Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts Various

Worship service given May 5, 2024
Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
Each year, one Sunday is devoted to the social-justice-themed Shinn Service, with a guest providing the sermon related to their own social justice work and interests. Dr. Michael Curry is currently the President & CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, which represents 52 health centers, serving over one million patients out of over 300 practice sites. He plans to stay and participate in “Reverberations” on Sunday, the after-service event that will dive a bit deeper into his sermon.
Dr. Curry has received numerous local and national awards for leadership and advocacy and is frequently requested as a keynote speaker and panelist on a wide range of civil rights and health policy issues. In 2022, he received the Trailblazer Award from the Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association (MBLA), as well as a leadership award from the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action.
He is a regular commentator on the local Public Radio Broadcast/WBUR Boston, WGBH Radio, as well as on television with WGBH, WBZ, and New England Cable News/NBC Boston, on a wide range of political, cultural, and social issues. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Doctorate of Jurisprudence from New England School of Law, and later graduated from the inaugural class of the Executive Leadership Council’s Pipeline to Leadership Program.
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 May 2024, the Giving First recipient is Neighborhood Birth Center.
This Sunday half of the offering supports
the Neighborhood Birth Center, which offers comprehensive midwifery care throughout pregnancy, labor, birth and the postpartum period by integrating an independent community birth center in Boston’s healthcare and community landscape. 
The remaining half of the 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 April 28, 2024
Prayer by Rev. Marta Morris Flanagan, Lead Minister
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
The Alliance of First Parish supports those who have given much. This Sunday, Lara James, of the organization Facing History and Ourselves, reflects on looking backward and looking forward and what we each can do to make communities more inclusive, resilient and hopeful.
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 April 2024, the Giving First recipient is the Living Legacy Project.
The mission of the Living Legacy Project (https://www.livinglegacypilgrimage.org/) is to provide experiential education about the American Civil Rights Movement that challenges, inspires, and equips people from diverse backgrounds and identities for justice work in their communities and beyond. Despite gains made by the American Civil Rights Movement to ensure that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, have access to human and civil rights, much work remains. Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) continued to be imprisoned at a higher rate than white people, subjected to police overreach, experienced more poverty, and had fewer opportunities. Protecting voting rights to eliminate mass incarceration takes committed activists and organizers willing to take stands against injustice.
The remaining half of the 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 April 21, 2024
Prayer by Ruben Hopwood, Worship Associate
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
On the first day of Passover, Marta ponders the meaning of the Exodus for us today. In the ancient tale lies lessons for us as we make our way through our tight places. In worship we also formally welcome all those who have joined First Parish this year in a New Member Ceremony. In addition, Jeff Keffer offers a testimonial on participating in community at First Parish.
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 April 2024, the Giving First recipient is the Living Legacy Project.
The mission of the Living Legacy Project (https://www.livinglegacypilgrimage.org/) is to provide experiential education about the American Civil Rights Movement that challenges, inspires, and equips people from diverse backgrounds and identities for justice work in their communities and beyond. Despite gains made by the American Civil Rights Movement to ensure that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, have access to human and civil rights, much work remains. Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) continued to be imprisoned at a higher rate than white people, subjected to police overreach, experienced more poverty, and had fewer opportunities. Protecting voting rights to eliminate mass incarceration takes committed activists and organizers willing to take stands against injustice.
The remaining half of the 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 April 14, 2024
Prayer by David Whitford, Worship Associate
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
The Beloved Community is a dream that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King made famous, but it is also an inspiration to who we can become - individually and together. This Sunday we will be reflecting on how the stories we tell shape our understandings of where we have come from, and how we can bring our values more fully into the communities we are building for the future.
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 April 2024, the Giving First recipient is the Living Legacy Project.
The mission of the Living Legacy Project (https://www.livinglegacypilgrimage.org/) is to provide experiential education about the American Civil Rights Movement that challenges, inspires, and equips people from diverse backgrounds and identities for justice work in their communities and beyond. Despite gains made by the American Civil Rights Movement to ensure that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, have access to human and civil rights, much work remains. Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) continued to be imprisoned at a higher rate than white people, subjected to police overreach, experienced more poverty, and had fewer opportunities. Protecting voting rights to eliminate mass incarceration takes committed activists and organizers willing to take stands against injustice.
The remaining half of the 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 April 7, 2024
Prayer by Elizabeth Hunter, Worship Associate
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
Join Rev. Erica Richmond this coming Sunday as she preaches about congregational governance, dissent, and communion. Don’t worry, she promises to make it interesting. As Unitarian Universalists we have a long standing commitment to democracy, what does that look like in our congregation? What does that teach us about community? We will also be blessing our new set of teachers for religious education!
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 April 2024, the Giving First recipient is the Living Legacy Project.
The mission of the Living Legacy Project (https://www.livinglegacypilgrimage.org/) is to provide experiential education about the American Civil Rights Movement that challenges, inspires, and equips people from diverse backgrounds and identities for justice work in their communities and beyond. Despite gains made by the American Civil Rights Movement to ensure that all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, or color, have access to human and civil rights, much work remains. Black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) continued to be imprisoned at a higher rate than white people, subjected to police overreach, experienced more poverty, and had fewer opportunities. Protecting voting rights to eliminate mass incarceration takes committed activists and organizers willing to take stands against injustice.
The remaining half of the 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 March 31, 2024
Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
Easter worship features Rev. Marta Flanagan preaching and Rev. Stevie Carmody offering a story.  Join the First Parish Choir and a brass quintet of Boston University students in a joyous morning of music by Pavel Chesenekov, Jacob Narverud, and more. 
As in the past, communion will be offered during our Easter service. First Parish has no creedal tests for involvement.  Our communion is an open table. All are welcome. We each bring our own interpretations of the sharing of bread and wine. Our blessings will be translations of the Hebrew spoken every Friday Shabbat in Jewish homes. In keeping with Passover, the elements of our communion will be matzah and grape juice.

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 March 2024, the Giving First recipient is ZUMIX. (https://www.zumix.org/)
ZUMIX is an East Boston-based nonprofit dedicated to building a community through music and creative technology. We believe music is the most powerful means of developing adolescent self-identity. Our award-winning music and creative technology programming is designed to equip youth with the tools necessary to reach their full potential, while creating a safe space for youth to explore who they are and who they want to be. Through community events, ZUMIX also provides access to top-quality arts experiences for a low-income, historically underserved neighborhood.
The Engine Company 40 Firehouse renovations transformed a long-abandoned building into a beautiful, functional and inspiring cultural and performance space for ZUMIX programs, participants and the East Boston community at large. Renovations with the latest green technology have saved a historic site that contributes to a healthier environment, creates educational opportunities for our youth, and strengthens our financial sustainability by reducing energy costs and attracting funders who support “green” organizations. The Firehouse received Gold LEED Certification, an impressive accomplishment for a renovation project.
The remaining half of the 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.