At the end of September, the Parish Council met and ratified goals for the upcoming church year. One of our goals is to continue to work to sustain our community. In this time of separation we will need to continue to find ways to stay together and to watch out for one another. The Parish Committee has discussed ways that we can find those in our congregation who may no longer feel connected. Some may be experiencing any number of crises or may not have a way to access our on line services...
From the Parish Committee, September 2020
The cooler air of fall signals the return to familiar activities. Our building, still closed, looks quite lonely. However, our wonderful ingathering service and the hanging of the new rainbow flag reminded me that we are still very much a presence in our community and we are all still here for one another. This fall, our attention is focused on beginning our search for a new minister. The Search Committee has been working to prepare necessary documents, and now they need input from all of...
Parish Commitee – 6/26/2020 – We Can Do This!
Just as we had settled into a routine of meeting together on-line, summer arrived and with it plans and pressures to re-open. As more and more spaces and businesses open, we are discovering that this is not a return to the way things were. We are living in a time right now of uncertainty and upheaval. Old ways of thinking and behaving are being challenged. It seems that we must constantly analyze risks as we make day to day decisions – is it safe to get my hair cut, can we invite friends...
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From the Parish Committee – May 22, 2020
The Parish and Nominating Committees are really busy! We are in the process of collecting nominations for our Ministerial Search Committee this week. Our goal is to try and reach every member and friend to give them an opportunity to nominate someone for the Search Committee. If you are able, please sign up for one of the remaining small group discussions. You will be getting an e-mail reminder this week. If you cannot participate, but wish to make a nomination of someone ( or yourself)...
First Parish Building Remains Closed
Now that businesses are beginning to re-open in Massachusetts, you may be wondering when the First Parish building will again be available for meetings, services, rental uses, and other gatherings. Here is an important update for you. The church building is currently closed for all use, including, but not limited to church committee meetings, community organization meetings, rentals, and all other gatherings. Staff will coordinate their occasional use of the building with Wendy and each other....
Seeking Search Committee Nominations
The next step in our search for our new settled minister is to solicit nominations from the congregation for members to make up our Ministerial Search Committee. In the coming week, we will be holding a series of small group virtual meetings, facilitated by a member of the Parish Committee or Nominating Committee. There will be time to discuss the qualities needed for someone to serve on a Ministerial Search Committee and the commitment required of its members, as well as a chance to ask lingering questions about the search process. At the end of the meeting, you will be asked to confidentially submit your nomination to the facilitator.
From the Parish Committee – April 24, 2020
In times like these it is easy to just want to give up and lose hope. The moments I seem to be happiest are when I feel I am moving through this darkness toward some light – any light! Our strong church community is one of the things that has given me hope and strength. The fact that we have managed to stay connected in meaningful ways during this period is a source of such pride and inspiration. I am so appreciative of Wendy’s leadership, our strong and creative staff and the amazingly...
Warrant for 2020 Annual Meeting
The First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist Warrant for 389th Annual Meeting April 11, 2020 To: Michael Collins, Clerk of the First Parish of Watertown, Greetings: You are hereby requested to notify and warn the legal members of the First Parish of Watertown to meet virtually SUNDAY, THE 26th DAY OF APRIL, 2020 after the on-line service, to act on the following articles, viz: Article 1 Reports. To receive the reports of: the Minister; the Treasurer; the Director of Religious...
From the Parish Committee – March 27, 2020
During this trying time, we are remaining optimistic and thinking ahead to better times. At our last meeting we planned for a process to nominate our Ministerial Search Committee. Our plan is to focus on this during the month of May. The Parish Committee and the Nominating Committee will be contacting every member and friend of this parish during May to discuss your ideas on our settled minister search and to hear from you who you would nominate to represent our congregation on the Search...