First Parish members are dedicated to serving their community, making a meaningful impact in Wakefield, across the North Shore, and beyond—reaching communities around the world with compassion and support
We do this through a wide range of ministries and outreach efforts:
- Community Breakfasts – Open to the public and those in need, our monthly breakfasts provide nourishment and fellowship.
- Clothing Closet Ministry – We collect, organize, and distribute clean clothing and shoes to those in need each month.
- Holiday Suppers – Hosting Easter and Thanksgiving meals to provide warmth, fellowship, and support for the lonely, elderly, and those in need.
- First Parish Food Pantry – Collecting and distributing non-perishable food items to combat food insecurity.
- Supporting Scouts – Providing a home for Troop 701’s regular meetings and events.
- Alcoholics Anonymous – Sponsoring regular meetings to support individuals on their journey to recovery.
- Community Drives – Organizing periodic collections for urgent needs, including sock drives, diaper drives, and global relief efforts like Ukraine aid.
- Operation Christmas Child – Gathering and shipping Christmas gifts to bring joy to children around the world.
- Expanding Our Reach – We’re excited to welcome Grace Preparatory Academy to our space in September 2025! Learn more.
Through these efforts, First Parish remains a place of service, support, and connection for Wakefield, the North Shore, and beyond.
To broaden our impact, we offer financial support to the following:
Missions
- Amirah, Inc. (helping survivors of domestic sex trafficking & exploitation through residential, outreach, and education services.)
- Boston Rescue Mission (feeding the hungry, sheltering he homeless, working to prevent end homelessness)
- Emmanuel Gospel Center (strengthening Christian churches and leaders in Boston and beyond to strengthen urban churches and communities)
- His Mansion (a Christ-centered residential recovery program for people struggling with addiction and life controlling issues)
- Hope Academy of the Bronx (providing Christ-centered education to challenge and equip undereducated at-risk students in The Bronx to love God with heart, soul, mind, and strength and to live for God’s glory.)
- Wakefield Food Pantry (provide a variety of food, household necessities, and support to those in need – approximately 500 families/year).
- Place of Promise (Based in Lowell, MA, provides Christ-centered programming for men, women, and children to experience physical, emotional, relational, and spiritual healing.)
- Salvation Army (runs charity shops, operates shelters for the homeless and disaster relief, and provides humanitarian aid to developing countries.)
- Vision New England (building, supporting, and equipping networks and ministries that make disciples, do justice, and foster unity to share Jesus)
- First Parish Living Nativity (Live re-enactment of the birth of Jesus, with actors, animals, and songs, to kick off the Christmas season on the Wakefield Town Common)
Missionaries
- First Parish currently supports missionaries located in Massachusetts, Michigan, Washington, Niger, India, Southeast Asia, and Japan.
