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Denominational Affairs Committee
Believing that we do not live in isolation, First Parish Church in Weston has long practiced partnerships with denominational, ecumenical and other religious bodies. Promoting those relationships is the work of the Denominational Affairs Committee.
To learn more about some of those organizations currently supported by First Parish, click on these links to their websites:
Unitarian Universalist Association: Continental association of Unitarian Universalist congregations. In June 2009, the UUA elected a new president of the association, Peter Morales.
Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, Tennessee: During the summer of 2008, four First Parishioners visited this congregation, which was the site of two fatal shootings on July 27, 2008. A gunman entered the church on Sunday morning during a children’s musical performance, which was part of the worship service. He shouted words of hatred aimed at the social justice work being done by the UU church. He was heavily armed and said in a note that he intended to keep shooting until stopped by police. Instead, he was prevented from doing so by the courageous and selfless acts of ushers and parishioners who put themselves between the gunman and the children, and were able to restrain him until police arrived. Two parishioners died in the incident, and six others were wounded, one severely.
First Parish Music Director Bill Sano, along with Katie, Larry and Mary Shaw, met with TVUUC Music Director Vicky Masters and RE Director Brian Griffith while en route to give a benefit concert in Pearlington, Mississippi. During a tour of the church, the TVUUC staff described the scene, the response and the aftermath. Several books filled with cards and letters from across the country were on display, and Mr. Sano and the Shaws conveyed good wishes and support from First Parish Weston, both verbally and in a letter. (Pictured, from left to right, Katie Shaw, Brian Griffith, Larry Shaw, Bill Sano, Vicky Masters, and Mary Shaw.)
Mary Shaw, a licensed clinical social worker, was impressed by the quick response of the parish, with the support of the UUA, to deal with the psychological aspects of the tragedy for both adults and children. The resilience of the parish is impressive, and their capacity to go on practicing their faith after the trauma is inspiring. However, it is very sad to hear that TVUUC also received a great deal of hate mail, along the lines of “God isn’t through punishing you”, as well as threats of further violence. Police protection was required during the rededication of the sanctuary a week after the incident. The UUA took an ad in the New York Times, which can be viewed at http://uua.org/documents/stew-dev/knoxville_ad.pdf.
Financial assistance will help with psychological and spiritual care, as well as with practical financial assistance for those affected. Gifts may be sent to the Jefferson District/ Knoxville Relief Fund online via http://uua.org/news/knoxville, or c/o Tom Klein at the UUA Stewardship and Development Office, 6th floor, 25 Beacon St. Boston 02108. There are also relief funds for the families of the two who died and one for a young woman severely injured in the attack.
Unitarian Universalist Christian Fellowship: Promotes UU Christianity within the denomination. Publishes a theological journal edited by Tom Wintle.
Notable Unitarians:
Partner Church Council: This is the organization which facilitates the partnership between First Parish and the Unitarian Church in Torda, Transylvania (Romania), and hundreds of other such partnerships.
- See also Tom Wintle's Sermon on Visiting Transylvania (Romania)
Epiphany Community Church: This new congregation in Fenton, Michigan, has received significant personal, spiritual and financial support from First Parish. They are a young and energetic congregation.
Boston Theological Institute: For information about theological education in the Boston area, and for links to area theological schools.