Pillars & Foundations

Temple Shir Tikvah, Winchester, Massachusetts In Pillars & Foundations I intend to share my exploration and experiences of many different organizations of faith, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. I was honored to be approached by fellow Wakefield residents Caroline and Dan Lieber, who had expressed appreciation of these blog posts. They extended an invitation to attend Shabbat with them at their Temple in nearby Winchester. This was the first experience attending a Jewish service for my wife and I and this entry is written with that context. As a...

First Parish Congregational Church, Wakefield, MA I intend to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants, as well as others through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. The Building & The History The church is picturesquely situated on the shores of Lake Quannapowitt between the Old Burying Ground and Lake Park. I was told by a parishioner, undoubtedly proud of his church that FPCC of Wakefield, is one of the oldest congregations in Massachusetts. The history page of FPCC states that it was the twenty-third church established in the Massachuset...

Unitarian Universalist Church of Reading, Reading, MA I intend to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. The Congregation The church welcomes people of all backgrounds including the LGBTQ community. They are excited at the possibility of explorers like myself walking through their doors, and their website caters to first time visitors . UU of Reading is a very social organization engaging in a coffee hour both before and after the service. We were warmly greeted by Rev. Hank Peirce and...

First Baptist Church, Melrose, Massachusetts Pillars & Foundations was created as a personal activity to explore and experience the services of many different churches, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants, as well as others, through their generosity and public service. It is possible that through this activity I may eventually consider a long term relationship with one of these pillars and foundations of the community, however I am eager to do a lot of exploring first. The Building & History:  The current building was constructed around 1900 ( See FBC History ). Prior to this some of the church history was complicated, evolving from various Baptist, and Methodist associations within the community which date as far back as 1843.  The exterior of the church is granite with a domi...

Our Lady of the Rosary, Sabattus, Maine At the end of 2017 I decided to set out on a personal journey to explore and experience the services of many different churches and faith based organizations, predominantly near where I live in Massachusetts. These institutions are important, often overlooked and even misjudged centers of our communities that seek to make a positive impact on their participants as well as others through their generosity and public service. I knew from the outset  of this project that eventually I would make my way home to Our Lady of the Rosary , my childhood church. It probably has been 20 years, maybe more since I stepped through those doors which played such a crucial role in my childhood. This church was my community, it contributed to my moral compass, and many of my earliest memories have this pillar of Sabattus, Maine woven into them. I went to school here up until the 3rd grade, and I had my first communion and confirmation at this church. Some...