First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church
Medfield, Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions about First Parish Medfield
(or maybe - some questions you might have about us)
Q: What is a typical service composed of?
A: There is a welcome from our Minister, Rev. Bob McKetchnie. We have a time at the beginning of the service for members, friends, and visitors to come up and share a special joy or concern. We usually sing two or three hymns. There is a silent meditation, followed on most Sundays by a reading, then the sermon is delivered. The service lasts about one hour. After the service, we meet in the Vestry, the ground floor of the Church for coffee and conversation.
Q: How large is the congregation at First Parish?
A: We are small, but growing! In fact, we are one of the fastest growing UU churches in our district. Right now we have about 120 members, but there are also a number of ‘friends’ who come to services but who have not officially ‘signed the book’ to become members.
Q: Are children welcome in the service? Are they a part of it?
A. Children are definitely welcome to stay in our worship services at any time. Indeed, it is our custom to have children attend, with their families, the first part of most Sunday morning worship services. During this time, there is a “Moment with the Children,” when children are invited to come up to the front of the sanctuary to listen to a brief story or idea. Of course, they do not have to come up if they don’t want to. At about 11:00, children leave for their RE (“religious education”) classes.
Some worship services– those that are designated as “inter-generational”– are designed with all ages in mind, including children. During these services, children stay for the entire time. Interested children may have a role in the service itself.
Q: Do you have child care during the worship service?
A: Yes. Our “nursery” provides a warm and caring environment for older infants, toddlers, and younger preschool aged children. Two competent paid sitters care for and play with the children in a special area of the large room (vestry) downstairs from the sanctuary. Care is provided from 10:15 - 11:45. Parents may bring young infants to the comfortable setting as they might need during the service.
Q: What about religious education for my children?
A: We have an active RE program for children in grades 1 through 9. Most groups are held in our U House – the building right next to the church. Groups are age-based and usually span two school grades. Children are taught by parents and other volunteers from the church who offer their time. Each group has two adults in it at all times. We also have a professional Coordinator of Religious Education who oversees the program and the volunteer teachers and group leaders, and works with the Religious Education Committee to ensure a caring and meaningful religious education experience for all participants.
Q: How do I dress for Sunday services?
A: We are an informal group - some of us wear jackets (with or without ties), some of us wear jeans. A rule of thumb is - wear what you are comfortable in.
Q: I noticed on your web site that you are a “Welcoming Congregation.” What does that mean?
A: It means that we at First Parish have gone through an extensive process of learning about gay, lesbian, transgender, and transsexual issues and concerns. As the UUA puts it:
The Welcoming Congregation Program is a program for congregations that see a need to become more inclusive towards bisexual, gay, lesbian, and/or transgender people. The goal of the workshops is to reduce prejudice by increasing understanding and acceptance among people of different sexual orientations.
Q. Who is a ‘typical’ UU?
A. Someone who takes our UU principles to heart. UU’s have diverse backgrounds, and may have been raised in any religious tradition.
First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church