Some Thoughts on Why You Might Join!

You want to join a Unitarian Universalist church to support it because:

- It stands against superstition and fear.

- It points to what is noblest and best in human life. 

- It is open to women and men of whatever, race, creed, color, sexual orientation, or place of origin.

- It has a free pulpit. You can hear ideas expressed here that would cost any other minister
   her or his job. 

- It is a place where children can come without being saddled with guilt or terrified of some
  “celestial peeping tom”, and where they can learn that religion is for joy, for comfort, for gratitude,
   and for love.

- It is a place where walls between people are torn down rather than built up. 

- It is a place for the religiously displaced persons of our time, the refugees from mixed marriages,
   the unwanted freethinkers, and those who insist against orthodoxy that we must work out our
   own beliefs.

- It is more concerned with human beings than with dogma. 

- It is searching for the holy rather than dwelling upon the depraved. 

- It calls no one a sinner, yet knows how deep is the struggle and how great is the hunger for what is good.

- It can laugh. 

- It insults neither your intelligence nor your conscience.

- It calls us to worship what is truly worthy of our love.

--Adapted from Rev. Roy Phillips

Who are we?

We are a small and growing congregation of about 140 members plus friends, who at least gather at Sunday services at an average of 80 per service. There is always a well-arranged coffee hour after the service so you can meet others in neutral grounds. Church members always keep an eye out for newcomers to talk to with interest to learn who you are and visa versa!

Our historic sanctuary is upstairs above our meeting hall, library, and parlor. This sacred area is wheel chair accessible and we have hearing devices for those who require the aid. We have staff offices, kitchen, and childcare room on the back side of the first floor. We also have a chapel and religious education rooms above the kitchen area.

We are located in the center of Kennebunk, Maine in a historic building that once housed town meetings in the 1700s. It is easy to find us as we are next to the town library and share the parking area with them. To park you enter the library entrance on route 35 just before the lights that enter highway route 1 or Main Street.

You can also learn more about our congregation's vision and the larger Unitarian Universalist Association as well as other details, on-line, by clicking on the underlined words in these paragraphs.

Points of Entry You Might Take!

Many ways to become involved in groups, task forces and events describe so much of life at First Parish. Explore examples of the programs described in Programs and Activities and consider what appeals to you, and what awakens your desire to become more involved in these groups. Then pick up the phone and call our church staff for direction or more information.

You can also make contact with an interested group leader to attend the group when they are meeting. Then reflect on how the focus of this group matches your aspirations. If it does, stick with it for a while. If not, try something else. In the meantime, you are meeting that many more people who will allow you to feel more at home at First Parish.

We invite you also to:

- Read the monthly Events Bulletin and Calendar on-line. The bulletin will provide an updated example on what is happening. The calendar will give a broad stroke on the month's events scheduled. Again, consider what appeals to you, and simply call the office to get more information on the next meeting or event.

- Read the inserts in the Sunday morning Order of Service. These printed announcements also provide you with the most updated knowledge of what is happening for the next week and usually who to call.

- Peruse our bulletin board at the parking lot entrance of the church. It includes brochures of some of the group gatherings, which are also available on-line.

Path to Membership:

Joining the First Parish Unitarian church is easy. The first step is making an appointment to meet with the minister, Carol Strecker, so she can begin to know you better. You will receive some basic information about the church and how you can be indoctrinated. You can sign the membership book 30 days after declaring your intention to join the church. Signing the book and meeting basic requirements will be the beginning of a relationship that will deepen over time.

The doors are open. We welcome you!