Posts by First Congregational Church Of Westminster, MA
Will You Take a Moment to Consider?
Nominating has begun the search to fill our committee slots. Please prayerfully consider how you can help support our church by joining one of the committees. Contact either Karen Brighenti or Ellen Holmes for more information. DEACONS This group works together to assist the Pastor in the work of the church, including assistance with various aspects of the worship services, and administration of Communion. Deacons perform their tasks along with at least one other person, so there is always support…
Surviving and Thriving
In a season of change As we celebrate survival, and hope, we must also seek ways to thrive in this season of change for our church. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 In the past year, this church experienced a huge change; for many, Pastor Ray’s departure in May clicked into focus the church’s need to reexamine who…
Messages for All Ages
Intergenerational Sundays Beginning in October, our Congregation is returning to a tradition of first Sundays, Communion Sundays, encompassing all ages (with a new name). These services will be celebratory of our church family and embracing of our neighbors. Messages for All Ages will be a little longer with the Reflection being a little shorter with the messages from each being connected and anchored in scripture. Children and teens will be invited to participate in reading, taking the collection, greeting, lighting…
Welcome back to church school!
Hi Families!Welcome back to church school! This year we are excited to start off the year similar to how we were pre-covid! We are going back to the model where children will first be attending the service with their families before being dismissed to church school with the teachers where we will then gather in the lower hall (Covenant Hall) before going to our classes. The first Sunday of the month is going to be Family Sunday.On Family Sunday the…
From The Pastor’s Pen
We are called to bless. “We are called to bless,” from the SALT Project reminds all, who are willing andinspired to click the watch button, what a blessing is. Hammers, backpacks, the cup and bread, waters of Baptism, canned goods, casseroles, pastors, mission trip participants—we ask God to bless all these. We stretch out our hands above our heads and call down the mercy and grace of God. We lift up our voices calling God to bless lands filled with…
June CE Update
Hi Families! Happy Summer! I wanted to first start off by thanking everyone who came to support our children in our annual Children’s day pageant. It was the first one we were able to hold in the last few years due to Covid and it felt so good to be back! Fun fact: The animals that the children used were all created by hand by them to use for our Christmas pageant. If you remember, the Christmas pageant had to…
Help wanted
Virtual Worship Service We are looking for volunteers to assist with the recording, editing, and posting of our Sunday Worship Service. Since its early development, Pastor Ray has continuously improved the process towhere we are today. If you’re comfortable navigating around a couple of websites, the learning curve should be short. The more volunteers the better, as long as each Sunday is covered. If you’re interested, have questions or know of somebody, please let contact me.Thank you for your consideration Doug…
Welcome To Rev. Stacey
The Diaconate is happy to announce that we now have an Interim Pastor to help guide and walk with us along our journey into the next chapter of our church. Please join us in welcoming Rev. Stacey Kullgren to our church family. Rev. Stacey is a long-time member of the United Church of Jaffrey, NH and currently lives in Winchester, NH. As a youth, Stacey became aware that her calling was to be of service to others. Stacey was ordained…
Strawberry Shortcake Booth
The last Town Benefit Day on Academy Hill washeld in 2019. The 2020 and 2021 events werecanceled due to the pandemic.As a form of Christian outreach within our localcommunity, our Church was asked if we would liketo participate in the Town Benefit Day events bysupporting a Strawberry Shortcake Booth, similarto what we had at the old Yankee Street Fairevents.This year’s event runs from 11:00 AM until 5:00PM on Sunday, August 14th. In the past, thestrawberries, biscuits, and whipped cream wereprovided…
LEMONADE & COOKIES…..A CHURCH TRADITION
For many years summer brought an end to the time of fellowship and refreshments following Sunday services. Then Cam and Pat Godfrey began attending our church and introduced Lemonade & Cookies, a wonderful way to enjoy summer each Sunday morning. Since then each summer Sunday, weather permitting, we leave the church and join together outside to enjoy light refreshments. It’s a wonderful tradition enjoyed by all. Can you help to continue this tradition? It’s easy! In the Bride’s Room, located…
Crop Walk 2022
The 42nd Annual Concord Mass. Area CROP Walk for the Hungry Will be held on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at First Parish in Concord. Registration begins at 1:30, with music by the CCHS Pep Band, and the step-off will be at 2:15 I’m writing to let you know that the Crop Walk will be on Oct. 23 this year, and we are planning for an in-person walk, as we did in 2021. We raised over $27,000 last year! We so appreciate First…
Children’s Sunday 2022
Hi families!I am excited that we will be having the first in-person Children’sSunday in two years on June 12. Practice for this will be taking placein church school during regular class time on May 29 and June 5.The kids have anxiously been waiting to show you their creationsthat they made for the Christmas pageant which we will beincorporating into our children’s day skit. Please join us afterwardon the side lawn for our annual ice cream social following theservice.June 12 will…
CE Update
When looking up the definition of a Pastor in the dictionary it tells us that it means “a clergyperson serving a local church or parish.” When I read that line it seems like such a standard description for such an important person. A basic and even boring statement that could be used to describe anyone that has even the most basic of knowledge of the Bible or just any simpleton who can lead a group of people. However, with conviction, I…
From The Pastor’s Pen
Maintaining healthy boundaries is an important part of every minister’s vocation. Ministers are entrusted with intimate details about parishioners’ lives. Appropriate boundaries at the time of a minister’s departure are also important. It is essential for the health of the congregation that they are able to devote themselves to forming a relationship with the incoming Pastor without the shadow of the departing Pastor getting in the way. The Ethical Code for Ministers defines what healthy boundaries should be adhered to…
Church Directory Update
For a printable copy Click Here
Happy Spring!
Hi Families! I am happy to announce that we are officially mask-free at church school! Families have the option of doing whatever works best for their children, (either in masks or without masks) but now the masking is optional. We will still continue to keep the windows open to allow for fresh air circulation and we will still social distance whenever possible as well as sanitize all items regularly. This year we will be celebrating Palm Sunday together as a…