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
Complexity and Balance in Spirituality - Shinn Service, by Jordan T. Clark, Executive Director, Harvard University Native American Program, worship service, Sunday, May 10, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Jordan T. Clark, Executive Director, Harvard University Native American Program, preaching Worship service given May 10, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Jordan Clark will talk will speak about the fundamental principles of balancing Wampanoag spiritual practice and western/Christian practice. He will share how that duality and complexity inform how he navigates the world around him and how it manifests in his life and work. Jordan will explore his core fundamental...
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Music Sunday, by Dr. Daniel Parsley, Music Director, worship service, Sunday, May 3, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by Dr. Daniel Parsley, Music Director Worship service given May 3, 2026 Prayer by David Klingsberg, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Each spring, the First Parish choir, accompanist Ken Seitz and special musical guests, led by Music Director Dr. Daniel Parsley, delight us with a service of music and reflections. Join us to celebrate First Parish’s music ministry. This edited version of the service includes the following musical pieces: Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Et in terra pax, and Laudamus Te by...
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We Call These Things Love, by Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister, worship service, Sunday, April 26, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister, preaching Worship service given April 26, 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 In honor of Earth Day, we'll consider the ways that Love is centered in the natural world. Guest Musician Alaistair Moock will offer music, along with accompanist Ken Seitz and the First Parish Choir. 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...
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Are You Sure? by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, worship service, Sunday, April 19, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, preaching Worship service given April 19, 2026 Prayer by Bill Licea-Kane, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Thich Nhat Hahn says these are the three most powerful words we can ask whenever we are confronted with a heated moment or believe our belief/values are being assaulted. How can humility become a spiritual practice? As Adam Grant asks in his book "Think Again," is it possible for us to reframe and shift our thinking? Offering and Giving First The...
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Commemorating Community: Reflecting Our Values Through Memorials, by Dr. Alexandria Russell, Founder, Black Women Legacies, worship service, Alliance Sunday, April 12, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Guest Speaker Dr. Alexandria Russell, Founder, Black Women Legacies Worship service given April 12, 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 When you look around our First Parish buildings, who and what do you see memorialized in some tangible way? What do these commemorative objects or spaces tell us about our congregation’s history, values, and the evolution of those values? Dr. Alexandria Russell, guest preacher for Alliance Sunday, will help us reflect on how we...
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Planting Trees We'll Never See, by Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Rev. Stevie Carmody, and Rev. Carolyn Patierno, worship service Sunday, April 5, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by Rev. Jonipher Kwong, Interim Lead Minister, Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education, and Rev. Carolyn Patierno, Adjunct Minister Worship service given April 5, 2026 Prayer by Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Join us for a multigenerational Easter service exploring the question of what happens with seeds we plant? Who is responsible for the work, how do we enjoy the harvest, and what happens after we die? This is also our annual communion service,...
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Leading with Love, by the First Parish Worship Associates and Lay Ministers, worship service, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by the First Parish Worship Associates and Lay Ministers Worship service given March 29, 2026 Prayer by Cathy Modica, Chair, Shared Ministry Committee https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 What does it mean to be a leader in today’s world? Come hear the perspectives of our lay leaders on what it means to lead with love. This is also the Sunday when we welcome new members! The First Parish Choir and Bell Choir will offer music along with accompanist Ken Seitz. Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates...
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Youth Worship Service - An Exploration of Nature, by the First Parish Youth Group, worship service Sunday, March 22, 2026
Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts
Led by the First Parish Youth Group Worship service given March 22, 2026 https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 Come join the Youth Group for our annual Youth Worship Service! This year, we are slowing down and turning toward the natural world. Through song, story, and reflection, we’ll explore the wonder that grounds us and the question of how we give back to a world that gives us so much. The youth craft and lead every element of the service, and reflections are given by graduating seniors. Come join us for this...
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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,...
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.