Earth Day – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester

Join us for Worship This Sunday at 10 am in the Sanctuary (April 30, 2023)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 14:41:17 +0000

On this Fourth Sunday after Easter, Creation Care Sunday, we will focus on Genesis’ symbolic and mythic retelling of Creation, moving then eons later to the first Easter and Christ’s resurrection. Using scripture while drawing upon the thinking of Wendell Berry and others, Sabbatical Team Member Rev. Jessica McArdle will ask, “What is our Most Ancient and Pleasing Vocation?” Rev. Maeve will offer the Morning and Lord’s Prayer; Children’s Program Director Maggie Keeler will offer the children’s message; Moderator Sarah Gallop will read scripture; and Sabbatical Team Member, Rev. Eileen Morris, will lead us in a time of Pastoral Prayer. We will meet in Chidley Hall after the service for conversation and coffee. As this is Creation Care Sunday, resources focusing on Sustainability, Renewal Energy, and our progress toward Level Three of the Green Congregation Challenge will be available. We warmly welcome you to join us in celebrating God’s Good Creation and the joyful gift that comes with community.

Download the Bulletin Here: 4th Sunday of Easter 4_30_23

Join Us for Worship This Sunday in the Sanctuary at 10 am (May 1, 2022)

Sarah Marino — Fri, 29 Apr 2022 18:30:59 +0000

This Sunday is Earth Communion Sunday when we lift up our relationship with the earth as central to our faith and the importance of earth care as a practice in following the way of Jesus. We have a beautiful service on tap with Rev. Jessica McArdle as our guest preacher, music from Paul Winter’s Missa Gaia, a guest vocalist in Carrie Cheron, a Time for the Young with Bruce Alexander, and communion. We hope you’ll join us in the sanctuary or tune in online for Earth Communion Sunday.

Download the Bulletin Here: Earth Sunday Bulletin 5_01_22

Earth Day

Sarah Marino — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 18:36:49 +0000

In honor of the 51st commemoration of Earth Day as well as speaking to “spring-song” of justice long-denied for those in the black community, a poem by the late African-American poet, Langston Hughes

An Earth Song

It’s an earth song,

And I’ve been waiting long for an earth song.

It’s a spring song,

And I’ve been waiting long for a spring song.

Strong as the shoots of a new plant

Strong as the bursting of new bud

Strong as the coming of the first child from its mother’s womb.

It’s an earth song,

A body song,

A spring song,

I have been waiting long for this spring song.

Join Us for Jazz Earth Sunday (April 18, 2021)

Sarah Marino — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 14:57:35 +0000

Earth Day is Thursday, April 22nd and it is our tradition to lift up eco-justice and creation care in our worship of God during this week. Please join us on Sunday for a pre-recorded Jazz Earth Sunday worship service where we will have a guest preacher in Rev. Jim Antal who is the Special Advisor on Climate Justice to the General Minister and President of our United Church of Christ. Our Jazz Band will lead our music and we’ll have a special Prayers of the People led by Rev. Jessica McArdle and other congregation members. We hope you’ll join us at 10 am or whenever you can!