Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts

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Recorded sermons from worship at First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Arlington, Massachusetts

  1. MAR 16

    Sermon Don't Set an Alarm, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service given Sunday, March 15, 2026

    Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, March 15, 2026 Prayer by Lyn Fulton-John, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How can all of us engage in the spiritual practice of intentional rest? Come join us for worship as we consider rest and nourishment as an important spiritual task. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and the First Parish C Winds group, in addition to accompanist Ken Seitz, will offer music.   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 2026, Boston Women's Fund will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Boston Women's Fund uplifts, advocates for, and invests in women, girls, and gender-expansive people who are leading grassroots organizations and systems-change efforts across Greater Boston. BWF provides flexible funding, leadership and youth development, and educational programming that strengthen movements led by those most impacted by injustice. We prioritize BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, helping build power, opportunity, and lasting community impact. 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.

    27 min

  2. MAR 16

    The People Speak of Faith, Credo Service, worship service given Sunday, March 8, 2026

    Credo Service featuring First Parish members James Hall, Sarah Quick, and Annette Sawyer Worship service given Sunday, March 8, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Credo means "I believe" in Latin. Periodically, First Parish invites members to offer personal statements of belief. Based on their personal experience, members speak of what they trust to be true. Worship this Sunday features the credo statements of FIrst Parish Members James Hall, Sarah Quick, and Annette Sawyer. Please join us. Guest musician David Stern will offer music on the piano this week, in addition to First Parish accommpanist Ken Seitz.   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 2026, Boston Women's Fund will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Boston Women's Fund uplifts, advocates for, and invests in women, girls, and gender-expansive people who are leading grassroots organizations and systems-change efforts across Greater Boston. BWF provides flexible funding, leadership and youth development, and educational programming that strengthen movements led by those most impacted by injustice. We prioritize BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, helping build power, opportunity, and lasting community impact. 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.

    27 min

  3. MAR 16

    Sermon A Covenantal Take on Stewardship, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service given Sunday, March 1, 2026

    Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, March 1, 2026 Prayer by Mary Babic, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How can all of us engage in the spiritual practice of intentional rest? Come join us for worship as we consider rest and nourishment as an important spiritual task. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and the First Parish C Winds group, in addition to accompanist Ken Seitz, will offer music.   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 2026, Boston Women's Fund will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Boston Women's Fund uplifts, advocates for, and invests in women, girls, and gender-expansive people who are leading grassroots organizations and systems-change efforts across Greater Boston. BWF provides flexible funding, leadership and youth development, and educational programming that strengthen movements led by those most impacted by injustice. We prioritize BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving grassroots organizations with annual budgets under $500,000, helping build power, opportunity, and lasting community impact. 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.

    28 min

  4. MAR 16

    Sermon We Need One Another, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Sunday, February 22, 2026

    Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, February 22, 2026 Prayer by Lillian Povey, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How is community care part of defending democracy? How might we strengthen the ties between us? Come worship together, Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching. Guest musicians Carol Lewis & Olav Chris Hendricksen will offer music.   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 February 2026, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. The mission of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. BHCHP is an integrated team of over 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers, and support staff committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Boston and beyond. Learn more at their website: https://www.bhchp.org/. 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.

    26 min

  5. FEB 20

    Sermon Moving from Grief to Justice, by Rev. Jo Murphy, UU Mass Action, worship service Sunday, February 15, 2026

    Rev. Jo Murphy, UU Mass Action, preaching Worship service given February 15, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 In a world where devastation is palpable every day, it is often difficult not to default to despair and fear. Though this despair is so present, I find there is hope in letting yourself grieve. Join me in investigating the importance of not defaulting to fear and despair, but to find space to grieve and then move from grief to justice work, finding joy and wonder in it all, sustaining ourselves and our communities. The First Parish Choir, accompanied by Kenneth Seitz, will offer music. Rev. Jo Murphy is the Executive Director for UU Mass Action and with passion and zest mobilizes and organizes with the many UU Mass Action campaigns. Jo is also kept busy as a chaplain at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and caring for her 1 year old. She loves liberation, the ocean, and a fine chicken dinner. 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 February 2026, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. The mission of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. BHCHP is an integrated team of over 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers, and support staff committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Boston and beyond. Learn more at their website: https://www.bhchp.org/. 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.

    22 min

  6. FEB 10

    Sermon Part of the Larger Whole, by Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct Minister of Religious Education, worship service Sunday, February 8, 2026

    Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct Minister of Religious Education, preaching Worship service given February 8, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 We each have a role to play in this congregation and in this movement toward Beloved Community. We take lessons from bees in how to work together to help one another and thrive. What role will you play? Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct MRE is leading the service. The First Parish Choir, accompanied by Kenneth Seitz, will offer music. 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 February 2026, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. The mission of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. BHCHP is an integrated team of over 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers, and support staff committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Boston and beyond. Learn more at their website: https://www.bhchp.org/. 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.

    26 min

  7. FEB 3

    Sermon Healthy Boundaries equal Healthy Beings, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Sunday, February 1, 2026

    Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given February 1, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Using Nedra Tawwab's book "Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself" as the basis for this sermon, how do we live a more authentic life by knowing what we can tolerate or not? How do we draw a line where we end and someone else begins? What impact might this have on our relationships? The First Parish Choir and accompanist Ken Seitz will offer music. 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 February 2026, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. The mission of the Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program is to provide or assure access to the highest quality health care for all individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community. BHCHP is an integrated team of over 600 medical and behavioral health staff, social service providers, and support staff committed to providing comprehensive, high-quality health care for individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Boston and beyond. Learn more at their website: https://www.bhchp.org/. 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.

    30 min

  8. FEB 2

    Sermon Grounded: Staying on Course During Turbulent Times, by Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, UU Urban Ministry, worship service Sunday, January 25, 2026

    Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, Executive Director and Senior Minister of UU Urban Ministry, preaching Worship service given January 25, 2026 Prayer by Lyn Fulton-John, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join Guest Minister Rev. Mary Margaret Earl from UU Urban Ministry in a reflection on navigating the overwhelming noise and news without losing sight of our work for justice. Music offered by the First Parish Choir and accompanist Ken Seitz. The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl has served as Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry for 11 years. In this ministry, she works for racial justice and to strengthen connections between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She has served on the leadership team of Moral Movement Massachusetts, the Roxbury Cultural Network, and the search committee for the Roxbury Community College president. Prior to her arrival at the UU Urban Ministry, she spent 10 years at a faith-based nonprofit in RI serving the homeless community, She is past president of the Board of the Rhode Island Coalition for the Homeless, recipient of the Heroes of Faith Award from the Rhode Island State Council of Churches for her interfaith work, and received a Courage of Conscience award from the Peace Abbey in Sherborn, Ma. She is a longtime vegan committed to standing up for nonhuman animals. 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 January 2026, The Network / LA Red will share half the plate. The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Rooted in anti-oppression principles, their work aims to create a world where all people are free from oppression. They strengthen the communities they serve through organizing, education, and the provision of support services. The Network/La Red is recognized nationwide for supporting survivors and engaging LGBT, kink, poly, and queer communities in organizing to end partner abuse and oppression. Their services are free, confidential, available in English and Spanish, and accessible by wheelchair, TTY, and public transportation. They are committed to honoring the experiences and choices of survivors in every aspect of their work. 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.

    28 min
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Recorded sermons from worship at First Parish Unitarian Universalist in Arlington, Massachusetts

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