Typical “path” from visitor to Member

After you visit First Parish, typically for a Sunday worship service, you may feel or know that this congregation could be your spiritual home. If you are in sympathy with our mission statement, we encourage you to sign a yellow visitor card located in the vestibule and in the hymnal racks on the back of the pews. You can put the yellow card in the offering plate, give it to someone on the Membership or Parish Committee, or mail it to First Parish.

Over time, you will no longer be just a visitor, but you will become a friend of First Parish, participating as you feel comfortable, receiving communications, requesting to be added to the Members/Friends directory, and contributing time and resources to the congregation.

“New to UU” orientations are offered throughout the year to prospective new members. These orientations are typically conducted on a Saturday morning or after service on Sunday and allow you to learn more about Unitarian Universalism, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Canton, and to listen, learn, and share with the Minister, Membership Committee members, and other prospective new members.

If you decide to become a Member of First Parish, you will sign the Membership book and be welcomed by the Minister and other leaders. You will be welcomed formally as a new Member during a specially designated part of a Sunday worship service.

Requirements for membership (from the Constitution)

Membership in First Parish is open to any person 18 years of age or older who is in sympathy with the mission of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Canton. No other test of creed or faith, of race, color, gender, gender expression, physical ability, developmental or intellectual ability, affectional or sexual orientation, or age (exclusive of the preceding requirement), or national origin, or other similar test shall be imposed as a condition of membership. An eligible person shall sign the Parish Membership book to become a Member.

A Member is eligible to vote at the Annual Parish or Special Meeting(s) as long as he or she (i) has signed the Parish Membership book at least 45 days before such meeting, and continues to be in sympathy with the mission of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Canton as of the date of such meeting, and (ii) has made an unrestricted annual financial contribution of record within the preceding 12 months, such contribution to have been made at least 45 days before such meeting. Such contribution shall, at minimum, be equal to or exceed the sum of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the District Fair Share Contribution assessments; provided, however, that the Parish Committee may waive the financial contribution requirement in its discretion.

Individuals between the ages of 14 years and 18 years may become Associate Members by signing the Parish membership book, and as such may have a voice but not vote at Parish meetings and may participate in Parish committees. An Associate Member may become a Member by meeting the requirements in this Article upon attaining the age of 18 years.