First Universalist Parish

What We Believe

We believe that enjoyment and satisfaction are enhanced by working in harmony with others toward goals based on shared ideals. Our goals help to create a more just and equitable society, deepen our understanding, and expand our vision. The ideals we share are the Unitarian Universalist seven principles.

Who We Are

Our congregation is a cross section of the peoples of Northern Vermont and Southern Quebec. We come from all walks of life. We are of various ages, religious and ethnic backgrounds. We are religious liberals, searching together to find our own truths. We offer no rigid dogma or creed. Instead are guided by a set of beautifully simple principles. We believe so strongly in the first of these principles, "the inherent worth and dignity of every person", that we have completed the formal process of becoming a Unitarian Universalist Welcoming Congregation.
Many of us had become cynical about organized religion before finding our spiritual home in this community. Perhaps you feel this way too and are searching as well. If you're thinking about a new spiritual home, here's what you and your family can expect on your first visit and here's some information about our past that may help you decide to to come see for yourselves.

May 5, 2013 The Harp: A Long and Varied History

Chris Nicotera, Guest Speaker

Is the harp an Irish musical instrument or has it been an integral part of other cultures? What were ancient harps like compared to modern ones? Is there jsut one size? Hear the music and learn the history of an ancient instrument.
Chris was born and raised in the New York city area. He taught music in public schools for years before opening his own studio where he teaches the guitar and Celtic harp privately. He is an active performer and has played his harp in hospice situations for years.

Chris Nicotera, Heather Webster, and Janice Gluck, Musicians

May 12, 2013 Relationships, Resilience and Forgiveness: Create a Healthy Community

Barbara Morrow, Guest Speaker

The Newport Community Justice Center will discuss its work with a broad spectrum of issues, ranging from support for re-entering offenders to civil conversation about the changes coming to Newport. What is the role of tolerance, inclusion and even forgiveness as we build resilient communities, organizations and individuals? Barbara Morrow is the executive director.

Mary Michelli, Musician

May 19, 2013 Being Communitarians

Susan-Lynn Johns, Worship Leader

The word community, to a large extent, doesn't mean the same thing today that it did even 20 years ago. As we move into an ever more virtual reality, what will happen to "real" reality and how we communicate within it. The art of letter-writing as a form of written communication has all but disappeared: is face-to-face verbal communication on its way to the realm of history?

Ken Michelli, Janice Gluck, Musicians

May 26, 2013 Special Memorial Day Service (War and Peace, the Poet's Perspective)

Susan-Lynn Johns, Worship Leader

The history of our country, as most countries, is too often delineated by its wars. There's been, of course, a different atmosphere surrounding each war--defined, certainly by the times, but also by a growing maturity and loss of innocence as we spiraled away from the Revoluntionary War, taking more and more difficult experiences, technologies, and consequences with us into each ensuing conflict. Who better than poets and musicians to capture this process and put it into a meaningful, understandable perspective? Special music will be provided by vocalists Jenny Dunne, Phil Gosselin, and Ruth-Ann Fletcher. Janice Gluck will be on keyboard, and the First Universalist Parish Ensemble (Paul Gavin, Ken Michelli, Chris Maginniss, Linda Aiken, Heather Webster, and Lisa Erwin) will be performing.




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