FPC Innovates New Church Programs This Fall

Now that First Parish Church of Stow & Acton (FPC), Unitarian Universalist (UU), has slowly mastered the art of Zooming its Sunday services, it's ready to take a step or two further with new innovations for many aspects of its offerings, most notably with its Religious Education (RE) Dept., its Music Dept., and its Social Justice Committee.

The broadest changes will come with its new virtual RE curriculum, which is open to all children and youth from preschool through Grade 12.

The youngest children, from preschool to Grade 1, will receive pre-recorded workshop sessions, allowing them to take their RE workshops at a time that's right for them.

Older children will attend virtual RE in real time, with children in Grades 2-5 taking part in one of four creative workshops being offered on Sundays from 9:15 to 9:50 a.m. These workshops include Acting Out Our Principles, Movement and Caring, Messages in Music, and Building Up Our Principles.

For youth in Grades 6-8, FPC is offering two Sunday workshops from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Youth in The Fifth Dimension workshop will view Twilight Zone episodes and then explore the messages in each episode that deal with people and society. The Chillin’ and Connecting workshop gives youth a chance to explore various relaxation techniques such as Zentangle, meditation, visualization and more.

All of these workshops have been developed to give children and youth a chance to leave the virtual world of school behind and take part in some fun, uplifting experiences that, though virtual, will help children and youth feel connected.

Youth in Grades 9-12 are invited to take part in FPC's High School Discussion Group, which will meet from twice a month on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Youth in this group meet virtually to discuss topics that have been selected by the participants.

"Our main focus is on helping children find a way to connect with each other," says RE Director Michelle Coté. "We want each child or youth to feel important and to know they still have a place where they're valued and accepted, where they can just be themselves in a community that warmly celebrates and embraces each individual."

Coté, along with FPC's minister, the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Landrum, have also come up with a plan that will make Sunday services easier for many families. This fall, they'll introduce several pre-recorded family-focused services of a half-hour or less. Families can watch the videos at their convenience. These services will offer child-friendly versions of many typical UU service offerings, such as its chalice lighting, joys and sorrows ritual, music, and stories.

Adults can enjoy FPC's new changes as well. Now that FPC's choir is virtual, anyone can join from anywhere in the world. And when they do, they'll have a chance to learn arias and anthems from national nonprofit Opera on Tap, which is assisting FPC's music program this year and also offering a concert in late October.

Social justice is an essential aspect of UU life, and FPC's various social justice task forces are in the process of planning activities involving climate change, immigration reform, LGBTQ+ justice, and racial justice. FPC's Racial Justice Task Force is planning some discussion groups, and workshops on Native American relationships are planned, as well as a Transgender Day of Remembrance vespers service.

These are just a few of the offerings planned this fall. Meanwhile, virtual worship continues to take place Sundays at 10 a.m. and can be accessed from the Zoom link on FPC's website at fpc-stow-acton.org or by tuning in to 107.7 FM from the FPC parking lot.

The registration deadline for RE classes is Monday, Sept. 14, and classes begin on Sunday, Sept. 20. For more information or to register for any of the above workshops, contact Michelle Coté at dre@fpc-stow-acton.org.

Anyone interested in giving the FPC Choir a try can contact FPC Music Director Mike Pfitzer at music@fpc-stow-acton.org.

To find out more about FPC's other offerings, visit its website at fpc-stow-acton.org or contact our Membership Coordinator, Joleen Trotta, at mdc@fpc-stow-acton.org.

FPC warmly welcomes gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people. The church is located at 353 Great Rd., at the corner of routes 117 and 62, in Stow.