Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Reverend Lisa
• RE
• Events
• Social & Environmental Justice
• Actions for Justice and Democracy

This Week in Worship

This Week in Worship Navigating in the Sea of Dementia Led by Penny Partridge

Penny shares what she’s learned about talking with a friend with dementia.

Led by: Penny Partridge

Worship Leader: Chris Clifford

Music: Daon Drisdom

Audio: Nicholas Miller

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According to Everytown Research and Policy Data, the rate of gun violence in America is staggering: “The US gun homicide rate is 26 times that of other high-income countries.”

Mainstream media still approaches the absurd amount of mass shootings as a chance for detective work toward the cause. Who is the shooter, what is her/his/their motivation, how was the weapon obtained? Not only is this next to useless information on the trends of violence in this country, it generates an epidemic of denial about our dominant culture. 

Exhaustion towards the approach to shooting incidents is becoming more evident. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey urged on the August 27 Catholic School Shooting which killed two children: “Don’t just say this is about thoughts and prayers right now. These kids were literally praying!”

Frankly, “thoughts and prayers” is part of the denial. Prayer is not about changing the situation, prayer is about changing ourselves. Prayers in reaction encourage passive faith. Using our agency as prayers in motion is what is needed for transformation. 

Of course, we surround the grieving, the wounded, and the frightened with love and communal care. That will not change the addiction this nation has towards guns and violent responses to offense or disgruntlement.

Let’s stop wasting our precious energy on the drama of a particular story. Let’s stop thinking we are doing something when we feel bad about violent deaths and ask some other force to fix it. Let’s find our inborn wisdom about human nature and interdependence. Therein our prayers could guide us to a way through.

It is this that I pray. Amen. Rev. Lisa

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Religious Exploration

Religious Exploration Registration is Open!

We’re so excited to welcome children and youth back to Religious Exploration (RE) this year! Our RE program offers a fun, meaningful space where kids explore big questions, build friendships, and grow in spirit and community. Whether your child is new to RE or returning for another great year, we invite you to register now so we can plan a welcoming and well-supported program for everyone. Classes begin Sept 14th! Register at the link below. Questions? Contact Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.org

Now Accepting Applications for RE Assistants & Nursery Workers!

Do you love working with kids? Want to make a difference while having fun and building community? We’re looking for caring, curious, and dependable people to join our Religious Exploration (RE) team as classroom assistants and nursery workers! RE Assistants support our lead teachers, help create a welcoming environment, and get hands-on experience in a dynamic multigenerational setting. Open to teens (16+) and adults. The time commitment is Sunday morning and we can work with your schedule. Training and support provided! Whether you’re new to RE or a longtime participant, we’d love to hear from you. Register at the link below. Questions? Contact Susannah Bales at redirector@fpmilton.or

RE Registration Form

RE Permission Form

RE Volunteer/Staff Application at FPM 2025-26

Important Upcoming Dates:

Sunday September 7 @ 10:30 in Meeting Houes
Multi-generational In Gathering Service

Sunday September 14 @ 10:30 in Meeting House
Teacher Commissioning & Religious Exploration Classes Begin

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Join us for InGathering, our joyful fall gathering to reconnect as a community and celebrate the beginning of a new year in Religious Exploration. This all-ages event is a time to ground ourselves in the values that root us, lift each other up with wings of support and joy, and mark the start of our shared journey together. Whether you’re brand new or returning, we’ll come together with our multigenerational service, then a special coffee hour that will feature music, treats, games, and even a BOUNCY HOUSE! Join us for family fun and meaningful ritual designed to welcome children, youth, families, and friends into a new season of learning, growth, and connection. Come see your friends, meet some RE teachers, explore what’s ahead, and help us build the circle of community once again—all are welcome!

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News & Announcements

Reminder: Regular Sunday service resumes on September 7th at 10:30am.

Help us celebrate our opening of the fall church season! SOCIAL HOUR hosts needed for Ingathering Sunday, September 7. 

(While our RE staff is planning party events for that day – social hour will remain in the Parish Hall, same format.) You can sign up here Sign up Genius link

THANK YOU for keeping the coffee brewing!

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New Choir Members

A CALL FOR NEW CHOIR MEMBERS!

If you’ve ever thought about how much fun it might be to join the Meetinghouse Choir, now could be the time to try it out. The choir at First Parish sings for three weeks each month. There is no audition and no attendance requirements. Just come to rehearsal on Sunday morning from 8:45-10:00 and we’ll have some music waiting for you. Contact Tim Steele at eliztim95@gmail.com if you have any questions and if you’d like to be added to the weekly Choir Update email chain

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Happy Summer!

The First Parish Milton Worship Committee wants to help people get to know our community. We propose to do that by letting them see us on a screen show of photos of us when they first enter the front doors of our church and enter the Narthex. Please send us your pictures by August 29.  Show us how you participate in community with others at FPM or with the larger community through FPM.

Use of Pictures: We do not intend for these pictures to be used on social media, just in the church Narthex.

Where to send: Please send pictures to FPMphotos65@gmail.com. Help us get to know you and each other and maybe help potential new members better understand who we are and picture themselves spending time with us.

Need ideas ? Send us pictures of:

• Social hour
• Your wee ones playing in the nursery
• You and your child ringing the church bell
• The art projects done during religious exploration 
• Your family making sandwiches for Mainspring, 
• You and your friends helping at the yard sale or celebrating at the end of it 
• The church picnic
• The holiday pageant
• The Mother’s Day walk
• The chocolate auction
• The valentine making party
• The harvest supper
• Game night
• Circle Suppers
• The Christmas market
• The Easter egg hunt
• The monthly eleventh hour calling
• The women’s march 
• Trips and events with friends met at First Parish
• The upcoming Disappeared in America standout at the state house 
• The interfaith blood drive
• The choir and other phenomenal singers helping get centered during services 
• The Milton Community Concerts
• The FPM Annual meeting 
• Your time at the UU general assembly 
• A few of you reorganizing the flower closet or the RE closet 
• The people in your Committee meetings
• Pictures of a meaningful service you’ve attended

Events

First Parish Welcome Back Brunch

SAVE THE DATE: September 28th

Members and Friends ~ It’s Brunch Time! Soon we will be back in regular community at First Parish. Save the date for our annual brunch. Presented by Hospitality and Membership, we will have a delightful array of treats for you to enjoy as you catch up with each other after church. September 28th is the date; mark it on your calendar!

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Actions for Justice and Democracy Coming Up Soon

Join us for our second Prayers for Liberty Walk on Labor Day, September 1st. Gathering at Hancock Church across from the Lexington Battle Green. Everyone is welcome to walk all or part of the route from Lexington to Boston Common, or to participate in one of our interfaith prayer services along the way. For more information go HERE

Monday, September 1st

9:30am – 11:30am EDT

Boston Common near the State House

Park Street & Beacon Street

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Eleventh Hour Calling for Democracy

Thursday, September 11th at 5:45 p.m.

535 Canton Avenue 

First Parish in Milton UU Church

This month, assemble at 5:50 p.m. for a rousing Drumming Circle — no experience required — to stand out and stand up for Democracy. Bells of alarm might ring from our main steeple (depending upon a repair) at 6:11 p.m. for eleven minutes. Bring yourselves, neighbors, sound-makers, signs, flags, voices, and energy. This is a family-friendly event repeating monthly. Saturday, October 11 is the next date, [Remember: Milton Indivisible sponsors a weekly Wednesday “Visibility Brigade” standout 4:30-6:30 p.m. in East Milton Square.] Show that we are resolved, resounding, and resilient in challenging times.

The Visibility Brigade continues our weekly standout 

On the East Milton Overpass (Adams Street) 

EVERY Wednesday afternoon

 from 4:30-6:30pm

Each week, we share a new reminder for rush hour drivers: 

WE CANNOT PRETEND EVERYTHING IS OKAY

OUR DEMOCRACY IS AT RISK 

WE MUST STAND UP AND SPEAK OUR TRUTH!

Come whenever you are able and stay for whatever time you can spare. 

IT TAKES A VILLAGE!

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Sun Day Save the Date for Action

Sunday, September 21st, 1:00pm-4:00pm

Town of Milton Gazebo (fair weather) OR

First Parish (rain venue)

This is a nationwide celebration of the power of clean, renewable energy in our world and community. This event will be family friendly, fun, inspiring, and educational. Details to come — contact Tucker Smith or Susannah Bales to volunteer / brainstorm. First Parish will observe FIVE years as a “solarized” institution in September — something to celebrate! Let’s inspire others to join us.

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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, 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.