What to Expect in a service

We gather in worship to find meaning and live more deeply. Worship creates connections within, among, and beyond us, calling us to our better selves, calling us to live with wisdom and compassion.

Sunday Service

Sundays at 10:00 a.m. sharp and call on us to connect our lives to the world around us in a spirit of love, compassion and acceptance. As one our members so eloquently put it, “I attend service each Sunday to be reminded of how I want to be in the world.” Drawing from a diverse collection of both religious and contemporary texts, our worship seeks to find spiritual nourishment in many different places. Our service is intergenerational with children leaving us part way through for Religious Education classes.

Special Services

The First Universalist Church of Essex, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation, regularly schedules guest speakers, musicians, and performers as part of our Sunday Service.

We also hold special services for the following holidays and rites of passage:

• Ash Wednesday
• Holy/Maundy Thursday with Communion
• Easter Sunrise Service
• Passover Seder
• Flower Communion Sunday
• Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur
• Ramadan
• Hanukkah
• Christmas
• New Member Ceremonies
• Baptism and Dedications

Music

Music during services is quite traditional with singing 2-3 hymns by the congregation. A pianist plays a prelude, music during the offering and a postlude. Our choir, led by Betsy Vicksell, sings about once a month. The music is usually related to the holiday at the time. We also have a band comprised of congregation members who enjoy performing music. They perform about every 6 weeks. Both the choir and band are always open to new members.

Parking

Parking is available along the street in downtown Essex as well as the public lot behind the Police Station off Martin Street/Route 22. Please do not park in the Village Restaurant lot for Sunday service or any other church event.

Coffee Hour

We hope you can join us after service for fellowship in the church hall downstairs. Enjoy coffee/tea, as well as the vast array of goodies contributed and served by our rotating volunteer members for the enjoyment of all. This is a wonderful time to get to know each other!