Friends in Need

For more information on these groups, please contact the parish office.

Caritas: Caring for One Another
Caritas is a committee of parishioners that supplements the many informal networks that helps those in the congregation who encounter difficulties such as hospitalization, illness, or the death of a loved one.

Volunteers send cards, make visits, cook meals for other parishioners, and provide referrals to services outside the church. Caritas volunteers also celebrate a joyous life transition by sending congratulatory cards on behalf of the church.

To volunteer or to request services, parishioners may call the minister or the scheduled coordinator for the month (listed in the Parish newsletter).

Pastoral Counseling
Ours is a large congregation with a multitude of needs. Our ministerial staff is available for counseling, visits, conversation, and pastoral crises. Call the church office to be directed to the appropriate person. In an emergency, please call Rev. Kathleen Hepler, at 508-872-3111, ext. 205.

Parents and Others
This group is composed of members and friends of First Parish with small children who seek to support each other in our parenting. Meetings provide an opportunity for unstructured discussion of the challenges and joys of childrearing.

Periodically, a sequence of structured meetings in a workshop format is offered on topics such as the parent’s role in their child’s spiritual education. The group meets in the Parish House monthly from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and cooperatively provides childcare and dinner.

Interweave
Interweave is a support network for bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people and allies.

Belonging is a Religious Experience (BRE)
First Parish strives to assure that all who come into our community have the opportunity to truly participate in the life of the parish. For those with a disability, fully belonging to the church may require a little more support and assistance. The BRE committee’s goal is to provide this assistance to children with a disability and their families, so that they may fully participate in the life of the church and feel that they truly belong.

BRE works to understand the unique learning needs of children who have been unable to participate in our religious education programs and other activities because of a disability. We then strive to offer the additional support needed so that they can access these programs and activities often through a simple accommodation such as the provision of ‘buddies’ to accompany the children. By assisting the child with a disability, we hope to reduce the isolation typically experienced by these children and their families, so that they are able to feel fully included in the church.

The committee meets regularly and welcomes all who have an interest in this area to join us–whether your family has a child with a disability or you might be able to lend a helping hand in our efforts.