Jody Leader warmly welcomes attendees, emphasizing inclusivity and openness to individuals regardless of their spiritual journey, race, or gender. The service includes an announcement about ongoing discussions regarding the interim ministry led by Reverend Joe Cherry, suggesting a three-year interim ministry plan, although it is not yet finalized.

The service features a hymn, "Gather the Spirit," and a segment for sharing joys and sorrows, where congregants are invited to share their personal stories, reflecting a wide range of human experiences from joy and gratitude to grief and concern. These moments highlight the strong sense of community and support among the congregation.

Rev. Joe's sermon draws from Adrienne Marie Brown's work on the importance of generosity and vulnerability in creating durable connections within the community. It also references Reverend Dr. Mark Morrison Reed's essay on the complexities of ministerial relationships, emphasizing the balance between professional obligations and personal affection within the congregational setting.

The service includes hymns, a unison chalice lighting, and a benediction inspired by Archbishop Oscar Romero, focusing on the collective efforts of the congregation to plant seeds for the future, despite knowing they may not see the results themselves. It's a reflection on the transient nature of ministerial roles and the eternal aspect of the congregational community, underscoring the themes of hope, community support, and the ongoing work of love and social justice.

Video and full worship service available here: https://firstparishinbrookline.org/2024/02/02/what-we-sow-and-what-we-reap/

From our worship service: 

“What We Sow and What We Reap” 
Sanctuary Boston 
January 28, 2024 Worship Service 

Gathering Bell

Introit  

Words of Welcome Brad Reich  

Call to Worship

Gathering Music

We Shall Be Known – MaMuse 

Truth Beyond Our Knowledge Words by Matt Meyer 
Music by Randy Scruggs & John Thompson 
Unison Chalice Lighting  
Nos entregamos y nos comprometemos a caminar juntos como  
congregación, prometiendo con mucha fe cuidarnos mutuamente  
y deleitarnos en el amor que permanecerá entre nosotros. 

We give ourselves one unto another, covenanting to walk together. 
as a congregation, promising faithfully to watch over one another,  
and to delight for love to abide in our midst. 1717 Covenant (adapted) 

Stones of Joy and Sorrow 

Go Out and Love the World

Reading “Affirmation” by Assata Shakur 

Offering Words 
You may text the dollar amount you wish to give to (617) 996-8956. You may also give online from the First Parish webpage through PayPal or your credit or debit card. If you are also filling part of your pledge, please write “Pledge” in the memo line (Please note that there is a QR code available on the back page). 

Offertory Improvisation on “Truth Beyond Our Knowledge” 

Blessing of the Gifts  

Centering Song

Planted – Alex Fam 

Sermon What We Sow and What We Reap 

Anthem Sow Good Seeds – Mavis Staples 

Extinguishing The Chalice
Unison Affirmation  
Apagamos esta llama pero no la luz de la verdad,  
Ni el calor de la comunidad ni el fuego del compromiso.  
Estos los llevamos con nosotros y los ofrecemos para bendecir al mundo. 

We extinguish this flame and not the light of truth, 
The warmth of community or the fire of commitment. 
These we carry with us and offer as gifts onto the world.  

Benediction 

Closing Song 

Blessed Unrest – Zo Tobi  

Upcoming In Our Church 

2/2: 
First Friday Community Dinner! 6-8PM, Lyon Chapel 
An all ages gathering to nourish community. 
*Childcare and age-appropriate, lightly supervised activities for children  
This time we’ll celebrate Imbolc with crafts, dance, music, and conversation. 
and, as always, 
Fred Andree’s great entrée: this time it will be lasagna! 
If you can, please bring a side dish, drink, or dessert to share. 
CAN’T WAIT TO SEE YOU!* 

2/10: 
Community Folk Dance! 7-9PM, Pierce Hall 
*What is happening? All kinds of folk dances to dance! 

When and where? FEBRUARY 10! From 7 to 9 pm in Pierce Hall at 
First Parish in Brookline 382 Walnut St. in Brookline 

Who? You, friends and family and a wonderful teacher, Marcie van Cleave from the Folk Arts Center of New England* 

Many thanks to our Musicians, Worship Associate, Greeters and 
Sanctuary Boston Musicians: 
Alex Fam – Ukulele, violin, vocals, music direction 
Callie Jennings – trumpet, vocals 
Emma Pawl – vocals 

*Flowers today are given by Eleanor Clarkson* 

Congregations who participated include: All Saints Parish, First Parish in Brookline, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brookline, TBZ Brookline, Temple Ohabei Shalom, Sinai Brookline, First Church in Chestnut Hill, United Parish in Brookline, Center Communities of Brookline, Congregation Kehillath Israel Congregation Mishkan Tefila, Brookline Muslim Friends, Brookline Church of Christ, Yusuf Mosque Brighton, 2life Communities #Thanksgiving #Brooklinema #peace #Salaam #Shalom

You can view the entire Brookline Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at: https://www.facebook.com/FirstParishBrookline/videos/237691399129806 and make a donation to the Brookline Food Pantry at https://brooklinefoodpantry.org/

November 5, 2023

Right-Sizing the Congregation

Order of Service

Thank You/Send Me (Amanda Udis-Kessler)Chancel Choir, 

Thank you for everything, all that is.
Send me to love and serve and give.
Thank you for all that is.
As you’ve given, may I give.
Thank you. Send me.

Opening Hymn Woyaya (Teal Hymnal, #1020)

Go Out and Love the World

Go out and love the world!
Vá e ame o mundo! 
¡Vayan a amar al mundo! 
Ale e renmen tout moun! (2x)

AnthemWhat Will I Do? (words: Rev. Marta I. Valentín; music: Chancel Choir

Mark David Buckles; arr. Keith Kirchoff)
What will I do?
Where will I go?
When will I know?
It’s time to set sail or sow?

Offertory Sunday Mornings (Susan Werner)Lisa Barone

Sunday morning
There is someplace that i'm supposed to be
Keeps returning
The feeling keeps coming over me
Just like music
Or like sunlight on a distant memory
Sunday mornings
Sunday mornings

My mother choosing what to wear
My father combs his jet black hair
We are their little prizes
In our mary janes and clip on ties
We hurry down the aisle
The neighbors smile because we're late again

On Sunday mornings
There is someplace that I'm supposed to be
Keeps returning
The feeling keeps coming over me
Just like music
Or like sunlight on a distant memory
Sunday mornings
Sunday mornings

Daddy prays because the money's tight
Mama prays she'll raise her children right
And my brother prays he'll change
So he won't feel so very strangely out of tune

And I went back the other day
Closed my eyes and tried to pray
But a voice spoke loud and clear
"You ask too many questions, dear"
And i said, "You asked too few"
That's why i still don't know quite what to do

On Sunday mornings
There is someplace that i'm supposed to be
Sunday mornings
Sunday mornings

Closing Hymn We Give Thanks (Teal Hymnal, #1010)

Leonard Cohen explained the meaning behind the song whilst leaving it open to interpretation in his trademark poetic fashion: “Hallelujah is a Hebrew word which means ‘Glory to the Lord,” he explained. “The song explains that many kinds of Hallelujahs do exist. I say: All the perfect and broken Hallelujahs have an equal value. It’s a desire to affirm my faith in life, not in some formal religious way but with enthusiasm, with emotion.” Whereas Buckley interpreted the lyrics in his own way, the late singer referred to his voluptuous rendition of the track as being a "a song about sex, about love, about life on earth."

https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/jeff-buckley-made-leonard-cohens-hallelujah-masterpiece/

Welcome to Footprints, a neighborhood walking tour of Indigenous history in support of the reparations mission of First Parish in Brookline. It has also become a story about Susanna Backus. There isn’t a lot we know about Susanna, but what we know, and even some of what we don’t, tells a story of this neighborhood. So follow along on Footprints, and let us introduce you to Susanna Backus, who may be the only Indigenous person buried at Walnut Street Cemetery, in a neighborhood where memory of Native people has been largely erased.  

Walking Tour Google Map:

https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1yCj4vl-QoEI97pCJBNlXHYp5qkurA7U&usp=sharing

You can walk the route while listening to the tour or just listen at home. Those physically taking this tour should know that it is about a mile in length, includes hills, some of them steep, and that while it is mostly on sidewalks, there are a few curbs and stairs, two short but narrow trails through the woods, and a hilly cemetery. Depending on your pace and how long you stop at each place, the tour should take about hour. The recording, played without stopping, is 34 minutes.

A warning: There are brutal aspects to this story that might be uncomfortable to hear. The erasure of Native Americans here involves kidnapping, slavery, genocide, colonizing, and land theft. We won’t wallow in that language, but we can’t avoid it. 

This podcast tour is based on the research of Ann Gilmore, Barbara Brown and Hidden Brookline and also many Indigenous authors. It was assembled and recorded by Jody Leader and Paul McLean, members of First Parish in Brookline, Unitarian Universalist.  The walk takes us through the grounds of Lincoln School, down the length of Hedge Road, and then proceeds a block west on Boylston Street, to the Brookline Reservoir. There we turn around and walk through the woods of Friedman Park, then across Walnut Street to First Parish church. We will end at the Old Burying Ground on Walnut Street. This street, long before it was paved and named for the food-producing tree, was a path used by the Massachusett and other Native people to travel east to west. Algonquian was their language. Massachusetts took its name from the tribe.

More information and links here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OcydxqFDJ1m4lqxXOQ-0yBzOXA_NLLhMI95WPvElx8Q/edit?usp=sharing

This is a GoodNaturedBrookline.org associated production!

Please join us.

The Theft of Indigenous Land and The Enslavement of Indigenous and African Peoples in Brookline
In preparation for this service, we invite you to view the recording of our Feb 15, 2022 presentation on our congregation’s historical connections to the theft of Indigenous land and the enslavement of Indigenous and African people.

https://firstparishinbrookline.org/event/sunday-service-43/?instance_id=4412

Bio: Dr. Melanie Davis is a Team Lead for the Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry, and she is the UUA’s Our Whole Lives Program Manager. 

Learn more about UU Trauma Response at: https://www.uua.org/safe/response/trauma-response

Watch the service video on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/74250389498/videos/3902700106525300