Home • First Parish in Needham Unitarian Universalist

Sunday Service @ 10:30 a.m.

In-Person (Relaxed Mask Policy) and Online (YouTube and Zoom)

Welcome to Our Community

We are Humanists, Theists, Atheists, Agnostics & Interfaith Families

church-exterior-spring

Sunday Worship Service

Sundays @ 10:30 a.m.
In-Person and Online

Watch on YouTube

Catie-Scudera-minister

Minister’s Welcome

Welcome to First Parish!
We’re so glad you’ve found us.

Welcome Message

first-parish-needham-chalice

Order of Service & Bulletin

Inheritance and the AIDS Crisis

by Rev. Catie Scudera

Sunday, November 26 at 10:30 am, livestreamed to YouTube from the Sanctuary. Darrah Bryans, Ministerial Intern will lead the service On the Sunday before International AIDS Awareness Day, we look back on lessons learned. What have we inherited from the early years of...

Monthly Ministry Theme

Awe & Mystery

Theme-Based Ministry Info

open doors

First Visit

FAQs RE: First Parish

A Welcoming Congregation

learning-at-first-parish

Learning @ First Parish

Religious Edcation, Continuing Education & More

Learning Overview

staff montage

Minister & Staff

Meet Rev. Catie Scudera and the rest of the First Parish staff

440 Gypsy Jazz

Homegrown Coffeehouse

440 Gypsy Jazz
Dec 2 – Doors open 7:30 PM

Show Info / Buy Tickets

Newsworthy

From Our Blog

Lane Lyceum: Feeling Our Way Through an Apocalypse with The Rev. Cody J. Sanders

Feeling Our Way Through an Apocalypse: During the Pandemic, Politics, War, Climate Change and More with The Rev. Cody J. Sanders Tuesday, November...

Lane Lyceum: Rebooting American Healthcare with Amy Finkelstein

We've Got You Covered: Rebooting American Healthcare with Amy Finkelstein Tuesday, November 28, 2023 7:30pm on Zoom Zoom Link:...

Family Fun Fridays: Full Information and Dates!

First Parish is excited to once again host a monthly all-ages board game, craft, and movie night!On the 3rd (or in some cases 2nd) Friday of the...

Facebook Posts

Get Our Newsletter

Church Calendar

Instagram @uuneedham

Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating today! First

Happy Thanksgiving to all celebrating today! First Parish wishes you and your loved ones a day full of gratitude, love, and abundance.
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #thanksgiving #gratitude #love #abundance

Few of us need convincing that American health ins

Few of us need convincing that American health insurance needs reform. But many of the existing proposals focus on expanding one relatively successful piece of the system or building in piecemeal additions. In her 2023 book “We’ve Got You Covered: Rebooting American Health Care,”Professor Amy Finkelstein and her co-author Liran Einav marshal original research, insights from American history, and comparative analyses of systems around the world to make a case for a full overhaul of the health insurance system. In her talk on Tuesday November 28th at 7:30 pm on Zoom, Professor Finkelstein will describe the insights presented in her book.
Amy Finkelstein is the John & Jennie S. MacDonald Professor of Economics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She received the John Bates Clark Medal for her contributions to economics. She is a MacArthur “Genius” fellow, and a member of the National Academy of Sciences.
Join on Zoom on the 28th at 7:30 pm through bit.ly/HealthcareLyceum and learn more about this and upcoming Lane Lyceum programs at uuneedham.org. All are welcome!
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #health #healthcare #healthcarereform #healthinsurance #lifelonglearning

During social hour today, First Parishioners worke

During social hour today, First Parishioners worked together to create an outdoor tribute to the 68 trans and genderqueer Americans who died by homicide or suicide in the past year since the last Trans Day of Remembrance. We will continue our efforts as a Welcoming Congregation to create a faith community and wider society that is inclusive and affirming of all sexualities and gender identities 🏳️‍⚧️
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #sunday #diversityequityinclusion #antioppression #diversity #equity #inclusion #🌈 #trans #genderqueer #lgbtq #transgender #nonbinary #TransDayofRemembrance #tdor #grief

Lots of fun yet again at Family Fun Night! Games w

Lots of fun yet again at Family Fun Night! Games were played, postcard mailers stickered, “Moana” watched, and pizza and North End cookies consumed. See you for holiday-themed Family Fun Night on December 15th!
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #allages #multigenerational #family #community #moana #pizza #pizzaparty #northendboston #italiancookies #movienight #boardgames

On Monday November 20th at 7 pm, participating mem

On Monday November 20th at 7 pm, participating members and congregations of the Needham Interfaith Clergy Association invite one and all to participate in our seventh annual Needham Trans Day of Remembrance vigil. We will solemnly remember trans and gender non-conforming people who were killed in hate crimes or died by suicide in the past year, and rededicate ourselves to the work of LGBTQ+ rights 🏳️‍⚧️ Join on Zoom at http://bit.ly/Needham-TDOR-2023.
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #tdor #transdayofremembrance #trans #genderqueer #genderfluid #gendernonconforming #transgender #lgbtq #vigil #interfaith

All ages are welcome to our multigenerational Than

All ages are welcome to our multigenerational Thanksgiving service! Using story, song, art, and “wonder boxes,” we’ll engage with the serious topics of the indigenous story of the first Thanksgiving; Trans Day of Remembrance; and, the practice of gratitude. We’ll also hear wonderful music from our children’s choir, the SongSquad, and the First Parish Choir. Join onsite at 23 Dedham Avenue or online at YouTube.com/@uuneedhamservices . Learn more at uuneedham.org.
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #sunday #worship #SundayService #multigenerational #allages #churchmusic #music #thanksgiving #trans #TransDayofRemembrance #tdor #genderqueer #gratitude #history #indigenous #wampanoag

Our next all-ages - children & adults - fun night

Our next all-ages - children & adults - fun night will be Friday, November 17th from 5:30pm to 8:00pm! This month’s theme is Acknowledging Ancestors; we will be choosing a kid-friendly movie based on this theme. All ages and stages are welcome to join for pizza, games, crafts, and more!
Full information and current updates throughout the year found here: https://uuneedham.org/blog/family-fun-fridays/
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #family #familytime #familynight #fellowship #fun #movie #games #crafts #pizza #pizzanight

This Saturday, November 18th, Homegrown Coffeehous

This Saturday, November 18th, Homegrown Coffeehouse is welcoming the New Black Eagle Jazz Band at 8 pm!
The New Black Eagle Jazz Band has delighted audiences worldwide for over fifty years with its infectious, soulful, and high energy style of traditional New Orleans jazz. Paying homage to the greatest musicians of the early jazz era - Louis Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Duke Ellington - the band has also developed its own eclectic sound, incorporating spirituals, 1920’s and 30’s popular music and even some recorded by Elvis and Bob Dylan! Featured in renowned jazz festivals, including Newport, Kool, Tanglewood, Edinburgh, and New Orleans Jazz and Heritage festivals, the band has appeared in concert with symphony orchestras, including the Scottish National Symphony and the Boston Pops.
Masks are optional, based on your comfort level. Our much loved tradition of serving carrot cake, cookies, and brownies, with a selection of cider, teas, coffee (both high test and decaf) and assorted cold beverages has returned!
Visit uuneedham.org/events/homegrown-coffeehouse for more information, tickets, and upcoming Homegrown shows!
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #music #concert #jazz #carrotcake #jazzmusic #neworleansjazz

Yesterday afternoon, our Worship Committee and min

Yesterday afternoon, our Worship Committee and ministers gathered for a focused retreat reflecting on the book “Worship That Works” and brainstormed suggestions from the 5 Year Strategic Plan Task Force sessions. We also had a great visit with our feline honorary participant, Mr. Darcy. Pay attention in the coming weeks for Sunday morning experiments spearheaded by the Worship Committee. The Worship Committee is always open to feedback, suggestions, and new folks to join the team!
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #worship #SundayService #cat #catsofinstagram

To all of our members, friends, and neighbors who

To all of our members, friends, and neighbors who celebrate, a very Happy Diwali! May the rituals and joy of the holiday bring the blessings of spiritual and material wealth to all 🪔
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #pluralism #interfaith #multifaith #diwali #HappyDiwali #deepavali

This Veterans Day, we offer for reflection this pr

This Veterans Day, we offer for reflection this prayer from UU minister Rev. Audette Fulbright Fulson:
“Help us to embrace those we have sent forth in our names into danger -
give us the strength of will to serve them as they have served us.
May they never hunger. May they never thirst.
May there always be meaningful work for their hands.
May they receive healing care in abundance
and may we, the grateful heirs of a nation built on the idea of liberty,
be faithful to pursuing that dream in our own lives and actions.
Help us to be vigilant and never complacent.
Let each one of us take personally this charge.
May it be so and may it be so.”
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #VeteransDay

The holiday season is a time of magic and memory-m

The holiday season is a time of magic and memory-making. If you have young children, you know that all that magic can come with a side of meltdowns and dashed expectations. Join J.L. Shattuck, author of “The Tending Years,” on Tuesday November 14th at 7:30 on Zoom to learn how five rituals you’re already using on regular days can help make special days more enjoyable for you and the toddlers you love!
As a lifelong Unitarian Universalist and longtime early childhood professional turned religious educator, J.L. Shattuck is passionate about helping UU churches welcome and support their very youngest congregants. She currently serves on staff at both the Unitarian Church of Barnstable on Cape Cod and at Sanctuary Boston. Shattuck is the author of “The Tending Years,” a book for those caring for preschool-age children, and is also the creator of Ellery Churchmouse, a video series for UU kids and their families.
Join on Zoom at bit.ly/HighFiveHolidays on the 14th at 7:30 pm. Visit uuneedham.org for more information about this and upcoming Lane Lyceum programs. All are welcome!
#uuneedham #unitarianuniversalist #needham #needhamma #lifelonglearning #family #parents #parenting #toddler #toddlerlife #childhood #holiday #holidayseason #holidayfun #ritual

Follow Us on Instagram

first-parish-needham-chalice

Contact Us

Or Touch Base via Email or Phone

party

Rent Our Facilities

Host Your Event at First Parish

Social Action

So Many Ways to Get Involved