Spiritual Dial-Up, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Sunday, January 4, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Release Date: 01/21/2026
Healthy Boundaries equal Healthy Beings, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Sunday, February 1, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given February 1, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Using Nedra Tawwab's book "Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself" as the basis for this sermon, how do we live a more authentic life by knowing what we can tolerate or not? How do we draw a line where we end and someone else begins? What impact might this have on our relationships? The First Parish Choir and...
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Grounded: Staying on Course During Turbulent Times, by Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, UU Urban Ministry, worship service Sunday, January 25, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, Executive Director and Senior Minister of UU Urban Ministry, preaching Worship service given January 25, 2026 Prayer by Lyn Fulton-John, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join Guest Minister Rev. Mary Margaret Earl from UU Urban Ministry in a reflection on navigating the overwhelming noise and news without losing sight of our work for justice. Music offered by the First Parish Choir and accompanist Ken Seitz. The Rev. Mary Margaret Earl has served as Executive Director and Senior...
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Inescapable Web, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Sunday, January 18, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given January 18, 2026 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate Reading: "The Low Road," by Marge Piercy, read by Joanne Pohl, Chair, First Parish Defending Democracy Working Group Reflection by Eric Segal, Founder, ArCS Cluster First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Come join us for worship! What does it mean to live out a commitment to immigration justice as Unitarian Universalists? Come hear from congregant Eric Segal and Parish Minister Rev. Erica Richmond. Music...
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BRAVING Trust, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Sunday, January 11, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given January 11, 2026 Prayer by Loren Gomez, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 The word 'trust' has been used frequently, but it's often difficult to wrap your hand around. Brené Brown breaks it down to the BRAVING acronym. Come find out what it means to begin 2026 with plenty of marbles in the trust jar. Music by the First Parish Choir and accompanist Kenneth Seitz. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program...
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Spiritual Dial-Up, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Sunday, January 4, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given January 4, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Come join us for worship as we kick off 2026. As we turn towards a new year, we are invited to take stock, maybe do a spiritual tune-up. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and Accompanist and Music Director Emeritus Ken Seitz will offer music. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge...
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Poetry Service, led by Lillian Povey, Mary Breen, and David Klingsberg, Worship Associates, worship service Sunday, December 28, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by Lillian Povey, Mary Breen, and David Klingsberg, Worship Associates Worship service given December 28, 2025 Prayer by David Klingsberg, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join us for our annual Poetry Sunday as Worship Associates Lillian Povey, Mary Breen, and David Klingsberg create space for us to share the words that have moved us over the past year and celebrating the coming year. Bring a poem to share – one you’ve found, or one you’ve written. Online participants are invited to share...
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Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Wednesday, December 24, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given December 24, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister Reading of "Each Night a Child is Born," by Sophia Lyon Fahs, read by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 The Christmas Eve services, a highlight of the season, occur twice due to the number of people attending. The service features the lighting of candles, organ fanfares and children reading the ancient tale....
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Multigenerational Christmas Service, led by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education, worship service Sunday, December 21, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education Worship service given December 21, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister Performance by the First Parish Carol Players Narrated by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, and Rev. Stevie Carmody https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join Rev. Jonipher, Rev. Erica, Rev. Stevie, and our “Carol Players” of all ages for a retelling of the old Dickens’ story, A Christmas Carol. Gather together as we explore values of...
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Who's Naughty or Nice, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Sunday, December 14, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given December 14, 2025 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Who doesn't want to get on Santa's "Nice" list? But can our behavior really be reduced to these binary options, or is there another way of being that would make the world a better place? Or even the holiday get togethers just a tad more tolerable? Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a...
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Embracing the Darkness, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Friday, December 12, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given December 12, 2025 Readings by First Parish congregants Music by Diane Taraz Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 For the 17th year at First Parish we offer a special evening worship service during the holiday season, a worship service to “Embrace the Darkness.” Parish Minister Rev. Erica Richmond will lead us in worship and Diane Taraz will offer music . This service will be an...
info_outlineRev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching
Worship service given January 4, 2026
Prayer by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
Come join us for worship as we kick off 2026. As we turn towards a new year, we are invited to take stock, maybe do a spiritual tune-up. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and Accompanist and Music Director Emeritus Ken Seitz will offer music.
Offering and Giving First
The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For January 2026, The Network / LA Red will share half the plate. The Network/La Red is a survivor-led, social justice organization that works to end partner abuse in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, kink, polyamorous, and queer communities. Rooted in anti-oppression principles, their work aims to create a world where all people are free from oppression. They strengthen the communities they serve through organizing, education, and the provision of support services. The Network/La Red is recognized nationwide for supporting survivors and engaging LGBT, kink, poly, and queer communities in organizing to end partner abuse and oppression. Their services are free, confidential, available in English and Spanish, and accessible by wheelchair, TTY, and public transportation. They are committed to honoring the experiences and choices of survivors in every aspect of their work.
The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive.