Latest News – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester

Welcome Back Sunday: Jazz Band & Picnic

Sarah Marino — Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:00:30 +0000

Join us on Sunday for the start of the program year at First Congregational Church! We return to the sanctuary after a summer of being in Ripley Chapel and we’ll do so with a festive worship service with our resident Jazz Band and the kids returning to Stepping Stones and a picnic afterwards to celebrate our coming back together after the summer. We will be livestreaming the service as well so join us in person or on-line at 10am.

Download the Bulletin Here: OOW 09-13-26.docx

Read Our Newsletter Here: 9/10/26

Roots & Branches 2026-2027

Sarah Marino — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 16:00:49 +0000

Roots and Branches is focused this year on faith in ordinary moments. We are bringing the simple thoughts of a seventeenth century monk named Brother Lawrence and a contemporary poet, Mary Oliver, to help us capture faith in everyday places in our lives. “Day by Day” (our title for this series) will help you take the ordinary parts of your life and find in them extraordinary power and grace. We have five groups this fall and a place for you. Give one of these “home groups” a try! And look for sign ups soon!!

Divine Yoga in Ripley Chapel

Sarah Marino — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:35:51 +0000

Divine Yoga with Christine Tresselt starts Wednesday, September 16, 2026 at 9:30 am in Ripley Chapel. This is a community practice, meant for all levels of yogis. Bring your mat and any props for comfort as we move through a 40-minute, gentle flow. A chair practice will also be offered as an option. Following the practice there will be an optional, 15-minute guided meditation for anyone that is interested.

Contact Christine at cgtresselt@gmail.com with any questions.

Youth Kick-Off Next Sunday, 9/13/26

Sarah Marino — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:27:13 +0000

FCCW youth & friends are invited to kick off the new programming year with us at Kings in Burlington for bowling, arcade games, dinner, and dessert on the evening of Sunday, September 13, 2026!

Junior Forum: 5 PM – 6:30 PM

Forum: 6:30 PM – 8 PM

RSVP is required by mid-day on September 6 to Rev. Maeve. RSVP HERE! (While you’re there, please also make sure your youth has an updated info form!)

We’re Hiring – Nursery Supervisor Needed!

Sarah Marino — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:17:08 +0000

now hiring phrase handwritten on chalkboard with vintage precise stopwatch used instead of O

We’re looking for a caring, dependable adult to serve as Nursery Supervisor on Sunday mornings during worship. This is a wonderful opportunity to help create a warm, safe, and welcoming space for our youngest members and their families. If you or someone you know would enjoy working with young children and being part of our church community, read more about the position here or contact Maggie Keeler (maggie@fcc-winchester.org) for more information.

Volunteers Needed for Community Connect Day!

Sarah Marino — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 14:01:12 +0000

Help us represent FCCW at Community Connect Day at the Farmer’s Market on the Town Common on Saturday, September 19, from 9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. We’ll have a church table with a fun activity for families and a chance to connect with people in our community. Can you help staff the table for an hour or two? No special experience needed—just a friendly face and a willingness to chat! A rain date is scheduled for September 26. Sign up today or contact Maggie for more information.

Sign up to Help with the Church Picnic

Sarah Marino — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 13:55:22 +0000

Come together with friends and church family for the annual fall church picnic, Sunday, September 13th! Enjoy laughter, connection, and a bouncy house for the kiddos! The church will provide sandwiches, salads, and water but we are asking folks to bring chips, watermelon, dessert or drinks to share. Not a cook? Consider signing up to help with setup, serving or cleanup instead! Sign Up to Help Here!

Calling All Ringers and Singers: Join the Choir (middle schoolers and up!!).

Sarah Marino — Thu, 03 Sep 2026 15:00:08 +0000

The choir is a place of belonging – a safe “small group” where we share our lives, our prayers, our challenges, and our joys, while working to create music that supports our faith. We also have tons of fun! It is my great privilege to walk the journey with so many of you. We have no attendance rules. No auditions. Just know that you are welcome.

Thursday evening rehearsals, 7:30 pm, Chancel. Sunday mornings, 9:15 am, Chancel.

Our first rehearsal? Thursday evening, September 10, 2026, 7:30 pm.

AND THIS FALL, we are offering a unique opportunity: an invitation to sing with the choir in an Open Choir rehearsal/worship service. Sunday, September 27 – 9:00 am on the chancel. ANYONE IS INVITED TO JOIN US, just for the morning or to try us out. We will rehearse, laugh, pray, and sing in worship that morning. If you have ever thought of joining the choir, this is the moment to give us a try. No commitment, no pressure. Just a fun and (hopefully) meaningful morning.

AND, if singing is not your thing, maybe ringing is! The Carilloneers are a wonderful group of dedicated folks, who love to bring the shimmer and sparkle of handbells to our worship services. Contact Jeffrey Mead (meadjeffreyc@gmail.com) if you are interested in participating.

Blessings,

Jane Ring Frank, Minister of Worship and the Arts

jane@fcc-winchester.org

Bibles4Kenya Collection Drive: Deadline, 9/13

Sarah Marino — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:16:44 +0000

Deadline, 9/13

If you haven’t already, please drop off Bibles you are no longer using in the clear donation bin in the church lobby. All of the donated Bibles will go towards Bibles4Kenya, a project that ships gently-used Bibles to congregations in Kenya that do not have access to new copies. We will close donations on Sunday, 9/13.

Join us on Sunday in for Worship

Sarah Marino — Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:30:39 +0000

This Week in Worship

This Sunday, we will hear from one of our stellar high schoolers, Michaela Sansom! Michaela is a sophomore at Winchester High School, and she joined other FCCW volunteers on the service-learning trip to Pine Ridge Reservation. She also enjoys going to summer camp as well as playing the bass and cello.

Michaela will deliver a message called “Curiosity, the Environment, and Faith” on Exodus 3:1-4 and Matthew 18:1-5. In Michaela’s own words, “the general theme of the sermon in my planning has been about the value of curiosity, the urge to learn about things that are hard to understand, rather than responding with fear. My general plan is to reference Moses and the burning bush and how his curiosity surrounding the bush led him to God.”

We hope you can join us in grateful worship of our Creator this Sunday, in Ripley Chapel or via the YouTube recording following the service.