There is an old Hebrew story in which a child asks her Rabbi, "What does God pray for on Yom Kippur?" The Rabbi answers, “May my capacity for mercy be greater than my capacity for justice.” Today as we explore both the teachings of Yom Kippur and the Second Unitarian Universalist principle. We will struggle with what it means to promote justice and the tension that often exists between justice and compassion. We will examine how this plays out in our own lives and at a societal level, particularly in relationship to the present debate over mandatory sentencing. Some of our talented instrumentalists will be joining our music staff in leading us in song. At the 9 AM service "FPC Singers" including some of our youth, will be performing "Let Justice Roll Down" by Aileen Vance and at the 11 AM service our Adult Choir will sing another setting of that text by Moses Hogan as well as some traditional Hebrew music for Yom Kippur. Rev. Tom Rosiello will be preaching and leading worship. For our "Message for All Ages," our youth will present a dramatization of the story of Jonah. We hope you will be with us.
Past Services
Sunday, September 15th, 2013
Sunday, September 8th, 2013
“We affirm and promote the Inherent worth and dignity of every person.”
On this Ingathering Sunday we will be pulling out all the stops literally (it will be the first time our restored pipe organ is played in Worship) to welcome folks back as well as those with us for the first time. The call will be to "Come, Come , whoever you are" and be part of this inclusive community of love, faith, and justice. Our sermon message will focus on the first of our seven Unitarian Universalist Principles: The Inherent worth and dignity of every person. Many religions teach that human beings are inherently sinful and unworthy but in our tradition we recognize just the opposite, that every individual is worthy of respect and has dignity. Yet at times, we all probably consider someone or some group to be of less worth and dignity. The struggle for the equal dignity and worth for all continues in our society as the events of this from our Supreme Court’s DOMA and part of the Voting Rights Act as well as the startling verdict the Trayvon Martin case demonstrate. The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach the sermon and lead worship assisted by youth and adult worship associates and lay ministers. Our children will be introduced to their first Sunday of Religious Education by Michelle Cote, Director of Religious Education. Music will be led by Mike Pfitzer, Director, and Sanhgee Kim, Organist/Pianist and our Adult Choir will be singing at the 11 AM Service. Please join us!
Sunday, September 1st, 2013
Labor Day weekend is the traditional end of summer in New England. We will take time to savor the end of this season and look ahead to what is to come. This will be a very exciting year at church. On every front a lot is happening. We also welcome many new folks at the beginning of the year with lots of questions about who we are. In this last of our more informal Sundays, instead of a sermon, both new folks and FPC veterans will have a chance to ask the minister questions. Our Worship will be led by Rev. Tom Rosiello.
This will be the last of the summer services for this year. On September 8 we begin our regular services. The 9AM and 11AM worship services will be in the Sanctuary.
Sunday, August 25th, 2013
Rev Tom Rosiello leading worship and preaching
Paul Rodriquez providing music
Prayer is an important practice in many faith traditions. For some Unitarian Universalists it is part of their daily spiritual practice, while others are uncomfortable with the very idea of prayer. When we ask if Unitarian Universalists pray, the answer often depends upon what we mean by prayer. Is it asking God for some kind of intervention in your life or paraphrasing Emerson? Is it the contemplation of one's life from the highest point of view? The sermon will look at how UU's of all theological perspectives from Christians to humanist think about and perhaps engage in prayer. Guitarist and singer, Paul Rodriquez, will provide music for us to listen to and lead us in song.
Sunday, August 18th, 2013
We think we know what we believe and what we hold to be true, but when it comes to a crisis of illness or death, often all bets are off. Michael Eselun, popular guest speaker and oncology chaplain at UCLA, will share an exploration of the different ways patients' theologies intersect with such crises, and the common themes that seem to surface from the atheist or fundamentalist alike.
Michael Eselun, a Unitarian Universalist, and a certified chaplain, is the chaplain for the Simms/Mann-UCLA Center for Integrative Oncology. He recently hosted and presented at the first Spirituality and Medicine Conference at UCLA to an interfaith group of community religious leaders. He's been invited many times to speak to students, doctors, nurses and social workers about his work as a chaplain, on death and dying and the spiritual dimension of the cancer experience. He was a recent lecturer for UCLA’s Insights Into Cancer lecture series and was invited to address 300 nurses at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital Nursing Symposium.
Michael is also a co-founder and co-chair of a non-profit, volunteer anti-homophobia speakers bureau called GLIDE, Gays and Lesbians Initiating Dialogue for Equality. Over the last 18 years, Michael and his fellow speakers have spoken to an audience of over 150,000 students, teachers, and other various groups and agencies in the LA area about homophobia. Michael has also led workshops on integrating spirituality into an LGBT identity.
He shares his life with Scott, his partner of 35 years. He is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica and has been a popular guest speaker there and at 25 UU congregations including First Parish in Cambridge, MA.
Sunday, August 11th, 2013
Annually in June, UUs from around the country and world come together at General Assembly. "It is a time to gather together, to call each other to account and to celebrate our victories, is the heart and soul of our free religious tradition. We gather to define ourselves as a religious people." This year UUs gathered in Louisville Kentucky. Maria Greene and Helen Jones will share stories, pictures and songs that will bring GA home to FPC and offer opportunities to share the amazing energy of GA with us.
Sunday, August 4th, 2013
10th Annual Joint Summer Service of the Littleton, Harvard, and Stow/Acton UU Churches
On Sunday, August 4th at 10:00 AM, the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton Unitarian Universalist will host the 10th Annual Joint Summer Service with the congregations of First Church Unitarian of Littleton and the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church.
The Rev. Tom Rosiello will lead the worship and offer a sermon on “Making room for ‘Sabbath time’ in your Life.” Life presses in from every side and there is always more to do. We increasingly tend to go non‑stop without taking time for rest, renewal, and a chance to gain some perspective. The ancient idea of observing the Sabbath teaches us that there is a sacred rhythm to life that we need to observe. The service will focus on restoring that rhythm to our lives. Mike Pfitzer, First Parish’s music director, will lead a "pick-up" choir to sing during the Joint Summer Service. All singers are welcome and should arrive for rehearsal at 8:30AM. Child care will be provided for this service.
Sunday, July 28th, 2013
This morning our service will be led by our Jazz Band. The focus will be on this wonderful and inspiring music which will lift our spirits. Come and be moved and inspired by the spirit of jazz! This service is appropriate for All Ages.
Sunday, July 21st, 2013
This is an issue that is not even on most of our radar screens. As one person said, "I didn't even know what I didn't know about Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation." Diane Miller and other Advisory Team Members from Ready Inspire Act House (RIAH) will educate us about this serious social justice issue and share their vision for a Safe House in Metrowest/Central Massachusetts. This is NOT a child appropriate topic. Child care and children's activities will be offered in lower Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, July 14th, 2013
Led by Our Spiritual Conversation Group Leaders, Ilene Rudman and Elizabeth Cobblah
Every other Sunday during the regular church year, a small group meets between our two services in the Minister’s study to share a poem and engage in reflection and spiritual conversation about it. Poetry can communicate with us in a deep and poignant way. Perhaps you have thought about going to one of these open group sessions. This worship Service will give you some insight into the spiritual practice of sharing poetry. Child care will be provided.
