Sermons

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Morris Sullivan, and Guy Urban. In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we will look to the voices, prophecies, and instructions of Indigenous wisdom which teaches us about lived compassion, unity, and spirit-based change. We will sing a beautiful hymn called “We Are” to help us feel the presence of the ancestors, and Kyle will tell us a beautiful story about a community garden. Love is waiting for you at First Parish. Come, let us...

This Sunday we will honor the Autumn Equinox by reflecting on Earth’s slow turning from summer to fall, and the invitation this shifting offers us. The natural world provides so much wisdom for us to draw from–let’s come together to explore some of it and to remember that our thriving in this beautiful interdependent web of existence matters. We will also offer a blessing to one of our babies through a child dedication ritual. Slow down and give yourself the gift of church this Sunday

“Taking the Risk of Belonging,” with Rev. Sophia preaching and Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Lynn Bratley, the Hand in Hand Singers, and Guy Urban.
We will close out our month’s theme of Belonging by exploring what true belonging means and feels like. We will also consider the barriers to belonging, and the risks we take to overcome them. Come, let us worship together!

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Kyle Belmont, Charlyn Bethell, Djalai Babazadeh, and Guy Urban.

Wisdom teaches us that cultivating and nourishing a sense of belonging takes time, intention, and trust. This Sunday let’s reflect on the past four years together. It will be good to consider where we’ve been and who we are now–so that we might keep striving to meet the moment and be a place of belonging for all. We will also sing some beautiful music and hear a story about the promises we carry. Do yourself a favor and come to church!

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Safe Congregation, the FPW Choir, Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban. Let’s honor the precious and the powerful this Pride Sunday. We will be blessed by special music, a sanctuary bedecked with rainbows, and the prophetic voices and wisdom of our LGBTQIA+ siblings. Wear your rainbow swag and let’s celebrate Pride at FPW! If you would like a Rainbow Blessing by Rev. Sophia before service, she will be near our rainbow chairs on the front lawn starting at 10am. Please note...

Rev. Shayna Appel preaching, with Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban.  
We are in for a treat as we welcome Rev. Shayna to the pulpit. Humanism has played a prominent, some might say dominant, role in UU culture and faith.  But what is it, and does our current understanding of it do Humanism, or Unitarian Universalism, justice?  Moreover, as the world around us is changing at heart rendering speed, what might the forebears of this rich tradition have by way of guidance for us today? Come to worship and let’s ask this together.

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Djalai Babazadeh, Dani Nordin, Jean Gauthier, Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban.

It’s easy to conclude that the spiritual life, religion, and all those big theological musings about faith are separate from the mundane comings and goings of our lives. But what if this isn’t the case at all? What if life, right now, is what it’s all about? Let’s reflect on these questions together as we close out the month of May. We will also listen to the beautiful song “Imagine,” by John Lennon, sung by Jean Gauthier–a worship service not to be missed! See you on Sunday.

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Carole Katz, Caroline Lee, Charlyn Bethell, Guy Urban and the FPW Choir! 

Many brilliant activists tell us that radical, change-making movements are driven by creative imagination. Let’s consider this as Unitarian Universalists, whose history reminds us about pushing boundaries, venturing into the unknown, and dreaming good dreams! Our choir will be singing, and the beauty of our church and community will be thrumming–come worship with us this Sunday and be renewed.

Rev. Sophia preaching, with Morris Sullivan, Patti Miliotis, Charlyn Bethell, Guy Urban and a special guest musician!

Practicing imagination, which is our month’s theme, requires an orientation towards awe and surprise. What else does it take to practice imagination in our lives? What keeps us from it, and what does it mean when we open ourselves to it? We will ask these questions together and see what we find! Come to church–the sanctuary is beautiful, the music is transformative, and the fellowship is renewing. See you on Sunday!

Guest Rev. Erica Long preaching, and Lynn Bratley, Eileen Ryan, Charlyn Bethell and Guy Urban.
It is hard to keep fighting for our values when it doesn’t feel like we are winning. But, nothing will change if we give up. This Sunday we take inspiration from our courageous ancestors, our tenacious children, and our resilient planet. It’s not over and we are not giving up!