We aspire to be a Beacon of…..

 … Liberal Religion

From the Minister  

Last Spring I was accepted as one of 20 women clergy nationally into the 2018-2020 Women Touched by Grace program. This program, funded by the Lilly Endowment for Sustaining Excellence in Pastoral Leadership, brings together women of a variety of Protestant denominations (and I am the first UU accepted into it), to mentor one another and to explore ways to deepen and renew our spiritual practices.The program also offers me tools to help our congregation root ourselves more deeply in spiritual values, strengthen the sense of community among us, and ensure that our shared ministry comes out of those values. This supports the work the Parish Committee is already doing. 

 

I will be attending the second session on “The Practices of the Spiritual Life” Monday November 4 through Wednesday November 14, using journaling, music, and the arts as well as the more expected practices of prayer, meditation, and reading. I look forward to sharing what I’ve learned when I return.   If you need to talk to a minister while I am away, the Parish Administrator will be able to put you in touch with one of the ministers on call.

 

See you in Church,   

Pamela

From the Religious Education Director

Spring brings welcomed challenges to Religious Education. We have so many spring activities the challenge is to incorporate what we have learned in our RE classes into these activities. How do we include, for example, flying kites with learning about teamwork and co-operation with others. Can we “soar” with possibilities when we fly kites and understand the limitations of flight and adjust our flying to work with the wind? Please bring a kite to church Sunday April 28 and after worship lead by the SciCohRocNor Youth Group “go fly a kite!”

 

I was encouraged recently, after reading Eden’s Outcasts by John Matteson, to learn about education in the United States during the early 1800’s. To form Bronson Alcott’s image of how proper education should work he went to hear leading ministers of the Unitarian church. William Ellery Channing and Ralph Waldo Emerson were both intellectual influences and financial benefactors of his early schools. It is very supportive to know we are following a long tradition of UU education when we challenge children with the teaching of the Bible.  

  

Bronson Alcott felt that presenting classroom discussions on the parables of Jesus was some of his most successful teaching lessons. We, also, have spent much of this year learning about the Bible and we recently focused on the Parables of Jesus. The second component of Bronson Alcott’s image of education was the importance of parental involvement. Thank you all for your support this year! What was true 200 years ago is true today-education is done best at home. We as teachers are guides supporting you and your children.

  

Don’t forget this week’s worship service will be led by the SciCohRocWell Youth Group and children of all ages will be included in the youth led service; so no formal Sunday School this week.

Director of Religious Education

Ballou Channing Annual Meeting

First Parish has been a member of the Ballou Channing District of the UUA for many years. Recently, the UUA has begun to combine districts, making them regional rather than local. The Mass Bay District, the Clara Barton District (western MA and CT) and the NH-Vermont and Maine Districts have already joined togther to form the New England Region. Now, at what may be its last annual meeting, the Ballou-Channing District is voting to disband and join them. For this vote to happen, they need a representative from each church to attend. If you can represent us, please speak with Sheri or Mark. The Meeting is Saturday May 4, 9-12, at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 1508 Washington St., Canton, MA. You can also attend on Zoom if you can't be present.   

... Strong Community

Pizza and Game Night - Friday April 26

Come enjoy a night of pizza and games, 6-9 p.m. at the church. Bring a game or two that you enjoy or a deck of cards. We’ll order pizzas (pass the hat), or you can bring whatever you want to eat. Soda will be provided, but if you prefer, please bring other non-alcoholic drinks.

SPRING FAIR – Saturday, May 18, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

It will be warm and sunny! And we will be prepared if it isn’t.

Coffee and pastries served for take-out from the vestibule. An expansion of last year’s French Café, moved to the front and outdoors. In a tent if it rains.

Annual flowers and vegetables, organically grown by our own specialists, Erica and Vicki. Perennial favorites from local expert gardeners.

Please contact Alma, if you can contribute or help on Saturday, including set-up and take-down.

... and Transformative Service

Blue Boat Coffeehouse - this Saturday, April 27 at 6:00 pm

First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate is proud to present our 11th  Blue Boat Coffeehouse  to highlight the incredible talent of local adults and youth while raising funds for a local non-profit organization.

This alcohol-free, substance-free, family-friendly event is open to the public and donations on this night are encouraged to benefit Scituate Friends of Music!!

Scituate Friends of Music (SFM) is made up of parents, teachers and community members who wish to support quality music programming in the Scituate Public Schools. They chaperone field trips, volunteer for musical events and exchange-concerts, as well as handle publicity and fundraising to benefit all music students. They also purchase instruments and equipment. If your child studies music in the elementary schools or participates in band or chorus at any of the schools in town, you are already a member of SFM. Volunteering is a great way to meet new people and to be involved with your child as they grow older. 

All proceeds from this event will go to this worthy organization.  

For more information, check out their Facebook page: "Scituate Friends of Music"

Suggested Donation is $5. Baked goods and other refreshments will be available for purchase.

For information and the latest line-up of performers for the Blue Boat Coffeehouse on 4/27/19, please visit “The Blue Boat Coffeehouse” Facebook page.

Annual Post Office Food Drive

Saturday, May 11, 2019

Help Needed!

The Scituate Food Pantry provided over 250 Scituate families and over 450 individuals with more than 6,300 bags of food last year! The annual Post Office Food Drive is our major source of food donations.

 

We need volunteers age 15 or older on Saturday, May 11 ^th to help us sort and pack donations at the Masonic Temple at 344 Country Way in Scituate. Anyone who has not volunteered before needs to attend a brief training session the week prior to the Food Drive. (Specific dates will be announced soon.)

 There are two shifts available on May 11 ^th:

(the second shift is when the most help is needed)

If you would like to be part of this amazing effort to help your community in a meaningful way, please send an email to [email protected] indicating your shift preference. Friends, family and neighbors are welcome to join too.



Find Out More About the Scituate Food Pantry at their new website:  http://www.scituatefoodpantry.org/

On behalf of our clients and families, thank you in advance for your willingness to help! -Scituate Food Pantry

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.