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 Ward
- RE Info
- News and Announcements
- Events
- Social & Environmental Justice
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
September Worship Theme: Friendship
“GA Delegates”
Worship Assistant: Amy Kavadlo
Greeter: Mark & Patricia Ostrem
Flowers: Amy Kavadlo
Audio: Nicholas Miller
Social Hour: Elizabeth Menne & Marie-Laure Brown
Please log in at 10:20, to give some lead time for the service at 10:30. 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 Reclaim Our Vote. Ongoing voter suppression and voter list purging have been disenfranchising millions of eligible voters — especially voters of color. Reclaim Our Vote works in those voter suppression states. Volunteers inform and mobilize voters of color to make sure they are registered and they know how to get a ballot and vote.
In every moment, something is ending and something is beginning. In every moment, something is dying and something is coming to life. The leaves, in their splendor, are falling from the trees. The trees, in their majesty, then reveal branches that frame the sky. It rains and our plans must change, while the water nourishes the earth on which we live. Each moment holds the experiences of change and loss. Each moment also provides a harvest of abundance.
In harvest time, we gather what is ready to be plucked, we take in what has ripened, we receive what has grown to its fullness. Why not add a harvesting of gratitude? There is no season of gratitude for harvesting, yet it is something we often forget to do. Such harvesting, of course, nourishes our lives.
Harvesting can be hard work. It means getting down to earth and dwelling in it, it means believing in your labor and in persevering. It sometimes means pushing through prickly places or overgrown patches. It sometimes means staying through the work even when exhausted till the harvest is finished.
I am understanding more and more how gratitude is a discipline. It is a choice of seeing. Brother David Stendl-Rast reminds us that it is not that happy people are grateful, it’s that grateful people are happy. And happiness is not some state of being that arrives when you have it all together. Happiness is an embrace of the life you have and the potential harvest therein. Even in adversity, ways to grow, to bloom, and to nourish are available for harvesting.
As this season of fall marks a time of gathering in what can sustain you, do be sure to add the practice of gratitude in the mix. Anywhere. Any time.
Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa
Music This Week
The Meetinghouse Choir will be singing an anthem by Alice Parker, a renowned composer and choral conductor who studied at Smith College and Juilliard, and lived much of her life in Western Massachusetts. For the first time in the past ten years the choir will collaborate with an electric guitarist on this anthem (as Alice Parker composed it) featuring church member Ed Leland on the guitar. Daon Drisdom will also be offering a solo by Australian composer May H. Brahe called “Bless This House”, with text by Helen Taylor.
Religious Education Registration for 2024-25
There’s still time to register for RE this year- please use this link.
These are the programs we will be offering this year:
Babies and Toddlers– Nursery-Safe and nurturing child care by trained nursery staff, No registration needed in advance.
Preschool – Kindergarten- Spirit Play– Lighting a felt chalice and song are followed by a short story on UU themes, then by a “wondering” time that opens up the child’s response to the story, allowing the children to work directly with that story or with art materials, play doh, toys or legos.
1st – 3rd grade LEGO ValUUes– This class introduces the Article II values (pluralism, interdependence, generosity, equity, justice, transformation, and love, plus kindness). Each class includes an opening circle with an opening question and centering exercise, a story and discussion, and a choice of play activities that carry out the theme of the day (including at least one simple LEGO build).
4th – 7th grade-Crossing Paths- This class begins with lighting the chalice and centering exercise before exploring our own faith as well as interfaith connections with our sibling religions such as Judaism, Christianity, Catholicism, Islam, Quakerism, Buddhism, and Hinduism through stories and games. Throughought the year we hope to visit, either virtually or in person, neighboring faith communities.
All grades Workshops- Wee The People- Throughout the year, Wee The People, a Boston-based social justice project for kids, will join us for workshops that explore activism, resistance, and social action through the visual and performing arts: music, dance/movement, theater, graphic arts, spoken word, and storytelling.
News & Announcements
The Imaginarium
is Coming Back!
The Imaginarium is a group that explores our monthly worship themes through discussion, stories and creative play. We meet once a month for two hours (time TBD), crafting ideas and experiences inspired by the themes. Perhaps an interactive reading or story for all ages will show up at worship now and then. Come, enjoy the shared wisdom, creativity and connection. Each meeting stands on its own. No previous experience necessary.
Interested? contact the office: office@fpmilton.org
Questions? contact Rev. Lisa: minister@fpmilton.org
Events
RECLAIM OUR VOTE!
Postcard Writing Social
First Parish in Milton
Sunday, September 29, 2024
1-3pm in the Parish Hall
To encourage as large a number of people as possible to exercise their right to vote, the Social and Environmental Justice Committee will hold a postcard writing social at First Parish in Milton on 9/29 from 1pm to 3pm. Our goal is to write 500 postcards to send to infrequent voters who are BIPOC in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, South Carolina and Texas. Will you help us reach our goal and empower voters in the swing states?
Reclaim Our Vote is a voter engagement campaign of The Center for Common Ground (https://www.centerforcommonground.org) that focuses on increasing BIPOC voter turnout through postcard writing, texting and phone banking.
Is postcard writing effective? YES!
Postcard writing increases voter engagement, and reaches voters who do not have a phone number on file, or may not have mobile phones for texting outreach. According to data analysis from The Center for Common Ground, in 2022 there was an average 2.55% increase in black voter turnout for those who received a postcard in 3 Florida counties for the August 2022 primary election.
Dates and Details: Sunday, September 29 from 1 pm to 3pm: Postcard Writing Social in the Parish Hall. It will be fun to gather to write our postcards in community and consume some light refreshments to sustain our energy! Donations to defray the cost of postage will be gratefully accepted.
Bring a neighbor or friend! We invite your involvement and participation.
Information is power, and we can empower voters!
Please join us on September 29th.
How Goes It With Your Spirit?
Please find below possible programs to be facilitated by Rev. Lisa this fall. Please contact the office (office@fpmilton.org) if you have an interest in attending. Scheduling will follow according to interest. More information can be found in the email that was sent out on September 24th
Grief Support Group
Four sessions, once a week.
Navigating the Political Climate
Meet by Zoom only, Every other week
Caregiver’s Support Group
Two Wednesdays a month, 7:00 pm-8:00 pm
Parenting As A Spiritual Practice
Fridays 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm, with a light dinner and childcare (either once or twice a month)
Plan Your Own Memorial Service
Half Day Workshop, Date TBD
ALL CHURCH COUNCIL
Friday, October 4th
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Open to ALL!
Please join the Committee Chairs to discuss how committees can advance church priorities (new UU values, climate change, RE programming) in the upcoming church year.
A light supper will be served. Please let Jen Pinkus (jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com) know if you’ll be attending.
Social & Environmental Justice
The next date is October 16th
S&EJ (Social & Environmental Justice committee) is looking for volunteers the third Wednesday of each month to contribute lunches. We hope to deliver 70 lunches a month to support shelter guests.
Please signup whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.
We are counting on your support!
Beyond First Parish
Sat, Oct 05 th
UUUM Tours: Trees of John Eliot Square: A historical perspective
Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.
The Trees of John Eliot Square; A historical perspective walking tour
Join historian Thomas Plant to enjoy a stroll around the neighborhood focused on Roxbury’s agriculture and horticulture and how these shaped the neighborhood over the years.
RSVP or Questions
To secure a spot on the tour, or if you have any questions, email: tours@uuum.org
All tours begin promptly at their start time in front of First Church in Roxbury.
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.