As a people who pride ourselves on rationality and a bias for peace, many of us may not even recognize the feeling of anger when it shows up. We may intellectually KNOW we are angry, but don’t square that with the signals our bodies and hearts send. Women are angry. And that is right. Let’s … Continue reading The Secret Life of Anger
Advice on how to feel better is abundant and the sources are varied and plentiful. When does the urge to engage in self-help become a barrier to the kind of solutions that could make us more resilient as individuals and more compassionate as a culture? When does our inward gaze become a moral problem? Let’s … Continue reading The Limits of Self-Help in a World on Fire
We will present three worship services on Christmas Eve. The first service, at 4:00 PM, will be a no-rehearsal pageant for family members of all ages, led by CYM Director Anna Smith. The services at 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM will both be “Lessons and Carols” by candlelight, led by Rev. Julia Jones, Rev. Scot … Continue reading Christmas Eve Services
So many celebrations. So many symbols. All concentrated around this day when the fabric of our daily lives shifts and turns toward a time of greater light. Join us to celebrate both that turn in our Pagan tradition and to the miracle of light in the story of Hanukkah. What can we learn in this … Continue reading Winter Solstice/Yule
Join us for our annual tradition, the No-Rehearsal Christmas Pageant, where we retell an ancient story that still shines with truth, hope, and possibility. Participants young and old are warmly invited to step into the story as angels, shepherds, wise ones, animals and more. Come be part of the magic as we joyfully celebrate the light … Continue reading No-Rehearsal Pageant
The beginning of Advent has evolved into a countdown to Christmas, but what religious significance does this time actually hold? As we journey back to that old story and the empire in which it took place, what lessons can we learn about our role as we confront the vestiges of empire today? What does it … Continue reading Advent and Empire
We run from a lot of things in this life and it is perhaps our dashing away from death and grief that is most pronounced. With a host of traditions around facing loss, our culture seems to prefer that we choose none of them and Rev. Julia believes we suffer for that. From sad to … Continue reading Good Grief
We at First Parish Brewster have a rich and storied history, and like so many institutions, our past is riddled with causes for celebration and choices to lament. As we celebrate our longevity and the relationships we have nurtured, let us remember to continue to challenge ourselves to rise to the need for real cultural … Continue reading All Flourishing is Mutual
It is the time of the Jewish High Holy Days – the Days of Awe. As we begin a new year on the Jewish Calendar, in school and in our congregational activities, what can we learn about the importance of repair? What does it mean to allow conflict and hurt to fester? What can we … Continue reading How Do We Get to Awe?
What does it mean to belong — to one another, to our nation, to this fragile world? As we mark the International Day of Peace, we’ll look at the price of peace: courage, empathy, and a refusal to turn away. From WWII refugees denied sanctuary, to today’s wars and a rising fear at home, history … Continue reading The Cost of Belonging
