This Sunday, October 6th
10:00 a.m.
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Worship led by Rev. Lee Ann Bryce
"Season of Gratitude:
Harvesting the Past for the Present"
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Refreshments:
The Haygoods
October Trustee:
Dan Bernardez
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From Tracy Hanna
FCC Moderator-Elect
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Back in the age of the dinosaurs, when Brian and I arrived in Fort Worth (it was 1998 to be exact), we visited a bunch of churches to see if we could find a fit. There was the church near our house, for example--amazing choir, but really conservative and formal. Then there was the mega-church. The service was really fun, but when the pastor basically said that everyone except “us” was going to, um, perdition, we moved on.
After several other churches, we checked out FCC. Right when we walked in the door, people welcomed us so sincerely, and when we listened to the sermon it actually made us think!
The church has changed and grown over the past 20 years, but the most important things are still the same. Through all our time here, it has been obvious that welcome and acceptance of all has been a core value of our church (even before the “no matter who you are...” statement was coined!). We also love how this church
does
so much, like Room in the Inn, Pride, NAMIWalks, Thanksgiving bags, school supplies...the list goes on. A church like this is hard to find, especially here in Fort Worth, Texas. We are grateful that we have been able to get to know so many wonderful people here, and that we and our kids have had such a loving community in which to experience our spiritual education, with values that we all share. It is very important to us to support this unique church with our energy and resources, so that this vibrant community can continue to be available to all.
This past Sunday we received packets including the narrative budget and a pledge card. During this month, the “Season of Gratitude,” we will be focusing on gratitude and generosity as part of our rich life as a church. Our small groups and worship services will join in activities and reflections related to our themes of gratitude and generosity.
On Sunday, October 20th, we will gather outside in our beautiful grove of trees for a Tuscan-themed lunch (prepared as an act of generosity by the Foodies), as we celebrate the loving community we share here at First Congregational Church. We hope you will join us for this special event.
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The Pride Parade--THIS SATURDAY!
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Come join FCCers
THIS SATURDAY
, October 5th (after NAMIWalks), in downtown Fort Worth for the Tarrant County Pride Parade!
Here are all the details:
Meet-up time:
10:15 a.m.
(Parade starts at 11:00 a.m.)
Meet-up location:
West 2nd Street and Florence Street
Participant #:
47
FCC theme:
Texas Pride!
Wear anything related to Texas--the state, a city, a team, bluebonnets--be creative!
Can I bring my dog?
Yes, but dogs must be on a leash and please bring water for them.
What if I can't walk the entire route?
There will be a pickup truck (that can also hold your water/drink).
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NAMIWalks 2019--THIS SATURDAY!
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Join co-captains Lisa November and Ingrid Keller for NAMIWalks 2019
THIS SATURDAY
, October 5th.
Each year, the FCC team walks in memory of Benjamin November and others who have struggled with mental illness--to raise awareness and to raise funds for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). NAMI is a grassroots organization that provides services to individuals and families and--most importantly--lets everyone know that they are not alone.
SATURDAY DETAILS
Check-in:
7:30 a.m.
Start time:
9:00 a.m.
Meet-up location:
Trinity Park Trails Pavilion #1
Post walk:
We are Better concert, 10:30 a.m. (Bring blankets or folding chairs if you plan to stay.)
Click here
to j
oin Ben's Babes or make a donation to our team. All funds raised directly support NAMI's mission to provide support, education, and advocacy to individuals and families locally. If you have any questions, please contact
Lisa November
or
Ingrid Keller
.
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Meal Train for Janna and Pat
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Janna is finally home from the hospital--YAY!--and a meal train has been set up for Janna and Pat. If you'd like to participate and bring them food, please
click here
to sign up. There are still late October dates available.
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Fall Church Work Day
Next Saturday, October 12th
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Please join the Trustees next
Saturday, October 12th
, from 9:00 a.m.-noon, for our fall work day. Fingers crossed it will be a lovely day to do some work both inside our building and outside on our beautiful grounds.
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Please join us in the Sanctuary
next Saturday, October 12th
, at 2:00 p.m., when Jay Fuller will be ordained into the United Church of Christ. Guests include clergy and members from across the North Texas Association of the South Central Conference of the United Church of Christ and from Brite Divinity School. Everyone is welcome to come and celebrate this joyful occasion!
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Sunday, October 20th, is "Season of Gratitude" Celebration Sunday, and Foodies are preparing the meal. If you are interested in learning about food and technique--and having a blast while doing it--please come to the kitchen on
Saturday, October 19th
, from 9:00 a.m.-noon to help prepare a "Tuscan Picnic" menu. Many hands make light work, so come and join us. Bring your favorite knife and cutting board. A light lunch will be provided.
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Become a Member of our Safety Team
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Our Safety Coordinator, Bill Barbre, is looking for a few folks who would be willing to occasionally wear a radio and spend part of the Sunday worship service checking doors, halls, and the parking area as part of our emergency preparedness activities. Anyone able to see, hear, speak, and move around is welcome. The more volunteers we have, the more we can minimize missing church while also providing layers of security in and around our building. If you’re interested, please contact
Bill Barbre.
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Silent Death Penalty Vigil
next Thursday
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“...the death penalty retains a strong psychic hold on ideas about justice and public safety, even as capital punishment has evolved to become more and more, at least in the United States, a singularly Texan institution.”
- Christopher Hooks,
“The Texas Death Penalty Machine Has Become Increasingly Grotesque,”
Texas Monthly
, September 9, 2019
Randy Halprin is scheduled to be executed next Thursday, October 10th.
On execution days, we gather at 5:30 p.m.--30 minutes before the execution--for a silent vigil remembering the victims and their families, the man being executed and his family, and those whose jobs require them to end a life.
(Please check
here
on the day or on our Facebook page in case there has been a stay of execution.)
Here is a list of the upcoming executions:
- October 16th--Randall Mays
- October 30th--Ruben Gutierrez
- November 6th--Justen Hall
- November 20th--Rodney Reed
- December 11th--Travis Runnels
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NURSERY (infants-4 years old; next to Rev. Lee Ann's office)
The
Nursery is available during the Education Hour for our littles ones. (It is also available beginning at 9:45 a.m. for those wishing to drop off their littles before worship.)
ADVENTURE VILLAGE (Kindergarten-5th grade; second floor, Room 207)
This week, the AdVillians will be talking about their ancestors, the stars, and the creation of a rainbow of elements.
YOUTH (6th-12th grade; second floor, Room 203)
The youth will talk about the 50 year anniversary of Stonewall, and where sacred spaces are for those in the LGBTQ+ community.
ADULT EDUCATION
(Social Hall)
Adult Ed will continue
Embark: A Journey of Spiritual Questioning and Formation.
Here is the link to Session 4
.
(Please download and print out for class this Sunday if possible.)
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Go Fund Me Campaign for Lucas
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A Go Fund Me page has been set up for the legal expenses of Lucas--a boy in our congregation needing help. (
Click here for the link.
) Can you please help spread the word by sharing the page? (Just click "Share" under the "Donate Now" button.) Donations are, of course, also appreciated. (
If you don't want to use GM, you can donate through FCC...just write "Lucas" in the memo line of a check, or on the outside of an envelope.)
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Fall is on its way--ready or not--so be sure to mark your calendar for the following events:
- Next Saturday, October 12th--Fall Church Work Day, 9:00 a.m.-Noon
- Sunday, October 20th--"Season of Gratitude" Celebration Sunday
- Sunday, December 8th--FCC Annual Meeting
- Saturday, December 14th--"A Winter's Eve Concert" with Peter Mayer and Elizabeth Wills
- Friday, December 20th--Christmas Caroling
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FIRST CONGO BOOK CLUB, Thursday, October 24th, 7:00 p.m.
Stay tuned for the October selection
or call Peter Nichols (484-432-4548) for more information.
CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS ON THE GO, Wednesdays, Chapel, 8:30 a.m.
Join us for Mindfulness on the Go, where we sit, walk and enjoy guided meditation in 10-minute intervals. You may come or go at the bell.
(Contact:
Lisa November
;
Facebook page:
FoWoMindful
)
NO CM THIS SATURDAY!
SATURDAY CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor
CMers are encouraged to attend NAMIWalks and/or the Pride Parade. From Lisa:
We can join such events and bring our practice to it. As you walk, you might say to yourself, "Breathing in, I bring calm and peace to every step. Breathing out, I am so grateful to be on this path."
When you greet fellow participants with your eyes, you may like to say to yourself, "I greet you warmly with my eyes, for you are another Bodhisattva on the path of joy and sorrow."
(Contact:
Lisa November
;
Facebook page:
FoWoMindful
)
FIRST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH, THIS Sunday, October 6th, following worship, at Tricky Fish on Bryant Irvin
On the first Sunday of the month, a group of FCCers head to a local restaurant to eat and socialize. This is a great way to connect with a great group of folks! Let Faye Swindle or Sall-Ann Sauer know if you're going so they will save you a place at the table. (Contact:
Sall-Ann Sauer
)
HEART-2-HEART WOMEN'S GROUP, Wednesday, October 9th, 10:00 a.m., Chapel
H2H will be learning about podcasts. (Contact:
Rhonda Grundy
or join their Facebook page: Heart2Heart)
PRAYER PARTNERS, via email
One of the most valuable gifts we can offer one another and our world is prayer. Prayer requests are shared via email, so this is a good way to connect if you are unable to attend scheduled events. (Contact:
Church Office
)
LOIS HUNDLEY PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY, First and Third Thursdays, 1:00 p.m., Family Room
If you knit or crochet, you can use your talents to make prayer shawls. These "chicks with sticks" offer handmade gifts to those who need encouragement during difficult times. (Contact:
Linda Bavousett
)
RECOVERY DHARMA FORT WORTH, Tuesday, 7:00 p.m., Thursdays, 7:00 p.m., and Sundays, 4:30 p.m., Parlor
Recovery Dharma FW practices ways to free ourselves from the suffering of addiction of any kind using Buddhist practices and principles. This is a welcoming peer-led movement and community that approaches recovery from a place of individual and collective empowerment as we walk this path of recovery together. (Contact:
Kevin Woodson
)
SOUL SISTERS
Soul Sisters get together every other week and share a meal, do activities, and just enjoy being together. The best way to stay up to date is to check out their Facebook page: Soul Sisters FCC. (Contact:
Kim Haymon
)
T'AI CHI, Thursdays, 1:30 p.m., Chapel
T'ai Chi--a type of stylized meditative exercise focusing on stretching and balance--is available to adults and youth. A $30 per month fee is required. Details are available through the instructor. (Contact:
Steve Blostein
)
TRANS TARRANT, First Thursday of the month, 7:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Trans Tarrant provides support and resources to transgender and gender-variant individuals and their families in Tarrant County. They meet at FCC for a potluck dinner. For more info, email
TransTarrant@gmail.com
or visit their Facebook page:
TransTarrant
FIRST CONGO UKERS,
Saturday, October 12th, 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m., home of Guenevere Nieman
Ukers meet monthly at a different location to sing and play and socialize. To stay up with the gatherings, be sure to get on their email list. Everyone is welcome from "I've-never-held-a-uke-before" to "I'm-ready-to-go-on-tour!" (Contact:
Laurie Dobson
or join their Facebook page: First Congo Ukers)
SATURDAY YOGA, Saturdays,
1:00 p.m., Parlor
There may not be an instructor, but there are DVDs, so come join the group. Everyone is welcome--no matter your yoga experience. (Contact:
Sall-Ann Sauer
)
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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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Carolyn Crowley
Heather Goolsby's friend recovering from an accident
Janna Ferguson's sister, Gena
Martha Salvato
Landon (Jerri Cunningham's cousin)
Janna Brown and Pat Parker
Pat Boyd's son, Lee
Melissa Gibbons
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If you order from Amazon, would you please consider signing up for AmazonSmile and supporting FCC?
(
Just click here!
)
If you already use AmazonSmile, would you consider making "First Congregational Church UCC Fort Worth" your charity of choice?
SPREAD THE WORD!
Share this information with your family and friends who might want to help support our church!
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In May 2008, we declared: We, the congregation of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Fort Worth, declare ourselves to be Open and Affirming. We strive to be a congregation that includes all persons, embracing differences of sexual orientation, gender and its expression, marital status, age, mental and physical health and ability, racial and cultural identity or background, and educational or socioeconomic status. We welcome all to share in the life, leadership, ministry, fellowship, worship, sacraments, responsibilities, blessings, and joys of our congregation's life in Christ.
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Address:
4201 Trail Lake Drive, Fort Worth, Texas 76109
Phone:
817-923-2990
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Instagram:
FirstCongregationalFortWorth
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Article/Announcement Submissions
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Articles for
The Comma
and announcements for the bulletin must be in to
the office
via email no later than Wednesday mornings. For events to be published on our Facebook page, please email the office with the details. PLEASE NOTE: Articles and announcements may be edited for length, grammar, etc.
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We frequently take photos or videos of all the wonderful events happening in our church. If you prefer we do not include photos of you or your family in our bulletin or on social media, please let the church office know. We will be happy to honor your request.
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You can make a donation to FCC via Vanco--a UCC online giving website. Here's what to do:
1) Go to our web page
fortworthucc.org
click on "Giving" menu, then click on the "Give Now" button.
2) Once on the Vanco website, set up an account, and decide where you want your donations to go, how often, and from what account.
PLEASE NOTE:
Credit/debit transactions incur fees payable to the credit card company. FCC will record the amount less the fees for IRS purposes.
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