Happy February Thaw, to all of you!  Looks like we have a bit of snow this weekend, but Wed/Thurs next week look amazing!!  65 degrees....WHAT?!

Thank you all so much for your support of our Winter Walk activity last Sunday, and with our Super Bowl Sunday luncheon fundraiser.  The Walk was a great experience for our five teens and five adults, even though it was quite rainy.  It was just fun to drive into Boston on a Sunday AM, with no traffic, and to experience a city that hadn't woken up yet.  The Walk committee did a great job, and we got warm welcomes on Copley Plaza from Mayor Marty Walsh, as well as the Rev. Liz Walker.  After the walk, we heard a poignant testimony from a formerly homeless man named Joe.  We also got a glimpse of NE Patriot and good guy, Nate Solder.  Thanks to your generosity, we raised $1700 for Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.

 

The church steeple at dusk

is here....PLEASE CLICK

Contents include:

We have another event coming up with our teenagers called City Reach, also focused on the problem of homelessness.  This event involves an overnight in Boston on Friday, March 9th, and a chance to understand the trials of homelessness from those who have been homeless.  Nearly 100 youth from churches in Danvers, Millis, Weston, NH and CT will be joining us for the program, which takes place 8 times a year.  We will do some street ministry on Saturday, March 10th, and we are now conducting a clothing drive to take these items with us for immediate distribution. We are collecting seasonal clothing items on Sundays February 18/25, as well as March 4. The items we are seeking (with emphasis on men's clothing, as we are told that approximately 80% of the Boston homeless population are men) include:

Gently used and clean (large sizes are especially valued)....

Warm coats, hooded sweatshirts, sweatpants, sweaters, tee shirts, long sleeved shirts, jeans, khakis, casual pants, comfortable shoes, sneakers, hats, waterproof gloves, belts, carrying cases of all kinds (backpacks, small suitcases on wheels), sample sized toiletries (soap, lotion, etc.), disposable razors, sleeping bags, blankets.

New white socks and new underwear will also be gratefully accepted.

Also reminding you that the Church Website is now Live!!  Check it out.... CLICK HERE .  It is still a work in progress, and improvements will be made continually.  Lorraine Follis would love to get some feedback from you on the site. She plans to update the website mainly on Tuesdays.  Ministry teams, committees, or event planners can send Lorraine an announcement, which she will post to the website. Thanks to all who worked so hard on this project over the last six months or so.

Finally, as of (Ash) Wednesday, we have now entered into the 40 day period of Lent.  It seems that Lent is a misunderstood time amongst non-Christians, and even Christians.  I found this article from the website Vox interesting and provocative. May we all have an opportunity for some quiet time and self-reflection (in whatever form that takes) this Lenten season.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Janet

The First Church Swampscott

40 Monument Avenue
Swampscott, MA 01907

Church Council :  Chair, Jim Kinchley; Clerk, Dale Orzalli; Treasurer, David Silva; Nursery School Liaison, Jennifer Reames; Bill Key; Diane Pagnotti; Karen Brown; Elaine Clarke; Dan Ryan.