Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts

Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister

Worship service given October 6, 2024 Prayer by Loren Gomez, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

In her sermon Marta will take up nuggets of wisdom from the Jewish High Holidays. Rosh Hashanah began on Wednesday evening, October 2  Yom Kippur begins Friday evening, October 11.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Native Land Conservancy of Mashpee, MA, founded in 2012, is the the first land trust east of the Mississippi led by Indigenous people. Their mission is to "protect sacred spaces, habitat areas for our winged and four-legged neighbors, and other essential ecosystem resources to benefit Mother Earth and all human beings."

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education

Worship service given September 29, 2024 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

So you had a bad first go of it. Luckily there’s always the Second Act. Join Stevie this Sunday as we explore trying again.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Gould Farm, www.gouldfarm.org, in Monterey, MA, founded in 1913, is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental health and related challenges move toward recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister

Worship service given September 22, 2024 Prayer by Elizabeth Hunter, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

This Sunday Marta will consider the question of truth and deception in our times. What is the truth? When have your felt deceived? When have you deceived?

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Gould Farm, www.gouldfarm.org, in Monterey, MA, founded in 1913, is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental health and related challenges move toward recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Worship service given September 15, 2024 Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

As we look towards the election in November, as we protect and fight for democracy, what role will each of us play? Using Deepa Iyer’s social change ecosystem map, Rev. Erica will invite each of us to think about what, in particular, we might offer. 

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Gould Farm, www.gouldfarm.org, in Monterey, MA, founded in 1913, is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental health and related challenges move toward recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

About our Lead Minister: Rev. Marta Flanagan began her ministry as our twentieth called minister at First Parish in the fall of 2009. She is a genuine and forthright preacher. In conversation she is direct and engaging. She speaks of prayer with as much ease as she laughs at human foibles. We call her “Marta.” Marta is a religious liberal, a theist, a feminist, and a lover of the woods. As a student of American history at Smith College she was captivated by the stories of social reformers who were motivated and sustained by their faith. That led her to consider the ministry and to study at Harvard Divinity School from where she was graduated in 1986. She was the first woman minister in the city of Salem, Massachusetts, serving at the First Universalist Church there (1987-1997). She served in a co-ministry at South Church (Unitarian Universalist) in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, (1997-2005) from where she is minister emerita. Marta served as interim minister in Montpelier, Vermont (2008-2009). She is trained as a spiritual director. For three years she lived in the Vermont woods practicing voluntary simplicity and the spiritual life. Marta enjoys the vitality of First Parish and our strong sense of community. She celebrates the yearning for depth and the desire to make a difference in the world that she finds here.

Worship service given September 8, 2024 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

In her sermon, Marta will consider what do our times call for from us as people of faith?  The choir will offer music and we will launch the religious education programs for our children for the year.

Water Ceremony Please bring water from a place meaningful to you.  During worship we join our waters together in our annual water ceremony.  This water will be used in child dedications and blessings through the year.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Gould Farm, www.gouldfarm.org, in Monterey, MA, founded in 1913, is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental health and related challenges move toward recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Worship service given September 1, 2024 Prayer by David Whitford, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

Do you run before the wind? Tack to windward? Both at different times? What has gone according to plan in your life? In every detail? A lot? Not a single thing? How do you feel about that? What now?

During the summer our worship is led each week by a member of our congregation. John is a long time member of First Parish, currently singing bass in our choir, ringing with our hand chime group, and organizing our blood drives. John volunteers with the American Red Cross, currently serving as Green Team Lead for Massachusetts, John attended MIT (Earth and Planetary Sciences) and BU (Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems). John delights in family, food, and fun!

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. This Sunday half of the offering supports Gould Farm, www.gouldfarm.org, in Monterey, MA, founded in 1913, is the first residential therapeutic community in the nation dedicated to helping adults with mental health and related challenges move toward recovery and independence through community living, meaningful work, and clinical care.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Worship service given August 25, 2024 Prayer by Ruben Hopwood, Worship Leader https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

How does reflecting on our belief in the interdependent web of life help us as Unitarian Universalists to attend to Disability Justice in our own congregation? Drawing on writings by Julia Watts Belser and Reverend Monica Coleman, this sermon reflects on the connection between our UU principles and the principles of Disability Justice as well as the connections between members of our faith community.

During the summer our worship is led each week by a member of our congregation. Megan (she/her) is a rising senior at Mount Holyoke College. She is a Psychology & Education major and a Music minor. Her family first brought her to First Parish when she was in elementary school, and she still does her best to attend services when she’s home from college! She is still actively involved in other UU spaces, co-leading her campus faith group and working on Star Island in the summers. She enjoys swimming in the ocean, discussing plays, and writing poetry when inspiration strikes.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July and August 2024, the Giving First recipients are the ArCs Cluster, a local refugee support group, and the Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization in Malden, MA.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish.

To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu offering” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Worship service given August 18, 2024 Prayer by Jitendra Singh, Worship Leader https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

I hope to talk about respecting the world around us, people but also other sentient beings, even trees and rocks. Annie Dillard speaks of “teaching a stone to talk.” The Tao Te Ching speaks of “being like water,” to assimilate rather than rise above. Buber speaks of communicating deeply with others’ whole self. Does any of this make sense? Yes, if we embrace the contradictions in life!

During the summer our worship is led each week by a member of our congregation. Jitendra has been a member of First Parish Arlington for 7 years and a Unitarian Universalist for over 40. Jitendra was born in India into a Sikh/Hindu family and now identifies mostly as Taoist/Buddhist. He and his wife live in Arlington. He teaches Computer Science at Tufts. He enjoys deep conversations, long walks and cooking & sharing meals with friends. Every few years, he enjoys doing deep research on a topic of interest and translating it into a summer service.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July and August 2024, the Giving First recipients are the ArCs Cluster, a local refugee support group, and the Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization in Malden, MA.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish.

To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu offering” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Worship service given August 11, 2024 Prayer by Elizabeth Hunter, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

What does it mean to be open to the world? It is at once terrible, gorgeous, life-threatening, life-affirming, tragic, comic. How much light do we let in? In confronting the climate crisis, we need to confront the terrible reality; and then do the hard work of imagining a whole new future. A bit of Joanne Macy’s work, a bit of climate communications science, a tiny bit of joy.

During the summer our worship is led each week by a member of our congregation. Mary Babic is committed to the power of storytelling as a means for sparking social change, and to centering and elevating the voices of people who are most impacted by inequality, injustice, and exclusion. Before joining Dayenu, she worked for more than a decade at Oxfam, where she traveled across the country to hear from farmworkers, poultry workers, fisherfolk, BIPOC activists, and countless others on the frontlines of climate disaster response and fights for justice.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July and August 2024, the Giving First recipients are the ArCs Cluster, a local refugee support group, and the Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization in Malden, MA.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish.

To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu offering” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.

Worship service given July 28, 2024 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739

Stories about perseverance in the context of community.

During the summer our worship is led each week by a member of our congregation. Julius Pereli has been a member of First Parish for about 25 years. He has been especially interested in teaching Religious Education, cooking for congregational events and feels weirdly uncomfortable in the sanctuary many Sundays. He is married to Martha Pereli and is Papa to Kayden Hitchings. In his free time, Julius likes to hike and play squash.

Offering and Giving First

The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July and August 2024, the Giving First recipients are the ArCs Cluster, a local refugee support group, and the Immigrant Learning Center, a not-for-profit organization in Malden, MA.

The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish.

To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu offering” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.