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
A reminder the office is closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.
Sunday, May 24th Service
May Worship Theme: BEAUTY
“Tend To The Beauty”
Worship Associate: Amy Kavadlo
Social Hour: Marie Laure-Brown (coffee only)
Audio: Nicholas Miller
This week’s offering will go towards the service and ministry of First Parish.
Prayers – If you are attending the service on Zoom and would like a prayer included, please email Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org by 5:00pm on Saturday.
Last Sunday we gathered to celebrate community in several ways. We gathered for a congregational photo, which I’m told has not been done in decades! We also engaged in our Annual Meeting and had a delicious luncheon afterwards.
What helped bring the spirit of our vibrant community together was our annual RE Sunday worship service. It was a joy to see all ages delight in the sharing of religious exploration.
As a part of the service, the “Crossing Paths” group presented a beautiful framework within the curriculum for exploring together as UU’s. It was presented to us as the Eight Practices of Welcome.
I’d like to list them here, as they are highly applicable in many situations within a thriving community:
1. Be fully present
2. Be curious
3. Be open to being changed
4. Be comfortable with discomfort
5. Be an appreciative listener
6. Be light-hearted
7. Be gentle (allow and heal mistakes)
8. Be yourself
Wisdom to hold dear….Thank you Susannah Bales, the RE Committee and Volunteers for all you do.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music
This Sunday features music which illustrates the theme of Beauty. For the prelude, violist Catherine Mayo will present one of the most beautiful instrumental solos ever written, “Meditation” from THAIS, by Jules Massenet. Guest soprano Penelope Holland will offer a song based on a text by Emily Dickinson, called “Beauty is Not Caused, It Is”, by Celius Dougherty. David Rivera Bozon will be singing a solo and the postlude will be an arrangement of “For the Beauty of the Earth” by Mark Hayes.
Religious Exploration
This RE Sunday, several of the children did a Faith Reflection Interview reflecting on the meaning of church and it was inspiring! Here is the list of the questions they considered and I invite you to ponder them as well!
If someone asks you “what is important about church?” What do you say?
- When you are not at church (home, school, etc.) do you ever think about church?
- What kinds of things have we done in RE class this year?
- What would you say if someone asks you about what kind of church you go to?
- What’s something you think is great at FPM or your favorite part?
- What’s something about FPM you would like to see happen or something you would like to change?
- What’s the point of church? “
When asked this final question, the kids shared that the “point” of church is:
- Telling important stories
- Taking care of each other
- Helping people in other places
- Making each other feel welcome
- Learning to be leaders
- Learning about different cultures
- Fun!
We are so proud of these kids, grateful for their leadership at FPM, and excited to see how that leadership can continue to grow!
Here is a link to the video of the interview itself!
The deadline to register for Summer Program is 5/31! Register here.
Want more ? Find all things Kids and Youth on the RE Linktree. For more information on any of the above contact Susannah at redirector@fpmilton.org or call 470-223-0337
News & Announcements
Summer Services
Please consider sharing a piece of yourself with us this summer! A summer service doesn’t have to be your life story; you can choose one very specific topic and explore that. It can be personal or more academic. That’s the beauty of it—it’s completely up to you.
And we are here to provide as much help and support as you’d like. We have guidelines, a checklist, and a template for an order of worship. We’ll provide you with a worship assistant and a piano player if you want, as well.
Available dates are July 26, August 2, August 9, August 23.
Please contact Lisa White at lisawhite1250@gmail.com if you’re interested.
Events
Orientation June 7th 12:00 pm
On June 7th, the next Orientation session will be held at noon in the library. We will have a light lunch and spend an hour talking about the history of our denomination and what brings you to First Parish. This is intended for those who are new to Unitarian Universalism but anyone is welcome.
New Member Sunday
We will also be welcoming new faces to membership on the following Sunday – June 14th — so IF you have been thinking about signing the membership book and officially joining the church, now is the time. Please reach out to Leslie if you plan to come or if you have questions.
Childcare will be available
Annual End of Year Church Picnic
June 14, 2026
June 14th will be Rev Lisa’s final service with us AND our picnic. This wll be a pot luck, as we have done the last few years. Please let us know what you would like to bring. NO ONE does Pot Lucks as well as First Parish, so let’s send Rev Lisa off to retirement with a memorable meal.
Here is the sign-up
Social & Environmental Justice
More than Surviving
Every Survivor Deserves to THRIVE
THRIVEGulu is a trauma recovery organization based in Gulu, Uganda. First Parish is a longtime supporter of this courageous organization and on May 31, we will once again “Share our Plate” with THRIVEGulu. This year we are especially fortunate to welcome two members of the leadership team at THRIVEGulu: Mah-Séré Keita, Executive Director and Anita Stetson, Director of Operations and Development, US.
After the worship service on May 31, join Séré and Anita in the Chase Parlor to hear just a few of the stories that inspire and nurture THRIVEGulu’s vision for Northern Uganda in which “all people are treated with dignity, live in safety, and have the chance to contribute to the good of the community.”
For more information checkout their powerful website: https://thrivegulu.org/
NEXT DATE IS June 17th
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
First Parish Goes to Les Miz
Sunday, June 21st at 6:30 PM (Father’s Day).
We will have an optional potluck before hand at the church and carpool in. Let me know if you are interested.
If the price works for you I can get us all together in the side Mezzanine where we can get Senior and Student pricing. The seats in Mezzanine Rows B, C and D would be $100 for an Adult ticket and $80 for Seniors & Students. In the Rear Side Mezzanine I can get seats for Adult $75 and Seniors & Students $60 or Balcony Adult for $53 and Senior/Students for $45.
If you prefer the Orchestra there is no Senior & Student pricing and seats would be $175, $150, $135, $117 or $100.
Let me know if you are interested by the end of the week or ASAP (up until 6/18) if you want to go and I will reserve you a ticket at the Theater Cost.
Hope you can join us! Email Debbie Alsebai at alsebai@verizon.net if you are interested with number of tickets and seat location
Beyond First Parish
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.