Welcome!
We welcome you to join us in worship, programs, and community, regardless of your faith tradition, race, gender, or family structure.
Worship Services
Summer Lay Services 2026
June 28 UU General Assembly Worship We will gather in our sanctuary to watch the pre-recorded GA Sunday Service, enjoying beautiful music, learning from many of our faith’s most celebrated leaders, and receiving the prophetic message offered by the Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu from the UU Church in Eugene, OR.
July 5: Field Trip Sunday*. We will worship with our friends at 10am at the First Church in Belmont (in their air-conditioned parish hall!) Valentin Frank’s sermon is entitled: “How Can I Keep from Singing?”
July 12 Lynn Bratley and Chuck Dickinson, “Poetry Potluck” Back by popular demand! In this service we ask you to bring and read a poem that knocked your socks off and changed your life.
July 19 Eric Hanson Plass “Walking Through History” Wherever we walk, we are walking over layers and layers of history. As a Park Ranger, I have many stories to tell, and new stories are always being discovered.
July 26 Petr Kuzmic, “Rumi: Lessons from a 13th century Sufi mystic” Rumi was a poet, teacher, philosopher, mystic, lover, and dancer who left an indelible mark on the world’s culture. Come enjoy Rumi’s hauntingly beautiful poetry and listen to original middle eastern inspired music by Alyssa Lawson (cello), Laura Horn (flute) and Petr Kuzmic (‘tar’ frame drum and piano).
August 2 Jean Gauthier, “Music as Spiritual Touchstones” Why do certain songs heal our spirits? Join some of FPW’s musicians as they play music together and share their thoughts about the healing power of music.
August 9 Beth Tappan-deFrees, “G = Generosity (and some Gratitude)” Gracias a la Vida – thanks be to life that has given me so much. Inspired by the final value in JET PIG, we’ll have stories, and music, and readings reflecting on all that we share with one another and the wider world.
August 16 Rev. Kyle Belmont, “Punctuation” Throughout the course of our lives, we encounter various pauses, endings, and diversions. This service will explore how punctuation shows up in our lives and how we might embrace reading our lived experiences with an appreciation for the commas, periods, and question marks we find.
August 23 Debi King, “Magic” Awe is our response to the world around and even within us. But where Awe is the result, Magic is the reason. Magic is the ground upon which Awe stands. Come discover the Magic and share your own.
August 30 Field Trip Sunday*. We will worship again with our friends at 10am at the First Church in Belmont (in their air-conditioned parish hall!) Rev. Martha Durkee-Neuman’s sermon is entitled “Not All Who Wonder Are Lost.”
September 6 Animal Blessing Worship in our Memorial Garden. Revs. Sophia and Kyle will lead a blessing of the animals. Bring your pet, or a picture of your pet, and we will celebrate the relationships we have with our beloved animals. Please note that no pets will be allowed in the building at any time.
All are welcome! We offer in person services that are also streamed via Zoom. Masks are welcome but not required. If you would like the Zoom link for the service, please contact welcome@fpwatertown.org by noon on Friday.
Our Faith
As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the inherent worth of all people and embrace the free search for truth without a creed.
Our Minister
Rev. Sophia Lyons is the 30th settled minister of First Parish Watertown.
Our History
The First Parish of Watertown, established in 1630, is one of the oldest parishes in the United States.
In Our Own Words
FPW is a gentle, caring community where I learn and grow. It’s also a place that appreciates what I have to give.
When I first came to this church I received a strong message of grace, which was defined by a church leader in this way: “your presence is sacred and it is enough.” Wow. What a powerful difference that makes.
Learning
Faith is a lifelong learning experience. Our Religious Education program promotes children’s individual religious exploration in a loving environment. Adult Programs bring religious education to the grownups.
Justice
We commit to being a force for social change in our congregation, our town, and the world. We support anti-racism work, speak out for immigrant rights, fight for climate justice, and welcome and celebrate LGBTQiA+ people.
Connection
Join our community at social events and in shared-interest groups! In times of need, our minister provides pastoral care. This community is sustained by our gifts of time and money.
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What's Happening
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