What's Happening
at First Parish -
Our Weekly Newsletter

October 2 - 12, 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 October 6    
Time to Turn
The Jewish High Holy Days begin at sundown this Sunday with Rosh Hashanah and continue through Yom Kippur which ends at sundown on October 9. The High Holy Days are traditionally a time to look at your life over the past year and turn towards living more fully, harmoniously, and kindly. We will reflect on how we might turn more towards love in the year ahead. The Choir will sing Seasons of Love from Rent .
Sunday October 13
Blessing of the Animals
Ever wished your pet friend could join you at church? This is the day to bring them - furry, fluffy, and scaly pets are invited to come to our Blessing of the Animals service in the Sanctuary this Sunday. Photos of pets (living or dead) and favorite stuffed animals are welcome too. Please bring pets on a leash or in a carrier. Invite friends and neighbors to join us! Bill Ketchum will lead this multi-generational (and multi-species!) service where we will bless all our animal friends with gratitude for the love they bring into our lives. We will sing All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir . 

From the Minister
 I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve (or save) the world
and a desire to enjoy (or savor) the world.
This makes it hard to plan the day.”   ― E. B. White

Lately I arise in the morning torn by a desire to save the world and the worry that there is nothing I can do. Climate crisis, impeachment hearings, asylum-seekers being turned from our borders and sent to wait their hearings in countries perhaps even more dangerous than the homes they've fled - the news which greets us each morning and throughout the day is overwhelming. It's no wonder I and so many others are feeling anxious. 

But then I breathe and remember that I am part of a community. I do not have to save the world by myself. It is not up to me. This is what the huge crowds at the climate strike reminded me. This is what I remember when I see the apple sticky notes you placed during our worship service on September 22, taking on new ways to care for our earth. This is what I feel when I read about the work of so many people around the world on behalf of peace and justice for a shared future. I - and all of us - are part of large and small communities, people bound together by their duty to care for something beside themselves. 

So if you too are feeling alone and overwhelmed, re-ground yourself in our shared community, shared ministry, shared work at First Parish. Remember that you are held, that others share the concern and the work. You are not alone. You are part of this beloved community. 

See you in Church!
Pam
Minister's Community Office Hours
Join the Minister for conversation at the Lucky Finn on Monday October 7, 1-2 p.m. and/or Thursday October 31, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Bring your ideas, your thoughts, your questions. Have friends who might be interested in learning more about Unitarian Universalism and First Parish - bring them along!

Our Religious Education Program
Albert Einstein said “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. We in The First Parish Religious Education classes are following Einstein’s suggestion for growth.


The youngest group of ages 2-5 are exploring the church and expanding their boundaries while at church.
The K-2 nd graders have a “wonder box” to help them learn about making covenants and to use their imagination when learning about new subjects.

The 3 rd -5 th graders are making a “Time Machine” to help stimulate their exploration of the history of Unitarian Universalism.

Finally, our grades 6-8 are using their imaginations with our study of Buffy the Vampire Slayer as a spiritual guide to challenge their perceptions of some of the big questions of our lives. The classes are intended to “stand alone” so if your child misses a week don’t worry they are welcome to join in the following week.

See you in church!
Bill Ketchum DRE 
Community Book Discussion on Diversity
Our next "read" will be There, There by Tommy Orange. Published in 2018, it follows a large cast of Native Americans living in the area of Oakland, CA, as their paths take them to a community pow wow . There, There was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in Literature. The New York Times headlined their review of the book: "Yes, Tommy Orange's New Novel Really Is That Good" ( https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/books/review/tommy-orange-there-there.html ). John Scopelleti, Chair of the English Department at Scituate High School, will lead the discussion of the book on Wednesday October 23, 6:30-8 p.m., at the Scituate Town Library. There are many copies of the novel in the OCLN system.

The book explores the themes of Native peoples living in urban spaces, and issues of ambivalence and complexity related to Natives' struggles with identity and authenticity. There There was favorably received, and was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize. [2] The book was also awarded a Gold Medal for First Fiction by the California Book Awards .
... Strong Community
Unity Dinner - Next Wednesday October 9, at 6:30 pm
Welcome Ladies to our fall get together and dinner Wednesday October 9th at 6:30! It is time for us to catch up with each other and enjoy a delicious meal.

We look forward to seeing you on October 9th.
Pizza Potluck and Game Night - Friday October 25, 6:00 to 9:00
Come enjoy a night of pizza, potluck and games. 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. Please bring non-alcoholic drinks.
First Parish Needs Your Help!
This week we begin a new weekly column of ways small and large to serve our church and strengthen our community. Please let us know if you can help.

We need:
  • One or more people to wind the clock in the sanctuary weekly

  • One or more people to coordinate ringing the steeple bell at 10:20 a.m. on Sunday mornings

  • People to carry the hoop of the world this Sunday October 6 and on October 13 and 20.

  • Coordinators for the October 19 Potluck Farewell Dinner for the Ketchums

  • A few people to consult on selecting recipients of our 4th Sunday offering for the year.

  • Someone to attend the Habitat for Humanity info meeting on October 17 (see below)
Transformative Service
The Satisfaction of Serving with the Men's Ministry!
First Parish's Men's Ministry meets on the first Saturday of the month to help people in need in Scituate with moving, home repair and maintenance. This Saturday October 5, they'll go to install /prepare a home for winter and assist someone else with moving furniture. All men and boys of the congregation are welcome. Please contact us if you have questions or ideas or would like to be on his email list.
Ministry & Muffins with Habitat for Humanity October 17
Habitat for Humanity has invited our congregation to join other faith communities in learning more about their work and how we could get involved on Thursday October 17 at 8:30 a.m. at their ReStore. 357 Columbia Rd in Hanover, next to Planet Fitness. The mission of South Shore Habitat for Humanity s to build homes for families in need. At this meeting representatives of the organization will talk about their projects and how we might get involved. 
Scituate Food Pantry -Volunteers Needed for October
The month of October is our church's time to support the Scituate Food Pantry. We are called upon to provide one person on Tuesdays 9:30-12:30 and/or Thursdays 3:00-6:00 pm each week of October. Also starting in October, there will be more opportunities for High School students needing Community Service hours.
 
The work is mainly dating donated goods and filling orders for clients. There is some lifting and bending required. On the month that we provide volunteers to the food pantry, we are requested to either have a fund raiser or a food drive. 

Our plan this month is to collect and build a wall of food across the chancel.
 
The Food Pantry requests the following for the holidays:

Holiday Foods Needed
 Stuffing mix
Mashed potatoes box
Turkey gravy
Cranberry sauce
Yams can
Corn can
Fruit cocktail
Jello
Quick breads or muffin mix
Brownie or cake mix
Calendar for October 2 - 13

Wed. 2nd
10:30 am Fididdlers

Fri. 4th
7.00 pm Youth Group - Flashlight Corn Maze

Sat. 5th
8:00 am Men's Ministry

Sun. 6th
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship and RE

Mon. 7th
1:00 pm Minister's Community Office Hours-
Lucky Finn, Scituate

Wed. 9th
10:30 am Fididdlers
6:30 pm Unity Dinner

Sun. 13th
9:00 am Choir Practice
10:30 am Worship Multigen - Animal Blessing
5:00 pm Youth Group - Channing


Save the Date

November 2nd
Silent Movie Night - The Hunchback of Notre Dame

November 16th Blue Boat Coffeehouse

December 4th Wreath Making

December 7th Snowflake Fair
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.