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, October 7 Looking Back to Move Forward
Mary Margaret Earl returns to our pulpit for the first of our services on the theme “It’s Possible!” with a reflection on how the possibility of change requires wading into our history. The choir will sing The Fire of Commitment.
The Rev. Ms. Mary Margaret Earl is Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. In this ministry, she has worked to strengthen bonds between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She is on the Moral Movement Massachusetts leadership team, which seeks to engage faith leaders in grassroots work with people impacted by poverty and injustice.
She will be joined by her UUUM colleague Annie Stubbs and both will be present at the coffee hour after the service to answer questions and to think with us about how we might connect more closely with the work of the UUUM of which we are a member congregation.
Mary Margaret Earl returns to our pulpit for the first of our services on the theme “It’s Possible!” with a reflection on how the possibility of change requires wading into our history. The choir will sing The Fire of Commitment.
The Rev. Ms. Mary Margaret Earl is Executive Director and Senior Minister of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. In this ministry, she has worked to strengthen bonds between UUs and the Roxbury neighborhood where the UUUM operates. She is on the Moral Movement Massachusetts leadership team, which seeks to engage faith leaders in grassroots work with people impacted by poverty and injustice.
She will be joined by her UUUM colleague Annie Stubbs and both will be present at the coffee hour after the service to answer questions and to think with us about how we might connect more closely with the work of the UUUM of which we are a member congregation.
Sunday, October 14 Healing the Heart of Democracy
The sermon title comes from a book by the Quaker author, educator, and activist Parker J. Palmer. With ever more polarized people and politicians, how can we ever come together? How is it possible to heal the heart of our country? Pamela Barz preaching. Kathy Kang will serve as our guest musician and choir director.
The sermon title comes from a book by the Quaker author, educator, and activist Parker J. Palmer. With ever more polarized people and politicians, how can we ever come together? How is it possible to heal the heart of our country? Pamela Barz preaching. Kathy Kang will serve as our guest musician and choir director.
Sunday, October 21 On Truth and Lies in our Public & Private Lives
Dick Fewkes returns to our pulpit to join Pamela Barz in leading the service. Brian Sutton will offer a special "Story for All Ages," sharing his thoughts on First Parish's strong community.
The Choir will sing Saranam.
Dick Fewkes has served three churches in the Ballou Channing District: First UU Society in Middleboro; as the Minister Emeritus of the First Parish in Norwell; and as Interim Minister at the First Parish UU Church, Bridgewater. He is a member of the UU Meeting House in Chatham.
Dick Fewkes returns to our pulpit to join Pamela Barz in leading the service. Brian Sutton will offer a special "Story for All Ages," sharing his thoughts on First Parish's strong community.
The Choir will sing Saranam.
Dick Fewkes has served three churches in the Ballou Channing District: First UU Society in Middleboro; as the Minister Emeritus of the First Parish in Norwell; and as Interim Minister at the First Parish UU Church, Bridgewater. He is a member of the UU Meeting House in Chatham.
Upcoming Community Events at First Parish
COMMUNITY BOOK DISCUSSION
UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES OF OUR TIMES
Tuesday, October 9 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 Scopolleti 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. Our next gathering will focus on Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, a novel in screenplay form about a 16-year old on trial for murder. This book was recently pulled from the 8th grade curriculum. 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, October 9 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 Scopolleti 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. Our next gathering will focus on Monster, by Walter Dean Myers, a novel in screenplay form about a 16-year old on trial for murder. This book was recently pulled from the 8th grade curriculum. 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.
FAMILY FRIGHT NIGHT! ~ Live organ accompaniment to silent films
Saturday, October 20 (7-9 pm)
Frankenstein (the 1931 Boris Karloff film) and
The Electric House (a Buster Keaton comic short)
Improvisational organist Peter Krasinski returns to First Parish for another epic Halloween event, this time accompanying the 1931 classic horror movie “Frankenstein,” starring the great Boris Karloff (we will use subtitles rather than sound), preceded by the silent comic short “The Electric House” starring Buster Keaton. Krasinski has mastered our historic 1906 Hook & Hastings organ — we are happy to welcome him back, as he wowed the audience last year with "Phantom of the Opera!" This is a unique opportunity to hear live accompaniment, especially improv!
Tickets are $15 for adults (kids under 16 are free). Refreshments will be served at intermission.
Frankenstein-themed costumes are encouraged.
Saturday, October 20 (7-9 pm)
Frankenstein (the 1931 Boris Karloff film) and
The Electric House (a Buster Keaton comic short)
Improvisational organist Peter Krasinski returns to First Parish for another epic Halloween event, this time accompanying the 1931 classic horror movie “Frankenstein,” starring the great Boris Karloff (we will use subtitles rather than sound), preceded by the silent comic short “The Electric House” starring Buster Keaton. Krasinski has mastered our historic 1906 Hook & Hastings organ — we are happy to welcome him back, as he wowed the audience last year with "Phantom of the Opera!" This is a unique opportunity to hear live accompaniment, especially improv!
Tickets are $15 for adults (kids under 16 are free). Refreshments will be served at intermission.
Frankenstein-themed costumes are encouraged.
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) Sept dates: 9/10, 9/24
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) Sept dates: 9/10, 9/24
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. 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!
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.
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What's going on in our parish life?
