Author: Dr. Daniel Bassin, Director of Music Ministries. Our month of “Tending” kicked-off with an All-Souls service where our Parker Bell Choir ringers’ music as well as aspects of their individual and collective stories of dedication, contribution, and commitment were interwoven with a children’s story about a family handbell, and even the bell that rang in a historic family telephone! The music ministry of this church is similarly a treasure built upon the legacy of a great many volunteers and a handful of directors, a source of our collective pride, made from an amalgam of festive memories and unforgettably moving…

I just heard that a scammer is in action again pretending to be me and asking congregants to buy gift cards. You are all such generous people. I know that when I ask you to help, you will often say yes, if you can. I do not take this for granted. It is very upsetting when someone preys upon the trust we have between us, within our spiritual community, and our tendency to be generous.   Let me take the time to remind you of all of the ways you can give, which makes a big difference in the life of our…

Many of the spaces in our facilities are made sacred – not just by how they look, but also by what we do in our spaces together. Pastoral prayers are shared in our Main Sanctuary, but also in ministers’ offices. Marriages are celebrated in our Eliot Chapel, but also in the Channing Room. Our religious imagination is sparked during a sermon, but also in classrooms, and meeting spaces all around us. Meditative music is shared from our chancel, but also in our Zoom rooms.   When I arrived four years ago, I thought about how to decorate my office. Today, as I sit…

When people ask what it means to belong to a community like ours, especially as they are reflecting on deepening their commitment, I often reflect on four elements that help weave the bonds between us. Here they are:  1.) Nourish Your Spirit 2.) Share Your Time and Talent 3.) Share Your Treasure 4.) Live Our Values Out Loud  There are many reasons why people cross the threshold of a congregation for the first time, but frequently the answer is connected to a place of nourishment. They are seeking worship and spiritual practices that can fuel hope, peace, joy, and inspiration. They are looking for a community to…

I love welcoming people. It’s a privilege to meet new folks each week at the Welcome Circle or at a First Steps class and hear why they came, and I’ll confess it's a little selfish, because those conversations renew me. Every one of them is a spark. Recently a new person told me in a First Steps class for new and returning folks that they had been “church shopping” - I imagine that this includes late-night scrolling through church websites and watching services online, making up the short list and then heading out to show up in person. It is…

In the spring of 2023, our first year of shared ministry together, we held a series of Community Conversations. It was my hope to hear from a wide swath of the congregation about the hopes you had for the future of our congregation. I recognized we were not quite ready for a full strategic planning process at that time, and I still wanted to be guided by listening to your sense of what would enhance our collective ministries – our worship, learning programs, social justice engagement, caring ministries, social activities, facilities and more.   One of the major themes that emerged was…

In many ways, we have two Homecoming weeks here at First Unitarian, and you will not want to miss this second Sunday of our new program year. Our Learning Community classes start this week with community building, games, and fun (a great day for children to visit for the first time). And, our Social Justice Program hosts a kick-off, including a special UU the Vote presentation. All of you are welcome to join in this first gathering, whether you are involved in a social justice action team, or not. This is our shared social justice ministry.   As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in putting our faith into action. Our UU…

Welcome to Fall and Homecoming at First Unitarian! Here are some of the things to anticipate in our community in the coming weeks:We will be kicking off our annual spiritual theme, “Catch the Spark!” this weekend in a worship for all ages and on a day filled with hospitality, including a Pancake Breakfast and Souper Sunday (lunch). It’s a great day to bring a friend with you.It is also a day of connections in smaller groups, including the first re-gathering our monthly BIPOC affinity group for our members who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color and our twice-a-month T-Time…

Beloveds,We have so much to celebrate together! Here are some key dates coming up throughout June and a little beyond…** Sunday, June 7, is our multigenerational Flower Communion Sunday and Bridging Ceremony. We will be celebrating our children and youth who are moving up into elementary school, middle school, high school, and beyond. RSVP here if someone in your family would like to participate. We are also adding an honorary Bridger – Kathryn Estey, our Church Administrator – who will be bridging after 16 years of service from our staff team back into the wider community of members. Kathryn will…

The end of June will mark a significant moment in the life of our congregation as Rev. Thomas Disrud retires after 31 years of ministry here at First Unitarian. For more than three decades, Rev. Tom has been a steady and trusted presence in our community. He has offered deeply caring pastoral support, thoughtful leadership, and a consistent ministry that has helped shape the life of this congregation. One of the most enduring expressions of Rev. Tom’s ministry has been his work with our intern ministers. Over the years, he has guided, supported, and mentored many emerging ministers, helping them…