Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Rev. Lisa
• This Week in Religious Exploration
• Events and Meetings
• News and Announcements
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

“Let the Mystery Be”

Carol Bundy & Friends

Summer worship starts at 9:30 am

“Let the Mystery Be”

The June 25th Sunday service will be led by a guest from the Medford UU congregation, Carole Bundy. She will be joined by two other Medford UUs, who make up the singing trio, Molly, Will and Carole. The service is about mystery and living with unknowns. It will include the Iris DeMent song, “Let the Mystery Be” – with Molly Ruggles, the Director of Music for the Medford UUs, on the piano.

Please come –  at 9:30 a.m. – or tune in from wherever you are.

Facilitated by: Carol Bundy and friends

Audio: Casey Miller

Worship Services are hybrid.

Join us in person or on Zoom.

Please see the zoom link below. Please log in at 9:20, to give some lead time for the service at 9:30.

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 go towards the ministry and service of First Parish.

Guest Column Writer- Kevin Harnden

Kevin Harnden is not only our sexton, but a poet. He wanted to share this poem with the First Parish Community this week.

Why would I believe I’m more precious to the world

then, let’s say:

A deer

Or a grasshopper

Or maybe a goat

Or a dolphin

Or any other living thing that finds community on this earth.

Can you observe a doe taking care of its fawn or an elephant looking after its calf or a robin feeding its chicks or perhaps a tiger protecting its young,

and not know our common spirit.

Rev. Lisa’s Summer Schedule:

June 15 – July 15: a mix of 2 weeks of vacation and work away (General Assembly, Pittsburgh, and Minister of the Week at Star Island, New Hampshire)

Aug. 4-13: work away: Minister of the Week at Chautauqua Institute, NY

Aug. 27 – Sept. 4: Vacation

Religious Exploration

We have the happy news that we have hired a ¾- time Family Ministries Director: Louise Smith-Erb. Their position will start this August.

The Family Ministries Director is a new position for First Parish and Louise, so we will call on our practice of adaptive change to innovate a new religious exploration model for all ages. Current goals are to maintain an RE program for children and youth, integrating opportunities for family ministry and gatherings. Adult faith development and intergenerational community building are also a part of their portfolio.

Here is their bio:

“Louise is excited to be the Family Ministries Director at First Parish Milton! They are especially looking forward to building community with young people and learning together how to deepen care for ourselves and each other. During the school year, they study interfaith leadership and conflict transformation as a Master of Divinity student at Boston University School of Theology. Outside of their academic and professional life, they enjoy connecting with the queer community, running, knitting, and reading. They are a genderqueer individual and feel most affirmed when referred to with they/them/theirs pronouns, though she/her/hers will do in a pinch. Louise’s go-to fun fact is that their family once grew a giant pumpkin that won “Most Beautiful” at the Cumberland Fair in their hometown of Cumberland, Maine.” 

Welcome to First Parish, Louise!!

Events and Meetings

Saturday, June 24, 9am – 1pm

The First Parish

Yard Sale

is almost here

DONATION drop-off information

We are looking for clean, gently-used furniture, sporting equipment, toys, clothes, books, lawn and garden items, household goods, bicycles, and more…

Can you help? We need volunteers to:

• staff the donation drop-off hours
• help set up and organize on June 22-23
• staff the tables and help with set-up or clean-up on the day of the yard sale (June 24)

If you can commit 2 hours or 20, we’d appreciate your help ! Please sign up via Signup Genius or email Jen Pinkus

The event is open to the public – rain or shine – spread the word!

News and Announcements

Meditation continues …

Meditation continues to meet on zoom through the summer. We practice silent meditation for 30 minutes.

Sunday morning from 8:30-9am 

Thursday evening 6:45-7:15pm. 

Contact Tracey Robinson tdr02186@gmail.com for zoom link info. 

We would love you to join us.

UPCOMING LAY LED Service

Our July 2nd service will be led by Jeff Stoodt and is titled, “What America Means To Me”.

Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that would 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, July 22nd.

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.

Sign up here!

Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. Contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685 with any questions or for more information.

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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.