by Kent French, June 13, 2024
Worship begins at 10am this Sunday in Willett Hall followed by our All-Parish Meeting Covenant is one of those church-y, biblical words that is probably not a part of most of our active vocabularies. We’re more used to terms like “contract” or “agreement.” Covenant is what mere mortals in the early books of the Bible made with God. It’s what prophets mediated between God and the people. It’s the relationship with God and humanity that Jesus came to renew, restore and expand with his ministry. Covenant is more than transactional — it’s about relationship, about promises, beholden-ness,… Read More
by Kent French, June 06, 2024
In the first chapter of Genesis it says: God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. (Genesis 1:27, Common English Bible) It’s a claim each of us takes about our unique place in the world. Each one of us bears the imprint of God, the great cosmic divine force in the universe. So, whenever one of us harms another person, looks down on someone, kills someone, we are trespassing on that shared divine imprint. June is Pride month across the globe. This weekend is Pride weekend in Boston,… Read More
by Amy Norton, May 30, 2024
This Sunday, we have the joy of celebrating our confirmation class and the educational and spiritual journey they have taken. Over the past church ‘semester,’ our confirmation class has been diving into some pretty big questions: What is faith? Who is God? Who is Jesus? What is the Holy Spirit? What does it mean to be a Christian in the world? What does it mean to be a member of United Parish? And much, much more…they’ve explored the Bible; and they’ve delved into prayer, spiritual practices, and some Very Big Questions, such as, “Did God create a multiverse?”, “What were Jesus’ emotions when being… Read More
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
