First Parish Milton UU

06/12/2026

Weekly Link - https://fpmilton.org/your-weekly-link-6-12-2026/

I am looking forward to our last worship service and picnic together! It will be a multi-gen worship service, full of music, rituals and good cheer.

As many of you know, the process for ministerial transition is a bit of a discipline. When I leave on June 30th, I will be out of reach for at least a year. This is designed to help the congregation and interim minister look forward without my input. It’s hard, but it does help with the transition, focusing the congregation on your future endeavors. Pastoral coverage for July with be navigated by the co-chairs of the caring committee. Rev. Bev Waring will be starting on August 1.

Though this Sunday is my last worship service, I will be available and periodically in the office till June 30th. Appointments are welcome.

I am so grateful for our ten years together, not always easy while navigating the pandemic and political upheavals, yet ultimately rewarding. It seems you feel that too. It is a gift to leave a congregation on a good path, ready to continue to learn and flourish. I will most certainly miss you, and I have many wonderful memories to take with me.

Ever sending love, Rev. Lisa

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 6/12/2026 June 12, 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 14th Service...

06/05/2026

Weekly Link - https://fpmilton.org/your-weekly-link-6-5-2026/

I think I will feel a glow from last Saturday’s Celebration for a long time to come. Thank you all so much for your presence, your good wishes, your wonderful words and this time together. I will be leading worship for two more weeks, ending on the day of the picnic, June 14th. My official retirement date is June 30, so I’ll be around for conversations, etc.

This Sunday we will explore the “Question Box Sermon”. This is a time for you to bring questions about spirituality, Unitarian Universalism, and/or theology to pose to me during a worship service. I will spontaneously respond. So, resident theologians, give a thought of what you might want to ask. We may not get to everything, but I’ll find a way to respond further in the month.

Blessings Be, Rev. Lisa

Your Weekly Link – News and Updates 6/5/2026 June 5, 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 7th Service Ju...

06/01/2026

Sign Up via QR or here: https://forms.gle/dm8nzdaNYU8nqSnw9

05/30/2026

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 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...

05/26/2026

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. 🦋

05/23/2026

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 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...

05/21/2026

RE Sunday was a meaningful and delightful time led by our kids and youth! Here we are Bridging as a community toward what's ahead!

05/19/2026

Looking for a way to serve together as a family? This is for you. Kids, teens, and adults can all take part in creating “Know Your Rights” keychains to support immigrant-led organizations doing important work! It’s simple, hands-on, and meaningful for all ages.