An American-born Zen priest jokes: “Had I known the Gospel of Thomas, I wouldn’t have had to become a Buddhist!” This Gospel describes the teachings of Jesus in a way that is very different from what we read in the Gospel of John, a gospel written during the same time period. The teachings in Thomas … Continue reading Turning to Thomas

According to a favorite hymn for Easter: “When our hearts are wintry, grieving, or in pain, Love’s touch can call us back to life again….” This is the miracle celebrated during the Easter season: “Love lives again, that with the dead has been….” Zoom access here. Order of Service and Announcements here.

On this Sunday we will celebrate the culmination of our annual fund drive. By pledging to our congregation each year, we reaffirm our commitment to one another and to the work of First Parish. Come join us for a joyous worship service of praise and gratitude for this community that we all help to build … Continue reading Commitment Sunday

Holding our Unitarian Universalist faith authentically means opening ourselves to vulnerability and uncertainty. We don’t claim to have easy answers; instead, we journey together toward deeper understanding and meaning. As Brené Brown reminds us, “Faith minus vulnerability and mystery equals extremism. If you’ve got all the answers, then don’t call what you do ‘faith.’” Zoom … Continue reading Being Vulnerable Together

Being emotionally vulnerable means acknowledging feelings, taking a risk, and tolerating some uncertainty. Bring the whole family to this intergenerational worship service that will explore the inherent vulnerability of loving and being loved. Zoom access here. Order of Service and Announcements here. Don’t forget to set your clocks forward today!

As our annual pledge drive formally kicks off, we will hear about why supporting First Parish is important. Every year we renew our covenant with one another to take care of this community; to give our time, our talents, and our resources, so that we can continue to have a church to call home. On … Continue reading Renewing our Covenant

The poet Charles Olson: These days Whatever you have to say, leave the roots on, let them dangle And the dirt Just to make clear Where they came from On this Sunday we’ll explore some of our own religious roots and hear the words of our Universalist ancestor, the Reverend Hosea Ballou. Zoom access here. … Continue reading The Preacher of Universal Love

Rupi Kaur says, “How you love yourself is how you teach others to love you”. During this intergenerational service we will talk about the unconditional “agape” love that is at the center of our beings. For if we are to more fully love our partners, friends, and family, we must begin with loving ourselves. Order … Continue reading Love Thyself

This Sunday we will explore the proposed changes to Article II of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s bylaws.  In keeping with our February ministry theme of love, what does it mean to truly place love at the center of our faith?  How might such placement change our lives?

On the brink of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln, in his first inaugural address, said this: “…We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection….” Lincoln knew that once the war was over, the north and the south would need to draw on “the better angels … Continue reading The Better Angels of Our Nature