it is a shared endeavor.  Contact the office to receive the zoom link: office@fpmilton.org

Meditation 

All are welcome to join for 30 minutes of silent meditation/prayer on:

Thursday evenings at 6:45 pm-7:15 pm 

Sunday mornings at 9:00am-9:30am

Newcomers and friends welcome.

Please contact Tracey at tdr02186@gmail.com if you have questions or want to join us!

Worship Committee News

LAY LEADERS FOR SUMMER SERVICES

We hope the following themes from past summer services will inspire you to come up with your own:  Poetry That Sustains Us,  Finding God in Buddhism?; Telling Your Story, Unitarian Universalist Humor, Living with Pain, Childhood in White: What Wasn’t Said; The Power of a Dream. What’s in your heart to share with us? Many folks have done this over the years and would be willing to bounce ideas around with you, if you’d like. Please direct a possible title and first and second choice of summer Sundays (6/27 through 9/5) to Penny by May 1. (Remember that we’re expecting summer services to take place in the meeting house with a way for people to watch and listen from other places.)

Thank you!

Elise Henricks-elisemhenricks@gmail.com

Penny Partridge-ppartridge9@icloud.com

P.S. As of now, we think our summer services will take place in our main sanctuary – spread out, masked – with an option to watch it livestreamed. Lay leaders and their assistants will need to be at the church.

Membership Committee News

Wednesday, May 5th from 5:30-6:30

Cooking with Steve and Debbie to celebrate Cinco de Mayo   Cinco de Mayo (the Fifth of May) celebrates the victory of the outnumbered Mexican Army over the forces of Napoleon III’s invading French forces at the First Battle of Puebla. It has become a wide-spread celebration of Mexican culture and heritage in the United States.   We’ll make a variety of salsas, guacamole and homemade tortillas to honor the traditions of a community with deep roots in the history of our nation.   Contact Steve or Debbie prior to 5/5 for recipe sheet:     steve.yakutis@gmail.com  alsebai@verizon.net   This is perfect to snack on during the Getting to Zero workshop #3 that immediately follows this Cooking Class !

May 8th from 7:00-8:00 

*Come to the next First Parish Poetry Salon*   On Saturday evening, May 8th, we will gather together to share our love of the music of words. Come at 7 and bring a poem that you have written or found, and a portion of the evening will spotlight poetry that fits the theme of Nurturing (since the next day is Mothers Day) Mothers aren’t the only nurturers so it’s meant to be a starting point.   Bring your favorite beverage, get comfortable and let’s share. Hope you can make it. Reach out to Leslie, if you have questions; lesliecmacpherson@gmail.com

From S&EJ Committee:  Environmental News

GreenUp Milton!May Day WeekendSaturday, May 1st, Milton residents have the opportunity to “greenup” townparks, streets, and roadways. If you would like to join *GreenUp Milton!*as a team, a family, or an individual, register in advance on the town’swebsite (link below).  Trash bags will be provided — details online.Litter can be collected Sunday but all bags must be deposited at designateddrop-off sites before Monday, May 3 for DPW collection.  There is no raindate.

To register: Green Up Sign Up  Protect yourself and others by wearing a mask (required).  Other tips:Dress appropriately (long sleeves and pant-legs, work gloves, brightlycolored if on a busy street…); Stay hydrated; Protect against sunexposure; Know what poison ivy/oak looks like; Do a tick-check after!!!

“Getting to Zero”

Getting to

Zero

“Getting to Zero” declares our intention. First Parish Milton’s Social andEnvironmental Justice Committee plans to propose this intention — to become Net Zero by 2035 — for a vote at the church’s Annual Meeting on May16. In advance of the Annual Meeting, we will learn together through a3-part virtual discussion series on what it means to become “net zero” and how to live more sustainably.  Recorded workshops on FP website. This is a critical issue, not only for our church but for our community, climate, and planet. Join us on this educational journey so that you will be prepared to vote on May 16. 

Save the Date: Wednesday May 5th 6:30pm-7:30pm Getting to Zero 103:  Process and next stepsLearn about the progress First Parish has already made in reducing our environmental impact and join us for a discussion of how to turn our intention to become a Net Zero congregation into reality. Zoom link _____________________________________________  

Online Speaker Series for April

Climate Change in the Blue Hills

The Blue Hills Climate Action Coalition invites the community to explore how climate change will alter the Blue Hills and surrounding communities.  Experts from organizations in and around the park will reveal how the warming climate will affect the watershed, woodlands, birds, food production and other flora and fauna of the Blue Hills area.  To sign up for the Zoom link, visit https://www.bluehillsclimateaction.org/get-involved

The series’ aim is to raise public awareness about the local impacts of climate change and

showcase the groups in the Blue Hills area working to address them.  Each lecture will take place at 6:30 pm 

Next one is: TODAY

Thursday, April 29th

Wetlands and Vernal Pools of the Blue Hills: Who lives there,

what do they do, and how will climate change affect these species? 

Permanent and temporary freshwater wetlands are critically important communities in Southern New England.  They are home to some of the most unusual and unique plant and animal species in our area.  These wetlands also provide vital ecosystem services upon which we depend.   In this informal talk, Rick Kesseli, Umass Biologist and Friends of the Blue Hills’ Board member, will look at some of the unique creatures in these systems, discuss what they do and why they are important, and peek into the future at how human activities and climate change might impact these communities.

Link to Register

Friends of the Blue Hills

From your Social and Environmental Justice Committee