Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts

Rev. Marta Flanagan, Lead Minister Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education

Worship service given December 17, 2023 Prayer by Rev. Erica Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: Ponder the giving and receiving of gifts. Decorate the tree! Behold four pieces by our choir under the direction of our new interim Music Director Daniel Parsley! A service for all ages led by Rev. Stevie Carmody, our Minister of Religious Education and Rev. Marta Flanagan, our Lead Minister. All who took gift tags for children will be invited forward during worship to place their gifts and wrapping under the tree.

Offering and Giving First The Cole Resource Center is our Giving First recipient for December 2023. CRC offers custom support for individuals and family members facing mental challenges. CRC's staff have both lived experience and expertise in navigating the mental healthcare system. There is something special about the understanding and guidance offered by those who have traveled similar paths. CRC's clients learn that they are not alone. They welcome the hope and resilience they discover through the CRC community.

CRC navigators listen and provide relevant and accessible Resource Referrals. CRC's Women's Support Group gathers family caregivers who come together to share their concerns and celebrate their successes. CRC's Workforce Development Program assists job seekers with mental health issues who are looking for work, through its online Job Club and individual coaching. The non-clinical support offered by the Cole Resource Center has proven an invaluable complement to clinical care, especially during this time of intense community need for mental health services. For more information, please see https://www.coleresourcecenter.org/

The remaining half 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 December 10, 2023 Prayer by David Whitford, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: On the third day of Hanukkah, Parish Minister Rev. Erica Richmond preaches on what ancient and modern texts reveal about peace. Peace is not a passive stance but a hard-won salve to an aching world. And hear how Eleanor Roosevelt connects to all of this! Worship includes the installation of our New Lay Ministers and accompaniment by our own "C-Winds" on wind instruments.

Offering and Giving First The Cole Resource Center is our Giving First recipient for December 2023. CRC offers custom support for individuals and family members facing mental challenges. CRC's staff have both lived experience and expertise in navigating the mental healthcare system. There is something special about the understanding and guidance offered by those who have traveled similar paths. CRC's clients learn that they are not alone. They welcome the hope and resilience they discover through the CRC community.

CRC navigators listen and provide relevant and accessible Resource Referrals. CRC's Women's Support Group gathers family caregivers who come together to share their concerns and celebrate their successes. CRC's Workforce Development Program assists job seekers with mental health issues who are looking for work, through its online Job Club and individual coaching. The non-clinical support offered by the Cole Resource Center has proven an invaluable complement to clinical care, especially during this time of intense community need for mental health services. For more information, please see https://www.coleresourcecenter.org/

The remaining half 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 December 8, 2023 Prayer by Rev. Erica Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: For the 14th year at First Parish we offer a special evening worship service during the holiday season, a worship service to “Embrace the Darkness.”  UUlations will sing and guest pianist Anna Arazi will offer music.  This service will be an opportunity to acknowledge the darkness that surrounds the light of this festive season.   This  contemplative service of solace is a reminder that our sorrows matter and that we are not alone.

Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza and New Years are thought to be jolly, merry and happy.  And sometimes they are.  We are reunited with loved ones.  We sing.  We pull out decorations bringing us memories of other good times flood us with delight.  We linger over sumptuous meals.  We give and receive gifts which remind us we are known and understood.  

Other times the holidays remind us of who or what isn’t at the table.  We feel keenly a death or an estrangement. Love lost, health lost, job loss may feel more present than joy.  We are aware of the poignancy of changes felt or soon to come: children growing older or elders who will not be long with us.  This poignancy is part of “Embracing the Darkness.”  Many say this worship service  is their favorite of the year.  All are welcome.

Sunday sermon given December 3, 2023 Prayer by Elizabeth Hunter, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: For her sermon on the First Sunday in Advent, Lead Minister Rev. Marta Flanagan takes inspiration from the Prophet Isiash and Handel’s Messiah. Worship includes our monthly recitation of the names of dear ones who have died. The Bell Choir offers music along with accompaniment by Ken Seitz.

Offering and Giving First The Cole Resource Center is our Giving First recipient for December 2023. CRC offers custom support for individuals and family members facing mental challenges. CRC’s staff have both lived experience and expertise in navigating the mental healthcare system. There is something special about the understanding and guidance offered by those who have traveled similar paths. CRC’s clients learn that they are not alone. They welcome the hope and resilience they discover through the CRC community.

CRC navigators listen and provide relevant and accessible Resource Referrals. CRC’s Women’s Support Group gathers family caregivers who come together to share their concerns and celebrate their successes. CRC’s Workforce Development Program assists job seekers with mental health issues who are looking for work, through its online Job Club and individual coaching. The non-clinical support offered by the Cole Resource Center has proven an invaluable complement to clinical care, especially during this time of intense community need for mental health services. For more information, please see https://www.coleresourcecenter.org/

The remaining half 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.

Sunday sermon given November 26, 2023 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: An exploration of family land ownership, changing perspective, and reckoning.

About Rev. Wendy Page: The Reverend Wendy Page is an Affiliate Minister of First Parish Arlington. She has been a member of First Parish since 1999 and First Parish supported her on her journey into ministry. She is a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School and was ordained in the First Parish Sanctuary in 2017.   She is now serving as a Hospice Chaplain for All Care Hospice.  She also serves as a per diem chaplain at Mass General Hospital.

Previous to her ministry, Wendy was a Software Engineer and Manager.  She is an avid cyclist and has participated for 23 years in the annual Pan Mass Challenge fundraiser for the Dana Farber Cancer Institute.  She also is a quilter and gardener and sings in the FP choir.

Offering and Giving First For the month of November, half of the offering supports the work of Centro de Esperanza (Shelter for Hope) is a migrant family shelter in Sonyata, Mexico, on the Arizona border. The shelter provides a safe refuge for families fleeing gang violence, religious persecution, and dire economic circumstances. In most cases, families have traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to keep their families alive and safe. El Centro provides safe shelter, food, medical care, education, and legal and technical assistance and protects families from drug cartels, human traffickers, and others who would take advantage of them. Centro de Esperanza is unique in that all these families are attempting to seek asylum in the United States through legal channels. The average wait time for a hearing with a U.S. administrator at the border is 4-6 weeks. Currently the shelter can support 30 families with an expansion plan in the next few months for an additional 30 families. The annual operating cost is approximately $100k and the cost of the expansion is approximately $25k. The shelter was started by U.S. citizens in Ajo, Arizona but is managed by co-directors who are Mexican citizens.

The remaining half 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.

Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education Rev. Erica Richmond, Parish Minister

Sunday sermon given November 19, 2023 Prayer by Rev. Marta Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: In this intergenerational Thanksgiving service, let's explore the flipside of Gratitude: asking for help. Scary! Humbling! We know. But the good news is that asking for help opens us up to an interdependence that can change the world. Children grades kindergarten and older are welcome to stay through the whole service---the service is designed to include them. And look forward to our annual cornbread communion!

Offering and Giving First For the month of November, half of the offering supports the work of Centro de Esperanza (Shelter for Hope) is a migrant family shelter in Sonyata, Mexico, on the Arizona border. The shelter provides a safe refuge for families fleeing gang violence, religious persecution, and dire economic circumstances. In most cases, families have traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to keep their families alive and safe. El Centro provides safe shelter, food, medical care, education, and legal and technical assistance and protects families from drug cartels, human traffickers, and others who would take advantage of them. Centro de Esperanza is unique in that all these families are attempting to seek asylum in the United States through legal channels. The average wait time for a hearing with a U.S. administrator at the border is 4-6 weeks. Currently the shelter can support 30 families with an expansion plan in the next few months for an additional 30 families. The annual operating cost is approximately $100k and the cost of the expansion is approximately $25k. The shelter was started by U.S. citizens in Ajo, Arizona but is managed by co-directors who are Mexican citizens.

The remaining half 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.

Sunday service given November 12, 2023 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: Join us on Sunday to hear from three First Parish congregants, Stephanie Franzosa, Anna McMaken-Marsh, and  Andy Winslow, about how they live out their spiritual commitments in the world. How do each of us live our faith? What do our values call us to do? This is a special annual service that is sure to be inspiring, join us on Sunday!

Musical guest: violist and FP youth group alum Molly Aronson-Breen!

Offering and Giving First For the month of November, half of the offering supports the work of Centro de Esperanza (Shelter for Hope) is a migrant family shelter in Sonyata, Mexico, on the Arizona border. The shelter provides a safe refuge for families fleeing gang violence, religious persecution, and dire economic circumstances. In most cases, families have traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to keep their families alive and safe. El Centro provides safe shelter, food, medical care, education, and legal and technical assistance and protects families from drug cartels, human traffickers, and others who would take advantage of them. Centro de Esperanza is unique in that all these families are attempting to seek asylum in the United States through legal channels. The average wait time for a hearing with a U.S. administrator at the border is 4-6 weeks. Currently the shelter can support 30 families with an expansion plan in the next few months for an additional 30 families. The annual operating cost is approximately $100k and the cost of the expansion is approximately $25k. The shelter was started by U.S. citizens in Ajo, Arizona but is managed by co-directors who are Mexican citizens.

The remaining half 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.

Sunday Sermon given November 5, 2023 Prayer by Ruben Hopwood, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: Unitarian Universalism is a living faith, honoring tradition and evolving over time. The Unitarian Universalist Principles are stated in Article 2 of the bylaws of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The UUA is currently in the process of amending Article 2.  Perhaps questions of faith should always be considered and tested by war and peace, life and death, love and loss. Amidst the poignancy and complexity of war in the Middle East this week, Rev. Marta Flanagan will consider what is central to our faith. This Sunday is the second sermon in a two part series. Part I was delivered on October 15 and is available on YouTube.

Offering and Giving First For the month of November, half of the offering supports the work of Centro de Esperanza (Shelter for Hope) is a migrant family shelter in Sonyata, Mexico, on the Arizona border. The shelter provides a safe refuge for families fleeing gang violence, religious persecution, and dire economic circumstances. In most cases, families have traveled hundreds, if not thousands, of miles to keep their families alive and safe. El Centro provides safe shelter, food, medical care, education, and legal and technical assistance and protects families from drug cartels, human traffickers, and others who would take advantage of them. Centro de Esperanza is unique in that all these families are attempting to seek asylum in the United States through legal channels. The average wait time for a hearing with a U.S. administrator at the border is 4-6 weeks. Currently the shelter can support 30 families with an expansion plan in the next few months for an additional 30 families. The annual operating cost is approximately $100k and the cost of the expansion is approximately $25k. The shelter was started by U.S. citizens in Ajo, Arizona but is managed by co-directors who are Mexican citizens.

The remaining half 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.

Sunday Sermon given October 29, 2023 Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: Autumn is the season of the thin veil, when the border between the living and dead feels porous. This is a time when many religions and cultures recognize death, grief, and loss. Join us on Sunday, as Rev. Erica preaches on these tender and sacred topics. How do we acknowledge our pain and the pain of others? What spiritual practices might help us in these times of individual and collective grief?

Offering and Giving First For the month of October, half of the offering supports the work of the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC), a welcoming and inclusive community-based mental health center and the leading provider of outpatient and school-based mental health services for Arlington youth and their families. Central to its mission, AYCC offers individual and family counseling, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication treatment to Arlington youth, ages 3-21, and their adult caregivers.

The remaining half 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.

Honoring Director of Music Jonathan Colby, 2014 - 2023

Sunday Service given October 22, 2023 Prayer by David Whitford, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/

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

About the service: This Sunday is Jonathan Colby's last Sunday as Director of Music at First Parish. Come celebrate Jonathan with music and treats following worship. The service will feature special musical guests and offerings including Will Sherwood on First Parish’s 1869 Hook Organ along with cellist Patrick Chatham. The First Parish Choir will sing two much beloved choral anthems by Sir John Rutter and Samuel Barber.

Offering and Giving First For the month of October, half of the offering supports the work of the Arlington Youth Counseling Center (AYCC), a welcoming and inclusive community-based mental health center and the leading provider of outpatient and school-based mental health services for Arlington youth and their families. Central to its mission, AYCC offers individual and family counseling, group therapy, psychiatric evaluation and medication treatment to Arlington youth, ages 3-21, and their adult caregivers.

The remaining half 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.