This Sunday, we kick off a four-week Season of Gratitude, and immerse ourselves in the rich languages of love and gratitude. We warmly invite everyone to join us as we explore how these sincere expressions deepen our bonds and strengthen the fabric of our community. It’s an ideal moment to celebrate the diverse ways we can express our appreciation for each other’s efforts within our beloved community.

Throughout this special season, our services and events will celebrate the ones whose time, energy, and heartful service help our beloved community to thrive, starting with our incomparable many volunteers. Their steadfast commitment forms the bedrock of our community’s growth and vitality. By taking time to notice each other and love each other up with thanksgiving, we do more than recognize these vital contributions; we water the seeds of appreciation, we nurture them into full bloom across our community. Join us this Sunday and in the following weeks as this journey of gratitude opens for warmer days and warmer hearts.

Join us for worship this Sunday, April 28, at 9 and 11 a.m. as we explore our monthly theme, “Investing Together.”
In person at 9 a.m.
In person and livestreamed at 11 a.m.

Watch the livestream on Zoom or YouTube Live. You can find the digital Order of Service here. 

Zoom webinar ID: 861 805 984

The recording is available for on-demand streaming on our YouTube channel immediately after the service ends.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

On Earth Day, we come together for a service developed in collaboration with our Environmental Justice Team. This day, we reaffirm our sacred bond with the Earth, confronting the environmental crisis with courage, creativity, and collective action. Stories of resilience from communities around the globe will guide us in redefining our relationship with the planet. This service is an invitation to reflect and find inspiration, a calling to realize our commitment to respectful relationship with the natural world. As one, we forge a path forward to notice our role in the delicate balance of life. Together, we honor our responsibility to shape a legacy of hope and healing for future generations.

Join us for worship this Sunday, April 21, at 9 and 11 a.m. as we explore our monthly theme, “Investing Together.”

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship (option to join via zoom after the second service on the first Sunday of the month)

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer. 

We host A Place to Start next on May 5 and 19. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

This Sunday marks a special journey led by our high school youth group, as they invite us into an exploration of abundance and collective growth. They’ve crafted an interactive service that promises not just to engage but to weave our vibrant community energies into a living tapestry of action and shared dreams. With each of us contributing to a communal symbol of unity, we’ll reflect, give thanks, and envision a humanity grown in the spring of our collective efforts. Under the inspired guidance of our youth, we are sowing seeds of hope to nurture the garden of our gathered dreams.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

This Sunday, April 7, at 10 a.m. (one service only), we gather as a community, each of us a unique thread, ready to weave a tapestry that embodies our theme for the month: “Investing Together.” Imagine a morning where every one, young and old and in between, help us make a masterpiece. We’ll share stories with each other, sing melodies that weave through our shared spaces, and create a living mosaic of our collective spirit. This isn’t just about the art we create or the songs we sing; it’s a deeper call to explore the beauty and strength we unlock when we come together, each of us investing our piece of the puzzle. In this gathering, we celebrate not just the power of unity but the joy and growth it brings into our lives. Join us this Sunday to be part of a memorable day, a testament to what we can achieve as a community united in purpose, building by heart.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship (option to join via zoom after the second service on the first Sunday of the month)

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer. 

We host A Place to Start next on April 21 and May 5. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

This Easter, what if our affirmations served not only as testaments to our capacity to instigate meaningful change but also as prompts to engage deeply with every soul we encounter. Can we mine our shared experiences for tales of resilience or resignation? Will we amplify the echoes of triumph, or will we underscore the moments of faltering? This selection process crafts the larger narrative of our existence.

In this season of reflection and renewal, what narratives will you choose to elevate? How will you demonstrate your belief in the boundless potential for peace, love, and justice in our world?

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

How does our understanding of death, with its inherent humility and vulnerability, deepen our connections and teach us to live with intention and compassion? As we navigate this delicate threshold, we question: How can we hold ourselves together while we’re breaking apart? In the heart of our journey towards Easter, we turn to the second chapter in our three-part series, inviting you into a contemplative exploration of dying and the profound lessons it imparts on communal living. This service weaves together thought, music, prayer, and story, reflecting on our shared human experience and the bonds that sustain us through life’s transitions. Join us in this reflective exploration of the spaces between life and death, community and solitude, fear and hope, embracing the full spectrum of our existence with open hearts and minds.

A gentle reminder that our Easter service on March 31st, open and welcoming to attendees of any age, will keep to our regular service schedule with two opportunities to join us, one at 9 AM and another at 11 AM. This day promises a special experience for our entire community, as we gather to celebrate and reflect in unity. We look forward to sharing this meaningful occasion with you, your families, and friends, embracing the joy and spirit of Easter together.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

The Christian Easter story, a vibrant pastiche woven from a tapestry of ancient traditions such as the Osiris myth, serves as a profound backdrop for this Sunday’s series at First Universalist. We delve into the universal themes of birth, loss, and rebirth that have resonated through the ages, exploring how these narratives illuminate the shared human experiences that bind us together. This exploration is an invitation to celebrate life, navigate through loss, and find collective resurgence in the healing of broken hearts and the unity forged from shared meals. Drawing from bell hooks’ wisdom that “Love is an act of will—namely, both an intention and an action,” we engage with the transformative act of choosing love, a cornerstone in building the Beloved Community we envision. As we embrace this month’s theme of humility, we are called to reflect on our individual needs within the vast expanse of community life. Join us at First Universalist this Sunday for a journey that promises to deepen our collective wisdom, cultivate understanding and love, and reinforce our community’s bonds. This series is not just a retelling of age-old stories but a dynamic engagement with the themes that have shaped humanity’s spiritual journey across millennia.

Offering:

Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start:  

In person, immediately after worship 

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you! 

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer. 

We host A Place to Start next on April 7 and 21. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

Join us for a transformative service led by our 8th-grade OWL youth, their advisors, and the worship team, as we explore the impactful journey through Our Whole Lives (OWL) program. “Embracing Humility, Fostering Love: Our OWL Journey” promises a heartfelt glimpse into the courageous conversations and learning experiences that shape our community’s approach to sexuality education. Celebrate the insights, growth, and stories of our youth, reinforced by the dedication of our OWL facilitators, embodying the values of respect, relationships, and responsibility.

This service not only highlights the essential role of comprehensive, judgment-free education in empowering individuals but also reaffirms our commitment to inclusivity, social justice, and the UU principles. It’s an invitation to support, engage, and be inspired by the transformative power of OWL, as we continue to weave threads of understanding and compassion within our beloved community. Join us in fostering a future where every conversation is an opportunity for learning, love, and liberation.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

As March unfolds, we are thrilled to welcome Rev. Kathleen Rolenz to our congregation, marking the beginning of a month dedicated to Expressing Humility and exploring how our personal journeys intertwine with the collective needs of our community. Rev. Rolenz, an esteemed voice in Unitarian Universalist ministry and a luminary in crafting worship that resonates deeply with congregants, brings a wealth of experience and insight to First Universalist. Having collaborated with Kathleen during the creation of the second edition of Worship That Works, I am particularly excited about the rich dialogue and exploration her presence promises.

This Sunday, Rev. Rolenz will lead us in contemplating The Lost Art of Sacrifice, a timely reflection as we navigate the solemn periods of Lent and approach Ramadan. In a world often driven by the quest for instant gratification, Kathleen invites us to reconsider sacrifice as a source of spiritual nourishment and unexpected joy. Drawing on her experiences from serving in diverse communities and her profound understanding of liturgy, Kathleen’s sermon promises to be a compelling journey through the complexities of faith, community, and the sacrifices that bind them.

Join us in welcoming Rev. Kathleen Rolenz and immerse yourself in a service that promises not just to explore the depths of humility and sacrifice but also to celebrate the communal spirit that defines our congregation. Let’s gather together to discover the joy and enrichment that humility can bring to our lives and our community.

Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout

Director of Worship Arts Ministries

Join us this Sunday, March 3, as we explore our March theme, “Expressing Humility.”

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.

A Place to Start – in person, immediately after worship
You can join via zoom after the second service 

Facilitated by one of our members, A Place to Start is a brief, casual orientation to Unitarian Universalism and First Universalist Church. During this 45-minute class, participants will learn about the foundations of our faith tradition and opportunities to get involved. The facilitator will be holding a green “Here is A Place to Start” sign at the front of the sanctuary after the worship services. We look forward to welcoming you!

Please note the church does not provide childcare during A Place to Start due to full Sunday morning RE and volunteer schedules. Kids are welcome in A Place to Start after they’re picked up from RE. Options for kids during A Place to Start are the same as in worship: coloring sheets and pipecleaners, and moving to a more kid-friendly space within the sanctuary. You’re also welcome to ask another trusted adult to watch your child(ren) during this time if you prefer.

We host A Place to Start next on March 17 and April 7. If you can’t make it, or prefer to connect with a staff person one on one, please fill out the Visitor Connect form so we can follow up with you. Thank you!

This Sunday at First Universalist, we invite you to a special service, “Awakening Presence: A Journey From Numbness to Engagement,” as we explore the transformative power of reconnecting with our emotions and each other. Dive deep into the essence of presence, overcoming the barriers of emotional numbness that hinder our personal growth and communal vitality. Engage in a meaningful exploration of how mindfulness and empathy can not only enrich our personal journeys but also empower our collective commitment to justice and compassion.

As we continue our stewardship campaign, remember that your support breathes life into the heart of our community, helping to revive the emotional nerve endings of our congregation. Join us in fostering a vibrant, engaged, and empathetic community, ready to embrace the full spectrum of life’s experiences together. Your presence and contribution are the keys to unlocking a more present, connected, and lively congregation.

Offering: Give via our online giving portal, or CashApp. Make sure to designate that it’s for the “Offering Plate” fund.

Masks are welcome but not required in the sanctuary. Read our COVID policies for gathering. Find information about childcare and Sunday morning options for children and youth here.