Table of Contents

• This Week in Worship
• Message from Reverend Lisa
• Music Info
• RE
• Events
• Social & Environmental Justice
• Beyond First Parish

This Week in Worship

April Worship Theme: HEALING

“Caregiving”

Worship Assistant: Amy Kavadalo

Faith Reflection: Allison Zippay

 Greeter: Julie Blackburn

Audio: Alex Feliz

Social Hour: Karl Pastore & Laurie Webster

Social Hour:  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.

“There are only four kinds of people in the world.” Rosalind Carter once remarked, “Those who have been caregivers. Those who are currently caregivers. Those who will be caregivers, and those who will need a caregiver.”

Most of us will be in all of these situations, some time in our lives. Caregiving is the lifeblood of community, and the sinews in any group body. Sometimes it falls naturally and sometimes it’s a stress and a strain that can overwhelm us. In a true circle of care, the caregivers have support, opportunities for respite and encouragement. Yes, it takes courage to care for another.

Many of us, in fact, are taking on two or three of Rosalind’s described social positions. Parents are taking care of their parents, disabled siblings are taking care of parents, Aging parents seeking the help of their children, and many in the caregiving professions who also have relational obligations of care in their lives.

Our interdependent web of existence is a network of care, if it is to have strength and resilience for a thriving humanity. But caregiving is not always easy, nor amply supported in our society that leans toward individuality and competition. And yet, caregiving is happening all the time in large and small ways, in brave and frustrating moments, with the weight of lonely obligation and flow of loving reciprocation.

I lift up my heart in admiration for all the caregivers, finding a way in the world with the challenge and privilege of another’s trust. I lift up hopes, as well, that the caregivers feel the care and support of others.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Music This Week

This Sunday during worship you will hear a moving setting of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s powerful poem “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”, composed by Florence Price and sung by Carina Digianfilippo. We will also welcome a guest soloist, mezzo-soprano Roselin Osser, who will share a song made popular by Frank Sinatra, called “I Wish You Love”. 

RE This Week

RE classes resume this week!

News & Announcements

One Last Great Big Thank-YOU from Stewardship

The Stewardship Committee of First Parish would like to shout out a great THANK-YOU to all our stalwart members and friends who have stepped up during this year’s Annual Budget Drive as well as to all those wonderful folks who helped us to pull off another delightful Gathering in Gratitude Celebration last Sunday.

As of Sunday, March 31st, we have secured financial commitments totaling $215,288.00 from 93 of our member households.  We are still holding out hope of hearing from another 5 or so households who have made pledges in the recent past and from whom we still hope to hear this year.  For your convenience, we will continue to keep the pledge “link” available here in the Link for the next few weeks.

Pledge Here

Respectfully,

The Stewardship Committee of First Parish in Milton

Charles Franich, Rob Dahl, Mallory Digges, and Jim May

We are hiring! 

We are actively recruiting for our new Director of Lifespan Faith Exploration. We are hoping that everyone at First Parish can share the job opening with their professional and personal circles. One way to do so is to go to First Parish Milton UU on Facebook, and then “Share” that post on your feed. Another way is to right-click on the image above, save the image, and then use that .jpg to create your own post on any of your social media accounts. And of course, use word of mouth to direct anyone to https://fpmilton.org/job-opportunities/. 

Please, help us to spread word of this opportunity far and wide, and thereby help us to find someone who will be a great fit for our community!

Gatherings for your Spirit

If there is a topic you would like to explore with others, feel free to contact Rev. Lisa to discuss possibilities. minister@fpmilton.org

Navigating the Political Climate Next meeting May 7th

Will meet via Zoom on the first Wednesday of the month 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

We will meet once a month to help each other sort through the impact of the political climate and share ways to ground ourselves.

Contact Rev. Lisa at minister@fpmilton.org if interested.

Events

Committee Fair – April 6th during Social Hour

The Committee Fair is back! Please join us on Sunday, April 6th during social hour (11:30 – 12:30) in the Parish Hall. 

Committees are essential to the life and growth of First Parish. At the fair, you can find out more about our committees and decide which ones you may want to join. Participating in a committee is a wonderful way to deepen your engagement to church, practice our values, make new friends and do great work. Come and share your talents, or try something completely new. We need you! Committees are now forming for the next church year beginning in July.

Committee Chairs – please plan to staff a table at the fair!

ELEVENTH HOUR CALLING for DEMOCRACY April 11th

Gather Friday, April 11th, 6:00 p.m. 

On the green in front of First Parish Church, 535 Canton Avenue, Milton

Singing, drumming, chanting: choose your noise-maker and visuals (signs, posters, flags) community potluck to follow ~~ ALL ARE WELCOME AT THE TABLE

In the event of rain we will move indoors to First Parish.

Chocolate Auction: Easter edition is coming up on Sunday, April 13th

(postponed from February)

With love in our hearts and chocolate in our hands, our beloved chocolate auction is coming up! This is a delightful all church event, brought to First Parish by Chris and Dottie Pitt. Many thanks to Tom Kemp who will serve as auctioneer, Dotti Pitt as registrant extraordinaire to keep track of bids, and Diana Wilson serving as children’s raffle contact. All ages are welcome, and child care is available in the nursery for age 5 and younger if desired. 

Here’s how it goes:  

• Be at Parish Hall on Sunday April 13th right after worship service (11:45 am)
• Receive your bidding numbers from Dottie as you enter
• If you are bringing a home-produced or purchased item with chocolate as the main ingredient, please drop it off at Parish Hall before the worship service. Thank you in advance for your delectable contribution! Here are some how to’s:
• The item needs to be attractively presented and ready to be carried home, without expecting the dish to be returned
• Please label the item listing the ingredients, especially if there are nuts or nut oils
• Questions about the auction or what to make? Contact Rev. Lisa Ward minister@fpmilton.org
• Each item will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Children are permitted to bid, but only under the direct supervision of a parent, please.  
• There will again be a Children’s Raffle, raffle tickets available for $1 each immediately before the Auction!  
• We are adding an adult raffle as well. Details TBD.

“Live Our Values, Eat Our Chocolate!” – Chris Pitt

Be there! Bring a guest – the more bidders, the merrier!

Milton Creates!

A Community Arts Festival at First Parish

Saturday May 3rd 6:30pm-9:30pm

Don’t miss this fabulous evening of art, fine crafts, live music, wine, cheese, and raffle prizes. An immersive experience, where you can bid in both live and silent auctions and help raise funds to support First Parish’s programming and our commitment to community outreach.

How to participate:

• Share your talents and donate your original artwork or fine craft.
• Volunteer to set up, clean up, or organize.
• Invite your friends and show up for an evening of art appreciation and comradery with friends, old and new.
• Check out your living space. Imagine some exciting and evocative new artwork there.

Fore more information contact: jennifer.pinkus@gmail.com

Social & Environmental Justice

Next date: April 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 sign up whenever you can help out by clicking on button below.

We are counting on your support!

Beyond First Parish

Raise Up Our Voices in Joy and Resistance – Singalong

First Parish Dorchester

Saturday, April 5th 6:30pm-8:00pm

Raise your voice in joyful resistance at First Parish Church in Dorchester! We will have music, refreshments, and a gathering for young and old.

Song has long been a part of resistance movements, and we need the hope and energy that comes from joining our individual voices together in something larger than any one of us can sound alone.

Come with friends—families with children are encouraged to join. The more of us, the more powerful our voices will be!

Help us fill the Sanctuary and share this invitation with your friends. RSVP on Eventbrite!

Donations are welcome!

For more information, email admin@firstparishdorchester.org or call 617-436-0527

SAVE THE DATE & PARTICIPATE!!!

GREEN UP MILTON WEEKEND 2025

Saturday, April 12th & Sunday, April 13th

 Call to action for a cleaner, greener town. Recruit family, neighbors, scout troops, sports teams, classes and clubs. Form your team to collect litter anywhere around town crying out for a clean sweep.

Register here to see all you need to know to know about special trash bags, when, where,, how, etc. Why? Because litter degrades our natural assets all around us: rivers, streams, fields, and forests. Resolve, going forward, to use few single-use disposables — and when you do, recycle properly.

Sponsored by Sustainable Milton and Milton DPW.

Appreciatively, 

Tucker

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.