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The May

Spire

the electronic newsletter of

First Parish of Norwell,

Unitarian Universalist

In - Spire - ing News UUs Can Use

April 30, 2026



click on the spire to visit our website!

In This Issue



May Worship

Sunday Worship Zoom

FY27 Pledge Thank you!

Annual Parish Meeting

Side with Love Overpass Gathering

Parish Committee Corner

The Congregational Care Team is Looking to Expand

– We Need You!

Caring Corner

"Get to Know UUs,” a new member/visitor series

Easter Charitable Egg Hunt Update

Technology Donation Drive



1000 Hearts: A Pocket Heart Crafting Workshop

May Service Project – Gift Baskets for Renewal House

"Less Lawn More Life” Challenge

Community Dinner



Art & Inspiration at the James Library

Alliance Annual Meeting

First Parish Merch Store

Women’s Circle

James Library

Raising Trans Kids: Book Read Wrap-up

Help Rep FPN During Pride Month & save the date for our FPN Pride Picnic

Activities Committee Annual Meeting



Annual First Parish UU Golf Tournament

FPN Craft Fair in the Stables 

Book Club

Recurring Events

May Happenings

Sunday Worship Zoom

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86879292412?pwd=1kHbHex09QCKw1eEQLEJcHjIoaus2Z.1

Meeting ID: 868 7929 2412

Passcode: SundayAM



Stewardship Update from the Finance Committee

Our pledge drive is in the home stretch, and we need more participation! Please send your pledge to Donna in the office as soon as you can. We have two goals to meet: the total amount and also the number of households contributing. That means pledges of all amounts are vital to our success. Thank you for your investment in our shared community. If you didn’t get a letter but would like to pledge, simply email our bookkeeper Donna McDonald, donna@firstparishnorwell.org the amount you can give.



Thank you to the following people of have already sent in their pledge for FY27!

Amanda and Matt Adams

Jeff Angley

Jon and Kristen Babcock

Scott and Marcia Babcock

Larry and Karen Baker

Cathy Harder-Bernier

Wendy Brown

Nestor and Cynthia Camino

Patrick and Laurie Canning

Peg Carpenter

Susan Chorley

Alan Comeau and Heather Lawson-Comeau

Noel Constantino

Ernie and Jan Cormier

Bob Cullum

Susan Donahue

David and Betsey Drollett

Elliot and Sallie Dunner

Peter and Roberta Fairbanks

Colleen Farrell

MaryAnn Freeman

Jacqueline Garceau

Bernie and Beverly Gardner

Jim and Bethany Gavin

Peter and Pam Giovannini

George Goodwin

David and Kelly Gordon

Ralph and Betsy Gordon

David and Joyce Hockman

Paul Kelley and Susan Damaso

Peg and Chris Kitchenham

Diane and Phillip Koury

Edith Knight

Kira LaFosse-Baker & Craig Heusser

Tommie Magazu and Elizabeth Robinson

John McCann and Deborah Chase

Dorothy McCann and Jim McDevitt

John and Debi Meddaugh

Mary Mercier

Jonathan and Amanda Metzger

Jim and Marie Miller

Paul Bourque and Jeannette Mitchell

Joan Nahigian

Jim and Marissa O'Brien

Bernie Perry

Dexter and Sue Robinson

Paul & Denise

Gregory and Tove Smith

Becky Smock

Derek and Jennifer Sulc

Sue Sulc

Les and Marlon Taylor

David and Julia Traggorth

Crista Trapp

Peter and Linda Twomey

Jack Wallace

Duane and Sue Wilke

Donna and George Wilson

Annual Parish Meeting

Kindly note the next First Parish of Norwell Annual Parish Meeting at 11:45 on Sunday,

May 31 in the Meeting House. All voting members are encouraged to attend this important meeting. An agenda for the meeting will be distributed over email and available in printed form by May 10.

Side with love Overpass Gathering

on Saturday, May 2 from 8-10am

Join us on the Rt 3 River Street overpass from 8-10am to celebrate acceptance and positivity on the south shore.

We wave to cars, dance to music, and come together in solidarity and support for a loving, safe space. All are welcome!

Parish Committee Corner

At the last meeting, youth member Mason Miller gave a presentation to the Parish Committee. He proposed three different projects to the parish committee to enrich the church community.

The first was a birdhouse to be placed in the Memorial Garden with a live feed that parishioners could access through the Friends and Members Facebook page.

The second proposal was a community building Dungeons and Dragons night for our youth members that will be organized for the fall. His third project was the creation of a frog pond in the woods near the rain garden.

The Parish Committee voted to approve purchase and installation of the birdhouse this spring. We look forward to seeing the other two projects come to fruition this fall, as the Junior Youth Group gathers in the fall. Mason's presence on the Parish Committee this year has been a welcome addition.

Contact the Parish Committee Chair directly at: PCChair@firstparishnorwell.org

The Congregational Care Team is Looking to Expand – We Need You!

The Congregational Care team exists to help members of the congregation and strengthen our bonds of fellowship and love so that our community feels like a supportive family.

To do that successfully, we need members who represent all of the demographics of our congregation. If you like to help people or are interested in the project of furthering and facilitating mutual aid at First Parish, we would love to include you on the team. Reach out to any of the members of the Congregational Care team, or contact community@firstparishnorwell.org.

Congregational Care Team Members: (find us in the Online Directory)



·      Debbie Chase

·      Dona Wilson

·      Marcia Babcock

·      Heather Comeau

·      Amanda Adams

·      Peg Kitchenham

·      Cara Moretti

·      Paige Railsback

Caring Corner

Susan and family appreciate all your loving thoughts and heart prayers for the passing of her mother, Virginia Batts Chorley.

You can send notes to:

Rev. Susan c/o Ed Pedicone

1 Hawk Lane; Sharon MA 02067

"Get to Know UUs,” a new member/visitor series

Join us for our last New Member/Visitor Meeting this Sunday, May 3 at 11:30. These gatherings sponsored by our Membership Committee happen monthly in Fogg Parlor at 11:30am & provide a way for new and longtime members, friends and visitors to meet leaders in our congregation, learn what we are up to and how you can get involved. Our May gathering is centered on Activities, Buildings & Grounds and Denominational Affairs.

Easter Charitable Egg Hunt Update



First Parish of Norwell donated $630 to charity as a result of our Charitable Easter Egg Hunt. During the hunt, the children collected donation tokens and had to choose which charities to support. One six-year-old asked, "which charity is most important?" What a great question!

And as it turned out, each child had their own way of making that decision. One middle school student declared that she has two favorites and would divide her tokens between them. Another child said he gave most of his tokens to the charity he thought would do the most to prevent climate change because that's the issue he cares the most about. One kid said she though the charities that helped lots of people were a better use of the money than the charity that would only help one person. Several children did some quick math and divided their tokens equally among all five charities. And sweetly, one of the youngest children looked for the basket that had the fewest tokens and gave most of hers to that charity. All of the ways that they carefully considered how to best help others were heartwarming - such a moving and beautiful way to celebrate Easter!

Here are the totals for those who are curious: we donated $65 to Cradles to Crayons (https://www.cradlestocrayons.org/), $121 to the NSRWA ( https://www.nsrwa.org/), $111 to SShAGLY (https://www.facebook.com/sshagly/), $114 to the Immigrant Family Services Institute (https://www.ifsi-usa.org/), and $219 to help crowdfund surgery for a two-year-old in Cambodia though Watsi (https://watsi.org/profile/e035edac6367-ravin). Now his surgery is 57% funded - we will post an update when it is complete!

May the spirit of generosity live on in the hearts of our young people - on Easter and always.

Technology Donation Drive

The FPN Climate Justice Team will be accepting donations of used laptops for World Computer Exchange until May 10.

Laptops, tablets and phones must be functional without cracked glass. Less than 7 years old is preferred. Hard drive, OS or charger is not required.

Drop off your donations during coffee hour or T/Th from 9-12 in the front office.



1000 Hearts: A Pocket Heart Crafting Workshop

The 1000 Hearts Project (https://www.1000hearts.com.au/) is a movement to spread kindness through tangible tokens of care. Joan Conners has been personally changed by her experience with the 1000 Hearts movement, and she will share a reflection about this on Sunday, May 17 during the worship service.

At noon on May 17, she and some of the youth group members will host a Pocket Heart Making Workshop in Fogg Parlor at noon to share this process with the FPN community.

Anyone who is able to carefully wield a sharp needle is welcome to participate in this make-and-take workshop where all supplies are provided. A $5 donation to cover the cost of materials is suggested but not required. 

May Service Project – Gift Baskets for Renewal House

The UU Urban Ministry Renewal House Shelter (https://www.uuum.org/renewal-house) provides safe, confidential shelter and healing services to those fleeing violence. Residents of the shelter receive counseling and support services throughout their stay at the shelter as well as support to look for permanent housing. In operation since 1980, Renewal House was one of the first domestic violence shelters in the state to provide shelter for male survivors, and now works closely with programs across Greater Boston in order to bring culturally-responsive and LGBTQ-inclusive advocacy and counseling to those they serve. 

The FPN Women’s Circle is organizing a service project to benefit this shelter, providing items requested by the UU Urban Ministry to create welcome baskets for the residents.

During coffee hour on May 24, everyone is invited to help create and decorate these baskets as well as caring cards for the shelter’s residents. If you would like to donate items for the baskets, please contact community@firstparishnorwell.org to say what you’ll be purchasing. We will have collected or purchased all needed supplies by 5/24 so people can assemble the baskets together. 



"Less Lawn More Life” Challenge

Happy Earth Day! To celebrate this year, consider joining the Climate Justice Team in a “Less Lawn More Life” challenge!

It starts on May 7 at 7 pm and the best part? Robin Wall Kimmerer is the keynote speaker at the virtual kick-off event!

Sign up here:

lesslawnmorelife.com

*Prizes & Badges

Complete all 12 challenges for a chance to win prizes like a native garden kit, a personalized action plan, or fun merch. Everyone who finishes also earns a special Wildr badge and receives a free subscription to Design Your Wild.

Community Dinner

Our final community dinner for the season is on Tuesday, May 12 from 5-6:30.

Come and enjoy a dinner of quiche, salad and bread and a variety of summer berry cakes.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Art and Inspiration

Friday, May 8 from 3-4pm

Dive into the art at the James, explore the current exhibitions or get inspired by talks with local artists.

All are welcome to join Liz Helfer at the James Library for this learning experience.

Alliance Annual Meeting

Wednesday, May 20 at noon

The Alliance is an education and service part of the church in existence since 1846. We will have our Annual Meeting and it is bring your own sandwich this time around. All are welcome to join us!

Membership is not required to participate in programs. You can chose to be member for dues of $15 per year. Dues can be paid at the annual meeting May 20 or any other time. 

The Alliance oversees the First Parish Preschool, which was established in 1949.

Please see Peg K for more information.

First Parish of Norwell Merch Store!

Wear your heart on your sleeve (or chest or back) and order yours today. All profits go to benefit the congregation!

ORDER HERE!



Women’s Circle

The Women’s Circle will meet on Monday,

May 25 for an end of church year BBQ.

Please RSVP to: community@firstparishnorwell.org to attend this event and receive updates on the location.

James Library

Scott Ketcham, The Wild Iris: Paintings Inspired by the Poetry of Loise Gluck

Opening reception: Friday, May 8th from 6-8 pm

Scott Ketcham is a prolific and evolving painter with over 30 years of experience. He is a Professor of Visual Arts at Massasoit Community College. He holds a BA from Williams College and an MFA from Johnson State College.

He has been a pupil of William Schultz, Clement Micarrelli, Andrew McMillan, and many others.

Book Read Wrap-up with Author

All are welcome (whether you have read the book or not) to jump on the rescheduled Zoom call with author Rebecca Minor who wrote “Raising Trans Kids: What to Expect When You Weren’t Expecting This.” The group wrap-up discussion via Zoom will be held on Wednesday, May 6 at 7pm. We are so excited to be able to talk with the author, and we encourage everyone to attend even if you have not read the book.

To receive the Zoom link, please RSVP your participation to Les Taylor: lestaylor@me.com or call (781) 733-5232. Thank you!

🏳️‍⚧️ Sponsored by FPN’s LGBTQ+ Support Team and UCC Norwell’s Racial & Social Justice Ministry Team 🏳️‍⚧️

Help Rep FPN During Pride Month & save the date for our FPN Pride Picnic

The LGBTQ+ Justice Team is planning to have a table at three separate Pride events in June (Halifax, Hanover and Plymouth) and we members of the congregation to help with some of the shifts. 



Those who participate will sit under our tent in the shade, handing out information about the work of our Justice team as well as resources for families and pride stickers.

This is a fun way to volunteer and a great motivation to attend some Pride events! Please sign up to help for an hour or two and be a part of what makes First Parish of Norwell such a Welcoming Congregation!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094FAEAE2EA4FCCE9-63853804-help

~Save the Date for our FPN Pride Picnic on Sunday, June 14

Come and enjoy our last day together for the regular church season.

Sign ups for this event are on the Welcome Table!

Activities Committee

Annual Meeting on Thursday,

May 28 at 1:30 in the Fogg Parlor



The Activities Committee will be meeting to plan the calendar for the 2026-2027 church year. If you have an idea for a program, please attend the meeting or send your suggestion to Peg Kitchenham (chrispegk@verizon.net).

We welcome new members to the committee, and we also welcome people who just want to help develop a specific activity. Our work supports the social connections within the church, and it’s a fun way to get involved in the community!

The Activities Committee also helps to raise money for the church and supports the work of the social justice teams’ events. If you attended the Holiday Fair, Trivia Night, the Talent Show, Easter Breakfast, or the Golf Tournament, you know the committee works hard to make fun events. We would love your help and ideas! 



Annual First Parish UU Golf Tournament

June 6 at Squirrel Run

(32 Elderberry Drive, Plymouth)

Join us for a FPN Gold Tournament! Tee time is at 1pm for this “best ball” tournament. Most players arrive about noon, which gives time to pay the $100 fee, find their assigned foursome, and buy mulligans.

The fee includes the greens fee and a contribution to First Parish Norwell. Most players walk, however, if you want to ride in a cart there is an additional fee. If a child would like to play with a parent the cost is $50 per child.

After the tournament, most of us, and guests, go to The Tinkers Son in Norwell center for dinner and the prize presentation at about 5:30pm. (Each couple or person pays their own way for dinner).

If you want to contribute, but do not play golf, you can sponsor a hole with a business or personal sign. The donation is $50.  

To sign up, get more information or make a donation contact:

Larry Baker                                    

(781) 799-0093                                       

larry@lawrencebaker.net                   

Don Messinger

(781)264-5044

messinger.don@gmail.com



First Parish of Norwell Craft Fair in the Stables

FPN is sponsoring a craft fair as a fundraising event on Saturday, June 6 from 9-2pm.

Crafters can rent indoor or outdoor spaces at a reasonable price. Please speak to Heather or Tommie for more details.

Applications are also available on the welcome table. Come and sell your crafts and join in the fun!



First Parish of Norwell Book Group

Please join us for any or all of our monthly book discussions. We meet on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 pm on Zoom.

May 18, 2026 – 7:30 pm “ The Mango Tree": a Memoir of Fruit, Florida & Felony, by Annabelle Tometich – a memoir about her mixed-race Filipino- American upbringing.

June 15, 2026 – 7:30 pm “A Walk in the Park” by Kevin Fedarko, nonfiction detailing he and his photographer’s 750 mile year long trek the length of the Grand Canyon.

July 20, 2026 – 7:30 pm – "The Lion Women of Tehran” by Marjan Kamali -Coming of age fiction of friendship and feminism in 1950-1980 in Iran.

click here to join

Meeting ID: 847 0898 5879

Passcode: Bookworms

Ongoing and Recurring Events

Knitters & Company

Tuesdays at 10 am

in the Fogg Parlor

Men's Breakfast

Wednesday at 8 am

Anita Marie's

349 Union Street

Rockland Center

Mid-Week Check In

Wednesdays at 8:30 pm

click here to join

Meeting ID: 336 926 144

Passcode: Evensong

Dial by your location

+1 646 876 9923

Meeting ID: 336 926 144

Since 1642 First Parish of Norwell has been a spiritual home and caring community for our congregation. We all benefit from the legacy giving of those who came before us. Please join in supporting FPN by considering a bequest to the church when doing your estate planning.