Grains And Greens | GLTB | Partner Church | Activities & Groups
Outreach
We are looking for ways to locate people who can use our services. If you know someone looking for a new spiritual home, invite them along.
Grains And Greens
Grains and Greens is a member stocked food pantry. It is managed by volunteers and stocked because members and friends donate food to it. If you have any nonperishables you would like to donate, please bring them in. The basket for drop offs is to the left as you head up to the chapel. Cash to purchase food is also gratefully accepted.First Church UU wishes to thank the staff at Central Animal Hospital for thinking to establish a pet food drop off program.In these difficult times pets are sometimes forgotten but not any longer. We also accept drop offs of food during the week. The food pantry is open anytime the church is open.
GLBT
We are proud to be able to host the GLBT Alliance of North Central Massachusetts.
The GLBT Alliance of North Central Massachusetts is a partnership project to promote the vitality and well being of the region by developing and piloting a series of monthly cultural, social, and recreational events for the GLBT population and their advocates.
Whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, or two-spirited, know someone who does, or are purely interested in working with a committed group of people to build an inclusive community in our region of North Central Massachusetts, you have found the right group.
The intent is to help build awareness and understanding of GLBT issues among local schools, organizations, and communities while providing GLBT persons with venues for personal growth and development.
The Alliance provides a solution where, working together, organizations coalesce to uniformly address GLBT needs and injustices. The Alliance is open to organizations and individuals who are committed to building and expanding relationships supporting GLBT needs, and willing to join us in achieving these objectives and organizing principles:
(1) Build and expand relationships among organizations that support GLBT health, culture, and social needs in north central Massachusetts;
(2) Advocate for a safe physical, emotional, and intellectual environment that promotes healthy development of GLBT persons through inclusive cultural, social, and recreational activities;
(3) Build awareness and understanding of GLBT issues among schools, organizations, employers, and general population through educational activities.
Please don't hesitate to contact us! Let's meet, dream of the possibilities, and work together to make them a reality!
For more information on the Alliance, any questions, ideas, or interests please contact us at:
>The 15 West Teem Coffeehouse Brochure (PDF)
Check out the Facebook page!Partner Church
Vision and Mission
Unitarian Universalist Partner Church Council VISION AND MISSION STATEMENT adopted June 26, 2010
Vision:
We envision a worldwide Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist community that promotes peace, justice, and liberty for all, supported by partnerships that are integral to congregational life.
Mission:
The mission of the Unitarian Universalist Partner Council is to foster and support partner relationships between UU congregations and individuals in the United States and Canada with Unitarian and Unitarian Universalist congregations, orphanages, schools and students in all other countries where partnering is sought and welcomed. These will be mutually beneficial, responsibly sustained, and linked by joint and mutual covenants.
We will:
- BE a bridge that connects congregations around the world;
- REACH across boundaries to collaborate with old and new partners;
- CREATE transformational opportunities for pilgrimage and hospitality, for learning and for service;
- CHALLENGE ourselves theologically and open ourselves to changed values and behaviors;
- ESTABLISH global community as a common commitment of liberal religion;
- INITIATE partnerships that promote global friendships, international awareness, human rights, and a better world; and
- SUSTAIN this global vision, enlarging and renewing it as new occasions teach new duties.
We at First Church Unitarian Universalist in Leominster are fortunate to have a partner church with the Rugonfulva , Transylvania Unitarian Universalist congregation. The minister is Rev Noemi . There are many ways to connect with our partner church but the most used is emails between Rev Susan and Rev Noemi.
The following is the first note from Rev Noemi when we became partners.
"Dear Brothers and sisters in faith,
We greet you, from Transylvania, Romania and are happy to have your congregation as partner church. It gives great strength and faith knowing we have Unitarian brothers and sisters in U.S. We have different roots but we share a common Unitarian faith and believe in human rights and tolerance.
God bless you and our connection.
God bless you,
Rev. Noemi and Rugonfalva Unitarian parish." June 4, 2010
The following is a note from Rev Noemi dated Jan 10, 2011 It explains her busy ministerial schedule and suggests 2 ways that the partnership can be strengthened.
I had an extremely busy holiday as every year. I had in total 7 services on 24,25,26,27 of December in my 3 congregations. Plus a lot of organizing , the Christmas pageant, Christmas sweet packages for children in all of my congregations plus we received by donation food packages for widows from Germany and needed to distribute them.
But we had a very good, warm celebration in all my congregation and what is the most important we had a very good celebration at home with my two girls, 9 and 3 and my husband.
Today I start the annual family visiting period, when regularly in January I visit all my members and families and have a little prayer and blessing in their home. This includes a huge effort but the good thing is that they live close to each other.
About partnership.
1. I was thinking that maybe we can set up a date and organize a joint partnership event on the same date in both our congregations. If you agree you can pick the date which is still without event in the church calendar than we can plan that service in a way that both congregations attention can be focused on Unitarian partnership that date.
2. Can you think of people in your congregation who would be interested to join this planning effort or receive news regularly from Rugonfalva. maybe some I meet (during my short 2009 February visit) or some who were not present but might be interested?
We also had a lot of activities the last one , last Sunday, on 30 of May, the ecumenical gathering in Rugonfalva. A church service which broth together the 3 denominations which are living in Rugonfalva.
The Reformed, The Unitarian and Catholics. I was the main preacher, the other two said a prayer. This is part of an annual tradition of Village days, hold for a few years now, each year. This is the sign of a growing community feeling and growing tolerance between religions.
Please say a few words from my behalf and Rugonfalva UP behalf on your Sunday service.
Activities & Groups
You are welcome to participate in First Church’s many committees and activities. Contact the office to be connected with leaders for any of these activities.
Parish Committee
The Parish Committee is the governing and policy making body of the church.
Spiritual Care Ministry Group
Members of this group work with the Parish Committee and minister to provide care and nurture of members’ and friends’ spiritual life.
Committee on Worship- Worship Ministry Group
This group plans, manage and organizes all components of worship services to assure that worship is a sacred and meaningful experience. Greeters welcome everyone and hand out orders of service and ushers accept the offering. If you are interested in having flowers donated in the name of a loved one call the office. The church with the lighted window may be lit in honor of a loved one, in memory of someone, or in celebration of a special event.
Lay Worship Committee
This committee provides diverse and meaningful Sunday services when the minister is not in the pulpit.
Multigenerational Services
Periodic worship services designed to serve all ages of the congregation.
Book Club
Members meet monthly to read and discuss selections of books.
Choir
Under the direction of a Choir Director members are invited to participate in a Choir and/ or to provide musical accompaniment during services.
Potlucks
Potluck meals are scheduled throughout the year for time of fellowship.
Small Group Ministry
A structured opportunity for people to gather and reflect on topics of spirituality and religion through thoughtful participation. Small Group Ministry helps group members to listen deeply in a non-judgmental atmosphere. The group also engages in a yearly service project, putting our faith and reflections into action.
Soup with Susan
A monthly lunch with Rev. Susan, The soup is always vegetarian based and includes bread, and dessert. It is open to members and friends.
Grains & Greens
A member stocked food pantry. A bin is located on the steps to receive donations of non perishables or personal needs items.
Ladies Benevolent Society
An organization of women of all ages whose mission is: to serve and support the church, be active in community issues and know ourselves and each other better by promoting a spirit of kindness, understanding and compassion as reflected in our lives.
First Church UU Yahoo Group/FACEBOOK page and First Church Web site
Yahoo group is a great way to share news and notices of upcoming events. If you have email access, and would like to join access the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FCUU.
Life Span Religious Education Committee/Team
Children’s Programs – Under direction of Religious Education Coordinator to provide age appropriate classes where children learn about their spiritual paths and identities as Unitarian Universalists.
Adult Religious Education programs are held twice a year topics determined yearly and maybe held days or evenings
Library
A broad range of books on various topics are available for borrowing.
Finance Ministry Group/ Fundraising Activities
Members of this group with the Parish Committee attend to the management of the church finances. The group organizes activities to raise money and provide community time: concerts, Johnny Appleseed Day, etc.
Pledge Commitment Committee
Members of this group work with the Finance Team to assure financial security of church. They organize, plan and facilitate the annual pledge drive.
Outreach Ministry Group
This ministry group works to interact in the larger community through social activities, social justice projects and connecting with the wider community.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition
Annual celebrations are held with keynote speakers and activities on the Sunday closest to MLK’s birthday.
North Central Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance
This alliance of GLBT and allies meets to discuss ways to serve this community. Monthly Steering Committees and a larger coalition manage the grants and programs which fall under the Alliance.
15 West Youth Coffee House
The meetings are for glbtq youth and allies ages 14-20. The group provides a safe and secure environment to meet and discuss their issues and needs.
North Central Gay Men’s Group
A group for men in the area to meet for social, civic and/or political activities and gatherings.
Historical Committee
First Church has a rich and interesting history that intersects with the beginnings of and the history of the city of Leominster. Collecting, storing and preserving historical documents help is needed.
Building and Grounds
Activities include upkeep, maintenance and special projects around the church building and grounds.
Office and Administrative Tasks
Periodically there is need for administrative assistance such as monthly newsletters, data base management, getting reports ready for congregational meetings, editing, mailing, etc.
Activities and Groups (PDF)