Welcoming Congregation Committee First Parish Church became a Welcoming Congregation in 1998 following a lengthy period of education and discussion. The decision was made at an annual meeting of the parish, on a secret-ballot vote of 52-4. To read about the history of Welcoming Congregation at FPC, click here: History. (Note: this file is a PDF. To open it, you need the free Adobe Reader program. To get that program, go to www.adobe.com)

As a Welcoming Congregation, we are committed to promoting the first Unitarian Universalist principle, which recognizes the inherent worth and dignity of every person.  We strive to support civil rights and to foster understanding, and we welcome gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people into our church family. For more information on the Welcoming Congregation program, click here: Welcoming Congregation FAQs On March 29, 2009, Rev. Catherine Cullen and Sean Delmore, a transgender activist from Boston, preached a joint sermon celebrating diversity.  Listen to it here. On Sunday, July 27,2008, a disturbed man with a shotgun killed two members of the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville. The following Wednesday, our Rev. Catherine Cullen led a vigil in memory of the victims and in solidarity with the Knoxville church, on the front steps of our meetinghouse.  For more, click: Vigil

The Welcoming Congregation Committee of First Parish in Duxbury was invited by First Parish in Cohasset to participate in a worship service on January 27, 2008. The Cohasset church is exploring the process of becoming a Welcoming Congregation, and Jim Hamilton of our committee joined Steve Brown and the Rev. Dr. Jan Carlsson-Bull of the Cohasset church in their pulpit . To read more about that event, click here: Welcoming Congregation in Cohasset

FPC Demonstrates Support for Same-Sex Marriage On November 9, 2006, a group from First Parish Church went to the State House to demonstrate our support for same-sex marriage. It was a remarkable experience that you can learn more about, in words and photos, by clicking on this link: Demonstration

We support CIVIL RIGHTS FOR SAME-sex couples

Our second Unitarian Universalist Principle concerns our search for justice.  Attention is drawn to the 1,138 rights denied at the Federal level to same-sex couples.  Massachusetts has made some corrections but more adjustment is needed in the areas listed below:

● Laws relating to the acquisition, ownership or transfer of real or personal property of estates or interstate succession.
● Laws relating to government protections, including worker’s compensation, unemployment insurance, public assistance, transfer of licenses upon death, and ability to apply for absentee ballots and other documents for a spouse.
● Laws relating to domestic relations and family maintenance, including the rights and obligations of support during and after relationship division of marital property and evidentiary privileges.

Welcoming Congregation Committee takes a stand on Boy Scout issue

The Welcoming Congregation Committee believes the Duxbury troop of the Boy Scouts of America should not be allowed to meet at First Parish Church on a permanent basis because of the national organization's policy to exclude gays from its membership and leadership. This issue is currently being reviewed by an ad hoc committee of First Parish Church. Our position on this matter is consistent with the Unitarian Universalist principles and our status as a Welcoming Congregation. 

 

You Can Get Married Here First Parish Church was the first religious institution in Duxbury to perform a same-sex marriage. We are one of the few churches on the South Shore that conduct same-sex marriages in their sanctuaries. Alternatively, our minister will officiate at a same-sex wedding at a place of your choosing. For more information on using First Parish Facilities, please see our Weddings and Rentals page.

Questions or comments about this Web site? Contact Jon Lehman at jonlehman@comcast.net