What's Happening
at First Parish -
Our Weekly Newsletter

June 26 - July 6, 2019


 We aspire to be a beacon
of liberal religion, strong community,
and transformative service.

We aspire to be a Beacon of…..
 … Liberal Religion
Sunday July 7, 2019  Clouds in the Sky
Our first 9 a.m. summer service on the theme of
"To the Stars" directs our eyes upward - a service on clouds.
Last Sunday's service - Summer Solstice Sonnets and Sundaes
On Sunday June 23, First Parish poets read poems for the season.
Church Office Summer Hours
The church office will be open on Wednesdays from 10:00 – 12:00 pm, beginning July 3 rd , 2019. Regular hours will resume in September.
Enjoy the Summer!
From the Director of Religious Education
First of all, I want to thank all involved in our first “Loud Collection!” First Parish made a donation to the Scituate Animal Shelter in the amount of $264; of that amount $72 was from loose change. Parents and members of First Parish might like to know the most challenging part of the “Loud Collection” is getting the children collecting the loose change in metal buckets to make a lot of noise. The children respect the quiet of the sanctuary so much that I had to remind them to rattle the cans to make it a LOUD collection.

We slow down for the summer but are working on lesson plans for next year. I am currently reading about the curriculum based on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” which is very similar to one I am familiar with based on Greek Drama. It should be a very interesting year. Please let me know your availability to help with the RE program either on a 4 person team for a 10 week session or to fill in on an “on-call” basis. Also, please register your children for next year’s program beginning in September 2019.

Bill Ketchum
September's Community Book Discussion on Issues of Diversity
If you're looking for something to read on the beach, by the pool, or while you're hiding from the rain, consider picking up the book we'll be discussing on Tuesday September 17 (6:30-8:30 p.m.) in the Book Club Room at the Scituate Town Library):  All about Love by bell hooks. In this short book, the first of a trilogy on love, author, professor, and feminist bell hooks offers a re-definition of love, not as romance but as the basis of a social ethic for individuals and nations. Copies of the book are available in the library system and also in a pdf version:   http://wtf.tw/ref/hooks.pdf
... and Transformative Service
Tomorrow: Meeting for Abutters of the new Senior Center
On Thursday June 27 at 7 p.m. the Scituate Planning Board has invited abutters of the new Senior Center to attend their meeting in the Selectmen's Meeting Room. We hope to have strong representation from First Parish to make sure that any concerns get addressed. 
Calendar for June 26 - July 7

Wed. 26th
10:30 am Fididdlers

Thurs. 27th
7:00 pm Scituate Planning Board – Meeting for Abutters of the Senior Center

Wed. 3rd
10:30 am Fididdlers

Sat. 6th
8:00 am Men's Ministry

Sun. 7th
9:00 am Worship
Save the Date

July/August

Summer game night

Weeding and ice cream gathering

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.