First Church Somerville

12/24/2025

Looking for a place to spend Christmas Eve?

You and all those you love are welcome at First Church Somerville!

And if there’s a part of you that wants to go to church on Christmas, but you aren’t sure where to go or what to expect, let me tell you what you’ll find at First Church Somerville this Christmas Eve.

You’ll find q***r pastors and laity of all orientations and a mixture of backrounds leading worship. You’ll hear the sounds of children romping around in their Christmas story costumes. You’ll sing Christmas hymns old and new. You’ll hear how the ordinary and courageous people of the Christmas story helped birth a moment of radical love that can still guide us today. You’ll hear how in this dark moment in our nation’s history the light of Christ comes to us again and helps sustain us in our pursuit of justice and peace.

The 4PM service is a family designed for families where we all help act out the Christmas story. People of all ages love this service!

The 7PM service is filled with candle light, singing, story-telling and reflections.

Wherever you find yourself on Christmas Eve, may the peace, joy and radical hope of Jesus meet you there.

08/25/2025

Here is our full press statement following this morning‘s Globe article:

First Church Somerville feels called by God to help support our
neighbors experiencing homelessness. The Gospel teaches us that our neighbor is the person in front of us in need. You do not have to look far from our church steps in Davis Sq. to see that our neighbors need our help, now.

We are ready and waiting to share our building, time, and resources with those who need sanctuary by partnering with the Somerville Homeless Coalition. This partnership will increase the beds available in Somerville and open the first wheelchair accessible shelter in our city. If we do not prevail in
the lawsuit our freedom to practice our religion will have been infringed upon and we will continue to fight for our right to follow Jesus’ instructions to center the needs of the most vulnerable.

The church remains more committed than ever to this project and to our mission to be a sanctuary space for those who have been historically marginalized. More accessible beds in the city will increase the amount of support for our unhoused neighbors.

The church and coalition engaged in mediation with the plaintiffs for six months, after several community based meetings which occurred previously to the law suit being filed. Per our counsel’s advice, we cannot convey the substance of anything discussed during the mediation process but the FAQs here (https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/adult-shelter-relocation/) addresses all the things that have already been agreed upon as accomodations, many at the neighbor’s request, and each has the full backing of the church and the coalition. We are committed to being a part of a safe and equitable neighborhood where we all belong.

Being unhoused does not make someone inherently dangerous, but being unhoused is dangerous. Somerville Homeless Coalition’s “housing first” model is consistent with First Church’s
theological understanding of the worth and dignity of every human person no matter their current life circumstances. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, food to eat, and the support they need to live their healthiest life. While there is no one solution to homelessness, support for the members of this community who need it will make all of Somerville a safer and more equitable place to live.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/25/metro/somerville-homeless-shelter-lawsuit/?event=event12

Arguments begin this week in the case about a planned 26-bed adult facility in a residential neighborhood.

04/20/2025

Christ is Risen!

Easter Sunrise Service: 6am
Powderhouse Park, by tower

Festival Easter Worship: 10am
First Church Somerville
Easter Egg Hunt to Follow

03/26/2025

An emergency rally is being held today, March 26th at 5:30PM, a block from the church, in Powder House Square, to protest ICE’s abduction of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts PhD student, last night.

A contingent from the church will be attending the action. Let’s meet at FCS at 5:30PM and walk over together.

01/29/2025

Please join us to celebrate the life of Rev. Tony Kill on Saturday, February 1st at First Church Somerville. Rev. Tony was a beloved member of this church, and a long time servant of the church universal. We look forward to gathering in community to share stories, songs, and bless him into life everlasting.

Street parking restrictions will be lifted on College Ave, and all surrounding side streets. No one will be ticketed between 10am-4pm and funeral attendees can park in “resident parking” zones. Please obey all other parking laws.

12/24/2024

Christmas Eve Services:

4pm: Family friendly with an unrehearsed Christmas pageant.

7pm: Carols, candlelight and story.

Come and be a part of the old, old story.

Whoever you are, you are welcome here.

11/06/2024

Dear Beloved (if you are reading this, I mean you),



Cole Arthur Riley had this to say this morning:



“Just because you’ve braced yourself for the worst, doesn't make it any less terrifying when it comes. Today is not for shallow platitudes and sentimental pep talking. Nor is it the time to demand more work from Black women (or other marginalized groups) who have given their very bodies to attempt to redirect the ship to shore. Today is for grief. For deep breathing and safe arms.

This country is a curse of its own design. But we remain”.



We remain.



And, we are not alone.



Today is a day for resting in one another’s arms, and falling back on the rituals that have held our ancestors for generations.



Tonight at 6:30pm we will gather together at church for a meal. Food and drinks will be provided. Hugs and conversation are optional. At 8pm, we will have a short service of song and communion in our Sanctuary.



I hope you will come. You need rest and space where you are taken care of and feel -just a little bit- safer.



Please sign up here if you think you might come, so we know how much food to order: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/140CF_8bPcb-GiP61uIEkkDtu12dMtdXojcYyqXpzvjk/edit





In love and solidarity,

Pastor Jenn

09/15/2024

Join us for regathering Sunday tomorrow morning (9/15)- you’ll be in good company ❤️

08/23/2024

The QPR is an innovative new first call opportunity for q***r-identified pastors, and/or, third year seminary students.
Consider putting your training, passions, and experiences to work as the first Pastoral Resident of the Q***r Pastoral Residency program.

For the 2024-2026 residency, we have two paths available:

Path A: Full time ministry for those who have completed their MDIV and are in the ordination process, or who are ordained pending call (exceptions apply, see profile for full information).

Path B: ½ time ministry for 3rd year seminary students (who have already completed one year of field Ed and are an active MID in the UCC) until they complete their MDIV, which will then transition into a full time, ordainable, call for the reminder of their residency.

A pastoral resident will serve a two year term, ending in August 2026. A pastoral resident will be invited to explore and innovate in a congregation open to new ideas while gaining valuable pastoral leadership experience. They will also receive mentorship and supportive supervision as they grow into their pastoral identity in an environment that celebrates all of who they are.

Visit:
FirstChurchSomerville.org/q***r-pastoral-residency to apply.

06/18/2024

✨25 YEARS OPEN & AFFIRMING CELEBRATION VIDEOS PART 2✨

This year, First Church Somerville is celebrating 25 years of being an Open and Affirming Congregation! 🏳️‍⚧️💒🏳️‍🌈

In honor of this momentous occasion, our congregants Ian Tosh and Tom Scholfield produced two videos highlighting the many colorful voices of our beautiful beloved community.

Our second video is a dive into what Open and Affirming means to our community, those who were part of the decision 25 years ago and those who continue holding up this commitment now.

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First Church Somerville is an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ near Davis Square in Somerville, MA.This year (2024) we are cele...

06/18/2024

✨25 YEARS OPEN & AFFIRMING CELEBRATION VIDEOS PART 1
✨

This year, First Church Somerville is celebrating 25 years of being an Open and Affirming Congregation! 🏳️‍⚧️💒🏳️‍🌈

In honor of this momentous occasion, our congregants Ian Tosh and Tom Scholfield produced two videos highlighting the many colorful voices of our beautiful beloved community.

Our first video is a poem created here at First Church Somerville by Rev. Jeff Mansfield as promise to our kids that "we will love them forever" read by congregants and staff.

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First Church Somerville is an Open and Affirming (ONA) Congregation of the United Church of Christ near Davis Square in Somerville, MA. This year (2024) we a...

06/09/2024

Happy Pride, Beloveds! 🏳️‍⚧️💖🏳️‍🌈✨
We did not only celebrate with sweet treats and lots of sprinkles 🧁 but also through word and music reminding us that God already loves us, that God casts our our fear and that God calls “Beloved, Come home!” ❤️

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