About

What is Unitarian Universalism?

Unitarian Universalist Associations
Ballou Channing District of Unitarian Universalists

History

Congregation History
Building History
Tryworks Coffeehouse
Jazz Concert

Building

Tiffany Mosaic
Flentrop Organ
The Carpenter’s Son
Labyrinth

Church Groups

Women’s Alliance
Dinners For Eight
Quilting Group
Folk Choir
CUUPS
Tai Chi

Board of Trustees

Fred Gifun, President
Bob Piper
Niko Tarini
Carlton Dasent
Judy Lund
Jean Kellaway
Ron White
Richard Pline, Clerk
Ned Lund, Treasurer

Committees

Welcoming Congregation
Religious Services
Religious Education
Social Justice
Green Sanctuary
Building & Grounds

Rites of Passage

At First Unitarian, we honor and celebrate many rites of passage, including:

Child Dedications, in which we welcome children into the world and the church community.  In the ceremony, we dedicate both parents and children to the highest purposes in life, and commit ourselves as a religious community to actively supporting children and their families.  A child dedication usually takes place as a part of a regular worship service.

Coming of Age Ceremonies that celebrate the passage of a young person into the rights and responsibilities of the adult church community, when they reach thirteen or fourteen years of age,

Weddings, which formally unite couples as they establish a new household.  Our minister officiates at weddings for both members of the church and their children, as well as for those who are not members.  During our meetings and communications before the wedding, we come to know one another, and learn the special and unique things you share, as well as various options for the content and music of the wedding celebration itself.

As a member congregation of the Unitarian Universalist Association, we welcome participation by all persons, without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin, and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.  Our Church Administrator can provide you with a packet of further information about weddings at First Unitarian.

Memorial Services, in which an individual’s life is celebrated at the same time that family and friends have the opportunity to express and share their grief and loss.  Our spends considerable time with the family before the service to help create a ceremony that is a meaningful reflection on a valued life.

Staff

Minister—Rev. Dr. Rob Ross, Interim Minister
Minisrterial Intern, Priscilla Bates
Music Director—Randy Fayan
Church Administrator—Linda Fredette
Bookkeeper—Vikki McMaster
Sexton—Anthony Gonsalves
Religious Education Coordinator—Yasmin Flefleh Vincent
Sunday Sexton—Arthur Green
Kitchen Supervisor—Brenda Andre
Child Care Assistant—Bay Gammons

A Welcoming Congregation in New Bedford, Massachusetts

Sunday Worship Services are held in the Sanctuary at 11 a.m. unless otherwise noted. Worship Service is followed by Social Hour in the Parish House.  Please join us for fellowship.

Interim Minister, Rev. Dr. Rob Ross
Ministerial Intern, Dr. Priscilla Bates
Director of Reigious Ed, Yasmin Flefleh Vincent
Music Director, Randy Fayan

Come to our worship service to . . .

• share your religious questions and spiritual experience with others in an accepting environment

• enjoy our brilliant music director playing the Flentrop organ or piano

• hear sermons that touch your soul, challenge your mind, and sometimes engage you in dialogue

• see our children learning lessons from puppet animals before they go off to their religious education program

• reflect on the significance of current happenings in our community in the minister’s New Bedford Journal

• preserve times for healing and celebration, for silent prayer and meditation

• discover regional and world music played by the minister and sung by our folk choir

• greet friends and kindred spirits, and say hi to Poppy