First Parish Plymouth, in keeping with the UU tradition, operates under a form of governance called Congregational Polity. This means that the congregation is completely independent; the church is governed by its members. Members attend annual meetings to vote on finances, building management, operations, and staffing, including the selection of the minister. Self-government is supported by a group of committees whose members are selected from the congregation. The First Parish Plymouth committees are listed below.
Our Committees
Our committees are grounded in mutual respect, shared purpose, and the democratic process. Decisions are made collaboratively and transparently, in alignment with our values.
Governing Board
This committee establishes and maintains short- and long-term goals and procedures and policies for the church.
Spiritual Development
Spiritual Development is a lifetime endeavor at First Parish. As Unitarian Universalists, we recognize that each of us is on a spiritual journey that begins when we are very young and continues throughout our lives. Our programs honor the many ages and stages of our spirituality as we grow.
Social Action
The Social Action Committee at First Parish strives to fight for social justice on a local, state, and national level and endeavors to provide truthful information on a wide variety of relevant issues. We regularly publicize and provide social justice-oriented opportunities that encourage church members, friends, and the local community to become actively involved and put Unitarian Universalist values into practice.
Publicity and Outreach
The Outreach and PR Committee aims to broaden the exposure of First Parish by using different social media platforms and to participate in community events. The committee seeks to connect with the congregation and the surrounding community while upholding the church’s values.
The Help Team
In an effort to live out our commitment to “Help One Another,” the Help team coordinates the congregation’s response to members experiencing an illness or crisis. The help offered depends on the needs of the member but frequently involves social visits, meals delivered, errands run, or rides given.
Worship and Music
The Worship and Music Committee at First Parish Plymouth works to nurture meaningful, engaging, and spiritually rich worship experiences for our congregation. We collaborate with the minister, staff, directors of Music and Spiritual Development, and lay leaders to help plan and support weekly services, special observances, and seasonal celebrations that reflect our Unitarian Universalist values and honor the diverse spiritual paths of our community.
Building and Grounds
The Buildings and Grounds Committee is responsible for the physical condition and upkeep of the Parish House and also for the management of our tenants.
Finance
The Finance Committee strives to ensure responsible handling of our congregational finances. The committee coordinates the annual pledge drive, works with the Governing Board to develop an annual budget to present to the congregation for approval, regularly monitors the financial reports to ensure we are staying within our budget goals, and communicates with the congregation about the community’s financial situation.
Media & Technology
The Media & Technology Committee strives to keep First Parish up with the times in terms of technology and is responsible for live streaming and posting of services and events.