Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• This Week in Religious Exploration
• Events and Meetings
• News and Announcements
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Beyond First Parish

Message from Rev. Tricia Brennan

Hello First Parish Milton!

I’m delighted to be with you as your Part-time Sabbatical Minister for the next three months.

I’ve always liked to travel, to meet new people, learn from different cultures, see the beauty and the struggles of some place new to me. Having been an interim minister for much of the past 20 years, and more recently supporting congregations while their settled ministers are on sabbatical or parental leave, I experience some of the same delight and learning as I do when I travel.

I come to you familiar with Unitarian Universalism, in particular the New England version of such. I have had the pleasure of leading worship here twice, and can find my way around your lovely Meeting House. I am your neighbor, living nearby in Jamaica Plain. And my conversations with Rev. Lisa and your lay leaders give me sense of who you are and what this time is all about for you.

And yet…I expect to be surprised at times- probably in good ways- with how you do things. I hope to be moved by the ways you seek to make your faith real. I trust I will learn something new here, something I will take with me when I leave, and remember. And I look forward to getting to know you personally and collectively, and being touched by who you are.

You’ve had interim ministers in the past, and I’ve been an interim minister. One of the images I have of interim ministry is that of a tug boat helping to guide a big ship to a new shore.

But this time of short-term ministry is different. These three months I won’t be initiating any big change, and though I’ll feel free to speak my mind, I also don’t come with any agenda. I rather think of myself as helping row the boat these three months, and delivering back to Rev. Lisa her congregation in good shape. Growth will happen, no doubt, and surprises of all sorts too.

This Week in Worship

“Sharing the Stories of Joy”

During these challenging times, many of us struggle with finding joy.  What brings you joy? Join us on Sunday as we talk about joyful moments in our lives.  Tracey Robinson and Walter Hagenbuch will lead and invite you to share stories and words of joy.

Facilitated by: Tracey Robinson

Worship Assistant: Walt Hagenbuch

Music: Liz Alvarez

Audio: Madeleine 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 to the service and ministry of First Parish.

Religious Exploration

The fall RE program starts September 18th and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back!  

In order to do so, we need all children and youth who plan to participate to register by August 21st. The registration form can be found here.

Do you know someone who might be looking for a faith formation program for their children? We are welcoming new children and youth of any ages. In particular, our preschool and middle school programs currently do not have enough children to run. Please help us spread the word about these programs to your friends and neighbors! Class descriptions are included in the registration form and intersted families can contact Bridget at bridget@sitkoff.net for more information.

Events and Meetings

S&EJ

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is preparing a Community Involvement Plan (CIP) for the Lower Neponset River Superfund site. How can it can best communicate to, engage with, and hear from our community? Join a virtual focus group conversation!

Wednesday, August 24th. 9:00am-10:30am ET

Thursday, August 25th. 6:00pm-7:30pm ET

Monday, August 29th. 3:00pm-4:30pm ET

Wednesday, August 31st. 12:00pm-1:30pm ET

Please register using the Eventbrite Event page

For questions contact ZaNetta Purnell, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator 

(617) 918-1306 or Purnell.ZaNetta@epa.gov

11th Hour Calling- Monthly Stand Out for Climate Action & Justice

Sunday, September 11th

535 Canton Avenue (next to Town Hall)

Even though it’s summertime…. we continue to care about the climate emergency, environmental justice, elimination of fossil fuels from our lives, and municipal response planning wherever you may live. There are efforts to expand artificial turf playing fields in Milton which pose documented environmental and human health risks. Learn more at our August 11 gathering.

News and Announcements

Yoga

Monday night Yoga with Elyse is taking a break for the rest of the summer. Yoga will return on Monday nights on 9/12, in person and online. Current yoga students will be contacted about how their remaining sessions will be credited.

Worship Committee – SUMMER SERVICE Schedule

An hour earlier – 9:30am! – in the Meetinghouse and on Zoom. The Zoom Link is NEW for summer services, so please make sure to see the info above.

8/28 Tom Kemp and Chris Clifford- “I’ll pick door #2, no, no, #3!”

9/4   Elise Henricks and Christopher Clifford- Our Labyrinth

Please contact for more information: Penny (ppartridge@icloud.com) and Katie (katievhay@msn.com)

Volunteer Opportunities

Fair Foods

Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that wwould 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, September 24th.

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 on weekdays from early morning until mid-afternoon.Any questions or for more information contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685.

Beyond First Parish

MULTIFAITH

Community Gathering

An open invitation to our multifaith partners to experience Peace play in Urban Setting healing modality as we continue to see the peace of our City.

Join us August 27, 2022

10:00 am-12:00 pm

Lawn of UU Urban Ministry

10 Putnam Street

Roxbury, MA 02119

Register

The Makanda Project

Jazz on th Green – 2022 Summer Series

Here’s a great opportunity to visit the UU Urban Ministry 

Check out the progress on the Meeting House renovations, experience the new Peace Garden, and enjoy a wonderful outdoor jazz concert! 

All are invited to 10 Putnam St. in Roxbury to see and hear the world-class jazz music of The Makanda Project. There are three concerts scheduled. See flyer below for more info.

Bring a towel or a chair and join us for one of these free shows.

Check out the event webpage and UUUM social media accounts if the forecast doesn’t look friendly.

As a reminder, some staff hours change over the summer.

Lisa Ward- on sabbatical until 11/15.

Rev. Tricia Brennan serving First Parish 8/15-11/15. 

Sherri Moldaver- Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-1:30 pm

Kevin Harnden- morning hours

Tim Steele- off for summer, returning to First Parish in Fall

Susan DeMinico- in July and August- Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:30-4:30 pm at First Parish, Wednesdays 9-3 pm working remotely. On vacation 8/12-8/23.

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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.