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Membership
We encourage newcomers who are interested in becoming members of our congregation to join us for Sunday worship and to begin to receive our newsletter, “The Bellman”, which announces many other programs.
In the fall and in the late winter of each year our Membership Committee offers brief orientation programs to answer questions about First Parish and about Unitarian Universalism. Serious inquirers are given a copy of “A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism”, co-authored by Forrest Church and John Buehrens. John is our minister, and the immediate past president of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Members come from many different backgrounds and hold a diversity of religious ideas and personal philosophies. What they have in common is a practical desire to deepen their spiritual life through participation in a community of open minds, open hearts, and helping hands.
Members are encouraged to participate actively in the life of the congregation in a way that will benefit their own spiritual growth and help to foster the development of the community as a whole. In addition to Sunday services, there are many opportunities for involvement.
We encourage newcomers to work side-by-side with long-time members on small projects – from serving coffee and ushering to volunteering in a social ministry program to taking part in an adult education program or in Small Group Ministry.
All parents of children in our religious education program are expected to understand that the program is essentially a parent co-op, and to assist in teaching or otherwise helping the church school.
Members pledge their annual financial support to the Parish according to their ability. Contribution levels are as varied as the membership of the parish, but currently average about $1500 per household per year. Friends of the Parish, who are not official members, also contribute generously. Pledged contributions provide the bulk of the Parish budget and are essential for maintaining the building, its staff, and our programs.
All those who are considering membership are encouraged to have a conversation with the parish minister, the Rev. John Buehrens.
- John Buehrens