First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington
Service Summaries from the year 2008/2009
September 7, 2008 -- “Water Communion”
Leader: John Marsh, Christina Sallari
Notes: Intergenerational Service
September 14th : Building Trust, Part I
September 21st : Building Trust, Part II
September 28th : Forgiving Ourselves (Theme: Rosh Hashannah)
Oct 12th: "Fighting Terrorism Since 1492" Rev. Jean L. Wahlstrom, Guest Minister
A Columbus Day reflection on home lands, Homeland Security, and the War on Terrorism. Rev. Wahlstrom is a life-long Unitarian Universalist, currently serving the May Memorial UU Society in Syracuse, New York.
Oct 19th: "We Are The Saints." Rev Charles Grady, Minister Emeritus
In order to be faithful to our liberal way in religion, the past, the present, and the future must come together in the here and now. I am convinced that the challenge today is as great as it was in the daunting period from 1975, when we surveyed a heap of rubble and found reason to go on. Looking back is easy, for we know how it turned out. Looking ahead is more risky. Our Minister Emeritus, the Rev. Charles Grady, and wife Claudine will be with us for approximately a week in October.
Oct 26th: "Apples, Autumn, and Ancestors, Oh My!" Krista Ernewein, Guest Celebrant
As the year moves within the Autumnal Season we reflect on our ancestors and the final Harvest Celebration of Samhain. We invite you to bring an apple (or a few!) to be used as part of our community celebration, and a small remembrance of an ancestor to be placed on the remembrance altar This service will be an intergenerational service focused on earth-based spirituality.
November 2 -- Looking Homeward from Afar
Just back from two weeks in the Middle East, John Marsh will share some
of his stories about what the folks over there think about what is happening
here.
Leader: John Marsh
November 9 -- Beyond Categorical Thinking
Guests from the UUA: Amanda Schuber and Jacqui Williams
"During the Beyond Categorical Thinking visit, the congregation will learn more about its institutional culture, examine ways it can be more inclusive in its consideration of ministerial candidates, and surface subtle and often unintentional, unconscious biases members hold that may result in a decision to not select the minister who would be the best fit for their ministerial needs." The service is followed by an afternoon workshop from noon to three PM.
November 17-- Fasting and Feasting
One of the street poets used to declare that “seeing and hearing is believing, but eating is knowing.” An embodied faith is one that takes food seriously. What does the potluck dinner tell us about our theology?
November 24 -- Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a civic holiday, a religious holiday, and an attitude. Celebrating
together helps keep the attitude fresh and well informed.
Leader: John Marsh
November 30 -- The Battle for Christmas
In this sermon based on a book by the same name, John Marsh will talk about
how the Unitarians and Universalists invented the modern Christmas, and suggest
ways for reinventing it today.
Leader: John Marsh
November 30 -- The Battle for Christmas
In this sermon based on a book by the same name, John Marsh
will talk about how the Unitarians and Universalists invented the modern Christmas,
and suggest ways for reinventing it today.
Leader: John Marsh
December 7th: The Mountain of Mercy, Rev John Marsh
Yaum Arafa (from the Islamic Calendar) is the day on which pilgrims to Mecca make their way to the Plains of Arafat. Followers of Islam around the world spend the day in prayer and in solidarity with those on pilgrimage.
December 14th: Music Service
Our services includes excerpts from Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols" with guest harpist, Virginia Crumb, and Sir Edward Elgar's anthem, "There is Sweet Music."
December 21st: Hannakkuh, Rev John Marsh
A holiday treat for the whole family including a Chanukkah tale by Isaac Bashevis Singer retold by John Marsh and the retelling of the story of a distressed latke by members of the Children’s Choir. We are also assembling a celebration of Menorahs. If you have one you would like to add to our alter for the service, please bring it.The celebration will include musical offerings from all our choirs and the First Parish Intergenerational Klezmer Band.
December 24 -- Christmas Eve
5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve 'Family' Service --
We will sing carols old and new and try to see with new eyes and hear with
new ears the story of a baby born in manger. Everyone is invited to bring
a candle for the altar. (special collection for New Orleans Trip)
6:00 p.m.
Between the two services the congregation will offer a light
supper (soups, salads and bread) at minimal cost. Wassail and cookies
will also be involved.
7:30 p.m. Chrstmas Eve 'Adult' Service --
Children are also welcome to our second service. Much of the second service
will retain elements from the first, although the tone will offer less glitter
and more opportunity for reflection. Everyone is invited to bring a candle
for the altar. (special collection for Urban Ministry's Renewal
House)
December 28 Kwanzaa John Marsh
What does a mostly while liberal congregation have to do with an African American holiday? Lots it turns out. Come hear the story, and participate in one of the world’s most promising new traditions.
January 4 "A New Year, A New Era" John Marsh
For some time now we have been told that changes in society happen at an ever accelerating pace. Things seem to have accelerated even more this last lap around the calendar track. If this were an race car video game—it would be like we were now moving to a different level with familiar players, but different obstacles ahead. There is much to be anxious about and much to celebrate
January 11 "Celebration of Winter " John Marsh and others
Let us not wish away the winter. It is a season to itself, not simply the way to spring. Winter will be celebrated in song, story and poetry.
January 18 "Martin Luther King Sunday -- The Fulfilment of a Dream "
Members of the congregation will reflect on the meaning of our first African American President. This celebration will focus on the inauguration.
January 25 “Living with Hope in a Time of Crisis” Rev. Dr. Bill Gardiner
Beset by financial meltdown, dysfunctional politics, the
specter of global warming, and the eradication of species we ask - where can
we find hope? We need a new identity, new core values, new ways of living,
and a transformed culture in order to have faith in the future.
Our speaker, Rev. Dr. Bill Gardiner, served as parish minister at All Souls
Church in Washington DC, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville,
Tennessee, and the Unitarian Society of Germantown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He worked at the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA)in the Department
for Faith in Action from 1990 until 2004. He has led training programs with
thousands of people in UU churches and in other faith communities across the
country.
Currently, Bill does anti-racism organizing and training through the UUA
and Crossroads. He is also co-chair of the Education Committee for Allies
for Racial Equity- an organization of white anti-racists in the UUA.
Bill is a member of the Green Sanctuary and the Human Resources Committees
at First Parish.
Feb 1st: "Defensive Driving on the Spiritual Highway", Rev. John Marsh
An ancient Greek philosopher once characterized the human life journey as a chariot being drawn by two horses--one rational and orderly, and the other completely driven by passion and enthusiasm. Finding this balance is an ongoing process for all of us. This sermon will launch our 2009 Stewardship campaign.
Feb 8th: "Good Morning to you, Valentine", Members of the Congregation
Celebration of Love in poetry, story and song
Feb 15th: "From OMs to Moans: Exploring How Spiritual Practice Can Lead To Spiritual Action"
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”
~ Mahatma Mohandas Gandhi
Service by Christina Sillari
Feb 20th (7 pm): Remembering Butch Redding
Feb 22nd: " I Call That Mind Free", Rev. John Marsh
An appreciation of the life and thoughts of William Ellery Channing. Channing was one of the guiding lights of the formation of the Unitarian faith in North America. He was also one the personal heroes of Butch Redding, (former First Parish Administrator) to whom this service is dedicated. This week will mark the first anniversary of Butch’s death (February 20).
March 1 Does God Have a Future? John Marsh, Lori Kenschaft and others
It has been some time since folks declared that God was dead. That was an absurd, if somewhat fun idea in many respects. The more sensible idea behind the statement is that the way people have thought about God for the last few thousand years no longer makes sense. Five hundred years from now all of us currently here will presumably be dead. Will God still be a living presence in the human imagination? If so, how will folks think about that God?
March 8 Music Sunday
Sermon in Music: "Fantasie für Klavier, Chor, und Orchester", op. 80 by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) with Sarah Haera Tocco, piano solo. We'll hear from our music director and reminiscenses from participants in the music program. Other musical offerings will include a First Parish Flute Quartet playing an original composition by Kenneth Seitz.
March 15 Alliance Sunday
Tom Sadtler and Jane Webb of the "Foundation for Reconciliation" will join forces in speaking on the theme of forgiveness and reconciliation. The Foundation with which they work was founded in 2000 in Bogota, Colombia, by Fr. Leonel Navarez Gomez. It "promotes the theory and practice of forgiveness and reconciliation as the basis for positive relationships and individual and social development. Particularly where cycles of social or political violence have become entrenched, the Foundation provides a methodology to overcome emotional trauma and strengthen social capital." . For an illustrated Spanish language introduction, see http://www.fundacionparalareconciliacion.org Our service music will be provided by Carol Lewis and Olaf Chris Henriksen, playing viol da gamba and theorbo.
March 22 Youth Group Service "Above the Clouds: Reflections on Dreams"
For this year's youth service, the youth group will explore the multi-dimensional realities of dreams - both our hopes and aspirations, and the stories our subconscious minds tell as we sleep. The youth will share their own experiences through art, music, poetry, and original reflections, and we invite you to join us on this meaningful exploration.
March 29 Candidating Service Number One "A Matter of Faith"
Our Ministerial Candidate, Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, will speak. See more about Marta at our search committee's description or her own illustrated packet.
April 5 March 29 Candidating Service Number Two "Lessons from the Wilderness "
Our Ministerial Candidate, Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, will speak and our congregation will vote on her candidacy in a meeting after this service. See more about Marta at our search committee's description or her own illustrated packet.
Friday, April 10, 6:00 pm: Good Friday Tenebrae Service, Rev. John Marsh
A service remembering and honoring the painful experiences in our lives and our larger world.
April 12, 8:00 am: Easter Communion, Rev. John Marsh
A contemplative celebration of the ongoing vitality of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. Pat Bonnet, a member of our congregation, will provide the homily. All who wish to participate in the readings will be invited to do so.
10:00am: Easter Celebration and Egg Hunt, Rev. John Marsh
"The Glory of God is a human being fully alive" declared one of the early Christian theologians. This morning we will consider the story of Nicodemus and his quest for understanding, healing, and aliveness. The children will be present throughout the service and the egg hunt will proceed directly from the service.
April 19th: Shinn Service: "Closing the Food Gap"
The annual Shinn Service will focus on the issues of Ethical Eating, which
his currently one of the study action issues in the Unitarian Universalist
Association. Our guest speaker, Ms. Didi Emmons from Haley House Bakery Cafe
in Dudley Square Roxbury will speak on the theme of "Closing the Food
Gap."
Green Sanctuary and Social Justice Committee
April 26th: "The Alcott Family", Rev. John Marsh
Following the service there will be excursions for those who are interested—to the homes of Emerson and the Alcotts in Concord, MA. And then to the home of Laura and Michael Prichard in Carlisle, MA. There are fees for visiting the Emerson and Alcott houses, but if we stick together we can get a group rate. There are no fees for visiting Michael and Laura, but it would be nice if you brought something edible to share. In true Transcendentalist fashion, you are welcome to go to either or both the Emerson and Alcott houses or head straight to the Prichards.
May 3rd: Trust Thyself
Wendell Refior
A sermon/performance as Ralph Waldo Emerson
May 10th: Journeys
Recognition of High School Seniors
May 17th: Human Dignity
John Marsh
The Annual Meeting will be held at Noon in the Sanctuary
May 24th: William Channing -- John Marsh
May 31st: "Mentoring" -- John Marsh
Music will include "Chichester Psalms" by Leonard Bernstein. Our own choir will join forces with the Acton/Stow UU choir.
June 7th: "Coming of Age" -- Tina Schultz
The Annual Church Picnic will be held after services.
June 28th: Hymn Sing
Anne Goodwin and others
A service of hymns and more hymns! An opportunity to sing some old favorites
you don’t hear much anymore, and try out some new ones you have never
heard before.
July 5th: From Competition to Compassion
Glenn Koenig
It's easy to feel fear when facing our current economic problems.
But what if, as we move beyond that fear, we can find new ways to relate
to each other and to the natural world around us? Might we already be
forging a new economy, more consistent with our Unitarian Universalist Principles?
Please join us for an interactive "Service 2.0" where your participation
is invited.
July 12th: Money and the Meaning of Community
Chuck Collins with Lori Kenschaft as worship assistant
We are now in the process of a “deep shift,” or a “great
turning” as David Korten calls it, from a casino economy to hopefully
a healthy and sustainable economy. How can we come together as a community
to prepare ourselves for the economic and ecological changes ahead?
Chuck Collins is an organizer and author at the Institute for Policy Studies, where he directs the Program on Inequality and the Common Good. He is married to the Rev. Tricia Brennan, former interim minister at the First Parish of Arlington.
July 19th: Don’t Turn the Other Cheek, Lend an Ear:
The Power of Listening Empathically
Carolyn Stevens and others
Empathy is a practice that can reduce violence. It involves allowing yourself to really feel what another person is feeling—comprehending their point of view and needs. It does not mean abandoning yourself to serve the needs of another person—allowing yourself to be hurt by others is a form of violence that only begets more violence. A balanced reply to your listener is the way forward.
July 26th: Learning from the Unexpected
Kendall Dudley with Cathy Modica as worship assistant
Insights, and what we later realize are milestones, can creep up or burst
in on us, some coming in humble disguise and others in bold cheeky dress.
Participants are invited to share some their own experiences of learning from the Unexpected. By hearing stories of the quirky and the commonplace, the humble and the grand, we may retune our attentiveness of the data sources all around us.
Please bring examples of your own learning from unexpected or uncustomary sources as well as pictures and objects that might spark “learning” in others.
August 2nd: Create Your Legacy with Love
Sue Cross
We all leave a legacy when we die whether we plan to or not. We choose
how we spend our time, energy, and resources and how we share ourselves with
those around us. In these choices we are in fact choosing how we will
be remembered. Putting some conscious attention into creating this legacy
can be a true gift to ourselves, our loved ones and the generations to come.
Sue Cross is the cofounder of Mourning Dove Studio, a natural burial company in Arlington. She is a volunteer at The Children’s Room where she co-facilitates a bereavement group for teenagers who have lost a parent.
August 9th: Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki
David Wright with Gwyneth Hooper as worship assistant
On August 9, 1945 the nuclear bomb nicknamed “Fat Man” instantly
killed 40,000 people in the city of Nagasaki. In the following days
another 40,000 died of injuries they sustained during the blast. This
service will remember those who died and reflect on the lessons their deaths
offer us.
David Wright is a physicist who worked on the development of nuclear weaponry and is a member of First Parish, Arlington.
August 16th: An Experience of Resonance:
An Exploration of the Healing Power of Sound
Christina Sillari
Throughout the ages sound has been used as a vehicle for healing.
This healing was based on concepts of life that recognized vibration as the
fundamental creative force.
This service will explore sound as a tool for both individual healing and
community building through listening, toning, and singing.
Body prayers, chakra toning, drums, and lead crystal singing bowls will be
used to experience the resonance that naturally exists in the universe and
within the core of our beings.
August 23rd: The Laughing Buddha: Buddhist Meditation as a Path to Happiness
The First Parish Meditation Group
We will engage in simple meditation and mindfulness activities, joyful singing,
and personal stories about how becoming more aware of the present moment
can greatly enhance our lives.
August 30th: Chicken Soup for the Unitarian Universalist Soul and Body
The First Parish Men’s Group
Heartwarming, true stories by members of the Man’s Group—and You—sure
to cheer the soul of even the most hard-bitten Unitarian Universalist. Immediately
after the service enjoy the good company of your fellow Parishioners and an
early, light lunch of chicken soup, vegetable soup, salad and bread prepared
by the renowned chefs of the Men’s Group.
September 7th: Why Do We Work?
Lori Kenschaft
Why do we work? A simple answer is money, but for most of us that isn't
a complete answer. Sometimes our most satisfying work is unpaid, and
bad work situations can harm us even if they are well paid. Not having
work is challenging for reasons that go well beyond the financial. This
service will explore the spiritual as well as practical dimensions of work
and unemployment, and take a look at the many roles work plays in our lives.
Summaries of Previous Services:
2001 | 2002 | 2003 |
2004 | 2005 | 2006| 2007
630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA 02476 | 781-648-3799 | Contact Us