From the Pastors

What is 2020 going to bring in our life together as First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ? In 2019 there were expected and unexpected moments; there were planned joys, and there were challenges for which we couldn’t have prepared.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you. –Isaiah 43:2

Thank you all volunteers who have kept track of various needs throughout the past weeks since a couple of sprinkler lines burst above the ceiling in our sanctuary. Your hours of cleanup, connecting with contractors and insurance, moving pews, and other acts of care have been a gift to our whole congregation.

I'm writing this as I come back to work, after about eight weeks off for parental leave. I want to share some thank you's: Thank you to everyone who prayed for me and Rachael and for Ezekiel (and for poor underappreciated Rutabaga the cat) ... 

Trigger warning for sexual assault. October is domestic violence month - this is only one aspect for our contemplation. 

Sarai could’ve said #MeToo (Genesis 12).

Dinah could’ve said #MeToo (Genesis 34).

It’s been a hard year for some of us, and many wonder about the future. We witness physical and spiritual violence happening from the halls of power to our home hallways.

What Is Called to Care? Called to Care is the ongoing ministry of wellness for our whole congregation. This is the current Called to Care team at First Congregational Church: Maridel Johnson, Kathleen McGuinness, Karen Mills, Brenda Nicholson, Carol Nicolay, and Deanna Murray. We are a group of representatives from our church’s care teams: Parish Visitors, Faith Community Nurses, Stephen Ministers, Diaconate and Pastoral staff.