Welcome to the First Congregational Church of Westminster, MA

No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.

OUR MISSION



The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the sacraments;

to realize Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church universal;

to render loving service towards this community and to the world;

and to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.


The front of the  First Congregational Church of Westminster

SERVICES

WORSHIP SERVICE


Our worship services happen each Sunday  morning and include a time of singing, congregational prayer, and preaching.


We strive to create a respectful atmosphere that allows God and His Word to be the focus. We also desire to be welcoming of those who may visit.

COMMUNION


In addition to our normal worship services, we take time each month to observe the Lord's Table as Christ commanded. This observance occurs during worship service on the first Sunday of each month.

TIMES


Sunday Morning Worship | 9:30 am


A nursery, preschool, and grades 1-7 classes are provided during service.


The wheelchair ramp and elevator are through the door at the back of the church. Extra handicap parking is accessible near the side door for individuals who are more mobile.


We also offer audio amplification and a large print bulletin.


From The Pastor's Pen

By Rev. Russ Goliger October 3, 2025
Dear Saints of God, As we stand at the threshold of change, I want to acknowledge what many of us feel but may hesitate to say aloud: change is uncomfortable. It stirs up uncertainty, challenges our routines, and often brings with it a quiet anxiety that whispers, "I want things to be just as they were" and “What if I’m not ready?” These feelings are not signs of weakness—they are signs of growth. They remind us that we are stepping into something new, something sacred, something that requires courage. In this season, we are being called to reimagine how we serve, how we lead, and how we love. The goal is not simply to do more, but to do what matters most. We are seeking the intersection of our passion, our skills, and our energy—where our God-given gifts meet the real needs of our church and our wider community. This is not a solo journey. It is a collective movement, one that asks each of us to listen deeply to the Spirit and to one another. Jesus, in His infinite wisdom and compassion, knew the weight of change. Before His ascension, He promised us the Holy Spirit—not as a distant force, but as a present guide, a comforter, and a source of divine assurance. “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). We are not navigating this transition alone. The Spirit walks with us, nudging us forward, whispering peace into our fears, and illuminating the path when it feels unclear. Let us not be paralyzed by the discomfort of change but propelled by the hope it carries. Let us trust that God is already at work in the spaces we are being called to enter. And let us remember that transformation—both personal and communal—rarely feels easy, but it always bears fruit.  Starting Wednesday, October 1 at 7:00 PM, and for five consecutive Wednesdays, we will gather in Fellowship Hall to discuss Paul Nixon's I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church . The title is intentionally provocative with the goal of stirring conversation. Many have read the book; some are excited, and some are anxious. I encourage all who can, join as many discussions as you are able. Lean into the discomfort. Embrace the questions. And above all, listen for the Spirit’s voice. Together, we will discover new ways to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His love. With faith and anticipation, Pastor Russ
By Rev. Russ Goliger September 6, 2025
Seasons
See All Past Posts

Join Pastor Russ in a Fall Book Reading and Discussion Group.

Invitation: Book Reading and Discussion Group


To spark our imagination around revitalization, we’ll begin by reading I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church (2nd Edition) by Paul Nixon - a powerful call to embrace bold, life-giving ministry in today’s post-Covid world. 


Nixon reminds us that the Church’s future isn’t fading, it’s full of possibility! Through six key choices, he challenges us to lead with courage, joy, and vision:

  • Choosing life over death,
  • Choosing community over isolation, 
  • Choosing fun over drudgery,
  • Choosing boldness over mildness,
  • Choosing frontier over fortress,
  • Choosing now rather than late

We will read the book together and discuss it in a 5-session discussion series where we will explore Nixon’s ideas and imagine how it might apply to revitalizing our church. Dates and times for the discussions will be set in August.


DATES: Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29



Book Reading and Discussion Group 

DAYS: Wednesdays at 7 pm                DATES: Oct. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29


Study Series Outline: "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church" by Paul Nixon

Duration: 5 Weeks

Start Date: October 1, 2025

Format: Weekly 60–90 minute sessions (discussion + reflection)

Location: First Congregational Church, 138 Main Street, Westminster, MA: Fellowship Hall


Week 1 – Typical Lifecycles of Programs 

     and Church  Organizations 

Theme: Assessing our stage in a typical lifecycle

Focus: What are the characteristics of our church?

Discussion Points:

 Where are we?

 Where do we imagine going?

 Where do we see God in this?

Reflection: What might change look like?


Week 2 – Choosing Life Over Death

Theme: Embracing vitality and growth in ministry.

Focus: What does it mean to choose life in a church context?

Discussion Points:

 Signs of life vs. signs of decline.

 Biblical foundations for choosing life.

 Personal and congregational renewal.

Reflection: Where is God calling us to breathe new life?


Week 3 – Choosing Community Over Isolation

Theme: Building authentic relationships and radical hospitality.

Focus: Moving from inward focus to outward connection.

Discussion Points:

 The role of community in spiritual growth.

 Overcoming barriers to connection.

Outreach and inclusion strategies.

Reflection: How can we become a more connected and welcoming church?


Week 4 – Choosing Fun Over Drudgery

Theme: Rediscovering joy in ministry and worship.

Focus: Reframing church as a place of celebration.

Discussion Points:

Joy as a spiritual discipline.

Creative worship and engaging ministry.

Avoiding burnout and embracing play.

Reflection: What brings joy to our church life?

Choosing Bold Over Mild & Frontier Over Fortress

Theme: Courageous leadership and missional innovation.

Focus: Taking risks and stepping into new territory.

Discussion Points:

Boldness in preaching, outreach, and vision.

Frontier thinking: new models of ministry.

Letting go of fortress mentality.

Reflection: Where is God calling us to be bold and adventurous?


Week 5 – Choosing Now Over Later

Theme: Urgency in responding to God’s call.

Focus: Acting decisively and faithfully in the present.

Discussion Points:

The cost of delay in ministry.

Living in God’s kairos time.

Practical steps for immediate action.

Reflection: What is one thing we will do now to lead with life?






Realm is a powerful three-module online software that helps our church stay connected, organized, and efficient. Each module is designed to make life easier for both staff and congregation:

  1. Church Database Management – Our office uses Realm to securely maintain membership records, contact details, and vital church information, keeping everything accurate and accessible.
  2. Accounting – Realm simplifies church finances by keeping us current with labor laws, making bill payments easy, and giving the treasurer real-time access to financial reports and updates.
  3. Website Integration – Events and calendar updates are published to our church website the moment they are created in Realm, ensuring everyone always has the latest information at their fingertips.


With Realm, administration, finances, and communication flow seamlessly together—creating one simple, reliable system that strengthens our church community.


The Realm system is designed with security and accountability in mind. Access permissions are assigned based on each person’s role and responsibilities within the church. For example, the church secretary may have access to membership records, while the counters have access only to contribution entry. The webmaster has permissions related to website integration, and the treasurer has secure access to financial information. Each role is carefully defined so that individuals can only view or manage the areas necessary for their responsibilities, protecting both privacy and data integrity.


Events and Calendar

Join us for Bible Study as we come together to grow in faith and understanding of God's Word. It's a welcoming space to ask questions, share insights, and build meaningful connections. 


All are welcome—whether you're new to the Bible or have studied it for years!




Notebook with Upcoming Events written on the cover

New Church Members

Pastor Russ will hold a new member class for those who would like to become members of the church. Two class meetings will be held:

                   Tuesday October 21 at 7pm

  Thursday October 30 at 7pm.

Those people will be recognized as new church members during our Sunday worship service.

 Sunday November 9th

 


Pastoral Letter to the Faithful Lay Leaders

8/7/2025-by:Darrell L. Goodwin

A Pastoral Letter to the Faithful Lay Leaders of the Southern New England Conference from Executive Conference Minister the Rev. Darrell Goodwin:
Grace and peace to you, beloved ones,
 
Across our congregations, I see signs of resurrection breaking through, moments of deep connection, renewed imagination, and faithful action. I see churches building gardens where food insecurity once had the final word. I see worship teams blending tradition and innovation. I see leaders daring to try something new, to radically welcome, and to lead with love.
 
These glimpses of renewal are not accidental, they are a direct result of your labor, your vision, and your unwavering commitment to God’s church. You are the hands and feet of transformation, and it is because of your faithfulness that we can say, even in uncertain times, that hope is alive and well in the Southern New England Conference.
 
This letter is also a reflection born of relationship. Since beginning my ministry among you, I have had the profound gift of being in fellowship with nearly 100 of our churches, worshiping together, celebrating church anniversaries, witnessing baptisms and funerals, laughter and longing, fear and fierce faith. What I’ve seen in these sacred encounters is a church that is very much alive.

Oscar Romero, a witness to both deep suffering and divine possibility, once said:
“We plant the seeds that one day will grow.
We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise…
We are workers, not master builders; ministers, not messiahs.We are prophets of a future not our own.”

This is the sacred work you are doing every time you chair a meeting, pray over a budget, welcome someone new, or ask your church, “What’s next?” You are planting seeds in faith, even if the harvest comes after you. You are helping to birth a church that is more just, more generous, more Spirit-led than we’ve known before.
 
I know the work can be heavy at times. But don’t let the weight of what still needs to be done overshadow the glory of what is already becoming. You are not alone in this labor. God is with you. Your Conference and Associations are with you. And the cloud of witnesses, past, present, and future is cheering you on. Together we are one Church In many locations.
 
So I urge you: keep going. Keep dreaming. Keep leading. You are helping to shape a church worthy of our deepest hopes and holiest callings.

A Prayer for the Journey:

God of seeds and seasons,
Thank you for the faithful ones who lead with love and live with courage.
When our energy wanes, renew us.
When our vision dims, remind us we are prophets of a future not our own.
Let the work of our hands be rooted in you,
and let the fruit of our labor bless generations to come.
 

Amen.

Rev. Darrell Goodwin
Executive Conference Minister and President
Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ


WE ARE LOCATED IN THE CENTER OF WESTMINSTER ON MAIN STREET (RT 2A) ACROSS THE STREET FROM THE WESTMINSTER CRACKER FACTORY.


IF YOU ARE USING GPS, PLEASE BE SURE TO USE OUR STREET ADDRESS: 138 MAIN STREET, WESTMINSTER, MA 01473
.


Traveling from the West via Rt. 2
Take the Rt. 140 South/Rt. 2A West exit #92, toward Westminster and Princeton. Merge right onto State Rd East/ Rt. 2A/ Rt. 140. In 0.1 mile, turn right onto Rt 2A West toward Westminster. The church is 0.7 miles ahead on the right, just across from South Street.


Traveling from the East via Rt. 2 WEST:

Take the West Main Street exit #90 toward Westminster. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right onto West Main Street. At the stop sign turn left onto Main Street/Rt. 2A. The church is 0.5 miles ahead on the left, just before South Street.


Traveling from the South via Rt. 190 NORTH:

Take MA 140 North, Exit #5 toward Princeton. Turn left onto Rt. 140/ Redemption Rock Trail and continue to follow Rt. 140 for about 11 miles. Turn left at the traffic light onto Rt. 2A West toward Westminster. The church is 0.7 miles ahead on the right, just across from South Street.