God's frozen people, Bibles, and books!

We had another great week in Sunday School! It was great to see everyone on a snowy morning.

Special thanks to Dexter Robinson who was a guest of our 3rd and 4th grade class, taught by Ellie and Clayton Handleman. Dexter demonstrated to the class his cold weather hiking/camping gear to illustrate their lesson about Vilhjalmur Stefansson, a UU arctic explorer - The class is studying "Adventures of Our People" in the Stepping Stones curriculum. 

   And this is just one of the many fascinating classes conducted each week.  Come be a part!

Adult Learning:

We are happy to announce that Melody Barlow will lead the next session of A Panorama of Life, our Bible Study group. We are talking about the Prophets and are using "Reading the Bible Again For the First Time" by Marcus Borg as the springboard of our discussion. We will meet on Sunday February 5th at 9am in the Fogg Parlor. We would love to see you. No prior attendance or acquaintance with the Bible is necessary.

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Our First Parish Book Group will discuss:

The Housekeeper and the Professor

By Yoko Ogawa

This is a fascinating read and we hope to see you on Wednesday, Feb. the 1st at 7pm in the Fogg Parlor.

I believe!

re everyday!
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From the DRE,

It is difficult to believe that we are into our second trimester of Church School. We made the switch last Sunday and our new teachers were wonderful! They are: Anne Johnson, Ken Johnson, Elizabeth Robey, Ellie Handleman, Clayton Handleman, Jen Sulc, and Derek Sulc. We also thank our excellent first trimester teachers. They were: Mary Nickerson, Elizabeth Robey, Laura Page, Eric Page, Sue Keady, Tony Keady, Patti Walters, and Carrie Brandon. Thanks to all for doing this “noble work.”

If you have been away for awhile (or even for years!) We would love to see you back.

Many blessings to all. stuart

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Adult Learning:

We are happy to announce that Melody Barlow will lead the next two sessions of A Panorama of Life, our Bible Study group. We are talking about the Prophets and are using "Reading the Bible Again For the First Time" by Marcus Borg as the springboard of our discussion. We will meet on Sunday January the 15th at 9am in the Fogg Parlor. We would love to see you. No prior attendance or acquaintance with the Bible is necessary.

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Our First Parish Book Group will discuss:

The Housekeeper and the Professor

By Yoko Ogawa

This is a fascinating read and we hope to see you on Wednesday, Feb. the 1st at 7pm in the Fogg Parlor.

The noblest work on earth...

I hope everyone had a blessed Holiday season! We are excited to welcome everyone back to Sunday School this Sunday. If you have not been for awhile, this is a great time to come back! Our second trimester begins this Sunday and I wanted to recognize our teachers...

"Like all schools, the Sunday-School must owe its influence to its teachers... The noblest work on earth is to act with an elevating power on a human spirit." William Ellery Channing (Pictured above)

A very special and deep thanks to our first trimester teachers.

Mary Nickerson

Elizabeth Robey

Laura Page

Eric Page

Sue Keady

Tony Keady

Carrie Brandon

Patti Walters

Our second trimester teachers are ready for action and will be recognized next week.

Many blessings to all and we hop to see you Sunday

Books that changed your life...

How is the New Year's resolution going? How about making a resolution that is a joy to keep? How about a resolution to attend an adult learning program at First Parish? A great start happens tonight when our book group meets to talk about the books that have made an impact on your life. Spend some time thinking about those influential books and then join us tonight at 7pm in the Fogg Parlor for what should be a great discussion! 

RE Everyday!

I think like everyone else, its difficult to believe that Christmas is just a few short days away. I hope you are finding some time for peace and reflection and that your Christmas is what you hope it to be. We will not have Sunday School on Christmas Day or New Years Day though we will have baby care for the latter.

Many thanks to our Religious Education Community for providing coffee hour for the church this past Sunday. Much good food was had by all. And thanks to whoever cleaned up after...when I returned on Sunday afternoon to clean, I found it already done!

Ellie Handleman hosted a cookie baking party for our Youth Group Sunday Evening. It was a wonderful event full of fun and tasty cookies. Many thanks to Ellie for the idea and for hosting.

Our 5th and 6th Grade class helped collect Guest at Your Table boxes on Sunday culminating several weeks of promotion and of learning about water rights. Thank you to the students and teachers (Patti Walters and Carrie Brandon) for all your work. If your box is still at home, never fear...you can still bring it in!

All Things Religious Education!

What a great week for Religious Education at First Parish Church!

Food Pantry

Last week our Pre K-K class decorated our Norwell Food Pantry cart and this week helped fill up! Thanks to the kids and their teachers, Mary Nickerson and Elizabeth Robey!

As part of their Neighboring Faiths Curriculum, our 7th and 8th Grade class visited the North River Community Church in Pembroke yesterday. Many thanks to Ellie Handleman and Marlon Taylor for driving and chaperoning the visit!

Cathy Phillips treated 5 members of our Youth Group to Pizza followed by a trip to the mall where they went shopping for Christmas presents for foster children.

Mitten Tree! Help keep someone warm this winter! Bring in gloves, mittens, hats or scarves to put on our mitten tree. We will collect all donations after our Christmas Eve service so let's start filling up the tree this coming Sunday!

Family Banner Squares! Have you noticed the wonderful banners in front of our sanctuary! If you or your family is not represented, stop by the Religious Education table on Sunday, pick up a felt square, decorate it and drop it by the church sometime before the Christmas Eve Service and we will pin it to our banners. Be a part of this wonderful tradition.

Adult Learning!

A Panorama of Life, our Bible Study group, will meet on Sunday morning, Dec. The 18th at 9am in the Fogg Parlor to discuss the Book of Exodus. the Exodus is the foundational event in the history of the Hebrew People. Everyone is very welcome.

Our First Parish Book Group has a special event planned for our January meeting! What are the books that have changed your life? We would love to hear from you. Bring your books and be prepared for a great discussion!

We will meet on Wednesday evening, January 4th at 7pm.

Check out and "like" the First Parish Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/First-Parish-Unitarian-Church-in-Norwell/278602565514485

What are you waiting for?

From the DRE,

What are you waiting for? It is the season of Advent, the time in the Christian Calendar year set aside for waiting and anticipation. May everyone find what they are looking for and may what we are looking for be worthy. Blessings to all.

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Church School Calendar Items:
Dec. 11th- regular Church school
Dec. 18th- regular Church school
December 25th-no Church School
January 1st- No Church School

We hope to see everyone. Let's keep up the great momentum! If you have not yet made your way to church and church school, the "Holiday Season" is a great time to start!

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Adult Learning:

A Panorama of Life, our Bible Study group is talking about the Exodus. We are using "Reading the Bible Again For the First Time" by Marcus Borg as the springboard of our discussion. Please read the book of Exodus to prepare. We will meet on Sunday December the 18th at 9am in the Fogg Parlor. We would love to see you. No prior attendance or acquaintance with the Bible is necessary.

And dont forget that our Book Group will discuss Gap Creek Wednesday evening Dec. the 7th. at 7pm in the Fogg Parlor.