During this month of November, we’re reflecting on the theme of Memory. This morning I’d like to spend some time thinking with you about memory and how it shapes us. About how the stories that we tell about ourselves and our experiences shape our sense of identity and self-understanding. Last week, we touched on the personal, on remembering the sources of our strength. And as part of that sermon, I suggested that if we can look back and remember from our past a time when we were challenged,...
“Living with Ghosts” by Mark W. Harris – May 26, 2019
“Living With Ghosts” by Mark W. Harris – We all live with ghosts. What ghosts from your past do you live with, and how do they affect you?
The Living Tradition of Hot Cross Buns
During my growing-up years in Medway, my grandmother, Nanny, produced hot cross buns every Sunday during Lent and, ultimately, for Easter. When she took to bed toward the end of her life, I carried on the tradition of baking buns for Easter.
“Living Your Values” by Mark W. Harris – March 10, 2019
“Living Your Values” by Mark W. Harris – The theme of this year’s pledge drive is “Living Your Values” – How do you make your values manifest in your life?
“Among the Cloud of Witnesses: David O. Rankin” by Mark W. Harris – February 10, 2019
“Among the Cloud of Witnesses: David O. Rankin.” In another chapter of First Parish history we will look at the ministry of David Rankin in the 1960’s – What did he show us about UU evangelism? What about justice?
“Arthur Knapp’s Journey from Watertown to Japan“ by Mark W. Harris October 14, 2018
“Arthur Knapp’s Journey from Watertown to Japan” Arthur Knapp was our minister from 1880 to 1886, when he left, under the direction of the American Unitarian Association to start a mission to Japan. What can we learn from Knapp, and what does his work tell us about examining our history from an anti-oppressive lens?
“Ample Abundance for All” by Mark W. Harris – March 30, 2014
“Ample Abundance for All” by Mark W. Harris March 30, 2014 - First Parish of Watertown Call to Worship - from Huston Smith Practice giving things away, not just things you don't care about, but things you do like. Remember, it is not the size of a gift, it is its quality and the amount of mental attachment you overcome that count. So don't bankrupt yourself on a momentary positive impulse, only to regret it later. Give thought to giving. Sermon - “Ample Abundance for All” Last...
“WWJD and You” by Mark W. Harris – April 8, 2012
“WWJD and You” by Mark W. Harris First Parish of Watertown - Easter Sunday – April 8, 2012 Call to Worship Returning by Wendell Berry I was walking in a dark valley and above me the tops of the hills had caught the morning light. I heard the light singing as it went among the grassblades and the leaves. I waded upward through the shadow until my head emerged, my shoulders were mantled with the light, and my whole body came up out of the darkness, and stood on the...
“Civil Wars” by Mark W. Harris – February 12, 2012
“Civil Wars” by Mark W. Harris First Parish of Watertown - February 12, 2012 Call to Worship - “Why I Wake Early” by Mary Oliver Hello, sun in my face. Hello, you who made the morning and spread it over the fields and into the faces of the tulips and the nodding morning glories, and into the windows of, even the miserable and crochety – best preacher that ever was dear star, that just happens to be where you are in the universe to keep us from ever-darkness to ease us with warm touching, to...
From Revelation to Reason to Intuition: The Development of Unitarianism in America—A Local Perspective by Mark W. Harris, September 18, 2011
From Revelation to Reason to Intuition: The Development of Unitarianism in America—A Local Perspective by Mark W. Harris A paper given at the Reasonable World Conference on September 18, 2011 in San Diego, CA A revolution had been simmering in the Standing Order of Congregational Churches of Massachusetts ever since the Great Awakening of the 1740’s stirred the revival spirit in some latter day Puritans. Many congregations that opposed the revival for its emotional style...