Council on Parish Ministry

Mission/Goals/Charter

The Council on Parish Ministry ('CoPM') was formalized in the by-laws of First Parish in 2004 by unanimous vote at the Annual Meeting.

• CoPM works in cooperation with the Minister and Parish Committee to coordinate all Committee programs, so they cooperate with maximum communication and synergy.
• CoPM is responsible for the overarching goals for ministry to church membership and to the outside community-at-large.
• CoPM is made up of heads of all committees, the Minister, Moderator, and a Parish Committee representative ex officio , and two elected at-large members.
• The goals for 2004-05 are to:

Contribute to our community
Broaden our outreach
Revitalize and Increase our membership
Increase our sense of fellowship and family
Co-create programs and events with synergy

Contact Information

Pokey Kornet (781-383-6576, dkornet@comcast.net ).

Accomplishments/Projects

• CoPM has coordinated production and distribution of a church calendar, so all committees are aware well in advance of projects and programs, eliminating duplication of effort.
• CoPM was responsible for planning celebrations and a smooth transition as our interim minister's term was up.
• CoPM authorized and encouraged development of a First Parish website, which is now up and running.
• CoPM became engaged in better coordination of church fund-raisers.
• CoPM also initiated and coordinated an all-church discussion of same-sex marriage, to ensure all had a voice when we chose as a community to welcome same-sex marriage at First Parish as soon as it became legal.
• CoPM has held 'town meetings' to provide parish members with a means of communicating concerns and questions and ensuring a voice in First Parish.

Other First Parish members are encouraged to attend CoPM meetings. Informational updates on CoPM progress are provided in the church newsletter after every CoPM meeting.