Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts

The world is rapidly reopening, we are being asked to adapt and adjust faster than anyone anticipated. How do we stay balanced in the face of this? How might we move from languishing to flourishing together? Spiritual community makes room for our whole selves and our individual voices while also inviting us draw upon the power of the collective.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

Join us for this special annual worship service and celebration in which the Coming of Age students share their personal credos. Come and be inspired by the youth growing up in our time!

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

On Mother’s Day, Rev. Marta Flanagan explores the power of memory in our lives. What is good to remember? What is good to let go of?

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

Civil Rights activist, Ella Baker, would often ask, when meeting someone new, "who are your people?" This was her way of prioritizing relationships and community in her activism. Rev. Erica explores how there is a spiritual hunger for connections even in an isolated world.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

 First Parish celebrates the work of our members across a wide range of social justice initiatives in the annual Living Our Faith service. The Social Justice Committee welcomes speakers James Ptacek, Alice Austin, and Genevieve Baldwin to share how they live their faith through their work for justice in our world.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

What in God’s Name?! If God is not a white man with blue eyes sitting amidst the clouds, what what might we be left with? 

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

Is there anything more cringe-worthy than when people say, with disdain in their voices, “Why are they playing the race card again?”
We must realize that the “cards” are a very real fact of our everyday lives and the lives of our children & grandchildren; actual events that have and continue to affect and wound us. Until then it will continue to be us vs. them, and we all pay a price. Why do UUs who are on the right side of race issues need to hear this? To gather the cards to share with people on the wrong side of the issue.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

This Easter worship, we lift up all the ways we embody hope. On this holy day, we will honor the ways hope has felt dormant and the ways we might help it come alive again. Matt Meyer is our guest musician for this special service. Matt Meyer has a degree in hand drumming and travels the country as an itinerant UU worship leader. He serves as the Director of Operations and Community Life for Sanctuary Boston, a contemporary UU worship community that gathers on Wednesday evenings. https://www.rhythmrevelations.com/

Finding My Way Back Home
by MaMuse
Matt Meyer, Musician

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

Following up on her sermon on the first Sunday in Lent on Jesus, this Sunday Rev. Marta Flanagan considers the life and spiritual lessons of Moses for us this year on the first day of Passover and Palm Sunday.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.

As we mark a year of virtual services, Rev. Erica Richmond will reflect on the losses and lessons of COVID. Using wisdom of ancient voices, we will explore what it means to honor our pain while claiming hope.

Podcast introduction music composed and played by First Parish Music Director Emeritus, Kenneth Seitz: “Amen, Blessed Be;"
number 14 in the First Parish songbook, Singing Toward Justice.

Introduction language is the Mission Statement adopted in 2010 spoken here by First Parish lay leaders and Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan.