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
- RE
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Actions for Justice and Democracy (COMING SOON)
This Week in Worship
“Singing the Glories of Summer”
Where is the spirituality in summer? In a season that’s celebrated for its escapism, is there any place for deep thoughts?
This Sunday’s service will mine the essence of both summer’s light and dark spirits.
Please join us for service at 9:30am.
Worship Leader: Jeff Stoodt
Worship Assistant: Lisa White
Music: Jen Grant
Audio: Jeremiah Sitkoff
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.
This week’s offering will be given to the service and ministry of First Parish.
A Note from the Yard Sale Committee
What a wonderful yard sale we had! The weather was beautiful (ok, a little hot and humid, but no rain). We estimate that 200+ community members made their way to First Parish to attend the sale. And 65 First Parish volunteers made the work light (ok, lighter) and kept spirits high.
This note is to say thank you for all of your contributions. There are so many ways that volunteers participated: sorting and organizing donations; pricing; hauling boxes and items and clothes racks to the courtyard and parish hall; setting up tents; staffing the yard sale tables; posting flyers and spreading the word; and then packing the leftovers and helping with redistribution. And, of course, so many of you combed through your closets and attics to bring the donations that are the foundation of the sale.
We deeply appreciate the support and work of the FP staff: Rev. Lisa, Susan, Sherri, and Kevin. We’re still tallying the proceeds (and some late consignment and online sales)—but we are estimating that we raised over $8,500. Thank you all!
Many have asked what we do with our leftovers. We do our best to find new homes for the items, with most going to other nonprofit organizations. Book donations go to More Than Words, The Prison Book Program and the Milton Public Library; other items are donated to Morgan Memorial Goodwill or Immigrant Family Services Institute; and some items (higher priced clothes, antiques, musical instruments, etc.) are resold to consignment or dealers or posted on Facebook. We also use organizations like Savers to be sure that all goods are recycled.
THANK you again for participating in this community-wide and community-building event.
With appreciation from the Yard Sale Committee,
Jen Pinkus
Sophie Brown
Glenn Pavlicek
Anita Penta
Tracey Robinson
Cathy Sheedy-McGonagle
Lisa White
Allison Zippay
Religious Exploration
Susannah Bales, our new Director of Lifespan Faith Exploration, starts on 7/7. Her email will be REDirector@fpmilton.org but she will not be checking it until 7/7.
Stay tuned for information on get together to welcome Susannah!
News & Announcements
Upcoming Summer Services 9:30am (in Meetinghouse except as noted with *)
Summer Services start on June 15th at First Parish Milton UU 9:30 AM (in Meetinghouse except as noted with *)
7/13 Dan De Angeli & Penny Partridge: The Interview
7/20 Cynthia Guise and Didi Emmons: What Is the UUA Animal Ministry?
7/27 Penny Partridge & Tasha Bello: Looking Both Ways at 80
8/3 Steve Yakutis & Friends: Songs of Protest* (in Children’s Church)
8/10 Elise Henricks: Walking Our Labyrinth* (in courtyard)
8/17 Chris Clifford: Blue Hills Forest Bathing* (location TBA)
8/24 Lisa White: Music from Our Hymnals
8/31 Penny Partridge: Navigating in the Sea of Dementia
Join us online from anywhere; but if you can, please come in person.
* Not available online
Annual Pledges
First Parish’s fiscal year stated 7/1, meaning that all pledges received after 7/1 will go to this fiscal year. If you want to finish paying last year’s pledge, please just drop me a note, or put a note in the memo line of a check. We will take care of correctly applying the cash. We do ask that you get any FY25 pledges in ASAP (no later than 7/11) as we do want to close the “old” fiscal year.
If you’d like to alter your monthly amount, and need help, we are happy to do so. Please just email Susan at manager@fpmilton.org
Social & Environmental Justice
UU Mass Action Capital Campaign
This year, members of the First Parish Milton Social & Environmental Justice committee have worked actively with UU Mass Action on Immigration Justice, Climate Action, and Democratic Advocacy. We have been impressed with their deep insights and dedication to this work! They are conducting a critical year end capital campaign and need our help.
From Rev Jo Murphy:
“In these uncertain times, we recently learned that two major grants we depend on will not be renewed, due to reasons outside of our organization’s control. This will leave us with an unexpected $90k shortfall for FY26. As a result of this shortfall we are launching ‘Dreaming Beyond Crisis: An Emergency Capital Campaign.’
Though we may be at financial loss, at this moment UU Mass Action is doing some of the most powerful, effective work in our organization’s history.
How to Give:
Donate online to the campaign!
No donation too small! Thanks for considering
Actions for Justice and Democracy
Eleventh hour calling for democracy
Friday July 11th, 6:00 PM
We will assemble with our neighbors across the Neponset River this month to stand out for Democracy. Bring yourselves, signs, flags, and sound-makers of choice — and a potluck item (dish or drink) to share at the Bridging Dinner afterwards, if you would like to stay. Show up! Show that we are resolved and resilient in challenging times. This is a family-friendly event. Consider carpooling from Milton although there is parking at CHS in Mattapan Square. Spread the word! Remember, this event repeats monthly. Monday, August 11 will be the next date (returning to First Parish in Milton). *See flyer below
Location:
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit
525 River Street, Mattapan
Click here to schedule an appointment
Rev. Lisa Ward:
Study Leave: June 23-June 30
Vacation: July 1-14
Vacation: July 28-August 10
Study Leave: August 11-18
Susan DeMinico: Summer Hours for July and August
In office on Tuesday &Thursday – Off Mondays and Fridays, 1/2 day remote Wednesdays.
Vacation: June 23rd-June 27th
Vacation: August 11th-15th
Susannah Bales
Starting 7/7/25
Sherri Moldaver
In office Monday thru Thursday 8:30am-1:30pm
Vacation: August 4th-August 7th
Kevin Harnden
Monday-Thursday 8am-11am
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.