A Message from the First Parish Board – May 29, 2020

In this moment, what do we have to be?

These past few months have been challenging to First Parish, as they have been to all faith communities, and to everyone living with disruptive change due to COVID-19. Our challenges at First Parish in Cambridge extend beyond the day-to-day activities that occur in the building, everything from Sunday worship to Tuesday Meals, from Religious Education to supporting the continuation of Y2Y. Many, but not all, can be continued virtually. Others had to just cease for now.

The Governing Board, Rev. Adam and the staff heard your concerns last Sunday at the congregational listening sessions on Zoom. We share your concerns. The reality that we all must face is that it is not safe to open our physical doors right now for congregational  activities.  Following the UUA guidance, Centers for Disease Control and other organizations, our utmost responsibility is in the safety of our church participants and staff.  For this reason, the board feels strongly that we need to clearly state that the First Parish building will stay closed for activities until at least the first of the year.  As the situation changes and the best practices evolve to match, there may be opportunities for limited in-person gatherings to take place, particularly outdoors.  When this occurs, we will carefully consider how we might incorporate such activities, but our primary focus and energy will continue to be on providing a safe and meaningful experience that can be shared by all of the members of our community. We will continually assess when we can return to more formal gatherings, but we must all be prepared that re-opening may not happen until later in 2021. The question now is what can each of us do as individual participants of First Parish? Now is the time to come forward. We will be creating our future and it will not look like what was before. 

The staff is stretched to the maximum of what they can do and are working diligently. We have wonderful groups that are meeting virtually. The Board and Response Team are evaluating what needs to continue and what programming may need to be added.  A list of those activities will be shared with the congregation soon.  To make these coming months a success,  we need each of you to step up as you can help strengthen and hold our relationships at First Parish.

Our building may be closed but our church is open. Your commitment and involvement is needed to make what we can be a reality.

The First Parish Board
Gordie Calkins, Chair
Gloria Korsman, Vice-Chair
Cade Murray, Treasurer
Grace Hall, Clerk
Julia Gallogly, Member at Large
Jan Puibello, Member at Large
Don Tucker, Member at Large
Rashid Shaikh, Past Chair (ex-officio)