Author Archives: Pastor P

This sermon was given at the Ordination of Erik Resly at First Parish in Milton, MA, January 28, 2012 It is amazing, wonderful, a thrill to be celebrating Erik’s ordination today. I don’t need to tell anyone here that he … Continue reading →

This is an abridged version of the sermon preached at First Parish in Milton, MA on Sunday, November 27, 2011.  The first Sunday in Advent. I know you’ve seen the street sign, too. Usually found in residential neighborhoods, it’s meant … Continue reading →

  This is the text I wrote as the basis for my homily at the UU Vespers service at Occupy Boston on October 16, 2011.  I spoke without notes, so the homily delivered was ‘adapted.’ Isn’t it great to be … Continue reading →

 I’ve mentioned already that I’m surprised at how taken I am with the Occupy America protests.  That has only become more so after spending time at Occupy Boston last Sunday evening.  I understand the criticisms that are flying, from folks … Continue reading →

I write this as the Occupy Wall Street movement spreads across U.S. cities at an astonishing rate, and I’ve been reading with interest the reports of what’s happening in the midst of the seemingly well-organized unorganized movement. I tend to … Continue reading →

It used to be the norm that pastors of New England churches would leave for the coast of Maine (or if they were of a different kind of money, the Cape or Islands) about this time in June, to return … Continue reading →

Reflection and prayer on receiving news of an old friend’s death: God of all creation, hearts break to see an exquisite part of your creation lost – a life ended too soon.  How is it, why is it, that the … Continue reading →

I’ve been ruminating all week on the many disparate but powerful things that have been all over the news.   What is the ‘right’ way to respond to Bin Laden’s death?  How can we wrap our minds around the brutality of … Continue reading →

Here’s the letter I wrote to the New York Times responding to Ross Douthat’s “A Case for Hell” before I realized they had a 150-word limit for letters to the editor.  We’ll see if they print the 150-word version, in … Continue reading →