Sermon Archive
Libraries, Church, and the Unexpected
Libraries, Church, and the Unexpected A sermon delivered on Aug 25, 2019 at Gloucester’s UU Church By Mern Sibley and Roger Garberg Welcome and Announcements Our remarks today compare two different kinds of sanctuary—the church and the public library. Part of the...
Thoreau and the Examined Life
Thoreau and the Examined Life by Karl Frank Aug 18, 2019 In most books, the I, or first person, is omitted; in this it will be retained; that, in respect to egotism, is the main difference. We commonly do not remember, that it is, after all, always the first...
The Ties That Bind
The Ties that Bind Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church August 11, 2019 The story goes that an anthropologist was once studying a tribe of people in Africa. He proposed a game to the children, putting a basket of sweet, ripe fruit near a tree, and...
Readings and Unison Prayer from August 4th Hymn Sing Service
Readings and Unison Prayer from August 4th, 2019 Hymn Sing Service By Lovina Sylvia Chidi Music is freedom that relentlessly exists Freedom of speech Freedom of thought Freedom of creativity Freedom of imagination Music is ever soothingly healing A bombardment of...
With Our Thoughts We Make The World
“With Our Minds We Make The World” Sunday, July 28, 2018 By Reverend Mark Nelson On a glorious Sunday morning in July, you would never know it. It is so hard to see on a day like today. But weather patterns and the climate are changing in ways that pose a monumental...
Hidden in Plain Sight
Hidden in Plain Sight Reverend Parsons July 21, 2019 It’s tourist season, and when we’re driving around town we see those nice little banners that proclaim Gloucester to be “America’s Oldest Seaport”, and that it was settled in 1623. And certainly this is something to...
The Power (and the Work) of We
The Power (and the Work) of We Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church June 30, 2019 “We the people…” “We the people, in order to form a more perfect Union…” “We hold these truths to be self-evident…” Our nation’s birthday approaches. If we count our age...
Peace, Energy, and Forgiveness
Peace, Energy and Forgiveness Marylou Bassani, July 14, 2019 In November of 2003 Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, was found guilty of multiple counts of murder. One by one family members rose to give impact statements. Angry sentiments were directed toward...
Mr. Trump and our spiritual practice
Mr. Trump and our spiritual practice July 7, 2019 Two experiences inform what I wish to say this morning: one new and one old. First: At the time of the last election I got a terrible feeling that I was going to be in a perpetual state of upset. I had no peace....
Our Living Earth – Summer Solstice
Douglas Smith’s sermon 6/23/2019 Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church We don’t usually think of this time of year as midsummer, but it is just in these longest days that midsummer festivals are celebrated – and have been from time immemorial. Stonehenge, built in...
The Rhythms of Our Lives
The Rhythms of Our Lives © Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church June 9, 2019 “Whatever beat is moving through your bones, Whatever holy disturbance is rising in your chest…” This much we all know about our lives, and the lives of all creatures: there is a beat...
Where Shall You Seek Beauty?
We gather here, surrounded by the promise of a June morning, in the wake of yet another mass shooting. As the number of dead and wounded people rise, month by month, week by week, across our country, we face the threat not only of being direct victims of a gun...
Upcoming Services
Gloucester UU joins Rockport and Essex for worship this Sunday at First Univ of Essex, or on Zoom.Sunday August 23rd 10 am Stronger Together with Rev. Tess BaumbergerJoin us for a service about how we can be stronger by working together, using the symbols of spinning threads and weaving tapestries. The service will include a simple ritual, poetry, and meditations on the power of collaboration.To join us via Zoom please visit uuessex.org and click on the Zoom link. If you’re coming in person, there is some street parking or you can use the municipal lot. Coming from Gloucester you would go past the church and take your first left onto Martin Street, then go left again on Shepherd Street. Please know the central spots in the lot are reserved for boat and trailer parking during the summer. If you go up the stairs at the end of the lot, you can cross the parking lot and make your way to the church.
Recent News
Sunday Feb 1 – via Zoom
On Listening, led by guest minister Rev. Susan Moran. Music by Steve Lacey. In-person worship is canceled this Sunday due to the weather forecast. Please join us on Zoom. The link is below. Topic: GUUC Worship Service - Sunday Feb 1 - 10AM Time: Feb 1, 2026 10:00 AM...
Book Group – March 10
"The Boston Way” received the most votes and is the next book that we will read. The meeting will be March 10 at 3:00 in the Williams Room. I have one copy that members can borrow - please let me know if you are interested. It is also available to check out at the...
Sunday Jan 25
The Question Box, led by Reverend Janet Parsons Once in awhile, instead of preaching a sermon, Reverend Janet takes your thoughtful questions about religion, or life, or what is on your mind. Please join the conversation! Guest organist Andy Soll joins us. Everyone is...