Recorded Sermons Archives - First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist
23 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 4 years ago - ★★★★ - 1 ratingA Welcoming Congregation & A Green Sanctuary
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Episodes
Restoring Balance
February 20, 2020 13:33March 22, 2020 10:30 am Livestream Reverend Catie Scudera and Roberta Altamari For the vernal equinox, Roberta Altamari and Rev. Catie will lead a service that honors the reverence we have for our beautiful planet Earth with inspiration spending time in nature ourselves. We will also consider how individually and collectively we can strive to […] The post Restoring Balance appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Virtual Support During Challenging Times
February 20, 2020 13:2420200315_1203-roberta and sally livestream Reflection from Rev. Catie Scudera March 15th, 2020 First Parish in Needham Today was Rev Catie’s Sunday off for this month, and we on staff insisted she honor that, as she and Cole continue to prepare for the arrival of their daughter. Rev. Catie, in turn, insisted on at least […] The post Virtual Support During Challenging Times appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Power of the Pulpit
February 20, 2020 13:2020200308_1135-sally-sermon March 8, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Sally Fritsche preaching This Sunday, we will celebrate International Women’s Day with a reflection on our tradition’s past and future as a spiritual home to powerful women. Learn about the 19th Century Iowa Sisterhood, some of the earliest female ministers in the Unitarian tradition, and […] The post Power of the Pulpit appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Redrawing Our Maps
January 29, 2020 15:1020200223_1140-maps February 23, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Rev. Natalie Malter preaching We live in a world of maps that help us to make sense of who and where we are. But what happens when our maps fail us or fall short? How do we go about the work of changing the […] The post Redrawing Our Maps appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Revisiting Our Slavery Past
January 22, 2020 23:3820200216_1145-catie-sermon-slavery February 16, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera preaching It’s been a year since the first worship service when Rev. Catie and the Racial Justice Task Force revealed publically that First Parish and the Town of Needham had many eighteenth-century residents who were slaveholders, including our congregation’s founding minister Rev. […] The post Revisiting Our Slavery Past appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Shedding Old Skin
January 22, 2020 23:3420200202_1145-catie-sermon February 2, 2020 10:30 am In the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera As we begin our monthly theme on Liberation, we’ll consider in our Sunday service how we can experience personal liberation: from inauthenticity, from mistakes or unskillful behaviors from our past, and from dominant culture expectations. How do we let our inner light […] The post Shedding Old Skin appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Making Choices
January 17, 2020 03:10Reflection by Roberta 20200126_roberta-reflection1 Reflection by Sally 20200126_sally-reflection2 January 26, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Sally Fritsche, Ministerial Intern and Roberta Altamari Join us this Sunday for a fun multigenerational service led by Sally Fritsche and Roberta Altamari. Together we’ll think about how we make choices, and how conscience […] The post Making Choices appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Following a Prophet
December 23, 2019 22:4320200119_1145-mlk-catie-sermon January 19, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Reverend Catie Scudera For our Martin Luther King Sunday service, we’ll consider modern and ancient prophets and how we can decide whose vision will inspire us. The First Parish Singers will offer music. The post Following a Prophet appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
The Inner Voice
December 23, 2019 22:4020200112_1140-catie-sermon January 12, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Reverend Catie Scudera As we dive into our monthly theme of Conscience and kick off our annual pledge drive, we’ll explore how to cultivate and identify our inner voice that guides us in ethical living. The First Parish Choir will offer music. The post The Inner Voice appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Youth Alum Service
December 23, 2019 22:32January 5, 2020 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Reverend Catie Scudera and Robert Altamari Our recent youth group alumni reflect on the monthly theme of conscience through their annual worship service, offering readings, reflections, and music. Rev. Catie and Roberta Altamari will also remember the names of all those who have died or been […] The post Youth Alum Service appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Forgiveness and Healing
November 12, 2019 23:4820191117_1145-rev-catie-roberta 10:30am in the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera preaching First Parish was founded on November 17, 1711, and we celebrate our History Sunday near that date each year. Rev. Catie and Roberta will lead this service from an interim perspective, reflecting on how congregations survive, heal, and thrive after misconduct and trauma. Our First Parish […] The post Forgiveness and Healing appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
What Do We Owe?
November 07, 2019 20:2820191103_1145-sally-sermon What Do We Owe? 10:30am in the Sanctuary Sally Fritsche preaching To begin with this month’s theme “Forgiveness” take a deep dive into several aspects of this theme. The post What Do We Owe? appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
“Unjust War”
October 30, 2019 20:2320191110_1140-catie-unjust-war Rev. Catie preaching November 10, 2019 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Over this Veterans Day weekend, we’ll reflect on the effects of “unjust war” on service members and nations. We’ll draw from our own Unitarian Universalist history, especially our national denomination publishing the controversial Pentagon Papers — under the leadership of our own […] The post “Unjust War” appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
From Different Roots
October 13, 2019 23:4820191013_1145-sally-different-roots-sermon From Different Roots 10:30am in the Sanctuary Sally Fritsche preaching How did you first discover Unitarian Universalism? How long was the spiritual journey that brought you here? Join us this Sunday to hear some of your fellow parishioners reflect on these questions and share their own firsthand accounts of moving toward this faith […] The post From Different Roots appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Loving the Hell Out of This World
October 01, 2019 15:3520191027_1145-talk Rev. Catie Scudera Sunday, October 27, 2019 In the Sanctuary For our multigenerational service this month, Rev. Catie and Sally will lead reflections on the Universalist source of our Unitarian Universalist faith — and what it means to not believe in a “hell” in the afterlife. During the Time for All Ages, we will honor […] The post Loving the Hell Out of This World appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
The Unitarian Five
October 01, 2019 15:3220191020_1135-catie-sermon Rev. Catie Scudera Sunday, October 20, 2019 In the Sanctuary In honor of the 150th anniversary of the raid on Harpers Ferry, we’ll remember the Unitarian members of the “Secret Six” who funded John Brown and his allies. Their legacy inspires us today in continued disobedience against unjust laws and practices, including our work […] The post The Unitarian Five appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Confession and Atonement
September 25, 2019 15:5320191006_1145-forgiveness-Catie-sermon Rev. Catie Scudera preaching Sunday, October 6th, 10:30 am In the Sanctuary For this Sunday’s service, we are gathering in the midst of the Jewish High Holy Days, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Drawing from both Jewish and Unitarian Universalist sources, we’ll explore the theology, psychology, and spiritual practice of […] The post Confession and Atonement appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
“Common Courage,”
September 11, 2019 17:4520190929_uusc-mary-katherine-sermon “Common Courage,” Rev. Mary Katherine Morn September 29th, 10:30 am (Sanctuary) Join in welcoming UUSC President and CEO, Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, to First Parish in Needham! For nearly 80 years, UUSC has been advancing UU values by working with justice makers the world over confronting unjust power structures and challenging oppressive policies. From […] The post “Common Courage,” appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Inconvenient and Indispensable
August 30, 2019 13:1720190922_1145-catie-sermon “Inconvenient and Indispensable” Sermon PDF Worship Service September 22, 2019 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera speaking We gather this Sunday on the cusp of the autumnal equinox and just after worldwide Climate Strike protests. As we reflect on the September theme of community, we will expand our communal circle […] The post Inconvenient and Indispensable appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Healthy Communities
August 30, 2019 13:1220190915_1145-sermon-community-catie “Healthy Communities” Sermon PDF Worship Service September 15, 2019 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera preaching At the center of Unitarian Universalist congregations are shared statements of covenant and ethics. We understand the way we interact with each other in our faith community as an expression of our beliefs — so, how […] The post Healthy Communities appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Ingathering Worship & Water Communion
August 30, 2019 13:0720190908_1140_ingathering-homily Worship Service September 8, 2019 10:30 am in the Sanctuary Rev. Catie Scudera preaching Welcome back, First Parishioners! At our annual Ingathering Worship, the program staff is excited to see everyone who’s been away for the summer months and all those who led and participated in our summer worship services. Our multigenerational Ingathering […] The post Ingathering Worship & Water Communion appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalis...
Education & Moments of Lift
August 01, 2019 18:5420190901_livingston_sermon Worship Service September 1, 2019 10:30 am in Parish Hall Childcare available during Summer services Cathy Livingston speaking The darkness of this political climate leaves us longing for signs of hope that our world, our country, and our democracy are going to be able to recalibrate our course to a more compassionate appreciation […] The post Education & Moments of Lift appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.
Carter Smith on Relational Ministry
July 30, 2019 14:1620190818_0722-sermon-carter-smith Worship Service August 18, 2019 10:30 am in Parish Hall Childcare available during Summer services Carter Smith speaking Carter Smith is a current seminarian at Harvard Divinity School and a ministerial aspirant with the UUA. On Sunday, August 18, she will preach about her experiences working at a summer meals program hosted by a […] The post Carter Smith on Relational Ministry appeared first on First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist.