by Matisse Peppet, December 11, 2025
This Advent, we ask the question: What do we fear? and reflect on what it means to insist on Hope in this moment in history. Earlier in Advent, we met Zechariah and Elizabeth – an older, childless couple whose long-held prayers were answered when an angel appeared to Zechariah and announced the coming birth of their son, John the Baptist. This week we hear another story of an angel foretelling a miraculous birth: the annunciation of Mary. But unlike Elizabeth, Mary hasn’t been praying for this. The news arrives unasked-for, out of nowhere. The idea of her having any child… Read More
by UPB Editor, December 06, 2025
The ninth annual Christmas Market will take place Saturday, December 6 through Wednesday, December 31, 2025. Make a gift and/or tell your friends and family that you’ve made gifts in their honor to organizations doing good in the world. Perfect for gifts or stocking stuffers. You determine the amount you want to give. Missions Giving will match all donations received. Click here to view the brochure to learn more about the organizations we’re supporting this year. Then, choose which organizations you’d like to support with a financial contribution. There are two ways to do this: 1. Click here to fill out the online form…. Read More
by Kent M French, December 04, 2025
Advent 2025: What do we fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent This Advent, we ask the question: What do we fear? and reflect on what it means to insist on Hope in this moment in history. Last week, on the first Sunday of Advent, Amy reminded us that scripture readings in this season can be unsettling, scary even. We heard about Zechariah being frighteningly interrupted by an angel announcing that he and his equally aged wife would have a baby. That child would grow up to be prophet, living in the desert, wearing camel’s hair and eating locusts and wild… Read More
by Kent French, November 25, 2025
Advent 2025: What do we fear? Insisting on Hope this Advent We begin the Christian liturgical year once again this Sunday. This Advent, we will ask the question: What do we fear? and reflect on what it means to insist on Hope in this moment in history. From A Sanctified Art: Throughout the stories of Christ’s birth, the whispers of angels deliver a surprising message: “Do not fear.” In our own time, we might ask: is it even possible to be fearless in a fearful world? When Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and the magi are each called into God’s redemptive… Read More
by UPB Editor, November 18, 2025
Join us Saturday, December 6 from 3:30-5:30pm for this annual holiday tradition. We will gather in the Parlor and Choir Room for music, cookies, cocoa and crafts for all ages. Then, the party will shift to the front lawn where we will trim a tree and offer warm drinks and caroling to people passing by. Come share in the spirit of this season. If you would like to contribute to the event, please feel free to bring your favorite holiday cookies to share. Please contact the Gathering Team at gathering@upbrookline.org or the Children and Youth Deepening Team at cydeepening@upbrookline.org for more information…. Read More
by Anna Jeide-Detweiler, November 18, 2025
This autumn, we are reflecting in worship on the same stories the youngest among us are discussing in Church School, going through the Bible from the beginning. For the next few weeks, we’ll move through the Old Testament and hear stories about, “Promises of Hope.” Our Worship Series, Living the Word, reminds us that, “as the Israelites turn away from God and forget their calling to serve as a blessing to all nations, the prophets call them back to relationship with their creator. The prophets offer promises of hope to a people lost and dejected, reminding them that God will… Read More
by Kent M French, November 13, 2025
This autumn, we are reflecting in worship on the same stories the youngest among us are discussing in Church School, going through the Bible from the beginning. For the next few weeks, we’ll move through the Old Testament and hear stories about, “Promises of Hope.” Our Worship Series, Living the Word, reminds us that, “as the Israelites turn away from God and forget their calling to serve as a blessing to all nations, the prophets call them back to relationship with their creator. The prophets offer promises of hope to a people lost and dejected, reminding them that God will never… Read More
by Amy Norton-Benfield, November 07, 2025
This autumn, we are reflecting in worship on the same stories the youngest among us are discussing in Church School, going through the Bible from the beginning. For the next few weeks, we’ll move through the Old Testament and hear stories about, “Promises of Hope.” Our Worship Series, Living the Word, reminds us that, “as the Israelites turn away from God and forget their calling to serve as a blessing to all nations, the prophets call them back to relationship with their creator. The prophets offer promises of hope to a people lost and dejected, reminding them that God will never… Read More
by Kent French, October 30, 2025
REMINDER: Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday; set clocks back one hour. This Sunday is All Souls Day, also known as “the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed,” and we have the special treat to experience a complete orchestral Requiem in our Sunday worship. Death has been swallowed up by a victory. Where is your victory, Death? Where is your sting, Death? 1 Corinthians 15:55 God will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe tears from every face; and will remove their people’s disgrace from off the whole earth. Isaiah 25:8 Years ago I sang in the Tanglewood Festival Chorus… Read More
by Kent M French, October 23, 2025
This autumn, we are reflecting in worship on the same stories the youngest among us are discussing in Church School, going through the Bible from the beginning. For the next few weeks, we’ll move through the Old Testament and hear stories about how, “God calls.” Our Worship Series, Living the Word, reminds us that, “God’s call is often surprising to us, as God looks not on the outside, but at the heart. God continues to invite unlikely people to be great leaders and pillars of the faith. These imperfect leaders answer God’s call, allowing God to work through them in remarkable… Read More
