First Parish provides opportunities to awaken and sustain love, compassion, service, and personal transformation. Unitarian Universalists are guided by a set of seven principles. One of these affirms our intention to accept one another and encourage each other's spiritual growth. Opportunities are offered to help you find your own path and strengthen the disciplines you have chosen.
UU Wellspring is a 10-month spiritual deepening course for Unitarian Universalists. Group members experience deep listening and spiritual reflection in small groups of about ten, inspiring personal and community transformation. Between-session assignments are completed to stimulate session discussion and learning. Facilitators are lay leaders of the congregation who receive clear, complete, and easy-to-access and use materials. Upon completion of Sources, the first level of UU Wellspring, participants have the opportunity to register for advanced Wellspring programming.
Ripples of Peace Sangha is a community of people who study and practice teachings of the Buddha in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. We are beginners and experienced practitioners alike, learning from and supporting each other on the path of awakening.
Gatherings begin with sitting and walking meditation followed by a Buddhist reading and sharing our thoughts. The Sangha is an open gathering — come when you can. You are most welcome to any of our meetings in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh weekly on Tuesday, 5:15 - 6:45 p.m. on Zoom. Contact Sally Keene for more information. https://zoom.us/j/771430575?pwd=cXNPSIB2NGgvUkpxRGO5TUxYeGZOZz09
Those interested in discussing books inspired by Buddhism meet from time to time. See the Church Newsletter or contact Jaylene Summers for more information.
Groups arise as interest flows. A program featuring “Aging as a Spiritual Practice: A Contemplative Guide to Growing Older and Wiser” by Lewis Richmond has continued well beyond reading this excellent book together.
You may start your Thursday mornings with a moderately paced Hatha Yoga class. Adults and teens at all experience levels are welcome. Donations accepted. During the pandemic, these sessions have met outdoors when weather permits. Patrick Conner is the instructor.
Embracing Aging Moment to Moment is a thoughtful, provocative discussion group open to any senior who is interested in sharing the aging journey with others. This group is not meeting during the pandemic
Small Group Ministries are intentional lay-led groups. Discussions are wide ranging, with the purpose of deepening relationships and spirituality, and sharing community. Newcomers are welcome to join in. One group usually meets from September through June on the first and third Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. in the First Parish library. This group has met outdoors during the pandemic and will meet again when weather permits
The Adult Discussion Group has moved on-line via Zoom to the first and third Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. Members of the discussion group will be given a password so that they can view the program to be discussed at their convenience. If you would like to join in, contact Patrick Connor, host, or the church office.
Ordinarily, this popular group meets in the Church Library from 8:30 to 10:15 a.m. two Sundays a month. Anyone can join in occasionally or regularly. We encourage an open exchange of free flowing ideas on broadly spiritual themes based on selected books, videos, and articles of interest.
Reverend Lara goes to many local community activities and takes part in some, such as Kennebunk’s Bicentennial Celebration, which has been moved from 2020 to 2021. She is a people person and wants to meet you. You can schedule time with her for personal consultation as well. Reach out to contact Reverend Lara about this.
Celebrate the cycles of nature and the season, share and discuss, get to know other women. Women for All Seasons meets on most second and fourth Tuesdays of each month via Zoom. Our programs are created by the women in the group. We share leadership and we also share the responsibility for communicating with each other by email. The group is open to any woman who is interested in exploring women’s spirituality in all its forms. We look forward to meeting in person again after the pandemic. If you would like to be included in the email reminders, please contact the church office.
This choir holds rehearsals most Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:00pm. Music Director Molly Petrik leads warm-ups, teaches songs, and guides singers to both vocal and technological independence. Current members report that choir rehearsals are the highlight of their week, giving them a sense of being a part of something greater than themselves.
Guided by Music Director, Molly Petrik, and with each choir member’s willingness to learn new things, the First Parish Choir has pulled together and found new ways to lift our voices in worship.
Most notable is how we’ve learned to build “collage music videos.” After online choir rehearsals teaching the basics, Molly arranges the music and records multiple tracks on video. She then shares her video with each choir member, and they record their parts. Molly receives the audio tracks and synchronizes each voice. The video editor synchronizes the video images. The final product includes harmonized music and pictures of each person joining together in song. Congregation members have been amazed with the results.
Molly and The Music Committee encourage you to create music videos independently. May you, in your own way, adapt and thrive!
Contact Molly Petrik via the contact page if you'd like to attend a zoom choir rehearsal or make your own recording.
