To worship God

To bear witness to the glory of God, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit

To support each other in Christian living and reinforce our individual and collective faith through worship, education, fellowship and service to the needs of our community and in support of the church's wider outreach.

Our Congregation is growing and made up of people from many different denominational backgrounds.  We are inviting, open, friendly and affirming.  Individual members take an active part in local social and political groups helping to provide moral leadership within our community.  We seek to grow in the knowledge and understanding of God's will as taught in the Scriptures and recognize our responsibility to demonstrate that understanding through our actions.

Our Worship Service will be in accordance with, and faithful to, our belief in God:  Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.  It celebrates the human and divine nature of Jesus Christ.  Our worship combines prayer, music, and preaching based on the Scriptures and encourages spiritual growth and congregational participation.  Our worship service is challenging, inspirational and reassuring.

Education at First Parish will involve extensive participation at all age levels.  It teaches Christian values and provides spiritual nourishment through an understanding of the Bible, and includes programs to help children, youth and adults more effectively deal with present-day issues and concerns.  Particular emphasis is on a youth program that reaches out to the community in a social environment that stresses Christian ethics.

Our Outreach Program provides an understanding of, and an increasing commitment to, outreach needs locally and throughout the world.  It includes interfaith participation with other congregations to identify and resolve community societal problems.  The laity is actively involved in visitation and programs for seniors and shut-ins.

Our Pastoral Leadership exhibits strong attributes in preaching, teaching and counseling.  It effectively comforts, motivates, inspires and spiritually leads the congregation.  Our pastoral staff will be complemented by a committed congregational leadership with responsibility and authority delegated to individual committees.  Within the pastoral leadership are professionals whose involvement includes religious education and assistance in visitations and outreach.

Recognizing its historical heritage, First Parish will develop and carry out social and religious Programs designed to provide fellowship and enrich the life of the Church and the community.

Our church supports the maintenance and improvement of comfortable and adequate Facilities of worship, education, administration and congregational activities.