by Kent French, May 23, 2024
In the liturgical calendar, this Sunday is Trinity Sunday, a tradition dating back to medieval times, in which the church pays attention to the doctrine of the trinity. It’s how we try to make some sense of the unfathomable nature of God. This weekend is also Memorial Day, an American tradition that began in the waning days of the Civil War, when families began decorating the graves of the war dead. As writer Ben Irwin notes here: “If you feel conflicted over Memorial Day, you’re not alone. On the one hand, it is right we should honor those who sacrificed… Read More
by Kent French, May 16, 2024
During the season of Eastertide (April 1-May 18 this year), we focus on our Stewardship and how we collectively support the overall ministry of United Parish, as we “Imagine Together” how we make an impact in the world around us. This Sunday is Consecration Sunday, when we bring forth our financial and time and talent pledges for our new program year (July 2024-June 2025). More information about Stewardship 2024 here. We will also hear from all three of our choirs: Adult, Children’s and Handbells! When was the last time you went for a walk or ride out in nature? Jesus… Read More
by Amy Norton, May 09, 2024
During the season of Eastertide (April 1-May 18 this year), we focus on our Stewardship and how we collectively support the overall ministry of United Parish, as we “Imagine Together” how we make an impact in the world around us. Did you know that every person in the photo to the left has struggled with mental illness? This Sunday, we are giving special focus to spreading awareness around mental health and reducing the stigma of mental illness. Our Mental Health Ministry Team has collaborated on putting together a special worship service to help us move further towards God’s call to… Read More
by Amy Norton, May 02, 2024
During the season of Eastertide (April 1-May 18 this year), we focus on our Stewardship and how we collectively support the overall ministry of United Parish, as we “Imagine Together” how we make an impact in the world around us. This Sunday we follow the story of Nicodemus, as he appears three times in the Gospel of John. Nicodemus, a Pharisee, first approaches Jesus in the dead of night, carrying some big theological questions. As our worship curriculum explains, “Not only did Jesus respond rather cryptically to Nicodemus’ initial inquiry, but Jesus went on to excoriate the old man, essentially… Read More
by Kent French, April 25, 2024
During the season of Eastertide (April 1-May 18 this year), we focus on our Stewardship and how we collectively support the overall ministry of United Parish, as we “Imagine Together” how we make an impact in the world around us. For over a decade, we have enjoyed a collaboration with Temple Shir Tikva in Wayland. The relationship between our two communities is rooted in the friendship and collegiality of our Music Minister Susan and TST’s Cantor Hollis, and the music-making and friendship between both congregations’ choirs. This weekend, we celebrate this relationship again, with shabbat services in Wayland beginning at… Read More
by Kent French, April 18, 2024
During the season of Eastertide (April 1-May 18 this year), we focus on our Stewardship and how we collectively support the overall ministry of United Parish, as we “Imagine Together” how we make an impact in the world around us. I believe that church, at its best, is a place where we can stir our moral imaginations. We take time to reflect on what’s worth our time, our energy, our intention. We reflect on what we need to change in ourselves and also ask how God needs us to help change the world. We contemplate how we carry on the… Read More
by Amy Norton, April 09, 2024
Dear Ones, Nourished by our breakfast on the beach with Christ last Sunday, we are about to begin our stewardship season, which will officially kick off next Sunday, April 21st! This year we are exploring the theme of Imagining Together, which invites us to dream into being the kind of community impact we know is possible when God’s people work together in love. But first, we need to rest. Our scripture this Sunday contains this short but powerful offer from Jesus, “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take… Read More
by Amy Norton, April 03, 2024
This Lent and Easter (February 14-April 7), our worship and Church School curriculum follows A Sanctified Art’s Wandering Heart series, reflecting on the sometimes mercurial discipleship of Peter and the words of a favorite hymn, “Come, O Fount of Every Blessing.” This Sunday wraps up our wandering journey alongside Peter as he experiences discipleship and beyond. We will be welcoming United Parish member Kate Baker-Carr as our guest preacher. Kate writes “Our text for Sunday brings us full circle. We began Lent with Jesus calling Peter, his brother Andrew, James, and John to leave their fishing nets, their livelihoods, and take up… Read More
by Kent French, March 27, 2024
This Lent (February 14-March 30), our worship and Church School curriculum follows A Sanctified Art’s Wandering Heart series, reflecting on the sometimes mercurial discipleship of Peter and the words of a favorite hymn, “Come, O Fount of Every Blessing.” We’ve been following stories about the disciple Peter during Lent and all the ways that he’s impulsive, impetuous, usually over-eager and often talking a bigger game than he can play. On Maundy Thursday, he denies his beloved friend and mentor not once, but three times — fearful for his own life to be associated with him. He weeps in bitter regret afterwards… Read More
by Amy Norton, March 21, 2024
This Lent (February 14-March 30), our worship and Church School curriculum follows A Sanctified Art’s Wandering Heart series, reflecting on the sometimes mercurial discipleship of Peter and the words of a favorite hymn, “Come, O Fount of Every Blessing.” As we begin Holy Week with Palm Sunday, we prepare for the often heart-wrenching way that we will confront our own role in Jesus’ arrest, torture, and death. It’s heavy, there’s no way around that. I also think that it is one of the regrettably few times we explicitly encounter Christ in such a visceral way, drawing such clear parallels to our own… Read More
