Prepare yourself for the Annual Meeting this Sunday by reading the 2012-2013 Annual Report.
Annual Report 2012-2013
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Category Archives: Governance
First Church Jamaica Plain: Staff Transitions
***Goodbye!***
Julia Terry – Outgoing Congregational Administrator
Julia Terry, the congregational administrator, will have her final office day on May 23rd, after which she begins a 6 week roadtrip back home to Alaska.
***Hello to Jennifer Waddell!***
Jennifer Waddell, our incoming Congregational Administrator, has lived in (and loved) Jamaica Plain since 1989. She worked for a publishing company downtown in many capacities for fifteen years but now prefers the freedom of being self-employed.
She graduated with Honors in Photography from SUNY Purchase and she has her own small portrait photography business.
Jennifer enjoys the challenges and triumphs of raising her seven year old twins on her own; thrift shopping; novice gardening and hanging out with friends. She looks forward to meeting everyone at the First Church JP and becoming part of the community.
Fellowship Dinner Remarks by Andrea Fleck Clardy
We often speak of First Church as a kind of extended, chosen family. There is no time in the year when that feels to me more apt than at our annual Fellowship Dinner. Here we all are, enjoying the reliably wonderful food that George Wardle prepares with scout-like precision, experiencing tomato aspic, breaking bread with friends, laughing together, and singing good-night to Irene. Continue reading
Job Opening: Congregational Administrator
First Church in Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist is seeking to hire a part-time Congregational Administrator. The selected candidate will provide administrative coordination and support for ongoing operations of the Church and the Congregation. To apply, send cover letter and resume to firstchjp@aol.com.
For a full job description, click here.
Three Year Strategic Plan
Current Announcements
Julia Terry, our congregational administrator, has returned from her summer of working remotely from Alaska. It was a fun summer, full of hiking, exploring, and reconnecting with family and friends. She’s getting settled into the church office during regular office hours (9 to noon, Tuesday and Thursday) and is available to address church related comments or questions you might have. Due to technology issues and transition, the office requests that all announcements for the newsletter or order of service be resent to the church email (firstchjp@aol.com) by tomorrow evening, Wednesday the 5th.
We hope that by asking for the announcements to be resent, we will be sure not to miss any important news during this very busy time of welcoming in the new church year.
Interim Director of Religious Education (DRE) Position Available at First Church Jamaica Plain
First Church Jamaica Plain Unitarian Universalist is in search for an Interim Director of Religious Education. Please see below for the job description as well as how to apply.
Potential New Affiliate Minister at First Church
Good news! My friend and UU colleague Jason Lydon is interested in becoming an affiliate minister of our church.
An affiliate minister is an unpaid position which supports the ministry of the church – Rev. Marshall Hawkins is currently an affiliate minister of our church. I have worked closely with Jason on justice issues for several years, and have learned much from him. I am delighted that he wants to work with us! He brings a truly inspiring passion for justice.
Also, as Nancy Ahmadifar who has done prison work with Jason for seven years, recently said to me, “Jason is the person who provides pastoral care for the people doing justice work.” Our Standing Committee recently voted to have Jason as an affiliate minister, and the congregation will need to formally vote in the Fall. Please take the time to read this letter of introduction from Jason and make a point of getting to know this remarkable young man!
Cheers,
Terry
For letter of introduction: Continue reading
What’s happening this Sunday, May 20th, at First Church
11 a.m. Sunday Service: Join us for a sermon by Rev. Terry Burke entitled “Amigos.”
12:30 p.m. Congregational Meeting: All are invited to attend. Church members will vote to accept or reject the recently-circulated strategic plan.
Minister’s Report – March 23, 2012
Rev. Burke writes:
This week my Wednesday Worship Class featured Ellen McGuire, our Music Director, speaking to us about hymns, music, and how music fits in the flow of our worship service. Thanks Ellen!
Continue reading
What’s Happening this Sunday, January 22nd, at First Church
11 a.m. Sunday Service: Join us for our regular Sunday service, which will include a sermon entitled “Worthship.” Please bring a candle to give away for this service, which will involve a celebration for Candlemas. Join us following the service at “Coffee Hour” for coffee and light refreshments. Children’s religious education classes will be held during the service as usual.
12:30 p.m. Congregational Meeting: Church members are asked to stay after coffee hour for a short congregational meeting, which will include updates from the Strategic Planning Committee and Stewardship Committee, a discussion of the “Garden Project” proposal for the church’s front lawn, and a report from the Finance Committee. Non-members are welcome to attend and observe.
We are strategically planning!
Andrea Fleck Clardy, Chair of the Standing Committee, writes:
Early in November, about fifty people gathered to brainstorm about the future of First Church in Jamaica Plain. Hundreds of ideas and concerns, visions, and projects, dreams and doubts were mentioned and written down.
From that great abundance of enthusiasm and ideas, we developed a mission statement and a vision statement to guide us in planning the church’s future.
Mission: We are an open and caring congregation. We nurture spiritual growth through worship, education, social justice, and service to others.
Vision: Our congregation is a source of sanctuary and inspiration. We embrace creativity, inclusiveness, and spiritual exploration. We share humane values and we work together to create a better world.
The next step will be to draft a strategic plan for the coming three years and we are well underway in that process. The committee of Andrea Fleck Clardy, Sarah Martin Hawkins, Kurt Hemr, Roy Karp, Abby Krueger, Penny Wells, and Tim Williamson devoted part of its first meeting to articulating a covenant of understanding.
What emerged is our strong commitment to serve as guardians of the congregation’s enthusiasm. We expect to have a draft of the strategic plan ready to share with the congregation at the March 4 Fellowship Dinner. In the interim, we will keep you informed of our progress.