First Parish Bedford UU

The Caring Network arranges discreet mobilization of appropriate resources of the Parish and its members for the assistance of members and friends beset by personal emergencies.

Chair: Jean Balfour

Co-Chairs: Carla Baer and Gina Cook

Plans and implements hospitality and social activities.  Recruits volunteers to provide the focal point and make coffee for the Sunday service.  Maintains the kitchen and its equipment. 

Chair: Natalie Brierley

First Parish in Bedford strives to be a loving community that provides support and care for each other through both the best and the most difficult of times. Trained and supervised by the ministers and professional lay leaders, the Lay Pastoral Care Team promotes a spirit and means of ongoing care and concern offered within the church community, among peers. Based on the first UU principle, to affirm the inherent worth and dignity of every person, the Lay Pastoral Care Team provides a readiness to reach out, listen, and support everyone in our community.  

If you or someone you care about is in need of support, contact any of the Lay Pastoral Care Committee members or the call the church office at 781-275-7994 to get in touch.
Current Lay Pastoral Care Team Members: Jeannie Balfour (co-chair), Maria Green (co-chair), Reverend John Gibbons, Maria Green, Reverend Megan Lynes, Bob Batt, Sandy Boczenowski, Nancy Daugherty, and Tina Nappi.

The Membership Committee welcomes new friends; encourages new, prospective and current members to participate in the life of the Parish; provides orientation and integration of potential members through communications and programs; and leads parishioners as a welcoming community.

Chair: Linda Pollitz

The Safe Congregations Task Force is committed to the safety and well-being of the First Parish of Bedford community and its visitors to First Parish worship and programming.  It includes representatives from the following areas: Communications, Interiors, Personnel, Physical Plant, Religious Education, Lay Pastoral Care, and a member of the board. 

We recognize that preventing sexual misconduct, physical abuse and harassment in our church community and in society is complex, and that providing a safe space and building is a congregational effort.  Prevention, education, training, careful hiring, and safety procedures are concrete steps toward creating a safer environment for all concerned.  The task force is currently working on a comprehensive policy.