First Parish in Wayland

10/21/2026

Did you miss this Sunday service, "Enough, Already" with Rev. Lauren Smith? Watch it here:

10/21/2026

Sarah McQuaid’s lush, velvety voice combines with her engaging personality and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots Magazine) on acoustic and electric guitars, keyboards, and (occasionally) drums to create a truly immersive experience. Her live performances are full of warmth, wit, and intimacy, and have earned her loyal followings on both sides of the Atlantic.

Sarah will perform at First Parish in Wayland (225 Boston Post Rd.) on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. While you may have seen some flyers announcing a $25 ticket price, the concert was recently underwritten by a generous donor. To obtain a free ticket, email [email protected]. All contributions at the door will be donated to the Casa MetroWest Worker Center, an immigrant-worker-led organization that works to defend and expand the labor, civil, and human rights of all workers.

Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material. From contemplative ballads to playful blues to atmospheric instrumentals, Sarah’s music invites reflection, connection, and a deep appreciation of the quiet power of a well-crafted song.

In the words of one audience member: “Sarah is a truly impressive artist who takes you on a journey through storytelling, blending a variety of musical genres and instruments with ease and creativity. Her lyrics are down-to-earth yet incredibly captivating. Attending her concert feels like diving into a book of short stories – some resonate deeply, some spark your imagination, others make you pause and reflect, and a few bring tears or spontaneous laughter. Sarah’s connection with the audience is both gentle and profound. You don’t just watch a performance – you become part of it, part of the story she’s telling. … To anyone considering seeing her live: go. It’s worth every second. You’ll leave with your heart full and your soul touched – guaranteed.”
Photo by Phil Nicholls (philnicholls.co.uk)
https://www.uuwayland.org/an-evening-with-sarah-mcquaid-oct-30-7-p-m/

10/14/2026

Fernando Brandão will highlight the latest Brazilian jazz music scene as he leads an exciting quartet in the latest Arts Wayland Jazz in the Sanctuary series concert on Sunday at First Parish in Wayland.

Brandão, a flutist, composer, and educator raised in Rio de Janeiro, has serious credibility when it comes to Brazilian jazz. He directs his quartet through the colorful samba and bossa nova styles that burst on the U. S. music scene in the 1960s and introduces additional styles like choro, baião, and ijexá. He will be accompanied by Maxim Lubarsky on piano, Fernando Huergo on bass, and Gen Yoshimura on drums.

Jazz in the Sanctuary events at First Parish were conceived several years ago by director Neil Olmstead, Professor Emeritus of Piano at Berklee College of Music. Since then, Olmstead has worked with Arts Wayland to hold jazz concerts at First Parish, which co-sponsors the event by offering its Sanctuary at no charge to the nonprofit.

Musicians say they love to play in the historic 1815 Sanctuary. Its outstanding acoustics allow ensembles to play more freely, with players able to hear and follow each other’s musical lines with ease. Audiences love the sound too, and return regularly to enjoy the venue’s airy spaciousness, with its high ceiling and late afternoon light streaming through tall windows.

Tickets are priced at $20 and are available through Arts Wayland. Arts Wayland members are eligible for a discount. Students are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets will be sent to your email, to be scanned from your phone at the event. Parking at First Parish can sometimes be tight, but plentiful additional parking is available at the Wayland Town Building just across the street on Rt. 27.
https://www.uuwayland.org/vibrant-brazilian-jazz-oct-18-2-p-m/

10/11/2026

Join us in commemorating those whose lives were lost to domestic or dating abuse-related violence this past year and in continuing support of survivors in our communities. This year’s vigil will be hosted at Sudbury United Methodist Church (indoors) on Oct. 15, from 7 to 8 p.m.

The annual vigil is organized by the Sudbury-Wayland-Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable, a community-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting safe and healthy relationships, raising public awareness about abusive and controlling behaviors, and ending relationship violence in all its forms.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, marked by shining a (purple) light on area civic and religious buildings and homes. Purple signifies courage and compassion in support of survivors. To show your support at home, you can add purple lights to outdoor lighting fixtures. Many local hardware stores stock purple light bulbs at this time of year.

For more information, email [email protected]
https://www.uuwayland.org/?p=32618

10/07/2026

On October 11, half the offering will be donated to the Native Land Conservancy. This indigenous-led land conservation non-profit works to protect, share, and restore land and water for the four-legged, the two-legged, the winged, and the finned. Its mission is to preserve and restore healthy landscapes for all living things wherever possible. The Conservancy holds title to more than 298 acres across 11 towns in Massachusetts and 8.5 acres on an island in Lake Superior in Wisconsin.

First Parish shares its offering with one social justice organization twice each month, or two organizations once each. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to generously support these vital community organizations and causes.
https://www.uuwayland.org/?p=32567

10/05/2026

Join MetroWest Climate Solutions for a discussion with Jessica Strunkin, Community Relations and Local Government Affairs Principal at Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS). To register for this free webinar, visit metrowestclimatesolutions.org.

This talk will describe fusion energy and how the same process that powers the stars can be harnessed on Earth as the ideal source of carbon-free energy. A giant leap forward on the path to commercial fusion energy occurred in 2021 when CFS and MIT demonstrated the world’s strongest superconducting magnet at the scale required for fusion power plant systems. This new magnet technology opened up the possibility of developing fusion power plants at a size that can commercially scale.

Following this success, CFS rapidly built a magnet factory in Devens, Mass. and is using its first production magnets to build a prototype fusion machine, called SPARC®, to demonstrate net energy and the technology’s commercial viability. In parallel, site planning activities are underway at the Fall Line Fusion Power Station in Chesterfield County, Va., where fusion will be harnessed to provide 400 MWe of carbon-free energy starting in the early 2030s.

In July 2026, CFS announced a $1 billion capital raise – the single largest funding round among fusion energy companies worldwide since CFS announced its $1.8 billion Series B round in 2021. To date, CFS has raised $4 billion, representing about 30% of the total capital raised by the fusion industry.

Our Speaker: Jessica Strunkin joined CFS in her current role in 2023. She leads engagement with local communities and stakeholders to broaden awareness of fusion energy and to highlight the economic impact of CFS on the region. She regularly interacts with local officials, business leaders, educators, and neighbors, organizing quarterly community events at CFS’ headquarters for public education and interaction with the CFS team. She was part of the site search team for the first ARC™ Power Plant.

SPARC® and ARC™ are trademarks of Commonwealth Fusion Systems®. Photo credit: Commonwealth Fusion Systems
https://www.uuwayland.org/?p=32570

09/30/2026

Catch a jazz concert Sunday Oct. 18 at First Parish in Wayland, featuring the Fernando Brandão Quartet. Our sanctuary is acoustically outstanding for small group concerts. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased from Arts Wayland. Artswayland.com. First Parish is a long-time co-sponsor of Arts Wayland jazz concerts.

Join Arts Wayland's Berklee College of Music Faculty Jazz Series, for an afternoon of vibrant Brazilian jazz, featuring the Fernando Brandão Quartet on Sunday, October 18 at 3 PM at First Parish in Wayland, 225 Boston Post Road. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, flutist, composer, and educator Fernando Brandão is a leading specialist in Brazilian music. Brandão and his quartet will explore the colorful sounds of Brazil, including samba, bossa nova, choro, baião, and ijexá, featuring music by Milton Nascimento, Debora Gurgel, Rosa Passos, Nelson Cavaquinho, and Maurício Carrilho, alongside Brandão’s original compositions.

Maestro Brandão will be accompanied by Maxim Lubarsky on piano, Fernando Huergo on bass, and Gen Yoshimura on drums. The Berklee Faculty Jazz Series is sponsored by Arts Wayland and directed by Neil Olmstead, Professor Emeritus of Piano at Berklee College of Music. Tickets are $20 and available at artswayland.com; students are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

09/30/2026

On October 4, half the offering will be donated to the Domestic Violence Roundtable. The Roundtable is a community-based nonprofit dedicated to promoting safe and healthy relationships, raising public awareness about abusive and controlling behaviors – whether exhibited through bullying, teen dating violence, domestic violence, or elder abuse – and ending relationship violence in all its forms. The organization pursues these goals by educating communities, supporting agencies that provide services to survivors of abuse, networking with other concerned community groups, and mobilizing community leaders.

First Parish shares its offering with one social justice organization twice each month, or two organizations once each. This ensures that everyone has the opportunity to generously support these vital community organizations and causes.
https://www.uuwayland.org/?p=32564

09/29/2026

When the headlines feel overwhelming, look to the community around you. At First Parish, we find our strength and our joy by leaning on and sharing with one another. Join us!
https://www.uuwayland.org/?p=32372