Spiritual Growth & Mutual Support
These groups help adults deepen their spiritual journeys and their relationships with others. All of them welcome new participants who share their interests.
(Alliance events are typically on Friday evenings; Alliance business meetings are typically on Sunday mornings)
Purpose: To provide occasions for First Parish women to meet for fellowship, deepen their spiritual lives, and engage in common service. We support the programs of the Unitarian Universalist Women’s Federation, the Unitarian Universalist Association, and other organizations devoted to helping women and families through difficult transitions.
Membership: Open to all women at First Parish; new participants welcome. Alliance events are open to all, men as well as women.
Contact: Andrea Winslow (President), Nina Duncan (Vice-president), Robbie Rinearson (Secretary), Kay Snowden (Treasurer), Sharen Leonard (Communications), alliance@firstparish.info
(Meet monthly throughout the year)
Purpose: To provide an opportunity to get to know other people at a deeper level, in a consistent small group, while discussing topics that explore our spiritual paths as informed by life experience.
Membership: Recruitment of new members occurs each fall, with groups beginning in January. Groups are limited to nine members, who are expected to commit to attend for a year. Each covenant group has a convener and the conveners meet with each other monthly.
Contact: covenantgroups@firstparish.info
(Meets the third Tuesday of each month throughout the year)
Contact: diversitybookclub@firstparish.info
(Meets the fourth Tuesday of each month, except July and August)
A drop-in Zoom session led by our lay ministers. Bring your memories, your heartache, your whole self.
Contact: layministry@firstparish.info
Purpose: To bring opportunities for Jewish learning, ritual, celebration, gatherings, and perspectives to our community through worship, study, and conversation. We host a potluck Seder for Passover, a Latke Party for Hanukkah, and Tashlich for Rosh Hashanah most years.
Membership: New participants welcome.
Contact: jewishconnections@firstparish.info
(Meets online Tue., 7–8 a.m., Wed., 9-10 a.m. & Thu., 8–9 a.m.)
Purpose: To engage in a spiritual practice of reading and listening, lingering with, and sharing personal responses to selected biblical texts. Diverse responses to the text provide new insights and help participants develop their spiritual lives and set intentions for their daily lives.
Membership: Sign up to participate Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday online at firstparish.info/adult-education/lectio-divina.
Contact: Rev. Marta Flanagan, leadminister@firstparish.info
(Drop-in group meets online Sundays 9-9:30 a.m., and online and in-person Mondays, 6–6:30 p.m. for silent meditation)
Purpose: To provide opportunities for Buddhist meditation, support, and discussion.
Membership: Use the email below to receive a participation link on Zoom
Contact: Monique Chaplain, meditation@firstparish.info
(This group meets online every other Sunday at 7pm)
Purpose: To offer a place of fellowship, encouragement, and creative connection for First Parish men of all ages and backgrounds.
Membership: Open to all interested men; new participants welcome.
Contact: David Dreyfus, mensgroup@firstparish.info
(This group meets online every other Thursday at noon)
Purpose: To offer a monthly fellowship gathering for older men, aimed at reinforcing camaraderie and discussing topics of general interest.
Membership: Open to all older men; new participants welcome. Email the address below for the link to participate
Contact: oldermen@firstparish.info
Purpose: To nurture and strengthen the ongoing relationship between First Parish and the Unitarian church in Gagy, Transylvania, Romania, via frequent communication, cultural exchanges, and visits.
Membership: New participants welcome.
Contact: Maureen Dolan and Michael Friedman, partnerchurch@firstparish.info
(Meets every Monday throughout the year)
Weekly discussions provide an opportunity for a small group to reflect together on a spiritual theme inspired by a different quote each week.
Contact: spirittalk@firstparish.info
Purpose: To offer adult education programs that help people within and outside the First Parish community come together to teach, explore, and share their passions with one another.
Membership: New program leaders and STAR organizers are welcome. Please contact STAR if you have an idea for a program you would like to consider offering.
Contacts: star@firstparish.info
Wherever you are in the process of retiring (planning for it, have a date, already retired), join this drop-in group that focuses on the emotional aspects of the retirement process (not the financial).
Contact: Lay Ministry layminstry@firstparish.info
(Meets Wednesdays at 9pm, January through April)
Weekly evening chapel gatherings throughout the winter. It is a 20-25 minute gathering complete with music, meditation, readings, and sharing. Come every week or come a handful of times. We would love to see you.
Membership: New participants welcome.
Contact: Rev. Erica Richmond, parishminister@firstparish.info
(Meets the First Thursday of each month, 7:15–9 p.m.)
Purpose: To read and discuss interesting books with other First Parish women.
Membership: Open to all women; new participants welcome.
Contact: Jean Nagle (Coordinator), womensbookgroup@firstparish.info
(Meets online or in person, the 4th Thurs. of each month, 10 a.m.–noon)
Purpose: To foster engagement and build community among women over fifty who wish to explore themes related to planning and consciously living out our later years. Some meetings have guest speakers; others include small-group or large-group conversations.
Membership: Open to all women over fifty; new participants welcome. Contact: agingwell@firstparish.info