Dear First Parish, March arrives carrying both the hush of lingering winter and the quiet invitation of Lent. The snow may still cover everything, the mornings remain slow to brighten, and yet beneath the frozen earth something is stirring. Lent is like that. In the church year, Lent is our forty-day journey toward Easter — a season rooted… Read More »

Dear First Parish Church, As February arrives, winter certainly has its grip on Manchester-by-the-Sea — but the light is slowly returning, and with it, new energy for connection, reflection, and care for one another. Even in the coldest season, our church remains a place of warmth, welcome, and shared purpose. Worship in February We invite you to join us… Read More »

Midweek Musings The Rev. Katherine Schofield Each year, on the Sunday closest to Feb. 3, American Legion posts nationwide commemorate the selfless acts of four chaplains. This year the Legion Posts of Essex County will gather at First Parish Church, 10 Central St. in Manchesterby- the-Sea, at 2 p.m. Feb. 1 to honor the enduring… Read More »

Dear First Parish Church, Grace and peace to you as we step into a brand-new year together! January always brings with it a sense of fresh beginnings—new calendars, new opportunities, and renewed hope. As people of faith, we trust that God is already present in this year ahead, calling us forward with love, courage, and… Read More »

Dear First Parish Church, Grace and peace to you in this holy holiday season. As December arrives, we enter into Advent—a season set aside for preparation, reflection, and hope. In the rhythm of the Church year, Advent invites us to pause and listen for God’s presence in our lives, even as the world around us… Read More »

Midweek Musings The Rev. Katherine Schofield This year marks the 40th anniversary of “Lonesome Dove,” Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel that continues to captivate readers and viewers alike. To celebrate, Simon & Schuster released a new edition with a foreword by “Yellowstone” co-creator Taylor Sheridan — a fitting tribute, since Sheridan’s own storytelling carries McMurtry’s… Read More »

Dear First Parish Church, As we move into November, the season of thanksgiving, a month often associated with gratitude and reflection, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt thanks to each of you. Your ongoing support and engagement make our shared path richer and more meaningful.  Giving Thanks for Our Church Family… Read More »

“Let us love not in word or speech but in deed and truth.” – 1 John 3:18  Dear First Parish, As the leaves begin to change and we embrace the beauty of fall, October invites us into a season of both reflection and action. In the rhythm of harvest, we are reminded that we, too, are called… Read More »

Dear First Parish Church, I pray you are all feeling refreshed, renewed and well-summered! It’s been such a joy to spend the summer with you all. There are so many highlights! Volunteering with a wonderful First Parish Church crew at the Red, White and Blue pancake breakfast. Welcoming the community to our church during the… Read More »

Rev. Katherine Schofield, First Parish Church, MBTS  “Faithful Parenting: Some Thoughts from a Pastor-Mom” If you’re a parent of young children right now, chances are your life is full to the brim—and not always in the peaceful, poetic way. Your mornings may begin before the sun is up, your evenings may be filled with spilled… Read More »