Congregational News and Updates

Congregational News and Updates

Confirmation Program

Confirmation Program

Four youth are committed to the Confirmation program this winter and spring and began meeting in late December.  This program has all of the core conversation/exploration components                accustomed to in this congregation, though it is structured a bit differently,        relying on some Conference resources to make the program more robust in       response to our, and Pastor Stacey’s, capacity to facilitate the program. Topics  will include: understanding membership in the local church, the United Church of Christ and the diversity of…
Thank You

Giving Tree 2023

A message from the Christian Outreach Committee     Thank you all for your response to our annual giving tree toy drive! This year we again used the ease of Amazon to our advantage and easily met the needs of children who could use a little extra joy this holiday season. The Christian Outreach Committee partnered with the Community Healthlink residential recovery homes, where children are going through the re-unification process with their mothers.  With your help we were able to fulfill all…

Celebrate the Holidays with Music

Have you ever thought of singing in a church choir, but thought it was too big of a commitment? or Do you play a musical instrument, but prefer doing so in your comfort zone? If you answer yes to questions like these, then we have an opportunity for you. The Music Committee is inviting you to join us in a holiday musical offering, which will be part of the Worship Services on December 24th (both 9:30 & Christmas Eve @…

The Outreach Giving Tree

The Christian Outreach Committee is kicking off our annual Giving Tree project and this year we have decided to support the Residential Reunification Homes run by   Community Healthlink whom we worked with last year.  These three homes, two in Worcester and one in Leominster, are residential treatment  programs that provide a safe, supportive recovery community and promotes a sense of  empowerment, family healing, and life skills essential for women and their children to stabilize and reunify their family units.  These programs support and…

SAFE CHURCH CORNER

Who, What, Where, When, Why and How? These questions can apply to many problems that crop up in our lives.  They particularly apply to incidents or accidents that affect us, at home, at work, at play and at church. Hence, the INCIDENT REPORT.  Let’s examine these criteria as they apply to filling out the report. WHO is anyone who has been involved in an incident or accident relating to a church activity; a child in Sunday School, an adult in…

Thanksgiving Food Collection – 2023

     Thankfully we have been able to make necessary adjustments to the current new normal, and some things have not changed.  Poverty and homelessness still exist.  People have lost jobs or had their income reduced resulting in more need for shelters and food pantries.      We are fortunate to have the Westminster Community Food Pantry housed in our church. In a recent conversation with Dorcas Hurd, Director of the Westminster Community Food Pantry, she expressed great appreciation for everything our…

Yard & Bake Sale

Hosted By THE WELCOMING COMMITTEE If you missed the town-wide yard sale, or you have anything you’d like to donate, the Welcoming Committee is organizing a yard and bake sale during the Westminster Cracker Festival Saturday, October 21st from 10 AM—5 PM.  We also are looking for those who would like to bring baked goods (labeled).  Proceeds will benefit The First Congregational Church of Westminster with 10% shared with the Westminster Food Pantry. We need volunteers for set up on…
Volunteer

Opportunities To Help

Here is your opportunity to  help the church!! Yes we are in a time of change but that means we need your help all the more.  Nominating will begin filling slots soon and we would love for you to think seriously how you can help the church with your time and talents! Maybe you want to try something new and different, maybe you like where you are or maybe you want to join a committee to make new friends…whatever it…
Apple Pie Baking

Apple Pies…Apple Pies

On September 21st apples were peeled and sliced and mixed with sugar, crusts were rolled out, ovens were filled and over 40 pies were placed in boxes! While this was happening there was a lot of chatting and laughing!  And as in past years the pies were sold at the Westminster Farmers  Market.  The over $700 that was raised will help to support our church. This would not have been possible without the bakers in the church kitchen that day and the…
Mums

Mums Order

We would like to decorate the church steps with our annual fall display of chrysanthemum plants given in memory or in honor of loved ones. For every $8.00 donation, you may fill out a slip    recognizing a friend or loved one. The mums will be displayed on our church front steps for all to enjoy. The annual Westminster Cracker Festival will be on October 21st . Mums can be picked up on Sunday, October 22nd . Use the form below. Additional forms are available at…

Women’s Fellowship Fall Activities

Please join us at one or all of these upcoming activities! A casual lunch at Kros on the Common in Templeton!  Plan to meet at the church at 11:30 on September 12th so we can carpool to the restaurant. We will enjoy lunch and talk about future plans.  Bring your ideas for activities. A Westminster Firefighter and Police Detective will offer a Be Aware program on Sunday, September 24th at 3:30 pm.  Bring a friend to learn about how to…

GGM Annual Awareness

Living Presence, Right Now In September, the Generous Giving Ministry will be increasing our annual awareness of what  generous giving is for this church and collecting pledges. This year’s theme is Living Presence, Right Now. We invite EVERYONE to join us at worship in September and early October to hear more about how we show up, be present and attend to the financial and spiritual needs as a  congregation. Here we are. In the present. The past can inform us, and we…