Each Sunday, the offering collected during worship is split between the support of First Parish and another organization chosen by the Social Justice Committee. For November 2025, Chaplains On The Way will share half the plate.
Founded in 2010, Chaplains On The Way is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers spiritual support to people experiencing homelessness in Waltham, MA. We believe that no person living in homelessness should feel they have to walk alone. We live out our mission by building trusting relations with people in Waltham, MA who are experiencing homelessness and struggling with mental health and/or substance use issues. We offer compassion and companionship through life’s struggles and triumphs, welcoming all into relationship and loving community.
A few years ago now, Rev. Becky Sheble-Hall with Chaplains On The Way came to FPUUA to offer a sermon on homelessness and was warmly and generously received. Since 2020, Chaplains On The Way has run a Monday through Friday breakfast program for Waltham’s unhoused community that simply could not run without the dedication of volunteer chaplains, a volunteer kitchen crew, and donated home-cooked food. There are many ways for folks to support this breakfast program, including helping out in-person at First Parish in Waltham, which is about a 15 minute car ride from Arlington.