We are “pulling out all the stops” for Association Sunday to celebrate the importance of being part of the Association of Unitarian Universalist churches.  Our Jazz band, drummers, and choirs will fill the service with exciting music.  Worship will be led by the Rev. Tom Rosiello with special guest preacher, the Rev. John Crestwell, a member of the UUA President’s Advisory Council.  His sermon is entitled “Why I am a Unitarian Universalist.”  He will share an inspiring story of how his faith saved his life.  This year all the proceeds raised on Association Sunday will go to support professional education and development for ministers, religious educators and musicians.  There will be a special collection taken up for this purpose. 

Autumn is a time of change.  Here in New England, we experience both the beauty of its brilliant colors and a sense of sadness as the summer plants die and the leaves fall.  The service will include readings, music, a time to light candles and share thoughts and silence.  You are invited to bring a reading or poem about Autumn to the service.  This quiet 30-40 minute service is a perfect way to rest and collect your thoughts at the end of a hectic day.  The service will be led by our minister, Tom Rosiello and our musicians, Mike Pfitzer and Sanghee Kim. 

This morning we will draw on the Jewish High Holy Days for our inspiration.  Much of our music will be from the Jewish tradition and our youth will be performing their own adaptation of the Biblical story of Jonah and the Ninevites.  The Rev. Tom Rosiello will preach a sermon entitled "Letting Go" based on the Yom Kippur teaching that once a year we need to take stock of our lives and find ways to "let go" of past hurts, wrongs, and even our guilt of not doing what we ought to have done.  Sometimes forgiveness can be the most difficult thing asked of us. Sometimes, because of the magnitude of the wrong committed, it doesn't feel just or right to forgive.  Even forgiving ourselves is no easy task. This morning we will focus on the importance of this practice of "letting go" of rancor, hurt, and disappointment so that we can begin our lives anew.

When the Dali Lama was once asked to describe his religion, he quickly responded "My Religion is very simple. My religion is kindness." Teachings of kindness and compassion are at the heart of every major world religion, but translating this teaching into practice is quite another thing.  We will explore what it could mean to live a religion of kindness. This service will also serve as an introduction to a new program being offered this year and led by Rev. Rosiello called "12 Steps to a Compassionate Life," based on Karen Armstrong's recent book by that title. The children's message will focus on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Our service will be full of music and readings about the religion of kindness from various traditions.  This would be an excellent service for a visitor to experience the breadth of Unitarian Universalism. FPC members are encouraged to bring a neighbor or a friend to the service.