Category: Personal & Spiritual Development

Sabbatical as a Gift of Rest
The word sabbatical comes from the Hebrew word “Sabat” (Sabbath), a day set aside for rest and worship. The practice… More >

Blue Christmas Vespers
Wednesday Evening, December 14, 7:00 pm Are you feeling out of synch with the forced happiness of the holidays? Come and… More >

The Wonder of Steadfastness
Often when we think of what piques wonder in us this time of year, the focus is on the mysteries… More >

Pause to Appreciate the Nurturing Dark
“If you are going to meditate by candlelight, do not hurry to light the candle,” wrote John Marsh in his… More >

Wonder-A First Church Core Value
Wonder is one of the four core values grounding our First Church community. It encompasses doubt, questioning, and humility in… More >

Forge Our Future – Just say “YES!”
During this month of year-end reflections and deep gratitude, numerous First Church volunteers will continue reaching out to every household… More >

Rev. Jennifer’s Sabbatical Update
Rev. Jennifer’s Sabbatical: an important event for First Church! Sabbaticals can be as worthwhile to members as to the minister…. More >

We Look Forward To Visiting You For Forge Our Future!
We hope that you were able to attend the Forge Our Future kickoff and Halloween street party on October 23rd…. More >

Nurture the Soul Midweek
Dealing with change in the world is hard, but from my perspective changing one’s own behavior is harder. Some several… More >

Constancy of Change
There is something about the human soul that longs to be settled and stirred. This simultaneity is expressed in our… More >

How Do You Feel About Change?
Change might be exciting or nerve-wracking, but it is inevitable. According to the Buddha, impermanence is one of the three… More >

Rev. Jennifer 2.0
Alert. Your Senior Minister will be updating her operating system in 2023. Do not turn off your congregation. In… More >

Whither our UU Principles?
What do we as UUs believe, and what does our church stand for? How do we want to see those… More >

Social Courage in our Community
A First Church visitor walked into a church for the first time in her life last Sunday all by herself,… More >

Courage to Teach
Courage is so often claimed by bold and heroic acts, but as a young teacher it was Parker Palmer who… More >

Supporting One Another with Courage & Joy
I’m excited about Rev. Jennifer’s upcoming sabbatical. It is a sign of a congregation’s robust health to support their ministers’… More >