Private Services in the First Parish are offered to all members and active participants in the life of the church, and to their families. Services for others may be accommodated at the discretion of the Ministers and as the schedule of the Ministers and the Church permits.

All requests for calendar dates to reserve the Sanctuary, the Stearns Room, and/or the Parish House Auditorium for the service and reception must be made through the Church office at the same time a date is confirmed with the minister.

Please note that the legal occupancy of the Sanctuary is 197 people, including all clergy and staff. Additional chairs cannot be set up in aisles or pew boxes. If you feel attendance will exceed 197, you must also reserve the Stearns Room for overflow seating where the service will be broadcast. Comfortable seated occupancy in the Stearns Room is approximately 50. If you anticipate more than a total of 250 attendees, First Parish may not be able to comfortably accommodate your event.

Private Services are conducted by a Minister of the First Parish in Lincoln.

Music for private Services can be provided by the church’s organist, if they are available, or by a musician of your choice. If you are using the services of another organist, they must have a consultation with the church’s organist otherwise use of the church’s organ will not be permitted. The church’s organist will be paid a bench fee if on-site instruction on the use of the church’s organ is required.

The services of the Church Sexton are required. The Sexton will be responsible for opening the space before the service, monitoring facility related needs during the service, and clean-up following the service. A minimum payment will be required according to the fee schedule and will cover up to four hours for the service. There will be a fee for any additional hours or part of an hour. If a service is held on Sunday or state observed holiday, the sexton fee will be one and one-half times the normal fee.

If anticipated attendance at an event using any Church facility is expected to exceed fifty (50) people, the Lincoln Police Department must be notified, and a police officer hired for traffic and safety control as deemed necessary. If a detail officer is hired, please have them arrive at least one hour before start of the service.

Please designate a family member or friend to remove all sanctuary decorations or flowers you wish to keep following the service. Anything left after the service will be discarded.

If you would like to hold a reception at the First Parish, please contact the Parish Administrator to check availability and review the policies pertaining to catering, food services & bartenders. The Sexton’s services are also required for the reception and all hours above the initial four will be billed at the regular hourly rate. The church does not offer any supplies, equipment or services in connection with the reception.

If you wish to leave flowers for our use on Sunday, please consult the Chair of the Flower Committee in advance of the service date. Their information is available from the Church Office. Normal responsibility for the Sunday flowers is by parishioners according to a pre-arranged schedule, so it is possible that your offer may have to be declined. However, we are delighted and indeed grateful for your thoughtfulness.

If a reception is held at First Parish following the service, the Sexton’s duties will include furniture set-up, monitoring facility needs during the reception, and furniture break-down and clean-up after the reception. Payment for a minimum of two additional hours will be required. For services and reception held on Sunday or state observed holiday, the sexton fee will be one and one-half times the normal fee.