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Sermon Archive

Re-Visioning

  Today I find myself thinking back to my 16-year-old self. I can picture her in my memory: long wavy hair parted in the middle, like all the other non-conformists, and wire-rimmed glasses. That young girl had ambitions. She was for starters a staunch feminist,...

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Deep Wells

Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church September 9, 2018 It has been a time of great thirst, these past few months. A hot, humid summer, with little rain. An old friend came to visit me one day recently, and said, sighing, “Well, I brought all my beach stuff, but...

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To Swim with the Tide, to Flow with the Grace

Let’s pause for a moment to imagine what it would be like to be a trapeze artist. Have you ever wondered what that would feel like, if it is something you could ever do? You would climb a ladder high above a crowd of people, seated, craning their necks to watch you....

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Clearing the Cobwebs

Clearing the Cobwebs Kelly Knox Buddhism teaches three universal truths 1. that everything is impermanent, 2. this causes suffering, 3. our real selves, our spirit, our essence, the part of us that continues to exists when our body dies is unchanging and therefore...

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To Create the Peace

To Create the Peace Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester Unitarian Unversalist Church May 27, 2018   I was quickly scanning the headlines in my email Inbox the other day, and I could tell that there was a holiday approaching because everyone wanted to sell me...

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Social Justice: Keep Families Together!

From Reverend Janet Dear Friends, I have been away during a tumultuous time for our country. As many of you know, I had the great privilege of officiating at the wedding of my younger son Eric to his new wife, Jaclyn. Our family grew, as we not only welcome a daughter...

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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...

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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,...

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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...

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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...

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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,...

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Upcoming Services

To Learn from the Land, led by Reverend Janet Parsons. We'll honor Earth Day by seeing ourselves as truly part of nature, not separate from it. Music provided by Andrew Glennon.

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

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

Recent News

Sunday Sep 28

Soul Searching, led by Joanna Lubkin, guest speaker. Music provided by Robert Noble. Author James Baldwin once said, "Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In this season of new beginnings, as the Jewish High Holy...

Longing to Belong

Longing to Belong Reverend Janet Parsons Gloucester UU Church September 21, 2025 Many years ago, as newlyweds, my husband and I relocated to West Germany for almost a year. Walter’s company transferred him, originally for six months, and off we went on an adventure;...

Sunday Sep 21

Longing to Belong, led by Reverend Janet Parsons, with Andrew Glennon, guest musician. We will talk about the prevalence of loneliness in today's world, and how we might counter it. Also: "We the People" Rally at Stage Fort Park Bandstand 11:00 am - 1:00 pm featuring...