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, Sept 10 Sea Change (Water Communion)
Pamela Barz and members of the Religious Services Committee will lead our annual multigenerational ingathering celebration of water communion, looking at the ways water both changes and sustains us.
Pamela Barz and members of the Religious Services Committee will lead our annual multigenerational ingathering celebration of water communion, looking at the ways water both changes and sustains us.
Sunday, Sept 17 Our Heroes!
As a new year of our Religious Education program begins, we will recognize the children, youth, and adults who will learn and explore together this year. Pamela Barz will reflect on how the heroes we choose for ourselves shape our lives. The Choir will sing So We Go by Pat DeSimio.
As a new year of our Religious Education program begins, we will recognize the children, youth, and adults who will learn and explore together this year. Pamela Barz will reflect on how the heroes we choose for ourselves shape our lives. The Choir will sing So We Go by Pat DeSimio.
Sunday, Sept 24 Repentance Amongst the Awe (Johannah Murphy preaching)
We welcome Jo Murphy back to our pulpit. Jo writes about her sermon: Between the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur there are ten days. These ten days are called the days of repentance or penitence. These days are also “Days of Awe.” Awe is not something many automatically link to expressing regret or remorse. Sunday we will explore what does it mean to feel reverence and wonder about expressing our regret? How does our relationship with repentance change when we see it occur in a context of awe? Finally, we will think about how we as Unitarian Universalists relate to repentance, regret, and awe.
Jo Murphy is a candidate for UU ministry and just finished her chaplaincy residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Jo graduated from Harvard Divinity School in May 2015, then worked in a development office at a school in Concord while organizing a short trip to Malawi, Africa, to evaluate and work on a project she began while in Peace Corps. She currently is preparing to meet with the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee in December.
The Choir will sing Return Again- Hashiveinu.
We welcome Jo Murphy back to our pulpit. Jo writes about her sermon: Between the Jewish holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur there are ten days. These ten days are called the days of repentance or penitence. These days are also “Days of Awe.” Awe is not something many automatically link to expressing regret or remorse. Sunday we will explore what does it mean to feel reverence and wonder about expressing our regret? How does our relationship with repentance change when we see it occur in a context of awe? Finally, we will think about how we as Unitarian Universalists relate to repentance, regret, and awe.
Jo Murphy is a candidate for UU ministry and just finished her chaplaincy residency at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Jo graduated from Harvard Divinity School in May 2015, then worked in a development office at a school in Concord while organizing a short trip to Malawi, Africa, to evaluate and work on a project she began while in Peace Corps. She currently is preparing to meet with the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee in December.
The Choir will sing Return Again- Hashiveinu.
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)
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES OF OUR TIMES
Tuesday, October 3 at 6:30 pm (Book Group Room, Scituate Library)
Explore issues of economics, color, and class in this monthly reading and discussion group. John Scopelleti will again lead the discussion.
The next community discussion will look at issues of privilege and power through the eyes of a Native American, centering on the linked short stories of Sherman Alexie: The Lone Ranger, and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Copies are available at the library as well as online here.
Tuesday, October 3 at 6:30 pm (Book Group Room, Scituate Library)
Explore issues of economics, color, and class in this monthly reading and discussion group. John Scopelleti will again lead the discussion.
The next community discussion will look at issues of privilege and power through the eyes of a Native American, centering on the linked short stories of Sherman Alexie: The Lone Ranger, and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. Copies are available at the library as well as online here.
HALLOWEEN CONCERT
Silent Films with LIVE organ accompaniment!
Sunday, October 22 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)
$10 admission
FPUU presents a double feature of Buster Keaton’s “Haunted House” and the original “Phantom of the Opera” with music performed on our organ by Peter Edwin Krasinski.
Peter Krasinski is a conductor, organist and music educator, whose imaginative and energetic performances elevate and inform audiences. Along with regular concert appearances he specializes in the art of live improvised silent film accompaniment, worldwide. He is the recipient of a number of prizes including the First Prize in Improvisation from the American Guild of Organists National Competition. 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. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance, and the Master of Sacred Music Degree from Boston University.
Silent Films with LIVE organ accompaniment!
Sunday, October 22 (7:00 - 9:00 pm)
$10 admission
FPUU presents a double feature of Buster Keaton’s “Haunted House” and the original “Phantom of the Opera” with music performed on our organ by Peter Edwin Krasinski.
Peter Krasinski is a conductor, organist and music educator, whose imaginative and energetic performances elevate and inform audiences. Along with regular concert appearances he specializes in the art of live improvised silent film accompaniment, worldwide. He is the recipient of a number of prizes including the First Prize in Improvisation from the American Guild of Organists National Competition. 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. He holds both a Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education and Organ Performance, and the Master of Sacred Music Degree from Boston University.
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: Sessions resume Mon, Sept 25.
(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?
