Members of the congregation are the ultimate authority for First Parish Plymouth. The congregation always gathers for one Congregational Meeting each June, and will schedule more if needed. The congregation has adopted and periodically amends the First Parish Plymouth bylaws.
The Minister is called by a vote of the congregation.
An elected Parish Committee represents the congregation and conducts the business of the congregation, subject to authority granted under our Bylaws. The Parish Committee governs through Parish bylaws and acts on behalf of the congregation to further the congregation’s mission.
The work of the congregation is accomplished by committees.
The Parish Committee The Parish Committee shall recognize the moral principle that all of its powers are subordinate to the will of the membership of First Parish in Plymouth. The Parish Committee shall be the legal governing body and financial steward of the Church. The Parish Committee shall: establish and maintain short and long range goals, procedures and policies to govern the operating practices of the Church consistent with these bylaws.
The Worship and Music Committee works closely with our minister to promote worship experiences that are consistent with the First Parish mission. The Committee, together with our minister and Music Director, plans content and delivery of worship services to ensure a positive, meaningful experience for members, visitors and guests. We arrange for guest and lay speakers when our minister is away and we plan and facilitate major theme-based services. The Committee also serves as a resource to the congregation to incorporate their ideas and respond to concerns about the worship experience. The Music Program falls within the scope of this Committee and we work collaboratively to support and enrich the church music program including encouraging wider participation of the congregation in the musical life of the church.
During the pandemic (beginning in March 2020) all church activities are being conducted on-line in Zoom meetings and via Facebook and YouTube streaming. The production and delivery of virtual worship services required the addition of a Technical Director, who has extensive experience with Zoom. The Technical Director supports the Worship and Music Committee by providing technical assistance in the worship service planning and during the service itself.
The Social Action Committee shall recommend to the Parish Committee policies on social concerns; plan and oversee projects and activities that put Unitarian Universalist religious values into practice; provide opportunities for church members and friends to get involved in working for social justice.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee shall have general oversight of the upkeep and maintenance of the real properties of the Parish with authority to expend those monies appropriated in the annual Parish Budget. In addition, the committee shall prepare recommendations for the Parish Committee concerning maintenance and/or renovations
of buildings.
The Membership Committee welcomes you, the visitor, to our Sunday service. Upon entering the Brewster Chapel you will be greeted warmly, asked to sign the visitor log and invited to coffee hour following the service. If you sign the guest log (optional, of course), we’ll place you on our email list to keep you up to date on what is happening in our congregation. Our major purpose is to make you feel welcome, and to answer any questions you may have about First Parish.
According to our bylaws, the Membership Committee is also charged with creating an awareness of First Parish within the community, making available literature about Unitarian Universalism, and providing, in cooperation with the Minister, informational meetings for visitors who might be considering becoming a member. It is also the duty of the Membership Committee to update the full voting membership roll, in cooperation with the Clerk, prior to and for use at the Annual Meeting which takes place in June.