Read below to learn about our Social Action Community.  We also invite you to join us in alternative worship scheduled periodically throughout the year: “Community of Activists Worship” led by Ministerial Intern Craig Nowak.  We invite you to join together for alternative worship oriented to social justice and social action. These worship services are open to all in our community who wish to be challenged and raise their own awareness. Craig hopes to provoke thought and reflection leading to action. Each worship will highlight one particular social justice issue with the understanding that all social justice issues and activism is connected and that we are all a community of activists.

All are welcome. Please contact Faith Bade at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Craig Nowak at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions.

The First Parish Social Action Community (SAC) is lay organized and led, supported by the Social Action Program Director, Faith Bade ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ). The activities of SAC are based on the Principles of Unitarian Universalism and on the First Parish benediction, which states:

"Go out into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold onto what is good. Return to no person evil for evil. Strengthen the fainthearted. Support the weak. Help the suffering. Honor all beings."

The SAC organization consists of over 20 Social Action Community Programs, a Social Action Community Board, and a Social Action Grants Committee.

• SAC Programs offer a wide variety of opportunities for our members to offer their time, talent, and money to an array of causes. First Parish members are the SAC Program leaders.  Information on SAC Programs can be found elswhere on this website. To learn more about becoming a SAC Program contact Faith Bade, Social Action Program Director. at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
• The SAC Board consists of 11 members from First Parish (see contact list on right side of this page), divided into 5 teams working on specific tasks. Current Board members are: Maile Hulihan (co-chair), Tom Wilson (co-chair), Kim Novick, Russ Herndon, Lynn Randall, Jane Blumberg, Steve Cadwell, Candace Nelson, Cynthia Mousseau, and Leslie Fisher.

The SAC Grants Committee works to actively express our UU social justice commitment and out First Parish benediction.  The Grants Committee manages the distribution of 7.5% of pledge income annually by First Parish. The Committee consists of First Parish member volunteers, working with the current chair Wendy Holt and the Social Action Program Director, who review Grant Requests by First Parish members and determine the dollar amount awarded.  Grant deadlines are in the fall and spring of each year. Information on SAC Grants can be found elswhere on this website. Contact Wendy Holt, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   

• Mission Statement

  The Mission Statement of the First Parish Social Action Community is "to HEAL (Honor, Educate, Act, Lead) on social and environmental justice issues:

  • HONOR - To honor all beings and our spirituality, which inspires us to act.
  • EDUCATE- To deepen our spiritual awareness and educate on justice issues and the skills necessary to effectively take action.
  • ACT - To provide a variety of opportunities to act on social and environmental justice issues for all ages within First Parish.
  • LEAD - To create leaders in social and environmental justice."

 

If you would like to learn more about Social Action events throughout the year, subscribe to the First Parish Social Action group email list. Go to http://firstparish.org/lists> for subscription info.  There you can find subscription options for a number of First Parish email lists.

Want to become a new Social Action Program here at First Parish? Click on SAC Program Process & Benefits to learn more about the process and benefits. Go to "Pathway to Membership" to understand how to become a First Parish member and therefore a member of a committee or lay leader within SAC. 

Interested in learning more about SAC, our Programs, and upcoming events?  Click on Join SAC Email List here or in the menu bar above.

Please contact Faith Bade, Social Action Program Director, at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , with any and all questions.