There are many ways to participate as a volunteer at First Parish in Framingham, from hospitality and care to teaching, music, fundraising and keeping the buildings safe and hospitable for all our events and programs. If you are not sure how to connect with the program leaders, use the contact form to ask who to get in touch with.

Volunteer opportunities for high school aged youth

Supporting First Parish in Framingham

Host Coffee Hour

An excellent opportunity for everyone, especially new members, is volunteering to host coffee hour after the Sunday service. Greet folks after the service with a cup of coffee or tea and a smile. Great way to connect!  No heavy lifting required!

Welcoming Team

Another great way to connect. The Welcoming Team helps greet visitors and hosts newcomer events in the fall, a member dinner in the winter and a new member reception in the spring. Contact Church Administrator and Membership Coordinator Sara Morrison Neil if you are interested in joining the team or learning more.

Caritas

This group of volunteers works with the minister to help parishioners who face difficulties such as illness, hospitalization or death of a loved one. Coordinators organize cards, meals, rides, and referrals to services. You may also sign up to be a volunteer the coordinators call on to provide a meal or ride or send a card. The monthly coordinator is listed in the newsletters and order of services. Contact Reverend Robinson-Harris or a monthly coordinator if you are interested in volunteering.

Religious Exploration

If you are interested in leading a class on Religious Exploration for Adults, please contact Reverend Robinson-Harris. We currently have a Spirituality Book Group, Yoga classes, faith video series and meditation programs. There is room for other offerings!
Every year we also seek volunteers to teach Religious Exploration classes for our children and youth programs, and advisers for the two youth groups. Visit our Religious Exploration page for more information about these programs. Contact our Director of Religious Exploration, Rebecca Crawford, if you are interested in volunteering.Click here if you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities for high school aged youth.

Worship & Arts Council
If you are interested in participating in services, or planning for outside speakers, ushering, summer services, labyrinth events or chancel decor, contact Maggie Dabrush, the chair of the Worship & Arts Council. There are varying degrees of commitment, from annual, seasonal events, monthly meetings and weekly services.

Music
If you are musically inclined, consider joining one of our choirs! Find out more about the following groups on our Music page.

First Parish Choir
Chalice Choir
Handbell Choir

Auction Committee

The Annual Spring Auction is one of our key fundraisers, and a great opportunity to get to know folks as you work with them. The Auction features a cocktail hour, silents auction, raffle baskets, dinner, and a live auction. Support is needed ahead of time from soliciting items, preparing flyers and auction program, setting up the database, decorating raffle baskets and on day of activities. Contact Mike Packard if you are interested.

Pies Committee

Pies on the Common is our annual church fair hold on the Framingham Center Common on the Saturday after Columbus Day. We sell 500 homemade pies, host a Coffee Shop, Food Court And Candy Shop. We invite Craft Vendors to exhibit, and organize a Kids Corner with children’s games and crafts. It is a fun community event to attend, and to volunteer for. You can be part of the Pies Committee organizing crew, or volunteer to bake pies or assist any of the activities. Check with the Church Administrator to see who is coordinating this effort.

Maintenance Council

The Maintenance Council plans major maintenance projects, helps maintain the buildings with small projects such as replacing broken glass, a repairing cracked walls and maintains a five year plan on overall maintenance needed. Volunteers are needed who are handy with tools, light carpentry, basic plumbing and the like. The Maintenance Council also works on implementing some of the goals set by the Green Sanctuary Committee, to make the parish campus more energy efficient. Currently we are steadily replacing incandescent and florescent light bulbs with LED bulbs which will last much longer and use less power. The Council leaders are also working on replacing furnaces in the Meeting House with energy efficient models. Contact Church Administrator & Membership Coordinator Sara Morrison Neil if you are interested in volunteering.

Environmental Action

Learn about our Climate Action Team and opportunities to act locally and globally to slow climate change and increase sustainable practices.

Social Justice

There are many opportunities to serve our local community and help communities even as far away as Guatemala. Learn more about the following programs on our Social Justice Page.

Family Promise

ESL

The Guatemala Working Group, Under the Same Moon

MetroWest Free Medical Program

Prison Outreach Program

The Diaper Project

UU Urban Ministry