Join Us for a Service
Services are held on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. (Sept-June) at 330 First Parish Road in Scituate MA. Everyone is welcome. The Rev. Pamela Barz is our minister. Join us—for reflection, music, and fellowship (and our thriving youth program)!
Sunday, Nov 4 ALL SOULS DAY
This Sunday is our annual multigenerational celebration of All Souls Day, when we remember loved ones who have died and our Universalist good news that they are still connected to us through love.
This Sunday is our annual multigenerational celebration of All Souls Day, when we remember loved ones who have died and our Universalist good news that they are still connected to us through love.
Sunday, Nov 11 Care Packages: The Rev. Ms. Merrie Allen, guest preacher
The sermon title is based on a passage from the Gospel of Mark (12:38-44), which is the familiar story of a widow who puts all that she has - two coins - into the synagogue treasury. One perspective on this story is of contrasting leadership styles. Our tumultuous political times invite thoughtful reflection on what constitutes good leadership.
The Rev. Merrie Allen is a retired United Church of Christ pastor, having most recently served the First Congregational Church in Stoneham. Merrie lives in Winchester where she raised two daughters.
The Choir will sing Season of the Grateful Heart.
The sermon title is based on a passage from the Gospel of Mark (12:38-44), which is the familiar story of a widow who puts all that she has - two coins - into the synagogue treasury. One perspective on this story is of contrasting leadership styles. Our tumultuous political times invite thoughtful reflection on what constitutes good leadership.
The Rev. Merrie Allen is a retired United Church of Christ pastor, having most recently served the First Congregational Church in Stoneham. Merrie lives in Winchester where she raised two daughters.
The Choir will sing Season of the Grateful Heart.
Thanksgiving
Sunday, Nov 18 Heart Strings: The Rev. Ms. Judith Campbell, guest preacher
Judy Campbell returns to our pulpit to consider our hearts - how we continue to draw on its power and spiritual nourishment and how we use our hearts to stay in relationships even when we may differ. This sermon will help you get through difficult Thanksgiving dinners! Pamela Barz will lead the service with her.
Judy Campbell is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and the author of several books and articles. She has published children's stories and poetry, as well as numerous essays on the arts, religion, and spirituality. She holds a PhD in The Arts and Religious Studies and a Master of Arts in Fine Arts, and she offers writing workshops and spirituality retreats nationally and internationally.
The Choir will sing Canon of Thanks.
Sunday, Nov 18 Heart Strings: The Rev. Ms. Judith Campbell, guest preacher
Judy Campbell returns to our pulpit to consider our hearts - how we continue to draw on its power and spiritual nourishment and how we use our hearts to stay in relationships even when we may differ. This sermon will help you get through difficult Thanksgiving dinners! Pamela Barz will lead the service with her.
Judy Campbell is an ordained Unitarian Universalist minister and the author of several books and articles. She has published children's stories and poetry, as well as numerous essays on the arts, religion, and spirituality. She holds a PhD in The Arts and Religious Studies and a Master of Arts in Fine Arts, and she offers writing workshops and spirituality retreats nationally and internationally.
The Choir will sing Canon of Thanks.
Upcoming Community Events at First Parish
COMMUNITY BOOK DISCUSSION
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES OF OUR TIMES
Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30 - 8 pm (Scituate Public Library, Community Room)
Open to all. Please join us to discuss the book, how to be an ally in the fight against institutional racism, and how this relates to our local and global communities. Discussions led by John Scopelleti and Pamela Barz.
After many months discussing works about race and privilege, the group has decided to delve into the books that are studied by 6-12th grade students in the Scituate school system. We follow up our October reading of Monster, with Paul Fleischman's Seedfolks. We'll discuss the book and how it does (or does not) help create a sense of empathy towards folks who are traditionally under-represented in the books read by Scituate students.
Copies of the book are available in the library system.
Previous community discussions in this series have been lively and thought-provoking. We looked at issues of poverty, privilege, race, and power through The House of Broken Angels by Luís Alberto Urrea; Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give; Tar Baby by Toni Morrison; Passing by Nella Larsen; Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones and The Men We Reaped; Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven; John Howard Griffin's Black Like Me; and James Baldwin's Going to Meet the Man.
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES OF OUR TIMES
Tuesday, November 20 at 6:30 - 8 pm (Scituate Public Library, Community Room)
Open to all. Please join us to discuss the book, how to be an ally in the fight against institutional racism, and how this relates to our local and global communities. Discussions led by John Scopelleti and Pamela Barz.
After many months discussing works about race and privilege, the group has decided to delve into the books that are studied by 6-12th grade students in the Scituate school system. We follow up our October reading of Monster, with Paul Fleischman's Seedfolks. We'll discuss the book and how it does (or does not) help create a sense of empathy towards folks who are traditionally under-represented in the books read by Scituate students.
Copies of the book are available in the library system.
Previous community discussions in this series have been lively and thought-provoking. We looked at issues of poverty, privilege, race, and power through The House of Broken Angels by Luís Alberto Urrea; Angie Thomas' The Hate U Give; Tar Baby by Toni Morrison; Passing by Nella Larsen; Jesmyn Ward's Salvage the Bones and The Men We Reaped; Sherman Alexie's The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven; John Howard Griffin's Black Like Me; and James Baldwin's Going to Meet the Man.
INQUIRER'S CIRCLE
3rd Mondays (Sept 2018 - May 2019)
Building Your Own Theology (aka 'Coming of Age' for Adults)
As you’ve listened to the young adults completing Coming of Age and offering their own Credo (“I Believe”) statements, have you ever wished for the opportunity yourself to think about what you believe? Then next year’s Inquirers Circle program is for you. Participants will use the UU "Building Your Own Theology" curriculum to look at what wisdom our tradition and other sources offers on such topics as human nature, views of the divine, and the importance of morality and, at the end of the year, write our own Credo statements. The class is limited to 15 people. Please email Pamela Barz with questions or to reserve your spot.
3rd Mondays (Sept 2018 - May 2019)
Building Your Own Theology (aka 'Coming of Age' for Adults)
As you’ve listened to the young adults completing Coming of Age and offering their own Credo (“I Believe”) statements, have you ever wished for the opportunity yourself to think about what you believe? Then next year’s Inquirers Circle program is for you. Participants will use the UU "Building Your Own Theology" curriculum to look at what wisdom our tradition and other sources offers on such topics as human nature, views of the divine, and the importance of morality and, at the end of the year, write our own Credo statements. The class is limited to 15 people. Please email Pamela Barz with questions or to reserve your spot.
KNIT FOR PEACE
Sundays, monthly (fall dates to be announced)
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Scituate Public Library's Book Group Room
First Parish's new monthly knitting and fiber arts mini-retreat.: A time of reflection, silence, conversation, and the practice of your craft with others.
Because even super heroes need to take a break!
Sundays, monthly (fall dates to be announced)
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Scituate Public Library's Book Group Room
First Parish's new monthly knitting and fiber arts mini-retreat.: A time of reflection, silence, conversation, and the practice of your craft with others.
Because even super heroes need to take a break!
Parish Notices
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (grades pre-K–12)
Registration is rolling. Registration form is here.
We have about 50 kids in our program. Learn ALL about our classes and activities for kids and youth here!
We welcome our new Director of Religious Ed! Bill Ketchum is a 2017 graduate of Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Retired from a career in business, he is continuing a lifelong calling for working with adults and youth as a chaplain, mentor, coach, and teacher.
Registration is rolling. Registration form is here.
We have about 50 kids in our program. Learn ALL about our classes and activities for kids and youth here!
We welcome our new Director of Religious Ed! Bill Ketchum is a 2017 graduate of Andover Newton Theological Seminary. Retired from a career in business, he is continuing a lifelong calling for working with adults and youth as a chaplain, mentor, coach, and teacher.
MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION
(2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm) Nov dates: 11/12 and 11/26
Led by Brian Sutton
Would you like to incorporate meditation into your spiritual practice?
Would you like to learn how to meditate?
Would you like to add the energy of others to your already existing practice?
All are welcome. Cushions are provided, or bring your own.
(2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm) Nov dates: 11/12 and 11/26
Led by Brian Sutton
Would you like to incorporate meditation into your spiritual practice?
Would you like to learn how to meditate?
Would you like to add the energy of others to your already existing practice?
All are welcome. Cushions are provided, or bring your own.
FPUU serves the Scituate Food Pantry
Our drop box at the front door is available 24/7 for community convenience. We also collect food during every church service. Please consider donating:
Our drop box at the front door is available 24/7 for community convenience. We also collect food during every church service. Please consider donating:
- Paper towels and toilet paper
- Canned protein (salmon, tuna, meat); peanut butter
- Coffee, instant coffee, and sweeteners
- Shampoo, toothpaste, floss
Socks for the Homeless
With the help of the Frey family, First Parish is distributing clean socks for homeless men and women on an ongoing basis to Haley House and Rosie's Place. Packages of new socks can be placed in the basket in the Sloop Room.
With the help of the Frey family, First Parish is distributing clean socks for homeless men and women on an ongoing basis to Haley House and Rosie's Place. Packages of new socks can be placed in the basket in the Sloop Room.
Baskets from Zimbabwe
First Parish member Jenn Mackey has connected us with the Zienzele Foundation. The organization supports women who are caring for AIDS orphans; their handmade baskets are sold in the US to provide funding for school for the children. Baskets are availble at the new online store and at our church fairs.
First Parish member Jenn Mackey has connected us with the Zienzele Foundation. The organization supports women who are caring for AIDS orphans; their handmade baskets are sold in the US to provide funding for school for the children. Baskets are availble at the new online store and at our church fairs.
Photo credits this page: Ali Crehan, John Phelan, NPC/CA
Our Vision
WE ASPIRE TO BE a beacon of liberal faith, strong community, and transformative service,
rooted in love.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate MA is a vibrant, inclusive community of faith. We are a non-credal church stressing love, service, and religious freedom. Grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and we support each individual's unique search for truth and meaning.
We welcome you, wherever you are in your search for deeper meaning, to join us in exploring “the big questions” and cultivating ways to live the answers amidst today’s modern challenges. Our congregation seeks ways to build community, guide our children, deepen spiritually, and to make a positive difference in the world. We celebrate the interconnectedness of all things. Join us for sermons, service, or celebrations!
rooted in love.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate MA is a vibrant, inclusive community of faith. We are a non-credal church stressing love, service, and religious freedom. Grounded in our Unitarian Universalist principles and purposes, we affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, and we support each individual's unique search for truth and meaning.
We welcome you, wherever you are in your search for deeper meaning, to join us in exploring “the big questions” and cultivating ways to live the answers amidst today’s modern challenges. Our congregation seeks ways to build community, guide our children, deepen spiritually, and to make a positive difference in the world. We celebrate the interconnectedness of all things. Join us for sermons, service, or celebrations!
We are a Welcoming Congregation.
Online giving can be used for one-time or recurring charges for pledges, capital campaigns, memorial donations, class registrations, and more, easily tracking your tax-deductable donations.
What's going on in our parish life?
