Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 7/3/2026

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Weekly Link - 7-3-2026

Table of Contents

  • This Week in Worship
  • Message from Rev. Lisa Ward
  • Music
  • Religious Exploration
  • News & Announcements
  • Events
  • Social & Environmental Justice
  • Beyond First Parish
Signup Genius

Sunday, Service July 5th Service – Reflections on Fire: An Homage to James Baldwin

James Baldwin’s The Fire Next Time, published in 1962, will anchor a reflection on fire as a symbol of beauty and danger, of destruction and transformation. On the day following our nation’s 250th anniversary, we will consider the meaning of our chalice flame, the power of doubt in UU faith, and Baldwin’s urgent warning that in order to “end the racial nightmare and achieve our country,” we must learn to love ourselves and one another.

Led by Geoffrey Wilkinson joined by Sally Johnson, Penny Knight, and Lisa White

Service is at 9:30am!

*Full Summer Schedule Below

Reverend Lisa Ward

We cherish the ten-year ministry of Reverend Lisa Ward. The reflections of our interim minister, the Reverend Bev Waring, will appear in this space next month. The staff and congregation look forward to her arrival on August 1, 2026.

Religious Exploration

World
Popsicles Playdate

Bonus Summer Fun Opportunity

Gretjen Helene will be headed to Chez Vous Rollerrink on Sunday after Popsicles and Playground meet up this Sunday and is inviting other families to join! Chez Vous has Sunday family hours of 12-3:00 and it is $10 each with skate rental. They are planning to go over after the playground and welcome anyone who wants to join them.

Fall 2026

REGISTER HERE

Want more? Find all things Kids and Youth on the RE Linktree. For more information on any of the above contact Susannah at redirector@fpmilton.org or call 470-223-0337

News & Announcements

Upcoming Summer Services Schedule

9:30am Start Time (note earlier time)

In Meetinghouse unless noted

7/12 Dan DeAngeli: The Journey Through Memoir

7/19 Cynthia Guise, Natalie Monroe, & Deb Larson-Venable:

Standing with Our Migrant Neighbors

7/26 Steve Yakutis: Meditation and Me (A Semi-Silent Service)

8/2   Amy Kavadlo & Jennie Mulqueen: Hymn Song

8/9  Leslie MacPherson: What It Means to Be a Unitarian Universalist

8/16 Katie Vhay: TBA

8/23 Songs of Protest (in courtyard)

8/30 Chris Clifford: Blue Hills Forest Bathing* (location TBA)

9/6 Elise Henricks: Walking Our Labyrinth* (in courtyard)

Join us online from anywhere; but if you can, please come in person.

  • Not available online.
Legacy

Legacy Giving @ First Parish

Generations of First Parish members and friends have honored the First Parish community through a legacy gift.  

A legacy gift is a commitment to make a future donation to First Parish Milton. The most common legacy gift is a bequest in your will.  

Gifts of any amount build and sustain the First Parish legacy. Our vibrant community, our activities and programs, and the beautiful campus, meeting house, and children’s church could not be maintained without legacy giving.

Consider a gift that embraces and sustains the values and future of this vital place.

For more information visit our website page https://fpmilton.org/members-page/legacy-giving/ or contact Susan Diminco (manager@fpmilton.org), or a member of the committee: Mike Bello, Roger Gray, Andrew Maloney, Roberta Williamson, or Allison Zippay.

Thank you for your generosity. 

Social & Environmental Justice

Monthly 11th Hour Calling

“Act free to be free,”

~Prentiss Haney, Ohio organizer

Standout For Democracy – Saturday, July 11, 2025

6:00PM – 6:30PM

First Unitarian Church, Canton Avenue, next to Town Hall

BYO signs, flags, chairs, “Singing Resistance” voices, percussion, friends, and neighbors. 30 ENERGIZED minutes to amplify our continued resilience and resistance. Sharing cold drinks and snacks afterwards.

All welcomed.

Beyond First Parish

Donations for Earthquake Relief in Venezuela

During the summer we take a break from Sharing the Plate – but as we all know the needs do not stop! 

This week you may want to consider sending a donation to Venezuela – you have all heard about the devastation in Venezuela due to the earthquakes last week.

The Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts conducted a supply drive in East Boston on Sunday.

BUT in the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes, funds are critical to saving lives and recovery efforts.

 Please give what you can: vamass.org

Thank you for your generosity and “May these gifts be transformed into strength for the communities of the world as we are transformed by generosity”

Summer Office Hours

Susan DeMinico: Summer Hours for July and August

In office on Tuesday &Thursday – Off Mondays and Fridays, 1/2 day remote Wednesdays.

Vacation: June 22nd, June 24th-July 6th

Vacation: August 9-17

Susannah Bales Vacation: 6/18-29 ; 7/6-12; 7/22-27

Study Leave: 7/20 & 7/21, 8/3-8/6, 8/10, 8/12, 8/13

Sherri MoldaverIn office Monday thru Thursday 8:30am-1:30pm

Kevin HarndenMonday-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, 10:30 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: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D44ACA728A02-57884860-20252026#/

You can sign up for one our our Sunday volunteer positions.