First Parish in Needham, Unitarian Universalist

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day to all!

09/05/2026

ICYMI from Reverend Catie Scudera, our First Parish staff team (including incoming Communications Coordinator Amaal) gathered earlier this week for their annual All Staff Retreat 💒 Can you spot the “slightly sentient chalice” that our religious educator John used while leading a new mystery game from the Unitarian Universalist Association? 🔥

09/04/2026

The Communications search team and the Parish Committee are delighted to share that we have hired Amaal Ladha (they/he) as our Communications Coordinator! Amaal brings strong experience in organization, outreach, and social media from their work with the Cambridge KIOSK in Harvard Square. In addition to their tremendous communications skills, Amaal also brings their gifts of care, compassion, artistic expression, and kindness, and a strong commitment to supporting and connecting community that is closely aligned with the mission of First Parish.

Over the next few weeks, the First Parish staff team and communications volunteers (including our wonderful member and former Communications Coordinator, Jackie Boni) will be helping Amaal get “set up” at First Parish, with access to our communications infrastructure, a First Parish email address, and a schedule of upcoming Sundays onsite so the whole community can meet him. We have a special message from Amaal himself too!

Amaal is excited to join the First Parish community for his first year with Unitarian Universalism. Amaal is a Boston-based community organizer, dancer, and writer. They co-organize the Allston-Brighton Food Train, have run Know Your Rights trainings, and are enamored by the power of people gathering together. Amaal consistently experiences healing and connection in art-making communities, and curates spaces for folks to do the same. You can often find them in dance rehearsals, frolicking in the woods, and reading horror books.

Welcome, Amaal!

09/03/2026

Take a listen to our September 2026 theme Spotify playlist on Invitation! 🎵 Do you have a favorite song on here, or any suggestions?

Playlist · First Parish Needham UU · 13 items · 1 saves

09/02/2026

Our September ministry theme is Invitation — and we hope you’ll be our guest! 🕯️ We’ll explore the theology and practice of invitation in worship, children’s religious exploration, small group ministry, and adult enrichment programs. All are enthusiastically welcome!

Learn more and sign up for the e-newsletter at uuneedham.org

09/01/2026

To Needham Public students starting up tomorrow — and all who have just started or are about to start the new academic year — the First Parish staff team wishes you an awesome and affirming first day! We hope to hear all about what you’re learning on Ingathering Sunday (9/13) and RE Kickoff Sunday (9/20) 💒

08/28/2026

Ingathering Sunday is on September 13th, with the service back in the Sanctuary, the staff team back from summer leave, and the annual Water Communion ritual 🌊 Remember to bring water from your summer adventures that morning (though we will also have “representational water” available if you forget). All are welcome at First Parish!

08/18/2026

Starting August 23rd, we look forward to welcoming you once again to First Parish for summer Sundays! Our inaugural Quinobequin UU Summer Service Consortium is a collaborative partnership between First Parish, UU Wellesley Hills, and First Church of Dedham-Unitarian Universalist. All are enthusiastically welcome! 💒🏳️‍🌈🌏

08/04/2026

All kids and teens are enthusiastically welcome to join our Religious Exploration programs beginning on September 20! Learn more by emailing our Director of RE John Newhall (dre at uuneedham dot org) and register at uuneedham.info/RERegistration

Our 2026-2027 programs are:

*Nursery & PreK: Chalice Children activities
*K-3rd: JET L PIG & LEGO ValUUes curriculum to explore our shared UU Values (Justice, Equity, Transformation, Love, Pluralism, Equity, Transformation)
*4th-7th: Mosaic (the new UUA lifespan anti-racism program) & Lessons of Loss (a First Parish classic curriculum)
*8th-10th: Coming of Age/Becoming, a cornerstone UU program to deepen personal spiritual and ethical beliefs
*9th-12th: Senior Youth Group, a welcoming weekly gathering for friendship, reflection, and service

07/07/2026

First Parishioners and MetroWest friends, we look forward to seeing you at UU Wellesley Hills for the next six summer Sundays! Our inaugural Quinobequin UU Summer Service Consortium will return to First Parish on Sunday August 23rd.