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FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST, CONANT MEMORIAL 135 Center Road Dudley, MA 01571 (508) 943-7320 We are open for in-person worship. Or experience worship from the comfort of your home. We are live-streaming at 10 am every Sunday (click on PJs Worship below). Unable to make it at 10 am? No problem! You can watch our YouTube service at any time through the PJs Worship link below. (Note: prior to 10 am, you will be brought to previously recorded worship services. Live worship begins at 10 am) Do join us for worship. We look forward to seeing you! PJ's Worship Listen to PJ's most current Podcast here: PJ's PODCAST |
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Dear Friends,
At the end of summer, there is something poignant about feeling autumn approach. We may have spent these months sitting
by the water, gardening, traveling, visiting, reading, sharing meals or simply being outside. Those seemingly ordinary moments
may have been some of the most restorative. We live in a culture that often signals that we should always be “accomplishing”
something. Summer offers another rhythm. It reminds us that life is not only about what we produce, but also about what we
receive: space for wonder, conversation that doesn’t have to lead anywhere, sitting a little longer at the table and remembering
that we are human beings, not human doings. What if we allowed some of summer’s spaciousness to follow us into the busier
seasons? As summer begins to wane, perhaps we are reminded that leisure is not an indulgence, but a way of receiving life. To
pause, to wander, to linger, to notice beauty — these are not interruptions to our lives. They are part of what makes life sacred.
Before summer slips away, take one more unhurried moment. Walk without a destination. Share a meal without watching the
clock. Let yourself simply be. Perhaps there, in the spaciousness, you might discover something you could not have found
while hurrying. As summer draws to a close, may we carry forward its spaciousness and quiet restoration with gratitude,
allowing them to shape how we live, work and care for one another in the seasons ahead.
In Mercy,
Sr. Anne Curtis,
RSM Executive Director, Mercy by the Sea
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At the end of summer, there is something poignant about feeling autumn approach. We may have spent these months sitting
by the water, gardening, traveling, visiting, reading, sharing meals or simply being outside. Those seemingly ordinary moments
may have been some of the most restorative. We live in a culture that often signals that we should always be “accomplishing”
something. Summer offers another rhythm. It reminds us that life is not only about what we produce, but also about what we
receive: space for wonder, conversation that doesn’t have to lead anywhere, sitting a little longer at the table and remembering
that we are human beings, not human doings. What if we allowed some of summer’s spaciousness to follow us into the busier
seasons? As summer begins to wane, perhaps we are reminded that leisure is not an indulgence, but a way of receiving life. To
pause, to wander, to linger, to notice beauty — these are not interruptions to our lives. They are part of what makes life sacred.
Before summer slips away, take one more unhurried moment. Walk without a destination. Share a meal without watching the
clock. Let yourself simply be. Perhaps there, in the spaciousness, you might discover something you could not have found
while hurrying. As summer draws to a close, may we carry forward its spaciousness and quiet restoration with gratitude,
allowing them to shape how we live, work and care for one another in the seasons ahead.
In Mercy,
Sr. Anne Curtis,
RSM Executive Director, Mercy by the Sea
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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 |
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Saturday, September 12
TRUSTEES FALL CHURCH CLEAN-UP 8am - 12 noon MOVIE NIGHT - free event BACK TO THE FUTURE Jacobs Hall 6 - 8 pm Sunday, September 13 RALLY SUNDAY The Sunday School Program year begins Registration for children ages 4 - 13 Childcare for newborn through 3 years old available Saturday, October 3 APPLE FESTIVAL & CRAFT FAIR Dudley Grange and Center Road Common 10 am - 3 pm Saturday, November 7 BOSTON CHILDREN'S ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE The blood mobile will be at the church 9 am - 2 pm more info to come Saturday, November 7 TURKEY SUPPER Seatings: 4:30 & 6:00 pm SAVE THE DATE! More info to come |
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PJ's PLACE
Each week by late Friday, Pastor John sends out an
e-newsletter composed of a reflection, joys and
concerns regarding our church family, upcoming
events taking place at the church and within
our surrounding communities, a couple of
videos, photos from the previous week, and
a closing prayer. If you would like to receive
PJ's Place, you may do so by emailing
Pastor John and requesting that you be
added the PJs Place email list.
Simply click below.
PJ's PLACE
Each week by late Friday, Pastor John sends out an
e-newsletter composed of a reflection, joys and
concerns regarding our church family, upcoming
events taking place at the church and within
our surrounding communities, a couple of
videos, photos from the previous week, and
a closing prayer. If you would like to receive
PJ's Place, you may do so by emailing
Pastor John and requesting that you be
added the PJs Place email list.
Simply click below.
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Our
Tiffany Window Restoration campaign
is now underway.
We are looking to have all of our
church's Tiffany stained glass windows
restored before 2032, when the founding
of the church and the town of Dudley
will be celebrating their 300th anniversary.
For more information and opportunity
to donate to the Tiffany Window Restoration
project, visit the website below:
Tiffany Window Restoration campaign
is now underway.
We are looking to have all of our
church's Tiffany stained glass windows
restored before 2032, when the founding
of the church and the town of Dudley
will be celebrating their 300th anniversary.
For more information and opportunity
to donate to the Tiffany Window Restoration
project, visit the website below:
Open and Affirming
All are welcome! The Open and Affirming Coalition
provides support and sanctuary to all our LGBTQIA
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 LGBTQIA
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.
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As we continue to bring worship to you through
podcasts and live streaming, along with in person,
we invite you to share your financial gifts with the
church. 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.
Should you wish to make a pledge
to the church please, click on
2026 Stewardship Pledge Form
Print to complete the form and mail it
to the address above, ATTN: Stewardship.
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As we continue to bring worship to you through
podcasts and live streaming, along with in person,
we invite you to share your financial gifts with the
church. 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.
Should you wish to make a pledge
to the church please, click on
2026 Stewardship Pledge Form
Print to complete the form and mail it
to the address above, ATTN: Stewardship.
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In partnership with the
United Church of Christ.
For information regarding the Southern New England Conference
visit their website SNEUCC.ORG
United Church of Christ.
For information regarding the Southern New England Conference
visit their website SNEUCC.ORG
