Closeup of detailed wood carving
A woman listens to the minister preach
Woman in pew
A stone church

Community Programs & Speakers

We are active in the Town of Weston and in the many communities surrounding us, and think of ourselves as the ‘parish’ or town church involved in the daily life of this broad and diverse community.

First Parish has adapted our events and worship to accommodate the public safety needs for the COVID-19 pandemic, but that doesn’t mean we stopped offering programs! Check out our Calendar page for scheduled events, both online and in-person as we continue to manage our “new normal.”

Our community programs involve interacting with other Weston organizations and congregations in joint events such as a Martin Luther King Day breakfast, sponsoring speakers, and hosting special events. Recent programs include a forum on Misinformation and Democracy and presentations on “Youth and Technology” and “Aging Well” featuring clinicians from Human Relations Services (HRS) in Wellesley. The First Parish facilities are also a resource for the community, and our building and grounds are available for public use and rental. Below are a few of our regular programs and public events.

Voices in 21st Century Christianity Speaker Series

Launched in 2022, this annual lecture series seeks to highlight the perspectives and voices of innovative and thoughtful theologians and biblical scholars working across disciplines and offering fresh perspectives.

McMullen-Rush Speakers Series

On an ongoing basis, we host speaker’s series open to the public, including the McMullen-Rush Speakers Series, where regional experts discuss major issues of the day.

MetroWest Climate Solutions

First Parish helped found this partnership of local organizations and congregations in an effort to inspire sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities and host timely and relevant programs in response to climate change. First Parish members are leaders of this new community organization and we host events frequently. The problems are global, but the solutions are local! Get more information about MetroWest Climate Solutions.

Rines Art Gallery

The Rines Art Gallery was conceived by acclaimed artist and parishioner Mary Jo Rines and her husband Mel, who have been generous supporters of our community. The gallery is intended as a complement to our worship services and spiritual practices with exhibitions by “artists who seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the human condition.” The gallery hosts a myriad of events throughout the year; learn more about the Rines Art Gallery or visit the Virtual Art Gallery, an innovative website created during the Covid-19 pandemic to help visitors access these beautiful exhibitions regardless of physical location.

Facilities Rental

The First Parish facilities are available to the wider public for events, weddings, rehearsal and performance space, and classes or educational programs. With our central location, proximity to Routes 95/128, generous parking and varied facilities, we offer a convenient, attractive, and comfortable venue for many kinds of events. Find additional details about renting the First Parish facilities.

Skylark Vocal Ensemble

We host the Skylark Vocal Ensemble for concerts throughout the year.