Welcome to First Parish

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.

Where are you on your spiritual journey? Wherever you are, we're curious to meet you. 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.
All are welcome—come as you are!

Each of us has worth and dignity. As Unitarian Universalists, we welcome persons of all sexual orientation, gender and its expression, religious background, marital status, family structure, age, mental and physical health and ability, racial and cultural identity or background, and educational and socioeconomic status. We value diversity and see it as a spiritual gift. We work for LGBTQ justice and equity as a core part of who we are. All may share in the fellowship and leadership, blessings and joys of our congregation's life.
All of who you are is sacred.
All of who you are is welcome.

Welcome to First Parish!  The Rev. Pamela M. Barz is our minister. Join us for reflection, music, and fellowship, and our thriving youth program. Everyone is welcome. Sunday services with choir are currently remote, held live and interactive via Zoom at 10:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Each service is followed by a virtual coffeehour.

Join each Sunday's live Zoom meeting using the links found in each latest weekly newsletter to the congregation.
Watch the livestream on our First Parish Facebook page; our archive of prior services can be found at our First Parish YouTube channel.

Our Easter celebration will include music of the season by Beth and the Choir, accompanied by Beverly Reilly on flute and a reflection from Pam on the power of resurrection. If the weather permits, we will gather outside at the church for this service; there will be more information here and in next week’s newsletter.

The Jewish festival of Passover begins on Saturday March 27. This morning we will re-tell the story of the liberation their liberation from slavery, remember our own liberations, and all the liberation still needed. You are invited to gather at your table as Pam and Beth will be leading this service from their own tables. You will find a copy of the Haggadah narrative here. You may find it helpful to have it open during the seder on a separate device or to print it out.

Many of us have relied on walking and being in nature to center our bodies and minds over this past year. Pamela Barz reflects on this healing practice. Elizabeth Dubuisson’s music this week includes Gade from Lyric Pieces, Op. 57 by Edvard Grieg.

Pam and Beth will be joined by guest preacher Kimberley Debus. Kimberley writes about her sermon: “The season of Lent invites us to consider our brokenness and our path to wholeness. But what does it mean to be whole? Is wholeness possible? And what does our brokenness call us to?” Beth will play Remembrance Op. 68, No. 28 by Robert Schumann; and Prelude in C Major (BMV933) by J.S. Bach.  For the story for all ages, each person will be invited to use a piece of paper, tape, and scissors. If still you have the paper from the 2/21 and 2/28 services, please bring that with you.

The Rev. Ms. Kimberley Debus is a community minister based in upstate New York, inspiring an artful and art-filled faith. She consults with congregations and religious professionals throughout the Association. She has previously served at the Church of the Larger Fellowship as well as congregations on Long Island, NY, and Key West, FL. Pam and Beth both follow her blog Notes from the Far Fringe where she writes about UU hymns and other matters.

This week we will join the Towson, MD, Unitarian Universalist Church so that we experience connection as we talk about it. Since laughter is a powerful healer and connector, the service will include an experience of Yogic Laughter. Pamela Barz and Elizabeth Dubuisson will be joined by Clare Petersberger, minister of the Towson Church, and Tracy Hall, music director of the Towson Church, in leading the service.

Our focus on healing continues with a service on Breath. ("Dum Spiro Spero" means "While I breathe, I hope.")  Pamela Barz preaching.
The Story for All Ages will include the sheet of paper from last Sunday; if you weren't present for that (or can't find that piece of paper), you're invited to have a clean piece of paper near you.
The First Parish Choir will sing Give Me Wings by Mark Patterson. Elizabeth Dubuisson will play music Page d’Album by Claude Debussy, Back to Life by Giovanni Allevi, and Minuet I from Partita #1 by J.S. Bach.  We will also share a video of the General Assembly Choir singing We Are by Ysaye Barnwell. 

As we reach the one year anniversary of the pandemic shutdown and slowly move towards coming out of it, our worship theme over the next few weeks will focus on healing. The events of the past year have shattered our sense of wholeness – body, mind, and spirit – like a glass vessel fractured into pieces.While we can't - and in some ways don't want - to return to what was, how can we transform our broken pieces into beauty? Beach glass provides our image for this worship series. If you would like some pieces for your worship at home, please let Pamela Barz know. During the story for all ages, everyone will be invited to get out a piece of paper and pencil or crayon.
    On this first Sunday, we will look at the broken pieces and the beauty which may build from them. Pamela Barz preaching. Elizabeth Dubuisson will play music by Clif Harden, Enrique Grenados, and J. S. Bach. The choir will sing Now I Walk in Beauty, a traditional Dine prayer set to music by Gregg Smith.