Ministry-related Committees

Lay Ministry

(Meets monthly)

Purpose: To offer care and pastoral support to those in our congregation in a timely and effective manner, working closely with our Minister.

Membership: Lay Ministers are interviewed and selected by the Committee on Shared Ministry (see above). Any First Parish member who has regularly attended services for at least two years and will commit to a two-year term may apply. If you might be interested in becoming a Lay Minister, contact sharedministry@firstparish.info. Lay Ministers may serve three consecutive two-year terms and must then take at least two years off before reapplying.

Chair: Carolyn Carlson (second term ends 2025)

Christa Kelleher (second term ends 2026)

Greg Ruccio (second term ends 2026)

Robbie Rinearson (first term ends 2025)

Contact: layministry@firstparish.info

Wider Network of Care

Purpose: To offer support to individuals and families in times of need, including food, rides to medical appointments, and other small gifts and services.

Membership: Coordinated by the Lay Ministers. All are welcome to join the network and will be contacted if/when help is needed.

Contact: layministry@firstparish.info or sign up on the First Parish website at firstparish.info/lay-ministry/wider-network-of-care/

Worship Associates

(Meets monthly, September–June)

Purpose: Worship Associates help shape worship services that serve the spiritual needs of the congregation and run smoothly on a practical level, both during the program year (September–June) and during the summer (when lay people lead services). The Worship Associates work closely with the Minister and coordinate with other church staff and volunteers as needed.

Membership: Worship Associates are interviewed and selected by the Committee on Shared Ministry. Any First Parish member who has regularly attended services for at least two years and will commit to a two-year term may apply. If you might be interested in becoming a Worship Associate, contact sharedministry@firstparish.info. Worship Associates may serve three consecutive two-year terms and must then take at least two years off before reapplying.

Chair: Loren Gomez (second term ends 2026)

Mary Breen (first term ends 2026)

Lily Povey (first term ends 2026)

Bill Licea-Kane (second term ends 2026)

David Whitford (second term ends 2025)

Contact: worshipassociates@firstparish.info

Committee on Shared Ministry

Purpose: To oversee and support the work of the Lay Ministry and Worship Associates (see below) and to conduct the application process for those wishing to become Lay Ministers or Worship Associates.

Membership: Members are invited and appointed by the Parish Committee. They may serve for a maximum of three two-year terms.

Chair: Cathy Modica (second term ends 2026)

Amy Anderson (first term ends 2026)

Annette Sawyer (first term ends 2026)

Contact: sharedministry@firstparish.info

Committee on Ministry

(Meets the third Wednesday of each month, September–June)

Purpose: To help interpret the scope of the ministry to the congregation and interpret the scope of the congregation to the Minister, and to conduct an annual evaluation of the ministry with the Parish Committee and make recommendations regarding the ministry.

Membership: Members are invited and appointed by the Parish Committee for a three-year term. They may serve for no more than two consecutive terms.

Chair: Tina Silberman (second term ends 2027)

Ebonié Smith-Cooper (second term ends 2027)

Marc Jacobson (first term ends 2025)

Julius Pereli (second term ends 2025)

Andrea Winslow (first term ends 2025)

Jim Ptacek (first term ends 2026)

Contact: com@firstparish.info

Welcoming Congregations Committee

Purpose: To reinvigorate and maintain our Welcoming Congregation designation with the UUA, in collaboration with our lay and ordained leadership, with a focus on education, congregational life, and community outreach.

Membership: Appointed by the Parish Committee: Lisa Davis, Ruben Hopwood, Michaela Kirby, Wendy Page, Zoe Stewart and Carolyn White.

Contact: welcoming@firstparish.info