Between Us – Our Mission

By Rev. Clyde Grubbs, February 25, 2023

Those with power and privilege would like us to believe the world is the way it is, our national politics is as good as it gets, and there is no use trying to change it. Those who try to end oppressive practices or seriously work for a world of peace and justice are considered “idealists” by the opinion makers that control the mass media.

Feeling hopeless and wondering if we can make a difference can lead to discouragement. James Luther Adams, the influential Unitarian Universalist theologian, counseled that it was by our groups that we are known. For Adams, groups encourage and inspire people and sustain them in discouraging times.

First Parish works to provide encouragement and engagement; individuals find support in the community of this congregation; and they, in turn, support others. The mission of First Parish states:

• To provide for each other a compassionate, welcoming community, building on our heritage, honoring diversity and religious freedom, and encouraging the personal and spiritual growth of adults and children through worship, social action, fellowship, and education
• To inspire and promote reason, compassion, justice, and diversity in our community
• To participate in the larger Unitarian Universalist community and work towards our vision of peace, social justice, and religious tolerance
• To take affirmative and proactive action to remedy the results of discrimination
• To promote the full participation of persons in all our activities, including but not limited to membership, programming, hiring practices, and the calling of religious professionals, without regard to race, color, gender, gender expression, physical ability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or national origin.

In other words, First Parish seeks to be inclusive and supportive, to provide opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth, and to be a participatory community.
How are we doing? We have designed the upcoming programs featured in this newsletter to address those goals. If you have any ideas on what more we can do or how we might do it better, let us know.

Rev. Clyde