Committees

The Adult Programs Committee helps foster meaningful offerings for our adult community. Members review program proposals, provide peer support for facilitators, and explore new ideas. Interested in helping shape our adult programming? Please contact the Adult Program Committee Chair, Nicole Griffin to learn more or to join a meeting.

The Communications Committee serves as a key advisory body, providing strategic guidance on communication and operational priorities. We collaborates to define upcoming goals, facilitates coordination with the Board, and mobilizes volunteers for specific initiatives. Regular monthly meetings ensure consistent progress and realignment of priorities as needed. Additionally, members engage in one-on-one or small group discussions to address specific needs and ensure the effective execution of communication objectives on an as-needed basis.

This group acts as a feedback loop for the Senior Minister and the Parish Board on what the CoM members hear, see, or sense about the Church’s ministries and congregational experience. To provide an annual report to the Senior Minister, Parish Board, and congregation regarding the status of our community. To collaborate with the Parish Board President for the annual evaluation of the Senior Minister.

The Community Care Team works with and supports the senior minister’s pastoral ministry in reaching out to all members and friends of The First Church in Belmont. We support those who are adjusting to change, loss, illness, or death. We share moments of celebration and happiness. We reach out to those who are unable to get out and who would like a visit. We share in situations that require a special touch of human kindness and an open ear. Learn more about our Pastoral Care program at https://www.uubelmont.org/pastoral-care

FCB Green leads the church’s climate activities. Creating a sustainable way of life is central to our view of a just and compassionate world. Our theme this year is climate activism and resistance, focusing and uniting our annual outreach, community, and state-wide activities. Currently, the group is focused on the congregation's collective effort to discontinue the use of single-use plastics from our church's events and programs and a longer-term decarbonization Initiative for our church building. We are also focused externally, looking at native plantings and small garden clusters of natives around the church grounds. We also support—and participate in—designing and implementing the Earth Day Sunday service. Furthermore, a new podcast series, Climate Reveal, is co-hosted by an FCB Green member and church members are guests for key sessions.

To explore and develop an understanding of the First Church in Belmont’s ties to slavery during the nineteenth century through the substantial benefactions of the Atkins family. To research other similarly situated organizations (e.g., churches, schools, and universities) to learn how they’ve developed awareness of their historical ties to slavery and what formal steps they’ve contemplated or taken in response. To share our findings with the congregation and promote awareness and inclusion.

The Fellowship Committee organizes a wide range of events designed to foster connection and enjoyment for individuals and families at First Church. By offering activities that appeal to all ages and diverse interests, we aim to strengthen personal bonds and build a vibrant community. The goal is to host approximately one event each month during the church year, as space and resources allow.

The Finance Committee is focused on the financial health of the church and advises the Parish Board on the generation of revenue, the expenditure of monies, and the investment of funds. We are responsible for developing an annual budget and reviewing decisions that will impact the church's finances. We work with the Investment Committee to review the performance and investment guidelines of the endowment and report to the church membership on financial activities. In addition, we conduct longer-term, multi-year financial planning exercises to insure the financial health of the church. The Finance Committee generally meets monthly for 60-90 minutes.

The House Committee helps curate the interior spaces of the church in accordance with the First Church mission and values.

The Lifespan Religious Education group is dedicated to nurturing the spiritual and ethical growth of children and youth from nursery through high school within our community. We create inclusive and engaging programs that reflect our principles of compassion, justice, and interconnection while fostering a sense of belonging among young people and their families. By ensuring a diverse curriculum, providing resources for family involvement, and creating safe spaces for exploration, we empower the next generation to develop their beliefs and values in a supportive environment. Additionally, we recruit and train dedicated volunteers to lead our programs with compassion and integrity, without whom our programming would not be possible.

This group enhances access to member information through a cloud-based system. We assist users with database access, report generation, and online signups via Fellowship One. Our focus is on ensuring permission-based directory access and responding to data needs from leaders and staff.

The Music Committee is dedicated to enriching our community through musical events and activities. We enhance our programming by overseeing ticket sales and check-in, supporting the children’s fall musical, and facilitating all-around FCB efforts, including library organization and special service setup. Our members utilize their skills in event coordination, costume organizing, set construction, and hospitality to create memorable experiences for everyone involved. The Music Committee also assists the Director of Music in financial and policy matters relating to the program.

The Parish Board is the governing body of the church. Parish Board members and officers are elected each year at the Annual Meeting as a slate of candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee. The Parish Board members are responsible for overseeing general operations, including programs, fiscal oversight, and the ultimate decision-making for staffing.

The Partner Church Committee exists to nurture and sustain a living covenantal relationship between our congregation in Belmont, Massachusetts and our partner church in Désfalva, Transylvania—the historic cradle of the Unitarian faith and a birthplace of religious freedom. Grounded in our shared Unitarian values and heritage, we seek to strengthen bonds of friendship, faith, and mutual understanding through ongoing communication, shared worship, pilgrimages, and personal connections that deepen spiritual and cultural ties across generations. The Committee advances this mission by supporting collaborative initiatives that respond to the needs and aspirations of our partner congregations, including educational scholarships for Désfalva students, community assistance, and joint visits and projects that foster long-term stability and shared spiritual growth. Through fundraising, relationship-building, and congregational engagement, we strive to keep this enduring partnership vibrant—honoring our roots while strengthening our ties for the future.

The Social Action Steering Committee supports the various social action initiatives at the church by providing communications, publicity, and funding. We also assist with launching new initiatives. There is considerable overlap between the members of the SA Steering Committee and the leaders of the SA initiatives. We meet monthly on the third Monday, typically via Zoom at 7 pm. The activities and programs of the various SA initiatives during this church year include: UU the Vote Legacy of Slavery Migrant/Refugee Support FCB Green Belmont Serves (partner) Holiday Fair Urban Ministry Delegation (partner) LGBTQ Alliance (partner) Bristol Lodge - Donations Grow Clinic - Donations

The Stewardship team organizes and implements the annual pledge drive, finding new and creative ways to build on First Church’s stewardship program.

To collaborate with the worship staff in creating and offering engaging, dynamic, meaningful, high quality and consistent worship for FCB.

We present a varied and stimulating series of monthly programs open to all. Our meetings help build and maintain community.

The Welcoming Committee introduces newcomers to the congregation and helps them become part of the First Church community by welcoming and orienting them. We help connect them to activities of interest and people with common interests, and share information about the benefits of membership. We also recognize new members formally.

This committee collaborates with the worship staff in creating and offering engaging, dynamic, meaningful, high-quality, and consistent worship for FCB.