News & Events

Open book with pages coming off like birds in flight
Lenten Offerings

We are highlighting a story Jesus told, or a story told about Jesus’ ministry, focusing on a word or feeling we believe is one way to understand the story. Jesus is a storyteller in the Gospels. Donald Davis, an American storyteller and author, once said, “Storytelling is not what I do for a living – it is how I do all that I do while I am living.” This is true of Jesus as well. In his living and his healing, he used stories to help his followers imagine themselves in them. Imagine how these stories might take flight in our lives. Enter each story through a character or an emotion to better understand how Jesus is speaking to us today.

Cross with palms and Easter lilies against a white background
Holy Week at First Cong

The events of Holy Week are the cornerstone of our Christian beliefs. The events are both horrific and promise hope for each of us, and for the world we live in today. Please join us for the services of Holy Week.

Palm Sunday: March 24 | 10:00 a.m. | Sanctuary
Maundy Thursday: March 28 | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Good Friday: March 29 | 12:00 p.m. | Sanctuary
Easter Vigil: March 30 | 8:00 p.m. | Chapel
Easter: March 31 | 10:00 a.m. | Sanctuary

Holy Week Services and Events

Worship and Meal at the Crossing

Have you been looking for a chance to participate in the missions of First Cong? Our annual meal for The Crossing is your moment! First Congregational UCC is a long-time, active supporter of this ministry. Each year we reaffirm our connection to The Crossing by sharing a meal with the students at their Wednesday Worship. On Wednesday, March 20, we will prepare and serve a Mexican potato bar meal at The Crossing. You can help support this long-term partnership by:

Donating Food
Volunteering for meal preparation/ Serving the meal at The Crossing

Judith Heumann's book, Being Heumann
Women's Winter Book Study

Saturday: February 10 and 24; March 9 and 23 | 8:30 a.m. | Zoom
First and last sessions will be hybrid, weather permitting

Being Heumann, by Judith Heumann, is a story of fighting to belong in a world not built for everyone and of one woman’s activism to change it. Paralyzed from polio at eighteen months, Judy’s struggle for equality began early in life.  Working with a community of over 150 disabled activists and allies, Judy successfully pressured the Carter administration to implement protections for disabled peoples’ rights, sparking a national movement that led to the creation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Email Associate Minister Ann Beaty if you are interested in joining the group.

CONNECTIONS

The circles, designed by members, were cut up and connected with other circles to create a piece titled CONNECTIONS. One artist, Nadine Walsten, who used quilted fabric to design her circle, shared “The colors of the fabric represent what First Congo is to me. There’s yellow for the sun and green for our environmental work. The different colors represent the different people of the congregation and the efforts they are working on for justice.” Be sure to check out what other artists used to design their circle. CONNECTIONS can be found in the Garden Entrance Gallery.

Prayer labyrinth with candle in the middle
Walk the Chapel Prayer Labyrinth

First Sunday of each month | 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Chapel

The prayer labyrinth is an archetypal pattern, a “divine imprint,” found in religious traditions in various forms around the world. In recent years, walking a prayer labyrinth has been rediscovered as a meditative way of praying. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path. It is designed to quiet the mind and lead the walker by a winding route to the center, and then, by the same route, to return to the exit.

The labyrinth is free and open to the public.

pan of cinnamon buns
Just Bakery

Following Worship you can purchase bread and other baked goods from Just Bakery at the back of the Sanctuary! Just Bakery is a 12 week educational and vocational training program. The program works with individuals who are experiencing significant barriers to employment (homelessness, justice involved, lack of education, and/or a lack of work history or skill).

Just Bakery will be with us after Worship on January 28, March 24, May 26, July 28, and September 22.

people enjoying refreshments after worship
After-Worship Refreshment!

Weekly on Sunday (except first Sunday of the month) | 11:00 a.m. | Narthex

Come for Worship, stay for fellowship! Enjoy refreshments after Worship in the Narthex on Sundays with the exception of the first Sunday of the month. It is a great opportunity to connect with church members and friends.

Bible Conversations

Weekly on Tuesday | Noon | Zoom

A weekly discussion group and conversation around Sunday’s scripture reading. The group is currently meeting via Zoom. Drop-in anytime!

If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.

A collection of different colored balls of yarn.
Fiber Arts Group

Weekly on Wednesdays | 12:00 p.m. | Hearth Room

Gather with other fiber artists and crafters in the Hearth Room. Bring your knitting, crochet, sewing, or other handmade works-in-process to work on while socializing. Light refreshments will be available, but you are welcome to bring your own lunch or snack.

New to fiber arts? No problem! Contact Melissa Baumann or Jessica Taft to ensure someone is available to teach or guide you.

Environmental Justice Group

2nd Sunday of the month | 12:15 p.m. | Hearth Room and Zoom

Are you interested in knowing more about creation care and advocacy opportunities related to the environment? First Cong’s Environmental Justice group is for you! 

Join the join in making a healthier, brighter, tomorrow!

If interested, contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.

Men's Fellowship

2nd and 4th Sunday of the month | 8:45 a.m. | Hearth Room and Zoom

If you are interested in small group discussion, this group is for you! A group of men gather monthly to share coffee and fellowship. Typically the discussion is formed around an article on recent event that was distributed in advance. It’s a great forum to get to know one other and engage in contemporary topics from a Christian perspective. 

If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.

Caregiver Support Group

Last Sunday of each month | 12:15 p.m. | Zoom

Are you caring for a friend or loved one? Do you anticipate assisting someone in the future with decisions about care? This group offers supportive conversation and opportunities to learn from one another. It is also a great way to get connected to resources available to help.

If you are interested in attending, please contact Associate Minister Ann Beaty.

First Cong History 1990-2022

What do you remember our Church during the years 1990 to 2022? What was important to you during these years? Janet Pugh, Faye Whitaker, and Sue Jones compiled “Snapshot Reflections on the Years From 1990 to 2022.”

Binders of the featured slides from the presentation are available in the office for checkout.

Solar Panel Dedication

On Sunday, February 20, First Cong dedicated the solar panel installation during worship. The project grew from environmental justice discussions. The 61 kW solar array provides about 65% of the church’s electricity – significantly reducing our carbon footprint. The energy savings from switching to solar will go toward local social justice initiatives.