Sermon Archive
Blessings from a Small Island
Blessings from a Small Island Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church August 7, 2022 It’s a tiny island, the Isle of Iona. To reach it, off the coast of Scotland, a pilgrim has to take a train, a bus, and two ferries. But pilgrimages are supposed to be...
Being at Home in the World
Being at home in the world. A homily for the Gloucester UU Church. -Karl Frank, July 31, 2022 This title came to me when I read a book, “The disappearance of ritual”. The author is Byung-Chul Han, born in South Korea, now the head of a University in Berlin,...
Looking Up: Reflections on the James Webb Space Telescope
For the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Service of July 24, 2022 Service Leader and Author: Roger Garberg With Associate: Mern Sibley Our Purpose Today Our service today reminds us that we are not isolated beings, but connected, in mystery and miracle, to the...
Sermon 7/3/2022
by Holly Tanguay Instead of speaking about America today I am going to tell you about a great American, Paul Farmer, a physician, writer and teacher who died this last February at the age of 56. In his short life he established first class health care systems serving...
Flower Communion Elements and Reflection
Elements from Flower Communion on June 19, 2022 Lucille LePage “Wisdom Moment” story Almost 100 years ago, in Czechoslovakia, Dr. Norbert Capek and his wife Maja started the Unitarian Church of Czechoslovakia in Prague. There, in 1923, Norbert Capek created the...
Just Peacemaking
Proclaim051522JustPeacemaking – Gloucester Rev. Art McDonald After graduating from college, I served in the US Army Reserve from 1969-1972, receiving an honorable discharge 3 years early, being released from what was a 6-year commitment, to enter seminary. The 3 years...
Don’t Say Straight
Reflection: Don’t Say Straight, for Gay Pride Sunday, 06-05-22, Charles Nazarian About a month ago a controversial statute was passed in Florida and signed by Governor Desantis that has been widely called the “Don’t Say Gay” law in the media. It criminalizes and...
What Is Peace?
REFLECTION: WHAT IS PEACE? Charles Nazarian, GUUC Service on 05-15-22 In our Call to Worship you and Lucille recited the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. They are among the most profound messages to humanity from the great Teacher. Each one expresses...
To Seek Out Belonging
To Seek Out Belonging © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church May 1, 2022 (and Sabbath, below) “The deepest nature of the soul is relationship.” (John O’Donohue) During these past two years we have been challenged to the very core of our beings by the...
Many Stories of Creation
Karl Frank 4/24/2022 Welcome. Welcome to this, our Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. All are welcome here, I am Karl Frank, not the minister, but a member of the congregation, leading the service today in the temporary absence of Reverend Janet Parsons,...
The Bright Spark of Resurrection
The Bright Spark of Resurrection © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church April 17, 2022 It would have been in the pre-dawn hours, maybe in the gray first light, when women carrying all they would need to anoint and prepare a body set...
No Going Back
No Going Back © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church April 10, 2022 This past Thursday evening, there was a march here in downtown Gloucester, something that hasn’t happened much in the past two years. Each April, for many years, the Gloucester Coalition for...
Upcoming Services
The Beginning of Devotion, led by Reverend Janet Parsons. This month we will be asking ourselves what it is worth paying attention to. And where does paying attention lead us? Please join us at 10:00 a.m.: everyone is welcome! Music by Steve Lacey.
Worship is in-person, or at the livestream link below. Please join us at 10am!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeJfO72kLh-gAtZZT-QOng/live
Recent News
Sunday Nov 23
In Gratitude for the Risk-Takers, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with Andrew Glennon and our church choir. On this Sunday before Thanksgiving, we will pause to salute one of our country's strongest voices for justice, who happens to have an unexpected tie to the...
Next Book Discussion – Jan 13, 2pm
The Director is our next selection. Please join us on Jan 13, 2pm in the Williams Room. The Director (2025), by Daniel Kehlman, a celebrated young German-Austrian author, is an historical novel based on the life of G.W. Pabst (1885-1967), the early film director who...
Sun Nov 9
A Posture of the Soul, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with musician Steve Lacey. This month, fittingly, we will be exploring gratitude as a way of life. How does it protect and benefit us? Bundle Up! Our boiler will not be repaired in time for this Sunday. While the...