Category: Sunday Services

On Sunday, October 10, at First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian, Ann Linge will lead a Chalice Circle service at 10 am outdoors in person, as well as on Zoom. We’ll explore common shared myths and messages, what we know or want to learn about Indigenous people of Northfield and surrounding communities, and how to understand current concerns and advocate with Indigenous people today. For a link to the Zoom stream, send a request to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com.

Lay reader Dan Tinen will lead the church service at First Parish of Northfield at 10 am on Sunday, October 3, with a sermon titled “A Transformational Church.” Questions raised by the service include: What is a ‘liberal church’? What do we have in common with other kinds of churches, and how are we different? Most importantly, what do we have to offer to a new generation? How do we set a course that’s effective in enlisting new ‘co-conspirators’ in bringing about the world we seek? Tinen says there are four important reasons for Gen Xers and Millennials to consider joining liberal congregations … and offers a caution about what to expect if they do.

The service will take place outdoors at the church, weather permitting, and also on Zoom. Request the Zoom link by email at fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com .

At First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian we will continue September’s theme of “Relationship” this Sunday. The Rev. Alison Cornish will lead us in examining the role of community in helping shape who we are as individuals. Patricia St. Onge notes, “The Western, and particularly U.S. frame of reference for identity is often, ‘I am; therefore, we are,’ and indigenous worldviews frame it as ‘we are, therefore I am.’” We’ll take a look at both of these worldviews, and ask – when might each serve us as individual, and also serve the greater good? What might be the role of religious community in helping us find our identities within the multiple communities to which we belong?

Our Sunday Service takes place at 10:00 am outdoors, weather permitting, at the church (corner of Parker Ave. and Main St., Northfield), and on Zoom. All are welcome to participate, including children and youth. If you are coming in person, please wear a mask and consider bringing a folding chair, if you can. Request a link for the Zoom link by email to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com. [Artwork Credit: Shelby McQuilkin.]

“Relationship” is the topic of the First Parish of Northfield’s Chalice Circle service this Sunday at 10 am by online videoconference. Ann Linge will lead the group in reflection and discussion of the topic, a foundational element of the human experience. “Relationship” is the beginning of a six-part program on Reconnection by the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Small Group Ministry. Questions for this Chalice Circle include: What does it mean to be in relationship? How are we in relationship with others? How do these relationships impact our lives? All are welcome to participate in this service. For the link, send a request to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com.

For young people, there is a Woods Walk with a Native American guide! Arrival time for the walk is between 9:30 and 10 am, allowing time for adults to participate in the Chalice Circle. Contact Mary Mayshark-Stavely via mary.maysharkstavely@gmail.com for further information including location details.

In these hard times we confront serious challenges. This Sunday at 10:00 am at First Parish Northfield, Unitarian, we will explore what our tradition can offer to help us to navigate the challenges faithfully and to practice being in right relationship in the midst of it all.

People of all ages are warmly invited to join us for the special Ingathering Service in which we resume regular, weekly worship after a summer hiatus. Our service will take place in person in the parking lot behind the church at the corner of Main St. and Parker Ave., and will be concurrently shared on Zoom. It has been our tradition to collect waters from our summer time away from the gathered during our Ingathering service for a water communion ritual. In an effort to be inclusive of our community online and in person, this year our water communion will be a little bit different. Those gathering in person don’t need to bring or do anything in advance. Those joining from home are invited to have a little cup or bowl of water nearby during the service.

If you are coming in person, please wear a mask and consider bringing a folding chair, if you can. For a link to join on Zoom, send an email to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com

Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer will lead First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian, in a church service titled “In Praise of the Rainbow” at 10:30 am Sunday, June 13. The service will be an in-person gathering outdoors behind the church and also be streamed by Internet videoconference.

Rev. Carvill Ziemer is Minister Affiliate for the First Parish congregation. The service will be fully multigenerational. Honoring Pride month, it will include the uniquely Unitarian Universalist ritual called the Flower Ceremony.

Speaking of the program, Rev. Melissa said “You may bring a flower with you to the service, from your yard, from the woods, from a field, from a store as you choose. If you will be on Zoom, please bring a flower with you as well to share on screen. We are excited to be able to offer our last worship service of the program year both on Zoom as it has been all year, and, for those who are comfortable, we will also have the option to gather to worship in person. We will follow the following safety protocols for our gathering: While gathered outside, masks will be required only when people come within 6 feet of each other; the church itself will be closed except for bathroom use, in which case masks will be required inside; there will be no food to share.”

Following the service, the youth social justice group at First Parish Northfield will celebrate Pride month with a community event from 1-2pm, right outside the church at the corner of Main St. and Parker Avenue. All are welcome to stop by and show support. Sign-making supplies and Pride flags will be available, or participants may bring their own. Afterwards, the celebration will continue with a visit to the Creamie.

For the Zoom link for Sunday’s service, send an email request to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com. All will be welcome.

Faith in Unitarian Universalism isn’t just an intellectual exercise: it’s “heart” work. This service features a sermon by UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, as well as vibrant music, storytelling, and other worship elements that will help us to grow in spirit, in courage, and in generosity.

First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian, will share this as our Sunday service on Sunday, May 30 at 10:30 am. A time for all ages is included in the program. Following the service, those who wish may stay connected for a social time.

This service can be viewed at any time by clicking this link:

https://www.uua.org/worship/holidays/loved-being

Join Franklin County UUs this Sunday, May 23, at 10:30am. In her last regularly scheduled service, worship leader Julie Payne Britton will explore the fullness of this passing time and the task that always and still lies before us:

“Finally there is light at the end of the COVID tunnel! At least in this country. At least in this state. At least in this community. And tempting as it may be to put this long, hard 14 months in the rearview mirror, doing so would make us miss something important — the chance to learn and grow and draw nearer to the Source of All. People are invited to bring a candle to light during our chalice lighting and there will be a Body Prayer for All Ages.”

To participate via Zoom, please send an e-mail message to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com for a link. All will be welcome.

To view the service on YouTube, use this link: https://www.youtube.com/user/FranklinCountyUUs/videos

Members and friends of First Parish of Northfield, Unitarian, will hold a special Chalice Circle, “Return to Community,” at 10:30 am on Sunday, May 16. This “Service Work Day” will be a hybrid event.

The goals are to revive and beautify the building and grounds of our church and build community with our inter-generational congregation. Those participating in person will follow Massachusetts guidelines for social distance, mask wearing, one-way traffic, and occupancy restrictions when indoors. Others may drive by to greet fellow parishioners from their cars.

The link for a survey form to see tasks and activities and sign up for the Chalice Circle is: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1-7zqJISDXnZBDQTKYLpXV0nCrd-XSUOGk5LGmGSajrM/edit?usp=drive_web – for more information send an email message to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com.

Notes:

• 10:30-11:30 am: Young people will ring Church Bells at 10:30!

• Masks required

• Bring your own food/drinks

• Canopy Shelter available outside

• Tools: Arrive earlier if you have tools to share/loan for the day (David Smith will be there by 9:30 am)

• Paint: David will bring paint and sandpaper. If you have brushes, consider bringing 1 or 2.

• Kids are encouraged and welcome! Rev. Melissa will have sidewalk chalk for art and messages of hope

• All are Welcome to stay after for clean-up or to re connect with friends and the community

[Photo credit: John Phelan]

One of the historical teachings of Unitarian Universalism is that all people have a calling in this world. This Sunday, May 9th at 10:30am, we’ll look to the scriptural stories about Hagar for inspiration about what it might mean to be faithful to our own callings. We’ll lift up appreciation for mothers and mothering and have time for sharing joys and sorrows and for enjoying wonderful music. We’d love to have you join us. This service, led by Rev. Melissa Carvill Ziemer, will be multigenerational; children and youth are welcome to attend for the whole service and the first 20 minutes will be designed with people of all ages in mind.

To participate via Zoom, please send an e-mail message to fpnorthfieldma@gmail.com for a link. All will be welcome.

[Painting: Frederick Goodall, “Hagar and Ishmael”, 1866]