First Parish members are engaged citizens and activists, and we are involved with many different community organizations and projects. Read on to learn more about some of our current initiatives.
Anti-Racism & Multiculturalism
First Parish is committed to being actively anti-racist and supporting the work of education, outreach, and advocacy in addressing and dismantling the painful racial prejudices in our world today. We believe that Black Lives Matter.
LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation
We have always been welcoming and supportive of the LGBTQ+ community, but we are proud to be engaging with the U.U. Welcoming Congregation program by improving congregational life & policies, deepening our personal education, expanding public outreach, and committing to community advocacy.
All-Parish Book Read - Caste
Join our All-Parish Book Read this fall as we read Isabel Wilkerson’s latest Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Caste, which has been hailed as one of the landmark works of the 21st century, in which Wilkerson explores and analyzes state-sanctioned racist systems that were intentionally implemented within their larger society.
Members and friends of First Parish are invited to read Caste and then join us for three programs this fall intended to facilitate discussion, dialogue, and critical reflection.
Supporting Local Minority-Run Non-Profits
As a result of the difficult and tragic events around the country during the summer of 2020, our church has found our interest reinvigorated in racial justice and equality here in the United States. We were inspired to consider how we could make a difference, and we decided we wanted to work with local minority-run non-profit organizations. A small team worked with the Standing Committee to do extensive networking and research, and identified two organizations that we have decided to support: the Boston Teen Police Academy and No Books, No Ball.
Visit the link below to learn more about this grant initiative, to watch worship services at which Officer Daryl Owens (Founder and Director of the Boston Teen Police Academy) and Tony Richards (Founder and Executive Director of No Books No Ball) offered moving reflections, and read summaries about the organizations and our proposals.
Weston CARES Fund
Weston residents and members of First Parish Church in Weston created the Weston CARES Fund in April of 2020 to make a difference locally, thoughtfully, and immediately in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Though no longer accepting donations, the fund raised more than $200,000 and provided grants to local non-profit organizations and individuals, with priority given to programs assisting local residents confronting food and housing emergencies.
Bristol Lodge Suppers
First Parish helps support Bristol Lodge, an organization in Waltham that provides shelter and food for those experiencing homelessness. We have a monthly commitment on the fourth Wednesday of the month to prepare and serve dinner. Anyone can join in on cooking, serving, and helping.
International Institute of New England (IINE)
International Institute of New England (IINE) – https://iine.org
Established in 1918, the International Institute of New England (IINE) is one of the oldest and largest resettlement agencies in New England with sites in Lowell, Boston, and Manchester, NH. It has strong ties with Afghans already living in the region, having resettled 350 Afghan refugees since 2014. The agency has begun the process of welcoming the largest group of evacuees it has seen since the Vietnam War and urgently needs financial and hands-on volunteer support. To date, about 180 Afghans have arrived in the region, and IINE has been working 24/7 to welcome them into the community and provide vital services. Currently, monetary and gift card donations from Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Market Basket are the most effective forms of support.
The U.S. refugee assistance program is financed by pubic and private sources, and IINE needs to raise $2.5 million in private funding to resettle an anticipated 425 Afghan evacuees. IINE estimates that each evacuee will need $1,000 per month in private funding for at least six months to cover the costs of basic needs such as, housing, food, case management, legal assistance, English language classes, and job training. Donate today and help someone start a new life in America: https://iine.org/web22/. A gift in any amount will make a big difference!
- A gift of $10,000 provides temporary shelter for 10 evacuated Afghan families for one month.
- $5,000 provides immigration legal services to support 10 Afghan families as they seek to safely escape Afghanistan.
- $1,000 provides food for 10 Afghan evacuees for one month.
- $500 provides immigration legal services for one Afghan family as they seek to safely escape Afghanistan.
- $250 provides temporary shelter for one evacuated Afghan family for three nights.
- $100 provides 2 hours of Dari/Pashto interpretation services for Afghan evacuees.
The First Parish Social Justice Task Force and Outreach Committee are working on forming a volunteer team to help IINE with hands-on tasks such as airport pickup, apartment setup, food distribution, and the collection of in-kind donations. If you would like to participate in this effort, contact Jean Masland, eugmas04@gmail.com or Camille Schmidek, schmideks@comcast.net.