“I thank God that my own lot is bound up with that of the human race.”
-Rev. William Ellery Channing
We are the first church governed by congregational polity in the United States. That may sound like jargon or a piece of obscure church-nerd history, but it really is remarkable! It means simply that, starting in 1629, this congregation chose to be responsible for governing itself. Our predecessors decided to answer to one another and to their highest spiritual values, rather than to a higher ecclesial or denominational body. Yes, we receive guidance and resources from the Unitarian Universalist Association. And as your current minister, I provide spiritual leadership and insight from my professional training. But at the end of the day, it is the members of this church who inherit its past, make decisions that govern its present and chart its course for the future. That was radical for its time and it’s still radical today. Our national politics are drifting further toward authoritarianism, showing less respect for democratic governance and the will of the people. And our social culture is highly individualistic, valuing personal choice and independence over collective care. With such strong tugs toward these two poles, your coming together voluntarily to be part of a covenantal community that makes democratic decisions for the good of the whole, is downright revolutionary.
There is no membership requirement to participate in most activities at First Church. We are an open and welcoming community and we invite folks to attend on Sunday, participate in our lifespan religious education programming, volunteer and attend events without becoming official members of the church. Particularly early on in your time here, we encourage it! No religious community will be a perfect fit, but we want you to have a chance to get to know us, learn more about our faith and history, and feel out if this might be the right spiritual home for you.
So there is no rush to membership, but there is much to gain from making that commitment when it feels right. Choosing to become a member of this church is a spiritually meaningful decision. It means you get to vote on the matters that shape the future of our community and perhaps take on a leadership role yourself. But beyond matters of governance, it is about freely choosing your spiritual path and the travelling companions you want to accompany you on that journey. It’s making a commitment—to yourself and to one another—to work together in service of a shared vision, and it’s about knowing you have a community around you to support you in that commitment. It’s the joy and responsibility that comes with knowing you are now a steward of this community that has existed for nearly 400 years.
If you are already a member, then let this be a reminder that your membership here is meaningful! It is a source of great joy for me and for your fellow congregants! Perhaps you want to take some time during this season of welcoming new members to think about what your membership means to you and how you can continue living into your own commitments here at First Church. If you aren’t a member, but have been thinking about becoming one, this is a great time. We will be offering a new member information session after church on November 16th and welcoming in new members on December 7th.
Our bylaws state simply that, “Any person desiring to become a member may sign an application stating that he or she sympathizes with the purpose of the First Church, wishes to affiliate with it, and intends to aid in its support.” Once you’re a member, any person who has made a donation of record in the past year may vote on church matters. (Note: This is where the Stewardship team would like me to remind you that this whole “congregational polity” thing means we are also self-funded. This is part of how we maintain our freedom and autonomy as a democratically-governed congregation. Finances are never a barrier to participation here, but it is member investment in our mission that keeps the lights on and our staff employed!)
As the minister of First Church, you might assume I’m biased in thinking this is a wonderful community to join. And that’s true! But remember, it was not that long ago that I myself was deciding which congregation in our denomination to “cast my lot,” with. From my very first interview with First Church in Salem, I was so impressed by your welcoming spirit, creativity, good humour, rich history and commitment to congregational health. My admiration for these gifts has only grown in the three months I’ve been here. I’ll be so delighted in December to welcome more of you into this vibrant and caring community.
If you have questions about membership or what it means to make a more formal commitment to this church, feel free to reach out to me or Membership Committee members Holly Chase and Eric Kenney. We look forward to chatting with you!