1. What denomination is The First Parish of Lincoln?

The First Parish is dually affiliated with the United Church of Christ (UCC) and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), but we consider ourselves primarily a community church.   We welcome people who come from many other religious traditions, as well as those who consider themselves humanitarians, agnostics or atheists. The First Parish is an open and welcoming church.

2. Does The First Parish include Christian rituals in its worship service?

The Sunday service is ecumenical in spirit, drawing from many faiths and spiritual sources.  Communion is offered four times a year to anyone who chooses to partake (including children);  we have baptisms or the Unitarian dedication of children; we recite the Lord’s Prayer or one of many other favorite unison prayers in our Sunday services.  The First Parish also celebrates the Winter Solstice, as well as the traditional Christian holidays of Easter and Christmas.

3. May we bring our children to the church service?

Yes, children of all ages are welcome for worship services.  If younger children become restless, parents may bring them to the Stearns Room behind the sanctuary where the service can be viewed on a closed-circuit television.

4. Where do I take my baby or toddler for child care during the service?

We offer child care for infants and toddlers in the playroom on the lower level of the Parish House (the stone church up the hill from the main church building) from 9:45 A.M. – 11:30 AM every Sunday.  

5. How do I get information about enrolling my child in the Church School?

You may call our Director of Religious Education, Kimberly Luck, at 781-259-8118, extension 12

6. Why are there two church buildings?

Prior to 1942 members of the Congregational Church in Lincoln worshipped in the stone church and Unitarians met in the white meeting house.  In 1942 the two congregations dissolved their individual parishes and united as The First Parish in Lincoln. The stone church is now our Parish House and the white meeting house is where we hold our worship services.

7. Where should I park my car?

You may park in front of the Parish House as well as in one of the two parking lots that are on both the North and South sides of the Parish House building; there is also parking in front of Bemis Hall opposite the Parish House, along Library Lane next to the Lincoln Public Library, and on the right hand side (only) of Old Lexington Road which runs from Bedford Road behind Bemis Hall.

8. Does the church have accommodations for those who are handicapped or hearing impaired?

During services we have designated handicapped parking directly across from the church and there is a curb cut on Lincoln Road to the right of the church. For those people who cannot use the front stairs, there is a ramp leading to the side door on the right of the church building and the first pew on the right side of the sanctuary has a wide door for wheelchairs.  The First Parish has hearing assisted devices available on the table by the front doors, or you may ask an usher to bring one to you before the service. At this time we do not have handicap accessible restrooms, but there are plans underway to add one in the future.

9. What is my offering used for?

Donations support the church’s operating budget, 20% of which is allocated for outreach (social and environmental concerns).

10. What charities or causes does the church support?

The Outreach Committee of the church evaluates proposals for contributions in the areas of Empowerment, Youth/Education, Housing, Environment, Health/Hunger, International, and Disaster Relief.  Each year the committee selects a number of organizations as recipients for these designated funds.  More information can be found by contacting the church administrator, Gert McDermott (781-259-8118).   

11. If I would like to serve on one of the church committees, do I need to wait to be asked or may I volunteer?

Only the Parish Committee and the Deacons are elected by the church members (and appointed by the Nominating Committee each spring).  The remaining committees, including Youth Programs, Outreach, Hospitality and others welcome new members throughout the year. There are also seasonal committees that would love new members, such as May Market and the Touch of Christmas Fair. Check on the website under “Committees” to learn more about specifics of individual committees and who to contact. 

12. What are some of the ways I can meet other people in the church?

There are many avenues for becoming involved in the life of the church which are described in the How to Get Involved page of this website.  You will find volunteer opportunities, small groups, adult education classes and a variety of activities and events which are also listed in the pages of our “Parish News”.  There is both a print version of the Parish News and a version available via email. You can subscribe to this weekly newsletter by leaving your address in the church offering plate on Sunday morning or by sending a request to: parishnews@firstparishinlincoln.org.

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