THEODORE PARKER CHURCH

Plazuelas Pupusa Dinner Party
2025-09-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
All are welcome to join the Plazuelas Parker Project Group for a community Salvadorian Dinner, with goals of deepening our relationship with each other and with our sibling community in Plazuelas, El Salvador.
Salvadorian food (Raimundos Tacqueria): rice, beans, chicken, pupusas, sweet bread, hibiscus tea
Suggested donation at the door $20/adult, $5/child to offset the cost of food, but no one will be turned away.
Please sign up by Sept. 15 via this link: Plazuelas Pupusas Party Sign-up or after the service during coffee hour.

Sundaes on Sun Day
2025-09-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Theodore Parker Church yard, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, 02132, United States
Organized by climate activists and advocates, Sun Day— the fall equinox — is a day for people across the US to showcase solar installations, electric homes, and clean-powered vehicles. We’ll have an ice cream sundae party during coffee hour to celebrate. Mothers Out Front will have a tent in the front yard from 12–1 pm to share info with the community about TPC’s solar installation and how to get started with solar in their own homes and churches.

Faith Formation Through Fiction
2025-09-23 19:00 - 21:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
This summer, Rose and Rev. Heather invited members to join in reading the Monk & Robot duology, by Becky Chambers. We’ll have a book discussion about them on September 23 from 7-9 pm in the parish hall. There is still plenty of space (and time!) to join; the books are short, cozy, and compelling, and we’ll be discussing both of them together. The first is A Psalm for the Wild Built and the second is A Prayer for the Crown Shy. RSVP to Rev. Heather if you plan to join.

Ferry Beach Fall Retreat
2025-09-26 - 2025-09-29 | Ferry Beach Conference Center, Saco, Maine
Join friends from TPC and FUUSN (First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton) for 2 or 3 nights, Friday, 9/26 – Monday, 9/29. It’s a great time for singles, for families with kids, for everyone! (Kids 17 and under are FREE!) We walk and sing, play chaad, do yoga, discuss great books, and other timely topics. And don’t miss the ever-popular Talent Show! We love hanging out and chatting with new and old friends. Ferry Beach is a wonderful time in a beautiful location. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available at every meal.
To learn more and to register: Ferry Beach Fall Retreat
Any questions reach out to Brandi (267-261-8394) or Jenn (617-413-8664).

Music on Centre presents Samodivi
2025-10-04 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
The music of Samodivi is inspired by the beauty and rhythmical intricacies of the Balkan musical traditions. The repertoire includes modern interpretations of old folk songs from the Balkan peninsula, as well as original compositions using that style as an inspiration. The Balkan region has a tumultuous history, often riddled by war and mistrust among the countries that share it, but the music that came from the people who live there clearly shows a familial bond and a shared culture dating back to antiquity.
In today’s divisive political and cultural climate, it is more important than ever to use the powerful tool of music as a way to overcome differences, embrace our human commonalities, and celebrate our cultural heritage free of dogma, judgement, political agenda, or short term financial interests. This is exactly what Samodivi represents through our long form pieces, rich cultural diversity both in personnel and repertoire, and our deep respect for the authenticity of the musical traditions that inspire us, combined with a fearless drive to innovate, discover, and connect.
Samodivi: the music of the Balkans
directed by Vessela Stoyanova (electric Marimba)
featuring:
Heiraza (formerly Burcu Gulec) on vocals
Brian Urra on violin
Tony Leva on bass
Ben Fig on drums

ADMISSION: $25 for adults; $15 for 21 and under.

Reserve your tickets at musiconcentre@gmail.com or purchase at the door from 7:00 pm on the evening of the show. Call 617-327-0542 for more information.
Free, easy parking available nearby.
All proceeds benefit Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church programs and outreach.

Samodivi concert poster here.

Committee Fair
2025-10-05 11:30 - 12:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Each committee/team will have a table where folks can drop by and find out more about how things work at TPC and how to get involved.

Singing Through the Generations: Worship Wars, Musical Heresies, and Sound Innovations
2025-10-11 10:00 - 12:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
This is a participatory music workshop addressing the history of congregational singing. Our friends from the UU community Matt Meyer and Beth Norton will host this workshop to benefit AUUMM (the Association for UU Music Ministries). We expect an audience of about 25-45 people, musicians, choir members, religious professionals, and fans of UU history and singing.
There’s more than one way to raise a song. Our history as Unitarian Universalists is full of innovations, controversies, and sometimes missed opportunities for community singing. We’ll journey from Puritan call-and-response, to the earliest hymns, to the controversial formation of choirs, and the heretical introduction of instruments. Together, we’ll sing our way through centuries of change, connection, and creativity, considering these questions and more:

Why were hymns so controversial?
How did our church choirs first form and why?
Who introduced the heresy of instruments in worship?
What happened to our songleading roots?

Here’s more information and the registration form.
To volunteer to help, please email Jonathan (jonathan@tparkerchurch.org)

Concert to Benefit Food Aid to Gaza
2025-10-17 19:00 - 21:00 | Church Sanctuary, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Musicians for the Greater Good (MGG) will perform a live concert in the church on Friday, Octrober 17 to benefit the World Central Kitchen (WCK) to feed people in Gaza. The performance will also be streamed and connected to MGG’s YouTube channel. Proceeds will go entirely to WCK. The musicians will not be paid; everyone involved is donating their time and talent.
Tickets at $20 will be sold to the in-person audience. The streaming audience will be encouraged to donate directly to WCK.
The exact program will be available about one week before the event.
Musicians for the Greater Good is a community of musicians and artists dedicated to keeping alive and relevant America’s long-standing tradition of social justice and protest song music and spoken word. We write and perform music that speaks to the important social issues of our times such as human rights, immigration, the environment, economic inequality, racial justice, and more.

Potluck Lunch
2025-10-19 11:30 - 13:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
All are invited to a potluck lunch after the service.

Family Game Night
2025-10-24 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-12-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Families and friends of all ages are invited for an evening of board game fun. Bring your favorite game or join in the many games on offer. Pizza and drinks will be served.

Bring a Friend Sunday
2025-10-26 10:30 - 12:30 | Church Sanctuary, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Do you have someone in your life who you think would especially benefit from a community like Theodore Parker Church? A friend who you’ve been meaning to invite for years, but never gotten around to it? While visitors are always very warmly welcomed on any Sunday, on October 26th the Welcome Team and your ministry staff encourage members of our congregation to bring a friend for this special worship service, and we will extend an extra special welcome to visitors in worship and in coffee hour.

Music on Centre Presents Rob Flax's Boom Chick Trio
2025-11-08 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
ROB FLAX is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator with a playful heart and an open mind. He describes his music in a concise way: “I play things with strings, I hit stuff, and I sing.” Behind this simple tag line lies a rich depth of genre-bending, from classical and jazz violin to bluegrass fiddle, to blues and rock influences, and beyond. Rob has performed nationally and internationally with groups of many different styles, including opening for B.B. King and Tower of Power, playing viola and violin with the Trans Siberian Orchestra and YouTube star Jacob Collier, upright bass in an Argentine tango ensemble, mandolin and fiddle in various bluegrass bands, electric violin and synthesizers in Billy Wylder and several other rock bands, collaborations with modern dancers, and more. As a composer Rob has written music for choreographers, film (including work on projects for James Franco and Anthony Bourdain), and several original projects. Rob is a graduate of the New England Conservatory, and he currently lives in Boston.
SLAVA TOLSTOY is a Boston based guitarist, singer and producer, originally from St. Petersburg Russia. Slava’s original songs are best described as energetic pop-rock with tight arrangements, virtuoso soloing and deep and meaningful lyrics in the best traditions of Russian rock. World class musicians, including Grammy winners and nominees were carefully selected to play in Slava’s band and on his latest studio album – “Songs About the Sea” (Песни Про Море). Between 2018-2020 Slava has recorded and performed in a duo with Fedor Chistyakov – the leader of a legendary rock band “Nol”. One of Slava’s most known projects is International String Trio that fuses Jazz Manouche with World Music, this group has toured across USA many times and gained significant national recognition.
COLESCOTT RUBIN is a time-traveling entertainer with a whimsical flair for vaudeville & circus. He is an award-winning bassist/tubist/singer/songwriter known for combining original & improvised songs with unicycling, acrobatics, juggling, and more. He appeared on American Idol 2024, and has performed and/or recorded with Grammy-winners Esperanza Spalding, John Legend, Old Crow Medicine Show, Patrice Rushen, Catherine Russell, Charmaine Neville, Chuck Israels, and others. He is a Jewish creole third-generation Boston artist and plays sold-out shows for audiences of all ages across North America, South America, and Europe. He graduated Berklee College of Music with the Presidential Scholarship, where he’s been teaching since 2022.
Admission is $25; $15 for age 21 and under. Reserve your seat at musiconcentre@gmail.com.
Download the Boom Chick Trio concert flier.

Newcomers Breakfast
2025-11-09 09:00 - 10:15 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Are you new (ish) to TPC? Whether or not you’ve formally joined, have you started coming in the last 2-3 years? Please join the Welcoming Ministry Team and other TPC newcomers and new-ish members on November 9 from 9:00 -10:15am for an informal Newcomers Gathering in the parish hall parlor. We’ll have bagels and beverages and good conversation. We are inviting both visitors and newcomers as well as folks who have joined TPC in the past few years to join us to meet new friends and ask questions about how things work at church in a low-key setting. We would love to have you!
Please RSVP here by Friday, November 7th. Children are very welcome to join the gathering and we will also have childcare available downstairs. If you do plan to use childcare, please indicate on the RSVP form so that we can ensure appropriate staffing.

Winter Fair
2025-11-22 10:00 - 15:00 | MA
Shop local! At our annual fair, you’ll find:

Arts & crafts by many local vendors
TPC jewelry and treasure tables
Homemade baked goods and frozen soups
Raffle baskets and a silent auction
Live music
Fun for everyone!

Trip to Plazuelas, El Salvador
2025-11-30 - 2025-12-07 | MA
The Plazuelas-Parker Project (PPP) has the mission of building connections between Theodore Parker Church and the rural Salvadoran community of Plazuelas. Plazuelas and TPC agreed to create this “sibling” relationship in 2019, and TPC recently raised $6,500 to help the Plazuelas community build a church there.
PPP is organizing a trip to visit Plazuelas and other parts of El Salvador in the winter of 2025 and inviting members and friends of TPC to join on this trip. It is not required to speak Spanish to participate.
When: November 30-December 7, 2025
This sample itinerary, based on previous trips, gives you an idea of what the trip will be like. The details of our actual itinerary will likely change, as the date of our trip approaches.

Nov. 30: Arrive in San Salvador, travel 40 minutes to guest house in San Salvador.
Dec. 1: Get oriented and acclimated, visit sites in San Salvador.
Dec. 2: Leave for Plazuelas after breakfast, arrive mid-day, meet hosts, rest and get settled in the afternoon; walking tour of the community.
Dec. 3: Full day in Plazuelas, spend time with hosts, meet with the community organization, Asociaciones de Desarrollo Comunal (ADESCO) and church group; evening event in the community.
Dec. 4: Leave Plazuelas mid-morning, travel to Suchitoto in time for lunch, spend afternoon at the Center for Art and Peace, tour museum, meet with center director, spend night in Suchitoto at Center.
Dec. 5: Leave Suchitoto mid-morning. Travel back to San Salvador, arriving in time for lunch, rest, and meet with human rights activist at guest house.
Dec. 6: Breakfast at guest house and visit to Center for International Solidarity (CIS), followed by a possible shopping trip and visit to a community near San Salvador; evening social event.
Dec. 7: Breakfast in hotel, prepare for departure. Return flight to U.S.

Approximate cost: $650 to $730 round trip air fare from Boston, MA to San Salvador, El Salvador (prices expected to increase closer to travel date) + ~$1,000 in-country cost (includes transportation, lodging, and food). If cost is a barrier to joining this trip, financial assistance will be available.

Trip difficulty: Some walking required in weather and temperature similar to Boston in July. The terrain is hilly in Plazuelas; we will accommodate mobility differences. There may be stairs without handrail assistance, but we will support each other in such circumstances. We will take full advantage of our time in El Salvador but will schedule plenty of time for rest.

If interested, please fill out this form by Sept. 15, 2025. (All responses will be kept confidential.) Each adult should fill out a separate form. If you will be taking a minor, please so indicate on the form.

For more information, please contact Kevin Murray, Laura Maltby, or Kit Shaw.

The Spirituality of Aging: Exploring Gerotranscendence
2025-12-07 12:00 - 13:00 | Church Sanctuary, 1859 Centre St., West Roxbury, MA, 02132, United States
Join TPC member Rebecca Priest for a presentation on the spirituality of aging and the theory of gerotranscendence. Drawing on her work as a geriatric social worker, Rebecca will offer an introduction to gerotranscendence — a developmental theory which proposes that old age has its very own meaning and character, which are of value and important to develop — and explore the spiritual journey of aging within a culture that often devalues this phase of life.
Rebecca will be leading an Adult Religious Education course on the same topic beginning in January. This presentation will be an introduction to the course material, but will be open to all. Please email Rose and Rebecca with any questions.

Music on Centre presents the Heather Pierson Duo
2026-02-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Back at MoC by popular demand, the Heather Pierson Duo comes to us from Maine, bringing their lively and diverse repertoire of ragtime, traditional, jazzy folk and original songs of unity and peace. Heather’s inspiring live performances with bassist/guitarist Shawn Nadeau pulsate with the grooves of New Orleans, the beauty of Appalachia, and Sunday-go-to-meeting celebration. Whether playing stride piano, strumming a banjo or her late father’s Gibson, wielding a melodica, or singing the blues, the many iterations of Heather Pierson unite in a unite in a warm and genuine presence, both onstage and off.
Admission $25, $10 for under age 21. The show begins at 7:30. Doors open at 7 pm. Email to reserve your seat, musiconcentre@gmail.com
Send the concert flyer to your friends!

Family Game Night
2026-02-27 18:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Please join us in the parish hall for an evening of board game fun. Bring your favorite game to share, or just show up ready to play. While this event is focused on the children and families of our congregation, folks of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in. Pizza and drinks will be provided — RSVPs to Rose are welcome!

Music on Centre presents Danielle Miraglia and Rupert Wates
2026-03-14 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Skillfully mixing blues and Americana, Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson, an infectious stomp-box rhythm, harmonica, and tunes ranging from heartfelt to socially conscious. She started out as a blues picker, then a rocking electric guitar player in a band, and now focusing on solo acts that highlight both her instrumental and vocal skills and her musical storytelling.
“Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that’s backdrop percussion in itself.” Lauren Daley, The Boston Globe
“Danielle Miraglia is like a musical butterfly who’s been granted many metamorphoses.” www.daniellem.com
Rupert Wates is a London-born, award-winning songwriter now living in the US who has released eleven albums with his haunting melodic brand of acoustic art-folk, earning airplay across the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel, and Australia. In the U.S. he started winning awards in 2018, first the New Folk artist at Kerrville Festival and later at national Folk Alliance conferences, totaling about 50 awards so far. His songwriting, which features stories of the true lives of everyday people and his own personal perspective, is enhanced by his haunting melodic vocal style and down to earth stage presence. www.rupertwatesmusic.com
Admission $25, $15 for under age 21. Email to reserve your seat, musiconcentre@gmail.com
Doors open at 7 pm.
Concert flier PDF here.

Mandorla Music presents Brooke Sofferman's Adventure Time
2026-03-21 20:00 - 22:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Mandorla Music productions returns to TPC on Sunday 3/21 at 8 PM with drummer and composer Brooke Sofferman. His five releases as a leader have earned rave reviews from publications like the Boston Globe and Downbeat, and he’s in demand as a sideman locally and in New York. He has been teaching at his alma mater, the New England Conservatory of Music, for 20 years, in addition to teaching posts at Berklee and UMass Boston. He’s joined in Adventure Time by alto saxophonist Rick Stone, guitarist Nate Radley, and bassist Sean Farias. Together, they play energetic and creative modern jazz, both original compositions and inventive arrangements.
$15 in advance here, $20 at the door. Students/fixed income $10, kids under 18 free at the door. TPC community members can use code TPC at checkout to save 15% on advance tickets. Note that this discount applies to advance tix only.

RE Community Game Night
2026-03-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Please join us for this evening of board game fun. Bring your favorite game to share, or just show up ready to play. While this event is focused on the children and families of our congregation, folks of all ages are welcome and encouraged to join in. Pizza and drinks will be provided — RSVPs to Rose are welcome!

Plazuelas Pupusas Dinner Party
2026-04-11 18:00 - 20:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Please join the Plazuelas Parker Project in the parish hall for a Spring Celebration of our sibling relationship with Plazuelas, El Salvador. Enjoy a delicious dinner of bean and cheese pupusas, chicken, black beans, rice, curtido (Salvadoran-style coleslaw), conchas (sweet bread), and hibiscus tea.
Suggested donation $20 per person (CASH ONLY). No charge for children. No one turned away.
Click here to sign up. Please sign up by April 6! For more information, please email Kit Shaw

Adult Religious Education: Finding Our UU Values
2026-04-12 14:00 - 16:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
What values and principles guide your decisions in life? What does the UU tradition and larger body hold as values? Come dive into these questions on April 12, 2-4 pm, in a conversation led by Jake Bitner. We will use both UU frameworks and therapeutic tools to help us clarify what values each of us hold as individuals in community.
Email Jake (kjbitner@gmail.com) with any questions.

Music on Centre presents the Clements Brothers
2026-04-24 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
These New England identical twins are taking the folk and acoustic scene by storm. With roots, rock, jazz, and classical influences, George (on guitar) and Charles (on bass) captivate listeners with their blended voices and their song writing sensibilities. After touring internationally with a well-known grass roots band, they morphed into a duo highlighting their brotherly harmonies and exceptional songwriting. Come see them before they become inaccessible for smaller venues.
theclementsbrothers.com
Agent’s email for further info: ethanr@leapfrogbooking.com
Admission $25, $15 for under age 21. Email to reserve your seat, musiconcentre@gmail.com
Doors open at 7 pm.

Spirituality of Aging Conversation
2026-04-26 14:00 - 15:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
By popular request, this monthly walk-in group will have its first meeting for all those 65 years and older. Based on the positive themes from Rebecca Priest’s gerotranscendence class last December, it is an opportunity for seniors to explore this creative time of life. The group will be run by Ruth Kahn and Mary Sarin.
The Sunday dates are April 26, 2-3:30; May 31, 2:00-3:30; and June 14, *3:00-4:30. (*Note that the last meeting is one hour later, due to the Ice Cream Social on the last day of services.) No need to sign up.

Music on Centre presents Kerri Powers
2026-05-02 19:30 - 21:30 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
With her powerful voice and prodigious guitar skills, Kerri Powers can do it all — blues, soul, original folk rock, and even a twang of country folk.
Kerri was a regular in her teens and twenties in New England, then took time off to raise a family. In 2014, she jumped back into the music scene and has been unstoppable ever since. Her album “Love Is Why” hit the Roots Music Report Chart as the #1 Acoustic Blues Album in 2023, and her single, “When it Rains,” held the #1 spot for rock song for several weeks.
Kerri not only plays the usual clubs and festivals around the country; she also teaches at WUMB’s Summer Acoustic Music Week.
Admission $25, $15 for under age 21. Email to reserve your seat, musiconcentre@gmail.com
Doors open at 7 pm.
Download concert flyer here.

Plant Sale
2026-05-16 09:00 - 13:00 | Theodore Parker Church parish hall, 70 Corey St., West Roxbury, Massachusetts, 02132
Our annual Plant Sale returns!
The event inside the parish hall features:

Plants from local gardens
Gently used garden tools and books – “Ask a master gardener” table
Hot dogs and homemade baked goods

Bring your friends and family – View our beautiful Tiffany windows.
The Plant Sale continues on Sunday, May 17 after the worship service.
Download the Plant Sale flyer here.
