Organ pipes in the Sanctuary of First Church in Cambridge. A wrought iron chandelier hangs in the foreground.

Latest News

Did You Miss Our 20-Year Look-Back Sessions?

May 31, 2024

On April 28 and May 5, Dan Smith and other First Church leaders led two 9:30 formation sessions offering a look back at First Church’s recent history and ministry. Click below to find video recordings of each session, as well…

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First Church Reparations Fund: May 2024 Update

May 21, 2024

As part of our racial justice journey at First Church, the Spirit called us to create the Reparations Fund in 2021 to engage in a process of wealth redistribution and the spiritual practice of repair and relinquishment (vs. charitable giving).…

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Summer Staffing and Building Hours

May 20, 2024

As many of you know, longtime sexton George Williams has been on medical leave for many months as he has been experiencing a difficult recovery from a traumatic brain injury. Additionally, our Sunday morning sexton Jonathan Splaine will not be…

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Dan Smith’s Farewell Sunday, June 9

May 8, 2024

On Sunday, June 9, we will celebrate Dan’s 20 years of ministry at First Church in Cambridge. Our Morning Worship will include special moments (and special guests) to lift up the journey we have walked together, to express our gratitude…

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Advocate for Overdose Prevention Centers in MA!

May 8, 2024

First Church Shelter Director Jim Stewart and others at First Church continue to support SIFMA Now in advocating for state action to make Overdose Prevention Centers (OPC) available in Massachusetts. Legislation that is awaiting action in both the Massachusetts House…

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Debt Retirement Appeal: May 2024 Update

April 30, 2024

It is time to turn our attention once again to the effort to retire the debt from our Cornerstone loan that helped finance the renovations to the church house. Our goal with this appeal has been to pay off the…

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Update from the Interim Search Team

April 19, 2024

The Interim Search Team is now in the process of completing the first round of interviews with potential candidates for the full time position of Interim Minister. In the coming week we will be deciding which candidates we will be…

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Leavetaking Gatherings in April

April 2, 2024

The Leavetaking Team hosted the first gathering to discuss Senior Minister Dan Smith’s upcoming departure from First Church, and now plans to proceed with offering opportunities to meet one-to-one or in small groups to hold each other’s thoughts, worries, ideas,…

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Update from the Interim Search Team

April 2, 2024

As the Interim Search Team, we are tasked with finding a full-time interim minister, who will provide pastoral leadership after Dan leaves and as we seek to call a “settled” minister. We are following the UCC Call Process for interim…

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Ecclesiastical Council for Jaz Buchanan on April 9

March 25, 2024

An Ecclesiastical Council (EC) is the final step in the process leading to ordination in the United Church of Christ. The EC for First Church’s former Pastoral Associate Jaz Buchanan is taking place on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 p.m.,…

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