Join us for the Sunday Service!

In person and on Zoom ~ 11:00 am

 

Every Sunday morning at 11:00, we gather for beautiful music, sharing joys and sorrows, inspired preaching, and building beloved community. Right after the service, please join us for snacks, coffee, and conversation in the Hunnewell Chapel. For those participating virtually, join the conversation in the Arlington Street Zoom room! All are welcome!

 

In Person: The Great Doors at 20 Arlington Street open at 10:30 and music begins at 10:45. Dress to be warm and comfortable; come as you are.

On Zoom: For those who would like to participate virtually, please meet us in the Arlington Street Zoom Room! Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929) 436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is 895 886 6876.

You are welcome here!

Join the Arlington Street Zoom Room

Download the Order of Service

Fill the Virtual Collection Plate

Submit Candles of Joy & Sorrow

Make a Pledge for 2024-25

Watch Past Sermons and Full Services

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November Services: Beacons

“Lighthouses don’t go running all over an island looking for boats to save; they just stand there shining." Anne Lamott’s words speak to an easy fact to forget about both the light we possess within us, and that which we seek when we are in trouble: we can count on them more than we realize. As we prepare for and process the November election, honor our Veterans, and prepare for the season of Thanksgiving, we will consider how to seek and magnify the light to guide us all to whatever comes next.

 

November 3: A New National Anthem

Rev. Parisa Parsa with Lucy Humphrey, Worship Coordinator

What sounds, ideas and values would you put into a national anthem if you were writing one today? As we prepare for the US Presidential election and consider the future of our nation, we’ll pause to consider and to dream.

 

November 10: Look to the Light 

Rev. Parisa Parsa with Art Nava, Worship Coordinator

What shining examples of hope and possibility might we look to in this time of tumult? What will offer us both comfort and a horizon of vision to move forward?

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Weekly Events

Monday Mettā

Every Monday ~ 12:00 pm (Zoom)
Led by Philip Roberts (with assistance from Connie Scanlon and Al Ingram)

Come for a half hour of Mettā (lovingkindness) meditation, sending lovingkindness to ourselves and to the world. No meditation experience necessary. Bring your open heart!

Poems to Go On

Every Monday ~ 4:00 pm (Zoom)
Led by Darrell Waters and Alan Kemp

"You can use a poem the next time your life threatens to become too crowded or too empty, or too anything, to give you some feeling of order or companionship. A spell against 'chaos and old night.' I hope some of these will do you some good." ~ Vermont poet James Hayford

Please come whether or not you think you like poetry! Feel free just to listen or bring a favorite poem and a little background about the poet. We'll have the opportunity to read aloud and share what these poems mean to us. All are welcome!

Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929) 436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is 895 886 6876.

Buddha's Belly ~ The Buddhist Book Discussion

The 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month ~ 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Led by Sharon Gentges and the Arlington Street Sangha

Are you curious about Buddhism? Buddhist wisdom can help us find refuge amid the chaos and difficulties of life. Right now, our greatest refuge is our community (sangha). The Buddha’s Belly group meets twice a month to read and discuss books by contemporary Buddhist teachers, and to talk about how these teachings can shape our lives. 

We are starting a new book this month, so it’s a perfect time to join! We’re reading Pema Chodron’s Practicing Peace in Times of War. For our gathering on November 26, please read Chapter 1.

Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929)436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is always 895 886 6876.

Arlington Street Meditation Center

The 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month ~ 7:00 pm (Zoom)
Led by Queen Cheryl (with assistance from Sharon Gentges)
Our gathering includes seated meditation, a brief reading from Buddhist teachings, and conversation. Beginners and experienced meditators from all traditions (or none!) are warmly welcome. If you'd like to print out the words to the Mettā (Lovingkindness) phrases, which we repeat together at the close of the Arlington Street Meditation Center gathering, you'll find them here. If you don't, no worries; even if you don't know them as we begin, you'll know them by the time we finish!

Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929)436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is always 895 886 6876.

Tea with the Ministers

Every Wednesday ~ 5:00 pm (Zoom)

Make a cuppa, find a comfortable seat, and come take a civilized late afternoon break with Rev. Parisa, Rev. Beth, and one another. Our next discussion prompt is “if you were writing a new national anthem for the US, what would you want it to say or sound like?” All are warmly welcome! 

 

Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929)436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is always 895 886 6876.

Kundalini Yoga Class

Every Wednesday ~ 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Led by Jean Ko Stewart

Experience fun exercises and poses, breathing techniques, chanting, meditation, and deep relaxation in this unique class. Moving energy through your body brings positive change and growth. There is a $10 charge that goes to the church. Please email Office@ASCBoston.org for Zoom access. All are welcome!

Sanctuary Boston Worship Gathering

The 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month ~ 6:30 pm (In person & Zoom)

Did you know that our beloved Mark David Buckles also serves as the Music Director of Sanctuary Boston? This community of vibrant worship and real connection is grounded in Unitarian Universalism and open to seekers of all kinds. Sanctuary Boston’s intergenerational services are offered twice monthly on Wednesday evenings, alternating between Boston and Cambridge. Learn more at thesanctuaryboston.org. 

Arlington Street Writes!

Every Thursday ~ 5:00 pm (Zoom)

Led by Trisha Zembruski

Trisha invites you to the spiritual practice of writing inspired by Zen meditation, based on Natalie Goldberg's Writing Down the Bones. No writing experience necessary – all you need is paper, pen, and willingness! All are welcome!

Note: This meeting is NOT in the Arlington Street Zoom room. Join by video at tinyurl.com/ASCWrites or participate by phone by dialing (929) 205-6099. The meeting ID is 833 4627 6104.

Arlington Street Church Choir Rehearsal

Every Thursday ~ 7:00 pm (Arlington Street Church - 2nd Floor)

Experience the spiritual practice of communal singing! Musicians and non-musicians are welcome – we are a mix of professionals and amateurs and are always happy to welcome new members. Take a couple of hours out of your week to create something beautiful, make friends, and add more music to your life!

Community Care Potluck

Saturday, November 9 ~ 6:30 pm (In Person ~ Parish Hall)

Join us for an evening of fellowship, food, and conversation as we enjoy one another's good company. Bring a dish to share or just bring yourself!

Coro Allegro Concert: FORGED IN FIRE

Sunday, November 17 ~ 3:00 pm (Church of The Covenant, 67 Newbury Street)

Please join our own Hala Hazar and her fellow members of Coro Allegro, Boston's LGBTQ+ and allied classical chorus, for FORGED IN FIRE. This timely event offers an opportunity to enjoy wondrous music influenced by tumultuous times. 

 

Experience the breathtaking power of Zoltán Kodály’s Missa Brevis, which was composed amid the chaos of World War II when the composer sought refuge in Budapest as bombs rained down. The concert will offer a reflection on the worldwide migration crisis and a call for compassion with Rich Campbell's Border. The chorus will also perform i see others like me, a new piece commissioned for Coro Allegro by Bosba, an up-and-coming Cambodian composer. 

 

Tickets are available at coroallegro.org. Thanks to Hala for securing a special Arlington Street discount of $5 with the code 6724.

Vegan Cooking with Jenny ~ The Great Arlington Street Baking Show!

Sunday, November 17 ~ 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Jenny is a devoted Arlington Street Zoomer who joins us from Rockville, Maryland each week. She writes, "I became vegan in 2019 (after 25 years of being lacto-ovo vegetarian.) I see my veganism as both a health choice and as part of my spiritual life; following the fourth UU principle of ‘A Free and *Responsible* Search for Truth and Meaning.’

 

 Whether you are a committed vegan or not, you are warmly invited to come cook with Jenny. All of the recipes are vegan and gluten-free. If you have questions, health concerns, allergies, or foods you’ve always wanted to try to adapt as vegan, Jenny would love to hear from you. For the November session, we'll learn to make stuffed mushrooms. Also, please save the date of Sunday, December 15th and make plans to join Jenny at 6:00 pm to make pad Thai Looking forward to cooking together – Aprons, everyone! 

 

Join with video at tinyurl.com/ASCZoom or participate by phone by dialing (929)436-2866. For either option, the meeting ID is always 895 886 6876.

Prudential Committee Meeting

Tuesday, November 19 ~ 6:00 pm (Zoom)

Come experience how the business of the church gets done. Our Prudential Committee members are Alan Kemp–Chair, Co-chairs–Sandy Dixon and Kelly Anne Weaver, Rachel Corey, Bob Sessions, Laura Pattison, Cathy DeMatto, Art Nava, and Hala Hazar. Stephen Anable (Clerk), Liz Teixeira (Treasurer), and our ministers also attend "the Pru." Though only our elected Prudential Committee members may vote, everyone is welcome!

Global Jazz Club present Roella Oloro

Saturday, November 23 @ 7:00 pm (CROMA @Arlington Street Church)

Roella Oloro is a dynamic British-born composer and multi-instrumentalist of Nigerian and Jamaican descent. A rising star, Roella has graced stages from the Royal Albert Hall to the Berklee Performance Center, and her music blends a rich tapestry of influences. With her powerful compositions and virtuosic performances, Roella continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Don’t miss this chance to experience her artistry live!

Bringing in the Greens

Sunday, November 24 ~ 12:30 pm (Sanctuary)

Kevin Tyrrell (aka Elf Jefe) is calling all elves! Thanks to Robert Holley, we have exquisite decorations; let’s bring in the greens (an old New England tradition) and deck the hall! 

 

We'll gather after the service on November 24th to transform our beautiful spiritual home for the holiday season. We can use many hands to complete the task and have some fun in the process!

Pastelada Party!

Thursday, December 5 ~ 6:00 pm (CROMA @Arlington Street Church)

Let's make pasteles! Join us this holiday season to experience the magic of preparing and enjoying this cherished Puerto Rican Christmas tradition; pasteles are a delicious blend of plantains, green bananas, and local root vegetables wrapped in banana leaves and filled with spiced meat. Families and friends unite to prepare these bundles of joy, celebrating the season together. In partnership with Discover Puerto Rico and El Pretexto Culinary Farm Lodge, we invite you to connect with this rich cultural tradition and make pasteles with Chef Luis Cabrero. Don't miss out!

Eddy Marcano Cuarteto Acústico Presents Navidad entre Compays

Saturday, December 7 ~ 7:00 pm (CROMA @Arlington Street Church)

This enchanting evening of Latin American music will open the Christmas season with the extraordinary talents of Eddy Marcano, a premier Venezuelan violinist and conductor. Known for his role as the first violinist with the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra, Marcano has captivated audiences worldwide, from Latin America to Europe and the United States. Learn more and purchase tickets at cromaspace.com.

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Covenant Renewal

A Personal Reflection from John O'Connor

offered on Sunday morning, February 11th, 2024

For the past 34 years, Arlington Street has been my spiritual home. In stormy times, it has been a place of shelter. I remember in 1990, standing at this very podium, offering my very first candle. I was shaking with rage. A group of us had just attended an AIDS fundraiser in the South End when were attacked by a gang, wielding broken bottles and bats, screaming anti-gay slurs. Several ended up in the hospital with serious injuries. And so I, a young lawyer, ended up as a witness in a Federal Hate Crimes trial. And Arlington Street was my support.

Arlington Street has also been a community of joy and celebration. I never expected I’d be a bride in a traditional church wedding . . . well, sort of traditional!

And Arlington Street has been a community of learning, where I have been challenged to become the best possible version of myself. Whoever would have thought that the angry young lawyer who came up to this pulpit 34 years ago would later decide to go to Divinity School to study for the ministry?

For those of you new to Arlington Street, stick around . . . There’s magic in this place.

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Get Involved

Flowers on the High Pulpit

Would you like to make a gift of flowers for the entire congregation to enjoy on a Sunday morning? You can make your dedication in memory, in honor, or in celebration of someone or something you love. You can have flowers delivered or bring your own (a minimum of two dozen flowers is perfect for our huge space). Please email our congregational administrator, Jeff Fogleman (office@ASCBoston.org,) to claim your date! Thank you!