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
- This Week in Religious Exploration
- Events and Meetings
- News and Announcements
- Volunteer Opportunities
- Beyond First Parish
This Week in Worship
“Returning, Belonging, Becoming”
Worship Assistant: Christopher Clifford
Bell Ringer: Grace Dellarovere
Ushers: Christopher Clifford and Leslie MacPherson
Audio: Brynne Mershon
Social Hour Hosts: Marie Laure Brown and Anita Penta
Please note this is a NEW Zoom Link for Fall Services.
Sunday’s offering will go to the service and ministry of First Parish.
Masks are still required in the Meetinghouse at this time.
Greetings!
Once, at a church I previously served, I noticed a man (let’s call him Harry) singing the closing hymn with gusto. After service I said- “Wow, that was nice to hear your voice so loud and clear on that last hymn!” Harry smiled, and then whispered conspiratorially, “I hate that hymn. I sing loud, though, because I know Martha loves it and it makes her happy when we sing that one. Promise me we won’t sing that at my funeral though, okay?
Martha is Harry’s friend; they’ve been members of the church for a decade or so. She usually sits on the other side of the sanctuary from him so he really had to belt it out for her to know he was singing her song.
Love in action can take so many forms, right?
I’d like to think that Martha returned the favor, singing with gusto some hymn that she detested but knew Harry liked. But the truth is that Harry wasn’t singing for anything in return. This was no tit for tat, you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. This was just “I’ll sing this song for you because you matter to me.” And the truth also is that Martha probably stretched in some other ways: funding a capital campaign she might not live to see come to fruition, teaching RE though she had no children of her own, or helping her extended family accept and support a transgender teen. There are countless ways to stretch in love.
As a community of faith, as a local community, as a nation and as a globe, we do depend on cooperation, on trusting that others will support our needs as we support theirs. Scratching each other’s back does make the world go round. Yet, our faith does call us to be like Harry- to act with love because you love, even love your neighbor you can’t see. It’s a tall order, I know, that generous expanse of loving.
Best done in good company, I think. See you this Sunday, as the congregation begins the new church year. We start outside on the front steps where we’ll listen to the Choir’s Call to Worship and sing the Opening Hymn- Enter, Rejoice and Come in!
See you soon!
Rev. Tricia
Music For Sunday
This Sunday the Meetinghouse Choir will provide an anthem celebrating community, “How Good It Is” by Tony Alonso. We are also happy to welcome back our three Hunsaker soloists, Jennifer Sgroe, Grace Allendorf, and Daon Drisdom as they join forces in a trio called “Jus’ Keep on Singing”, arranged by Jacqueline Hairston. This piece was premiered in Carnegie Hall in 2016, and was written as a tribute to the legendary singer Marian Anderson.
Religious Exploration
RE needs teachers, substitutes, and Coming of Age mentors this year! You don’t need teaching experience, just an interest in sharing some time with our children and youth. You can teach on a regular basis (generally a commitment of about 10 Sundays a year), substitute when needed, mentor a youth in our Coming of Age program (a commitment of one Sunday afternoon a month), or help with a workshop or other special program. RE is the work of the entire congregation, and we’d love to have your presence in our program. Please contact bridget@sitkoff.net for more information or to volunteer.
Still need to register your child? The registration form can be found here.
RE Program resumes on Sunday, September 25th.
Events and Meetings
Yoga
Yoga classes return in person with instructor Elyse, on Monday, September 12th
Mondays 7:00pm in Parish Hall!
News and Announcements
It’s a new church year ! We have a sabbatical minister to get to know and what better way to kick it all off than with a fabulous First Parish brunch ? On September 25th, we will be brunching together. Please respond to our Evite that will go out on Monday 9/12. The Hospitality and Membership Committees can’t wait to see you again!
MILTON COMMUNITY CONCERTS FALL FUNDRAISER
Milton Community Concerts is currently holding its Fall Fundraiser. For the first time you can view videos from five different concerts over the past two years on the MCC website: miltoncommunityconcerts.com. We hope you will enjoy these concerts and consider donating to support the series by visiting the website. And keep an eye out for the 2022-23 season announcement coming up during the month of September.
Volunteer Opportunities
Sunday Service
First Parish is in need of volunteers for ushers, greeters, and social hour hosts.
If interested in signing up please use Signup Genius link.
We have appreciated your help in the past and hope you can help again.
Thank you in advance.
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.
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
The Makanda Project
Jazz on the Green – 2022 Summer Series
Saturday, September 10th – 1:00pm – 4:00pm
UU Urban Ministry
10 Putnam Street
Roxbury
There is one more opportunity to hear the world class jazz music of The Makanda Project at the UUUM this year. Don’t miss it!
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.
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.