Open Hearts - Open Minds - Open Doors
Welcome Home! We are a community that celebrates diversity in Braintree, MA - Imagine the Freedom - More Spirituality, Less Religiousity
We accept you as you are...
It's no accident that you are here.
We are so happy you're visiting our website! We update it frequently, so be sure to drop by often. And please let us know if there's anything you'd like to add.
As a happily diverse community, we attempt to remain engaged with each other's differing views. Thus, we learn while sharing, remaining open to rational argument or spiritual enlightenment.
This allows us to minimize doctrine, ideology, dogma, creed, or any kind of fundamentalist, authoritative ideas that are not to be disputed or doubted. Those things can lead to suffering.
The glue that binds us together is the love of our community and an affirmation to promote the Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism. (See the left side bar)
Many of us feel our spiritual lives are grounded in a sense of the fullness and connectedness of all things.
You can comfortably be spiritual without being religious in this community of seekers if you choose. (a choice not offered everywhere)
Teen Talent Night Auditions Being Held May 20
South Shore
TEEN TALENT CONTEST
See some of the auditions on Youtube
PRIZES INCLUDE:
3 hours of Professional Audio Recording with
"Judge" Joe Merrick
http://www.joemerrick.com/joe_merricks_guilty_dog_studio
$100 South Shore Music Gift Certificate from
"Judge" Peter Volpe
http://www.justplaymusic.com/
Professional Photo Shoot with Photographer
"Judge" Sam Haddix
http://samhaddix.com/
Professional Video/Audio Recording made by
"Judge" Owen Korzec
http://www.facebook.com/doublerainbowstudio
Professional Vocal lesson with Berklee Graduate
"judge" Katrina Degel
WINNERS TO PERFORM LIVE
at BRAINTREE'S 4th of JULY CELEBRATION!
Saturday June 30th
The June 8th Talent Show will be broadcast on BCAM (Braintree Cable Access)
*Winners will be selected via a combination of Judge Evaluation
and Popular Vote at June 8th event. So bring your family & friends!
Our Services - September through June
During the regular church year, mid-September through mid-June, services are held on Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. During the summer months, mid-June through mid-September, abbreviated services are held at 9:30 a.m.
During the regular church year, children begin in the sanctuary with adults before going to their religious education classes. Child care is available for nursery and preschoolers.
Please check the Newcomers link at the top of this page for additional information you may find helpful.
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This month's Sunday Services - 10:30 AM
Thursday May 10th Interfaith Prayer Service at Sunset Lake 7 PM Each year, the Braintree Interfaith Clergy Association gathers together in the spring to host a town wide prayer service. Rev. Steve and some from our talented musical department will be there. On a nice night this is a nice town-wide event.
May 13th Margaret Fuller - Shero: Margaret Fuller is his SHEro. Rev. Steve just loves her. Today on both Mother's Day and during her Bicentennial year, we review the fiery equal of Emerson, the woman who preceded the suffragists, a revolutionary, an intellectual, an adventurer, and a kid who knew five languages by the time she was a teen. Come celebrate with our Rev. Steve Wilson the power of a UU woman who nurtured and challenged the minds of our nation.
May 20th Creedo Service On this Sunday some of the newest additions to the All Souls family will stand up and speak on where they are, how they got here, what they believe, and what they have learned from being here. Our Creedo services are designed as a chance to really get to know each other, one parishioner and in some cases, employee at a time. Come for what are almost always very emotional and well-received encounters.
May 27th Universalism: When Love Comes to Town Today Rev. Steve will explore Universalism. Universalism is half our heritage, a part of our New England Theological Roots, and the successes and costs of spreading God's love too well. This service touches on the history of Universalism and some of its most famous leaders.
June 3rd Orange is not the only kind In this Welcoming Congregation Service designed to prepare and inspire us to march in the Pride Parade, Rev. Wilson will lift up for inspection and edification the story of Jeanette, a young, truly faithful teenager who discovers her attraction to women at the same time she is emerging as a real leader within her evangelical community. Today, we will not risk harming our arms as we pat ourselves on the back for being so tolerant, and instead discuss where we are and the serious work left to do.
Raffle Calendar Drawing
The winning numbers for our Raffle Calendar have all been drawn.
April 1 #30 Sam Adams Party Pack donated by Boston Beer Works
April 2 #124 Lowe's Gift Card
April 3 #68 DeNatalie Gift Card
April 4 #90 Dunkin Donuts Gift Card donated by Braintree Cooperative Bank
April 5 #26 Richard's Sub Shop Gift Card donated by Braintree Cooperative Bank
April 6 #66 Wahlburgers Gift Card
April 7 #97 Honeybaked Ham Gift Card
April 8 #153 Cheesecake Factory Gift Card
April 9 #108 South Shore Dinner Club coupon book
April 10 #156 Edible Arrangements Gift Card
April 11 #53 Kristin's Gift Card
April 12 #78 The Potting Bench Gift Card
April 13 #48 Building #19 Gift Certificate
April 14 #102 Dave and Busters Gift Card
Aoril 15 #9 Company Theatre of Norwell Gift Card
April 16 #37 Richmond Hardware Paint and Rental Gift Card
April 17 #90 Lee & Associates Gift Card
April 18 #80 South Shore Dinner Club coupon book
April 19 #129 The Chateau Italian Family Dining Gift Card
April 20 #102 Levaggi's Candies chocolates and gift card
April 21 #19 Panera Bread gift of 13 bagels and 2 tubs of cream cheese each month for one year
April 22 #60 Dragon Naturally Speaking Software donated by Diana Althouse
April 23 #93 Sam Adams Party Pack donated by Boston Beer Works
April 24 #160 Panera Bread gift of 13 bagels and 2 tubs of cream cheese each month for one year
April 25 #126 Coffee Break Gift Card
April 26 #156 Murray's Deli Gift Card
April 27 #107 Crate and Barrel Gift Card
April 28 #20 Red Sox Sweatshirt donated by Bob Bloomberg
April 29 #23 Cardi's Furniture Gift Certificate
April 30 #16 Cintra Gift Card donated by Braintree Cooperative Bank
Congratulations to all the winners!
Our Minister Rev. Steve Wilson
Rev. Steve Wilson was installed as the settled minister at All Souls Church in 2009. He has served family-sized Unitarian Universalist congregations in Rutland, Vermont, Northfield, MA, and Bernardston, MA. He came to Braintree after a six-month tenure at a growing church in Sydney, Australia.
A truly authentic worship leader, Rev. Wilson officiates at All Souls' Sunday services, which provide a time for reflection and meditation, music, and connection with others. Rev. Wilson brings to his ministry a rich background of experience in social justice and environmental activism. This experience enhances the ministry of All Souls Church, which has a long history of promoting social justice as well as environmental awareness. It has earned the Unitarian Universalist designation of "Welcoming Congregation", indicating a church community that embraces all individuals whether they are straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered. It has also earned the designation "Green Sanctuary", indicating its commitment to environmental responsibility. As he began his tenure at All Souls, Rev. Wilson remarked, "I am excited to be here in a religious community that serves as a magnet for progressive thought and social action. For those who actively yearn for justice, love questions as much as answers, and want to live out their religious lives in a welcoming community, my brief time here has already convinced me that this is a great place."
Rev. Wilson has been working with the church's cooperative religious education committee to develop its engaging Sunday morning Young Explorers Program for children and youth. The program is in session on Sundays from 10:30 am to 11:45 am. It provides a variety of experiences, activities and fun time together to provide young people with the opportunity to nurture new friendships, support their individual journeys and be part of a caring community.
All Souls Church, Unitarian Universalist
Our Vision is to be an open-minded spiritual community that celebrates diversity and lives successfully with both its gifts and challenges. We seek to understand and appreciate the great diversity of people and ideas in the world.
With our vision in mind, Our Mission, as All Souls Church, is to come together in community, to create opportunities for spiritual expression and exploration, to learn with and from each other, and to make a difference in the world.
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What Do We Love?
We love a Sense of Belonging, Celebration of Life, Fellowship, Spiritual Growth, Freedom, Ecology, Diversity, Justice, Earth, Same-sex Marriage, Humanity, Democracy, Nature, Music, Love, Liberty, Community, Sustainability, Sharing, Truth, Celebrating Common Values, Creativity, Honesty, Learning, Ethics, Interfaith Weddings, Compassion, The Braintree Farmers Market, Equality, Joy, Our 7 Principles... (See the left sidebar for The Seven Principles of Unitarian Universalism.)
Remember the caution of Paul Tillich and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. that we not separate love from power. Why? Because love without power is sentimental and anemic, and power without love is reckless and abusive.
What Are Our Demographics?
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Here in Braintree, Massachusetts, on the south shore of Boston, our members and friends are happily all colors, all races, married, single, men, women, adults, youth, children, straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, in, out, all sizes, all ages, all different abilities, etc...
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Our Backgrounds and Beliefs
Our members and friends backgrounds/beliefs include - Unitarian Universalism, Humanism, Buddhism, Theological Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Neo-Paganism, Hinduism, Shinto, Islam, Native American Spirituality, Spiritualism, Agnosticism, Atheism, Pantheism, Creatheism, Environmentalism, etc. with more coming in.
Most resonate with more than one of the above.
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"Don't look to us for your answers. Our way is not The Way. Look into your own heart, and come as close to the voice of your own heart as you can so you can hear the voice of your own heritage. You must figure it out, and see through which tradition it will speak. You must find your own way." - Manuel Hoyongowa, Hopi
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"Therefore, Ananda, be a lamp unto yourself, be a refuge to yourself. Take yourself to no external refuge. Hold fast to the Truth as a lamp; hold fast to the Truth as a refuge. Look not for a refuge in anyone beside yourself. And those, Ananda, who either now or after I am dead shall be a lamp unto themselves, who take themselves to no external refuge, but holding fast to the Truth as their lamp, and holding fast to the Truth as their refuge, shall not look for refuge to anyone beside themselves, it is they who shall reach the highest goal." - Mahaparinibbana Sutta
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We've Got Small Groups!
A sampling of some of our intentional small groups - Chalice Circles, Monthly Book Group, Singing Meditation, Buddhist Reflections, Gay Men's Discussion Group, Women's Lesbian Support Group, Peace & Pizza, Coffee & Conversation, Yoga, Choir, Drummimg, Developing a Deeper Relationship with God etc. For more detailed information on our Small Groups, click on the Get Involved tab at the top of this page.
Summer Worship Services
Summer services can be really unusual, interesting or just plain fun. The image used to the right is not an actual summer service.
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Gourmet Chocolate Night and Purely Vocals
The chocolate and the accapella stylings of Purely Vocals were absolutely divine. Learn more here!
A Past Service On George's Island
We had Native American flute and African hand drums for this service.
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350.org - International Day of Climate Action
All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church of Braintree took part in the most widespread day of environmental action in history -- over 5,200 events in 181 countries -- to call for a clear solution to the climate crisis: reducing the level of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere below 350 parts per million.
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Support our church with your Amazon.com purchases by clicking on this link
Sunday services are held at 10:30 AM in the Sanctuary. Coffee Hour is a time for fellowship and light refreshments that follows the service.
Coffee Hour Schedule First and Third Sundays are "Pot Luck", meaning people are requested to bring some finger food to share. The Second Sunday is hosted by a committee or group. The Fourth and/or Fifth Sundays are hosted by volunteers who sign up in advance.
Braintree, MA, USA