What to Expect

Thank you for taking an interest in FPC! We are a welcoming Unitarian Universalist congregation located in the heart of Stow at 353 Great Road. We invite you to visit our church and learn what we have to offer you as a place to explore and develop fellowship, community, and spirituality.

You can learn even more about our church over on the About Us page.

Services

Sunday service is our main weekly gathering. Services are at 10 AM with free child care available in our nursery. In the summer months we meet for a casual service in Fellowship Hall at 10 AM. Elements of our worship generally include times of welcome and call to worship, a chalice lighting, a message for all ages, sharing our joys and concerns with each other, silent reflection and meditation, singing, a sermon, and a final blessing. Piano and organ music, choirs, and musical guests, many of whom are part of our congregation, enrich our time.  

When you arrive, please sign our guest book in the vestibule (the small room just inside the front doors), and we'll contact you with more information if you request it. An usher will hand you an order of service and can direct you to the nursery if you have a very young child. Babies and toddlers are also welcome to stay during the service. School aged children are also welcome to stay for the service, or join the rest of the youth in our Religious Education classes. 

What people wear to Sunday services varies, but we are generally pretty casual. A few dress up, some come in jeans.  

Coffee Hour follows each of our services in Fellowship Hall where you can meet and chat with some of our members and friends. There you will find the Newcomers Table, where you can learn more about our faith and congregation with a member of the Membership Committee.

In addition to our Sunday services, we often hold evening Vesper services, usually once every other month on at Thursday at 6:45 PM. These are quieter, theme-based services designed to be a nice, quiet ending to a busy day.

Exploring the First Parish Church of Stow and Acton (FPC)

If you are you interested in learning more about our church, or you have questions about Unitarian Universalism, we can provide the answers in our Newcomers Coffee Hour. These are held in the Parlor (behind the Sanctuary), usually one Sunday per month following the church service. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet our Minister, Dr. Cynthia Landrum, and to ask her any questions you might have about our religion or FPC. Extended child care will be available during this time. 

We also encourage everyone who is interested in exploring membership to attend our popular UU Journey class that is facilitated by our minister. Several of our committee chairpersons participate as well. This class provides a chance to reflect on your individual spiritual journey, as well as learn about the history of Unitarian Universalism, discuss Unitarian Universalist beliefs, and learn more about our congregation. The emphasis is on fun, information, and getting to know other people who are new to the church. The UU Journey class is usually offered once in the fall and again in the winter or spring.

For both of these opportunities, check the Calendar or email office@fpc-stow-acton.org, to find out when the next one will be.