Rev. Fred Small preaching Sunday, Feb. 17

We welcome Rev. Fred Small to our pulpit.

“Praise Be the Flood”  Scientists predict that climate change will have dire consequences for humanity and the planet we inhabit.  Can global warming move us to change course and build a new society grounded in justice, equity, and compassion?

A Unitarian Universalist pastor, environmental activist, singer-songwriter, and former environmental lawyer, Rev. Fred Small is Minister for Climate Justice at Arlington Street Church, Boston. Cited by Bill McKibben as “one of the key figures in the religious environmental surge,” Fred left parish ministry in 2015 to devote his energies to climate advocacy.

Lessons Learned from Professor Sherman by Rev. Claire Donaldson

Acceptance and tolerance can be found in any arena.  Opportunities for learning can be found in many settings.  It’s not always easy to let go of misinformation and long held beliefs.  Sometimes we can find new lessons in some unexpected places.

Rev. Claire Donaldson is a long time member and Deacon of First Church in Salem, UU. She is a member of the Standing Committee and Pastoral Care Committee. Claire has worked as a chaplain and recreation therapist in a variety of healthcare settings.  She lives in Lynn with her loyal and faithful friend, Sherman.

Mindfulness Meditation with Laine Gifford and the FPS meditation group

This Sunday, Laine Gifford and the FPS meditation sangha (community of people who gather together and are committed to the practice of meditation) will lead our 10am service. It will include some teaching about meditation and a chance to practice short meditations with the goal of being more mindful.

Sally Sweitzer and Friends: Grace

Please join us on Sunday, January 27 at 10AM, at First Parish of Sudbury for a special service of music and readings presented by Sally Sweitzer and Friends. The topic of this service is “GRACE” as it relates to the Unitarian Universalist second principle of Justice, Equity, and Compassion in human relations. The music will feature some new twists on old favorites and an opportunity for you to raise your voice in song along with a band and our choir.

Sally Sweitzer has been singing professionally since the 1980’s. Her background includes Blues, Soul, and Gospel. She brings the depth and warmth of her voice to any musical genre and can still belt out a great tune. Sally will perform with her band as part of our worship service.

Living Our Values with Ms. Laura Wagner

Join the congregation at First Parish of Sudbury for the first of our Sunday services during the time our settled minister is on sabbatical. This Sunday, Jan. 13, we welcome back to our pulpit Ms. Laura Wagner, executive director of UU Mass Action, the Unitarian Universalist State Action Network. Their mission is to organize and mobilize UUs to confront injustice.

Ms. Wagner’s sermon is titled “Living Our Values”. Join us to learn more.

This Sunday we will “Share the Plate”–half of the collection will go to UU Mass Action. Founded in 2006, it is a statewide network of congregations, lay members and ministers whose mission is to mobilize our voice in support of Unitarian Universalist values to achieve a just, equitable and compassionate Commonwealth. We are proud to share our collection with this worthy organization this morning.

You can read the sermon here: Living Our Values (pdf)

Endings and Beginnings…

The first Sunday of the New Year is an important time at First Parish it is a time when we remember those whom we have lost over the year and the new additions to our families who arrived. Please bring the names of those whom you would like to honor for this service. This will also be the last Sunday before Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty’s sabbatical begins. Rev. Marjorie will be sharing her thoughts about sabbatical, the upcoming themes and how to take care of one another in her absence. The next few months will be filled with many different speakers bringing their wisdom to the First Parish meetinghouse so please check in often to stay ahead of the schedule. Peace to you in the New Year!