Message from the Governing Board
Greetings from the Governing Board!
Your Governing Board meets monthly, often on the 3rd Thursday of the month. With the ongoing minister search and the steeple project, we will also be meeting on some Sundays to focus on specific topics. All congregants are welcome and encouraged to attend our meetings.
Governing Board meeting times for the 2022-2023 church year GB have been set. All meetings are at 6:30 PM unless otherwise noted:
September 14
September 27
October 2 (Sunday after service)
October 20
November 17
December 15
January 19
February 16
March 21
April 4 (extra meeting for budget discussions and planning)
April 18
May 2
May 16
The annual meeting will be June 4th.
| Dear Congregation, Thanks to the wonders of technology the Governing Board was able to meet this past Sunday via Zoom. We came together to carry on the important matters of First Parish that are the responsibility of the Governing Board. The message that we hope to convey at this time is one of assurance, commitment and interdependence so as to create an environment of confidence and consistency. Our concern first and foremost is the well being of each of you, your needs at this time of uncertainty and stress. Therefore, a call list is being organized from the First Parish community. A board member will be calling to talk with you, find out your needs and enjoy the connection. Time was spent discussing our Fiscal responsibility in such areas as the 2020-2021 budget, support of our employee’s, Offertory including the half plate, the Ministers fund for assistance to FP community, and how to move forward regarding fund raising/pledges. More than ever our level of awareness has been raised by this pandemic as to how much a part we are in “the interdependent web of existence”. Aware of how much we are dependent on each other. The goal that all of us are working towards is keeping an experience of feeling connected whether it is the meaningful, comforting services provided by the Worship Team, the services of Pastoral Care committee, the beautiful words of Poetry from Living by Heart, Music offerings from our musicians and the many other services providing connection and community. The power of WE is a Gift of Love that keeps giving and when it is strong there is no room for fear. The following message was shared with me from Karen Bump former FP member. May these words bring comfort and inspiration. And the people stayed home, and read books, and listened and rested and exercised and made art and played games and learned new ways of being and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadow. And the people began to think differently. And the people healed. And in the absence of people living ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the days passed and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses and made new choices and dreamed new images and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully. As they had been healed….. On behalf of the Governing Board, Audrey Kracke-Lambert, President |
| Message from the Governing Board Dear Congregation, Thanks to the wonders of technology the Governing Board was able to meet this past Sunday via Zoom. We came together to carry on the important matters of First Parish that are the responsibility of the Governing Board. The message that we hope to convey at this time is one of assurance, commitment and interdependence so as to create an environment of confidence and consistency. Our concern first and foremost is the well being of each of you, your needs at this time of uncertainty and stress. Therefore, a call list is being organized from the First Parish community. A board member will be calling to talk with you, find out your needs and enjoy the connection. Time was spent discussing our Fiscal responsibility in such areas as the 2020-2021 budget, support of our employee’s, Offertory including the half plate, the Ministers fund for assistance to FP community, and how to move forward regarding fund raising/pledges. More than ever our level of awareness has been raised by this pandemic as to how much a part we are in “the interdependent web of existence”. Aware of how much we are dependent on each other. The goal that all of us are working towards is keeping an experience of feeling connected whether it is the meaningful, comforting services provided by the Worship Team, the services of Pastoral Care committee, the beautiful words of Poetry from Living by Heart, Music offerings from our musicians and the many other services providing connection and community. The power of WE is a Gift of Love that keeps giving and when it is strong there is no room for fear. The following message was shared with me from Karen Bump former FP member. May these words bring comfort and inspiration. And the people stayed home, and read books, and listened and rested and exercised and made art and played games and learned new ways of being and were still. And listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadow. And the people began to think differently.And the people healed. And in the absence of people living ignorant, dangerous, mindless and heartless ways, the earth began to heal. And when the days passed and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses and made new choices and dreamed new images and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully. As they had been healed….. On behalf of the Governing Board, Audrey Kracke-Lambert, President |
Changes in Worship and more
The Governing Board and staff of First Parish UU Northborough have been closely monitoring and assessing the global, national and local impact of the spread of COVID-19. We are blessed to have a task force of wise and experienced health professionals who are giving us vital perspectives and advice.
We have explored our options, recognizing that our response must be both medically sound and ethically aligned with our principles and values. Within the congregation we recognize that our meetings and worship are an essential part of people’s emotional and spiritual support system, particularly in troubling and uncertain times.
As part of heeding the current advice to curtail gatherings of more than 25 people, First Parish Northborough will move to a virtual format to share Sunday worship together. This will likely include use of YouTube to share messages, stories and music with the community. Because we also recognize the need for live connection, we are working to make available for people ways to connect to each other via Zoom video conferencing and by telephone. We are determined to honor the important role that First Parish plays in all of our lives and find ways to keep people connected throughout this crisis.
Effective today, March 14, in-person worship services are suspended until further notice. A team is working hard to adapt vital elements of worship to on online format. We are hoping to send out our first offering this Sunday afternoon via email. For a taste of how this might look, take a look at the video clip below of our chalice and a reading of the poem “Pandemic” by Rev. Lynda.
The Governing Board and Coronavirus Response Task Force will be meeting Sunday to discuss and plan for keeping our community connected and safe. We plan to assess the areas of congregational life that may need more or different types of attention, support, or assistance.
We are working overtime to stay connected! Please feel free to contact us with your thoughts, questions, and feedback as we all learn a re-imagined way of being in community in a time of crisis.
In Faith,Rev. Lynda and FP Governing Board
After a time of deliberation, the decision was made to ask Brian Swanson to complete the term that ends on June 2020. Brian brings a previous experience as a member of what was called the Standing Committee, as well as, he holds the history and love for First Parish in his heart. We are happy, grateful that he accepted the position and look forward to working with him as a Governing Board member. WELCOME BRIAN!