The Social Action Team of First Parish Church of Groton is a group of socially minded people, working together and individually to make a positive difference in the lives of those in need. Respecting the inherent worth and dignity of humanity, we collectively set and achieve yearly goals.
We seek to:
The team provides support for the following organizations and projects:
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The National Alliance on Mental Illness |
We are participating in NAMIWalks, a sponsored walk for fundraising and awareness for the mentally ill, taking place on May 19, 2007. Visit the FPCoG's team page to pledge money for one of the walkers or to sign up to walk with us. |
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The Village of Santa Rosa, Nicaragua |
Our team has made a three-year commitment to help the community of Santa Rosa, Nicaragua. The fundraising efforts of our community will help their community pay a teacher's salary, send eligible students to high school, and provide teacher certification. Some of our team members along with other parishioners traveled to Santa Rose in April 2005 to help plant crops and to deliver funds and educational supplies. See photos of their visit to Santa Rosa. If you would like more information about future trips to Santa Rosa, contact . |
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Unitarian Universalist Service
Committee |
The UUSC is a nonsectarian organization that promotes human rights and social justice worldwide. The Social Action Team has started a UUSC summer camp scholarship fund in memory of two former team members—Carlene Owen and Ed Speare. Our team ties directly into the UUSC. The parish contacts on our team for UUSC are and (and the Senior High Youth Group). |
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Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry |
Loaves and Fishes exists as a mission of love and faith to serve people in Ayer, Devens, Groton, Harvard, Littleton and Shirley by providing food, emergency shelter, resource referral, and other temporary services, and by advocating for changes that will promote independence and self-reliance. The Social Action team coordinates an annual, month-long drive for the food pantry called “150 Bags = 1 Day.” The children and youth of First Parish take a leading role in the church's participation in Loaves and Fishes. If you have any questions or would like to volunteer at the food pantry, contact or the Loaves and Fishes Site Administrator, Pamela Myllykangus. |
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Holiday Giving Tree |
In December during the holiday season, team members collect gift wishes from area shelters such as Our Father's House in Fitchburg or from children in need in the Groton area. Then the team creates a decoration for each wish and hangs the decorations on the Holiday Giving Tree. Gifts (school supplies) were collected in 2004 for the Village of Santa Rosa. Parishioners select decorations, buy the wished for gifts, and return them to the church vestry. Team members then deliver the gifts. If you have any questions about this annual project, please contact team member |
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Weaving
the Fabric of Diversity |
As part of our ongoing intention and efforts to embrace and benefit from diversity at First Parish, we have presented Weaving the Fabric of Diversity. The first time this program was offered, it was a catalyst for First Parish to begin the process of becoming a Welcoming Congregation and to take action around the need for an elevator. Please read the curriculum goals for this program, and if you are interested in doing some more "weaving" with us, we'd like to hear from you. Please contact or on our team for more information. |
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Habitat for Humanity of No. Central
MA One Oak Hill Road., Fitchburg, MA 01420 978-348-2749 |
Volunteers are needed for the building of local Habitat houses. Our team participated in the building of a Habitat house in Groton. More builds are planned in surrounding towns. If you are interested in volunteering, visit the www.ncmhabitat.org web site.
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The Social Action Team encourages parishioners to speak out about important social justice legislation. You can contact your state and federal elected representatives and ask them to support legislation that you care about. Simply click on a link next to the appropriate name on this page and share your concerns.
The current Governor of Massachusetts is Deval Patrick. You can contact him at GOffice@state.ma.us. If you live in Groton, MA, your elected representatives at the Massachusetts State House are:
If you live in another town, you can call the state house and ask for your representative: 617-722-2000 or 1-800-291-9969
You can contact President George W. Bush at president@whitehouse.gov. If you want to write to your congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives, use this Web page: http://www.house.gov/writerep/. If you live in Groton, MA, your U.S. Congressman is the Honorable Martin Meehan.
If you would like to get involved in a social action project or want to join our team, contact our sabbatical minister, Rev. Sue Phillips, or , Chairperson.
The Social
Action Team meets on the second Sunday of each month at 8:30 a.m. during the
church year. We share team leadership
and welcome anyone who might wish to participate. You do not have to be a member
or friend of this congregation to belong.
