First Church Somerville

Looking for a place to spend Christmas Eve?

You and all those you love are welcome at First Church Somerville!

And if there’s a part of you that wants to go to church on Christmas, but you aren’t sure where to go or what to expect, let me tell you what you’ll find at First Church Somerville this Christmas Eve.

You’ll find q***r pastors and laity of all orientations and a mixture of backrounds leading worship. You’ll hear the sounds of children romping around in their Christmas story costumes. You’ll sing Christmas hymns old and new. You’ll hear how the ordinary and courageous people of the Christmas story helped birth a moment of radical love that can still guide us today. You’ll hear how in this dark moment in our nation’s history the light of Christ comes to us again and helps sustain us in our pursuit of justice and peace.

The 4PM service is a family designed for families where we all help act out the Christmas story. People of all ages love this service!

The 7PM service is filled with candle light, singing, story-telling and reflections.

Wherever you find yourself on Christmas Eve, may the peace, joy and radical hope of Jesus meet you there.

Here is our full press statement following this morning‘s Globe article:

First Church Somerville feels called by God to help support our
neighbors experiencing homelessness. The Gospel teaches us that our neighbor is the person in front of us in need. You do not have to look far from our church steps in Davis Sq. to see that our neighbors need our help, now.

We are ready and waiting to share our building, time, and resources with those who need sanctuary by partnering with the Somerville Homeless Coalition. This partnership will increase the beds available in Somerville and open the first wheelchair accessible shelter in our city. If we do not prevail in
the lawsuit our freedom to practice our religion will have been infringed upon and we will continue to fight for our right to follow Jesus’ instructions to center the needs of the most vulnerable.

The church remains more committed than ever to this project and to our mission to be a sanctuary space for those who have been historically marginalized. More accessible beds in the city will increase the amount of support for our unhoused neighbors.

The church and coalition engaged in mediation with the plaintiffs for six months, after several community based meetings which occurred previously to the law suit being filed. Per our counsel’s advice, we cannot convey the substance of anything discussed during the mediation process but the FAQs here (https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/adult-shelter-relocation/) addresses all the things that have already been agreed upon as accomodations, many at the neighbor’s request, and each has the full backing of the church and the coalition. We are committed to being a part of a safe and equitable neighborhood where we all belong.

Being unhoused does not make someone inherently dangerous, but being unhoused is dangerous. Somerville Homeless Coalition’s “housing first” model is consistent with First Church’s
theological understanding of the worth and dignity of every human person no matter their current life circumstances. Everyone deserves a safe place to sleep, food to eat, and the support they need to live their healthiest life. While there is no one solution to homelessness, support for the members of this community who need it will make all of Somerville a safer and more equitable place to live.

https://www.bostonglobe.com/2025/08/25/metro/somerville-homeless-shelter-lawsuit/?event=event12

A Somerville church said it was ‘called by God’ to open a homeless shelter. Neighbors took them to court. - The Boston Globe Arguments begin this week in the case about a planned 26-bed adult facility in a residential neighborhood.

Happy Pride, Beloveds! 🏳️‍⚧️💖🏳️‍🌈✨
We did not only celebrate with sweet treats and lots of sprinkles 🧁 but also through word and music reminding us that God already loves us, that God casts our our fear and that God calls “Beloved, Come home!” ❤️

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