Who We AreWelcome to First Parish in Hingham, Unitarian Universalist, known as Old Ship Church.
We are a liberal Unitarian Universalist community of about 250 members of all ages. We worship in an historic Meeting House and we hold religious education classes and gather after services in our office at 14 Main Street, down the street. Our contract minister, Rev. Edmund Robinson, joined us on Aug. 1, 2023. Our Meeting House, a National Historic Landmark, has stood on Hingham’s Main Street since 1681. It is the only remaining 17th-century Puritan meeting house in the U.S. Our community encourages personal spiritual growth through worship, engagement and service to others. We do not require adherence to a specific creed. We affirm the Unitarian Universalist (UU) Principles and Sources, and we support each individual's unique search for truth and meaning. We are proud that our community is both a "Welcoming Congregation" and a "Green Sanctuary," both official designations from the Unitarian Universalist Association. We cherish diversity of religious backgrounds, racial and cultural identities or backgrounds, ethnicities, national origins, ages, ranges of ability, sexual orientations, gender expressions, financial means, educations, and political perspectives. We welcome all to share in congregational life. What are Unitarian Universalists?Watch this fun video explanation, created by the Unitarian Universalist Association! click here.
How you can help othersHingham Food Pantry:
We are again collecting non-perishable, unopened, and unexpired food for the Hingham Food Pantry. Donations may be made at:
The most needed items at this time: Although all donations are appreciated, the food pantry reports that the following items are most needed at this time:
Spread the word: Should anyone need help, please call the Hingham Food Pantry at 781-740-8180. For additional information, visit the Hingham Food Pantry on Facebook. |
WelcomeWe are very pleased to welcome you to Old Ship. We want you to feel comfortable among us. For a glimpse into our congregation, please watch this introduction to Old Ship Church, a video put together by our former ministerial intern, Dave Egan. Enjoy!
In ordinary times pre-covid, September through mid June, our worship service, held in the Meeting House at 90 Main St., begins promptly at 10:30 am and lasts about an hour. You can park along Main Street on either side of the street. The Meeting House is handicapped-accessible. A few handicapped-accessible spaces are located at the top of the circular drive in front of the Meeting House. Parents with infants and toddlers are invited to join our Sunday worship services. We have 2 reserved pews set up with carpet, rocking chair, toys, etc. Feel free to use these, or to sit wherever you'd like in our Meeting House. There is easy stroller access up the garden ramp entrance, and the restrooms (with changing table) is very close by. We welcome children's voices during the service! We hold religious education classes, fellowship hour, meetings, the office, etc. is at 14 Main Street and the entrance on the left side. Click here for more information about what to expect on Sunday morning. Upcoming Worship ServicesWe meet Sunday at 10:30 AM
All services will be held in person and on Zoom The Zoom link will be our usual Sunday worship link: https://zoom.us/j/94971146149?pwd=WUZWbVpyWUNjcDNPc3dUdXQwalNuUT09 All are welcome! Click here to join Sunday worship. To view past services, please visit our YouTube channel. Services start at 10:30 a.m. and will be in person in the Meeting house as well as on Zoom.
Sunday, April 7 Rev. Edmund Robinson Amplifying the Charge I Sunday, April 14 Rev. Edmund Robinson Amplifying the Charge II Sunday, April 21 Dillon Bustin, pulpit guest "Ralph Waldo Emerson: Searching For the Over-Soul" Sunday, April 28 Rev. Edmund Robinson Amplifying the Charge III |
April is annual pledge campaign month at Old Ship. Our theme this year is Together, Step by Step. This is a hopeful and dynamic time, as we work together to envision our new community space, contract with a new minister, take steps to rebuild the RE program, and strengthen connections with one another. While we may have many challenges before us, we are on the right and necessary path to create a bright and vibrant future for the congregation. The pledge campaign will run through April 28th, featuring themed coffee hours at 14 Main Street, and culminating in a community luncheon on April 28th after church. To make a donation to Old Ship’s annual campaign, please return the pledge card you receive in the mail or make your pledge at ONLINE PLEDGE CARD . If you have questions about making a pledge or about the campaign, in general, please contact either Janet Asnes, Mary Markel Murphy or Susannah Thomas (Stewardship Campaign Committee) via office@oldshipchurch.org.
Living our ValuesApril Special Plate Collection: Interfaith Power and Light — In honor and recognition of Earth Day, which is on April 22, our recipient for our special plate donations this month is Interfaith Power and Light (IPL). IPL inspires and mobilizes people of faith and conscience to take bold and just action on climate change. You may learn more about the organization at Interfaith Power and Light | Faith in action for a safe climate. Old Ship is one of the member congregations of the Massachusetts affiliate of IPL. For the special plate collection, donations can be made in one of two ways this month. You may make your donation as part of the special plate collection in the Meeting House on April 21. You also may make your donation online through the Old Ship website. Click the donate button and then designate your donation for the Outreach Offering: Interfaith Power and Light.
To contribute to a fund, please click the Donate button and use the drop down to choose the fund.
Tours of the Old Ship Meeting House
We love to give tours and will be happy to arrange one for you once it is safe to do so. Please call the office or email to request a tour. We need a week notice in order to find a volunteer tour guide. email: office@oldshipchurch.org. EventsLife Learning at Old Ship – 2023-2024
In harmony with Unitarian Universalist principles and sources of inspiration, learning opportunities at Old Ship serve our community by encouraging spiritual growth and the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Gatherings will be in person or on Zoom, and some will be "multi-platform" — in-person with a Zoom option. Older youth may find many of these programs of interest and are encouraged and welcome to join. Watch the newsletter and website for changes. Contact information for course leaders is at the end. Facing Death with Life Six Tuesdays
April 2 - May 7 7:00 p.m. Zoom Wise words from Socrates: “Don’t miss this opportunity to learn something about death. It is one of the greatest events in life, in fact the greatest event, because it is the culmination, the crescendo, the climax.” Several groups of congregants have gathered in past years at Old Ship to explore this essential subject. This year’s version will begin in April. We invite you to join us for further exploration and mutual support. We will follow a similar format. Past class members are welcome to join and newcomers. Contact Rich Elliott or Claire Petrie. |