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 Reverend Lisa
- Music Info
- RE
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Actions for Justice and Democracy (COMING SOON)
This Week in Worship
“Beginner’s Mind“
Please join us for service at 10:30am.
Worship Assistant: Lisa White
Greeter: Brigitte Miller
Audio: Sofia Nitolo
Social Hour Host: Jonah Beukman and Julia Blackburn
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.
This week’s offering will be given to DeeDee’s Cry. The mission of DeeDee’s Cry is to provide resources on suicide prevention and loss and mental health education. DeeDee’s Cry supports families impacted by suicide. DeeDee’s Cry aims to create a space where conversations begin to lift the stigma on suicide and mental health within Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) communities.
It was an honor to be asked to lead the closing prayer for the town of Milton’s Memorial Day Observance. There were people there who come every year to pay homage to those lost in and by serving in war. Though peace is the ultimate hope, these soldiers gave of themselves so that we may live in a still (but presently threatened) free country. Here are the words I shared.
“God of all naming, all nations, all life
Help us honor
Those brave, life-giving women and men
Who devotedly put themselves in harm’s way on our behalf.
Some are known to us. Some have been lost in the ravages of war.
The life we hold dear, the freedom we long for was given shape and form because of countless soldiers who have died in battle, in hospitals, and in a brokenness of mind and spirit by their own hands, haunted by devastation.
Lift up praises for all in their courage, their strength, their generosity of being.
May they never be overlooked or forgotten.
And may we honor their service with true action and resolve for freedom, justice and peace in the world.
In the name of all that is sacred, I pray. Amen”
With care, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem called “Whatsoever Things . . .” by Patrick Roszell. Originally from Alabama, Mr. Roszell is a prolific composer of music for choir, band, and orchestra. Also this Sunday you will hear “The Circle Game” by Joni Mitchell, performed by Charles Franich on guitar.
RE This Week
The RE Committee wanted to give you a preview of the remainder of the church year as this is a very busy time of the year. Our calendar is as follows:
June 1 – Final Wee The People workshop. During the time for all ages, Francie will be leading the entire congregation in a culminating activity to celebrate the learning they have done during the workshops this year. Afterwards the children will meet with Francie for their final workshop in the activity room.
June 8 – This is the last service of the year. It is a multi-generation service followed by our annual First Parish Summer Picnic
We hope that this calendar is helpful! Please reach out to anyone on the RE Committee (Jennie Lofgren, Bridget Sitkoff, Paul Casaz and Becky Stiles) if you have any questions.
News & Announcements
We sincerely thank you for your generous gift to the organizations below.
3/16 AFAB $1,202.89
3/30 Neponset River Watershed
$610.00
4/10 UU Mass Action $300.00
4/13 UU Service Committee
$1,245
4/27 Louis D. Brown Peace
$812.00
5/18 Thrive Gulu $945.00
We are so lucky to have your support.
Lost & Found
The following items are in the Lost and Found bin. Any item not picked up by June 15th will be donated to the First Parish yard sale. Please contact Sherri in the office at office@fpmilton.org to arrange pick up. Or all the coats are currently hung on coat rack in Parish Hall. Thank you.
Events
First Parish Picnic Time! June 8th!
On June 8th, the Membership Committee will host our annual end of the church year PICNIC. Once again, it will be a pot luck feast. No one brings the deliciousness better than First Parish folk. So please think about what you would like to bring and let us know on our Sign up Genius.
We will have temporary tattoos and bubbles again, lawn games, music and special surprises !
Come one, come all and lets be in delicious community on June 9th.
If you can help with set up, clean up or have questions, please email Leslie at lesliemacpherson@gmail.com
We are hiring! We are actively recruiting for our new Director of Lifespan Faith Exploration. We are hoping that everyone at First Parish can share the job opening with their professional and personal circles. One way to do so is to go to First Parish Milton UU on Facebook, and then “Share” that post on your feed. Another way is to right-click on the image above, save the image, and then use that .jpg to create your own post on any of your social media accounts. And of course, use word of mouth to direct anyone to https://fpmilton.org/job-opportunities/. Please, help us to spread word of this opportunity far and wide, and thereby help us to find someone who will be a great fit for our community!
The ANNUAL FIRST PARISH YARD SALE is coming up soon – Saturday, June 21! You can declutter and help raise funds for First Parish at the same time.
DONATION drop-off information
We are looking for clean, gently used furniture, sporting equipment, toys, clothes, jewelry, books, lawn and garden items, household goods, photographs, art, collectibles, record albums, musical instruments, and more…
Please assist our volunteers by organizing your items by category, and making sure they are washed or dusted, and/or in good working order.
We cannot accept: Stuffed animals; cribs, car seats, mattresses
DROP OFF times: First Parish
- Sun., June 8: 9am-10am; 12pm-2pm (in the Link only)
- Fri., June 13: 2-6pm (Parish Hall)
- Sat., June 14: 9am-1pm (Parish Hall)
- Sun., June 15: 10:30am-12:30pm
- Mon., June 16: 10am-1pm; 3pm-6pm
- Tues., June 17: 10am-1pm; 3pm-6pm
- Wed., June 18: 10am-1pm; 3pm-6pm
If these times don’t work for you, please email yardsale@fpmilton.org to arrange an alternate drop-off time.
Can you help? We need LOTS of volunteers to:
- staff the donation drop-off hours
- help set up and organize on June 19-20
- staff the tables and help with set-up or clean-up on the day of the yard sale (June 21)
- clean up and distribute leftover items after the yard sale on June 22-24
If you can commit 2 hours or 20, we’d appreciate your help! Please Sign Up via the SIGN UP GENIUS LINK
The event is open to the public – rain or shine – spread the word!
Bike Drive with Bikes not Bombs June 21st
A truck will be on site and we will collect any used/donated bikes for their bike refurbishing / recycling efforts.
More info to follow
Social & Environmental Justice
Breakfast for IFSI:
Join the Bagel Brigade
First Parish has been building a connection with our IFSI neighbors for several years. We have shared our Sunday collections with them. Many of you have contributed gently used clothing and furniture to IFSI. And this year, the children in our RE program have, with love and laugher, created and shared Blessing bags with the children of IFSI families. Here’s a new way to connect with IFSI: Rev Tina Rathbone of the MA Council of Churches started with a simple idea: she delivered bagels to IFSI periodically to thank the staff for their steady and compassionate work with local immigrants:
Through the ups and downs of the past several months the staff at Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) have remained open and available to all who need them. They have continued to work with families in difficulty of all kinds and to serve them with respect and care. Sometimes they are overwhelmed by the fear and suffering of those they serve, and sometimes they are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the need. Many are exhausted, and still they show up. They are amazing!
Help us say “thank you” to the staff at IFSI. If interested, read more and sign up on SignupGenius here
- What: Bagels (of all kinds) with cream cheese (of all kinds) for 40 (3 dozen) – and sometimes, if possible, flowers.
- Where: IFSI Mattapan, 1626 Blue Hill Avenue (near the Church of the Holy Spirit)
- When: Wednesday or Thursday around 9:30am every other week starting the week of May 12
- Contact Tina Rathbone (tina@masscouncilofchurches.org, or 617 852 4916) with questions!
Next date: June 18th
S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches a month to support shelter guests.
Please sign up whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.
We are counting on your support!
Actions for Justice and Democracy
East Milton
Adams Street Overpass
EVERY Wednesday 4:30pm-6:30pm
Brought to you by Milton Indivisible
Click here for more information
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.