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
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Joy”
Join us on Sunday for a fun and uplifting service as we explore cultivating joy and delight in ourselves, our community and in the wider world. We’d love to have you join us in person or on Zoom.
For the sake of her health, Katie is asking us all to wear masks for her service. They will be provided.
Summer worship starts at 9:30 am
Please join us if you are around. If not, consider Zooming in.
Facilitated by Lay Leader: Katie Vhay
Worship Assistant: Brigitte Miller
Music: Deborah Galiga
Audio: Brynne Mershon
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 towards the ministry and service of First Parish.
As many of you know, part of my morning routine is to listen to news podcasts while working on a jigsaw puzzle. It has a bit of a calming effect as newscasters, domestic and global, pour over our sensibilities with political dramas, climate events, and occasional celebrity chatter. Good news remains scarce, to the point that the Global News Network has created a weekly “happy pod”, in response to listeners buckling under the weight of solemn, anxiety provoking news.
It’s hard to maintain a balance of “staying in touch” and living our days. It’s hard to resist the pull of drama or implied threat with finding a way to claim self in the calling of interdependence. Talking back at the radio helps a little, as does exercise, to ground myself in the one body that I am in. And, yes, taking breaks once in a while to relocate the gift of living. There is only so much that any one of us can do, which includes finding a balance to stay ready and willing to enter our lives fully.
This is where our faith community can give support and wisdom toward well-being in this hyper-connected existence. Coming together with aspirations to build a just and healthy world can ease the burden and focus our agency. We can bring our own knowing of what’s needed, spell each other when fatigued, inspire one another with stories of our lives and organize initiatives that create healing ripples into the larger community.
I’ve attended several committee retreats this summer, with more to come. The overarching feeling that I have, while engaging in such wisdom, talent and faith in each other. is hope for the world. Sounds lofty, but it really isn’t. It’s seeing possibility even in the weight of so much to do. It is simply witnessing a true rendering of thinking globally and acting locally.
Grateful to be in community with you, Rev. Lisa
Religious Exploration
Information about RE next church year coming soon! Stay tuned!
News and Announcements
Note to Committee Chairs
With many committees holding their annual retreats this summer, just a gentle reminder to tell the office what your meeting schedule will be for the next church year. We’re updating our calendar and want to make sure all open meetings are included. Thanks for your help!
If you would like to add your meetings and events to the calendar, please send a request to Sherri at office@fpmilton.org.
UPCOMING LAY LED Service
Thanks to everyone who has been a part of our wonderful variety of summer services so far. Here are the next two.
8/13 Chris Cliffords’ “Worship in the Woods” service: This will be a unique experience, with Chris leading us on a Sunday morning walk in a less traveled part of the Blue Hills. See next week’s Link for where to meet etc. No Zooming to this. *See note below from Chris.
8/20 Why r u u?” If you have been a member of First Parish for decades, you might not need this, but you still might find it interesting. If you haven’t been a UU for long at all, you might really need this. Leslie Macpherson will be helping us know what to say when asked what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist. Some of you have heard Leslie talk about “The Elevator Speech” online. This is a chance to review or to get the condensed course in person (in the Meeting House) or on Zoom.
My name is Chris Clifford and I am hoping you will join me for summer worship in the woods.
Not the meditative pace of forest bathing but definitely not trail running.
On Sunday August 13, 2023 anyone interested is invited to join me on a short walk in one of the less traveled segments of the Blue Hills reservation.
We will meet at 9:30 on Ridgewood road less than a mile from First Parish and travel a loop on quiet paths. We will see remnants of past habitation and the resilience of nature. This is a walk, not a hike but sturdy footwear, long pants, water, and bug spray are necessary. The walk is suitable for young and not so young and if you are willing, shine or rain.
Parking is readily available at the trailhead. I will have my silver Honda CRV parked there at 9AM.
Fair Foods is a non-profit program that rescues fresh produce that would 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 9th.
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.
Other volunteer opportunities are also available at Fair Foods, especially on Friday and Saturday mornings. Contact Tony Dutzik at tdutzik@gmail.com or 617-291-4685 with any questions or for more information.
Beyond Milton
Support Local Youth Farmstand
This year we “shared our Sunday collection plate” with a local organization: Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition. Please consider supporting their Vigorous Youth Farmstand program. Stop by their farm stand at the Mattapan Community Health Center on Blue Hill Ave in Mattapan Square on Thursday afternoons through August 10th.
Rev. Lisa:
Aug. 4-13: work away: Minister of the Week at Chautauqua Institute, NY
Aug. 27 – Sept. 4: Vacation
Susan DeMinico:
In office on Tuesday & Thursday – Off Mondays and Fridays, 1/2 day remote Wednesdays.
On Vacation 8/18-8/29.
Sherri Moldaver:
Mon-Thurs in office 8:30 am-1:30 pm
Kevin Harnden
Monday-Friday in office 8:30-11am
Tim Steele returning in the Fall
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.