Neighbor News
Sudbury STOP Students Visit First Parish of Sudbury
Rev. Matty and Religious Exploration Director Jenna Kyes share principles of Unitarian Universalism with Sudbury STOP students.
Rev. Dr. Marjorie Matty, minister of First Parish of Sudbury, shared the historic relevance of Sudbury’s Meetinghouse, where First Parish congregates, and the history of Unitarian Universalism (UU), with Students Together Opposing Prejudice (S.T.O.P.) participants. She explained to students how Unitarian Universalists evolved from Puritans, who became Congregationalists, and then Unitarians, and ultimately became the Unitarian Universalists of today.
Religious Exploration Director Jenna Kyes presented the seven UU Principles, which serve as strong values and moral guides and focus on respect, kindness, insisting on a peaceful world, and valuing the earth. She also spoke about the social justice events that First Parish students take part in, including charity walks, community service projects, marches, and protests.
“Our first principle affirms and promotes the inherent worth and dignity of every person,” commented Matty. “Holding this principle helps us to foster and embrace justice regardless of differences. I guess that you understand this—because here you are spending time with STOP as they endeavor to help us all look beyond difference to the heart of one another.”
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The S.T.O.P. program was formed 30 years ago by representatives of three faith organizations in Sudbury, with the support and assistance of the Anti Defamation League’s Making a Difference Program. The programs goals are to: to heighten participant’s awareness concerning issues of prejudice and discrimination; give students the strategies to confront prejudice and discrimination; and to develop and affirm leadership skills in participating teens.
First Parish of Sudbury, located at 327 Concord Road, Sudbury, is a diverse community of spiritual seekers who strive to learn together and support one another as they celebrate life’s important moments and serve the larger community. The First Parish was founded in 1640, and the congregation worships in the historic meetinghouse that was built in 1685.
