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Dear friends,

At a special congregational meeting this past Sunday, after a year of discernment and research, and following a recommendation from Executive Council, nearly four-fifths of members present voted to sell our parsonage at 44 Garden Street in Cambridge, and use the proceeds from that sale to acquire a new property to serve as housing for our next senior minister.

The case made by the Parsonage Working Group is that while we have an obligation to provide housing for our senior minister, 44 Garden Street does not best serve that purpose. Its age, size, restoration costs, and limited potential use for mission work have, for some time, been a drain on our limited resources. With a sale, there are opportunities to acquire housing that’s “right-sized” for a minister, while maintaining proximity to First Church.

This is a major decision in the life of the church. Besides housing our senior minister for 80 years, the parsonage has served as a place of deep spiritual growth for small groups, committee meetings, social gatherings, and youth group ping-pong tournaments. It is also an unquestionably beautiful building, less than a five-minute walk from the church building. Separating from this house is a big deal!

As we continue the search for our next senior pastor, this decision gives us needed clarity for candidates about the type of housing we’re providing. The motions passed on Sunday also directed the finance and investment committees to prepare recommendations for the use of any proceeds from a sale. There will be listening opportunities to learn more about our current financial picture, and what the impact of any proceeds could be. Once a sale is complete, the congregation will vote on how to ultimately direct the proceeds.

I want to give huge thanks to the Parsonage Working Group—Jim Cairns, Audrey Bellinger, Chris Baker, David Torrey, and Laurie Burt—for their thorough and thoughtful research and recommendations, and to everyone who participated in Sunday’s meeting. Expect an invitation before long to a Parsonage Send-Off Party, worthy of 44 Garden’s 80 years of service!

Yours in faith,

Phil Servello-Jones
First Church Moderator