20160320_0408_catie_mission_sermon “Mission-Driven Church” PDF Covenants and mission statements have provided focus and purpose to communities from early Christian churches, to modern corporate culture, to our own congregation. For Palm Sunday, we’ll explore some examples of how mission, vision, and goal-setting have transformed communities into tight-knit and effective change-agents.  Children attend first 15 minutes of service, […] The post Mission-Driven Church appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.

20160221_0402_Smurzynsaki_sermon Rev. Hanaford was born in 1829 on Nantucket Island where she learned independence of mind, body and spirit. She lived until 1921, long enough to see and celebrate the Women’s Right to Vote amendment passed. After marriage and children, and a move to Beverly, she found Universalism and like-minded people in the social reform […] The post Remembering Rev. Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.

20160228_0404_mark_sermon As we explore concepts of beloved community, we often go only so far before we find ourselves uncomfortably challenged to find a way to welcome, include and love those who trigger strong negative reactions of fear, anger and pain. And yet, the notion of beloved community calls upon us to do this very thing, […] The post Loving the Unlovable appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.