Nathan Bynum preaches a sermon while juggling a tennis racket,

a baseball bat, and a bowling ball!

          One of the most widely appreciated and effective programs in the life of First Church is the Initiation to Adulthood program, a two-year Rite of Passage for teenagers. The program utilizes various "mystery rites" adapted from cultures around the world and developed for use within First Church over the last twenty years. The mystery rites include the Rite of Separation, the Urban Adventure, the Masking Rite, the Sexuality Rite, the Wilderness Adventure, the Rite of Initiation, and various other rites and retreats which occur during the two years.

          Two other groups, the Pre-Initiation Group (PIGs) and the Graduates round out the church's programs for teenagers. These less formal programs include many social activities -- such as bike trips to Block Island, sledding, movies, hikes, camping, whitewater rafting -- as well as examining life in the context of Christianity.

The mission of First Church is to engage and support people in worship, learning, fellowship, and service, so that all may find in our community the Spirit of the living Christ.  We are an Open and Affirming Church: All are welcome into the full life of our community regardless of their race, age, gender, nationality, marital status, economic situation, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation.