Sunday Services at First Church and Parish
As with all Unitarian Universalist churches, First Church offers its minister a free pulpit.  While we don’t follow a lectionary or a proscribed liturgical calendar, some of the services throughout the year have special traditions or themes:

Opening Sunday: Traditionally a "Water Communion" service where members of the congregation bring a sample of water from a summer vacation or some important place, and have an opportunity to reflect upon the meaning of these connections as we reconvene after the summer. This service is generally held on the first Sunday after Labor Day.

Thanksgiving Sunday: On the Sunday before the holiday weekend, cans are collected for the Dedham Food Pantry. Also, members are invited to bring a loaf of bread that represents a tradition in their family, and the breads are shared as part of the service and served during social hour.

Hanging of the Greens: Usually held on the first Sunday of Advent, during the service the church is decorated for the holidays by members of the youth group.

Christmas Pageant: A holiday themed play performed by the children, Sunday school teachers and members of the choir is the center of worship during one of the Sundays in December.

Christmas Eve Candlelight Service: Begins at 6:00 pm on Christmas Eve with caroling on the steps of the Meeting House. The 6:30 pm service is a traditional retelling of the Christmas story with carols.

Music Sunday: A service featuring extra musical selections by the choir, often several pieces of one of the larger choral works. Music Sunday in March, 2013 featured Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service, in collaboration with the First Unitarian Society of Newton.

Easter Sunday: Church members may contribute money towards the purchase of flowers for decorating the church for this service, and may take home a plant after the service. Bring an Easter egg to hang on the Easter egg trees!

Children's Sunday: The children of the church participate in a service designed by them and their leaders.

Coming of Age Service: The young people from the Coming of Age group make the service their own as the final part of their program.

Flower Communion Service: Typically held in the spring, parishioners are invited to bring a flower to make a communal bouquet, and then take home a different flower after the service.

If you have been to worship and would like to offer feedback please fill out the following form and return it to the church office.  Worship Evaluation Form

Rev. Weaver will post sermons and podcasts here each week as they become available.

September 9, 2012  "Let The Boat Carry Me Tomorrow Is Another Day"    Print 

September 16, 2012 "The Mind and Reality"                                                  Print         Podcast

September 23, 2012 "The Uncomfortable Truth of Universalism"                   Print         Podcast

September 30, 2012 "Sanctuary"  Podcast

October 7, 2012  "Woody Guthrie" Print Podcast

October 14, 2012    "Death With Dignity"                                                                        Print              Podcast

October 21, 2012  "Global Warning"                                                       Print        Podcast

October 28, 2012                                   Podcast              "What Does a Minister Do Anyway?"

November 4, 2012                                 Podcast                                            "All Saints All Souls"

More recent sermons are available by going to Rev. Weaver's page on Sound Cloud. You may find it by clicking here