General Interest

December’s Worship Theme and Spiritual Exercise: “Promise”

Our Theme for December is Promise. This exercise is an opportunity for reflection. Has anyone ever broken a promise to you? Have you ever broken a promise to someone else? When you look back on the broken promises in your life, what did you learn from them? How have these broken promies affected your faith—in … Continued

Members’ Blog: Gary Smith Says “Take Joy”

“The gloom of the world is but a shadow; behind it, yet, within our reach, is joy. Take joy.” Take Thanksgiving Sunday, the 19th, nine days ago, at Follen Community Church in East Lexington. The second service is at 11:30 and we’re there a little after 11, and the doors to the sanctuary are closed, and … Continued

In the Interim: Days of Remembrance

I’m writing this piece on Monday, November 20th – a couple of days earlier than usual — because of the Thanksgiving holiday.  Today is Transgender Day of Remembrance – a day to honor all of the transgender individuals we have been lost this year and in the years prior to this one. Transgender Day of … Continued

Follen Youth Raising Funds for Italy Trip

Follen youth Ben, Isabella and Venice are in Madrigals (honors chorus) at Arlington High. The Madrigals and band are going to perform all over Northern Italy; schools, churches, etc. over February school vacation. The band leader is from Italy and has arranged for all their engagements. In order to defray the costs, the kids are participating … Continued

In the Interim: Gradual by Gradual

When I was growing up my father would tell me stories about his parents. They were Russian immigrants (or maybe, Polish – it seems to have depended on where the border was at the time anyone was relating family history). My father’s parents came to the U.S. speaking no English and they learned about the … Continued

RE Search Committee Wants To Hear from You

We want to hear from if you have – or had – children in RE at Follen and if you have not. We will be exploring the role of RE in fulfilling Follen’s mission as well as your hopes for the future of RE and its incoming leader. There are multiple ways to share your thoughts: Listening … Continued

In the Community: Climate Wars and “Hidden Figures”

“The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: The Battle Continues” Thursday, November 16, 5-6:20pm, Bentley University Dr. Michael Mann to speak in Koumantzelis Auditorium: “The Hockey Stick and the Climate Wars: The Battle Continues.” This is the scientist whose “science facts” started it all, not to mention helped Al Gore win that Nobel Peace Prize. … Continued

It’s Time for the Giving Tree

With the holidays approaching faster than we can imagine, it is time to start thinking about the Giving Tree! Each year Follen Church and its members generously commit to giving gifts to those in need during the holiday season. Helping Four Organizations This year we will again be supporting four organizations: the Department of Children … Continued

In the Interim: Note to Self: Be Brave

I’ve been in Denver, CO at the Liberal Religious Educators Association (LREDA) Fall Conference, immersed in learning along with more than 200 Religious Educators and 30 UUA staff members, on how to build brave spaces in our lives and how to encourage brave conversations among children, youth, and adults we minister to.  The original idea … Continued