What's Happening
at First Parish -
Our Weekly Newsletter

July 10 - 20, 2019


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

We aspire to be a Beacon of…..
 … Liberal Religion
Summer Services   To the Stars
Sunday July 14 at 9 a.m:  Starship First Parish  

Sunday July 21: A Reflection on the 50th anniversary of the moon landing

Sunday July 28 : Cosmic Webs

Sunday August 4:  Wisdom from Deep Space 9

Church Office Summer Hours
The church office will be open on Wednesdays from 10:00 – 12:00 pm, except for August 21 when Stephanie Stewart will be on vacation. Regular hours will resume in September.
Enjoy the Summer!
Religious Education 2019-2020
In our three year rotation of themes (World Religions, Bible stories, and UU history, tradition, and practice), this coming year is our UU year. We are taking a slightly different approach this year, with curriculum September-January focused on history and tradition, and then in the spring using the hands on curriculum In Our Hands , a peace and justice curriculum which will involve the RE participants and discussing what they can do to make a difference in the world and choosing projects, depending on their age groups, to carry out.

In the fall, preK-2 will learn about the church and their place in it with the curriculum Chalice Children ; grades 3-5 will travel in time to learn about our UU ancestors and perhaps visit Concord, MA, to learn more about Emerson, Thoreau, and the Alcotts. The junior high group will look at values and ethics through the framework of the TV series Buffy the Vampire . High school students are invited to participate in our Coming of Age program, the UU version of a confirmation or a bar or bah mitzvah. Senior high students are also invited to participate in the SciCohRockWell youth group.

Teachers and leaders are needed for all these programs and for In Our Hands in the Spring. Teachers are asked to make a 10 Sunday commitment over the course of the year.

For planning purposes it would be very helpful if you could register your children at you earliest convenience, using the form ( please click here ) and either scanning it and sending it back to the church office, mailing it, or dropping it off. You may also pay the RE registration fee on-line ( click here for payment ) , or mail or bring in your check. If the fee is a hardship, please speak with Bill or Pam and it will be waived.
... and Transformative Service
Lights for Liberty Friday July 12
Around the nation, people will be gathering on Friday July 12 at "Lights for Liberty" events to protest the inhumane policies and conditions of migrant detention facilities. Because there are other local gatherings scheduled, First Parish has decided not to hold its own but to encourage groups to gather and attend the nearest events: a 4-6 pm protest at Plymouth Rock, and an 8-9 pm candlelight vigil in Hingham. To sign up and for more detailed information see the Sign-Up Genius pages:  Lights for Liberty - Plymouth and/or  Lights for Liberty - Hingham
Calendar for July 10 - 21

Wed. 10th
10:30 am Fididdlers

Fri. July 12th
4:00 pm Lights For Liberty - Plymouth
8:00 pm Lights for Liberty - Hingham

Sun. 14th
9:00 am Worship

Wed. 17th
10:30 am Fididdlers

Sun. 21st
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.