First Parish Church of Groton : Summer Worship Services 2017

Summer Worship Services 2017

During the summer months, informal Sunday services are offered on the first floor of the main church building — the coolest place in town, most summers. These are lay-led services, and they start at 10:00 am. ( Here are archived the services from 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 – 2012 – 2011 – 2010 – 2009 – 2008 – 2007 and 2006. )

Scroll down for the summer 2017 schedule.

Summer services for 2017

Date	Leader	Title, description
June 25	Jack Wool	Diversity in Graphic Novels: This session introduces and examines diversity in current culture through the eyes of graphic novels. Young adult, 14+, popular literature may be several years ahead of mass culture, both in acceptable subjects and characters that represent society today. Some stories maybe fantastical but, like good science fiction, they allow the audience to gain a little personal distance from key current issues and yet examine themes and trends in the context of the overall storylines. Non-fiction graphic novels can provide new perspectives into historic and current events.
July 2	Carol Bousquet	Storytelling 101: Everyone loves a good story and we hope you’ll share yours. Storytelling at FPCOG has been a very popular event. This audience is terrific, especially for beginners, since you’ll be telling your story to a small and very supportive audience. Please let Carol know in advance (, 978-835-8134) if you’d like to tell a story and don’t hesitate to call also to get whatever moral support you may need. Here’s a link to some tips and tricks to help you tell a great story. We look forward to listening to yours!
July 9	Sarah Iacobucci	Waiting Worship: As UUs we will experience a Quaker style of worship based on silent waiting, often referred to as “waiting worship.” In the silence, we will listen for the still, small voice that comes from outside of us. Worshiping together in this expectation brings the community together in love and faithfulness, and can lead to lives transformed. Come spend a quiet summer morning together in waiting worship.
July 16	Bob Burkhart	Mary Baker Eddy and Health: We will join together to study Christian Science. Readings and reflections will occupy us. Mary Baker Eddy’s Science and Health will be the center of attention.
July 23	Judy Nauman	A Look at Interfaith Work: Come join me and other interfaith colleagues as we explore what interfaith work can be.
July 30	Marcia Synnott	Generational Changes: At my June 2017 high school reunion I shall reflect on how students have changed since I was 17. Today’s student activists differ from the civil rights and anti-war protesters of the 1960s and 1970s, because they want to erase past history they judge to be racist and discriminatory. Remove Thomas Jefferson’s statue, because he was a slaveholder, and the words, “stock of the Puritans” from the “Fair Harvard” college song, because they seem exclusive. How far do you think we should go in removing our past history?
August 6	Daniel Payne	14th Annual Joint Summer Service — “Great Freedom, Great Responsibility”: At First Parish Church of Stow and Acton, 353 Great Road, Stow. Join surrounding UU churches in worship, beautiful music directed by Ted Johnson, and socializing during coffee hour. Child care will be available. To join the pick-up choir, arrive at 8:30.
August 13	Margaret Burdine	Poetry Sunday, With Music: Bring a poem or short written piece to share, or just join us to listen. The work does not have to be original. We’ll have poems available as well.
August 20	Pat Fairchild	R U a UU?: Come, come whoever you are. Let’s talk about journeys, principles, traditions, inherent worth. Let’s find some sources where treasures live. Let’s sing!
August 27	Eric Elbot	Deep-In to Bold-Out: Together allow us to experience the Middle Path Paradox between Tibetan Buddhist Emptiness and Be-Here-Now Total Engagement. Create your own inner one-focus-of-mind to change outcomes in an emerging world, where even “reality” is up for grabs.
September 3	Christina Rogers	Animals & Compassion: A service where we will share our most beloved stories of how animals have changed our lives for the better. We will read poems (feel free to bring your favorite!), discuss ways to encourage our spiritual growth using animals as a gateway, and expressing our thankfulness for the richness our animal friends (past and present) have provided to us. Co-chairing the service will be my beloved senior dog KC Bear and a surprise guest. Please bring your heart and soul!
September 10	Rev. Elea Kemler	Big church resumes: Don’t forget to bring some water from your summer.