Get Involved

All Souls Church is a cooperative community endeavor. The more people get involved, the more they get out of it, and the more the congregation thrives.

Great ways to get involved which can both enrich your spiritual life and support the community include:
~ Participation in one of our many small groups.
~ Participation in our social justice or environmental ministries.
~ Participation in the committees and activities that coordinate the on-going life of the congregation.

Below you will find information on each area. Join us and find yourself among friends!

Small Groups at All Souls

A number of different small groups meet at All Souls for various forms of exploration and expression. A summary is listed here but the newsletter will have up-to-date information on events and times.

Our Unitarian Universalist Story: - A new Adult Religious Education offering - Unitarian Universalists value the enrichment that comes from being in community with people of diverse religious perspectives and draw on many sources, including the wisdom of the world's religions, as well as nature, science, and philosophy. Next meetings will be held on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 pm.

First Sunday Talk Back for Potential New Members and Interested Parties: For those who are new or exploring All Souls Church or Unitarian Universalism in general. This session will be held every first Sunday of the month at noon with Rev. Steve and a leader of the Membership/Development Committee.

Chalice Circles: These faciliated small groups meet twice monthly to discuss a variety of spiritual issues and those matters closest to your heart. They require an on-going commitment.

Buddhist Reflections: Meets the 4th Tuesday of each month in the Elliott Room from 7:00-8:30 pm for meditation and discussion of principles of Buddhism and how to implement them in daily life.

Margaret Fuller-Transcendentalist Book Group: Currently reading American Bloomsbury by Susan Cheever. Meets the fourth Monday of the month. No meeting in December.

Yoga: Meets each Thursday from 6:30-7:30 pm for gentle yoga and meditation.

Hand Drummers Circle: Meets the 1st Sunday of each month at 7:00 PM in the Sanctuary. All levels are welcome!

Peace & Pizza: (Bring your own pizza) Meets periodically on Sunday afternoons at 4:30 pm in the Parish Hall. Includes videos and discussion of current events. For details on the next gathering, click the tab labelled "News and Events".

Gay Mens' Discussion Group: Meets each Thursday at 7:30 pm. An opportunity for discussion and support.

Women's Lesbian Support Group: Meets monthly on Saturday afternoon for discussion and support.

Coffee & Conversation: A monthly brown bag lunch with casual conversation with others. Dates announced in the newsletter.

Choir: All are welcome to join the choir. No experience necessary. Rehearsal 9:00-10:15 Sunday mornings.

Our Social Justice Ministries

Most of the activities of our social justice ministries is coordinated through the Social Action and Environmental Committee. However, these issues of importance find their way into many aspects of congregational life including worship, religious education, and more.

The Environmental Ministry
All Souls Church was proud to be one of nineteen UU congregations recognized as a Green Sanctuary
at the June 2006 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association in St. Louis. The Green Sanctuary Program was organized by the UU Ministry for Earth, at that time an affiliate organization of the Unitarian Universalist Association. The program encourages congregations to evaluate and improve their environmental friendliness at many levels and supports their work in these areas. You may want to explore the UU Ministry for Earth website for more information.

In past years, this ministry explored various issues related to water and provided various programs for the children through the religious education program. The ministry compiled two reading lists on water issues.
Here is the world water issues reading list.
Here is a reading list for children.

More recently, the Environmental ministry laid the groundwork for the founding of Sustainable Braintree, in collaboration with Sustainable South Shore.

For many years, the ministry has promoted the use of Equal Exchange's fair trade products, including coffee, tea, and chocolate.

The Gay/Lesbian/Bi-Sexual/Transgender Ministry
All Souls Church has been recognized by the UUA as a Welcoming Congregation since 1995. In 2007 All Souls was honored to receive the Outstanding Faith Community Award from the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry.

Our work in this area has included:
- The Annual Gay-La Snow Ball
- Contra Dance with Gender-Free Calling
- Gay Men's Discussion Group
- Participation in Boston Pride
- Initiation and Support for South Shore Pride
- Community Advocacy
- Same-sex Weddings and other Rites of Passage
- Continuing attention to inclusion in worship, religious education, and administration.

Here is the website for the UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns.

The Peace & Justice Ministry at All Souls Church evolves with world events. It does not imply that all members of All Souls Church are of one mind regarding current events. It is a way for those members and friends interested in supporting each other and coordinating their efforts to be together.

The Economic Justice Ministry
in addition to promoting educational and social change opportunities in this area, this ministry supports our hands-on involvement in meeting the needs of the local community.

Committees & Congregational Structure

Like all Unitarian Universalist congregations, All Souls Church is self-governing. We have our own by-laws, make our own budget, and raise our own money. Major decisions are made by the membership at the Annual Meeting each spring. In between, the elected Board of Trustees and committees oversee the affairs of the congregation. While the committees are responsible for coordinating the work of the congregation, they are dependant on the members and friends for support of these efforts.

Board of Trustees: Consists of a chair, vice-chair, treasurer, clerk, and 3 trustees at large. The board meets monthly and is responsible for the overall management of the congregation.

Religious Education Advisory Committee: Plans and oversees the cooperative children's religious education program.

Worship & Music Committee: With the Minister and Music Director, oversees the worship life of the congregation.

Social Action & Environmental Committee: Coordinates events of various kinds in the area of social justice and environmental responsibility.

Membership Committee: Coordinates our efforts to welcome and integrate new members to the All Souls community, provides hospitality, and maintains our status as a WELCOMING CONGREGATION of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

Development Committee: In charge of both fun and fund raising.

Building & Grounds Committee: Oversees the care of our beautiful building and its grounds.

Finance Committee: Oversees the development of the budget, our investments, and the annual stewardship drive.

Additional information on governance of the congregation can be found in our by-laws which are available through the church office.