Tuesday Spiritual Studies
Our next Spiritual Exploration unit begins in May: “These Things”: Considering Your Life Testament
Tuesdays: May 3, 10, 24, 31; June 7 and 14 (additional weeks as needed) 7:00pm – 8:30pm on Zoom
Based on a spiritual exercise crafted by Jesuit priest and author Father Anthony de Mello, this unit will involve considering and sharing our responses and insights regarding a number of “these things” statements – for example: “These things I have loved in life:” and “These experiences I have cherished:”
It promises to be a time of deep spiritual reflection, challenge, clarity and growth.
After the first session, one or more “these things” prompts will be provided as “homework” in preparation for the following session.
If you are on our email list you will continue to receive details on times and how to participate in all our offerings from the Church Office either on the day of or day before each gathering. Or contact for the Zoom link.

Bible Study


The Still Speaking Seminar
The Still Speaking Seminar meets on the first and third Mondays of each month from 7:30 to 9 pm via Zoom. Its purpose is to look at a variety of modern intellectuals' thinking on issues of faith, morals and justice as they relate to our spiritual tradition. Topics rotate in response to the interests of the group. In recent weeks we have spent time with topics such as Harvard Philosophy Professor Michael Sandel's exploration of the ethics of meritocracy; twentieth century Protestant theologian Reinhold Niebuhr's work on social ethics in relation to economic inequality and warfare; Catholic Social Teaching and Christian Democracy movement; Pope Francis' recent encyclicals on the environment and immigration: The Fourth Turning by demographers William Strauss and Neil Howe; and spiritual experiences in eastern traditions.
The name Still Speaking Seminar is a play on the UCC's slogan "God is Still Speaking" and is intended to highlight our view that faith is constantly renewing itself and presenting fresh insights in the present moment. We will continue to use our format of a video exploration of some aspect of modern thought from an authoritative source, followed by discussion. No preparation is required; additional background material will be available for those interested in deeper explorations of the ideas under consideration. The group is coordinated by Richard Smith and Steve Carhart. If you are not already on our email list and would like to receive regular notifications of topics and Zoom invitations, contact us at 978-590-7497 (Dick) or 978-407-8454 (Steve).
Book Group
Book group is open to everyone!
Consider Joining Us
Do you know we have a book group at First Parish?
It is open to anyone and we are now meeting again in person on the last Monday of the month.
This is a time for church members as well as non-church friends to come together and engage with one another, build relationships, and share in a discussion of books that are of interest to people of various backgrounds. We have fun visiting, conversing about the book and sharing stories and would love to have you join us!
Questions? Please call Mary Ellen Cook 978-500-0018.
