The First Universalist Church of Essex

The First Universalist Church of Essex We are a diverse joyous group that embraces theological diversity;we welcome different beliefs and affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

Member of the Unitarian Universalist Association. We are a warm, caring, hardworking and often silly group. UU Essex is active in issues regarding economic justice, equal rights for all, caring for our environment, poverty & youth advocacy. We are old, young, LGBTQ, married, single. Membership is voluntary and does not require renouncing other religious affiliations or practices.

09/09/2026
07/04/2026

Our hearts go out to Fr. Jim and the Gloucester Catholic Community after the recent death of their beloved
Fr. Ben Madu, who also served as chaplain at Salem Hospital. So many losses for this community.
We are holding you.

06/30/2026

MINISTER'S MUSINGS

Dear Ones,

Recently I have been watching the Ken Burns series on the American Revolution. Did you know that Unitarian and Universalist values (they were two separate religions at the time) shaped our country?

Many of our founding parents of our nation were Unitarian or Universalist in their views. John and Abigail Adams were Unitarians, as was John Quincy Adams. Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of those who signed the Declaration of Independence, was Universalist in his theology.

Though he never joined a Unitarian church, Thomas Jefferson said his beliefs aligned with Unitarian theology and thought the religion most rational. He thought the whole nation would be Unitarian in the end. Benjamin Franklin was a deist, meaning he believed in a higher power but rejected organized religion.

Unitarian and Universalist values and beliefs helped to shape our nation. George Washington recruited Universalist minister John Murray (who founded the church in Gloucester) to be an army chaplain to a Rhode Island regiment. He wanted someone who believed all would go to heaven to be ministering to the soldiers.

Watching the series, I find resonances with our current values in the words of Dr. Benjamin Rush and with John and Abigail Adams. If you have watched it or will watch it, pay attention to those people, their words and actions, and see if perhaps you feel those resonances as well.

All this makes the recent decision by Pete Hegseth to remove Unitarian Universalism from the list of the military’s recognized religions more upsetting. Clearly, he is not aware of this history. But there are more important issues at hand. We stand in the tradition of our religious ancestors as we work to uphold the democracy they dreamed.
​
Blessings,

Tess

Don't forget this Sunday we join the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Our church and Unitarian Universalist So...
06/24/2026

Don't forget this Sunday we join the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church. Our church and Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport will not be open. Looking forward to it!!

Soul Matters themes for the coming year!
06/16/2026

Soul Matters themes for the coming year!

Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport
06/12/2026

Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, Unitarian Universalist Society of Rockport

Address

59 Main Street (PO Box156)
Essex, MA
01929

Opening Hours

10am - 11:30am

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The First Universalist Church of Essex posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Place Of Worship

Send a message to The First Universalist Church of Essex:

Shortcuts

Share

Category