9:00 AM-12:00 PM in Chidley Hall

Signups are open for our next Repair Café on June 20 starting at 9 am in Chidley Hall.

• sewing & knitting repairs
• knives or scissors sharpening
• electronics and lamp repair
• furniture fixing
• We also repair childrens toys including stuffies

Sign-up Here for a Repair

On May 3rd, the Justice Ministry hosted a plant-based pot-luck dinner with the church youth to highlight delicious, healthy dishes with lower environmental impact.  Some recommended reading on the topic of conservation and sustainability was also discussed.

For the first time, our beautiful lawn will be host to more pollinators thanks to “No Mow May!”  This conservation movement supports early-season pollinators like bees and butterflies which have been experiencing significant decline. By taking a mowing pause, flowers such as dandelions and clover can bloom and provide critical nectar and pollen for hungry insects. The practice increases biodiversity, creates habitat, and saves on fuel and time.  Since our lawn is such a visible and prominent green space, FCCW can serve as a role model in helping to shift cultural perceptions towards more natural, eco-friendly landscaping.

Recommended TV viewing: Wilding

This fascinating 2023 British documentary follows 40 years of rewilding a 5 square mile farm in southeast England. By letting nature take over and introducing large mammals, the land is transformed into a thriving biodiverse ecosystem. Now streaming on PBS.

Looking ahead: Town Day is Saturday, June 6th.  Bring the kids to enjoy the bouncy house and join a Justice Ministry activity… or just come for the lemonade!

Join us this Sunday for our annual Creation Care worship service with the Jazz Band as we celebrate Earth Day remembering that our faith calls us to be stewards of this beautiful planet of which we are a part. We’ll be recognized by our denomination for the work we’ve done toward the greening of our church and we’ll sing with kids about how “The World is Beautiful”. We’ll pray for the well being of our planet and consider how our sacred text speaks to us of creation itself arising out of God’s love. We hope you can join us in person or online at 10am.

Download the Bulletin Here: OOW 04-26-26 Creation Care_Jazz.docx

Jesus told this parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed.

Though the smallest of all seeds, it grows into a tree so that birds perch in its branches.”

Matthew 13:31-32

At the heart of Jesus’ teaching is the idea that small steps, though seemingly insignificant at the time, are consequential.  Though the smallest of all seeds, the mustard seed grows up to 6,000 times its size.   Now a prominent tree in the garden, it provides shade from the heat and is a resting place for birds of the air.

For a number of years now, our congregation has been engaged in a step-by-step process called the Green Congregation Challenge.  If you haven’t heard of it, that’s understandable.   More often than not, the work that goes on is just below the surface.   Like the mustard seed, the steps may seem inconsequential.   Yet like the tree that emerges from its planting, it grows to 6,000 times its size, attesting to a commitment to protect and love all of God’s Creation.

The Green Congregation Challenge is administered through the Environmental Ministries Team of the SNEUCC*.   Yet the actual work takes place within local churches, such as our own.   Like the mustard seed, once the tree begins to take root, its canopy extends to every facet of congregational life and ultimately, its mission.  In other words, you can’t tell where it all started, and for that matter, just how far its branches will extend: be it preaching, prayer, and pastoral care; music and the arts; tending to the education and spiritual life of our church family; seeking the well-being of the immigrant and the homeless, or Facilities/Open Doors who seek the care for the least of these and creation itself.

On Sunday, April 26th, our church will celebrate Earth Day with lively music and worship. A conference representative will recognize FCCW as a Level Three Church, honoring our congregation’s steadfast mustard seed work. The Green Congregation Challenge has five levels, from getting started (Level 1) to participating nationally and globally (Level 5). We are being honored for building momentum (Level 3), though the depth and scope of our collective work is moving us towards expanding our impact (Level 4). Who could have imagined how far our branches would extend?

On behalf of the Justice Ministry, we invite everyone in our congregation to join us for Earth Day on Sunday, April 26th.  All who have participated in the ministries of our church are welcome to celebrate and be recognized!

*The Southern New England Conference, United Church of Christ

Signups are open for our next Repair Café on March 14 starting at 9 am in Chidley Hall.

We hope to host a Pi Day Fundraiser to support the Immigrant Support Alliance. Please email Karen Bellacosa at karenbellacosa@mac.com if you are willing to bake a pie or if you want to help out.

Please tell your friends, neighbors and colleagues about us and be sure to visit us to get links to sign-up for our next and upcoming events at; https://www.repaircafewin.com

The Repair Café Volunteers

Sign Up Here

Following worship, Paul will be available during Hospitality Hour to answer any questions. Along with providing additional background resources, Paul will explain how we can best support this initiative.

Given the pushback by the current administration, which is doing its utmost to impede sustainable energy initiatives, this is not only a local effort but a tangible means of safeguarding our climate and God’s beloved Creation. Thank you in advance for helping support this critical initiative.

The Justice Ministry Team