As UCMH takes a break from formal Sunday worship for the summer, there are still plenty of opportunities to gather and share experiences together. Regularly scheduled SGCC events continue through July. Stay tuned for information about SGCC scheduling for August, as well as select Sunday gatherings!
In the meantime, we invite you to check out summer worship opportunities with our friends at First Parish Church of Stow and Acton. Stay cool!
Summer Worship 2025
First Parish Church of Stow and Acton
Sunday, June 29th, 2025
“UUA General Assembly 2025 Sunday Worship Recording”
10 AM online
Online service only“Join us virtually for the largest annual gathering of UUs in worship…where we come together in unity for an awe-inspiring Sunday worship celebration like no other! It’s a vibrant, communal worship experience that promises to uplift your soul and ignite your passion. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary gathering of hearts and minds! The Office of the President, Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, is thrilled to announce that Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk will lead the 2025 GA Sunday Service. Rev. Dr. Nicole C. Kirk (she/her) is the Rev. Dr. J. Frank and Alice Schulman Chair of Unitarian Universalist History at Meadville Lombard Theological School and a historian of American religious history.” Read more about Rev. Dr. Kirk here. Order of Service here.
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July 6: Quaker service
Ingrid Holcomb
The service will begin and end in the Vestry area. We will spend most of the hour in the Community Room for reverent, contemplative, silent worship.
10:00-10:10 Meet in the Vestry for an overview of Quakerism, including what to expect when we worship together in the Community Room.
10:10-10:55 We will settle into the silence together in the Community Room. Around 10:55 the Clerk (Ingrid) will break the silence by shaking the hands of the persons sitting next to her, and everyone is encouraged to shake hands with those nearby.
10:55-11:15-ish We will enjoy a “simple lunch” (provided by Ingrid) together in the Vestry.
July 13: “Crime and Punishment vs Harm and Healing”
Lloyd Fallion
Synopsis: Does Massachusetts imprison monsters? Should prison be a means of exacting punishment, or rather an opportunity to heal those who are broken? What is the role of Forgiveness, and are there limits to its application?
Lloyd Fillion, who is a member of “Parole Review for All”, will speak about mass incarceration and current efforts to address this issue, including legislation to allow a parole review after 25 years of incarceration, for all serving sentences in excess of that.
July 20: Parish Jazz Band
Join the Parish Jazz Band for our Summer Worship Service, on Sunday, July 20, at 10 AM. The morning’s theme will be “Parables of Time,” where we listen to a few stories about the greatest mystery of our existence, the force that keeps everything from happening all at once. Complemented, of course, by great jazz music, and the beautiful voice of our own Sara Beauvais! We hope you’ll join us for a musical and meditative morning!
July 27: “Reclaiming the 1st Century Jesus in the 21st Century”
Lisa Fagerstrom
The existence, life, and teachings of the man Jesus (the Historical Jesus) are recorded, most notably, in written accounts of oral history in the Christian “New” Testament and by the first Century Jewish historian Josephus.
However, it comes as no surprise to many that the core values and principles espoused by the life and teachings of the historical Jesus are not always reflected by 21st Century Christianity.
Through liturgy, song, reflection, and spoken word, this summer service will invite participants to explore what’s in it for us as UU’s (individually and as a congregation) to explore, engage, and exemplify the life and teachings of the historical Jesus in working to mend and heal our world.
August 3: Joint Summer Service in Harvard
August 10: “Peace as a UU Principle and Value”
Neil Saunders
For many years peace was enshrined in our 6th Principle, but even before this it had always been a key element of what Unitarian Universalists believed. Join Neil Saunders as he recounts the role peace has played in UU history and explores how despite being dropped last year as one of the UUA’s new Values it remains an essential part of the fabric of our faith.
August 17: Blessing of animals
Susan Avery
Join Susan Avery with your animal(s) or representations of them (photos, etc.) as we explore the power they have to lift our spirit and bring us Joy. We’ll celebrate by collectively blessing each of them. We will also acknowledge our pets who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge.
August 24: “Liberal Religion in Challenging Times”
Rev. Tom Rosiello
Unitarian Universalism shares a rich history with that of the United States. The US recently celebrated the 250th anniversary of an uprising to reject the power of an authoritarian ruler. How does a religion also grounded in the democratic principles of the Enlightenment respond when we again witness the attempted imposition of authoritarian rule? As a faith tradition committed to the equal worth and dignity of every person, how do we resist the dismantling of DEI programs? The interconnected nature of all existence and the embrace of scientific knowledge are critical to who we are. What do we do when our government is dismissive of these ideas? Finally ,compassion and acts of kindness especially toward the least among us are our guide, so how do we respond when meanness, and revenge seem to be the driving force in government. Indeed these are challenging times but it cannot be a time for despair. Join us for a service that focuses on how we can “keep the faith together” in order to meet the challenges.
August 31: “The Spirituality of Bearing Witness”
Shana Dumont Garr
Shana will discuss how bearing witness can be interpreted as a spiritual experience. She will use philosophy and art to consider different kinds of bearing witness by observing aesthetic experiences and mindsets through time. The concepts of the eternal, mystical, and ecospiritual will support this exploration.
Photo by Ethan Robertson on Unsplash