1 rich Libsyn https://www.libsyn.com 90 600 Loren Gomez, Lay Worship Leader, preaching Worship service given July 5, 2026 Prayer by Mary Babic, Worship Associate https://firstparish.info/ First Parish A liberal religious community, welcoming to all First gathered 1739 The idea of being there for children, listening to them and accepting their gifts, is crucial to parenting, in classrooms and in schools. But it does not need to end there. Join this week's Lay Worship Leader Loren Gomez to explore how listening and acknowledging others with skillfulness is a transformative two-way street that can pave the way for a life of Faithing. Loren recently retired from 32 years in public schools as a school psychologist. She continually runs into former students and families. Loren is spending her time in the mountains and in the yoga studio and creating connections in community. At First Parish she is a Worship Associate and a member of the LGBTQIA+ Affirming Committee. &amp;nbsp; Offering and Giving First The Giving First program donates 50% of the non-pledge offering each month to a charitable organization that we feel is consistent with Unitarian Universalist principles. The program began in November 2009, and First Parish has donated over $200,000 to more than 70 organizations. For June, July, and August of 2026, the Pink Haven Coalition will share half the offering collected during Sunday worship at First Parish. Pink Haven is a coalition of trans organizers, mutual-aid groups, progressive faith organizations, queer associations, and individual justice-lovers who are working together to create networks of safety and direct support for trans beloveds and their families who need to relocate, access healthcare across state lines, or stay as safe as possible where they are.. We know that liberation is a group project and that no one is free until everyone is free. We proclaim that trans lives are sacred. Pink Havens’ work centers trans lives and experiences, particularly the lives and experiences of BIPOC trans and gender expansive people. Learn more at their website: https://www.pinkhaven.org/. The remaining half of your offering supports the life and work of this Parish. To donate using your smartphone, you may text “fpuu” to 73256. Then follow the directions in the texts you receive. Sermons from First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington Massachusetts https://firstparish.info <iframe title="Libsyn Player" style="border: none" src="//html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/42157280/height/90/theme/custom/thumbnail/yes/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="600" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen></iframe> https://assets.libsyn.com/secure/item/42157280