“Transform yourself to transform the world” said Grace Lee Boggs, author, activist, philosopher and feminist. Seeing how one small part can influence the whole supports a spiritual practice of trust in one’s capacity to make a difference and trust in life to reveal new possibilities. All this can happen at church, as much as anywhere else. … Continue reading No part too small, no person without power
The preacher for this service is Laura Graham, who will explore the meaning and act of trusting in an uncertain world. Laura is Ministerial Transition Coach for the New England Region of our UUA. She is a lawyer, a professional Family Mediator, and a member of the First Parish in Concord. She has … Continue reading Trust in Action – Control Freaks and Flower Children, part 2
A biblical metaphor and a novel by Octavia Butler, both versions of the parable of the sower contain hope and grief. Inherent in the concept of emergence is loss: not all things that emerge take root and continue to grow. If we can grieve these losses well we can more fully enjoy the fruits of … Continue reading Parables of the Sower
Even a sliver of hope can be enough for us to persevere. How does our faith help us to find hope in surprising places, and how does our faith help us to become people of hope for others? Today we welcome back one of our community partners, the fabulous Boston Children’ Chorus, who will sing … Continue reading Where Hope Emerges
A central message of the life of Jesus is to live and love fearlessly. Join us this Easter as we discover what the story of Jesus feeding his fishermen friends on the shore of the Sea of Galilee has to say to us in 2018. This all ages worship will be full of music, singing, … Continue reading Easter Sunday Service – Be Not Afraid
People join congregations for many reason, and chief among them is to have a sense of belonging. People support their congregations for many reasons too, and chief among them is the love and commitment that arises when they have that sense of belonging. The theme for this year’s Stewardship Campaign – which starts this Sunday- … Continue reading Finding Our Way Home
Special Anniversary Sunday Service A member since 2005 and serving for the second time as Chair of the Board of Trustees, Myles will share his thoughts about this special time in the congregation’s 388-year history and ideas about the future of First Parish Dorchester. Read the full sermon here.
The man who could have become the richest person on the face of the earth lives not far away. He chose not to do it. When asked, he expressed no regrets. “You are your decisions.” When I reflect on my life, I’m aware of many decisions that have shaped my being. Most of them didn’t … Continue reading You Are Your Decisions?
What keeps a tree from tipping over? It’s roots, we would say. Yet maybe too it is its pliant branches and leaves that move with the wind. We are forever seeking balance in our lives, and wisely so. What spiritual roots and flexible practices help us to be people who live in balance?
For some of us, our roots and our belonging come easily. For others of us, connecting to our roots is lifelong, journeying work that asks of us persistence and patience. The weekend after Tết, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year, join Rev. Elizabeth Nguyen for worship. We’ll explore the words of the Vietnamese proverb that titles this worship-how … Continue reading While eating fruit, think of the person who planted the tree
