Changes in congregational life in America over the past few years, particularly with the pandemic, mean that all of us face challenges now and, we hope, transformations in the future. We are truly in a liminal time. How do we make sense of those changes in light of all that we love in our congregations, … Continue reading “Church of Today, Church of Tomorrow”
Rev. Claire Donaldson is a long-time member and Deacon of First Church in Salem, UU. Claire graduated from Boston University School of Theology in 2009 and has worked as a chaplain and recreation therapist in a variety of healthcare settings. She currently works with rehab and long-term care residents at Advinia Care in Salem. Claire … Continue reading “Friends and Family, Love and Justice”
The title of this week’s sermon turns on the two meanings of “tears”: the tears we shed upon feeling hurt or regret and the rips we must mend in human relatedness. During this time of the Jewish High Holy Days, when one of the world’s great religious traditions reminds us of the place of atonement … Continue reading “Shedding Tears, Mending Tears”
This morning we will officially re-dedicate our renovated church. It’s a time of gratitude for a goal realized, but also a moment for committing again to our purpose as a religious people going forward in such a time as this. Our building offers a storied and beautiful home for a people belonging to a tradition … Continue reading “All That Is Loving and Wide-Reaching”: Service of Building Re-dedication
We know that we human beings long to belong to groups, tribes, nations, something larger than ourselves. Current science suggests the very circuitry of our brains is wired for it. But so often the ways we seek it prove hollow and unsatisfying, for what Bene Brown calls “true belonging” is something quite different from “fitting … Continue reading “To Belong Everywhere”
Welcome Back Event: “Make a Joyful Noise” Everyone is invited downstairs to Hale Hall from 9:30 am to 10:20 am to make simple instruments with which to celebrate our homecoming. We’ll end by parading at 10:20 around the outside of our meetinghouse with joy and thanksgiving and proceed into the sanctuary for the service. 10:30 … Continue reading Ingathering Sunday
Our last beach-side summer service will be an interactive experience designed to raise our energies, individually and collectively – with music, singing, stories, and maybe even a little dancing. Victoria is going to share some tales from her past, weaving stories and techniques together to share just some of what she’s learned along the way … Continue reading “LOVE: the glue that holds the Universe together”
Having Fun and Doing Tiny Things ● A Time to Laugh- We will have fun with Ray as he MC’s a game designed to tickle all our funny bones.● A Time to Sing- We will have fun with Braden and Miranda who will lead us in some hit show tunes.● A Time for Doing- Steve … Continue reading “Getting to Know You through the Warmth of Community and the Fire of Commitment”
This service will be about personal change. SUMMER SERVICESOur summer worship services are held every Sunday at 10:30 am outdoors at Dane Street beach on Lothrop Street in Beverly, in the shade of two trees in the middle section of the grassy area of the park. In case of rain, we will meet at our … Continue reading “Who I Should Be and Who I Am”
“It is the obligation of every person born in a safer room to open the door when someone in danger knocks”. —Dina Nayeri What does it mean to welcome those fleeing violence, war, persecution, and poverty? Are some of these hopeful arrivals more “welcome” than others? Daily we are confronted with crises in the news, … Continue reading “A Safer Room”
