November 2026 Dates
Nov 1, Democracy Action 12pm
Nov 2, Adult Bible Study 7pm
Nov 4, RE Volunteer Night 6:30pm
Nov 5, Yoga 10am
Nov 7, RE Movie Night 6pm
Nov 9, Adult Bible Study 7pm
Nov 11, Spirituality Art Night 7pm
Nov 12, Yoga 10am
Nov 15, Democracy Action 12pm
Nov 16, Adult Bible Study 7pm
Nov 18, Community Dinner 6:30pm
Nov 19, Yoga 10am
Nov 19, Grief Group 2pm
Nov 19, Youth Group 6pm
Nov 23, Adult Bible Study 7pm
Nov 25, RE Art Night 4:45pm
Nov 25, Common Threads 7pm
Nov 29, Democracy Action 12pm
Monthly Outreach
November-December 2026
As we enter the holiday season, the Outreach Committee is once again partnering with the Westford Holiday Assistance Program to support families in our community. This important program is a collaboration between the Westford Food Pantry, the Cameron Senior Center, Saint Catherine’s, and the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. Together, these organizations provide food and gifts to qualified families in Westford, who might otherwise struggle during the holidays.
For many families this support means the difference between a holiday, filled with stress and one filled with joy, dignity, and hope. A gift card for groceries and a warm meal on the table, or a present for a child can have a profound impact, not only meeting immediate needs, but also reminding families that they are not alone and that their neighbors care.
This year our outreach committee has set a fundraising goal of $1500 to contribute to the Holiday Assistance Program. Every dollar raised will go directly toward helping families celebrate the season with food on their tables and gifts under the trees.
We will be fundraising throughout November and December, and we invite you to join us in reaching this goal. Your generosity, whether large or small, will make a tangible difference in the lives of our neighbors.
Cheers to a wonderful holiday season,
The Outreach Committee
Meals of Love
The Meals of Love Program is a ministry of FPCU that supports members of our community during times of illness, recovery, or other challenges. By providing a meal, we offer not just food, but comfort, care, and a reminder that no one faces life’s difficult moments alone.
This form makes it easy to ask for help privately — either for yourself or someone else — and allows volunteers to sign up to provide meals when they are able.
Request a Meal or Volunteer Here Meals of Love Request/Volunteer
Historic Renovation
November 2026 Update
Since being awarded $591,000 Westford Community Preservation funding for Phase I of the FPCU Meetinghouse Project at the March 2026 town meeting, we have been hard at work preparing for our first phase of work. We selected Spencer Preservation Group (SPG), the same firm that produced the conditions assessment in 2024, as our preservation architects, and completed a contract with them in May. Over the summer, SPG produced construction documents for the first phase of work, which includes repairs to the steeple, bell deck/roof and clock faces, including some structural work in the basement and to the front steps. The project opened for bidding in October, and bids are due in mid November. We expect to choose a general contractor this fall, and to start the project when weather allows in the early spring.
In addition to community preservation funds, we also received a grant of $50,000 from the Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund (MPPF), overseen by the MA Historical Commission. The grant requires a 1:1 match, and the matching funds can come from our Westford CPA grant. The MPPF funding must be spent by June 30, 2027, so we are committed to a tight timeline for completion of phase one.
How will this project affect the church and church activities? We don’t know yet whether the steeple work will happen in place, or if the steeple will be removed and placed on the ground for the work, but only the historic entrance to the church will be inaccessible during construction. SPG anticipates that disruption to the sanctuary will be minimal, and church services can continue to be held there as usual. Our committee will continue to keep the congregation informed of the project and timeline.
Questions? Email Mary at marylyman@gmail.com.
The FPCU Historic Preservation committee includes:
Mary Lyman
Martha Kennedy
Tim Deren
Betsy Taylor-Kennedy
David Pallian
Flowers for the Sanctuary
Art and flowers are a wonderful part of our worship and celebrations. Their creative display is an opportunity for each of us to share special events and interests in our lives. If you would like to contribute in this way, email (office@firstparishwestford.org) or call (978-692-8350) the church office to select a date. You can choose to share a flower arrangement or plant, provide a creative art display, or make a contribution to the Adornments Committee to sponsor the purchase of flowers.
Church Communications
We maintain a database of members and guests. This database is never sold or shared. It is used for five kinds of communication:
- To create our printed directory of active families and individuals. You can opt in or out of the directory
- To send our monthly Parish Post highlighting church programs and committee reports
- To send the Weekly Email. This goes out every Wednesday afternoon and includes timely news about events and activities at the church
- To send periodic mailings about fundraising and special events
- To send periodic emails about our annual meeting, inclement weather, and urgent church matters
Email the church office to be added to the database: office@firstparishwestford.org. If you would just like to be added to the email list, you can use the button below.
Annual Report
The First Parish Church United of Westford holds our Annual Meeting every May. As required by our bylaws, the Parish Warrant is shared at least two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting, which is open to all. Below is a link to our 2026 Annual Report.