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Our Library  Welcome to the First Church’s Library. Our self-service library is open to our congregation when the church office is open, and is sometimes open in the evenings if staff are in the church. We have over 900 books for people of all ages, including a separate young adult section! Our books cover many topics. You will find the list of books in the binder on the shelf, with instructions on how to check out a book. Books in the Parenting Section are mainly for parents and adults working with children. The children’s titles have been specially selected for help in parenting. Are you a board member needing material for Centering Moments? The library has lots of help for you. Dealing with aging parents, time constraints, childhood growth and behavior dilemmas, history, biography...we have the book for you. We do not staff the library. Please sign and date the book cards and place them in the checkout box. Full instructions are in the white binder. Our library was established for use by our staff, congregation, program leaders and participants. It is designed to... • support the activities and programs of the church • provide reference materials for those who wish to do simple research of a Biblical or spiritual nature, • to offer inspirational reading for those who are struggling from day to day to live a Christian life, • provide information on sensitive topics in a nonthreatening setting, • offer spiritually insightful recreational reading for all ages, and • offer help, information and support to those in our church family who are involved in the challenging job of parenting. Our Mission is to... • provide materials for all persons in the church. • provide reinforcement and enrichment materials for all Christian education programs from children through adults. • integrate the library with all other ministries of the church. • meet individual needs, including those of shut-ins and those with disabilities
Book Review
Book Review by Phyllis Cooke: Joyce Hollyday. On the Heels of Freedom (Crossroad Press, 2005. 266 Hol)
The subtitle of this book reads, “The American Missionary Association’s bold campaign to educate minds, open hearts, and heal the soul of a divided nation.” The Civil War freed the slaves and left them illiterate and anxious to learn to read and write. The American Missionary Association, an agency of the Congregational Church, sent scores of brave men and women into the south to meet this need. The conditions were difficult and often life threatening. From these efforts came scores of excellent colleges, high schools and churches across the south. During the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s they played an important part with training and support. This book is a very readable insight into an important aspect of our church’s history.
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Baptisms, Weddings, and Funerals
BaptismsDo you wish to arrange for a baptism for a child, teen, or adult?
Preparing for baptism can be a deeply meaningful and joyous experience. We seek to be as helpful as possible in this important step in one’s Christian journey.
Before actually setting a date, particularly for a child of elementary years, a teen, or an adult, you will want to talk with the pastor about the circumstances and interest that are leading you to this decision. Call the pastor at 781-275-7951 to arrange for an appointment. If parents seeking baptism for an infant are coming from a very different Christian tradition or from a non-Christian background, they will also want to make such an appointment.
Contact the church office: 781-275-7951 to learn what are the next dates for baptism. Baptisms are conducted during regular Sunday morning worship. Ordinarily up to three families are accommodated on any baptism Sunday. If you select a date, you will be asked to give pertinent information for church records and for creating a baptismal certificate.
The pastor will ask you to meet with her (and ideally with any other families involved on your particular Sunday), to get acquainted, talk about the nature of baptism, share some helpful printed information, and review the baptism service.
Weddings
Do you wish to arrange for a wedding?
First Church and Rev. Howard welcome inquiries from members and non-members alike. For some people, preparation for their wedding becomes an opportunity to connect for the first time or to reconnect with a church community.
Weddings are scheduled in coordination with the calendars of the church and the pastor.
First, call the church office: 781-275-7951 to inquire if your date and time are available. It may take a day or two for us to confirm availability. If pastor or church is not available, we will give referrals.
You will be asked to give a phone number and mailing address so that you may receive information on fees and policies for engaging the church and professional staff and a form to complete and return to the office.
Once you have sent the form, call the pastor at 781-275-7951 to set up an appointment for the first premarital session.
During the course of your premarital sessions you will also make an appointment with the Minister of Music to discuss the music for your wedding.
Funerals
Do you wish to prepare for a funeral or memorial service?
Usually the funeral director is the person who contacts the pastor and church to arrange date and time for a service, whether it is to be held at the funeral home or at the church or another location.
Occasionally family members will make those arrangements by calling the pastor. Such arrangements should always be confirmed with the funeral director.
The pastor will contact family to arrange for a time to talk together about the person who has died and about what will be included in the service. Every effort is made to make the funeral or memorial service personal.
Sometimes people want a “non-religious” service. If so, they should seek a non-religious officiant.
Because First Church is a Christian church, a service led by our pastor lifts up the hope as particularly revealed through Jesus Christ.
However, in cases where the person who has died is part of an interfaith family, the pastor exercises great sensitivity with regard to non-Christian family members.
She has also on occasion conducted funerals or memorial services for persons of other faiths, and she seeks to incorporate elements that will be meaningful in that context.
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