E-Newsletter

Introducing Our New Director of Music

I am happy to announce that Sean Glennon will be serving as our Director of Music beginning in the fall! Sean is an experienced music director and choir director who has been working as a church musician for over 25 years. Most recently Sean has served as the Director of Music at Saint Andrew’s Episocpal Church in Hanover for 15 years. Sean is a pianist and an organist - two instruments that he loves equally! In addition to his time as a church musician Sean has directed the Squantum Community Youth Choir, so he is familiar with secular and sacred music. Sean’s references described him as collaborative, kind, curious, patient, joyful, flexible, organized, and as a person of exceptional integrity.

As a life-long resident of Quincy, Sean has deep roots in our local community where he and his family live. Full time, Sean is the Community Development Director for the City of Quincy, where he oversees the administration of millions of dollars in annual federal and state grants, providing programming, housing, and services for homeless, low-income, and moderate-income individuals and families. Sean is also a member of the Quincy Lions Club, a troop leader with Cub Scout Pack 6, and a volunteer with Quincy Band Boosters.

Sean is very excited to join our staff at United First Parish Church! He is enthusiastic about our music ministry vision and priorities, and the opportunities to work collaboratively with our Music Ministry Team and staff to bring a breadth of meaningful music to our Sunday services. Sean admires our congregation’s history and heritage as well as our commitment to social justice. He looks forward to learning more about UFPC and Unitarian Universalism in the months and years to come. Sean will join our staff in mid-September and his first Sunday providing music for services will be October 4th.

-Rev. Rebecca Froom, Minister

5th Annual Progress Pride Flag Unveiling

On Sunday, May 31st, the City of Quincy LGBTQ+ Commission joined with QPride, PFlag of Greater Boston (Quincy Support), and Quincy Interfaith Network for the 5th Annual Progress Pride Flag Unveiling ceremony on the front portico of United First Parish Church. This annual event serves to kick-off Pride Month and celebrates a month of recognizing and uplifting Quincy's LGBTQ+ community.

Speakers this year included LGBTQ+ Commission Chair Jim Petosa, Commissioner Nina Liang, Commissioner John McDonald, and QPride President Richard Ash. Blessings and Invocations were delivered by a broad representation of the Quincy Interfaith Network and performances included music from the Quincy Choral Society.

In his remarks, Jim Petosa highlighted the importance of uplifting the trans community saying, “The most vulnerable segment of our rainbow—the trans community—lives in a society that is increasingly frightening in its rhetoric and its lawmaking, leaving trans folk to live in fear and uncertainty. This community was compromised away in the broader fight for LGBTQ civil rights a generation ago. They cannot be disenfranchised again. Their time to be lifted up has come. There is no more time to say be patient. The time is right now.”

This year’s ceremony also featured the 2nd Annual “Flag Raisers” Awards, recognizing individuals and organizations whose leadership and advocacy have made a lasting impact in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

2026 Honorees:

• Gayle Carvalho, Quincy Teachers Association

• Beth Ann Strollo, Executive Director of Quincy Community Action Programs

• Cameron Porter, Major Theatre Equipment Corporation

• David Bousquin, United First Parish Church

The Progress Pride Flag was designed by Daniel Quasar in 2018 and it featured black and brown stripes to represent marginalized LGBTQ+ people of color and those affected by AIDS/HIV. It also included light blue, pink, and white stripes from the transgender Pride Flag to represent the trans community. Valentino Vecchietti introduced an intersex-inclusive version of the Progress Pride Flag in 2021. This version includes a yellow triangle with a purple circle, representing the intersex community and their fight for recognition and rights.

“The flying of the Progress Pride Flag on the historic façade of the church that houses the crypts of two American Presidents and their First Ladies is a powerful symbol of visibility, freedom, and the continuing fight for civil and human rights,” said the commissioners in a joint statement. “Now more than ever, it is important that communities publicly stand together against hate, division, and discrimination while affirming the dignity and humanity of every person.”

Recommended Next Steps for a UFPC Capital Campaign

Thank you everyone who was able to attend our UFPC Capital Campaign Readiness Weekend in June! I would like to briefly share the recommended next steps in this process. Our “Stewardship for Us” Consultant, Rev. Lydia Ferrante-Roseberry, suggested 3 Phases:

Phase 1: Fall 2026 - Spring 2027

FY28 Annual Pledge Drive with Personal Visits

Phase 2: Fall 2026 - Spring 2028

Capital Campaign Planning

Phase 3: Spring 2027 - Fall 2027

Preparation for & Implementation of Financial Feasibility Study (FFS)

The UFPC Board of Governors will consider these recommendations at our Summer monthly meetings.

Here is Rev. Lydia’s Final Presentation to the Board:

Final Presentation to the Board

-Marie-Louise Jackson-Miller, UFPC President

Glitter Blessings at Quincy Pride

On Saturday, June 27th, UFPC congregants supported the Quincy Interfaith Network (QIN), and the PFLAG tables. Congregants and ministers from UFPC and Hough’s Neck Congregational Church set up and decorated the QIN tent, where festival attendees could pick up information about the many LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregations in the Quincy area. At the QIN table, faith leaders from several religious traditions offered “glitter blessings,” sharing sparkly, prayerful moments with people from all walks of life. Glitter blessings remind us that amidst whatever joys, sorrows, struggles, and hopes we may be navigating that there is an inner sparkle that shines within each of us.

-Rev. Rebecca Froom, Minister

Congregational Life

End-of-Year Picnic:

The summer solstice graced us with beautiful weather for the potluck picnic held on the last Sunday of the church year (June 21). Thank you to everyone who brought a dish, helped set up or clean up, and shared conversation in the garden. Special thanks to outgoing chairs of the Congregational Life Committee, Izzy and Nicole, for all that they did to connect us to each other and the church throughout the year.

Welcoming Newcomers:

The Congregational Life Committee (CLC) asks for your help with welcoming new faces at summer Chalice Circles and extending a friendly smile or warm greeting. The CLC focuses on organizing church-wide social events, coordinating lay-led pastoral care, and integrating prospective members into our community. If you'd like to join our group—or offer ad hoc help as the spirit moves you—please contact CLC co-chairs Ann Marie and Lee at congregational-life@ufpc.org.

-Ann Marie, Congregational Life Committee Co-chair

Get Involved with Worship!

The Worship Committee is responsible for the whole Sunday worship experience. This includes ushers and greeters, lay participants and worship associates, music, flowers, live streaming, and social hour. The chair and committee members work closely with the minister and coordinate several aspects with other chairs and subcommittees.

There are many ways to become involved with our Sunday worship:

Greeters and Ushers: Are the first people newcomers and visitors see when they arrive at UFPC. This is also a great way to meet your UFPC neighbors. There is no required commitment and scheduling is flexible. If you are interested in volunteering as a greeter or usher during the church year, please contact Albert Vaughn.

Chalice Lighting Readers: A small but significant way to actually participate in a service is in reading special words at the beginning of the worship service. If there is a special time during the year, you can make it more so by providing a reading for the chalice lighting. We have resources available to help you find appropriate words; or they can be provided to you. If you are interested in being a Chalice Lighting Reader, please reach out to Rev. Rebecca at rfroom@ufpc.org.

Worship Associates: A greater role in the worship service is that of Worship Associate. The role is more involved when there is a visiting worship leader than when Rev. Rebecca or our ministerial intern, Ann, lead; but in either case, a complete “script” is available and there is no need to ad lib. Please contact Rev. Rebecca regarding any interest here, as well.

Livestream: Our weekly worship is broadcast via Zoom each week. A small team makes this happen, and the Worship Committee continues to work at improving the technology in place. Typically, two members manage this each week. If there is even a spark of interest, I suggest shadowing our team some Sunday morning. If you are interested in joining the Livestream Team, please contact Communications Coordinator Kendall Doty at kdoty@ufpc.org.

Flowers: Floral arrangements are just the beginning of what this small group does to beautify our sanctuary and create a welcoming space. If you are interested in helping create floral arrangements for the sanctuary, please contact Claire Fitzmaurice.

Music: Having completed a year of music discernment at UFPC, we recently hired a new Music Director. Hooray! He will officially join the UFPC staff in September. At that time the choir will return from its summer break and, as always, new members are always welcome. There is no requirement of training or experience and there are never auditions. Also, during this summer, a new Music Ministry Team is being formed. They will work closely with the Music Director, but also address other musical aspects of worship at UFPC. There will be more information regarding music at UFPC as the summer progresses and we prepare for the next church year.

Social Hour: Is coordinated by the Congregational Life Committee, but falls within the purview of Worship as well. Donations are always welcome. But, consider volunteering to host Social Hour some week during the church year. If you are interested in hosting a Social Hour during the church year, please contact CLC co-chairs Ann Marie and Lee at congregational-life@ufpc.org.

If you have questions or comments regarding worship at UFPC, feel free to reach out to Worship Committee Chair G. Fred Shepard at gfshepard@ufpc.org any time.

-G. Fred Shepard, Worship Committee Chair