Our Annual Meeting takes place on June 14, 2026, after the service. Democratic governance is one of the unique foundations of our faith community. As a member of First Parish, the Annual Meeting provides an opportunity to act on your faith by voting at the meeting. Be on the lookout for the warrant for the Annual Meeting which will be circulated via email, posted on our website, and displayed in various locations at church.
We will vote on the FY27 annual operating budget during the meeting. Our treasurer, Dave Kaffine, with the support of the Standing Committee, has worked hard to prepare a budget that invests in our staff and is aligned with our values. The proposed budget provides a three percent COLA increase for staff, continues to fund extended hours for our office assistant & building coordinator, Erica Clifford, and funds the part-time music director position. You can learn more about the budget at a briefing on May 31 in the Chapel where Dave and I will share details about the budget and be available to answer your questions. We hope you will join us.
Looking ahead, the SC voted to create a “ways and means” taskforce to take a hard look at our various sources of revenue and our expenses to ensure our current practices are in alignment with our values and the needs of a modern liberal church. As we approach our 375th anniversary in 2030 it’s a good time to assess our fiscal condition and future plans. You will hear more about the task force at the briefing and the annual meeting.
June marks the end of my term on the SC and serving as its chair. I really enjoy being part of our governance ministry and am leaving with tremendous gratitude for my colleagues on the SC – Tom, Dave, Gail, Ami, Ron, Rebecca, Doug, and Colleen our clerk. Together, we got a lot done and we didn’t let “church time” slow us down! It’s also been an honor to work closely with Dolores and Erica on multiple projects this year to make First Parish stronger and more present in the community and to work with many of you as well on the Carlene Merrill Fund, the Building Bridges project, and relaunching the Church Council and CFAM. Finally, I can’t thank Ellen enough for her counsel, support, wisdom, and integrity in helping me and the SC navigate these very challenging times. She is brilliant in the pulpit, at our meetings, and during coffee time at Euphoria where we would often connect to share ideas and make plans.
I love you all very much!
Have mercy,
John