First Parish has many opportunities for members and friends to get involved in our faith community. We are always in need of volunteers willing to give their time and talent. There are many Teams at First Parish that accomplish the important work of making our faith community run smoothly. Please reach out to the committee contacts listed below in order to learn more about the committee and how you can get involved.
Buildings & Grounds
Works to preserve our historic building, collaboratively with our Sexton and the Trustees. Projects range from painting, minor and major repairs, to landscaping our grounds. Our vision for the future includes making our buildings more environmentally sustainable and accessible to people of all abilities. For more information, please email office@firstparishportland.org.
Faith in Action
Strives to help First Parish members and friends live out their faith in ways that support the mission of our church: To nurture the spirit; grow in community; help heal the world. There are many, many ways to engage is this work. Contact fia@firstparishportland.org or dive into the work of one of the subcommittees listed on our Faith in Action page.
Finance Committee
Oversees the financial matters of First Parish (other than those delegated to the Trustees) and communicates information relating to these matters to the leadership and congregation. The Finance Committee meets the 4th Tuesday of the month at 6pm in the Youth Room. For more information, please contact the team leader at finance@firstparishportland.org.
Ministry Leadership Team (MLT)
Works to support our minister in the leadership of all teams and programs that comprise the ministry of our church. The MLT works as a team and teams up with leaders across groups and committees to identify synergies and opportunities that single teams cannot leverage. The group also helps address any conflicts that might arise across teams. The MLT Chair participates in monthly Executive Committee meetings with the Minister and the Governing Board President. For more information, please contact the team leader at mlt@firstparishportland.org.
Membership Committee
Strives to create a warm and welcoming Sunday morning experience for members, friends, and visitors by fostering connections that extend beyond our shared worship – coordinating Ushers, Coffee Hour, and flower arrangements for the chancel table, and hosting social activities. For more information, please contact our Membership Coordinator at membership@firstparishportland.org.
Library Committee
Maintains a collection of books that are of help or interest to members and friends of First Parish. Books are stored in the Parish House and available to borrow. As a friend of our community, you are welcome to make use of this resource! For more information, please contact the team leader at library@firstparishportland.org.
Music Committee
Music is an integral part of every Sunday service at First Parish, whether it be singing hymns or songs as a community, listening to the adult and children’s choir sing, or hearing one of our many wonderful guest soloists. Please email musicdirector@firstparishportland.org if you are interested in sharing your musical talents or if you’d like to help organize our monthly concert series.
Nominating Committee
Recommends officers and individuals to serve on the Governing Board, chairs of the Standing Committees as appropriate, members of the Board of Trustees of First Parish, members of the Trustees of the Memorial Garden, members of the Trustees for Youth and Family Outreach, and the liaison for Youth and Family Outreach. Also presents a full slate of candidates as required at the Annual Meeting. Recommends to the Governing Board individuals to fill openings that may occur until the next Annual Meeting. For more information, please contact the team leader at nominating@firstparishportland.org.
Pastoral Care Team
Offers regular personal support to congregants who are undergoing grief, injury, illness, disability, loss of relationship, unemployment, or other difficulties. The team also reaches out to members in isolation and who are unable to attend church. Pastoral Care provides a listening presence and spiritual support in time of need as well as cards and flowers. For more information, please contact the team leader at pastoralcare@firstparishportland.org.
Personnel Committee
Prepares job descriptions, salaries, and terms of employment for all employees except the minister. Hears concerns of and about such employees, as well as provides annual performance evaluations in consultation with the minister. For more information, please contact the team leader at personnel@firstparishportland.org.
Garden Committee
The purpose of the Garden Committee is to maintain and sustain our historic gardens by collaborating with our contracted landscapers and the Trustees. Projects range from our two annual clean ups in Spring and Fall to special projects that arise. Our vision is for all to enjoy our respite in the heart of the City, increase the use and diversity of our beautiful outdoor spaces, and create community with our collective skills. For more information, please email office@
Faith Formation Committee
Seeks to provide a supportive, welcoming environment where children, teens, and their families can connect with one another in such a way that empowers them to explore their spiritual identity and deepen their understanding of Unitarian Universalism. Faith Formation programming is developed collaboratively by First Parish professional staff and the Faith Formation committee. For more information, please contact our Director of Faith Formation at dre@firstparishportland.org.
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee, in collaboration with Reverend Elaine Peresluha, develops, presents, and supports consistently high-quality worship services, while being flexible and responsive to the needs of our congregation. Our goal is to make worship at our church welcoming, accessible, uplifting, and relevant to the lives of everyone seeking a spiritual home with us. The committee is also responsible for organizing and overseeing the summer services. For more information, please contact the team leader at worship@firstparishportland.org.
Committee on Ministry (COM)
Meets monthly to support the Minister and review her reports among other duties mandated by the First Parish Bylaws. Consistent with professional ethics, personnel policy, and UU guidelines, COM meetings are closed as confidential matters concerning members or staff are sometimes discussed. The small group of COM members are nominated and approved by the board and this committee and serve terms designated by the Bylaws. Members are available to congregation members as a communication channel between congregation members and the Minister if needed. For more information, please contact the team leader at com@firstparishportland.org.
Safe Congregation Committee (SCC)
The Safe Congregation Committee meets monthly to review building security and safety issues, recommend safety and health policies, and monitor the progress of corrective recommendations. The SCC also organizes and conducts an annual fire drill, attends health and safety training sessions, and implements safety policies. For more information, please contact the office at office@firstparishportland.org.
Audio/Visual Committee
The purpose of the Audio/Visual Committee is to promote and facilitate the use of our updated audio and visual technologies. The A/V Committee will also be responsible for training volunteers and church leaders on the new equipment. This includes the audio loop for increased audio accessibility and the livestream equipment. The A/V Committee will work with the Congregational Administrator to determine equitable rates for services like wedding videos. The A/V Committee will also work directly with the Minister, Music Director, Membership Coordinator, and the Director of Faith Formation to help run worship services. The A/V Committee will also coordinate any updates or maintenance to the equipment. For more information, contact the office at office@firstparishportland.org.
