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Abundant Living on a Troubled Planet

Dec 6, 2015

Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Stephanie May, December 6, 2015

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First Parish in Wayland

17 minutes ago

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.
www.uuwayland.org/?p=32567 ... See MoreSee Less

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

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First Parish in Wayland

2 days ago

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
www.uuwayland.org/?p=32570 ... See MoreSee Less

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

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First Parish in Wayland

A Unitarian Universalist Community
225 Boston Post Road
PO Box 397
Wayland, MA 01778-0397
508-358-6133
Tax id: 042730263

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A Message from Our Minister

First Parish is a seeking church, a transforming church, and a welcoming church. We are a community of action, working together to build a more just and loving world. We are a community of care, showing up for one another and the wider community in good and difficult times.

In this community, we welcome all of who you are—your gifts and struggles, your commitments and questions, as well as the many identities you hold. We embrace a wide variety of religious beliefs and celebrate the uniqueness of each person’s search for truth and meaning. Your presence expands and enlivens our community.

It is my great joy to serve First Parish in shared leadership with a wonderful staff and devoted lay leaders. We hope you will find in this community a place of growth and connection, of deep inquiry and shared values.

If you have questions about the congregation, about Unitarian Universalism, or about how to begin finding your place in our community, please reach out! Send an email to lsmith@uuwayland.org to schedule a time to meet. I look forward to hearing from you.

Rev. Lauren Smith

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.