First Parish Unitarian Universalist-Canton

04/09/2026

The Thursday on-line meditation group is starting soon at 5:30-6:30PM. Go to home page of the FPUU website and click on the meditation button zoom link. We alternate between sitting, walking, and mindful eating meditations (bring a snack) with a short reading in Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Buddhist tradition for mindful conversation.

04/08/2026

We extend our congratulations to all of the winners in yesterday's Town of Canton elections, including Julie Beckham and John R. McCourt for the Select Board. We also extend our deepest appreciation to all who ran, even if they did not win, and to all who showed up to vote and to all who engaged in supporting the various campaigns. As Unitarian Universalists, we are deeply committed to democracy and the vibrancy and importance of full democratic engagement!

04/07/2026

Our sanctuary will be open tonight, Tuesday, from 7-8:30PM for anyone who would like to sit in quiet prayer or meditation in light of the Middle East concerns. Candles also may be lit for peace. You are welcome to come for as long or as short a period as you might like, we also have coloring supplies of mandalas in the back if that helps. If you'd like to attend via zoom, please go to our website and use the zoom link for meditation there on the homepage.

04/07/2026

From our UUA President 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

I am humbled and honored by the commitment that military service personnel, as well as their families, make in service to our country. This beautiful story in UU World highlights the life and contributions of James Clayton Flowers, the oldest known living Tuskegee Airman, a courageous group of African Americans who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and were renowned for their exceptional service and skill.

Flowers is a Unitarian Universalist and a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Rev. Ali K.C. Bell, minister at the Las Cruces congregation reflects fondly in the story on something Flowers often says: “People always want to talk to me about being a Tuskegee Airman, but I’m most proud of being a teacher and that I taught RE.”

Read more about James Clayton Flowers at the link to the UU World story in the comments below.

04/07/2026

Reminder of our in-person meditation group today, Tuesday, at 1:30PM in the small chapel. We alternate sitting, walking, and mindful eating meditations with a brief reading from Thich Nhat Hanh's Zen Buddhist tradition and brief conversations. All are welcome!

04/07/2026

We hope all Canton residents show up to vote today in the special election or have already voted in early voting! Here is Canton's voter guide information:

The Canton Voter Guide is designed to provide Canton voters with voting information.

04/06/2026

The news is now public, and we are so very proud of our Affiliate Community Minister, the Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs.

The Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism is one of the most prestigious awards given by the UUA. Recipients of this award have strengthened the institutions of our Association, clarified our message in extraordinary ways, and exemplified what Unitarian Universalism stands for.

Your UUA Board of Trustees is proud to announce the recipient of the 2026 Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Unitarian Universalism: Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs.

Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs (he/his) has served congregations in Indiana, Quebec, Massachusetts, Texas, Florida, and California over the last thirty years. Clyde and his partner the Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh also work in a community ministry in the Boston area involving coaching and spiritual direction. Clyde has served on the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association’s Board. He served three years as an at-large member of the UUA Board of Trustees. Before entering the ministry, Clyde worked as a community and labor organizer. He has worked for peace, justice, and equality since he was in the Unitarian Universalist youth movement, Liberal Religious Youth.

Clyde honors his Native American heritage (Texas Cherokee), which informs his spiritual understanding and practice, and his anti-racist and anti-oppressive commitment. He has spoken extensively on the Doctrine of Discovery and participated in leading the UUA in repudiation. Clyde is active with the United American Indians of New England around efforts to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day and build solidarity with indigenous movements to defend Mother Earth.

Join us in celebrating Rev. Dr. Clyde Grubbs! 🎉
The presentation of the Distinguished Service Award will be held during this year’s General Assembly in 2026. Past recipients of the UUA Distinguished Service Award can be found here:
https://www.uua.org/giving/awards/distinguishedservice/recipients

04/06/2026

From our Good News in the World candle this past Sunday - "Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen is wearing a badge on his flight suit that represents the Anishinaabe seven sacred teachings." May their trip continue to be successful and safe!

https://ictnews.org/news/canadian-astronaut-carries-anishinaabe-7-sacred-laws-into-space/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQ_QO5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeFktE2SVdyf9r0bQYTfZfVLYFA2ZLFXfSkZzJ8byQWuCd7zKRORdBjS4mDYw_aem_ke7K6E-QO1iZZx4eBbo1vw

Jeremy Hansen is wearing a patch designed by Indigenous artist during Artemis II mission

04/05/2026

Thanks to all who made our Easter service, brunch, and Easter egg hunt for the kids fabulous and fun as well as meaningful today, including Linda’s stewardship testimonial! Special shout out to Marilyn for her creative decorations and to Debbie and Kitty and Don and others with food contributions and other help! 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

04/05/2026

From our UUA President 🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻

Happy Easter, Beloveds. As Unitarian Universalists come together to celebrate rituals of this season in a time of so much chaos and violence, I am reminded that the biblical Easter story asks us first to face the realities of grief and loss and the deep injustices of the world, to be in solidarity with those who may not find ease and joy in the days ahead.

As we nurture hope and renewal in community together, may we release the need for a comforting container to hold our attention. With one another’s support and encouragement, let us strengthen our resolve to be with those who have long done the work of justice because their very lives depended on it. May the love that lives at the center of our communities be enough to hold all that is here, on this Easter holiday and in all the days to come.

04/04/2026

Reminder of our Easter Sunday service tomorrow morning (no zoom option) followed by a light potluck Easter brunch.

April 5 – The Jesus Who Overturned the Money Changers Tables
10:30 AM [No Zoom option)

Led by Rev. Dr. Michelle Walsh, Lead Minister

In our annual honoring of the historical Jesus for Easter, let us consider the more radical dimensions of this Jewish prophet that some have argued reflect the life conditions of a prophet who challenged empire in his times.