The eBulletin

October 29, 2026

A weekly newsletter

Worship at the Meetinghouse and on Zoom ~~ Sunday at 10am

 

"Hallowed Times, Hallowed Places"



Rev. Stevie Carmody, Minister of Religious Education, preaching

Sunday, November 1, 2026, at 10am


In honor of All Souls Day, come linger in the times & places when the veil between the physical and spiritual realms are thinnest. Bring a token of a loved one who has died for a ritual of collective memorial. Join Rev. Stevie in wondering, “how do we commune with death?” Our choir, accompanist Ken Seitz, & guitarist Paul Franzosa hold the space. The courtyard’s Memorial Garden – labeled with names – is available for quiet contemplation before and after service.

 Join us online on Zoom and view the Order of Service Here

Parish Committee: Critical Volunteer Needs

We have a critical need for two people to fill the following essential positions:

  • Clerk - keeps records and helps coordinate congregational meetings. Must know how to keep accurate records and use Google Drive.
  • Treasurer - manages our budget and financial tracking. Must understand basic accounting.

Email us if you or someone you know might be interested: parcom-exec@firstparish.info.

Religious Education Program

Fall Term continues (Pre-K-Grade 7). Costumes welcome. Mini haunted house directly after the service for the elementary kids. Nursery available at 9:50a.


OWL meets at 7p. Youth Group Service trip meeting at 6pm, Youth Group at 7pm.


Want to help plan the holiday Pageant (Dec 20th)? Email Rev. Stevie at mre@firstparish.info

Congregational Covenant Update

Covenant Task Force Listening Circles
Sun. November 8

11:30am, Sanctuary

We have crafted a Draft Covenant for the congregation to consider as we move forward in our search process. Join us on Sunday, November 8th when the Covenant Task Force will host a Listening Circles event after worship to gather your thoughts and comments. Register for this event online - childcare and light refreshments will be available.

 

Small Group Conversations - Settled Search

October 13 - November 1, various times, in-person and on Zoom


Open groups and focus groups are small-group discussions facilitated by the Settled Search Committee to gather longer-form thoughts and needs regarding search that may not have been captured by the congregational survey. Registration required - learn more about the groups and register online via this link.

Upcoming Events at First Parish

Through November 1, varied times, online and in-person: Ministerial Search Committee Small Group Discussions

Register online to participate.

OPEN GROUP OFFERING THIS SUNDAY, November 1, 12pm, Zoom and in-person (childcare available in-person). Register in advance if planning to attend.


Sat. October 31, 1:00pm, First Church Roxbury: Sing Out Strong Revolutionary Voices Concert

Rescheduled from September. UUUM welcomes White Snakes Project, a civic action opera company, committed to engaging community in uplifting voices of historically marginalized creators and artists.


Sun. November 1, 1:30pm, Mt. Auburn Cemetery: Social Justice Heroines Cemetery Walking Tour

Space is limited - please register online.


Wed. November 4, 7pm, Zoom: Congregational Transitions and Staffing: Ministers of Peer Congregations Panel


Thurs. November 5, 7pm, Vestry: Keep Immigrants Safe - Training by Hand in Hand

Learn practical ways to support the immigrant domestic workers who care for our homes and communities, including house cleaners, nannies, gardeners, day laborers, and caregivers. RSVP via email at STAR@firstparish.info.


Sun. November 8, 11:30am, Sanctuary and Mon. November 9, 8pm, Zoom: Covenant Task Force Listening Circles


Tues. November 10, 7pm, Parlor: 2026-7 Financial Roundtable

Committee leaders - send documents, timelines, and goals to share to Carolyn by November 7.


Fri. November 13, 6pm, Vestry: Alliance Event - Multigenerational Living

We’ll talk about multigenerational living arrangements, childcare, elder care, sandwich generation experiences, and coping with the challenges of long distance caregiving, plus questions and stories that you bring along!


Sun. November 15 - Fri. November 20, at the Meetinghouse: Harvest Moon Fair Drop-off (Vestry) and Preparations

Drop off donations for the Fair and/or volunteer to help sort donations and set up

Recurring Offerings this Month

Click on the title of each event for more information and how to join.

Featured Events

Mt. Auburn Cemetery Walking Tour

THIS Sun. November 1

1:30pm, Offsite

All Soul’s Day is a day we remember those who came before us. Join us at beautiful Mt. Auburn Cemetery to honor social justice heroines who are buried there. Tour will be led by Maureen Dolan and will be about 2 miles on mostly flat terrain and last about 2 hours. Limited to 16 people. Please register online.

Congregational Transitions and Staffing: Learning from Ministers of Peer Congregations

Wed. November 4
7pm, Zoom

Join us on zoom for a moderated panel of UU ministers who lead congregations of similar size to First Parish. If you have suggestions for topics you'd like to have covered, please submit your ideas IN ADVANCE to transitionteam@firstparish.info by Sunday, Nov. 1.

2026-7 Financial Roundtable

Tues. November 10
7pm, Parlor

Annual working meeting with committee leaders and finance team to set priorities for the upcoming year. Your group may already have specific documents, timelines, and goals to share - please send along to Carolyn by Saturday November 7th, for distribution in advance of the session. Please RSVP via email: treasurer@firstparish.info.

SAVE THE DATE:

Annual Harvest Moon Fair

Sat. November 21

10am - 3pm at the Meetinghouse

Once a year we transform the Meetinghouse into a fall market, with booths, food, and fun for all ages. Interested in volunteering? Email fair@firstparish.info.

HMF Quilt Raffle Tickets


Raffle tickets for the Harvest Moon Fair quilt will be for sale on Sundays after service starting October 25th! Cash payments are accepted after service, or pay by cash or card at the Fair. Contact flashquilt@firstparish.info with any questions.

SAVE THE DATE:

Bylaws Discussion: Voting at Congregational Meetings

Sun. November 22
11:45am, Parlor

We're exploring changing the First Parish bylaws to allow every member to participate and vote in Congregational Meetings - whether they are in the sanctuary, at home or across the country. Join us to learn more and discuss remote voting.

News and Notes

Feedback on Projection in Worship:
A Message from the Worship Team


We have been experimenting with projection in the Sanctuary during Sunday worship this fall and during the summer, and the Worship Team is looking for your feedback on what is working, areas for improvement, and your experience with additional audio and visual elements in worship. Whether you attend in-person or on Zoom, we want to hear from you! Click here to fill out a short online survey!

Newcomers - Events and Connection

Pathway To Membership Workshops

Join Pathway to Membership workshops (offered monthly, October through March) to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, First Parish, and what membership means. You don’t have to be new to UUism or join First Parish afterwards, though you will have that option.

Monthly Potlucks

(last Wednesdays, 6pm) NEXT POTLUCK: Dec. 2. Monthly potlucks are a great way to get to know people here at First Parish. All ages are welcome! Bring a dish if you can, but come even if you cannot bring a dish!

Connect with Us!

Fill out an online Connection form if you haven't already, and join our member database, Realm, if you choose. Stop by our Welcome Table on Sundays (or join our post-service social hour after Zoom worship)

 

First Parish Office Hours

Monday - Friday
10am - 3pm


To reach office staff outside of office hours, email office@firstparish.info; that email will reach both Ebiere and Allison, one of whom will respond when back in the office.

 

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