“Becoming a member means that you have chosen The First Parish in Waltham as your spiritual home, a place to grow and nurture yourself and others. We invite you to come walk your path, companioned by others doing the same.”

Joining a spiritual community is an important personal decision and a serious life commitment. We invite and support your exploration of this commitment with us.

The covenant of membership is a promise we make to ourselves and to each other to be a “caring, inclusive, spiritual community committed to using free inquiry and the power of love to achieve peace, justice, and a sustainable world,” as our mission statement says. This means that as members, we help one another discover more deeply who we are, and how we may live our values more meaningfully and in new ways.

We rely on our members and dedicated others to help fund and sustain this congregation. Members of our community commit to contributing to its health in time, talent or treasure, each in whatever way makes sense for them. There is no financial contribution required to be a member, but it is through generosity that our congregation survives.

Why Become A Member?

• Members take on the mantle and legacy of stewardship for this church. We take pride in being connected in an important way to the rich history of our Unitarian Universalist faith. This leads us to understand that our support of this community is an expression of care for future generations. Membership is a public affirmation of what this religious community values and does in the world.

• Members have a voice in shaping this church community and the work of the shared ministries we carry out inside and outside our doors. Members vote and participate in the democratic process that elects leaders and steers the priorities of the church.

• Members are eligible to serve as delegates to the annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).

• Members are able to hold leadership positions at First Parish such as serving on the Jones Partnership Foundation or as the President of our congregation. They can also serve in leadership positions for the UUA and its New England Region.

• Members have the privilege of receiving rites of passage at the church, officiated by our minister. Such events include weddings, child dedications, and memorial services.

• Members receive a complimentary subscription to the UU World magazine, a print and digital publication of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

• After signing the Membership Book, new members are welcomed and celebrated during a worship service.

If you are interested in exploring membership, please reach out to our congregation’s minister – they will be delighted to meet with you!