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Sermon Archive

Second Sunday of Advent – Peace

This Sunday our congregation will be joining our friends at the UU Society of Rockport for their service.  Their service begins at 10:30 a.m.  Join Zoom Meetinghttps://zoom.us/j/91158913840? pwd=MGlCNUJyM2xDWVVtMUZ1R3U3K3dsQT09

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What Grounds Us? – Nov 29

What Grounds Us?        November 29, 2020  Rev. Janet Parsons, Charles Nazarian, Lucille LePage  Rev. Janet  It’s hard, during this year like none other in our lifetimes, to hold on to what centers us.  I am reminded frequently of the well-known line in William Butler...

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Gratitude Anyway – Thanksgiving sermon from 2015

Dear friends, Since I did not preach this past Sunday for our joint service of seven UU congregations, I wanted to share an old Thanksgiving sermon from 2015.  I’ve been thinking about it a long lately, as it feels especially relevant during these times.  I hope you...

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Light from the Broken Pieces – Nov 15

Light from the Broken Pieces Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 15, 2020 In the aftermath of this most difficult presidential election, I have thought a great deal about what is happening here in the United States.  We are so divided, and like so...

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The Soul of the Nation – Nov 8

The Soul of the Nation Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 8, 2020 In the end, I would say that it was worth the wait, this week, as the anticipated blue wave proved to be more of a blue trickle.  Yesterday afternoon, as word spread that Joe Biden and...

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Side by Side: Holding Grief and Hope – Nov 1

Side by Side: Holding Grief and Hope Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church November 1, 2020   Tomorrow is the Feast of All Souls, that day each year when people remember and mourn the deaths of loved ones everywhere.  We typically commemorate All Souls, at least...

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CLUES – Oct 25

CLUES        Oct 25, 2020 Newt Fink Now we are here to think about giving.  Giving has always been central to worship: we naturally give to what or whom we regard as worthy of our attention, our following and our faithfulness.  We give to and for what matters to us. ...

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In Another’s Shoes – Oct 18

In Another’s Shoes Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church October 18, 2020 Let’s begin this morning by digging into our memories.  Some of us may have to think hard, to dig deeply.  Others of us may have a fresh memory right on the surface. ...

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We Begin Again in Love – Sep 27

Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church September 27, 2020 Louis Newman refers to himself as having been a model child.  We all know some of those – perhaps we were one of them.  The child who seems naturally well-behaved, who doesn’t get into...

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Whole, Broken, and Then Whole Again – Sep 20

Whole, Broken, and Then Whole Again © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church September 20, 2020 First Reflection:  Born and Reborn Again The lyrics of one of the songs in our turquoise hymnal keep going through my mind these days:  “Return...

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Blessing of the Animals – Aug 30

Reverend Janet Parsons August 30, 2020 Reflection           I’ve had some odd encounters with animals in the past few months, but the oddest of all was while camping a couple of weeks ago.  We were sitting at the...

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On Racial Justice Part 2 – August 23

On Racial Justice, Pt. 2 WE HAVE THE POWER TO BEGIN THE WORLD OVER AGAIN By Carol Bousquet, August 23, 2020 I believe we are finally at THE day of reckoning. Finally we have conditions and consciousness to change the course of history in the ways our African American,...

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Upcoming Services

"Grab the Rope: Some Tips on Becoming" led by guest Rev. Rebecca Shelbe-Hall. Music provided by Andy Soll and our choir. Please join us at 10am. Everyone is welcome!

Worship is in-person, or at the livestream link below.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeJfO72kLh-gAtZZT-QOng/live

Recent News

New Life Begins in the Dark

New Life Begins in the Dark © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church December 14, 2025 There are many wonderful aspects of living on Cape Ann: the beauty and wonder of the ocean, the variety of places to explore on foot, with plenty of woods and fascinating rock...

Practicing Hope as a Verb

Practicing Hope as a Verb © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church December 7, 2025 “Imagine the world as a theater,” wrote author Rebecca Solnit. “Imagine the world as a theater. The acts of the powerful and the official occupy center stage. The traditional...

Sunday Dec 14

New Life Begins in the Dark, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with Andrew Soll, guest organist. As we approach the shortest days of the year, we explore some new ways of thinking about darkness. How can we welcome it? Please join us at 10am, in-person or at the link...