Join Us for a Service
Services are held on Sundays at 10:30 a.m. 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, Oct 8 Seed Stars
Children, youth, and adults are invited to participate in our annual Autumn Apple Communion, celebrating the harvests we have sowed and the harvests we have reaped.
Children, youth, and adults are invited to participate in our annual Autumn Apple Communion, celebrating the harvests we have sowed and the harvests we have reaped.
Sunday, Oct 15 Blessed or Lucky?
When something good happens to you, do you consider yourself blessed or lucky? Your answer reflects your theological understanding. Pamela Barz will explore this question in today's sermon. The choir will sing Jazz Alleluia.
When something good happens to you, do you consider yourself blessed or lucky? Your answer reflects your theological understanding. Pamela Barz will explore this question in today's sermon. The choir will sing Jazz Alleluia.
Sunday, Oct 22 "Protestants of the Protestants"
Henry Whitney Bellows, 19th century Unitarian minister and organizer of the American Unitarian Association, used those words to describe our Unitarian tradition and mission. As the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation approaches on October 31, Pamela Barz will reflect on the importance of Martin Luther and his reformation for us today.
The choir will sing Where Gentle Tides Go Rolling By.
Henry Whitney Bellows, 19th century Unitarian minister and organizer of the American Unitarian Association, used those words to describe our Unitarian tradition and mission. As the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation approaches on October 31, Pamela Barz will reflect on the importance of Martin Luther and his reformation for us today.
The choir will sing Where Gentle Tides Go Rolling By.
Upcoming Community Events at First Parish
BIBLE LITERACY SERIES
Third Mondays (7 - 8:30 pm) Free, open to all.
Want to learn about the Bible in a place where all questions, all faiths, and all perspectives are welcome? Each 6-session course in basic biblical literacy assumes no prior knowledge of the Bible and is not biased toward any particular Christian tradition. The curriculum we'll use is in both Protestant and Catholic churches, and in groups that mix church folks, agnostics, and atheists.
Space is limited - please let Pamela Barz know if you would like to register for the series. There is no fee, but participants are asked to purchase a copy of the student guide for Introducing the Old Testament, available at Amazon, and to bring that and a study Bible to each class.
Third Mondays (7 - 8:30 pm) Free, open to all.
Want to learn about the Bible in a place where all questions, all faiths, and all perspectives are welcome? Each 6-session course in basic biblical literacy assumes no prior knowledge of the Bible and is not biased toward any particular Christian tradition. The curriculum we'll use is in both Protestant and Catholic churches, and in groups that mix church folks, agnostics, and atheists.
Space is limited - please let Pamela Barz know if you would like to register for the series. There is no fee, but participants are asked to purchase a copy of the student guide for Introducing the Old Testament, available at Amazon, and to bring that and a study Bible to each class.
- Fall 2017: Introducing the New Testament
This is the third session in the series (runs Oct - March). Participants have learned a lot and laughed a lot as they talked about the history, archeology, theology, and world views of the people who wrote and read these ancient scriptures. For this final session, we will explore the figure of Jesus in three distinct ways: A man like other men, a Jewish rabbi, and the Christ of Christian faith. Then it's on to the cantankerous Paul, the other New Testament authors, and the wild and baffling book called Revelation. Learn what Nazareth was like in the first century, see what scholars know and don't know about Jesus as a historical figure, and decide for yourself whether Paul deserves either the stature or the censure that he so often receives. And who is the Antichrist anyway?
Previous sessions in the series included "What Is the Bible?" (Fall 2016) and "Introducing the Old Testament" (Spring 2017)
Community Book Discussion
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES OF OUR TIMES
Tuesday, Nov 7 at 6:30 - 8 pm (Book Group Room, Scituate Library)
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. John Scopelleti will again lead the discussion.
For November, we selected Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward. Salvage the Bones, published in 2011 and winner of that year's National Book Award, is the story of a family in Mississippi dealing with Hurricane Katrina. With so many people still dealing with devastation from hurricanes this year, it seemed especially appropriate. Jesmyn Ward was just announced as a 2017 recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award.
Previous community discussions in this series have been lively and thought-provoking. We looked at issues of privilege and power through 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, Nov 7 at 6:30 - 8 pm (Book Group Room, Scituate Library)
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. John Scopelleti will again lead the discussion.
For November, we selected Salvage the Bones, by Jesmyn Ward. Salvage the Bones, published in 2011 and winner of that year's National Book Award, is the story of a family in Mississippi dealing with Hurricane Katrina. With so many people still dealing with devastation from hurricanes this year, it seemed especially appropriate. Jesmyn Ward was just announced as a 2017 recipient of a MacArthur "Genius" Award.
Previous community discussions in this series have been lively and thought-provoking. We looked at issues of privilege and power through 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.
HALLOWEEN CONCERT
Lon Chaney's 1925 "Phantom of the Opera"
with LIVE, IMPROVISED organ accompaniment
by organist Peter Krasinski
Sunday, October 22 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)
$10 cash admission
FPUU presents a double feature of Buster Keaton’s short film “Haunted House” and the original “Phantom of the Opera” with music performed on our 1906 organ by Peter Edwin Krasinski.
Peter Krasinski is a conductor, organist, and music educator, who specializes in the art of live improvised silent film accompaniment, worldwide. Mr. Krasinski, past Dean of the Boston chapter of the American Guild of Organists, currently serves as Organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Providence RI and is a faculty member of St Paul’s Choir School, Cambridge MA. He regularly presents master-classes in improvisation to the Harvard Organ Society.
~ Click here for a sample performance by Peter for Fritz Lang's sci-fi silent film 'Metropolis' ~
Lon Chaney's 1925 "Phantom of the Opera"
with LIVE, IMPROVISED organ accompaniment
by organist Peter Krasinski
Sunday, October 22 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)
$10 cash admission
FPUU presents a double feature of Buster Keaton’s short film “Haunted House” and the original “Phantom of the Opera” with music performed on our 1906 organ by Peter Edwin Krasinski.
Peter Krasinski is a conductor, organist, and music educator, who specializes in the art of live improvised silent film accompaniment, worldwide. Mr. Krasinski, past Dean of the Boston chapter of the American Guild of Organists, currently serves as Organist at First Church of Christ, Scientist in Providence RI and is a faculty member of St Paul’s Choir School, Cambridge MA. He regularly presents master-classes in improvisation to the Harvard Organ Society.
~ Click here for a sample performance by Peter for Fritz Lang's sci-fi silent film 'Metropolis' ~
Parish Notices
CHILDREN'S CLOTHING DRIVE (Sept 24 - Oct 14)
Volunteeer Day, Brighton MA (October 14 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
First Parish continues our support of Cradles to Crayons with our Fall visit to the Giving Factory in Brighton. We will be collecting new or gently used children’s clothes, books, games, and school supplies during the 3-week drive (please note that used underwear, socks, and pajamas cannot be accepted). We'll deliver the donations on our trip to the Giving Factory on October 14, where adults and youth will spend about two hours sorting clothes, putting together a week's worth of clothing and supplies, or cleaning toys. Our annual volunteer day is always a wonderful adventure in support of this organization.
Volunteeer Day, Brighton MA (October 14 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.)
First Parish continues our support of Cradles to Crayons with our Fall visit to the Giving Factory in Brighton. We will be collecting new or gently used children’s clothes, books, games, and school supplies during the 3-week drive (please note that used underwear, socks, and pajamas cannot be accepted). We'll deliver the donations on our trip to the Giving Factory on October 14, where adults and youth will spend about two hours sorting clothes, putting together a week's worth of clothing and supplies, or cleaning toys. Our annual volunteer day is always a wonderful adventure in support of this organization.
MONDAY NIGHT MEDITATION
(2nd and 4th Mondays, 7:00 - 8:30 pm) 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) 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.
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. The baskets range in size and shape and are priced from $10-$60. Jenn will show them upon request 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. The baskets range in size and shape and are priced from $10-$60. Jenn will show them upon request 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!
We are a Welcoming Congregation.
What's going on in our parish life?
