Make A Difference

Make a Difference

Part of our mission as a Unitarian Universalist community is to make the world a better place, focusing on “deeds not creeds.” From protest marches, prayer vigils, volunteering in homeless shelters and in prisons, we put our faith into action.

Here are just a few of the many ongoing endeavors where together we make a difference:

The Box Project

food-box-webThe Box Project provides basic necessities such as food, household supplies, clothing and furniture to needy families on the South Shore. The program is one of the most popular social service opportunities at First Parish Church.

Each family served by the program is matched with four First Parish families. The client family fills out a monthly request form, listing their food, household, clothing and furniture needs. First Parish families purchase the items and drop them off at a church member’s home in boxes or bags labeled with a number assigned to the client family. If the requests are large or contain costly items, additional funds are provided by the Social Justice Committee. The items are then delivered by First Parish volunteers. In December, a special church-wide effort results in providing Christmas presents for the dozens of families served by the program. Each month, a list of clothing needs is distributed.

For information on how to help, contact Carrie Meier through the church office (781-934-6532 or

Guest at Your Table

Guest at Your TableFirst Parish Church has a long tradition of supporting the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). The UUSC has been a powerful voice for human rights and social justice around the world for more than six decades. First Parish Church donates one dollar per member annually out of its operating budget to the UUSC. In addition, many people at First Parish contribute at a membership level or greater to the UUSC, and many others participate in the annual Guest at Your Table (GAYT) fund-raising campaign to benefit the UUSC.

Guest at Your Table is a major annual event embraced by many UU congregations as a way for adults and children to learn about and support social justice programs worldwide. Funds collected through GAYT help the UUSC operate its many social and economic justice programs world-wide. Caring cartons, about the size of a school milk carton, are available in the parlor of the Parish House on Sundays through the year-end holiday season. Families take them home and make a contribution at every meal to help someone less fortunate than they.

Community Table

Community TableThe Table at Father Bill’s and Mainspring of Brockton, MA, is a community lunch program that provides free healthy meals to men, women and children, six days a week.

The Table operates out of our MainSpring House emergency shelter in downtown Brockton, with support from dedicated donors and volunteers, and in partnership with Stonehill College’s The Farm, for fresh locally grown produce.

Volunteers, staff and guests get to know one another over a hot meal — served with dignity. When available, The Table also provides sandwiches and/or other take-out items.

The Table relies on volunteers to prepare and serve lunch.

Green Sanctuary

green-sanctuaryGreen Sanctuary is a Unitarian Universalist program that partners with congregations to address climate change and environmental justice.

Congregations that complete the program are accredited as Green Sanctuaries in recognition of their service and dedication to the Earth.

Our Green Sanctuary Task Force has followed the guidelines set by the UUA, to make our buildings and practices more energy-efficient, support environmentally progressive activities within our community, create events and initiatives to educate the congregation and general public about ways to live in a more environmentally responsible manner.

The Green Sanctuary Program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges. The Green Sanctuary Program, now in its sixth edition, partners with congregations to address climate change and environmental justice. Congregations that complete the program are accredited as Green Sanctuaries in recognition of their service and dedication to the Earth.

justice

Members of the Social Justice Committee are now working with www.massbailfund.org in Plymouth County.  The Mass Bail Fund was created in 2013 in response to the practice of jailing people pre-trial only because they cannot afford as little as $50 or as much as $500 for bail. This can lead to unemployment and other serious adverse outcomes for poor people. This project is one way you can help mitigate one of the great economic injustices of our criminal justice system.  If you are interested in helping, please contact Donna Savicki at dsavicki@comcast.net or Mary Flanagan at mcflanagan46@comcast.net. Volunteer training is required. Detailed Info is on www.uudux.org/committees/  under social Justice Committee and will also be in the May FPC newsletter.

Amazing things happen when we get together.