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
- This Week in Religious Exploration
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“What is America to Me”
Summer worship starts at 9:30 am
“What is America to Me”
Jeff Stoodt traditionally leads our Sunday service on 4th of July weekend. He combines thoughtfulness about this holiday with great singing. Please come support this faithful member of First Parish and this just retired teacher! And our pianist will be Daon Drisdom, the choir’s Hunsaker Tenor.
Please come – at 9:30 a.m. – or tune in from wherever you are.
Facilitated by: Jeff Stoodt
Worship Assistant: Lisa White
Music: Daon Drisdom
Audio: Atticus D’ Alessandro
Worship Services are hybrid.
Join us in person or on Zoom.
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.
First Parish Yard Sale Recap
Jennifer Pinkus
The rain couldn’t dampen the First Parish spirit and it didn’t dissuade the dedicated yard sale community. We had a fabulous yard sale! As Penny Partridge said in church the next day, “we had a different kind of worship service on Saturday”.
Allison Zippay and I want to express our deep appreciation to the incredible team of over 50 volunteers whose positive energy and generous hearts made the yard sale so wonderful. And many thanks too, to all the generous donors of First Parish who rummaged through their closets and attics to find the things they no longer need. This is truly a church-wide event, and it demonstrates the strength and caring of this community.
The financial tally for the day was $5,933.58, which exceeded our expectations. But the full story of our success includes the number of items that weren’t sent to a landfill, the number of people who found something they needed or wanted at a very reasonable price, and the number of First Parish members and friends who now have slightly cleaner houses. It was very good work!!
Some special thank yous:
- Susan, Sherri and Kevin for all their support with ideas, logistics and church facilities.
- The organizing committee members: Lisa White, Cathy Sheedy McGonagle, Sophie Brown.
The yard sale is an annual First Parish event. It’s a joyful project and a wonderful way to spend time and deepen your connection with fellow congregants. If you haven’t worked on the yard sale before, consider joining us next year. We can always use one more set of hands.
Congratulations to everyone for another successful yard sale!
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 gender queer 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!!
News and Announcements
New Pledge Year
As of July 1, First Parish begins its new fiscal year, and pledges for FY23-24 start.
If you have a pledge from this fiscal year you’d like to pay, there’s still time! Please contact us if you have any questions.
If you changed your pledge for this upcoming year, and wish to update a monthly giving amount, now is the time to do it! If you give via Vanco, you can:
1. Go to Vanco and change it yourself in your account settings
2. Contact me, and we can change it for you. If you’d like us to change it, please confirm the monthly amount you’d like us to change it to. My email is manager@fpmilton.org
Please note that we DO NOT change any pledge or giving amounts without your express permission- so if you have questions, concerns or need help- please just reach out. We’re always happy to help.
Susan DeMinico
Church Administrator
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 9th service will be led by Elise Henricks and is titled, “Kindness of Strangers”.
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.
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.
Rev. Lisa:
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
Susan DeMinico:
In office on Tuesday &Thursday – Off Mondays and Fridays, 1/2 day remote Wednesdays. On Vacation 8/18-8/29.
Sherri Moldaver:
Mon-Thurs in office 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Kevin Harnden
Monday-Friday in office 8:30-11am
Tim Steele returning in the Fall
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.