First Parish Scituate in the news
06/08/21 Scituate Mariner: LGBTQIA+ community welcome at Scituate churches
For several Scituate churches, Pride Month is an opportunity to reiterate a mission of inclusion and acceptance. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate first hung its home-sewn 65-foot long rainbow banner across the length of the sanctuary in 2008 to celebrate the occasion of the church becoming certified as a Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The banner was displayed again this year for Pride Month—hung during a Nor’easter by dedicated church members!
For several Scituate churches, Pride Month is an opportunity to reiterate a mission of inclusion and acceptance. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate first hung its home-sewn 65-foot long rainbow banner across the length of the sanctuary in 2008 to celebrate the occasion of the church becoming certified as a Welcoming Congregation by the Unitarian Universalist Association. The banner was displayed again this year for Pride Month—hung during a Nor’easter by dedicated church members!
02/10/21 NSRWA: Eagle Scout Project in Scituate
For his Eagle Scout project, 17-year old Robbie Murdock decided "to promote awareness of watershed mechanics by installing medallions at 35 storm drains. He hopes that these metal markers — inscribed with the text “No Dumping – Drains To Waterway” and the image of a lobster — will make people think twice before releasing pollutants along the roadways."
You can find the medallions at numerous locations around Scituate Harbor and on Jericho Road, plus one at the Scituate Lighthouse.
YouTube video here.
For his Eagle Scout project, 17-year old Robbie Murdock decided "to promote awareness of watershed mechanics by installing medallions at 35 storm drains. He hopes that these metal markers — inscribed with the text “No Dumping – Drains To Waterway” and the image of a lobster — will make people think twice before releasing pollutants along the roadways."
You can find the medallions at numerous locations around Scituate Harbor and on Jericho Road, plus one at the Scituate Lighthouse.
YouTube video here.
06/30/20 Scituate Mariner: Scituate Pride Parade Brings Community Together
Scituate's first Pride Parade, co-founded and supported by First Parish members: “In the face of a hateful act committed right in our neighborhood it was especially important to cross the sidewalk where it occurred to publicly mark that our neighborhood stands against hate,” [Jen McGonagle Dziedzic] said. “Beyond that it is important to further affirm every LGBTQ+ person's right to exist, persist and resist and make a clear statement that as a community we are committed to working to undo systems of oppression so that every LGBTQ+ person and family that lives in, works in, plays in and visits Scituate are able to experience safety and belonging.”
Scituate's first Pride Parade, co-founded and supported by First Parish members: “In the face of a hateful act committed right in our neighborhood it was especially important to cross the sidewalk where it occurred to publicly mark that our neighborhood stands against hate,” [Jen McGonagle Dziedzic] said. “Beyond that it is important to further affirm every LGBTQ+ person's right to exist, persist and resist and make a clear statement that as a community we are committed to working to undo systems of oppression so that every LGBTQ+ person and family that lives in, works in, plays in and visits Scituate are able to experience safety and belonging.”
09/8/17 Scituate Mariner: Music director brings harmony to Scituate congregation and beyond.
"This fall will be Dubuisson’s 12th year with the church. 'Beth brings so many gifts to our congregation beyond the obvious ones of musical talent and choral direction,' said Reverend Pamela Barz. 'She also brings her creativity, her deep kindness and care for individuals, her willingness to try new things, her ability to understand her music as part of the overall worship service, and her great sense of humor.'"
"This fall will be Dubuisson’s 12th year with the church. 'Beth brings so many gifts to our congregation beyond the obvious ones of musical talent and choral direction,' said Reverend Pamela Barz. 'She also brings her creativity, her deep kindness and care for individuals, her willingness to try new things, her ability to understand her music as part of the overall worship service, and her great sense of humor.'"
04/25/17 Scituate Mariner: Drive for Syrian refugees
"The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate held a stuffed animal drive to aid Kane’s efforts, which generated 20 large bags of the toys."
"The First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate held a stuffed animal drive to aid Kane’s efforts, which generated 20 large bags of the toys."
04/11/2014 Scituate Mariner: Local clergy address addiction crisis (article archived)
"Rev. Pamela Barz: 'Society has deemed these problems shameful marks of failure. It takes courage to acknowledge that we, or our family members are living with them. It’s the same in our communities.'”
"Rev. Pamela Barz: 'Society has deemed these problems shameful marks of failure. It takes courage to acknowledge that we, or our family members are living with them. It’s the same in our communities.'”
09/26/2019 Scituate Mariner: Scituate families take part in Global Climate Strike
The youth-led Global Climate Strike, which brought thousands of people together across the world to rally in support of addressing and correcting the issues of climate change, brought several Scituate students and members of their families to the rally and march in Boston on Sept. 20. Several of the attendees were part of a group from the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate. Taking care of the environment is one of the core values of the UU church, as is teaching youth to ask questions and to lead and embrace science.
The youth-led Global Climate Strike, which brought thousands of people together across the world to rally in support of addressing and correcting the issues of climate change, brought several Scituate students and members of their families to the rally and march in Boston on Sept. 20. Several of the attendees were part of a group from the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church of Scituate. Taking care of the environment is one of the core values of the UU church, as is teaching youth to ask questions and to lead and embrace science.
09/29/20 Scituate Mariner: Love Shows Up
A motto we created for our roadside signage so moved people, following the standouts for justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, that it’s become a lawn sign, a T-shirt, and stickers for kids’ laptops and backpacks. It got many people thinking about what it means to “show up” for others and what it means to trust that love will "show up" for them. "It’s become a symbol of more than this moment but of a deep truth held by all faith traditions: Love shows up to the world through us and Love shows up in us and around us to empower, enliven, and encourage us."
A motto we created for our roadside signage so moved people, following the standouts for justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and so many others, that it’s become a lawn sign, a T-shirt, and stickers for kids’ laptops and backpacks. It got many people thinking about what it means to “show up” for others and what it means to trust that love will "show up" for them. "It’s become a symbol of more than this moment but of a deep truth held by all faith traditions: Love shows up to the world through us and Love shows up in us and around us to empower, enliven, and encourage us."
07/02/20 Scituate Mariner: Scituate women find friendship and tradition in canning
The secret behind our Snowflake Fair's deliciously infamous 'Grandma's Cupboard' jams, jellies, and preserves? The can-canners! These First Parish friends share generations of traditional family recipes.
The secret behind our Snowflake Fair's deliciously infamous 'Grandma's Cupboard' jams, jellies, and preserves? The can-canners! These First Parish friends share generations of traditional family recipes.
10/24/19 Scituate Mariner: A Community of Music Can be Found at the Blue Boat Coffeehouse:
"There is a wealth of musical talent on the South Shore and many of these performers often find their way to the Blue Boat Coffeehouse held at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate."
"There is a wealth of musical talent on the South Shore and many of these performers often find their way to the Blue Boat Coffeehouse held at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate."
01/30/17 Scituate Mariner: Scituate congregation unites in show of support [for refugees and immigrants]
"Over the years our church bells have sounded to call us to worship and renewal every Sunday morning," Barz said in her Sunday morning sermon. "They have tolled the alarm in times of danger and pealed the joy of celebrations. Today we ring our bells to stand with refugees, to place ourselves publicly as upholding the values of justice, kindness, and hospitality."
"Over the years our church bells have sounded to call us to worship and renewal every Sunday morning," Barz said in her Sunday morning sermon. "They have tolled the alarm in times of danger and pealed the joy of celebrations. Today we ring our bells to stand with refugees, to place ourselves publicly as upholding the values of justice, kindness, and hospitality."
08/22/2013 Scituate Mariner: A first in church’s history
"Recently, the church has undergone another milestone—there is a female minister leading the congregation for the first time in the church’s history.
'In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, Reverend Barz was chosen by the entire congregation after a lengthy search process,' [Leslie] Kilduff said. 'That is because the minister and the congregation have a collaborative relationship. They share responsibility for the leadership and ministry of the congregation.'"
"Recently, the church has undergone another milestone—there is a female minister leading the congregation for the first time in the church’s history.
'In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, Reverend Barz was chosen by the entire congregation after a lengthy search process,' [Leslie] Kilduff said. 'That is because the minister and the congregation have a collaborative relationship. They share responsibility for the leadership and ministry of the congregation.'"
02/09/2012 Scituate Mariner: Solar Panels Installed on First Parish Roof
"First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate has gone green. The church’s new solar panels, donated by long-time members Frank and Leslie Kilduff, seem to sit proudly on the roof of the church."
"First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Scituate has gone green. The church’s new solar panels, donated by long-time members Frank and Leslie Kilduff, seem to sit proudly on the roof of the church."
05/20/2013 Scituate Mariner: A Story of Scituate History
Rev. Richard Stower on the writing of his book A History of The First Parish Church of Scituate, Massachusetts: Its Life and Times: “One of the reasons I wanted to write the book was to raise the historical visibility of Scituate because it played an important part in the religious history of our nation. I believe that the democratic governance of the colonial congregations laid the groundwork for our civil democracy. The controversies over the manner of baptism led to the growing diversity of theological perspectives leading to the religious freedom and pluralism that we enjoy today."
Rev. Richard Stower on the writing of his book A History of The First Parish Church of Scituate, Massachusetts: Its Life and Times: “One of the reasons I wanted to write the book was to raise the historical visibility of Scituate because it played an important part in the religious history of our nation. I believe that the democratic governance of the colonial congregations laid the groundwork for our civil democracy. The controversies over the manner of baptism led to the growing diversity of theological perspectives leading to the religious freedom and pluralism that we enjoy today."