Sermon Archive
Mark Twain’s Sermon of June 17
On Sunday, June 17, at 10:00 a.m. Mark Twain, played by professional actor Peter Berkrot, delivered the sermon at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. In this one-man presentation written and narrated by Brent Wilkes, Berkrot delivered an unforgettable...
MAY 19 – Finding Common Ground: A Symposium on American Culture, Gun Violence and the Second Amendment
Spurred by national concern about mass shootings, a symposium in Gloucester on Saturday, May 19, will put a fresh focus on gun violence, examining both the intent and application of the Second Amendment and the differences among us that led to an impasse in addressing...
Shatter the Silence – End the Violence
On Monday, April 23, Mayor Sefatia Romeo-Theken led a rally and march to end domestic violence. “Shatter the Silence – End the Violence” was sponsored by the Mayor, Gloucester Coalition for the Prevention of Domestic Abuse, YWCA North Shore Rape Crisis Center, HAWC,...
Social Media and You! – April 21
Meet in real life to learn and train on Social Media! (click on the above title for more info) Bring your smartphone or laptop (and questions) about the scope of Social Media and how it can be used for personal, family, business, politics, and everyday use. We'll...
Take Back the Night, April 23
This important annual event in support of ending Sexual Assault is on April 23. (click the above title for more info.) Rally and March begin at 5:30 at City Hall. The march will end at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church with music and a program. Join us...
Building Peace, Liberty and Justice
Making our voices heard on contemporary issues At our February 18 service, we remembered by name each of the young adults who lost their lives in the Parkland, Florida shootings. During the month of February, members of the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church,...
Sermon Podcast February 19, 2017
Sermon Feb. 19, 2017
Healing Our Wholeness – October 2, 2016
Healing Our Wholeness, Healing the World Reverend Janet Parsons October 2, 2016 Once upon a time, back at the very beginning of time, the Ein Sof, or the Ground of Being, or God, filled the entire universe with its presence. And when the Ein Sof decided to create the...
The Creative Spirit (Rev. Parsons April 24, 2016)
A Sermon Given at the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church April 24, 2016 By Rev. Janet Parsons I once had the good fortune to be present when someone was struck by a creative spirit, and had the chance to watch what happened. The someone was my husband. We...
Love Will Come Again – Rev. Janet Parsons, Easter 2016
The ancient story has been handed down across time and distance, across languages and cultures. It climaxes unexpectedly: when three grieving women, returning to a tomb to dress the body of their murdered teacher, encounter a mysterious stranger. The body is nowhere...
“Love is Stronger Than Death” by Rev. Parsons (2/14/16)
A couple of weeks ago, the President of Iran visited Rome. Since he was planning to visit the Capitoline Museum, it was decided, by someone – the news reports were a little vague — to cover up statues of classical nudes so as to not offend him. Wooden boxes were...
“Dialogue” by Newt Fink (January 24, 2016)
Question. My great friend Dr. Mike Sperber always asks huge questions. “So where did we come from?” he calmly asks as we speed down Rt. 128 – he’s taking me to a doctor’s appointment. Do you have a friend like that? It stirred thoughts that had been forming in my...
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
Caring for the Stranger
Caring for the Stranger Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church July 20, 2025 I’ve been watching, this spring and summer, as efforts to capture and detain undocumented immigrants have filled our news and our social media. There have been some dramatic scenes of...
Fall 2025 Book Discussion – Tue Sep 30, 3pm, Williams Rm
James, by Percival Everett (description from Amazon) PULITZER PRIZE WINNER #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER A brilliant, action-packed reimagining of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, both harrowing and darkly humorous, told from the enslaved...
The Living Earth – My Journey Through Deep Time
Sermon presented at Gloucester UU Church July 13, 2025 by Mern Sibley “The Living Earth - My Journey through Deep Time” In the days following the election last November, I found myself feeling discouraged. I imagine many of you felt the same way. So many hourly and...