Welcome to First Parish in Wayland

We are a Unitarian Universalist congregation with open hearts and open doors.
We seek to deepen our spiritual and human connections.
We build community and join together to make a positive difference in the world.
Please join us!

This Sunday

Services at First Parish

10:00 a.m.

Music Sunday

December 10, 2023

First Parish Choir & Guests with Homily by Rev. Deborah Bennett


Music Sunday “Carols and Lullabies, Christmas in the Southwest” by Conrad Susa. Music presented by the First Parish Choir with guitar, marimba and harp, under the direction of Music Director Polly Oliver. “The Sound of Harmony”, homily by Rev. Deborah Bennett.


We are open for in-person services and also offer online access.
Click here to watch online, or get more information about our services here.


Past services are available online and on YouTube.

See our Covid policies and Service attendance info HERE.

HOLIDAY & SPECIAL SERVICES

Please Join Us ~  All Are Welcome!

 

Sunday, December 10, 10:00 a.m., Sanctuary/Online
MUSIC SUNDAY: CAROLS AND LULLABIES — CHRISTMAS IN THE SOUTHWEST
The First Parish Choir presents this special work by composer Conrad Susa
Accompanied by harp, marimba, and guitar, under the direction of Music Director Polly Oliver
Reflection by Rev. Deborah Bennett: Sounds of Harmony

We will also present the service on Zoom, but the in-person musical experience will be well worth it!


Monday, December 18, 7:00 p.m., Vestry/Online
BLUE CHRISTMAS VESPERS
Rev. Deborah Bennett

If you would appreciate a time to honor those who are not with you this holiday (for whatever reason) or if this is just a time where you find yourself feeling down or extra quiet, please join Rev. Deborah for this special service.


Thursday, December 21, 6:45 p.m., Outside (or Vestry)
WINTER SOLSTICE GATHERING
Laurel Whitehouse, Rev. Deborah Bennett
Reflect on the turning of the seasons.


Sunday, December 24, 4:00 p.m., Sanctuary
CHRISTMAS EVE MULTIGENERATIONAL LIVING PAGEANT
Rev. Deborah Bennett, Kate Holland (and friends!)

Our annual tradition of telling the Christmas story with the lively help of the congregation. Featuring our family bell choir!


Sunday, December 24, 7:00 p.m., Sanctuary/Online
CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT SERVICE
Rev. Deborah Bennett

Come join in the music, story and inspiration of the season and share in the sacred ritual of passing the light.


Sunday, December 31, 10:00 a.m., First Parish of Sudbury UU
“IMAGINATION,” ANNUAL THREE-CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE
This service explores the imagination. Where does the imagination take us? How does imagination benefit us as individuals, and how does it benefit the world? Join us for this special joint New Year’s Eve day service as we celebrate with our neighbors from First Parish of Sudbury and Framingham.

 

Events

Music Sunday: Christmas in the Southwest

Music Sunday: Christmas in the Southwest

On Dec. 10 at 10 a.m., join us for the choir’s performance of Conrad Susa’s “Carols and Lullabies: Christmas in the Southwest,” under the direction of First Parish Music Director Polly Oliver. The voices are supported by harp, marimba, and guitar, which combine to...

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Community Carol Sing

Community Carol Sing

On Sunday, December 3 at 4:30 p.m., join in the annual community Carol Sing on the steps of First Parish. Rev. Deborah Bennett will host the festivities. Participants include members of the Sudbury Valley New Horizons Band under the direction of Diane Muffitt. Maddie...

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Holiday Pop-Up Sale + Kids’ Shop

Holiday Pop-Up Sale + Kids’ Shop

First Parish in Wayland’s Holiday Sale returns on Dec. 2 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s an opportunity to shop with a purpose! We’ll feature Fair Trade giftable food items, handmade items from nonprofits, and gently used holiday décor. Back by popular demand: The Kids’...

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Latest News

Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors

Supporting Domestic Violence Survivors

This marked First Parish’s 18th year of supporting REACH, an agency in Waltham dedicated to the safety, healing, and empowerment of survivors of domestic violence. Each year, we decorate a tree with paper candy canes featuring gift wishes from mothers and their...

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December Theme: The Gift of Mystery

December Theme: The Gift of Mystery

The Gift of Mystery We live in a culture that loves to conquer mysteries. For us modern folks, the unexplainable is simply a lock to be picked, a code to be cracked, a puzzle to be figured out. But what if mystery isn’t just something to solve? What if it’s also...

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Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Neighbors

Supporting Our LGBTQ+ Neighbors

On two Sundays in November, First Parish shared half the total offering collected during Sunday services with organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community. On Nov. 5, half our collection went to OUT MetroWest, which builds community for LGBTQ+ youth. On Nov. 19, we...

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Curious About First Parish?

Visiting is the best way to get to know us. But you can also learn more here.

Not Your Parents' Sunday School.

Our Spiritual and Ethical Exploration program is for all ages. Learn more here.

Want to Change the World?

So do we. Our Social Action programs offer lots of ways to make a difference.

Our Mission

To Build Community by forging caring connections and supporting one another through the joys, sorrows and mysteries of life.

To Search for Meaning by creating opportunities for all ages to explore values and principles that orient and guide us through life.

To Deepen our Spirituality by gathering to share words and music, by nurturing private moments of reflection, and by cultivating reverence.

To Make a Better World by engaging in compassionate service and promoting social justice.

Welcome

We are a Unitarian Universalist congregation that affirms human dignity, community action, freedom of religious thought, and the power of love.

Our History

Since 1640, First Parish has been a warm and welcoming spiritual home. We draw inspiration from our long history rooted in liberal religious ideas.

Unitarian Universalism

Unitarian Universalism takes inspiration from the world’s great religions, the natural world, and the human experience. We affirm our values in seven UU Principles.