First Parish Milton UU

Weekly Link: https://fpmilton.org/your-weekly-link-6-19-2026/

Another great send off, this time within our faith community. The music, the picnic, the farewell gifts and reflections will stay with me for a long time to come. Thank you, thank you, thank you. There has been some interest in my playful ode the First Parish in Milton.

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ODE TO FIRST PARISH IN MILTON (June 2026)

It all began in twenty sixteen

With a presidential election we hadn’t yet seen

The hopes for a woman to win were smashed

A candlelight vespers immediately tasked

Some wonderful members arrived in this time

Understanding that gathering would ease the felt crime.

And gathering we did to welcome each to their own

Talents were offered, admiration grown

We had some things to deeply discuss

Some with trust and calm, some with some fuss

The cross as a symbol, solar panels and mission

Leadership gracefully welcomed each decision

And then, bam! A pandemic occurred

Digital worship was swiftly procured

The desire to see worship in this space was strong

None of us knew for how much nor how long.

An interesting thing began to emerge

On zoom there were new ways we found to converge

And who could forget the Christmas pageant on line

Angels of all ages dancing devine…

Gathering back in person was a bit of a slog

So an adhoc response team helped clear the fog

Once again you found each other as people to trust

Showing up, a desire; communication, a must

And oh all the art and artists that bless this place

Through hallway displays and culinary taste

With music, of course, a huge part of our days

A way to hear each other, a way to amaze,

Many music discussions from the start would compile

About choice of sound and type of style

If you think those discussions were easy

If you think the navigating was breezy

Check your own passion for musical sounds

And multiply that where opinions abound

But oh the results is a variety of song,

Some, some would love while others go along.

Thus is the way our faith community plays it

Something for everyone, that is if you state it.

And public ministry became an important service

The share the plate a beloved purpose

Also our neighbors, the UCC, who shares our history

Moved to a sense of welcome away from the blistery

It went from what are they doing, what is their weather

To what can we find to do things together.

And all these things along with much more

Has made my heart sing every year to the core

Thank you for such an amazing ride

I hope you embrace each other with gratitude and pride.

Ever sending love, Rev. Lisa

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 6/19/2026 – First Parish Milton Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 6/19/2026 June 19, 2026 • Administrator Table of Contents This Week in Worship Message from Rev. Lisa Ward Music Religious Exploration News & Announcements Events Social & Environmental Justice Beyond First Parish Signup Genius Sunday, Service June 21th Servic...

Weekly Link: https://fpmilton.org/your-weekly-link-5-29-2026/

This Sunday we will be exploring “the spirit of democracy”. I phrase it that way because the democratic process is a cherished value in our way of being in beloved community. Every voice matters.

Philosopher and theologian Cornel West offers this from an essay in the anthology The Good Citizen: “The roots of democracy are fundamentally grounded in mutual respect, personal responsibility, and social accountability. Yet democracy is also about giving each person a dignified voice in the decision-making processes in those institutions that guide and regulate their lives. These deeply moral suppositions have a certain spiritual dimension.”

This is not easy, yet in Unitarian Universalist circles this aspiration is sacred. We each have inborn truth and relational power, responsibilities that call us to honoring shared being.

This congregation practices the spirit of democracy in many ways, through encouraging voter participation to endeavoring to be a wholly welcoming community. These practices help not only our faith community but our advocacy for such a way of being in the world. This kind of wisdom, this kind of strength is sorely needed these days. Keep on keeping on!

In Faith, Rev. Lisa

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 5/29/2026 – First Parish Milton Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 5/29/2026 May 30, 2026 • Administrator Table of Contents This Week in Worship Message from Rev. Lisa Ward Music Religious Exploration News & Announcements Events Social & Environmental Justice Beyond First Parish Signup Genius A reminder the office is closed o...

Stop by THIS SUNDAY in Parish Hall at 11:30 AM and join us in making “Know Your Rights” keychains for our immigrant neighbors. Come for a few minutes or stay longer—every bit helps. We’d love to see you there. 🦋

Weekly Link: https://fpmilton.org/your-weekly-link-5-22-2026/

Last Sunday we gathered to celebrate community in several ways. We gathered for a congregational photo, which I’m told has not been done in decades! We also engaged in our Annual Meeting and had a delicious luncheon afterwards.

What helped bring the spirit of our vibrant community together was our annual RE Sunday worship service. It was a joy to see all ages delight in the sharing of religious exploration.

As a part of the service, the "Crossing Paths" group presented a beautiful framework within the curriculum for exploring together as UU’s. It was presented to us as the Eight Practices of Welcome.

I’d like to list them here, as they are highly applicable in many situations within a thriving community:

1. Be fully present

2. Be curious

3. Be open to being changed

4. Be comfortable with discomfort

5. Be an appreciative listener

6. Be light-hearted

7. Be gentle (allow and heal mistakes)

8. Be yourself

Wisdom to hold dear....Thank you Susannah Bales, the RE Committee and Volunteers for all you do.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 5/22/2026 – First Parish Milton Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 5/22/2026 May 22, 2026 • Administrator Table of Contents This Week in Worship Message from Rev. Lisa Ward Music Religious Exploration News & Announcements Events Social & Environmental Justice Beyond First Parish Signup Genius A reminder the office is closed o...