A Church by the Park in East Walpole
Union Congregational Church sits at 55 Rhoades Avenue in East Walpole, Massachusetts, on the edge of Francis William Bird Park. The nickname "Church by the Park" fits both the location and the spirit of the place - a small, multigenerational congregation that opens its doors wide to neighbors, summer visitors, and anyone curious about a traditional Protestant welcome.
The congregation describes itself as "a small but active congregation" that takes on local outreach projects and large mission trips, Bible studies, programs for youth and children, and adult game nights. Its mission is "to know, love and serve God who is revealed to us in the incarnation of Jesus the Christ, and to do all within our power to be God's Kingdom in this place." Union Congregational is part of the United Church of Christ, a national association of churches committed to sharing God's Word and pursuing justice, peace, and reconciliation in the world.
Sunday Worship at 10:15
Sunday worship begins at 10:15 a.m. and runs about an hour, with services running a little longer when communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of the month. The format is traditional: responsive and unison prayers, hymn singing, organ and piano music, a children's message, and time for sharing prayer requests. Worship is followed by Fellowship Hour in Herbert Harrison Hall, on the south end of the building, where coffee and conversation keep the gathering going.
The service is livestreamed through the church's Facebook page, and a weekly sermon podcast, "Sermons by the Park," carries the message to anyone who missed Sunday. Worshippers are greeted with the words: "No matter who you are, or where you are on life's journey... You are WELCOME Here."
Children, Sunday School, and Youth
Children are a cherished part of the community, and their voices are welcomed in worship. After the Children's Message, about fifteen minutes into the service, children from Pre-K through sixth grade are invited to leave for Sunday School. Infants through age four are cared for in the nursery by a professional provider and loving volunteers throughout the service. Rocking chairs are set just outside the sanctuary for parents who want to keep a baby close.
Sunday School runs from September through June and uses the Whirl Curriculum, an interactive program built around a Bible story video, discussion, and a craft or game. On Communion Sundays, children return to the sanctuary to participate in the sacrament with the rest of the church. The congregation maintains a Safe Church Policy to protect the children it serves.
High school students typically remain in the whole worship service and can take a Confirmation Class when they are ready. The congregation partners with three other area churches in the Walpole Multi-Church Youth Group, which has been on hiatus recently but is expected to resume.
Music in the Sanctuary
Music is a weekly presence in worship under the direction of James Myers, who joined Union in November 2020 as Director of Music. Myers is a Principal Lecturer with Boston Lyric Opera and a vocal coach whose training took him from Portland, Oregon, through the Eastman School of Music and the University of Colorado, Boulder. He has worked with composers and performers including Philip Glass, Marin Alsop, Chris Thile, Christine Brewer, and Renée Fleming, and has served as music director and keyboardist with faith communities across the country.
The choir sings every Sunday from September through June and at special services, with Wednesday evening rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. at the church open to all voices. A "small-but-mighty" Bell Choir rehearses every other Sunday and shares music on Christmas Eve, Easter, and other special occasions. Guest vocalists and instrumentalists rotate in regularly, so the music in worship changes from week to week.
Summer Worship in Bird Park
During the summer months, the congregation moves outside. Worshippers gather in Bird Park under the trees adjacent to the church parking lot, bringing their own folding chairs or borrowing ones the church keeps on hand. The relaxed outdoor services are family-friendly, with no Sunday School or nursery care during the summer - a fitting use of the green surroundings that give Union its "Church by the Park" identity.
Reaching Out Beyond the Building
Outreach is part of Union's identity. The congregation partners with South Walpole United Methodist Church on mission trips; recent trips have taken teams to Maine and western Massachusetts under the auspices of the United Methodist Economic Ministries. One summer took the team to Kingfield, Maine, near the Appalachian Trail, where the group worked alongside UMEM leaders to reinsulate and reside a home for a family of six, transforming one large room into two bedrooms over the course of a week.
Breaking Bread, a community meal hosted at United Congregational Church in Walpole every Monday night, is sponsored by the Walpole Families of Faith. About once a month, Union Congregational Church takes its turn cooking and serving, drawing in members of all ages to interact with neighbors from across the community. The Monday meal is open to everyone who would like a hot dinner and company.
Each year around the holidays, Union members donate warm clothing, toys, books, and household goods to the City Mission Society's Christmas Shop, which distributes gifts to families around greater Boston. The church has also created an Amazon Wishlist filled with critically needed items for a contact-free way to give.
The Apple Harvest Fair
The Apple Harvest Fair is an East Walpole tradition that has been running for more than fifty years. Held at 55 Rhoades Avenue, the fair features midway games, a trackless train ride through Bird Park, a petting zoo, glitter tattoos, baked goods, a country store, popcorn, burgers, hot dogs, and the church's famous Apple Crisp. A virtual silent auction runs the week of the fair, with nearly one hundred baskets, gift cards, collectibles, trips, and handcrafted items uploaded for online bidding and pickup afterward.
Proceeds support the Walpole Food Pantry and the Neighbors in Need Fund, which provides direct assistance to local families facing food and shelter challenges. The fair also offsets overhead costs that allow other non-profits, including the American Red Cross, AA, and Boy Scouts of America, to use the church building.
The Pastor and Staff
Rev. Dr. Aaron Pratt Shepherd became the pastor of Union Congregational in July 2019. He earned his doctorate and completed seminary training at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2017, and holds additional degrees from the University of Oregon and Pacific University. He also teaches ethics and philosophy at the University of Massachusetts Lowell and published Challenging the New Atheism in 2021. He and his wife Whitney have four sons and live in the area; the family is often at the playground in Bird Park, and Aaron coaches soccer and Little League.
Beverly Sellers serves as Office Manager, and Pat Howes is the Nursery Care Provider.
Visiting Union
The church building is handicap accessible through an exterior elevator that brings worshippers into the sanctuary. Hearing assistance devices and large print bulletins are available each week. Parking is available in the lot next to the church, and visitors are invited to come through the front doors into the sanctuary. The dress code is come-as-you-are: a mix of attire from jeans and t-shirts to coats and ties.
For those considering membership, New Member classes are held several times a year and offer the opportunity to meet the pastor and some of the deacons. Anyone can sign the Virtual Friendship Pad online to request a call or visit from the pastor, the church newsletter, or information about joining.
Stewardship and Hall Rentals
Contributions to Union's ministries can be sent by check to 55 Rhoades Avenue, East Walpole, MA 02032, or made securely online via PayPal. The church building is also available for birthday parties, family reunions, baby showers, and company off-sites; the day-use space offers multiple options for setup of tables and chairs and access to a commercial kitchen in the heart of East Walpole.