What's Happening
at First Parish -
Our Weekly Newsletter

June 5 - 15, 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 June 9  Hearing Each Other into Speech
On this Sunday, as Jews celebrate Shavuot, the receiving of the Torah, and Christians celebrate Pentecost, the receiving of the Spirit, we’ll celebrate the basis of both gifts: listening. Pamela Barz preaching. We will also recognize two of our high school graduates. The choir will sing Spirit of Life. We are in need of a coffee hour host.
Our monthly outreach offering will be received this Sunday and will go to a project at Scituate High School to place recycling bins on each of the five town beaches. We have committed to sponsor one of the bins which means raising $100 for this project. If you would like to contribute but won't be in church on Sunday, please send a check to the church with "Beach Recycle Bins" in the memo line.
Sign up to greet: 

Sign up to host coffee hour:
Summer Services
In July and August worship services move to 9 a.m. and a simpler format. Usually a member of the congregation offers a reflection on the theme, which this year is "To the Stars." If you are interested in offering a starry reflection one Sunday, please speak with the chair of the Religious Services Committee, or Pam.

From the Music Director
 



Matt Meyer led a wonderful service with songs and improvised percussion on May 12th. I will teach the congregation a couple of the songs we learned that day.
 
Choir Anthems for June:
June 9th: We will be singing Spirit of Life by Carolyn McDade in a new arrangement by Clif Hardin. A flutist will add a descant, as the congregation sings the familiar melody. The choir will add 4 part harmony and I have a beautiful piano accompaniment.
 
June 16th: We will sing Blessing by Donna Hebert.
 
Summer Services
My agreement with the church is that I don't work in the summer, so we appreciate it when church members with musical abilities can provide accompaniment at the 9:00 Sunday morning services. I will be leading the service on Sunday August 18th, when we will sing music on the theme of stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ .

-Beth Dubuisson
Community Book Discussion on Diversity
There will be one more meeting before the discussion breaks for summer to discuss Toni Morrison's short story "Recitatif." The story is available here: Recitatif   We will meet on Tuesday June 11, 6:30-8 p.m. in the Book Club Room of the Scituate Library. We will also talk about possible themes for next year's discussion (our 3rd year!).
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 . June's dates are Mondays 6/10 and 6/24. All are welcome.  
... Strong Community
Start-of Summer Picnic June 16
Celebrate the end of our RE year and the beginning of summer at our annual picnic after church on June 16. The Men's Ministry will be grilling hotdogs (meat and tofu); please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Kites, bubbles, and sidewalk chalk are all enc ouraged! Our summer barbecue is hosted by the Parish Committee, and the Men's Ministry will be barbecuing.
... and Transformative Service
Supporting Scituate's METCO Students and Families
On Monday, June 10th, 6:30- 8:00 pm, there will be a meeting in the Gates Learning Studio Room 1010 to discuss starting a Friends of METCO program and re-starting a local host families program and other ways to strengthen the two-way relationship between Boston and Scituate families and students. All interested community members are invited to attend. This new program has grown out of the work of Scituate's Unity Council.
Calendar for June 5 - June 16

Wed. 5th
10:30 am Fididdlers

Thurs. 6th
7:00 pm Parish Committee

Sat. 8th - Sun 9th
OWL retreat

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

Thurs. 6th
7:00 pm Parish Committee

Sun. 16th
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship / RE Sunday
11:45 am Summer Barbecue
Save the Date

June 23
Summer Solstice Sonnets & Sundaes Sunday Service

June 29
Pam's Thank-You Party
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.