Committees and Trustees

Trustees

The congregation of First Church in Boston, Unitarian Universalist, founded in 1630, consists of all persons who sign the Covenant and thereby become members of the Society of The First Church in Boston (the “Society”).  The Society, a religious association, elects at an annual meeting, a Standing Committee, a Nominating Committee, a Membership Committee, Treasurer and Clerk.  The Standing Committee sets the policies and oversees the operations of the Church, including worship and outreach.  The Ministers, together with other staff, members of the many church committees, and the members themselves, do the work of the Church. 

Since First Church is committed to what is called “congregational polity”, our ministers do not work for a larger denominational/administrative organization.  Accordingly, the Senior Minister is “called” by the Congregation, through a vote of approval by the members. 

Funding for the Society’s annual operating budget comes from pledges by members and friends, contributions from various third party funds and a contribution from the endowment of the Church, which is voted by the Trustees of The First Church in Boston, a corporation formed in 1829.  The Church buildings are held in trust for the benefit of the Society by the Trustees who are responsible for building maintenance and repairs.  Gifts for the endowment are made to the corporation and then invested by the Trustees. 

It is not the role of the Trustees to make Church policy.  However, they work closely with the Standing Committee and also serve as its “institutional memory”.

The Annual Church Canvass is of paramount importance.  While the amount currently raised by pledges has increased significantly, as membership has grown under the leadership of Rev. Stephen Kendrick, Senior Minister, the pledge levels need to be further increased.  Because we have an endowment for building maintenance and related items, contributions by the congregation to the Annual Canvass go directly to salaries, benefits and programs.  Thus, the Annual Canvass presents members and friends with a direct and effective way to work with the Senior Minister to keep our Church strong and growing in the community, and thus a vibrant place to meet a wide variety of our spiritual and other related needs.