Overview In the spring of 2019, the First Parish Standing Committee convened a task force to begin the process of fulfilling the UUA requirements to become designated as a Welcoming Congregation. The COVID 19 pandemic slowed but did not stop…
Many years ago when I was on sabbatical I attended the State of the Planet conference at Columbia University in New York City. The gathering was convened by the well-known economist and scholar Jeffrey Sachs, whose work influenced theUN’s Millennium Development…
On May 10th, 2022, the Standing Committee unanimously voted to hire TJ Rufo-Curran as First Parish’s Interim Music and Choir Director, following in the footsteps of our retiring longtime Director, Bill Sano, who nominated TJ for this position. TJ has…
The UU Urban Ministry’s Renewal House shelter has a resident who is expecting a new baby in April. They have asked our help in collecting new (and gently-used) items to help her prepare – a sort of virtual baby shower.…
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WE THE PEOPLE: A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE CAPITOL INSURRECTION Join local residents from Weston and the surrounding area for a peaceful gathering holding up peace and democracy. Parking is available in First Parish parking lot…
Give light, and the darkness will disappear of itself. ~ Desiderius Erasmus I am not sure how many of you have driven by the church at night over the last day or so. Those of you who have no doubt…
(File will be uploaded shortly.) Click here for a PDF of the Order of Service for October 17, 2021.
Over the last many years I have developed an odd ritual that helps me to put things into perspective. Sometimes we choose rituals; other times they emerge by accident, or by serendipity. My ritual involves a rumpled newspaper clipping featuring…
Click here for a PDF of the Order of Service for August 22, 2021
Click here for a PDF of the Order of Service for August 15, 2021
This is how the “arc” of these holidays function : we experience the weight and plagues of the world and then mercifully realize that these difficulties are not the last line of the larger story.
Our gallery team is thrilled to share the work of our newest featured artist, Katherine Richmond, in an exhibit aptly titled What We See: Waves, Light, and Life. In a sampling from her collections, the Gloucester native brings us face to…
What an intense few weeks it has been, and what a challenging few weeks it will be. Between presidential politics and spiraling COVID cases, it feels like our attention has whipsawed from screen to screen. Maybe that is why I…
This last week has been quite intense and historic. As a world-wide pandemic continues to rage the President of the United States has been impeached for the second time. It’s almost hard to believe. What’s also hard to believe is how much various…
Not sure about you, but to co-opt a Dickensian phrase, it feels right now “like the best of times and the worst of times.” The worst of times aspect is readily apparent right now, what with more Americans dying each…
At a time when we celebrate abundance, harvest, family, and hope, it is more important than ever that we remember the people in our community who need our support. Learn more about these opportunities to give back this holiday season!…
This has been a very intense election seasons and I know many of us are exhausted and just want it over with. There is a chance that there may not be closure on Tuesday night however as ballots are counted…
Personal but Never Private: A Reflection on Faith A sermon by the Rev. Jeffrey Barz-Snell The First Parish Church in Weston Unitarian Universalist March 31, 2019 THE FIRST PARISH CHURCH IN WESTON Unitarian Universalist Weston, Massachusetts www.firstparishweston.org…
With our central location, proximity to Routes 95/128, parking and varied facilities, we offer a convenient, attractive, and comfortable venue for many kinds of events. We have long made our spaces available to individuals and groups, particularly 501(c)3s. Our expectation…
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About the Mary Jo Rines Gallery at First Parish For over twenty years, First Parish Weston has been host to over 65 art exhibits in our Rines Gallery. The gallery was the inspiration of acclaimed artist and parishioner…
We are active in the Town of Weston and in the many communities surrounding us, and think of ourselves as the ‘parish’ or town church involved in the daily life of this broad and diverse community. First Parish has adapted…
Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. — Plutarch (paraphrased) Our Approach to Religious Education Here at First Parish, we believe that religious and spiritual development works best when integrated and paced with…
This summer we are running a diaper drive to support Beantown Baby Diaper Bank in Lexington, Massachusetts! Beantown Baby Diaper Bank serves seven partner agencies based in Waltham, Burlington, and Lexington (including Family ACCESS Community Connections of Newton supporting Weston…
What do doughnuts have to do with economics, theology and living the good life? What does it mean to be a good person in a world where our resources are precious and climate change is a looming concern? This sermon…
Four years ago today we held our last in-person service as the world turned upside down and the Pandemic took over every aspect of our lives. In the days that led up to March 15, 2020 it became abundantly clear…
Did you participate in the recent Weston Local News Initiative Survey? Are you desperately curious to hear the results? Well, we have good news for you! First Parish is hosting a public forum this Thursday, March 14th at 7:00 p.m.…
Our Share the Plate for December 10, 2023 is the Ukrainian relief organization Razom. Razom means “together” in Ukrainian. They are a humanitarian grassroots organization founded 9 years ago in Ukraine that has responded to the invasion by Russia in…
Last Sunday, I began my sermon with an abbreviated parody of that most famous of holiday poems, “A Visit from St. Nicholas” by Clement Clarke Moore. I have received so many requests for copies of my version that I am…
— DAY 10: TRADITION — We give thanks for our traditions, and for our freedoms. We give thanks for how the deep roots of tradition keep us stable and strong. We give thanks for traditions connected to our spirituality and…
— DAY 9: OUR COMMUNITY — We give thanks for our community. We give thanks for the town of Weston and for all the MetroWest suburbs. We give thanks for our neighbors and for friendly faces throughout our town. We…
…What are you thankful for? ❤︎ . There is a lot going on in the world today, much of it disturbing and even scary. Our individual lives have their own ups and downs, and we face our own difficulties and…
★ Lawn Games & Lemonade is a community event sponsored by First Parish Church in Weston. All are welcome! ★ DATE: Saturday, September 30, 2023 TIME: 12:00pm–3:00pm LOCATION:First Parish Grounds, 349 Boston Post Road This is a fun, festival-style event with games,…
Join us in the air-conditioned Sanctuary on Sunday mornings at 10:30 am or tune into Zoom for our live-streamed worship service. Guest Preachers will join Rev. Barz-Snell or Rev. Napoline for each of the services: August 6 – Rev. Jo…
It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye. – Antoine de Saint-Expuéry, The Little Prince This service was a celebration of the children and youth who have participated in…
A group of First Parishioners and local residents has recently partnered with the International Institute of New England (IINE) to support the resettlement of a refugee family (country of origin to be determined). Beginning this fall, Weston Resettle Together will…
Join us for this year’s Celebrate Weston event! Saturday, May 18th, 2024 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM First Parish is delighted to be participating in this fun town event! Join us from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM to enjoy the…
Learn more about Wellspring, a small-group program for Unitarian Universalists Fostering Connection and Friendships in the New Year. Let 2023 be your year to deepen your spiritual life! First Parish Church in Weston is offering UU Wellspring, a ten-month spiritual…
Join us THIS SUNDAY, October 16th for our annual Blessing of the Animals! Animals of all kinds are some of the greatest wonders of creation, and this Sunday we invite you to bring your beloved animals (or photos of them)…
Several people have asked me about our policies regarding COVID. Currently the cases of the latest variant are increasing in the Boston area. Given the number of local people who travel between here and Europe and Southeast Asia, we have…
Members of First Parish began looking into ways to support Afghan refugees earlier this winter and started to build connections with IINE, the International Institute of New England. At the end of January, we asked members to donate gift cards…
First Parish is running a gift card drive as part of its work to support the International Institute of New England’s Afghan resettlement efforts. IINE is one of many agencies in our region and across the nation welcoming thousands of…
There is so much going on at First Parish this month! Here is a schedule of our upcoming events, and links to pages with more information; be sure you subscribe to our weekly newsletter for timely updates. You are warmly…
At a time when we celebrate abundance, family, love, and hope, it is more important than ever that we remember the people in our community who need our support. Learn more about these opportunities to give back this holiday season!…
Join us for our next Outdoor Movie Night on Thursday, August 26th at 7:30 PM! We’ll be watching The Greatest Showman, a vibrant and energetic movie inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum. Bring your own blanket or chairs; snacks…
First Parish is an active and dynamic congregation, and our busy community is sustained by the work of our wonderful volunteer committees. Is there a committee, task force, or group you’ve heard about and would like to join that isn’t…
On Sunday, June 13, from noon-3:30 pm, First Parish invites all for a casual afternoon of games and refreshments. Outdoor games will include giant Jenga, badminton, ping pong, and basketball, and use of the playground. To mix it up, we…