First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ,
Conant Memorial
135 Center Road
Dudley, Massachusetts
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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 |
Worship is every Sunday at 10 am. Please join us - our doors are open to all. UPCOMING PROGRAMS/EVENTS:
OUR FIRST CHURCH DINNER OF THE FALL - TURKEY WITH ALL THE FIXINGS - will be on Saturday, October 19th, 2019. Click on "more" at the top of this page and then Church Suppers in the drop down menu, for complete information.
__________________________________________________________ Pastor John (PJ) writes to say:
"I begin this Program Year with a newly found energy and determination to find ways to collectively shine a light of positivity into our little corner of the world, a world which desperately needs that positive light to shine. It is my deep belief that positive thinking leads to positive actions and a deeper sense of gratitude. Gratitude leads to more joy, decisions based less on fear and more on love, healthier individuals and communities. Beginning October 13th, then continuing every second Sunday of the month at 1:00 p.m. for an hour, with gratitude to Jess and Bill Sabine, I'll be gathering with whoever wants to join me at The Rose Room - 4 East Main Street in Webster. Visit their website by clicking The Rose Room If you like, bring some positive story to share. It might be about some random act of kindness, an experience in nature or anything at all really, a story you believe would raise the spirits of absolutely anyone who hears it. Also, if you choose to be part of the largest goal of this project, bring your story in written form, 200 words or less, a story you will allow me to use in various ways in the months and years to come as we work together to raise the level of positivity and gratitude, where we live and well beyond. For those choosing to be part of this written project click Release Form - Gratitude Project where you'll find a Release Form I'll need you to sign, allowing me to use your work, now or anytime in the months and years to come. Also, click The Gratitude Project for a printable flyer for you to share with others. __________________________________________________________ Jon Zittel writes to say:
For October I am planning an all church hike along the Blackstone Canal in Uxbridge. The trail is approximately 2.5 miles round trip. The trail is flat and well maintained with places to rest along the way. It's also dog friendly. The date is October 20 at 2:00 p.m. If you're planning on going please sign up no later than October 18. I'll have a signup sheet available during Coffee Hour or send me an email by clicking Jon Zittel Also, if you're interested in carpooling please meet up at the church at 1:00 p.m. The address for the park is 287 Oak Street - Uxbridge, MA. For more information about the park, visit their website by clicking Blackstone River and Canal Heritage State Park NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, The Men's Group will host an all church game event in Jacobs Hall from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Please bring a game to play. I've got a board game and a small foosball table to share. Also, please consider bringing a non-alcoholic drink and a snack to share. Hope to see you at the hike (if the weather cooperates) or the game night (if the weather does not cooperate). Thanks, Jon |
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When you get up in the morning and wonder what person in leadership will lie to you today, what
unnecessary, unhelpful and potentially dangerous displays of power will be suggested or acted upon,
what person you believed in yesterday will let you down today... it can be depressing. When you hear
of one more neighborhood struggling with violence, one more person mislabeled as someone we should
fear, one more struggling soul needing to overcome an addiction to opioids, alcohol, sexual misconduct,
racism or fear... it's deeply sad. So remember, we're on this journey together. Remember, none of us is
beyond repair, and since we are not beyond repair, the world is not beyond repair.
Let us work together to repair our little corner of the world,
bringing the kin-dom of God here, now. Peace.
When you get up in the morning and wonder what person in leadership will lie to you today, what
unnecessary, unhelpful and potentially dangerous displays of power will be suggested or acted upon,
what person you believed in yesterday will let you down today... it can be depressing. When you hear
of one more neighborhood struggling with violence, one more person mislabeled as someone we should
fear, one more struggling soul needing to overcome an addiction to opioids, alcohol, sexual misconduct,
racism or fear... it's deeply sad. So remember, we're on this journey together. Remember, none of us is
beyond repair, and since we are not beyond repair, the world is not beyond repair.
Let us work together to repair our little corner of the world,
bringing the kin-dom of God here, now. Peace.
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.
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.
Follow Pastor John on Twitter @PJsPeace
