Ministry Headlines
First Congregational Church in Winchester, UCC
Lent & Easter 2019 Vol. 66, No. 2
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Spiritual Reflections
Why the Seven Deadly Sins?
Seasons of the Spirit: A Lenten Reflection
Holy Week & Easter Services
Ministry Updates
Leadership Team
Ministry Team
Music and Worship Arts
Personnel
Green Congregation Task Force
Health Ministry
Outreach
Ruth Group
Opportunities to Serve
Lent & Easter Events at a Glance
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MINISTRY TEAM
Why the Seven Deadly Sins?
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Our Lenten Worship Series from
Sunday March 10 through Palm Sunday, April 14 is based upon the Seven Deadly Sins. Not only will Judy and I preach on the sins and their corresponding virtues, but the choir will sing on them as well. Wait 'til you hear, for instance, the choir’s musical take on sloth, lust and wrath!
Read more...
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SEASONS OF THE SPIRIT
A Lenten Reflection
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During Lent we are invited to ponder our “missing the mark” in the things we do and have done, as well as the things we have left undone, recognizing the realities that keep us distant from the transforming power of God’s forgiveness and love.
Read more...
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Holy Week & Easter Services
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Palm Sunday, April 14
Blessing of the Palms on the Common 9:30 AM
Palm Sunday Worship 10:00 AM
Maundy Thursday, April 18
Maundy Thursday Service 7:30 PM
Overnight Vigil Begins 9 PM
Good Friday, April 19
Vigil Closing Service 12 PM
April 20
Bagels & Bunnies Egg Hunt 9:30 AM
Easter Sunday, April 21
Sunrise Yoga in the Barn at Wright-Locke Farm 5:15 AM
Sunrise Service at Wright-Locke Farm 5:45 AM
Worship in the Sanctuary 9:00 & 11:00 AM
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You are invited to donate a chancel Easter plant as a memorial or as a gift. Plants will be distributed to our shut-ins following the worship service on Easter Sunday, April 21. The cost of plants is $20.00 each. All orders are
due by Palm Sunday, April 14.
Please fill out this form to order.
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Leadership Team March Update
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Greetings from the Leadership Team (LT)! We’d like you to know what we’ve been working on, and as always, we invite you to share your ideas, concerns, or questions with us. Learn about the 2019 budget, our beautiful steeple, and new focus areas.
Read more...
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MINISTRY TEAM
Troubling the Waters for the Healing of the World
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In April, Judy will be attending the "Troubling the Waters" conference. The gathering takes its title from scripture: John 5:1-9 and Isaiah 43:1-9 along with other texts that tell our story of protest and resistance.
Read more…
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MUSIC AND WORSHIP ARTS
The Immigrant
Experience
Sunday, March 24, 4 PM
St. Mary’s Church, 158 Washington St, Winchester
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Please join our choir, in collaboration with local congregations, in a special performance of words and music in honor of
The Immigrant Experience, a cantata by local composer John Kramer.
Read more...
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PERSONNEL
Get to Know Kathleen!
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Our ministry team does a great job getting to know the congregation, but how well do we know our ministers? The Personnel Team will be interviewing a different member of the staff in each edition of
The Spire so we can learn more about what inspires them to serve and how they recharge their batteries. First up, Minister of Congregational Health and Wellness, Kathleen Zagata!
Read more...
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GREEN CONGREGATION TASKFORCE
Can FCCW Become an Energy as well as Spiritual Powerhouse?
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For the past months, representatives from Facilities as well as the Green Congregation Taskforce, have been researching and discussing the benefits of equipping FCC with solar panels to generate its own electrical power.
Read more…
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HEALTH MINISTRY
Contemplative Retreat in Nature
Friday, May 17 & Saturday, May 18
Registration due April 17
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As the woods awaken from the winter slumber, you are invited to retreat in nature. Take time to slow your pace, immerse in the sights and sounds of the woods, and through prayer and spiritual practices experience the natural world as a gateway to a deeper relationship with God.
Read more…
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Seven Deadly Sins on the Path to Wholeness
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In past years as Lent approached, Kathleen Zagata wrote about “taking up” a Lenten health practice. This Lent she writes to bring attention to a specific opportunity that awaits us, namely the Sunday Worship Seven Deadly Sins Series.
Read more…
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OUTREACH
The Outdoor Church Serving Opportunity
March 31
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March has five Sundays in it, which means an opportunity to help the Outdoor Church! There are many ways you can make a difference! On
March 31, we will receive donated ingredients, make sandwiches and send them with 2 or 3 church members to Cambridge.
Read more... and
sign up here!
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RUTH GROUP
March April, and May Book Selections
March 17, April 14, & May 19, 7-9 PM
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Please join us as we discuss three books this spring. All women of the church are welcome!
March 17
Hosted by Sarah Gallop
April 14
Host: Karen Roberts; Facilitator: Teresa Cader
May 19
Hosted by Mike Redding & Laurie Roby
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Lent & Easter Events at a Glance
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March
Mar 6
Mar 12
Mar 16
Mar 17
Health Ministry Sunday & Visitation
Mar 19
Mar 24
Mar 26
Mar 30
Mar 31
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April
Apr 2 & 9
Apr 14
Apr 16
Apr 18
Apr 19
Vigil Closing Service
Apr 20
Apr 21: Easter!
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What's Your Team Up To?
The Spire is published seasonally, six times per year: Fall (Sept-Nov), Advent/Christmas (Dec), Winter (Jan-Feb), Lent/Easter (Mar-Apr), Spring (May-June) and Summer (July-Aug).
Due dates for submissions can be found here.
The Spire features ministries updates and seasonal spiritual content. Please send your team updates to
Nancy Kneiss
. Please note that content may be gently edited for length and clarity, and will appear on our website. Upcoming events and weekly email blast requests should be sent to
Sarah Marino
, our Office Manager, at by Thursday at 9:00 AM. Thank you!
-Nancy Kneiss, Editor
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