Rev. Bill Gupton
In his annual “state of the church address,” our Senior Minister will reflect on the dramatic changes taking place in our church – and churches all over America – here in the third decade of the 21st century. How have the pandemic, the shift to “multi-platform worship,” changing demographics and time demands affected the life of our congregation? What might that shared community life look like, in the year(s) ahead?
Worship Associate: Shannon Murley.
2022.
Rev. Rob Kinslow leads the worship service at First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Duxbury, Massachusetts. We join them via Zoom, expanding our UU community.
Unitarian Universalists are a small denomination tackling some of the biggest challenges of our time. How do we maintain our optimism?
Heritage UU Church’s live, music-themed worship service, originally scheduled for January 23, has been postponed to a date later in the year due to the spike in COVID cases and our desire to keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
This Sunday, we will be traveling virtually to Duxbury, Massachusetts, by invitation from Rev. Rob Kinslow, Sabbatical Minister, and his congregation, to join them in worship via livestream. Rev. Kinslow, and those assisting him in worship planning, have been so gracious and welcoming in extending their warmth and hospitality as a community to all of us. We will explore the ways in which we can maintain our optimism during these challenging times. No one has been untouched by the many difficulties that are around us, and this will be a much-needed source of insight as we continue this journey together.
You may wonder how this connection with First Parish UU Church came to be. This church is located in the historical town of Duxbury, Massachusetts, which is said to be the first “suburb” of Plymouth. First Parish was one of the first buildings built in Duxbury in approximately 1638, when the first group of Plymouth settlers moved beyond that village. It is a beautiful church built in the old Greek revival style of the period with solid wooden pews and a magnificent pipe organ, which is still in use. Steph and Les Tacy visited First Parish while visiting a cousin of Steph’s several years ago; the church and its friendly atmosphere left a lasting impression.
Rev. Rob Kinslow is serving as the Sabbatical Minister for First Parish UU Church while their minister, Rev. Catherine Cullen, is on sabbatical. Rev. Rob has led worship in numerous UU congregations. He is a graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry and also attended Andover Newton Theological School. He has served a chaplaincy at Boston Medical Center and was ordained into the Unitarian Universalist ministry in May 2021. He also is the founder of The Meaning of Magic, a nonprofit that teaches magic to young people. He and his wife, Janice, are the proud parents of two grown sons. They share their home now with two furry companions, Daisy and Petey.
The Zoom link will appear on the Heritage UU Church homepage before the service.
Service Facilitator: Steph Tacy.
2022.
Martin Luther King, Jr., speaking against the Vietnam War, University of Minnesota, in St. Paul, April 27, 1967
Laci Lee Adams
When you think of Dr. King, what images, speeches or writings come to your mind? Often our remembrances of Dr. King come from the earlier moments of his life: the bus boycotts, the March on Washington, the Edmund Pettus bridge. Today’s service will focus on the lessons of the last years of Dr. King’s life and how they can speak to our current moment. Join us for an all-ages service that commemorates the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Worship Associate: Shannon Murley.
2022.
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh
Rev. Mitra Jafarzadeh
Does it feel like the world is turned upside down? Have all your expectations of “normal” been dashed? If it feels like the end of the world is near, don’t worry! You are not alone. Together we will explore ways to survive the unthinkable with integrity and grace.
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
2022.
Michael Tacy
As we begin 2022, and look to the future, could this be the year that we re-examine our perspective on life and shift our focus? Michael Tacy shares a philosophical examination of the driving hold that the concept of Production has on our lives and how it’s possible to loosen its grip.
Michael Tacy is a lifelong musician and advocate for the arts. He is the music director of The Gathering at Northern Hills UU church in Wyoming, Ohio, and teaches music production, composition, piano and guitar. His messages often center around finding inner peace as he believes the key to world peace is to make finding inner peace easier.
This is a Zoom-only worship service. The Zoom link will be on the Heritage Church homepage before the service.
Worship Associate: Steph Tacy.
2022.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Come to church the day after Christmas without leaving your home (or wherever you are spending the holiday)! In this Zoom-only service, we will reflect on the tradition of “Boxing Day” and look ahead to the turning of the year. The Zoom link will be on the Heritage Church homepage before the service.
2021.
Rev. Bill Gupton
We return to the warmth of our sanctuary this year for a Christmas Eve worship service filled with light and love, sacred story and song. Enjoy our wonderful Choir, traditional readings, carol singing and silence as we celebrate the magic of the season together once more. All are invited to share in this beloved Heritage tradition, but due to continuing pandemic restrictions, space will be limited (even with the sanctuary and overflow seating in the Great Hall). Be sure to click this link to pre-register to attend, including a registration for every person in your group.
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
2021.
Laci Lee Adams
Have you ever wondered why, as Unitarian Universalists, we host a Christmas pageant? If UUs find inspiration in six different sources, what is so special or significant about the story of Jesus? What other holidays have important stories to tell us and timeless truths to teach us? As Ernest H. Sommerfeld once wrote: “We believe that some stories deserve to live forever because of what they tell us of ourselves [and our world].”
Today’s pageant will go in search of the powerful stories that shape our celebrations during this season of celebration. We will certainly find the baby Jesus in the manger, but so too will we find the Maccabees in the Temple, Siddhartha under the Bodhi Tree and John Canoe in Fort Fredericksburg. Who knows what other teachers, characters, traditions and events might make an appearance? The pageant will be a multi-media experience including our kids, families, and some of you! Laci Lee Adams, Director of Lifespan Faith Development, will be leading today’s All Ages Worship.
Worship Associates: Steph Tacy and Shannon Murley.
2021.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Our Senior Minister takes a look at aging, loss, attachment, and suffering. His former colleague and mentor Rev. Mark Belletini once wrote, “Growing older is compulsory Buddhism.” Rev. Bill has been wrestling with those words – and with the reality that underlies them – and will share his thoughts this morning.
Worship Associate: Bob Drake.
2021.
Rev. Bill Gupton
Join us for the return of one of our Senior Minister’s most unusual services. This morning, you are free to ask Rev. Bill anything (within reason and good taste), and he will do his best to honestly and openly answer your question. There will be an opportunity for those who want to pre-submit questions, or to do so through the Zoom “chat” function, to join in along with those who are in-person in the sanctuary.
Worship Associate: Kathy Wade.
2021.
