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The sinews of First Parish are its committees. The best way to take advantage of, and be integrated with, First Parish is to participate in one or more of the many committees that make First Parish a lively and productive institution. If you are interested in being involved with any of these committees, please contact the First Parish office.
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
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Book Cart Committee
Operates a Book Cart during coffee hour, specializing in publications of the Unitarian Universalist Association and Beacon Press, and in other works dealing with liberal religion and social issues.
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: Rev. Karen Foley
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Community Gatherings
CONTACT: Virginia Ross Taylor*
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and Eric Moore*
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Denominational Affairs Committee
Provides liaison between the Parish and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and its Massachusetts Bay District (MBD). The committee meets monthly to discuss issues of denominational concern. It also recruits delegates to the annual General Assembly of the UUA and the semi-annual meetings of the MBD. It sponsors at least one Sunday service per year devoted to denominational issues.
CONTACT: Nancy James
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Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee is committed to making First Parish a welcoming place for all, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, ability or disability, or any other quality that might contribute to a sense of exclusion. Our mission is to educate the congregation about these constituencies, and to advocate for social justice for oppressed minorities.
CONTACT: Sara Ballard
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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
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and Bruce Ringwall
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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: Peggy Brace 978-369-1373
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: Dian Pekin
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Fundraising Annual Campaign
CONTACT: Cynthia Ellis
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and Jonathan Hurd
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Fundraising Special Events
CONTACT: Lillian Anderson
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and Jason Truluck-Williams
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Green Sanctuary
Works to provide more energy efficiency in the meeting house, and sharing information and energy strategies with the congregation.
CONTACT: Andy Proulx
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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: Betty King
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and Lawrie Okurowski
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Human Resources (Personnel) Committee
Advises the ministers and staff on compensation and personnel policy matters. It also provides support to staff members seeking advice, and provides training to the staff on personnel matters, such as performance reviews.
CONTACT: *Richard Fortier
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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: Regina Corrao Clanon
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Membership Committee
Establishes and conducts programs to help members integrate into the First Parish community. Particular emphasis is placed on new members (less than two years). There are two ongoing programs- Seasonal Dinner Parties and New Member Sponsorship.
CONTACT: Stephanie Chiha
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Music Advisory Committee
Advises and supports the music staff, encourages participation in church musical activities and the exchange of ideas with the congregation, and promotes music as a gateway to the wider community.
CONTACT: Nancy Ackerman
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Musical Events Committee
Develops and facilitates musical programs and events at First Parish.
CONTACT: Rob Hamilton
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and Al Armenti
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Newsletter Mailing Volunteers Committee
Helps in the distribution of the monthly The Meeting House News. Committee members meet one Wednesday morning each month to seal, label and stamp the 850 newsletters to be sent out.
CONTACT: Jane Johnson, Office Manager
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Nominating Committee
Solicits parishioners to chair and others to 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: Kitsy Rothermel
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Religious Education Council
With the guidance and leadership of the RE Director, provides vision and program implementation for the Church’s cooperative volunteer K-8 Sunday school. Council members seek input from families and work to create a nurturing religious education experience that supports the spiritual development of the children. Branches of the Council focus on the areas of Spiritual Development, Youth, Community Building, Social Action, Program Support and Administration.
CONTACT: Lisa McLean*
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and David Dunn
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Social Action Community
Helps parishioners "go out into the world ... and support the suffering" through a range of hands-on projects, 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; and occasional social gatherings. One focus for 06-07 is global warming; another is supporting homeless people in downtown Boston.
CONTACT: Claudia Nimar
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and Eric Van Loon
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Standing Committee
Composed of eleven members, including the Clerk and the Treasurer, this elected committee has responsibility for the policies of the Parish, its business affairs, and the administration of the organization.
CONTACT: Jim Liljestrand
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and Katherine Esty
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Promotes the exchange of clergy, parishioners, and resources between First Parish and the Unitarian Church of Sz�kelykeresztúr 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: Rodger Mattlage
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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: Terry Rothermel
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Ushers Committee
A group of men and women, of whom at least ten handle the ushering duties at the two Sunday services on a rotating basis, serving once a month. One usher each week monitors the public address system and audiotapes worship services. They also handle the ushering duties for the three Christmas eve services and the single Sunday service during the summer weeks.
CONTACT: Victor Curran & Lindsey Easter
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Welcoming Committee
Works toward creating a warm environment for people new to First Parish, including leading the New UU Program and greeting members and guests at the sanctuary entrance before and after services. The committee organizes and hosts New Member Sundays, usually twice a year, preceded by a new member party, held the Saturday evening of New Member weekend. .
CONTACT: Stephanie Chiha
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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: Becky Blodgett
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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: Caroline McCloy
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Youth Advisory Committee
Helps to ensure a smooth operation of our youth program by consulting with the Youth Advisor and the ministers. The committee assists with various practical matters, serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas and concerns of our high school members, and acts as a liaison to the larger parish community.
CONTACT: Andrea Siani*
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and Tom Schnitzer*
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*Committees that are appointed or elected are denoted with an asterisk.
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