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
- News and Announcements
- Events and Meetings
- Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“How Can I Keep From Singing”
Worship Assistant: Tom Kemp
Audio: Atticus D’Alessandro
Social Hour: Annual Picnic
Please join us for service at 10:30am.
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 go towards the Movement Voter Fund. “The Movement Voter Fund helps funders deploy resources for greatest impact by investing in grassroots groups working to advance democracy, equity & sustainability in the US. MVF is a fund of the Tides Foundation which is committed to social justice.”
Coming out of our monthly Milton Interfaith Clergy Association (MICA) meeting this morning, I was filled with gratitude for this remarkable group of colleagues. An intern who is leaving to continue on their journey lifted up how inspiring it is to see such a diverse group organize events, support each other and find the heart of service as a shared intention.
Several years ago, we crafted a mission statement together. It reads: “The Milton Interfaith Clergy Association cares about the spiritual life of all people in Milton. We strive to increase interfaith understanding. We build partnerships and connections between diverse faith communities, faith leaders, civic leaders, and organizations, so that, together, we can better promote justice for all people. We gather the community to both bear witness to brokenness and celebrate all that is sacred in our midst.”
Interfaith work is a passion of mine. I learned, growing up as a UU, that there are many ways to express the ineffable – all approximate, all a bit of the whole. I enjoy finding a way to converge hearts and minds for a cause that touches and welcomes many. It is also a joy to meet with others who have the same hope and intention. I am humbled to serve as MICA’s president. We truly do care together, debate together, and learn new ways of seeing together.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir extends an invitation to any and all members of the congregation to join them in singing the Hallelujah Chorus from MESSIAH by G.F. Handel to close our final worship service for this church year. No rehearsal is necessary (although we will be running through it at 9:50 if you’d like to practice it once). MESSIAH scores will be provided, or you may bring your own.
During the service the choir will also be presenting another exuberant anthem by Handel called “Music Spread Thy Voice Around”. Grace Allendorf will also be offering a solo written by Michael Tilson Thomas to honor his dear friend Leonard Bernstein on his 70th birthday.
As a special treat we also will feature the talents of violinist Betsy Hinkle throughout the service. Ms. Hinkle has performed throughout New England with the Boston Public Quartet, musiConnects Players, the Boston Ballet Orchestra, and the Orchestra of Emmanuel Music. She is also a founder of the non-profit musiConnects which establishes and supports educational and artistic residences using an innovative chamber music model as it builds relationships between professional musicians, students, and residents in Roslindale and Mattapan.
RE This Week
UU Summer Fun Registration!
It’s time to formally register for our UU summer fun! Follow this link to register. If you signed up on the “Express Interest” form, we still need you to officially register with this link! Per the recommendation of the Religious Education Committee, we are shifting our age range to also welcome preschoolers whose older siblings will also be attending our summer fun and/or who attend Spirit Play but may not be entering first grade. Please reach out to Louise (re@fpmilton.org) with questions about this new policy. We continue to want to be flexible and accommodating, while still prioritizing safety and a quality experience for all involved.
News & Announcements
Don’t forget- Summer Services start on 6/16 at 9:30am in the Meetinghouse!
6/16 Dan De Angeli: “Personal responsibility to the environment”
6/23 Jennie Mulqueen & Friends: “Democracy Is Under Attack: Songs of Reality & Stories of Hope”
6/30 Steve Yakutis & Guy Pugh “Retirement: Oh No, Now What?”
Events & Meetings
Saturday, June 8, at 4 p.m., in the Children’s Chapel.
Come to the Children’s Chapel to hear some stories and maybe tell one. Our theme this time will be “Road Trip.” We’d love to hear about a road trip you’ve taken.
Questions? Ask Dan (dandda14@gmail.com) or Penny (ppartridge9@icloud.com).
Yard Sale – Just Two Weeks Away
DONATION drop-off information
We’re looking for clean, gently-used furniture, sporting equipment, toys, clothes, books, lawn and garden items, household goods, bicycles, and more…
Please assist our volunteers by organizing your items by category.
DROP OFF times: First Parish – In the Link
- Sun, June 9: 9am – 11am
- Wed, June 12: 9am-noon
- Thurs, June 13: 4pm-7pm
- Sat, June 15: 2pm – 5pm
- Sun, June 16: 9am-noon
- Mon, June 17: 9am-noon, 4pm-7pm
- Tues, June 18: 9am-noon, 4pm-7pm
- Wed, June 19: 9am-noon, 4pm-7pm
If these times don’t work for you, please email Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com) to arrange an alternate drop-off time. We may also be able to arrange to pick up your items.
Can you help? We need LOTS of volunteers to:
- staff the donation drop-off hours
- help set up and organize on June 20-21
- staff the tables and help with set-up or clean-up on the day of the yard sale (June 22)
- clean up and distribute leftover items after the yard sale on June 23-24
If you can commit 2 hours or 20, we’d appreciate your help! Please Sign Up via Signup Genius or email Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com)
The event is open to the public – rain or shine – spread the word!
On June 9th, the Membership Committee will host our annual end-of-church-year PICNIC. Once again, it will be a Pot Luck feast. No one brings the deliciousness better than First Parish folx, so think about what you would like to bring and please let us know on our Sign-up Genius;
We will have temporary tattoos again ! Bubbles! 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:
Social & Environmental Justice Committee (SEJC)
Sign up before it’s TOO LATE!!!
June 19th is the last lunch delivery until September. The whole team – including YOU will be on a break for the busy summer months.
Thanks to all for another successful year of lunch making
Beyond First Parish
Opportunity to Support our Haitian Neighbors!
Rev. RG Wilson-Lyons of First Congregational Church has organized a “Support on Saturdays” for the Haitian community, and is looking for volunteers. Can you help?
Ways to get involved:
· Being there to talk with folks, make them feel comfortable, play with children, etc.
· Providing snacks (drinks, chips, granola bars, etc.)
· Driving people to the laundromat (if needed)
· Donating money to cover the cost of lunch
Please contact Rev. RG Wilson-Lyons at rg@fccmilton.org for any questions or communications of interest.
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13.2)
On weekdays, St Michael’s in Milton hosts migrant families from Haiti and Central and South America in our parish hall, and Immigrant Family Services Institute (IFSI) in Boston assists them with paperwork, lessons in English and other skills, and providing a meal. To augment our hospitality we are looking for volunteers and donations of needed items.
Please consider how you can help wrangling cabs for an hour in the morning, teaching ESL,playing games with children, picking up prepared meals, or donating needed items or funds to defray the costs of paper towels, toilet paper, and garbage stickers!
Learn more by clicking here ,and finding IFSI Volunteer and IFSI Donation needs. Help where you can! In Matthew 25, Jesus tells us quite clearly that whatever we do for the least of Jesus’ siblings we do for him, and our invitation is to do that here.
AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
Sponsored by
Milton Interfaith Clergy Association
Thursday, June 27th 1:00 pm-6:00 pm
Congregation Beth Shalom of the Blue Hills
18 Shoolman Way
Milton, MA 02186
To schedule appointment on or after Mar 18 please visit www.redcrossblood.org and
Enter sponsor code: MICA
Or call 1 (800)-Red-Cross
Join us for world-class jazz music on the beautiful UUUM greenspace. We’re happy to announce The Makanda Project will have three concerts this summer at the Urban Ministry. Join us under the summer sky for these free shows in the heart of Roxbury.
- Saturday, July 13th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Saturday, August 17th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
- Saturday, September 14th from 1:00pm – 4:00pm
Events are free! | All are welcome | Bring a lawn chair
Click here for more information
Rev. Lisa Ward:
Study Leave: June 23-30
Vacation: July 1-July 14
Study Leave: July 28-August 4
Vacation: August 5-August 18
Susan DeMinico: Summer Hours starting 7/1
In office on Tuesday &Thursday – Off Mondays and Fridays, 1/2 day remote Wednesdays.
Vacation: June 19-July 9
Vacation: August 9-August 20
Louise Smith-Erb
June 23-July 6 Vacation
July 14-July 21- at Star Island on Study Leave
Sherri Moldaver:
Mon-Thurs in office 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Kevin Harnden
Monday-Friday in office 8:30-11am
Tim Steele
Off in July and August, returning in September.
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.