First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
First Parish News - December 2020
We aspire to be a beacon of ...
...Liberal Faith
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December Services I Believe
For many of us, Christmas is inseparable from its music. Poet Anne Porter describes this time of year: We hear and sing/The customary carols/They bring us ragged miracles. Though we can't sing them together this year, in our services we will celebrate the music of the season and the ways it sustains us. Pamela Barz will reflect on the messages of hope, love, peace, and joy offered by seasonal hymns, carols, or songs written by Unitarian Universalist poets and composers. Each service includes music from our choir and bell choir as well as a time to join Elizabeth Dubuisson in singing familiar carols. You are invited to light a candle at the chalice lighting and your own Advent candles at that time in the service.
Following each service we will share joys and sorrows and thoughts on the Advent theme of the day.
Sunday December 6, 10:30 am I Believe in Love: Daring Right Relationship
We will light the Advent candle of Love. Pamela Barz will reflect on Edmund Hamilton Sears' hymn It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, written in 1849 as Sears was coming out of a time of deep depression. The First Parish Choir will sing O Music by Lowell Mason.
Sunday December 13, 10:30 am I Believe in the Light: Illuminating Peace
We will light the Advent candle of Peace and along with three candles in the menorah for the third day of Hanukkah. Pamela Barz will reflect on Fred Small's song Not in Our Town and the real world events which inspired it. The First Parish Choir will sing The Holidays Are Here Again.
Sunday December 20, 10:30 am I Believe in Joy: The Right of Every Person
We will light the Advent candle of Joy. Pamela Barz will reflect on O Holy Night which was translated from the French (and reworked) by Transcendentalist John Sullivan Dwight.
Sunday December 27, 10:30 am I Believe: The Time Has Come
Pamela Barz will reflect on Do You Hear What I Hear? which was written by Noel Regney in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis
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Family Christmas Movies
Each week in Advent, during the Story for All Ages Pamela Barz will talk about a familiar Christmas show on the theme of the Sunday. If you would like to watch them ahead of each service, they are:
Dec. 6: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (animated version) – Love
Dec. 13: The Muppet Christmas Carol – Peace
Dec. 20: The Snowy Day - Joy
Dec. 27: The Polar Express – Believe
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The Gifts of Darkness: A Service for the Longest Night of the Year
In their annual service for the winter solstice, the Scituate clergy will reflect on what gifts these dark days and hard times may hold for us.
The service will be held over Zoom at 7 p.m. on Monday December 21. You are invited to have candles near you to light during the service. Pamela Barz and the music director will be participating. The Zoom link will be sent closer to the 21st.
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Christmas Eve We Believe Even Now
December 24 at 5 p.m.: In-Person Outside Worship
Weather and health conditions permitting, we will gather, masked and distanced, at the front steps of the church for a brief candlelight Christmas Eve service. It will also be streamed on Facebook Live. The service will include some familiar carols, the spreading of the light, and the reading of the story of Jesus' birth from the Gospel of Luke with the children invited to play the characters as the story is read. Please let Pamela Barz know if you can serve as the camera person, help set up for the service, usher, or if your child would like to take a part in the tableau.
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From the Minister
I was so glad the weather cooperated for our outdoor service on November 8, the Sunday after the Election. We needed to be together that day. And every day since then, though we aren't together in person, I give thanks for the strength of this community supporting one another in these uncertain and worrisome times. We know that we are not alone in our values, in our worries, in our work for health and wholeness for all people. Each Sunday and throughout the week, we embody for one another the Advent message, offering signs of Hope, Love, Peace and Joy in places where we fear it does not exist.
You may not realize it, but when you join the Zoom service on Sunday mornings, just by being there and turning on your camera, you offer Beth and me those qualities as we lead worship. Michael has set up the big screen in the sanctuary. Each Sunday we connect it to Zoom so that it displays your faces. Having you present with us, even just on-screen, has made a difference to Beth and me as we lead the services. We no longer feel we are singing and speaking to empty air. So please, if it hasn't been your habit, consider turning on your camera, and help us all remember that we truly are still gathered together.
See you in Church,
Pam
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Religious Education
The Winter Session of Religious Education for the Picture Books World Religion zoom class (ages 3-6) and the World of New Friends zoom class (grades 2-5) begin the week of January 4, 2021. Teachers are needed for both age groups.
Classes are taught over zoom in the comfort of one's home. Teachers do not need to have children in classes to participate. World religions curriculum is provided and is engaging and fun. Teachers are expected to commit for a 6-8 week time period. Picture books class time is Tuesday, 7pm, World on New Friends is Thursday, 7pm. Please contact Eileen to learn more.
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🎶Notes from Beth: December 2020
During Advent we will appreciate the way music brings hope, love, peace and joy into our lives even if we can’t sing together. Our choir has recorded a threshold song
I believe Even When…. for each week of advent. We also recorded the prayer song
In the Stillness. I hope it will bring you a time of peace and quiet reflection. Both songs are by Mark Miller. Our anthems celebrate music and the holiday season. I have made videos and slide shows to accompany the anthems.
12/6: I believe in Love - love in our community and beyond.
O Music by Lowell Mason- photos of musicians from our own congregation.
12/13: I believe in God - peace and justice.
The Holidays are Here Again, lyrics by Leo Collins- celebrating Hanukkah and Christmas.
12/20: I believe in the light - candles and stars!
Alleluia, arranged by Ronaldo Raz- JOY!
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12/24: As we join outside together, our quiet singing, hand bells, and candles will “Fill the night with music and light”
Calling all musicians: We’d love to see you singing or playing an instrument outside to celebrate the season. Park, Porch, and Sidewalk Sings let us enjoy and spread Holiday cheer in a safe way. Send your recordings to me so we can share your music with the congregation.
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Reading "Morality"
In her sermon on November 15, Pamela Barz spoke about Jonathan Sacks work in moral theology and philosophy. She invited people to join her in reading and discussing his final book Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times. This reading and dsicussion group will begin on Monday January 4 with a discussion over Zoom of the Chapter 1: Loneliness. The plan right now is to read and discuss one chapter a week, though that may change. If you'd like to get a taste of the book, you can read the introduction here: Morality excerpt . There is still room in the group - please let Pam know if you'd like to participate.
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Tea with the Minister
Thursdays December 3 and 17
Grab your mug and join Pamela Barz for conversation from the comfort of your own home, 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. You don't have to come for the whole time - drop in as fits your schedule.
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Becoming Part of the First Parish Community
It's hard coming into a church community during a pandemic! Yet we do have newcomers who have come to our community in 2020. The Parish Committee would love to get to know you, to hear how you're connecting with First Parish, what questions, ideas, or suggestions you may have. Join them for a holiday reception over Zoom on Thursday December 17, 8:00-9:00 p.m. BYOB - Bring your own beverage!
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How Do You Know What's Happening at Church?
The Parish Committee is currently overhauling the FPUU website, and exploring innovative new forms of communication. They would love to hear from you at the next meeting to learn, with regards to communication, what's working? What's not working? What messaging strategies would peak interest and entice participation from the full spectrum of our multi-generational community? Please share your thoughts! Log on Wednesday December 9th at 7:30 PM.
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Snowflake Fair Meltaway Sale: Cupboard Items Still for Sale
We have yummy remaining jams, pickled items and tomato sauce for sale leftover from our modified Snowflake fair. Please peruse the options and order away.
They can be picked up at Sarah’s house or will be delivered upon request. Payment is due upon pickup or delivery.
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2020 Outdoor Snowflake Fair
By all accounts the 2020 Outdoor Snowflake Fair has been judged a success. We were blessed with a gloriously sunny, unseasonably warm day to sell freshly-cut Vermont trees donated by Erica and Joe; beautifully composed wreaths coordinated by Jane and her elf team who managed their work during odd hours in order to remain socially distanced; and a scrumptious array of produce canned and pickled by Claire and Alma . Cathie and Vicki , our checkout team reported unofficial earnings of $4,700. We expect that figure to rise given the ongoing on line sales of Grandma’s Cupboard.
We have Kate and Stephanie to thank for publicity on various internet sites. In addition to members of our congregation, fair workers identified a large number of general public buyers which suggests word of mouth, repeat customers and the outdoor visibility worked to attract customers.
We have a number of behind the scenes and day-of volunteers to thank including:
Laura
Carol
Jean
Anthony
Bob
Hal
Hancie
Pamela
Chuck
We would also like to thank Parish Committee and Safety Committee, Anthony, Mary, and Frank for their support and attention to safety concerns around Covid 19.
A special thank you goes out to the Fididdlers and other crafters who optimistically produced their town-famous high quality goods and who, with kind accommodation, have packed them away to add to next year’s inventory.
And lastly, thank you to all fair attendees who safely brought the fellowship we need in these challenging times.
We look forward to the return of our full Snowflake Fair next year, perhaps with some new outdoor elements inspired by this year’s event.
-Snowflake Team
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Wreaths and Swags for Sale
Jane will be selling wreaths and swags (swags with greens and winterberry) from the garage behind the church from 10-2 Saturday, December 5.
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Caroling 2020
Though we can't join together to carol, if your household would like to carol outside the home of a church member, please let Stephanie know. Carolers would be given the name and address and would sing outside the house masked and at a distance at a pre-arranged time.
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Report on the Summer's Capital Steeple
Improvement Project
On November 29, toward the end of the Snowflake Fair, with the late afternoon sun gleaming on the newly painted gold ball on the peak of our steeple, a large black and white hawk perched on it for a long time atop the church. What a view it must have had of the whole town, as well as of our Fair!
And what a wonderful view of the church we all have as we drive by or gather on the lawn, seeing its repaired and white-painted steeple and new roofs. In addition to making the church look great, these repairs secure the envelope of the church, making it weather-tight, preserving the structure, and preventing future damage.
A huge round of thanks goes to the many members and friends of First Parish who gave generously to the Capital Campaign to make this work possible in 2020. And we are grateful to our long-time member Yvonne whose bequest helped galvanize our efforts to raise money to match hers. We profoundly thank Erica for all of the work that she did in obtaining quotes and then scheduling and overseeing the work, and Frank who assisted her with all of it. The Project included removing the solar panels and erecting scaffolding and netting around the steeple in order to contain any lead paint disturbed during the painting of the steeple. New roofs were installed on the parsonage and carriage shed as well as the church. As a matter of expediency, an unrelated project was rolled into this summer’s work: a windstorm earlier this year blew a window from the Lawson Tower into the playground, necessitating a cleanup of shattered glass and replacement of the playground sand.
Work was completed by the following contractors: Paul J Cazeault & Sons for the roofs; Painters Pride for the steeple; BlueSel Home Solar for the solar panels; and Mike Walsh for the cleanup and refurbishment of the playground.
The cost for all four projects totaled $133,900. Cost to re-install the solar array has yet to be determined but will be paid out of the money raised for the project. This is scheduled to be completed in January.
As agreed at last year’s Annual Meeting, the projects are being paid for as follows:
$ 32,443 Raised from members and friends in a Capital Campaign
$ 33,767 Yvonne bequest
$ 10,000 Capital Improvements Temporarily Restricted Assets
$ 70,000 Borrowed from Endowment Funds
$146,210
Once the solar panels are reinstalled, the Finance Committee will see that any excess funds are returned to the Endowment immediately. The church has agreed to repay the balance of the loan at a rate of $5,000 per year beginning in FY22 until the loan is repaid in full.
- Finance Committee
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...Transformative Service |
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Welcome a Guest at Your Table
Each December the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee asks congregations to have "a guest at your table." You can welcome this is a guest even in 2020, for it's not a real person, but the setting aside each night of the cost to feed one person dinner. It doesn't have to be the whole cost of a meal. $1 for each dinner would amount to $35 for the five weeks. Or $50 will get you a family membership in the UUSC. Rather than collect the contributions in church as usual, this year please donate directly at Guest At Your Table
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Join the Men’s Ministry for Bagels and Yard Work
Weather permitting, the Men's Ministry will meet on Saturday Dec 5 at 8 a.m. at the church for a bagel breakfast and to continue their work of cleaning up the grounds. Everyone, of all ages and genders, is welcome. Please bring rakes, clippers, shovels - and your own coffee. If you have questions, suggestions, or ideas for future projects, please contact Chuck.
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Give Light Sunday December 6, 1-3 pm
Free Workshop with Fred Small, Executive Director of Mass Interfaith Power & Light
Join Zoom Meeting
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Scituate Food Pantry
The Scituate Food Pantry is in need of the following stock items. Or monetary donations can be given at: Scituate Food Pantry
Hash, Salmon, Sardines, Spam, Creamed Soups ( mushroom, celery, chicken), Creamed Corn
Decaf Coffee (Instant), Hot Chocolate, Pudding (instant), Microwave Popcorn
-Scituate Food Pantry
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Love Shows Up for Justice Sunday Stand Outs
Ongoing - Sundays 1:00 to 2:00 pm
We have gathered on the front lawn of the church every Sunday afternoon since the beginning of June this year with signs in hand in a show of support for diversity, equity, and inclusion, and especially in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. The size of our protest has ranged from 3 to 30 people. Our core group consists of members and friends of the congregation, but we have been joined occasionally by Scituate residents who are otherwise not familiar with our church and even by folks who have come from Weymouth, Norwell, Kingston, and other towns. It has been a nice way to meet some like-minded people from outside of our church community, and we always have interesting conversations while we stand together waving at passersby. This past weekend an Ohioan who is doing some contract work here in Massachusetts stopped by to take a photo of the church to add to her collection of images of historic New England churches and was thrilled with the work we are doing.
We continue this standout as a visible acknowledgement that, while we celebrate the changes to policies we anticipate with a new administration in January, the important work of fighting for social and racial justice continues and we must never be complacent.
We have changed the time of the gathering so that we won't be standing out in the dark as we move into the winter season. Please join us on Sunday afternoons from 1-2pm.
For further information, please contact Jean.
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December 2020
Tues. 1st
7:00 pm Picture Book World Religions
Thurs. 3rd
4:30 pm Tea with the Minister
7:00 pm A World of New Friends
Sat. 5th
8:00 am Men’s Ministry
10:00 am Selling of Wreaths and Swags
10:30 am Worship
1:00 pm Love Shows Up for Justice
1:00 pm Give Light Workshop
Tues. 8th
7:00 pm Picture Book World Religions
Wed. 9th
7:00 pm Parish Committee Meeting
7:00 pm A World of New Friends
10:30 am Worship
1:00 pm Love Shows Up for Justice
6:00 pm SciCohRockWell YG – Zoom Meeting
Tues. 15th
7:00 pm Picture Book World Religions
Thurs. 17th
4:30 pm Tea with the Minister
7:00 pm A World of New Friends
8:00 pm Newcomers’ Gathering
10:30 am Worship
1:00 pm Love Shows Up for Justice
7:00 pm Service for the Longest Night of the Year
Tues. 22nd
7:00 pm Picture Book World Religions
Thurs. 24th
5:00 pm Christmas Eve Service
Sun. 27th
10:30 am Worship
1:00 pm Love Shows Up for Justice
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