Follen Church - Unitarian Universalist

Directions Website Contact the place of worship

Follen Church - Unitarian Universalist Follen Church is an inclusive, caring and welcoming Unitarian Universalist community. in East Lexington, Massachusetts. The church is named for Rev. Rev. Follen.

The Follen Church is an historic Unitarian Universalist congregation located at 755 Massachusetts Ave. Charles Follen, the first minister called by the church, in 1835. Follen served the congregation from 1835-1836 and 1839-1840. Ralph Waldo Emerson was the interim minister of the congregation, then called the Second Congregational Society in Lexington, from 1836-1838. The church building dates from 1839 and is the oldest standing church building in Lexington. The unique octagonal sanctuary was designed by Rev. In 2013 Follen Church installed the Rev. Claire Feingold Thoryn as its settled minister. Feingold Thoryn follows 37 called and interim ministers who preceded her at Follen.

10/11/2026

Today, on National Coming Out Day, we celebrate the courage, joy, and authenticity of LGBTQIA+ people who are coming out, whether for the first time, in a new space, or in new ways throughout their lives. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Coming out is not always a single moment. It can be a lifelong journey of discovering, embracing, and sharing who we are. For some, it is joyful and liberating. For others, it comes with uncertainty, vulnerability, or risk. Every journey is different, and everyone deserves the freedom to choose if, when, and how they come out.

As Unitarian Universalists, we affirm the inherent worthiness of every person and our shared responsibility to create communities where LGBTQIA+ people are not simply welcomed, but fully celebrated, supported, and loved.

To everyone coming out, wherever you are in your journey:

You are worthy of love and belonging, exactly as you are.Your identity is yours to share on your own terms.

May we continue building a world where living authentically is met with love, dignity, and safety.

We’re living in chaotic times (and this month’s theme is “chaos”). Join us this Sunday at 10:30 as we reflect on the inv...
10/09/2026

We’re living in chaotic times (and this month’s theme is “chaos”). Join us this Sunday at 10:30 as we reflect on the invitation of these days: to see patience as a spiritual practice and adaptation as an act of faith.

Our preacher, Rev. Frank Clarkson, is retired from parish ministry and looking forward to being back at Follen!

“In the beginning … the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and a wind from God swept o...
10/02/2026

“In the beginning … the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” And then — “let there be light!”

Out of chaos, as the ancient stories go, came all order and manner of beings and things. Chaos can be fun and energizing, like a dance floor, or stressful and damaging, like a hurricane. Humans have tried to manage chaos in all kinds of ways, tried to make meaning out of madness. What lessons does chaos hold for us?

Join us at 10:30 this Sunday as Rev. Claire kicks off a month of exploring chaos.

“In the beginning … the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and a wind from God swept o...
10/01/2026

“In the beginning … the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, and a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.” And then — “let there be light!”

Out of chaos, as the ancient stories go, came all order and manner of beings and things. Chaos can be fun and energizing, like a dance floor, or stressful and damaging, like a hurricane. Humans have tried to manage chaos in all kinds of ways, tried to make meaning out of madness.

Join us this October, as we ask: "What lessons does chaos hold for us?"

Who are we becoming? Throughout our lives, we are constantly changing, growing, learning, and evolving. Yet, throughout ...
09/25/2026

Who are we becoming? Throughout our lives, we are constantly changing, growing, learning, and evolving. Yet, throughout the busyness of everyday life, we don’t always stop to notice the person we are becoming.

This Sunday, we welcome our new ministerial intern, Sam McCune, to the pulpit as we explore what it means to pay attention to ourselves and to pause amid the motions and movements of our lives to notice the small moments of change, growth, and possibility happening within us.

Our adult choir will be accompanied by a 10-piece chamber orchestra as we kick off a year honoring Beethoven.

Join us this Sunday at 10:30!

09/20/2026

To all who observe Yom Kippur, may this sacred day offer space for reflection, renewal, forgiveness, and peace. May you and your loved ones be surrounded by compassion, hope, and the promise of new beginnings.

G’mar chatimah tovah. 💙

There is so much going on in the world: Bills due. Work to do. Bad headlines. Worse headlines. Emails from the kids’ sch...
09/19/2026

There is so much going on in the world: Bills due. Work to do. Bad headlines. Worse headlines. Emails from the kids’ schools. And so much more! It’s an adulting overload. How do we choose what to pay attention to? How do we save our minds and our hearts from overwhelm?

Join us tomorrow at 10:30 AM! Rev. Claire will reflect on intentional attention, and clarinetist Glenn Dickson will bring some klezmer-inspired joy as we also honor the Jewish Days of Awe.

09/12/2026

Shanah tovah to our Jewish siblings and all who are celebrating Rosh Hashanah.

May this new year bring reflection, renewal, peace, and possibility. May it be a year of deeper connection, greater compassion, and hope for what we can build together.

Shanah tovah u’metukah. May it be a good and sweet new year. 🍎🍯

Welcome to the start of a new church year!We invite all ages to join us at our Ingathering service. Our worship theme th...
09/11/2026

Welcome to the start of a new church year!

We invite all ages to join us at our Ingathering service. Our worship theme this month is "attention." Together, we’ll practice some mindfulness (in a tasty way that even the wiggliest people can enjoy), sing some favorite songs from May Erlewine and Dolly Parton, meet some new friends, and rejoice in the power of community.

Join us at 10:30 on Sunday!

Follen offices will be CLOSED this Monday for Labor Day.
09/05/2026

Follen offices will be CLOSED this Monday for Labor Day.

Address

755 Massachusetts Avenue
Lexington, MA
02420

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 12pm

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Follen Church - Unitarian Universalist 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 Follen Church - Unitarian Universalist:

Shortcuts

Share

Category