The Fast before the Feast

Feminist and Eco theologian Sally McFague writes that we are called to “restraint, not for the sake of ascetic denial of the world, but in order that “abundant life” might be possible for all.” This coming Wednesday marks the beginning of both the Christian observance of Lent and the Muslim observance of Ramadan, seasons of fasting and restraint. What can we learn from these practices that might help us move towards a culture of abundant life?

Put Your Money Where Your Faith Is

Today is chocolate Sunday, when our children and youth hold a bake sale for a cause they support! Let’s use this opportunity to explore the ways our own faith calls us to think about money, spending, and economic power. From boycotts to green-washing, charitable giving, taxing and tithing—money, religion, values and power are always intertwined.

Weaving our Spiritual Lives

This weekend is Imbolc, or Sr. Brigid’s Day, a celebration of the coming of spring. This holiday, with its ancient pagan roots and slightly less ancient Christian traditions, is an example of the porous and morphing nature of religious traditions. One activity associated with this celebration is weaving a Brigid’s Cross, so perhaps it’s a good time to think about how we weave together our own spiritual lives from threads of traditions both inherited and chosen.

HOW WE CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER

Join us for a special service led by our Pastoral Care team as we explore the many ways we can care for one another as a community and honor this sacred work that’s at the heart of our spiritual community

Services are held every Sunday at 10:30am with Sunday School taking place concurrently. Following the service we have a coffee hour known as Fellowship where all are welcome. Limited street parking is available, but there are public metered lots nearby.

Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in August of 1629, First Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches founded in North America and the first to be governed by congregational polity.

We welcome and celebrate various theological, philosophical and spiritual diversity. We espouse and work to live the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity as pathways to honoring love as our central tenet. We do not ask what you believe or expect you to think in a specific way; we only ask that you work to live a kind, helpful life with dignity.

CHOOSING COMMUNITY OVER CHAOS: HONORING MLK DAY

Dr. King’s last book before his assassination was titled Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community? Nearly 60 years later, in yet another era marked by fear, division, and violence, we face a similar choice. Let us gather in community today to honor Dr. King’s legacy and let his wisdom guide us as we commit to choosing community over chaos.

This Sunday, we will continue to explore what causes matter most to us as a group as we begin the process of choosing an organization to raise money for. We will get curious about how we approach social justice using the UU Common Read, We Are the Builders.

Services are held every Sunday at 10:30am with Sunday School taking place concurrently. Following the service we have a coffee hour known as Fellowship where all are welcome. Limited street parking is available, but there are public metered lots nearby.

Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in August of 1629, First Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches founded in North America and the first to be governed by congregational polity.

We welcome and celebrate various theological, philosophical and spiritual diversity. We espouse and work to live the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity as pathways to honoring love as our central tenet. We do not ask what you believe or expect you to think in a specific way; we only ask that you work to live a kind, helpful life with dignity.

THE SACRED ART OF SELF-REFLECTION

In January, there is often overwhelming pressure to take stock of our lives, reinvent ourselves, or commit to resolutions that will make us healthier, smarter, better looking, harder working, more patient, more efficient people. In our society full of pop-psychology advice, life hacks, and Instagram influencers, how can we cultivate spiritually grounded practices of self-reflection that don’t lead to shame, spiraling, and feelings of failure?

In Religious Education: This Sunday, we will continue to explore what causes matter most to us as a group as we begin the process of choosing an organization to raise money for. We will get curious about how we approach social justice using the UU Common Read, We Are the Builders.

Services are held every Sunday at 10:30am with Sunday School taking place concurrently. Following the service we have a coffee hour known as Fellowship where all are welcome. Limited street parking is available, but there are public metered lots nearby.

Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in August of 1629, First Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches founded in North America and the first to be governed by congregational polity.

We welcome and celebrate various theological, philosophical and spiritual diversity. We espouse and work to live the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity as pathways to honoring love as our central tenet. We do not ask what you believe or expect you to think in a specific way; we only ask that you work to live a kind, helpful life with dignity.

WHAT WINTER REVEALS

Madeleine L’Engle once wrote that winter, with its bare branches, “reveals the structure of things.” As we look towards a new year, what can we learn from this season where so much is laid bare and the deep structure of things is revealed?

In Religious Education: As we enter the new year together, we will begin to explore what causes matter most to us as a group as we begin the process of choosing an organization to raise money for. We will get curious about how we approach social justice using the UU Common Read, We Are the Builders.

Services are held every Sunday at 10:30am with Sunday School taking place concurrently. Following the service we have a coffee hour known as Fellowship where all are welcome. Limited street parking is available, but there are public metered lots nearby.

Gathered by the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay Colony in August of 1629, First Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches founded in North America and the first to be governed by congregational polity.

We welcome and celebrate various theological, philosophical and spiritual diversity. We espouse and work to live the values of freedom, reason, interdependence, equity, justice, transformation, pluralism, and generosity as pathways to honoring love as our central tenet. We do not ask what you believe or expect you to think in a specific way; we only ask that you work to live a kind, helpful life with dignity.

Members and friends are invited for a participatory conversation. Teens welcome!

An evening of stories, ritual, and community for all ages.

Community gathering with lunch. Members and friends are invited for a participatory conversation. Teens welcome!

We hope you will be able to join us for what will be the first in our potluck series this church year!

The first one will take place Sunday, November 16 at 6pm in the Cleveland and Barnard Rooms at First Church in Salem.

What to Bring: 

To make sure we have a balanced meal with something for everyone, we’d like to organize what dishes people bring in a fun and simple way:

• If your first name begins with A–H → bring a main dish (vegetarian, meat, or hearty protein-based)

• If your first name begins with I–P → bring a side dish or salad

• If your first name begins with Q–Z → bring a dessert or fruit

• If you’d like to bring cutlery, bread or drinks instead, feel free to swap, just let us know!

Allergy-friendly reminder:

• Please label your dish if it is gluten-free, egg-free, nut-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, or vegan.

• We will also have a clearly marked allergy-friendly table with safe options set at a lower height for accessibility.

Tabernacle Church
50 Washington St.
Front Steps

Stand up and show your support in our collaborative monthly protests!
Social Justice webpage

We hope to be accompanied once again by rousing live music from the Zilber Beatles!

Friday, November 7 at 6:30pm

First Church in Salem | 316 Essex Street, Salem MA | Cleveland Room

Come and honor our ancestors and those who have passed this year for a time of quiet remembrance. This is the time of year when the space between the spirit and physical worlds is thin, and we take a moment to think about our mortality and feel grateful for the harvest time before winter. 

You are invited to bring a small photograph of a loved one (two-legged and fur babies) to add to the ancestor altar (please pick them up again before you leave). There will be time to share precious memories if you wish during the service. 

The evening is open to people of all faiths and traditions. Young people are welcome with a responsible adult.

Tours for today have been cancelled.

See also the First Church Tours page on our website.