Volunteering in the Religious Exploration Program

Posted by Benjamin Reiner on Sep 18, 2019 in General News, Religious Exploration

The Religious Exploration Program is actively seeking volunteers for this year!

Volunteering in the RE program is rewarding and fun, and it’s also a wonderful way to contribute to our congregation!  We have a number of volunteer slots available this fall!  Here are some of our exciting volunteer roles:

1. Teaching Religious Exploration classes to students in grades K-3 or 4-8: Jenna will have your lesson plans and materials prepared and set up in the classroom for you each week!
2. Helping in the First Parish Nursery with children ages 0-4: Please help to care for our youngest children during worship services!  We have a lovely nursery classroom and lots of toys and crafts to entertain little ones!
3. Helping with the Junior Youth Group’s Social Justice Outings: Our Youth Coordinator, Sonia Prince, will be leading Junior Youth outings throughout the year, and we welcome all volunteers who are interested in working with our youth to make positive change in our community!
4. Leading a special Share A Talent class: Do you have a talent, interest or hobby that you would be willing to share with our students? Jenna will help you to plan a lesson around it!
5. Helping with our Children’s Choir classes on special Arts Sundays: Musicians, please come and share your musical talents with our children!

Please contact Jenna Kyes, Director of Religious Exploration, at or visit our Religious Exploration sign-up page if you are interested in volunteering this fall!

Important:  Please note that every adult volunteering in the RE program must have an updated CORI check on file with First Parish of Sudbury before they are able to work with the children and youth.

October 19 – Harvest Fair

Posted by Benjamin Reiner on Sep 18, 2019 in Community, General News

First Parish of Sudbury invites the community to its 118th annual Harvest Fair on Saturday, October 19, from 10 am to 3 pm. Featuring activities to entertain the entire family!

While Harvest Fair was traditionally a craft fair, it’s now a diverse event for the young and not so young! Visit the Enchanted Garden and build a fairy house; join in on a collaborative art project bird house; paint a pumpkin to take home; bid on exciting items at the Silent Auction; visit environmental and agricultural booths; and enjoy home-baked goodies and jams, fresh soups, and bread all while listening to great live music!

Start cooking! Go shopping! If you are looking for ways to contribute, some things you can do to help now include:

• The Harvest is here and it is time for making jams, jellies and pickles. Put a few jars aside to sell for FPS.  Some baked goods freeze very well, like pumpkin bread or coffee cake, so baking ahead is a big help!  Please plan to bake the week before the event, and sign up with our Bake Sale Coordinator, Toni Trone.
• All the items purchased and collected by us will be organized into baskets for the Silent Auction.  Last year this was a successful fundraiser.  So enjoy shopping for items that can be included in Autumn, Halloween, and Thanksgiving themed baskets.  For more a more specific shopping list, please see below for donation suggestions.

Speak your Truth in Love…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Sep 15, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

In a country where hateful rhetoric is being flung back and forth on social media one has to wonder where is the “high ground?” How can we speak our minds and share our beliefs in meaningful ways that are not offensive or aimed to exclude rather than include? This Sunday join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty in finding ways to share our beliefs in patient and peaceful ways.

RE Program Open House this Sunday!

Posted by Jenna Kyes on Sep 11, 2019 in Coming Up in RE, General News, Religious Exploration

Come learn about our religious exploration programs at First Parish of Sudbury during our Open House this Sunday, Sept. 15, at 9:00 a.m. Religious Exploration at First Parish nurtures the spiritual growth of children and youth from infancy through high school, supporting them as they build a loving community, explore world religions and faith traditions, seek truth and meaning, and work together to make positive change in the world. You will have an opportunity to meet our new Director of Religious Exploration, Jenna Kyes and visit our classroom spaces and register for classes. Open to the public.  For more information please visit: https://fpsudbury.org, on Facebook: First Parish of Sudbury, or call (978) 443-2043.

October 5 – Coffee House with Sally Sweitzer and Wendy Sobel 

Posted by Benjamin Reiner on Sep 11, 2019 in Coffeehouse

Wendy Sobel and Sally Sweitzer have been playing as a duo and in numerous bands for 30+ years. The blend of their voices and the ease and precision that comes with a long-term friendship and musical alliance makes audiences feel they are part of something special and intimate, and makes the Coffee House environment perfect for their shows.

Sally Swietzer, cut her musical teeth by singing the Blues . She has expanded into folk and country musical genres, always bringing the soul and the power of her blues and R&B roots to anything she does. The Boston Globe described her as having “the soul of Billie Holiday and the power and grit of Janis Joplin”. 

Wendy Sobel, guitarist, singer and songwriter, has been an award-winning presence on the Boston music scene for many years, sharing the stage with such acts as Karla Bonoff, Livingston Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, Lily Tomlin and Kathy Mattea to name a few.  She has also toured with Canadian singer/songwriter Ferron. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to see Sally and Wendy perform together on Saturday, October 5, at 7:30 pm in a concert to benefit First Parish! Tickets are $20 (free for kids under 12) and will be sold during coffee hour in September or online.