We aspire to be a Beacon of…..

 … Liberal Religion

Worship in February: Joy

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 over18 months, but children are welcome to remain with parents.

Sunday February 3               This Delight-Filled Universe

 We begin our worship series on Joy with a reflection on the ways joy is present in our lives; Pamela Barz preaching. We will also celebrate the joy of Imbolc/Candlemas/Groundhog Day when the Earth in the northern hemisphere turns away from Winter and toward Spring, the joy of First Parish’s 385 ^th birthday, and the joy of membership anniversaries with cake, party hats, and even a bubble machine! The choir will sing Dansi Na Kuimba  ("Dance and Sing") . Cathie McGowan and Vicki Davis will usher and the Religious Services Committee will host coffee hour. We are in need of greeters.

 

Sunday February 10                The Warmth of Joy              

Since joy doesn’t exist in a vacuum, this Sunday we will reflect on the relationship between joy and sorrow – are they in opposition or connected? Pamela Barz preaching. As part of the service we will bless completed prayer shawls to be given to people experiencing times of transition, joy, or sorrow. And everyone who has received a prayer shawl in the past is invited to bring it to church today. Our music will be led by the group Earth Harmony.  Miles and Oliver Jones will usher and the Sullivan family will host coffee hour. We are in need of greeters.

 

Sunday February 17               The Joy of Creativity – A Multigenerational Service                        

How does creating something spark joy? Rather than just reflecting on the question, this morning we will experience the joy of creating during our worship time. After a brief opening, adults and children will be invited to take part in a creative process, choosing among writing a poem (led by Spencer Howe), arranging flowers (led by Meryl Pinette), creating a representation of joy out of clay (led by Bill Ketchum), making a joy collage (led by Lin Haire-Sargeant), or playing the hymn Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee on bells and drums (led by Elizabeth Dubuisson). At the end of the service we will gather together for our annual chocolate communion (led by Pamela Barz). Lin Haire-Sargeant is looking for magazines with images which can be used for the collage – please bring in any you may have. Howard Mathews and Mark Matthews will usher. We are in need of greeters and a coffee hour host.  

Sunday February 24               The Joy of Friendship

What joy comes to us from our connections with others? Pamela Barz preaching. The Choir will sing Disney Friendship Favorites. Mark and Jane McGuinness will usher. We are in need of greeters and a coffee hour host.

  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:

Sign up to be a Greeter:  http://www.signupgenius.com/greeters

Sign up to host coffee hour:  http://www.signupgenius.com/coffeehour

From the Minister  

Thursday February 28 ^th is the fourth annual Jazz & Friends International Day of School and Community Readings. As part of it, the Scituate Town Library will host a reading that day at 4 p.m. of I Am Jazz by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings about Jenning’s experience as a transgender girl. It’s for children and adults of all ages, and I hope that if you’re free, you’ll consider attending.

 

The public reading of the book began in 2016 in Mt. Horeb, WI, after legal action by an anti-LGBT group forced the elementary school to cancel a reading of the book which had been planned in support of a transgender student. So parents in town scheduled a public reading of the book, and more than 600 residents showed up to support the student and their family. Since then, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation has encouraged other communities to sponsor readings of the book to support members of their communities. When I heard about this event, I thought it would be great to bring it to Scituate and am so pleased that the Library is hosting this first reading. 

 

The event fits in well with our series on Joy, because if people are not allowed to be themselves, how can they experience the fullness of joy? So let’s spread joy by celebrating the story of I Am Jazz and by supporting others who seek to be fully themselves.

See you in Church,   

Pamela

Religious Education News

    

 

February is a great time of year to step back and review our religious education program so far. First I want to thank all the teachers and helpers who have contributed to the first half of our year. THANK YOU, Thank You, and thank you to Patty and Brian Sutton, Ann Corbo, Jim Nidositko for your guidance of the 6 ^th -8 ^th grade group. Julianna Dunn, Suzanne Oliver, Spencer Howe and Tara Itrich for leading and teaching the 3rd – 5 ^th grade classes. The pre-k to 2 ^nd grade has been guided by Jen McGonagle Dziedzic, Jenn Bokavich, and Tracey Timmons. The nursery has been cared for and led by Moira Feeney with help from Robbie Murdock. I also want to thank Kate Glennon and her supporters for the terrific pageant this past December. The church is blessed to have such able teachers and helpers!

Another round of thank-you’s go out to the older groups of teenager leaders: Joe Glennon and Jenn Mackey in the OWL (Our Whole Lives) program. The “Coming of Age” classes led by Chuck Jones, and the youth group advisors Billy Timmins and Julianna Dunn. Wow, wow, wow! Over 50 children of the church participate in one or more of these activities and I also want to thank the parents for supporting the teachers and leaders of the RE Program.     

One Sunday in February we will be reviewing this first half of the year’s study of the Bible. We want to take a second look at how all the information, and there is a lot of Bible information to process, has been received by the children. The review will also help us to understand how we as teachers have communicated the basic vocabulary and spiritual story of the Bible. Finally, thank you to the First Parish Church for supporting this vital program of religious education.  

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The OWL ( Our Whole Lives) group OWL's next meeting is on Sunday, February 10 from 5:00 - 8:00pm.

Below is the list of meeting times:

Sunday March 3, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Sunday March 24, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

Sunday April 7, 5:00 - 6:30 pm

Sunday April 28, 5:00 - 8:00 pm

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SciCohRockWell Youth Group

Below is the updated list of meetings and events:

Sun Feb 10 5pm – 7pm youth group meeting - Norwell

Sun Feb 17 5pm – 7pm youth group meeting - Scituate

Sun Mar 3, 5pm – 7pm youth group meeting - Channing

Fri - Sun Mar 8-10 - 1 night CON in Westminster. days/times TBD

Sun Mar 17 5pm - 7pm youth group meeting - Norwell

Sun Mar 31 5pm – 7pm youth group meeting - Scituate

Sun Apr 14 5pm – 7pm youth group meeting - Channing

click here for online calendar

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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, firstparishscituate@verizon.net

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 firstparishscituate@verizon.net .

Peace, this winter.

Bill Ketchum , Director of Religious Education

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 Notes from Beth Dubuisson, Music Director

 

As we celebrate Joy in February, we’ll sing Happy Birthday to the Church, create music with our new bells, and sing fun Disney songs about Friendship!

 

February 10th:   We welcome back  Special Guest Musicians: Earth Harmony.   

Christine Nordstrom lead singer and guitarist, Michelle Glidden, pianist, and Ted Mello,  

upright bass, will provide all the music that morning. (I will be out of town). You may remember the group played for our Thanksgiving service two years ago.

 

Earth Harmony uses a mix of contemporary and traditional folk styles that include themes supporting social justice, peace-making, finding one’s place in the world, guiding children in making healthier choices, the joys [and challenges] of parenting, the lighter side of aging, exploring life’s spiritual connections and finding humor in everyday life.

Choir Anthems: February 2019:

 

Feb. 3rd - Dansi Na Kuimba   (Dance and Sing) by Dave and Jean Perry

 

Feb. 10th - rehearsal with Earth Harmony at 9:30. ( no anthem)

 

Feb. 17- 9:00 rehearsal for February 24th and March 3rd.

 

Feb. 24th - Disney Friendship Favorites  arranged by Alan Billingsley.

 

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 . February's dates are Mondays 2/11 and 2/25. All are welcome.  Email Brian or Patty Sutton with any questions at brsutton@hotmail.com or pattysutton@gmail.com .

 Next Community Book Discussion on Issues of Diversity -

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry

The community discussions continue their focus on books in the Scituate school curriculum which some parents would like to see removed with a conversation on The Giver by Lois Lowry on Tuesday, February 12, 6:30pm - 8:00pm in the Book Club Room of the Scituate Town Library. The conversation will focus on 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 and will be led by John Scopelleti, chair of the English Department at Scituate High School.  The Giver won the Newbery Medal in 1994 and tells the story of twelve-year-old Jonas, who lives in a seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Not until he is given his life assignment as the Receiver of Memory does he begin to understand the dark, complex secrets behind his fragile community.  

Jesus Was a Story-Teller 

Connecting with the focus of the children and youth this year on Bible stories, in March and April our worship will look at some of the stories which Jesus told during the course of his ministry. To go along with that, Pamela Barz and Bill Ketchum will lead discussions of these stories as an adult religious education program. Participants will look at what these stories meant to the people who first heard them and what they might still say to us today. The date and time of the discussions will be determined by the participants. It’s possible there could be a daytime group and an evening group if there is enough interest. Please sign up by Monday February 25:  https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040549AAAF2FA13-parables

... Strong Community

2019 Stewardship Canvass 

February is the month of our annual stewardship canvass, or pledge drive. This is the time of the year that  we ask all members and friends to think about what they love about First Parish and to make a pledge of financial support for the church in the coming year (July 2019 - June 2020).

In the next few weeks you will be hearing testimonials from the pulpit, receiving a canvass packet in the mail, seeing posters in the Sloop Room, and reading articles in the weekly What's Happening . We urge you to consider what you value about First Parish. The work of this church that you love is possible only with your generous support.

Please check your mail next week for your canvass packet which contains details about the pledge drive and how to make your pledge. You will also be receiving a phone call from your canvasser, in case you have any questions about the canvass, the church’s finances, or any other aspect of church life. You can also ask questions at any time of any member of the Finance Committee or the Parish Committee.

One of the most-frequently asked questions is "How do I know how much to give?" This year we have included in the packet a 3-step suggested guide which you may or may not find helpful. We would appreciate feedback from you about what you think of this enclosure.  

Please plan to return your pledge card to the church by March 6, and join us at the church on the evening of Saturday, March 9 for a family-friendly dinner celebrating our church community. 

Finance Committee

Vicki Davis, Kathy Fisher, Marche Kellerhals, Frank Kilduff, Cathie McGowan, Charlie Ruddy, Jean Shildneck, Leigh Todd

Parish Committee

Marche Kellerhals, Mark Matthews, Alma Morrison, Sheri Nidositko, Jean Shildneck, Brian Sutton

February School Vacation: Pot Luck Dinner and Game Night

Friday February 22, 6:00 to 9:00 in the Old Sloop room

Come enjoy food and games. Bring a game or two that you enjoy or a deck of cards.

Assorted cans of soda and a few pizzas will supplement whatever you bring.

Around the Parish

We offer our sympathy to Brian, Patty, and David Sutton on the death of Brian’s mother…. and to Pam Molinari on the death of her mother.

 

Thank UU’s to : to Mary Beaulieu and Jenn Mackey for leading the Brene Brown discussions… to all who organized and participated in sorting bottles and cans at the Transfer Station in January: coordinators Erica Boyle, Frank Kilduff, Howard Mathews, and Mark McGuinness, and sorters and transporters (many of them multiple times): Erica Boyle,  Makayla Boyle, Mackenzi Boyle,  Marc Boyle, Dawn Brindley-Howe, Ray DesRoches , Vicki Davis, Eileen Donaldson, Karen Frey, Richard Kermond, Frank Kilduff, Ruth Kuhn, Lisa Lewis, Howard Mathews, Nancy Mathews, Mark Matthews, Mark McGuinness, Alma Morrison, Sarah Murdock, Laura Smith, Damian Sullivan, Desmond Sullivan, Carol Sullivan-Hanley, Leigh Todd, and Joe Williams. We raised over $4,000 and helped kept thousands of bottles and cans out of the trash… to January coffee hour hosts:  Carey Borkoski, the Parish Committee, Alma Morrison, and Ray DesRoches… to January greeters: Julianna Dunn, the Sullivan family, and the Howe family… to January ushers:  Cathie McGowan, Vicki Davis, Jean Shildneck, Win Lawson, Joe Glennon, and Liam Glennon.    

Thank You from Haley House

Our Christmas sock donations were brought to Haley House in early January, where they were received with much appreciation and gratitude.

 Thank you to all!

-Karen Frey

Bottles & Cans Collection Thank You

A hearty thanks to the bottle and can recyclers who made their goal of $4,000 for January, under harsh weather and circumstances.  Howard and Nancy Mathews, Mark McGuiness, Erica Boyle, Frank Kilduff, Damian Sullivan & Vicki Davis all deserve recognition and thanks.

-Alma Morrison, Bottles and Cans Committee

Synergy Sunday Meeting Notes

Over 25 people gathered in the Sloop Room after worship on January 13th for our first ever Synergy Sunday. The meeting was an outgrowth of the Parish Committee's conversations on church governance, and was designed, in keeping with our vision, to help create strong community.  The goal of the meeting was to gather members and friends together to discuss the work of the church and to identify opportunities for collaboration, partnerships, and synergies that will enhance our programs and ministries. Members of various committees, organizations, and teams of the church shared information about their group’s activities, accomplishments, goals, and challenges. The conversation was lively, and many attendees commented that they learned something new about the church. Many thanks to Moira Feeney and Win Lawson for providing child care. Our next Synergy Sunday is planned for Sunday, April 7 after church. All members and friends of the church are encouraged to attend!

Pastoral and Care Committee 

Note to all of our church members who would like to do visits to congregants in need! As one of the Co -Chairs of the Caring Committee I am organizing CORI checks to prepare you all for visits. If you are willing to share your D.O.B. and the last 6 digits of your SS #s? Patti Sutton then will do the CORIs. We could certainly do this by phone if you would like for your security. If you prefer to get CORI’d on your own (see below link) that is an option also. Just let me know what is best and when you would like a call to from me to collect the information. Any questions or if you would like to email me, you may at TimminsT10@gmail.com

-Tracey Timmins, Co-Chair, Caring Committee

CORI Check:

https://icori.chs.state.ma.us/icori/ext/global/landing.action?bod=1497885438067&m=presentLanding&page=1

Informal Get Together for All Women of the Church

We are going to have a very informal get-together on Thursday, February 14 at 1:00 pm. at the church. We are interested in finding out what you think of having occasional opportunities to socialize in the daytime. This would in no way diminish participation in either the Unity/Alliance evening meetings four times a year, or the Wednesday morning weekly meetings of the Fiddidlers group. We are excited about exploring possible new times and ways of creating connections between us. As background, the former Alliance group used to meet every month or two in the early afternoon for dessert and discussion - sometimes even a speaker or theme, but not always. Presently, the Unity/Alliance meets on the second Wednesday evening of the month, in October, December, March, and May for dinner, and for socializing and conversation – again, sometimes a speaker or theme but not always. Please join us in the Old Sloop Room on February 14; and yes, we know it’s Valentine’s Day, but please come anyway for a short discussion. We encourage your input!

 

-Claire Sherman

Happy Birthday in February!

Ellen Isley                              

Riley Nidositko                      

David Ballinger                      

Anne Weaver                          

Margaux Bertola                     

Eileen Donaldson                  

Carmel Callan                        

Roxanne Greim                     

Sarah Ballinger                       

         

Feb 5

Feb 9

Feb 12

Feb 13

Feb 14

Feb 21

Feb 24

Feb 27

Feb 27

     

... and Transformative Service

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. They don’t currently have a project for Saturday February 2, so will just meet for breakfast at the home of Alan Donaldson, 64 Satuit Trail in Scituate. All adults and youth who identify as male are welcome. Please contact Chuck Jones ( Charles_a_Jones@yahoo.com) with questions or ideas for future projects.

Mobilizing Social Action - Sunday February 3

"Faith in Action": A Saturday workshop by the UU College of Social Justice and UU Mass Action about social and climate justice inspired FPUU attendees Carol Sullivan-Hanley, Milena Davidova and Kate Glennon. It helped clarify how a congregation can mobilize action on a number of important local initiatives. Join the Social Justice Committee after church Feb 3 with any curiosity, questions, or passions!

-Kat Glennon, Social Justice Committee

On Sunday February 3, bring in your cans of soup for our

"Soup-er Bowl" Collection.

Low-sodium soups are especially appreciated!

For the rest of the month, in February, the food pantry needs the following items:

Let's think RED:

Thank you for your continued support.

Alan Donaldson, Food Pantry Representative

March Blue Boat Coffeehouse Supports Scituate FACTS

On Saturday March 16 we will have our annual St. Patrick's Celebration Coffeehouse, offering a safe sober space where people of all generations may come together to enjoy music and our community. In March, the Coffeehouse supports the work of Scituate FACTS which brings together members of the Scituate community to reducing teen drinking and underage substance use. If you would like to know more about the work of Scituate FACTS, you are invited to attend their meeting on Monday, February 4, 6:30-8:00 pm in the Community Room of the Scituate Town Library

February Calendar

Sat. 2nd 8:00 am Men's Ministry

Sun. 3rd 9:00 am Choir Practice

10:30 am Worship and RE

Mon. 4th 7:00 pm Brene Brown Group One

Wed. 6th 10:30 am Fididdlers

7:00 pm Committee on Ministry Meeting

Thurs. 7th 7:00 pm Brene Brown Group Two

Sun 10th 9:30 am Choir Practice

10:30 am Worship and RE

5:00 pm OWL Meeting

5:00 pm Youth Group - Norwell

Mon. 11th 7:00 pm Meditation

7:00 pm Brene Brown Group One

Tues. 12th 6:30 pm Community Book Discussion

Wed. 13th 10:30 am Fididdlers

Thurs. 14th 1:00 pm Informal Woman's

Get Together

7:00 pm Brene Brown Group Two

Fri. 15th 7:00 pm Celildhe

Sun. 17th 9:00 am Choir Practice

10:30 am Worship and RE

5:00 pm Youth Group - Scituate

Wed. 20th 10:30 am Fididdlers

Fri. 22nd 6:00 pm Potluck Supper and Game Night

Sun. 24th 9:00 am Choir Practice

10:30 am Worship and RE

Mon. 25th 7:00 pm Meditation

Wed. 27th 10:30 am Fididdlers

Thurs. 28th 4:00 pm International Jazz & Friends

Community Reading at the Scituate Library

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.