First Universalist Church

Time and time again, in stories and scriptures and songs, ancestors have left lessons for building beloved community. Though they come in all languages and expressions, the wisdom persists: to resist materialism and hold on to what truly matters; to unshackle from habits of needless prejudice; to put down the weapons we store in our hands and hearts and study war no more. How much comfort can we take that we aren’t nearly the first generation to struggle to live into these communal ways? And what’s our part in the progress? Music for Gathering- Come, Come Whoever You Are- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:29) Words of Welcome & Call to Worship- Rev. Arif Mamdani (5:17) Hymn- 'Tis a Gift to be Simple- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (13:05) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (15:20) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (22:29) Offertory- We Shall Be Known by Ma Muse- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (23:22) Message- Yesterday Teaches Tomorrow- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (26:11)

Remembrance Sunday is a yearly service in which we name and honor those we’ve lost in the congregation and the wider community. Through story, song, and ritual, this service invites us to name and make room for the loss, grief, and sadness in ourselves, within this community, and beyond in the wider world. This service includes an invitation to name with a neighbor, in-person or at home, any losses you’d like to hold in community, as well a candle lighting ritual in which we name and honor the deaths in our congregation this last year. Join us on Sunday to be and become the community of love and know that together, love can make every grief and suffering bearable for us all. Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:20) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (5:45) Time for All Ages- Making Room for Sadness- Lauren Wyeth (14:00) Hymn- Come Sing a Song With Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:03) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Isabel Quast (26:02) Poem and Cycle of Life - Kindness by Naomi Shihab

Join us for a time of contemplation and intention setting as we gather on the turning of the year. Together, we’ll engage in the spiritual practices of pausing, noticing, settling and resetting—practices that serve us well in living lives of love, purpose and meaning in all the moments of our lives. We’ll also enjoy music by special guest Dean Magraw on this Sunday. Words of Welcome- Lóre Stevens (1:13) Singing Together- Breathing Meditation (5:21) Time for All Ages- Slow Motion Freeze Tag- Aimee K. Bryant (7:33) Music- Regeneration by Dean Magraw (12:18) Meditation Prayer and Cycle of Life- Lóre Stevens (15:33) Message- Practicing Pause- Rev. Jen Crow (19:44) Practice of Giving and Receiving (42:29) Offertory- Waterfall / May this Be Love by Jimi Hendrix - Dean Magraw (43:46) Singing Together- My Life Flows On- Dean Magraw and Aimee K. Bryant (46:41) Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (50:06) Music for Going- Where You Go I Will Go by Shoshana Jedwab - Aimee K. Bryant and Dean Magraw  

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Cummins Ministerial Intern Lóre Stevens, and Rev. Arif Mamdani invite you to Christmas morning at church, where our worship leaders will be gathered by the fire opening presents together—presents we are gifting to ourselves and to the church as we work to bring the spirit of these winter holidays into the day-to-day of our lives all throughout the year. Music for Gathering- For Each Child That's Born- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:24) Words of Welcome and Story- Rev. Arif Mamdani (1:09) Singing Together- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (7:58) Prayer and Meditation- Lóre Stevens (10:09) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (12:25) Offertory- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout Reading- Relentless by Sean Parker Dennison- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (14:42) Giving and Receiving Gifts- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Lóre Stevens, and Rev. Arif Mamdani (17:47) Singing Together- Say Amen- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (41:07) Benediction- Now the Work of Christmas Begins by Howard Thurman- Lóre Stevens (42:58) Mus

As we approach the longest nights of the year and the beginning of Hanukkah, we’ll explore the wonders that take place in the dark. Perhaps it is in our dreaming, in those times when the limitations that so often diminish our imagination drop away, that we can find healing and hope. Join us on Sunday as we claim our space in this darkest time of the year and trust in the generative power of our dreams. Singing to Gather- O Come You Longing Thirsty Souls- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:20) Words of Welcome and Call to Worship- Rev. Jen Crow (2:48) Story- Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o (9:57) Singing- Light One Candle - Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (19:21) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Lóre Stevens (22:50) Message- Dreaming in the Dark- Rev. Jen Crow (28:18) Invitation to Give to Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism (49:46) Offertory- Wanderers Nachtlied II by Goethe/Schubert- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (51:38) Singing Together- O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (54:22) Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (57:49)

The everyday work of world change takes trust, patience, and faith. The individual steps it takes to progress a vision can look mighty different, more complex, smaller, even frustrating at times. It can be hard to see sometimes how what we’re doing even makes a difference in the world. Yet, this diligent faith is the very dream in action.  This Sunday, December 11, Lena K Gardner talks with Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout about the bold work of BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism). Come to worship this week with your heart wide open to sing, to learn, and to learn how our hands can help the dream. Music for Gathering- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder, piano (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Ashley Harness (4:52) Singing Together- Lean On Me (11:06) Meditation and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (17:44) Message in Conversation- Lena Gardner and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (23:20) Hymn- The Fire of Committment (57:24) Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:00:29)

Winter is a time of turning inward, a time where the nights are longer and so too is our time for dreaming. December is a month in which we experience ever shorter days, the longest night, and then the turning toward the long days of summer again. It is also a month in which some amongst us share stories about a light that held out against hope and others tell of the coming of a singular light to the world. As we begin this time of beginnings, as we enter this month of waiting, of dreaming, of telling stories and remembering in our bones the turning of the earth, the turning of the seasons, and the turning of our tradition, we gather on Sunday to start at the beginning. We’ll revisit beginnings, wonder about what came before the beginning, where we’re situated in the line of beginnings and endings, and incline our hearts toward what we hear when we’re dreaming in the dark.   Singing to Gather- Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (1:20) Time for All Ages- Rev. Jen Crow (8:58

On this multigenerational Sunday, our shared attention will turn to the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, a practice created and shared by the indigenous people of the Turtle Clan, Wolf Clan, and Mohawk tribe. This practice invites us to begin and end our days with gratitude, and together we will experiment and wonder about how we might choose to begin and end our days, and how we and our relationships might be changed by our practices. Intro- Ashgrove (Welsh Tune)- Franco Holder, piano Hymn- We Give Thanks (1:43) Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:19) Singing Together- The Welcome Table (7:42) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (11:36) Gratitude Ritual- Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address- Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, members of the congregation (17:54) Practice of Giving- Rev. Jen Crow (40:11) Offertory- You Matter to Me by Sara Bareillis- Franco Holder, piano (44:56) Singing Together- For the Earth Forever Turning Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (49:58)

This Sunday, Nov. 20, we will celebrate the miracle that is at the center of our larger story and the cycle of life. We will welcome, name, and dedicate ourselves to the care of children in our congregation through a Child Dedication Ritual. Together we will discern and practice the spiritual work of committing ourselves to the care of our youngest and making room for the people they will become over the course their lives.  Singing to Gather- Come, Come Whoever You Are Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (2:21) Child Dedication Ritual- Lauren Wyeth, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Ashley Harness (7:47) Silence, Meditation, Prayer- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (15:09) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (22:46) Offertory- Glen Thomas Rideout (25:36) Message- Becoming Together- Rev. Ashley Harness (26:56) Benediction- Rev. Ashley Harness (42:13)

We are members of many things: families, gyms, affinity groups, and faith communities. Our culture likes us to think of “membership” as an administrative task: a series of tasks that lead us to checking off a box. This Sunday, November 13, we welcome and celebrate the commitment of our newest members of First Universalist, and invite you into reflecting on- and participating in!- membership as a creative, relational process, one in which we change and by which we are changed by the company we keep. Hymn for Gathering- Morning Has Come- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:29) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (7:52) Time for All Ages- The Messiah Lives Among You- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (14:46) Hymn- Woyaya- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (20:37) Prayer, Meditation, Cycle of Life - Rev. Jen Crow (25:49) Offertory- What Wonderous Love is This- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (35:27) New Member Ceremony- Liz Farmer, Rebecca Slaby, Daryn Woodson (38:35) Singing Together- Come and Go With Me- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (45:24) Homily- The Comp

This Sunday, November 6, we open the theme of “Giving, Receiving (as love shows us how).” We’ll enter the theme through the Tonglen practice, a Buddhist practice that invites us to open our hearts and spirits to giving and receiving and in doing so, soften our hearts and live more deeply into the experience of our interdependence. Drawing on the work of rev. angel Kyodo Williams and Lama Rod Owens, we’ll have time for practice, song, and reflection as love leads the way. Opening Hymn- Wake Now My Senses- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (:21) Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (2:32) Time for All Ages- Aimee K. Bryant (6:00) Meditation and Prayer- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder, Rev. Ashley Harness (11:13) Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Ashley Harness (19:12) Mesage- The Practice of Giving and Receiving- Rev. Arif Mamdani (22:49) Tonglen Practice- Rev. Arif Mamdani (33:38) Singing Together- Filled with Loving Kindness- Aimee K. Bryant, Franco Holder (44:42) Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (47:43)  

As our monthly worship theme of “You Can Count On This,” comes to a close this week, we’ll turn our attention to the practices of Universalism. Our faith tradition claims a love so strong it will not let any one of us go and a circle so wide that everyone is included, but how do we put that faith into practice in our lives, our congregations, and our communities? You can count on this: the spiritual practices of our faith may not be easy, but they are liberating and life-giving.   Singing to Gather- Breaths by Ysaye M. Barnwell- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (6:42) Hymn- Hold Everybody Up by Melanie Demore- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (14:35) Embodyment Practice- Aimee K. Bryant (17:53) Song- Circle 'Round for Freedom- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout and Aimee K. Bryant (27:02) Story and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness (30:09) Practice of Giving- Rev. Ashley Harness (36:36) Offertory- Ordinary People by John Legend (37:41) Message- Drawing the

As we continue exploring our monthly theme, "You Can Count on This," we move from heart, body, and mind to…space? Many may wonder how the vast field of galaxies can be counted on. But our ancestors have always traced stories onto constellations. Humanity navigated dangerous waters using those reliable but distant stars. During our own times of loss and alienation, how can the mysterious, interdependent universe provide solace and hope? Singing to Gather- We Are- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder (:29) Poem by Nancy Scaffer (3:34) Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (5:18) Story for All Ages- Quilatzli and the River of Stars- by Lóre Stevens, inspired by Aztec and Greek mythology (10:38) Body Meditation- Michael Tangen (16:02) Body Prayer- Lóre Stevens (20:04) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Ashley Harness-Jiminez (22:25) Invitation to Give - Rev. Ashley Harness-Jiminez (27:33) Offertoty- Into the West  by  STØLACE- Michael Tangen (31:35) Homily- A River of Stars- Lóre Stevens (40:44) Hymn- A Firemis

This Sunday, October 16 is Mental Health Sunday, a service where we commit ourselves to creating a world where struggles with mental health are normalized and where seeking mental health care is destigmatized. Through word, song, and ritual we will make visible these commitments of our hearts, bodies, and minds, knowing that mental health care is something we all need access to, and that while not all illness can be cured, in community, we all can find healing. Opening Hymn- Come Thou Fount of Ev'ry Blessing- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:28) Words of Welcome- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (3:17) Story for All Ages- Rev. Ashley Harness-Jiminez (9:56) Hymn- I've Got Peace Like a River- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (17:43) Meditation and Message- Rev. Arif Mamdani, Carol Jackson (22:14) Ritual (32:14) Song- Sending You Light by Melanie DeMore- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (49:55) Singing Together- For All that is Our Life- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (53:26) Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (56:08)

As we continue our exploration of the theme, “You Can Count On This,” we turn our attention to our bodies this week. Sources of ancient wisdom carried deep within our bones, sources of comfort, pleasure, pain, joy, grief, and frustration – our bodies hold so much. Through story, prayer, music, poetry and shared breath, we’ll explore the wisdom of the body this week. Singing to Gather- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder (:51) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (7:26) Story for All Ages- Lauren Wyeth (13:07) Singing- This Little Light of Mine-Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Franco Holder (19:54) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Jen Crow (23:43) Practice of Giving- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (31:07) Message- What We Need Is Here- Lauren Wyeth, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout, Rev. Jen Crow (35:55) Chant- What We Need Is Here- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (55:48) Benediction- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (1:00:20)  

As we begin our exploration of the monthly theme, “You Can Count On This,” we’ll start with our hearts. What do our hearts tell us, and how do we listen? Where and with whom do we place our hearts? And what do we do with the inevitable heartbreak that comes? We’ll explore all of these questions and more through stories, songs, meditation, and prayer together. Singing Together- Circle 'Round for Freedom (:28) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (1:35) Story for All Ages- Rev. Ashley Harness (8:54) Hymn- Lean On Me by Bill Withers- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (14:33) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (23:02) Practice of Giving- Rev. Jen Crow (37:45) Offertory- Franco Holder, piano Message- The Heart Left Open Will Heal Itself- Rev. Jen Crow (42:50) Benediction- Rev. Jen Crow (1:01:39) Outro- Franco Holder, piano  

Rumi and Jung agree on at least one thing: paradox is our greatest spiritual gift. As Rumi notes: Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense. And isn’t that what we long for – that space of paradox, out beyond rightdoing and wrongdoing, beyond belonging where event the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense? This Sunday, we explore the topography of belonging and the paths that may or may not get us where we long to be.   Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (:40) Story- The Green Grass Grows All Around- Lóre Stevens (7:38) Prayer and Silence- Rev. Arif Mamdani (10:41) Practice of Giving: Beacon Interfaith Housing- Lóre Stevens (19:32) Message- A Topography of Belonging- Rev. Arif Mamdani (22:41) Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us- Franco Holder, piano (38:43) Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (40:22)

The dream has been alive for years – Beloved Community. A place, a people, a moment in time when we might truly be, as our Visionary Goal proclaims, “a multi-racial, multicultural, and intergenerational faith community of mutual caring and support where people bring all of who they are and welcome each other with joy. Our sense of who we are as a community of faith is ever expanding.” What does it mean to belong to that Beloved Community, and what will be required of us as we unlearn soul-killing patterns of oppression and practice liberating, life-sustaining ways? What does it mean to belong to this Beloved Community? Music for Gathering- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:19) Words of Welcome- Rev. Arif Mamdani (3:42) Call to Worship- To Be of Use by Marge Piercy- Lóre Stevens (16:18) Story for All Ages- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (18:26) Prayer and Meditation- Rev. Arif Mamdani (26:11) Practice of Giving- Rev. Jen Crow (33:28) Celebrating Rev. Jen's Ten Years- Rev. Sara Smalley and the Team (37:17) Message- Belonging

We are water. 60% give or take, and about as salty as the ocean. So at least metaphorically, each of us is a body of water. When we gather in community, it is as if each of us is a drop in a larger body of water, held by the vessel that is our church. Our Water Communion and in-gathering service invites us to experience the truth of our interconnection through ritual, word, and song.   Singing Together- Love Will Guide Us (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (2:36) Invitation to Give- Lauren Wyeth (10:13) Silence, Prayer, and Cycle of Life- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (12:45) Water Communion Ritual - Rev. Arif Mamdani, Rev. Jen Crow, Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (21:42) Singing Together- For the Earth Forever Turning (44:42) Benediction- Rev. Arif Mamdani (47:02)   piano- Franco Holder      

What can architects, masons, and the sound of water teach us about crafting a home by hand? And what do rivers remind us about living a life in motion and movement? Join us for worship with guest worship leader, Matt Meyer. Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston. Music for Gathering- Water Heal my Body by Coco Love Alcorn- Matt Meyer and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (:30) Words of Welcome- Rev. Jen Crow (1:38) Call to Worship- from At the River Clarion by Mary Oliver- Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout (10:39) Song- Put Your Roots Down by Molly Hartwell- Matt Meyer (12:33) Story- Desmond Gets Free by Matt Meyer (17:45) Prayer and Cycle of Life- Rev. Jen Crow (25:53) Invitation to Give- Lóre Stevens (32:45) Offertory- Ilu Finu by Miriam Margles- Matt Meyer Reading- 250 Things an Architect Should Know by Michael Sorkin - Matt Meyer and Lóre Stevens (36:26) Song-