First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ,
Conant Memorial
135 Center Road
Dudley, Massachusetts
Through March 14 – Worship will be virtual worship only (YouTube)
(click on PJ's Worship below)
March 18 – Reopening Task Force will meet to reassess our situation
(click on PJ's Worship below)
March 18 – Reopening Task Force will meet to reassess our situation
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On our website are weekly podcasts and YouTube videos created by Pastor John and church members. Check them out and know that we are still here, praying for you and your loved ones, looking forward to the day when we will ALL be able to worship again together in our sanctuary. In the meantime, let us bring worship to you, wherever you may be, so that you are able to feel connected still during this time of social distancing and quasi-isolation. Be well and God bless you! View the most recent worship service here: PJ's Worship Listen to PJ's most current Podcast here: PJ's PODCAST |
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Welcome!
Throughout the journey of our lives we find ourselves on many different roads, traveling with a diverse group of people. We learn much through the joys and pains of daily living. Each of these experiences forms and molds us a bit more as children of God. At the First Congregational Church of Dudley we celebrate the journey you are on towards becoming the highest expression of yourself, whom God created you to be. As an Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ we want you to know no matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here! At our church we encourage a journey which is traveled with our bodies, minds and hearts, our intelligence and our compassion working together… side by side. This is a community of seekers who work to live the questions of our faith, the faith of Jesus, forming ourselves more and more in that image of perfect love. Please take some time to explore our website, sign up for PJ’s Place (my weekly e-letter) and visit us for worship. You may not be fully sure why it is you are exploring a relationship with our church and The United Church of Christ. You may simply be following some inner urging. We encourage you to listen to the voice of your heart for God is still speaking now. Come and become something more, as together we seek to live and grow as followers of Jesus on The Way…an inclusive and ever-expanding journey of love, beginning with ourselves and our families, extending to our communities, our nation and all the world. We look forward to meeting and getting to know you soon. Blessings on your journey, Pastor John __________________________________________________________ 
Open and Affirming
All are welcome! The Open and Affirming Coalition provides support and sanctuary to all our lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sisters and brothers, their families and friends; advocates for their full inclusion in church and society; and brings Christ's affirming message of love and justice for all people. __________________________________________ As we continue to bring worship to you through podcasts and
videos, we invite you to share your financial gifts with the church, especially during this unprecedented time of physical church closure. Checks may be made out to First Congregational Church, UCC, Dudley and mailed to First Congregational Church, UCC 135 Center Road Dudley, MA 01571 In the memo, please write: "Offering" and include your pledge number if you have one. Thank you and God bless! _______________________________________________________ 
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UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS:
Food Drive –
The Black Tavern & The First Congregational Church of Dudley (UCC) are collaborating once again, collecting food for those in need within our local communities. The dates are March 18-21. Click Food Drive for all the information. _____________________________________________________ Please consider giving to our annual Easter collection for HANDS (Helping Address the Needs of Dudley’s Seniors ) The Dudley group HANDS s a local Non-Profit 501(C)(3) organization, which assists low-income town residents over age 60, with meeting their home heating needs. The group was formed in 2008. Since that time, they have provided more than $84,000 to 175 deserving individuals. It is extremely taxing on those with insufficient means to decide between food, medicine, rent, and being warm. The pandemic has only added to these pressures. This group helps ease some of the burden on people and ensures they are kept warm during the cold winter months. HANDS distributes over 95% of all donations received directly to service providers who assist these residents. For the 2020/21 Heating Season, HANDS granted 11 awards totaling $7,207.90. This will go a long way toward helping these seniors in this time of desperate need. Fundraising in the time of COVID-19 has been challenging for many organizations. The Annual HANDS Bucket Brigade fundraiser in the Spring of 2020 had to be canceled. The success of HANDS is determined by the amount of donations received and the Board is grateful to every person, group, school, church, and business which supports this endeavor. If you wish to learn more about HANDS, including Application or Donation Information, click HANDS For more information, you may also call Sarah at (508)943-8517. Please make your check, paid to the order of The First Congregational Church of Dudley. In the Memo, write HANDS. Then send to 135 Center Road, Dudley, MA 01571. __________________________________________ Tuesday Evening Adult Study Discussion Group ON ZOOM ONLY at 7:15 p.m. BORN A CRIME "[Noah] reveals the full brunt of the terror and diabolical absurdity he endured in this substantial collection of staggering personal essays deftly shaped by his stand-up gifts for timing and precision. Incisive, funny, and vivid...[his] electrifying memoir sparkles with funny stories... Noah's candid and compassionate essays deepen our perception of the complexities of race, gender, and class. Hopefully, Noah will continue to tell his bracing and redefining story." - Booklist (starred review) "In eighteen sharp, at times harrowing essays, The Daily Show host Trevor Noah reveals his coming-of-age as the son of protective interracial parents in apartheid South Africa." - Harper's Bazaar If you are planning to join the group, please e-mail me by clicking Pastor John. For our reading schedule, click Born a Crime schedule. To purchase a copy of Born a Crime click Born a Crime - Barnes & Noble or Born a Crime - Amazon or consider supporting your friendly local bookstore. Also, should you have financial concern in purchasing this book, please e-mail me by clicking Pastor John Looking forward to gathering together, with you, Pastor John _________________________________ Senior High Youth Fellowship has resumed. For those interested in participating or seeking more information, email Michaela. ___________________________________ AA Day at a Time meetings have resumed in person at the church, Thursday evenings, 8:00 - 9:15 pm _________________________________________________ Thanks so much to Bob Kersting (chairperson) and
all the members of our Reopening Task Force for work which will continue for a long time to come. A document has been put together by the members of the task force, helping you make your best decision regarding how you choose to worship. Click Church Reopening Plan |
Follow Pastor John on Twitter @PJsPeace
