Photo of the front of church and sign

Music adds a rich dimension to our worship services

Our Director of Music, Dennis Ferguson, provides a music program that stimulates and challenges the congregation. The Adult Choir offers an impressive range of solo and group songs. The Murray Musicians frequently contribute to our services.

Music Committee

The Music Committee serves as advisor on all musical activities of the church and originates musical programs to enrich church life.

They are responsible for the development of music for the Sunday worship programs and for other special music programs; development of special music programs, including encouraging the development of musical appreciation in the church through special Sunday services and concerts; maintenance of musical instruments; development of long-term plans for the music program; support and supervision of the Director of Music and publicity for church music events.

The Murray Choir

The Murray Choir provides anthems and supports the music program for Sunday Service, Christmas Eve, and other special services. Members of the Choir are required to attend choir rehearsals twice a week, present choral selections to the congregation as part of the worship services, and attend church services as requested by the Director of Music.

Hook and Hastings Organ 1882 Opus 1111 Organ

Our organ has tracker action in which there is mechanical linkage between the keys or pedals when pressed by the organist and the valve that allows air to flow into pipe(s) of the corresponding note. This is in contrast to electrical or electro-pneumatic actions, which connect the key to the valve through an electrical link or an electrically assisted pneumatic system, respectively1. Per the Organ Historical Society Database, we are able to provide you with the following information about our organ:

  • 2 manuals. 14 speaking stops. 17 ranks.
  • Slider chests. Mechanical key action.
  • Additional notes.
    • The original builder was Hook & Hastings (1882, Opus 1111). (OHS PC Database. 2004-10-30)
    • Status Note: There 1996. (OHS PC Database. 2004-10-30)
    • Relocated from St. James Episcopal, Franklin Square, L. I., NY c. 1992. Rebuild.

History of our Hook and Hastings Organ

Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world

Desmond Tutu

What We Can Do
How We Take Action to Lessen Our Impact

Massachusett Climate Solutions Forum

Jan 15, 2022 | , ,

We want to alert you to the Massachusetts Climate Solutions Forum, Tuesday, January 25, at 5:30 p.m. sponsored by Murray Church, State Representative Jim Hawkins’ office, and UU Mass Action.

Please register for this Zoom forum.

Download this PDF, it has the information about the forum and a list of the 6 bills that will be discussed with links to fact sheets.

These bills are recommended by a coalition of over 200 environmental agencies (Mass Power Forward). Included is the “100% Clean Act” which speeds up the targets dates and mechanisms for the transition of our energy grid, heat, transportation, and housing efficiencies. These are the biggest fossil fuel contributors in Massachusetts. Other bills focus on Climate justice initiatives for underserved communities.

The timing of this event is important because bills must be passed out of committees by Feb 2nd, per House rules, otherwise, they die there.

Showing up is important because we need to demonstrate community support for climate action. Knowing they have our backing is useful as our Reps fight against paid lobbies and opposition from leadership and others who prefer the status quo.

Green Sanctuary logo

We are a Green Sanctuary

Murray Unitarian Universalist Church is a Green Sanctuary accredited by the Unitarian Universalist Association.

The Green Sanctuary Program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges. It provides a structure for congregations to examine their current environmental impacts and move towards more sustainable practices in ways grounded in Unitarian Universalism.

In May 2017, we submitted a proposal, with 12 projects in four focus areas: Worship and Celebration, Religious Education, Sustainable Living, and Environmental Justice. Once our projects were completed, we submitted our evaluation and were awarded accreditation in June 2020.

Recent Climate Actions by Our Team

Our team meets on the second Thursday of the month at 7 p.m. via zoom. Anyone is welcome to join us. Use the contact form below if you have any questions or would like to be part of the team.

Find out how we are taking action

We have a page called Take Action where our members and friends share the actions that they take, large or small, that are intentionally done to help lessen their impact on the Earth.

Green Heating and Cooling for Our Homes

A virtual event hosted by the Murray UU Church Climate Action committee

An Introduction to Heat Pumps, Tuesday, May 31, 7 p.m.

An introduction to heat pumps, with Jim Nail, from HeatSmart Alliance, a volunteer organization dedicated to accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient heat pumps in Massachusetts’ homes and buildings. “Heat pumps” may sound like an exotic new technology, but they are already widely used in Europe, Asia, and increasingly the United States. And here in Massachusetts, they are the preferred form of heating and cooling to help the state fight climate change — and for homeowners burning oil, propane, or using electric resistance heaters to save money.

That said, replacing an existing heating/cooling system or water heater can be a time-consuming and confusing process, especially if you aren’t familiar with heat pumps. Jim will bring you up to speed on what heat pumps are, why they are the best choice, the incentives available through MassSave to lower their cost, and the steps to take to upgrade your home to them. In addition, he will describe the HeatSmart Alliance whose volunteer coaches can guide homeowners through this process.

Massachusetts Climate Solutions, a Virtual Legislative Climate Justice Forum

On January 25, 2022. Our Murray Climate Action Team co-hosted this event, in collaboration with Attleboro’s State Representative Jim Hawkins and our UU Mass Action advocacy program. Four state legislators were on the panel, including Representative Jim Hawkins, Senator Paul Feeney, Representative Adam Scanlon, and Representative Joan Meschino, who authored one of the bills that we reviewed. We educated the community about legislative solutions for climate change and environmental justice, via a platform of six bills that are supported by a large coalition of organizations: Mass Power Forward.

Murray Climate Change Café

This was via zoom on Nov. 8, 2021. Co-led by Robi Rose, Barbara Clark, and Judy DePue. Climate Cafés are safe spaces for people to get together to talk and act on climate change, to share our concerns and our hopes, along with options for action and sharing of actions others are already taking.

Field Trip

We went to the “Revive the Roots” farm in Smithfield, RI to learn about their use of regenerative agriculture practices on September 27, 2021.

Here are some regional resources for climate action

Have a question? or want to be part of the Climate Action team?

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Church News and Updates

Sunday, March 3

Sunday, March 3

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Deeper Than The Skin

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Sunday, February 25

Sunday, February 25

by | Feb 20, 2024 | , ,

Mindful Wayfarer Led by the Transition Team The theme suggests we are embarking on a journey. As Rick Millard noted during the Mid-Year review meeting, our first step on the journey is to take stock of where we are now. During service, we'll ask...

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