Finding Comfort in a State of Perpetual Perishing, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service Sunday, November 2, 2025
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Release Date: 11/17/2025
Don’t Set an Alarm, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service given Sunday, March 15, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, March 15, 2026 Prayer by Lyn Fulton-John, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How can all of us engage in the spiritual practice of intentional rest? Come join us for worship as we consider rest and nourishment as an important spiritual task. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and the First Parish C Winds group, in addition to accompanist Ken Seitz, will offer music. Offering and Giving First The Giving First...
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The People Speak of Faith, Credo Service, worship service given Sunday, March 8, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Credo Service featuring First Parish members James Hall, Sarah Quick, and Annette Sawyer Worship service given Sunday, March 8, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Credo means “I believe” in Latin. Periodically, First Parish invites members to offer personal statements of belief. Based on their personal experience, members speak of what they trust to be true. Worship this Sunday features the credo statements of FIrst Parish Members James Hall, Sarah Quick,...
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A Covenantal Take on Stewardship, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service given Sunday, March 1, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, March 1, 2026 Prayer by Mary Babic, Worship Associate First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How can all of us engage in the spiritual practice of intentional rest? Come join us for worship as we consider rest and nourishment as an important spiritual task. Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching and the First Parish C Winds group, in addition to accompanist Ken Seitz, will offer music. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the...
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We Need One Another, by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, worship service Sunday, February 22, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister, preaching Worship service given Sunday, February 22, 2026 Prayer by Lillian Povey, Worship Associate First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 How is community care part of defending democracy? How might we strengthen the ties between us? Come worship together, Rev. Erica Richmond will be preaching. Guest musicians Carol Lewis & Olav Chris Hendricksen will offer music. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable...
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Moving from Grief to Justice, by Rev. Jo Murphy, UU Mass Action, worship service Sunday, February 15, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Jo Murphy, UU Mass Action, preaching Worship service given February 15, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 In a world where devastation is palpable every day, it is often difficult not to default to despair and fear. Though this despair is so present, I find there is hope in letting yourself grieve. Join me in investigating the importance of not defaulting to fear and despair, but to find space to grieve and then move from grief to justice work, finding...
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Part of the Larger Whole, by Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct Minister of Religious Education, worship service Sunday, February 8, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct Minister of Religious Education, preaching Worship service given February 8, 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 We each have a role to play in this congregation and in this movement toward Beloved Community. We take lessons from bees in how to work together to help one another and thrive. What role will you play? Rev. Emily Conger, Adjunct MRE is leading the service. The First Parish Choir, accompanied by Kenneth Seitz, will offer...
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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...
info_outlineRev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching
Worship service given November 2, 2025
Prayer by Rev. Erica Federspiel Richmond, Parish Minister
https://firstparish.info/
First Parish
A liberal religious community, welcoming to all
First gathered 1739
We all have to reckon with mortality--other's and our own. If we zoom back from that finality, we recognize that every moment is already a mini death and rebirth. How do we cope with so many changes? What do we continue and what inevitably has to change? Where do we find comfort in the midst of all that grief?
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 November 2025, Chaplains On The Way will share half the plate. Founded in 2010, Chaplains On The Way is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers spiritual support to people experiencing homelessness in Waltham, MA. We believe that no person living in homelessness should feel they have to walk alone. We live out our mission by building trusting relations with people in Waltham, MA who are experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues. They offer compassion and companionship through life’s struggles and triumphs, welcoming all into relationship and loving community.
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.