January 6, 2019 "Stop Spinning Your Wheels" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

We resolve to make better choices, healthier changes in the year ahead.  Yet how often, despite our best intentions, do we find ourselves spinning our wheels, unable to follow through on the changes we hope for, the better choices that might make a positive difference in our lives?  What gets in our way?  Where might we find the courage and motivation to get up and truly get going?  To tackle the unfinished business of our lives?   

January 6, 2019 "Candles of Hope in the New Year" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

The New Year represents a time for fresh starts and new possibilities. As we gather to welcome in 2019, let us share our brightest hopes for the coming year, hopes for ourselves, hopes for those we love, hopes for our nation, and hopes for the needs of the larger world. We will come forward to light candles of new possibility on our shared altar of love, service and hope.   

December 30, 2018  "Warmth" a Religious Services Committee service led by Monica Staaf

In the cold darkness of the Winter solstice, we welcome the warmth of a quilt, crackling fire, or a mug of hot chocolate.   As 2018 draws to a close, we also think of the warmth of community and caring for those who are in need.  At our lay-led service next week, Murray readers will share readings and stories relating to warmth written by themselves or others.    We invite you to wear fire colors of red, orange, or yellow if you are inspired.  Our service leader will be Monica Staaf.  

December 23, 2018  "A Blue Christmas" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

For some, Christmas may NOT be that most wonderful time of the year.  Holiday ads bombard us with images of merry and bright, beautiful people, surrounded by happy, smiling affectionate family and friends.  It’s hard to live up to all that idyllic holiday cheer.  Perhaps there are painful memories of disappointing Christmas’s past.  Or empty chairs around the tree or table that remind us of loved ones, gone too soon.  Or financial stresses, health challenges, job or relationship worries that prevent us from feeling fa-la-la-la-lah.  Come, let’s slow down for a quiet, contemplative service that acknowledges all of the complexities of the season.  

December 16, 2018  "Following the Star" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

Who were these three astronomers, these magic men from Persia?  Were they wise men, or fools?  According to the ancient holiday story, they looked up in the sky and saw something that made them drop everything, and saddle up their camels to set out in search of something sacred.  The poetry of the story invites us to consider – is there a star of wonder beckoning to you?  Calling you to follow a path towards relationship with the extraordinary?  

December 9, 2018  "Finding the Holy Land" by Rev. Jim Robinson

This Sunday, we welcome Rev. Jim Robinson from the Foxboro UU church. Rev, Jim will speak about leading a group of UU's to the "Holy Land"  (Israel and Palestine), including an attempt to discover the historical Jesus, only to find that the "Holy Land" is here and now in each breath and footstep.  

December 2, 2018  "Ask Curious Questions" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

This Sunday, let's explore a "Question Box Worship" where you will be invited to write down a question you would like to have the minister answer or discuss during the service. There might be something about our faith that puzzles you, or you have a burning theological question, or a question about Murray Church.  Or perhaps you might like to ask the minister a personal question.  The purpose isn’t to try to “stump the minister,” it is about celebrating our faith, which encourages questioning at the deepest levels and lifelong learning on our respective spiritual journeys.  

November 25, 2018  "Lucky Mud" by Rev.Richard Trudeau, Guest Minister

This Sunday's sermon addresses the question, “Who are we humans, really, when you get down to it? When you get way, way, way down to it?” 

November 18, 2018  "Oh, We Give Thanks" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

Come, join us for our traditional cornbread and cider communion Thanksgiving service, a time for all ages to celebrate the many blessings in our lives, including the blessings of one another!

November 11, 2018  "Saluting Our Gay Vererans" by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

For more than 17 years, “don’t ask, don’t tell” was the policy that barred fully qualified gays and lesbians from serving in the open in any branch of the U.S. military.  Fortunately, the policy was repealed in 2011, allowing gay, lesbian and bisexual people to serve openly in the armed forces.  On this Veteran’s Day Sunday, Thom Belt and Tovah Snyder will share their miliraty service experiences. David Calusdian leads today's service.

November 4, 2018  "UUs and the Right to Vote" Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

Unitarian Universalists have been at the forefront in the struggle for voting rights, from Susan B. Anthony and her fight to give the right to vote to women, to Rev. James Reeb and Viola Luzzo, who were both murdered in the fight for black voting rights in Selma, Alabama, more than 50 years ago.  As the mid-term elections are upon us this week, let us celebrate democracy and the right to vote.

October 28, 2018  "Celebrating Diwali"  Rev. Gretchen E. Weis and Kavita Vansant

Let's explore the Hindu celebration of Diwali, the annual festival of lights that celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.  Kavita Vansant, our Director of Lifespan Religious Education, will co-lead this multicultural service, which will feature a performance by a traditional Hindu dance troupe.  This is a multigen service for all ages.

October 21, 2018  "To Welcome the Stranger"  Rev. Charles Ortman

Rev. Charles Ortman, former interim minister of the First Unitarian Church in Providence, RI will be our guest minister. He will be sharing his experiences of working with the immigrant community in the Providence area. 

October 7, 2018  "13 Thanksgivings"  presented by Loren Spears, Exec. Director of the Tomaquag Museum

On a weekend where the nation officially recognizes a 15th century explorer, we honor the continent's Indigenous Peoples. Loren Spears, Executive Director of the Tomaquag Museum, will deliver the homily. Located in Exeter, RI, the mission of the Tomaquag Museum is to educate the public and promote thoughtful dialogue regarding Indigenous history, culture, arts and Mother Earth, and connect to Native issues of today.

September, 30, 2018  "John Murray's Wife Judith: A Feminist Firebrand"  by Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

It's John Murray Sunday. For it was on September 30, 1770 that John Murray first brought the message of universal salvation - that there was no hell or eternal damnation - to America. As we pause to celebrate the man for whom our church is named, let's turn some attention to his wife, Judith Sargent Murray. Like most women of her time, she was shut out of a formal education. Yet she became a self-taught playright, poet, and an essayist. As one of America's first feminists, she advocated that women were also capable of intellectual accomplishment and should have the right to achieve economic independence. May we lift up and celebrate how outspoken and ahead of her times she was for 1790.

September, 23, 2018  "Civility Matters, Character Counts" Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

Social media turns 15 this year, which means our teens can't remember a world that didn't include the likes and dislikes of Facebook. It also means many of of our young people have grown up experiencing nasty, disrespectful and outright cruel communication as the new normal in the public sphere. Between social media and our current national leadership, I mourn the loss of civility, don't you? Our faith calls us to right relationship with ourselves, with one another, and with our larger community - to treat others, as well as ourselves with respect in honor of the inherent worth and dignity of al all people. Civility matters, kindness and respect matter, being of good character counts, now more than ever.

September, 16, 2018  "This is Us: The Murray Church Story" Rev. Gretchen E. Weis

As we start our new church year, we reach back across the generations to celebrate the story of us -- to recognize the rich threads of innovation, generosity and tradition that have woven together throughout the years to create the beautiful fabric of our shared church life, together.  This won’t be a recitation of names and dates, but rather a collection of amusing stories that reveal a lot about the character and culture of this wonderful community.