Committees, Councils, and Volunteer Opportunities

Much of the work of the church is done by you, members, friends, and visitors of First Parish. Without your gifts of time, talent, and vision we would not be the vibrant religious community that you find when you walk through the meetinghouse dooors. Help support your community by volunteering on a committee, task force, or one-time volunteer opportunity.

If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact the church office or the contact person associated with the opportunities described below.

Archives Committee

Responsible for preserving historical record, books, and other materials covering the more than three hundred years of First Parish activities. Most of these materials are in the Concord Free Public Library. Committee members inventory the collection, recommend how best to manage, store and preserve the materials, develop criteria for determining which current materials will need to be archived, and suggest policies covering the preservation and storage of archival materials. The Committee is also creating a finding aid, a tool for determining what is in a collection and how to find it.
Contact: Enid Boasberg This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Winslow Petingill at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Arts Council

The purpose of the Arts Council is to further the mission of First Parish through facilitating, promoting and coordinating a diverse arts ministry that inspires and celebrates creativity and connection. The council is comprised of representatives from various arts groups in the congregation and any interested parishioners.

Contact: Beth Norton, Music Director This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Lillian Anderson  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Caring Connection

Keeps in touch with parishioners who cannot come to church and with those who may be in temporary need of assistance. Caring Connection participants provide a variety of services, including emergency child care, transportation, errands, meals, and elder services, and also visit those who live in Concord-area nursing homes. In its work, the Caring Connection collaborates closely with the ministers.
Contact: Tony Fisher, ministerial intern, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or Tracey Hurd This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Coffee Hour Co-hosting

Members and friends of First Parish care for the community and each other in variety of ways. One fun and simple way to care for First Parish is to volunteer to co-host an occasional coffee hour. Teams of four or five individuals and/or families are grouped together by the coffee hour coordinator. These teams then plan how they would like to provide snacks and nourishment. Please no nuts due to allergies.

Contact: Rachel Baker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Congregational Life Council

The mission of the Congregational Life Council is to create a sense of belonging, to foster connections, and build deep and healthy relationships within First Parish by providing and supporting avenues for meaningful member engagement, such as congregational-wide social events, opportunites for spiritual and relational growth in small groups and one-on-one ambassador conversations, and continued intergration of new and longer-time members.  It is open to all First Parish members and friends.

Contact: Co-chairs Kate Svrcek This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Twinkle Manning This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Rachel Baker, Director of Congregational Life, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Denominational Affairs Committee

Provides liaison between the Parish and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and its Massachusetts Bay District (MBD). Addresses issues of denominational concern and recruits delegates to the annual UU General Assembly. 

Contact:Dian Pekin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Diversity Committee

The Diversity Committee educates and raises awareness in the congregation about issues of sexual orientation, gender identity, racism, ableism, classism and sexism, and advocates for specific steps to foster a sense of inclusion for all parishioners and newcomers.
Contact: Sara Ballard This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ferry Beach Committee

Arranges for the Parish’s annual spring weekend outing to the Ferry Beach Camp and Conference Center on the beach in Saco, Maine. This is a great social event for individuals and families, and is shared with First Parish in Lexington.
Contact: Darien Smith This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Bruce Ringwall This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Flower Committee

Handles the flower arrangements that grace the sanctuary and the chapel at every service, and for the many gatherings, celebrations, and special occasions held in the parish hall. Volunteers help to arrange the flowers, which are often memorials and which are frequently drawn from local gardens.

Contact: Dinny McIntyre This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forum Committee

Arranges the Sunday morning presentations in the Chapel. This committee seeks to offer a wide variety of interesting programs on social and other issues, utilizing Parish members and outside speakers.
Contact: Robert Hilsinger This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Charles Lowell

Green Sanctuary/Environmental Leadership Team

The ELT formed in 2010 as an extension of our Green Sanctuary accreditation in 2009.  In keeping with our UU principles and benediction, the ELT is working to help our congregation find ways to respond effectively to a variety of environmental issues. Click on Environmental Leadership Team here to go to the First Parish Social Action Environmental Leadership web pages.

Contact: Bethany Lowe This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   

Herb Garden Committee

Helps maintain the Deborah Webster Greeley Herb Garden, located on the lower church grounds beyond the chapel. Through sales of herbs and herbal treats at occasional coffee hours and special fundraisers, and with an annual gift from the Women’s Parish Association, the committee provides supplies as needed for the garden. Members participate in several work days during the year, and take responsibility for watering and weeding in consultation with Doug Baker, Gardener-in-Chief. The garden is available for receptions and photo opportunities. These events are scheduled through the church office by Doug Baker.
Contact: Val Holt This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Human Resources (Personnel) Committee

Supports the staff, monitors personnel policies, performance reviews and salary matters, and is available to mediate potential staff conflicts..
Contact: Heather Wilson This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Humanist Council

Seeks to strengthen the understanding and voice of Humanism within the First Parish and in the surrounding community. We support programs through the Wright Tavern, and work with and sponsor events with Humanist organizations in the area.
Contacts: Patrick Everett at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Vivian Walworth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Ministerial Intern Committee

Responsible for screening and selecting a ministerial intern for First Parish, and then providing support to that person throughout the intern year. The committee meets monthly with the intern, gives feedback on sermons and other worship activities, serves as a sounding board, and in general, provides the intern with a supportive community. As a large teaching congregation, First Parish is in a strong position to help develop future ministers for our denomination.
Contact: Alec Walker at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Music Events Committee

Develops and facilitates musical programs and events at First Parish to feed us spiritually, strengthen our sense of community, expand our musical horizons and offer a gateway to the wider community.
Contact: Rob Hamilton This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

New Members and Visitors Welcome Team

Each Sunday during the coffee hour volunteers welcome visitors, answer questions, and, as requested, help people new to the congregation find their way on the path to membership.

Contact: Rachel Baker, Director of Congregational Life, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Nominating Committee*

Solicits volunteers to chair or serve on the many volunteer committees that make the First Parish a lively and productive institution. The committee is also responsible for identifying nominees for the Standing Committee and the posts of Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer, and Trustees of Parish Donations. Holders of these positions and all committee chairs are elected at the Annual Meeting of the Parish each June.
Contact: Eric Read at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Office Support Volunteers

The church office relies upon regular volunteer office staff to assist with answering weekday telephone calls and directing visitors. Additional volunteers are needed to stuff, label, and seal envelopes four to six times per year.

Contact: Cassy Bosworth at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Partner Congregation Program

Promotes the exchange of clergy, parishioners, and resources between First Parish and the Unitarian Church of Székelykeresztúr in Transylvania, the birthplace of Unitarianism. These exchanges, between two historic churches on different continents and between congregations speaking different languages in different cultures, enrich the life and worship of both congregations and deepen our mutual understanding of what it means to be Unitarian.
Contact: Ken Estabrook at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Pastoral Care

Pastoral care consists of acts of caring and a simple presence with those in need.  Acts of caring are carried out by the volunteers in Caring Connection, who offer temproary, concrete assistance such as meals, rides, new baby welcomes, notes and cards, and holiday flower deliveries.

Contact: Judy Dembsey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pastoral Care Lay Ministers

Assist the ministers as they companion parishioners who are in need of spiritual and emotional support during hospitalizations, bereavement and long-term illnesses.  They also offer support to elders, caregivers and families in crisis. 

Contact:  Diane Clapp at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Pastoral Care Advisory Council

Offers advice to ministers of First Parish, and works to promote First Parish networks of pastoral care in order to extend and strengthen their reach.

Contact: Judy Dembsey at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Religious Education Council

Works with the Director of Religious Education to provide and support all religious education programs for children through eighth grade. 

Contact: Amy Capofreddi at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Social Action Community Council

Helps parishioners "go out into the world ... and support the suffering" through a range of projects based upon your time, talents, or generousity, educational forums that teach about social needs, and grants to worthy and effective nonprofit organizations (7.5% of parishioner pledge giving). Activities include weekly, monthly, and annual projects for individuals, families, and groups; frequent email communication.
Contact: Tom Wilson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Lynn Randall at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Standing Committee*

Composed of eleven members, including the Clerk and the Treasurer, this elected committee has responsiblity for hte policies of the Parish, its business affairs, and the administration of the organization. 

Contact:Jack Nevison at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or Laurie Van Loon at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Transcendentalism Council

As an historical hub for the development of Transcendentalism in the 19th century, First Parish continues as a location for the study of this important philosophy.

Contact; Dianne Weiss at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Trustees of Parish Donations

A five-member elected committee charged with supervision of the property of First Parish, including the historic buildings adjacent to the meeting house, and the endowed funds.
Contact: Tim Jacoby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Ushers and Sound System Operators

The ushers and sound system operators provide assistance at all worship services.  Greets those arriving for worship services.  Ushers rotate duties, serving once a month; sound system operators supervise the public address system and record the services on CDs. 

Contact:Kris Yerby at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Jonathan Hurd at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ·

Women’s Parish Association

Founded in 1881, the WPA continues to be a large, active organization. It promotes the educational, charitable, and religious interests of First Parish. Meetings are scheduled once a month from September through May, and generally include speakers who address a wide variety of topics. Two major fund-raising events are held each year, with the profits given to special parish projects, as well as educational and charitable activities within the community and the denomination. The WPA is a member of the national Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation.
Contact: Dian Pekin at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Womens' Retreats Planning Team

The First Parish Women’s Retreats are held on two consecutive weekends at the end of January, in a cozy old retreat house in Connecticut. Participants talk, listen, play (indoors and out), write, talk, sing, enjoy great food, talk some more, and create and deepen friendships within the community of First Parish. Registration includes 2 nights and 6 meals. Check in the office for current registration fees. Scholarship funds are available.

Contact: Lillian Anderson at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Wright Tavern Board

Oversees the program at the Wright Tavern Center for Spiritual Renewal. The Center is a source of spiritual renewal and development for members of First Parish and the larger community. The Center offers teachings in six pathways: sacred texts, spirituality and the arts, spirituality and everyday living, spiritual disciplines, spirituality and social responsibility; and Unitarian Universalist principles.
Contact: Assistant to the Ministers, to be determined

*Committees that are appointed or elected are denoted with an asterisk.