July/August 2023 Newsletter
Our Vision:
We aspire to be a beacon of
liberal religion, strong community,
and transformative service,
rooted in Love.
Liberal Religion
Summer Services
In July and August, services move to 9 a.m. Summer services are varied - they might include a reflection, a meditation walk, music, art, games, or an activity. They are led by members of the congregation. There will be no services on July 2nd and August 6th, 2023.

You are welcome to join in worship in the sanctuary as there will be no streaming through the First Parish Facebook page during the Summer months (July and August).
Sunday, July 2 No Service
Sunday, July 9 Guest Minister
Ms. Danielle
The Rev. Ms. Danielle returns as our guest preacher this Sunday. (Danielle served as our sabbatical minister.) She is leading the service.

You are welcome to join in worship in the sanctuary as there will be no streaming through the First Parish Facebook page during the Summer months (July and August).
Sunday, July 16 Dancing
Cathy K. will be preaching this morning.
Sunday, July 23 Music
Elizabeth D. and Cathie M. will be preaching this morning.
Sunday, July 30 History
Jen M. and Mary Ann P. will be preaching this morning.
Sunday, August 6 No Service
Sunday, August 13 Play
Kate G. will be preaching this morning.
Sunday, August 20 Managing Anxiety
Laura C.will be preaching this morning.
Sunday, August 27 Music
Elizabeth D.will be preaching this morning.
A COVENANT FOR OUR FUTURE

A COVENANT FOR OUR FUTURE
An Agreement between the First Parish of Scituate
and the Rev. Ms. Pamela B.

1.With grace, understanding, and trust in the guidance of Love, we all covenant to
  • hold one another in prayer, and
  • refrain from all intentional pastoral interaction in person or online.

2.The First Parish of Scituate covenants to
  • pray for the well-being of Pam as her ministry takes a new shape;  
  • share this Covenant during their final worship service with Pam and also communicate it through the newsletter;
  • no longer approach Pam or her family regarding issues of pastoral care, congregational life, or future pastoral leadership;
  •  welcome and embrace new pastoral leadership and joyfully engage in a process of discerning their calling for their future; and
  • allow those who are feeling a sense of loss to have adequate time to grieve the end of Pam's relationship with the congregation.

 Pamela B. covenants to
  • pray for the well-being of the congregation as individuals and as the gathered community;
  • take time to grieve the end of these pastoral and congregational relationships;
  • participate in the life of the larger church;
  • bear the primary responsibility for maintaining healthy boundaries, refraining from and discouraging any interactions regarding issues of pastoral care, congregational life, or future pastoral leadership, and encourage her family to do the same;
  • communicate to the entire congregation, friends of the church, and staff so it is clear that although she has valued these relationships, Pam desires and has covenanted not to be in communication regarding the congregation, its life, any pastoral care, or discussion of future leadership, congregational issues or events. After departing the congregation, no conversations with former members should involve discussion or evaluation of the church, its status, or the new minister;
  • refrain from attending worship services or other events of First Parish unless requested to do so by the Parish Committee;
  • decline pastoral participation in any funerals, dedications, counseling, weddings, etc., unless requested to participate by the Parish Committee.   

 
__________________________________________________________________
Departing Minister / Date

__________________________________________________________________
Incoming Parish Committee Co-Chair / Date

__________________________________________________________________
Outgoing Parish Committee Co-Chair / Date
Parish Committee
Farewell to Pam B., and Welcome to Erin S.
It has been an emotional season of tears, gratitude, and hope as we bid a long goodbye to the Rev. Pamela after enjoying 10 years of her brilliant ministry.

We now prepare to greet the Rev. Erin, an acclaimed UU minister with deep experience who will begin her Interim work with us on August 1.

Interim Ministries have been developed by the UUA organization as vehicles for meaningful transitions between a church’s settled ministries. An Interim Minister commonly takes two years to lead congregations through processes that help them figure out who they are and who they want to be that will give them a deep understanding of their lived experience with the departing minister, and that will ultimately guide them in their search for their next settled minister.

In the months since Pam first announced her intention to depart, she has been leading us through a series of services that delve into the meaning of life transitions like the one we all are experiencing—the loss, the mourning, the possibility for renewal, and growth.

On June 18, in Pam’s last Sunday service with us, Pam, Chuck, Miles, and Oliver said their goodbyes to us and we to them. We exchanged tearful, heartfelt, grateful memories, followed by a ritual of farewell in which we released each other, minister and congregation, to go forward in loving but separate futures. Then we all walked across the street to the Senior Center for a picnic organized by Janie C. and her talented team to celebrate the joy we had experienced with Pam in the past decade. There were speeches; there were songs (one was Cathy K.'s spoof of the Gilligan’s Island jingle with Pam as Gilligan!); there was delicious food (lobster rolls, chocolate cupcakes, potato salad, on and on); there were departing gifts, including a butterfly wall hanging from Melissa W. and the children of the church and two favorite Kay S. paintings to Pam and Chuck. Every person present felt that a unique, cherished relationship was ending. Every person mourned the loss; every person wished Pam, Chuck, Miles, and Oliver joy as their next adventure.. For most of us, the day was overwhelming.

Peace,
Lin H.
Co-Chair, Parish Committee
Notes from the Music Director



Music will be the focus of two of our summer services. Sunday, July 23rd Cathie M. and I will lead a service on music and meditation with prayer beads. We will sing our Covenant Song along with a summer version of Morning Has Broken with words by Maren Tirabassi.

The August 27th service will be a hymn sing-along. I’ll take requests from the congregation and we’ll sing a couple of my favorite ones that you might not know! We’ll also have a time of reflection and prayer with meditative music. You will be invited to light a candle for a loved one.

Choir Rehearsals will start up again Sunday, September 10th. We meet in the Sanctuary from 9:00- 10:00 most Sunday mornings. Anyone 7th grade or older is welcome to sing with us.

Best wishes for a wonderful summer.

Beth D.
Religious Education for Children June 2023
PreK-Grade 5 and Building Bridges



Classes have ended for the church year but will start up again in September. All are welcome to attend our Sunday Services, starting July 9, 2023, at 9:00 am.

*****
The Religious Education Committee will meet on Thursday, July 13 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, August 10 over Zoom. All are welcome to join.

*****
Family Evening
The Religious Education Committee will host a Family Evening celebration on Thursday, July 20 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the church.
Transformative Service
Social Justice and Denominational Affairs
Social Justice Committee Meetings for the Summer - The Committee will be meeting only one time per month instead of the usual two times for the summer. The next meeting will be Thursday, July 20 and the following month we will meet on Thursday, August 17th, both at 7:00 pm. All meetings are on Zoom.

Ellen I., Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee Chair
Strong Community
Grandma's Cupboard

ALL SUMMER YOU CAN BUY JAMS & PICKLES AT CHURCH OR ORDER THEM DIRECTLY FROM GRANDMA - MANY NEW FLAVORS ARE AVAILABLE!!




Sales of jellies, jams, and pickles go on through the summer. On the honor system, anyone can pick out their choices from the hutch in the Old Sloop Room. There are sturdy bags to put them in. Just leave cash or checks in the silver box in the hutch: $7 for one jar or any three for $20.

Special orders can be filled at any time; just call or text Claire S. Many new summer flavors are available to church members already, and more are coming soon! No need to wait for the Fair to stock up or for gifting. 

A full list of goodies will be in the July 13 What's Happening.

Claire S.
Religious Education Committee
The Religious Education Committee will meet Thursday, July 13 at 8:00 p.m. over Zoom.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee will meet Tuesday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Family Evening
The Religious Education Committee will host a Family Evening celebration on Thursday, July 20 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the church.
Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee
The Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee will meet Thursday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. over Zoom.
Parish Committee
The Parish Committee will meet Tuesday, July 25 at 7:00 p.m. at the church.
Religious Education Committee
The Religious Education Committee will meet Thursday, August 10 at 8:00 p.m. over Zoom.
The Finance/Parish/Endowment Committees
The Finance/Parish/Endowment Committees will all meet on Tuesday, August 15 at 7:00 pm at the church.
Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee
The Social Justice and Denominational Affairs Committee will meet Thursday, August 17 at 7:00 p.m. over Zoom.
July/August Monthly Calendar 2023