Latest News

On Monday, May 24, 2021, the Executive Council voted unanimously to approve the creation of a First Church Reparations Fund. The measure was brought before church leaders by members of the Exploring Reparations Faith and Life group, our Beloved Community group, and our Missions and Social Justice committee. In light of our church’s history of enslaving people of African and Indigenous descent, recent discussions about reparations, and focus groups with members of local communities who have been harmed by our actions, we feel called by the Spirit to take this first step of creating a fund to which individuals may contribute. Funds raised will be given, on an ongoing basis, to local people of color organizations who will manage the process for distribution within impacted communities. In the coming months, First Church member Karlene Griffiths Sekou, who conducted the community focus groups, will organize this process.

We believe in a God of abundance – First Church members interested in contributing to this fund are encouraged to do so in addition to their annual pledges to First Church. Stay tuned for further developments! For now, if you wish to contribute by check, please make it out to First Church in Cambridge and include “Reparations Fund” on the memo line. If you choose to contribute online, please include the amount on the “Restricted Gift” line and include “Reparations Fund” in the required memo field. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Rev. Dan Smith, Alice Kidder or Meredith Quinn.