This phrase is the theme chosen by Kent, Kate and the Church Council to guide us in our church programming and actions for the next two years. We are halfway through this church year and I thought it would be a good idea to reflect on the many ways this theme is manifesting itself in the life of First Parish. This is by no means a complete list but is intended to get us thinking of what we have been busy doing and maybe empower each of us to come up with new ways to live faithfully, passionately and make our church community and the wider community stronger.

-Kent and Kate began the church year with a four week sermon series on the theme to provide food for thought and get folks on board. What stirs you? What are you passionate about?

-What would we do if Edgar Beem was not the official greeter on Sunday morning? He is out front in all kinds of weather with a handshake, a hug, a smile, a word, a helping hand for all of us. What a wonderful way to start our Sunday morning together. He does this not because he was asked, but because he was moved to do this. Passion indeed.

-A new caring committee has been established, with folks caring for those among us who are ill, have experienced loss or just need some help. Meals are being prepared, people are being visited. We are caring for each other. Isn’t that what family does?

-One of our members has been involved in the mission trips to New Orleans and has been so inspired, that she has gathered a group of interested folks to plan additional mission trips. The passion to do for others is alive.

-A Thanksgiving dinner, the first ever in recent memory, was held at FPC for those in the community who may have been alone or needed some company. There were more volunteers and more food than could be imagined and the people who came and shared the meal together were blessed by each other’s company. This was such a success that plans are underway to do it again next year. The passion to feed the hungry, both literally and figuratively, is what made this idea come alive.

-The Royal Bean is the gathering place for the women of the church on Friday afternoons. There is no agenda, no guest list, just an opportunity for a place and time to be together and nurture relationships with each other. Aren’t we all hungry for fellowship?

-Soul Spa has been a Saturday morning opportunity for women to get together and feed their spirit with other women. This was started by Martha Spong when she was the interim associate minister here and has continued, led by others who have been inspired to do so.

-There have been two community movie nights, open to the community on Sunday evenings at 5:00 PM to share a thought provoking movie, share some popcorn and pizza and just be together. Is there really anything better than hanging out with your friends at the movies?

-The Library committee came up with the idea of an Advent reader and gathered writings from church members. The booklet was available to all for a daily reading during Advent and I found myself reading passages over and over and being inspired daily by the musings of my friends.

-The Christmas pageant held at the 4:30 Christmas Eve service was attended by 450 people. Three new families to the church took it upon themselves to create wonderful scenery for the pageant. Not only was it a wonderful addition, it also gave them an opportunity to work together on a meaningful and fun project. And how lucky are we that we have discovered this talent? Hmmm, church musical anyone?

-At our last Council meeting, a request came forward for permission to have a cookie sale during the Valentine season to benefit the food pantry. This idea was sparked because a large donation of chocolate chips was made and merged with a passion for baking. How lucky are we that we have passionate bakers in our midst, who know how to make our new convection ovens sing and make wonderful cookies for a cause?

-The Hospitality committee is in full swing, busy with celebrating 90th birthdays and putting on the annual Christmas Tea with our finest china and delicious goodies. A passion to gather people together in celebration is what motivates this wonderful group.

A group of women are ready when called upon to set up Fellowship Hall and provide food for receptions following a funeral or memorial service. Families have been most appreciative.

-The RADA cutlery sale first came to First Parish a year ago because of an idea brought forward by someone in the church. She was given the go ahead to pursue this sale and over $600 was raised for the capital campaign. We will continue this sale in the spring and hope that we have another successful sale, with the proceeds going to the capital campaign and retiring the debt. For those of you with a passion for cooking and a good knife, this sale is for you!

-There will be a Habitat for Humanity work weekend in early February at the site in Freeport, all because one of our members is passionate about the project and enlisted others to join in the effort. This passion for building will make such a difference for the families who will live in these new homes.

-There is something about a cold winter’s day, good company and wonderful Christmas carols to make an afternoon of Christmas caroling the highlight of the season. When we have one of our own, now a college student, come home in time to take part in the Christmas caroling, we know we have something to be joyful about.

-You may have noticed the sign in the Fellowship Hall to let us know that we can recycle coffee cups. This is the result of the Green Team, a passionate group of conservation, recycling minded folks who are looking to find ways to make First Parish’s footprint smaller on the environment.

-New people are coming to First Parish on a regular basis because their friends come here, their kids friends come here or because they have seen our wonderful website and can sense that something is going on here and they want to find out what that is.

What is going on here anyway? This church is on fire. Our souls have been reignited. We want to be part of this community, one that allows us and encourages us to follow our passions, try out something new, and be a part of something bigger than ourselves. We are excited about the next idea that someone may have, to encourage each other in our passions, to play together, to work together, and to strengthen this community of faith.

Living Faithfully: Cultivating Passions and Building Communities. It is not only a theme, it is how we are living our life at First Parish. Be part of it, live it, love it, revel in it and I promise you that you will be glad you did.

Abby Douglas, Moderator