Welcome to our family of faith...

If you are on our email distribution list, you will receive a Streaming Worship Companion on Saturday afternoon in anticipation of the Sunday online service. 

If you would like to be added to the email list, please send an email request to the church office.

COVID-19 Response

 Update - May 21, 2020 

Dear community,

Despite Governor Baker's Phase 1 plan allowing houses of worship to re-open, our beloved church building will remain closed. That doesn't mean Church stops because as we all know, church is not a building - WE are the church!  Our Sunday worship service will continue to be livestreamed and the Food Pantry will continue providing to families in need. Our dedicated staff, Pastor Lourey and Leadership Council are immersed in discernment and discussion as to the reopening of our church, how we can best serve God and community safely. Prayers of grace and blessings for all.

Neighbor to Neighbor Assistance Program 

The Board of Selectmen announces its Neighbor to Neighbor assistance program to help town residents who are in need due to the negative social and economic effects caused by COVID-19. Neighbor to Neighbor is a coordinated effort of local community organizations such as the Bloomer Girls, Upton Men’s Club, United Parish and St. Gabriel Archangel Parish working in partnership with the Town of Upton to support families and individuals impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. Read more information here. 

As the United Parish responds to the rapidly changing COVID-19 (coronavirus) situation, please be assured that we are taking all the recommended precautions here at the United Parish including:

• the church building will remain closed (please see update above). We are not holding any in-person worship services. Our Sunday morning 9:45 service is being live streamed from our sanctuary. Because Pastor Lourey travels a distance to serve our community, our sanctuary is the safe and neutral place where our production team can gather to produce the streaming video and is open only for these essential services. Our production team includes Chia-Chi Chin, organist, An-Chi Huang, violinist, and Jim Cozzens, streaming worship producer. 

• our Early Learning Center teachers are reaching out to their students online. In-person classes will not resume for the 2019/2020 school year. The After School Program is closed for the remainder of the 2019/2020 school year. 

• all in-person groups have been cancelled, postponed or moved on-line.

• we are doing our best to limit activity in the building to only essential use, ie. streaming worship, food pantry. 

Please check the United Parish website, calendar and social media platforms for up to date information as we navigate this ever changing situation. 

Here is what you can to to help: 

• Let us know if we can pray with you. Prayer requests can be sent to upprayernet@gmail.com.
• Wear a face mask and wash your hands often and encourage others to do so
• Stay home as much as possible
• Follow us on facebook and Instagram for up to date news about live-stream services and events at the United Parish. 

For up to date information, visit the CDC website, the Massachusets Dept. of Public Health website, and the Town of Upton Board of Health website.

Opportunities for Exercising Faith

Food Pantry Giving Campaign

We are very grateful for the generous gifts from the community which have helped  increase food pantry resources in response to the COVID-19 emergency. While we greatly appreciate all donations, those of non-perishable items are especially welcome right now. Because many stores limit the number of items that can be purchased at one time, we are finding it difficult to stock up on multiple items. If, while doing your own shopping, you can pick up one or two additional items from the list below, it would be a huge help! Donations can be dropped off at the drop off spot located under the covered nursery school entrance opposite the playground. For more information, please call Amy Griswold at 508-769-0520. The Food Pantry will be open on Tuesday, June 2,16,30; 9:30-11:00. Weather permitting, the food pantry will be held outdoors.

Below is a list of current food pantry needs:

• juice (apple and cranberry varieties)
• coffee (no decaf, please)
• condiments (ketchup and mayonnaise)
• crackers
• canned chili and baked beans
• canned beef ravioli
• body wash, 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner
• dish detergent
• paper towels, tissues

To make a financial donation to the food pantry, click the Unipay button below.

Thank you for your generosity and support!