Read About Snowflake Fair, Back Bay Ringers, Longest Night Service...
The Sloop's Log
December 2018
Newsletter of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate
We aspire to be a beacon
of liberal religion, strong community,
and transformative service.
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We aspire to be a Beacon of…..
… Liberal Religion
Worship in December:
“Angels Among Us: Flying in the Face of Fear”
All services begin at 10:30 a.m. in the sanctuary.
Children and youth begin in the sanctuary with the adults to share in the opening of worship, and then leave with their teachers for Religious Education. Nursery care is available upstairs for children over
18 months, but children are welcome to remain with parents.
Sunday December 2
When Fierce Angels Visit
On the first Sunday in Advent we will light the candle of Hope and begin our month-long look at the presence of angels among us, offering #MoreHope. Pamela Barz will preach. Throughout the month you will have the opportunity to take a picture of yourself as an angel in front of the life-sized angel wings.
The choir will sing
Angels in our Midst.
Charlie Ruddy and Mary Beaulieu will greet, Cathy McGowan and Vicki Davis will usher, and Ann Corbo and Jean Shildneck will host coffee hour.
Sunday December 9
When Angels Sing Special Music Sunday
On our annual music Sunday the choir and other church musicians will offer special music of the season and members of the congregation will offer reflections on their encounters with angels, offering #MorePeace. We will light the second Advent candle, the candle of Peace, and on the 7
th day of Hanukkah, seven candles on our menorah. Pamela Barz will lead the service. The choir will sing
I Have a Dream. Sarah and Bob Murdock will usher, and Ann Svensen will host coffee hour. We are in need of greeters.
Sunday December 16
The Fierce Angels of Scituate F PUU Christmas Pageant
From the imagination and pen of Kate Glennon, a pageant for all ages celebrating the angels among us and how we can carry out their message of #MoreLove. We will light the third Advent candle, the candle of Love. The Choir will sing
Would We Have Eyes to See.
Charlie Ruddy and Mary Beaulieu will usher, and the Dziedzic family will host coffee hour. We are in need of greeters.
Wednesday December 19 at 7 p.m.
Comfort & Joy:
A Service for the Longest Night of the Year
During a busy season, the Scituate clergy invite you to take time for peaceful reflection in this annual candle-lit service of readings, prayers, carols, and music. We will again host this service at First Parish, and Pamela Barz along with other members of the Scituate clergy will lead it, accompanied by Elizabeth Dubuisson on organ and piano, Caroline Hine on cello, and Donna Culley on violin. We would like to offer a simple reception of cider, cocoa, and cookies after the service; please speak with Pamela Barz if you can bring a plate of cookies or help with the set up that evening.
Sunday December 23
When Angels Change the Story
Angels always change the story, whether it’s the angel which told Joseph to break the law and marry Mary, or human angels who encourage us to act with love and justice, bringing #MoreJoy in our own time. How can we see and be such angels? Pamela Barz, preaching. We will light the fourth candle on our Advent branch, the candle of Joy. The Choir will sing
Christmastime
. Mary Beaulieu and Charlie Ruddy will usher, and Kim and Damian Sullivan will host coffee hour. We are in need of greeters.
Monday December 24 - Christmas Eve Calm and Bright
This year is the 200th anniversary of the debut of "Silent Night, Holy Night." This hymn has become the best-loved worship moment of many people–even those who only come to church once a year. Something mystical occurs as we light our candles and sing the hope of "all is calm, all is bright.” We will celebrate the hymn and its good news in both Christmas Eve services. Readers of all ages are needed for both services. Please speak with Pamela Barz if you would like to read.
4 p.m.
Children’s Carols and Candlelight service
The first of the evening services offers the traditional story and carols, just in a less formal setting than the later service. Pamela Barz and guitarist Peter Mundt will lead the service.
7 p.m.
Traditional
Candle-lit Christmas Eve service
A reflective service of lessons and carols led by Pamela Barz and Elizabeth Dubuisson with music from the choir and cellist Caroline Hine.
Sunday December 30
Angels We Saw; Angels We Missed
On the Sunday closest to the turning of the year, we will burn our regrets from the year past and reflect on how to live more fully in the year to come. Pamela Barz will lead this multi-generational service. Mark and Jane McGuinness will usher. We are in need of greeters and coffee hour hosts.
Ministries of Hospitality
There are many opportunities for ministry each Sunday as we greet, create space for conversation, and add color to our worship. Please sign up to serve in the Sloop Room or online at the following:
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2018 Christmas Eve Flowers
Let’s make our sanctuary festive for Christmas Eve! Members and friends are invited to purchase a plant to decorate the church on Christmas Eve. The plant can go home with you after the 7 p.m. service that evening or after the service on December 30. Names of donors and any dedications will be included in an insert in the Christmas Eve order of service.
Click
Flower Order Form
to print.
Please fill out the form and return it to the church office with your check by December 9
th
.
Copies of the form will also be available at church.
Checks should be made out to the “First Parish Scituate” with “Christmas Flowers” on the memo line.
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From the Minister
“What relevance could a 6
th
century monk have for you and me today?” This was my question to myself as I sat down for the first talk at the Women Touched by Grace program which I attended in November. It was the second full day of this first gathering (there will be four more over the next two years) and our topic was “Creating Community.” I could already feel the sense of community growing among the clergywomen of many different denominations, backgrounds, and regions of the country who had come together at Our Lady of Grace Benedictine Monastery just outside of Indianapolis, Indiana, and also between us and the sisters of the monastery with whom we attended morning and evening prayer and a few joint events. But I was skeptical as Sr. Karen Joseph, the presenter, began her first talk. But I quickly found myself taking notes – not something I do a lot. For Benedict in his time was also facing a world where old norms were changing, a time of wars, conflicts, and fear. In response he set up communities of monks, separate ones for men and women, with women leaders in their communities – pretty progressive for that time – with the idea that the peace created in these places would flow out to offer peace to the world. And the communities were based not on creed or belief, but on how the monks would be in community together – just as our congregation today is not based on defined beliefs but on our covenant which describes how we will be together.
Benedict’s rule gets pretty detailed as to the schedules of the days, the meals, the work (each monk was expected to do the chores of their communal life – not just the poorer monks as in some places), and what they would wear, but the general principles are still relevant today. For Benedictines, the first rule is hospitality – to welcome the stranger. Benedictines will put aside other rules, such as times of silence and fasting, to welcome their visitors. And this is why today many Benedictines, such as Sister Joan Chittister, have been speaking and acting about the need to welcome refugees to our country and about the need to practice welcome and inclusion in general as a society.
Second, they live in communities, and we put ourselves into the community of the church, not just for our own nourishment but to experience the power which lies in relationship, in giving and receiving, growing ourselves and helping one another to grow. This is the kind of power we need more of in our world – not power over, but power with. And this is why in Benedictine monasteries the members of the community elect their leaders just as we do. Power comes from the wisdom of the gathered community. But being part of that power requires what Sister Karen referred to as “staying at the table.” Benedictines make a vow of stability – that they will remain with their community when times are hard, or when they find themselves in disagreement or in conflict with another person. You don’t walk away. We don’t ask for a vow of stability when you join First Parish, but we do have that same expectation – that we are here to learn and grow and that involves sticking it out and talking things through when that is necessary. Community isn’t community if it only exists for the happy and easy times.
Third, we strengthen that community by worshiping together, working together, and spending time in smaller groups which allow for the sharing of our stories and our hearts. This can happen literally at the table over potluck suppers and smaller suppers but also in small groups. We have opportunities for that in our discussions and in the meditation circle, but I would like to ask each adult to consider participating in January in a 5 session small group discussion on “Do Not Be Afraid: Defeating Fear with Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and a Wholehearted Life” based on the work of Brene Brown, with the topic following up on our worship theme in December. You’ll find more information on that below. It would also be great if we had more opportunities for staying at the table together – please consider in the new year offering to organize a potluck supper or game night or coordinate circle suppers for the church. Community grows in our shared time and community - the growth of love among us – is what we are here for.
See you in Church,
Pamela
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Religious Education News
In December, Religious Education studies of the Bible will take a break from the curriculum to focus on our holiday pageant. The theme of this December’s worship will be Angels Among Us and the pageant title is
The Fierce Angels of Scituate.
The pageant will be presented during worship December 16
th
.
The week of December 2
nd
we will be introducing the pageant to the children and confirming who is available to participate in either speaking or non-speaking roles. We will practice the pageant on the 9
th
and have a short walk through. Kate Glennon has put together a fun and meaningful pageant and we are hoping many of the children of children of the church can participate.
Please note children will be leaving worship, like we always do, after the Anthem. We will just not be going into our regular classes but will be preparing for the pageant in the classrooms. We can use adult help with the pageant decorations and walk through.
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The OWL (
Our Whole Lives) group will meet on the 2nd of December at 5:00 (double session), and the 16th at 5:30 pm. Joe Glennon and Jenn Mackey lead the group.
Coming of Age will meet during the service on Sunday, December 23.
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The Youth Group also known as SciCohRockWell,
with advisor Billy Timmins has had meetings in Rockland and Scituate with future meetings planned for Norwell and Cohasset.
Below is a calendar of events through the end of the year. We will fill this out with other events that the youth want to do this year.
Upcoming Events:
Sun Dec 2, 2018 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Youth group meeting - Channing
Sun Dec 16, 2018 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Youth group meeting - Norwell (Yankee swap - $20 max gift)
Sun Jan 6, 2019 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm Youth group meeting - Scituate
Sun Jan 20, 2019 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm youth group meeting - Channing
Fri Jan 25 - Sun Jan 27, 2019 All day 2-night CON this weekend. SciCohRockWell hosted at Channing
Sun Feb 3, 2019 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm youth group meeting
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First Parish OWL Registration 2018-2019!
Please remember to
register your youth.
Y
outh must be registered to participate in the program.
Registration forms for OWL are be available at church on Sundays or online:
OWL Registration Form
.
You may fill them out and either bring them to church, or email them to Stephanie Stewart, our parish administrator,
[email protected]
First Parish Religious Education Registration 2018-2019!
As we plan for the coming year, it would be very helpful to have children and youth register now. Registration forms are attached to this email
RE 2018-2019
.
We also rely on parents and other adults to serve as teachers and members of the RE Committee. While you are registering your child(ren), please take a minute also to fill out the "Support our Children's Religious Education Program" Form and indicate how you will contribute this year. In our cooperative program, each family is asked to support the program in some way, whether by teaching, serving on the RE Committee, or coordinating a program or event. The forms will also be available at church on Sunday. Please either drop them off at church, or email them to our parish administrator at
[email protected]
.
Blessings,
Bill Ketchum, Director of Religious Education
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Notes from Beth Dubuisson, Music Director
Thank you to
Caroline Hine, Donna Culley, Moira Feeney
, and
Cathy Kang
for bringing the music of Leonard Bernstein to our All Souls service. Thank you also to
Frank Kilduff
, guitarist, and
Win Lawson
, trombonist, for making our Thanksgiving service so festive!
The choir anthems
for December are:
12/2:
Angels in our Midst
by Dirk Damonte
12/9:
I Have a Dream
by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus
Special music service includes
Cathy Kang
, vocalist and
Howard Mathews
and
Mark Matthews
,
guitarists.
12/16:
Would We Have Eyes to See
by Joyce Poley
12/23:
Christmastime
by Michael Smith and Joanna Carlson
12/24: ( 7:00 Christmas Eve service)
Silent Night, Silent World,
arranged by Sally Albrecht and Jay Althouse.
Follow the Star
, by Sally Albrecht
Caroline Hine, cellist
will be our guest musician for the 7:00 service.
Peter Mundt, guitarist,
will lead the music for the 4:00 service.
Julia Thomas, pianist
with join in the service.
12/30- No choir rehearsal or anthem.
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Saturday December 8th, 7:30 Back Bay Ringers in concert in our Sanctuary. Come hear how the hand bells fill our church with holiday music.
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Small Group Gatherings in January: “Do Not Be Afraid: “
Please consider joining a small group discussion using the work of Brene Brown, professor at the University of Houston, author of such books as
Braving the Wilderness
, and
The Gifts of Imperfection
. Her TED Talk
The Power of Vulnerability
has become one of the most-viewed talks. Our discussion,
Do Not Be Afraid: Defeating Fear with Hope, Peace, Love, Joy and a Wholehearted Life
will use her work to reflect on how we let fear govern our lives and how we can move out of fear into more hope, peace, love, and joy. The groups will meet at times convenient to the participants and will be led by a person in the group using materials and outlines provided. Please sign up to participate by December 30 and indicate what days and times would work for you and if you would be comfortable leading a group. There will be a training for group leaders early in January. Speak with Pamela Barz for more information Sign up
here.
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Monday Night Meditation
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? You are invited to come to First Parish’s bi-monthly meditation sessions on the
2
nd
and 4
th
Monday
nights from
7 -8:30 p.m
. December's date is Monday 12/10. All are welcome. Email Brian or Patty Sutton with any questions at
[email protected]
or
[email protected]
.
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Community Book Discussion: “So Far from the Bamboo Grove” by Yoko Kawashima Watkins
The Community Book Discussion on Issues of Diversity continues looking at books included in the Gates and Scituate High School curriculum. The next discussion will be on Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Community Room on the lower level of the Scituate Town Library. It will focus on
So Far from the Bamboo Grove by Yoko Kawashima Watkins and how the book does (or does not) help create a sense of empathy towards folks who are traditionally under-represented in the books read by Scituate students. John Scopelleti, chair of the English Department at SHS and Gates, will lead the conversation. Middle and high school students are welcome to attend.
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“Frankenstein” Discussion - Thursday January 31 at 7 p.m.
What does Mary Shelley’s novel have to say to us today? On Sunday October 25 as part of the 200
th anniversary celebration of the publication of Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Pamela Barz preached on the novel (you can read her sermon here:
http://firstparishscituate.org/blog/2018/10/28/frankenstein-the-monster-and-us-october-28-2018). Several people were interested in reading and discussing the book. So a discussion has been set for the last Thursday in January.
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Around the Parish
Good wishes to
Wendy Brown,
Josh Hockenberry on the birth of their daughter
Ruby on November 20. Ruby and Wendy were able to come home from the hospital in time to share Thanksgiving with Josh and big brother Syd… We offer our sympathies to
Diana Gleason on the death of her husband
Bob Smith on November 6, … to
Lisa Lewis on the death of her mother on October 18, … and
Kim Sullivan on the death of her uncle.
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Unity Club Dinner – All Women of the Church are Welcome!
Welcome Ladies! On Wednesday, December 12th, the Unity Club will host a potluck dinner. Come enjoy friendship, good food, and some laughs. Please bring an appetizer, main course, salad or dessert for the potluck.
The gathering begins at 6:30 pm, and dinner at 7:00. The dinner charge is $5.00. Please bring a non-perishable food item for the Scituate Food Pantry.
See you on Wednesday, December 12th!
-Roxanne Greim, Unity Club
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The Snowflake Fair
Snowflake Fair is almost here-Saturday December 1!
Table Workers: there is still time to sign up to work a shift at the fair. Contact Kim Dickinson via email
[email protected]
.
The craft table will be priced and arranged Friday morning 9-noonish, so we would appreciate donations by then. Please leave your items under the tables marked Crafts in rear of Old Sloop Room. We will gladly accept later donations, but early is appreciated so we can best display and price them.
Luncheon chefs: according to health codes, all chowders and chilis must arrive code to be heated in the church kitchen. Check with Robert Murdoch and Ray Des Roches for set list of what they will be serving. We also welcome any crockpots you can loan us. Mark your name on too.
Be sure to tell your friends about the great, hot chilis and chowders in the lunch cafe.
Raffle
: Chair Needed (contact Kim Dickinson)
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Happy Birthday in December!
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Jim Duff
Sarah Lovell
Chuck Jones
Anna Da Silva
Jack Duff
Dave Berkeley
Moira Feeney
Pam Molinari
Diana Howe
Elizabeth Molinari
Diana Brindley-Howe
Miles Jones
Oliver Jones
Aren Capodanno
Janice Evans
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Dec. 5
Dec. 8
Dec. 10
Dec. 12
Dec. 13
Dec. 16
Dec. 16
Dec. 20
Dec. 20
Dec. 25
Dec. 29
Dec. 29
Dec. 29
Dec. 30
Dec. 31
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... and Transformative Service
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Men’s Ministry
The Men’s Ministry of First Parish gathers monthly, usually on the first Saturday of the month, for breakfast and a service project in the community. On Saturday December 1, instead of their regular meeting, the Men's Ministry will be working in the kitchen at the Snowflake Fair preparing and serving lunch, under the leadership of Ray Des Roches and Bob Murdock. Please contact Ray ( [email protected]) or Bob ( [email protected]) to take part. Strong arms will also be needed outside to help with the Christmas tree sales.
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Carolers Invited
!
Come carol with us
Sunday afternoon December 16th.
We’ll meet at the church at 3:00 and caravan to a few homes of church members, and then meet back at the church for cookies and cocoa. Santa and reindeer hats encouraged! If you know someone who would appreciate being caroled to, please speak with me or Pam.
-Beth Dubussion, Music Director
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Bottles & Cans Collection in January
One of our major fundraisers each year is sorting bottles and cans at the Scituate Transfer Station. This year we have the month of January. We need volunteers to sort and bag at the station, others to transport to the Cohasset redemption center, and one person each week to coordinate them. Please sign-up for a shift on the sign-up genius at
Bottles and Cans for January 2018
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Sat. 1st
9:00 am Snowflake Fair
Sun. 2nd
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship and RE
5:00 pm OWL Meeting
5:00 pm Youth Group - Rockland
Wed. 5th
10:30 am Fididdlers
Sat. 8th
7:30 pm Back Bay Ringers Concert
Sun. 9th
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship and RE
Mon. 10th
7:00 pm Meditation
Wed. 12th
10:30 am Fididdlers
6:30 pm Unity Club Dinner
Sun. 16th
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship and Pageant
3:00 pm Caroling
5:30 pm OWL Meeting
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Mon. 17th
6:30 pm Parish Committee
Wed. 19th 7:00 pm Longest Night Service
F
ri. 21st 7:00 pm Scituate Ceilidhe
Sun. 23rd
10:30 am Worship and RE
Mon. 24th
4:00 pm
Children’s Carols and
Candlelight service
7:00 pm TraditionalCandle-lit
Christmas Eve service
Sun
. 30th
10:30 am Worship
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Our Mission
Liberal Faith:
We commit to participate side-by-side across generations in worship, religious education, social activities, environmental protection,
and social justice work—learning, sharing, and growing together.
Strong Community
: We commit to care for one another, nurture the light that shines within each of us, and support each other’s individual search for truth and meaning.
Transformative Service:
We commit to pursue diversity, justice, equality, reason, and discourse;
provide inspiration through music, creativity, and the arts;
and work cooperatively to affect positive change in our community and beyond.
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