Minister’s Welcome

 First Parish is a vibrant, inclusive, and justice-making Unitarian Universalist congregation. On our website, you can learn more about our historic congregation and about our shared Unitarian Universalist faith.

First Parish is a theologically diverse congregation of humanists, theists, atheists, agnostics, and interfaith families. Amidst this rich spiritual diversity, we gather together with shared covenant and values to encourage, comfort, and learn from one another, knowing we cannot grow as individuals or heal our broken world alone.

I personally invite you to join First Parish any upcoming Sunday for worship at 10:30 am and for coffee and snacks at 11:30 am. Our services are also livestreamed to YouTube, and online
participants gather on Zoom after the postlude for social hour.

Children and teenagers are always welcome in our sanctuary (and have plenty of fidgets, quiet toys, and coloring pages to choose from in our vestibule) — or they can join our religious education program, including our Senior Youth Group on Sunday evenings.

Deeper faith formation and personal relationships develop through being together for openhearted conversations, spiritual practices, fellowship, and justice-making. We are a “seven days a week” church — you can find spiritually enriching opportunities every day, not just on Sundays.

 To learn more about our programs and events, please subscribe to our e-newsletter, the Bell Notes, and follow First Parish on Facebook and Instagram. As you explore our website, please note our small group ministry, lifespan religious education (including the Lane Lyceum series), spiritual practice groups, and musical programs (including Homegrown Coffeehouse and the Elizabeth Duhig To the Fore Concerts). Our community is involved with many social justice causes, and we especially strive to live into our designations as a Welcoming Congregation, Green Sanctuary, Level- 2 Sanctuary Supporting Congregation, and 8th Principle Congregation — welcoming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities and advocating for LGBTQ+ rights; working for climate justice in our personal lives, within our church, and beyond; supporting our immigrant neighbors and immigration reform; and, building an anti-racist, anti-oppressive Beloved Community within our congregation and wider communities.

If you are seeking comfort and prayer during a difficult time, I hope you will be in touch with me and our Pastoral Care Team. We encourage you to reach out to us, even if you’ve never visited First Parish before. We are here for you, with open hearts and minds, and can connect you with leaders of our support groups.

At any time, feel free to introduce yourself — either onsite, by email at minister@uuneedham.org, or over the phone at 781-444-0823.

I look forward to meeting you soon!

Blessings,

Rev. Catie Scudera
About Rev. Scudera