December 8 – Revelry Sunday

Posted by Benjamin Reiner on Nov 26, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

First Parish of Sudbury invites the community to its Revelry Sunday Service on December 8, 2019, at 10 am. The service, which honors earth-centered traditions, will be filled with dancing, reveling, and the reenactment of ancient rituals originally designed to bring back the sun and ensure the rebirth of the natural world, at this time of year when we experience the longest night.

The service will be filled with music and dance by both the youth and senior youth Morris dance groups and First Parish Choir, and the congregation is welcome to join in the music.

Leading the service will be First Parish dance master Tom Kruskal and Minister of Music Debra Morris-Bennett.

The Morris Dancers welcomes new participants to First Parish. Hopbrook Morris and Sword, for 9-13 year-olds, takes place on Sundays, from 11:30 am- 1 pm and Great Meadows Morris and Sword for 13-18 year-olds takes place on Sundays from 4:45 – 6:45 pm.

Being Grateful…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Nov 24, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

As the bounty of Thanksgiving is upon us, a time to give thanks, let’s look at this time as an annual tradition in terms of being present with those whom we love. Imagine what our lives might be like if we were able to be grateful for all that we have, be mindful of all that we take for granted, and be open to what may be yet to arrive. What would life be like if we lived into a daily practice of being grateful monthly, daily, or even in every moment… How might our lives be different? Join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty and the Congregation of First Parish in examining the spiritual practice of gratitude.

Compassion: A Spiritual Practice…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Nov 17, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

Kuan Yin (Guanyin) was a Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. (S)he was known as the Goddess of Mercy by Jesuit missionaries in China. (S)he has the supernatural power of assuming any form required to relieve suffering. In many of the world’s religions there are those whom personify compassion such as Jesus in Christianity. The Dalai Lama explained that, “My religion is kindness.” Confucius was the first person to formulate what has become known as the Golden Rule. Join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty and the Congregation of First Parish in understanding the importance of compassion and how we can build upon gratitude to extend our practice to contain compassion.

Why, How, What…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Nov 10, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

“Very few people can clearly articulate WHY they do WHAT they do. WHY is all about your purpose, cause of belief. WHY do you get out of the bed in the morning? And WHY should anyone care?” These words written by Golden Circle guru Simon Sinek a man who in one Ted Talk helped people to realize that understanding the WHY of what we do is the most important insight that we might have to help us find our inspiration and aspiration. How do we apply the WHY of our lives search for truth and meaning, happiness and love? Join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty and the Congregation of First Parish in understanding and defining our WHY, otherwise known as mission in order to find our HOW we are going to get there and WHAT we are going to do when we arrive.

Remembrance: An Act of Love…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Nov 3, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

This is All Souls Sunday a time to remember our ancestors with the building of an altar of remembrance and the reciting of a `Presente` a part of the liturgy when the names of our lost and deceased are shared. During this time of year many believe that the veil between the worlds of the living and dead is at it thinnest. A time to remember, to honor, to call upon those who have been important in our lives. Join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty and the Congregation of First Parish in this largely ritual-based service of Love.

Change: An Act of Courage…

Posted by Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty on Oct 20, 2019 in General News, Worship Services

This Sunday is part of “An Act of Courage/Love” series where we investigate the skills that we will need to uncover and embrace courage in our lives. Change is ever present what do we do and how do we cope with the constant shifting of the sands? What is courage and how can it help us to endure and what kinds of skills do we need to cultivate to live a happy and healthy life in times such as these? Join, Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty and the Congregation of First Parish in realizing that an act of courage may be required and at hand in everything that we encounter.