Social Justice
The first of the Seven Principles that guide Unitarian Universalist communities is recognition of “the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” The Second Principle is to strive for “justice, equity and compassion in human relations.” At First Parish in Cohasset we embrace these principles and do our best to live by them.
We believe that every person is sacred and that there is an interdependent web of all existence. It is our duty as people of good conscience to recognize injustice and to confront it and to observe the pain in the world and to do what we can to relieve it.
Under the leadership of Rev. Joseph Osgood, members of our congregation were a driving force in the pre-Civil War movement for the abolition of slavery. Unitarian Universalists continue to raise their voices for the oppressed and marginalized. That involvement can take many forms.
Social Action Committee
The First Parish Social Action Committee focuses its efforts on social services, especially social service projects where members and friends can participate. Peter Sexton, chair.
As of winter, 2024, the two main projects for the Social Action Committee are as follows: (1) Clothing Exchange, where parents can bring lightly used children’s clothing that’s no longer needed, and/or pick up clothing that other children have out grown. (2) Working on the new Habitat for Humanity project in Cohasset, scheduled to start accepting volunteer labor in April, 2024. Habitat for Humanity requires a cash donation from every volunteer, and the First Parish Outreach Committee will cover that donation for all First Parish members and friend 21 and under.
The Committee is always researching new social service projects. Suggestions for projects can be given to the chair.
Welcoming Congregation for LGBTQIA+ people
The Progress Pride Flag that is displayed outside our Meeting House on Sunday mornings designates us as a Welcoming Congregation. Unitarian Universalists were leaders in the movement to recognize the rights and dignity of members of the LGBTQ community and UU ministers performed many of the first marriages between members of this community.
Urban Ministry
First Parish in Cohasset was one of the founding churches of the Unitarian Universalist Urban Ministry. For nearly 200 years the UU Urban Ministry has been working side by side with individuals and communities in Boston to create opportunities and instill hope for a brighter future. The Urban Ministry provides education and enrichment programs for children, youth and adults, shelter and services to domestic violence survivors and much more.
UU Mass Action
Members of First Parish participate in UU Mass Action, the state-level advocacy group for Unitarian Universalists in Massachusetts.
Carriage House Nursery School
First Parish operates Carriage House Nursery School (CHNS), an independent non-religious preschool. CHNS is at the forefront of excellent preschool education. CHNS now offers an outdoor STEM-oriented preK curriculum through the “Happy Hollow” outdoor classroom, certified by Nature Explore.