Inspired by the words of James Luther Adams—that we have "the responsibility to offer a church in which we elicit participation"—and of Margaret Wheatley—"be brave enough to start a conversation that matters"—this sermon focuses on belonging, participation and the power of conversation. Rev. Tracey Robinson-Harris will lead the services.

Drawing on the poetic wisdom of Wendell Berry and the story of the women who went to Jesus' tomb this Easter sermon is a reflection on facing the impossible, confronting the improbable and going on anyway. Rev Tracey Robinson-Harris will lead the services.

Our services will be centered in the voices and experiences of black Unitarian Universalists and how these black UU leaders teach us to be better allies, better siblings in faith, better citizens in our community. White Unitarian Universalists are still learning how to decenter our whiteness so people of color are brought from the margins to the center. Our services are both practice in that work and leaning in to the promise of a new way of being together. The services are also an opportunity to make a financial gift in support of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism.

The UUA has set aside one million dollars from its endowment for support of BLUU. Two very generous Unitarian Universalists, Arnold and Julie Bradburd, have offered an additional one million dollars to match congregational giving. If FPC reaches the threshold of $10 per member ($3400 in total) our gift will be doubled. With the support of the Board and the Racial Justice Task Force, the offerings from both services are designated toward fulfilling our match gift.

Just over two years ago, FPC voted to display your Black Lives Matter banner. Six months earlier, conversations among Black UUs at the July 2015 Movement for Black Lives Convening in Cleveland, Ohio led to the creation of Black Lives of UU (BLUU) Organizing Collective. BLUU is committed to expanding the power and capacity of Black UUs within our faith; providing support, information and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice making and liberation through our faith. This is a moment when our financial support of BLUU is an affirmation of the promise of a just and inclusive faith, and an affirmation of our willingness to continue the journey required of us to make it so.

Reverend Tracey Robinson-Harris and members of the Racial Justice Task Force will lead the service.

Miles Davis told the guys in his band to play what they know and then play above that because that's where great things happen. Inspired by jazz and Miles' great leadership, the sermon brings this advice home to FPC. The Parish Jazz Band will play for both services. Established in 2004, The Parish Jazz Band is FPC’s contribution to local jazz in Eastern Massachusetts. The PJB plays music from the Great American Songbook (Ellington, Carmichael, Arlen, Gershwin, Rodgers, Porter), bebop (Parker, Coltrane, Davis, Gillespie) and Latin jazz (Jobim, Palmieri). Currently the PJB is seven members (five of whom are parishioners of FPC) and includes clarinet, saxo­phone, trombone, bass, drums, guitar and vocals. Its musical director is guitarist and charter member Michael Paladini.