grief – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester https://fcc-winchester.com A Christ-centered nurturing community, growing in faith, serving in love, welcoming all with joy. Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:21:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://i0.wp.com/fcc-winchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/cropped-cross-2.jpg?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 grief – We are the First Congregational Church in Winchester https://fcc-winchester.com 32 32 71464776 Grieving in Community Winter/Spring 2026 Dates https://fcc-winchester.com/community/grieving-in-community-winter-spring-2026-dates/ Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:21:09 +0000 https://fcc-winchester.com/?p=26845 January 18 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

February 1 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

February 15 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

March 1 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

March 22 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

April 2 | Maundy Thursday Events | FCCW/Sanctuary

April 12 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

April 26 | Climate & Political Grief Gathering | 11:30 AM | Palmer

May 10 | 11:30 AM | Palmer

 

 

]]> 26845 From Lament to Healing to Love:  https://fcc-winchester.com/latest-news/from-lament-to-healing-to-love/ Mon, 12 Apr 2021 15:24:22 +0000 https://fcc-winchester.com/?p=10693  
A three part series for both individual and collective grief.
 
Three spring virtual offerings to give witness to the grief, burden and pain of our lives.
 
Come to one or all three as you feel called
 
 

Love’s Invitation: Pause to Retreat Join us on zoom Monday evening, May 17th at 7pm.

Love’s Invitation


Love’s invitation finds us right where we are. After the tomb, Jesus met his followers in poverty of spirit and in mourning. He offered a next word of meaning and hope.


There is space for that word in the midst of our own questions and doubts.  We will gather, on retreat in our homes, to listen and pray, to share and discover … and to remember that we are part of Jesus’ faithful community.


Our home retreat is being held Monday May 17th from 7 to 8:30. Please register by emailing Rev. Jonathan Goodell by Friday, May 14th.

 

Ripley Chapel Healing Circle Join us on zoom Tuesday Evening, April 27th at 7 pm. 


An invitation to pray what is on your heart in community. A contemplative healing practice of deep listening, lighting candles and witness designed for those experiencing anxiety, burden and grief. It is a time to hold dear those who are not with us due to physical distancing or death. Connect deeply to the love, grace, and serenity that God offers us. Extend an invitation to family and friends to join you.

Be like the bird who, pausing in her flight awhile on boughs too slight, feels them give way beneath her, and yet sings, knowing she hath wings.

Victor Hugo

  

A Circle of Holy Lament

For anyone holding pain, sorrow, grief in their lives right now for whatever reason; the loss of a loved one, the breaking of relationship, struggles with mental or physical illness, various effects of the pandemic, etc… we invite you to this virtual circle of lamentation, a communal practice of offering our grief to God. Kathleen Zagata, our Health Minister, will speak about the nature of grief, Rev. Will Burhans will explain how grief can be expressed through the practice of lament and then we will offer our laments to God together. We invite you to bring a journal or a piece of paper and a pencil or pen to the gathering.

 
 

The missing element in our grief was a familiarity with lament— the heartfelt and honest talking to God through the struggles of life.

Mark Vroegop

 

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