This Sunday, September 15th
10:00 a.m.
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Worship led by Rev. Lee Ann Bryce
"Sacred Unknowing"
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Refreshments:
The Days
September Trustee:
Bart Shafer
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Do you think it’s possible to be 100% certain about the existence of God?
I’m sure some of our congregation would answer “yes.” I know a lot of folks who hold a strong sense of surety about God. God, for them, is a certainty they depend upon. If your answer to that question is “no,” you’re not alone in our congregation. Maybe that’s why you are drawn to a church where questioning is not only tolerated but celebrated.
On Sunday, we’ll encounter a well-known gospel story about knowing. Nicodemus sought out Jesus, knowing some things and uncertain about others. What does their conversation reveal? (Spoiler alert: That may be a matter of opinion.)
Following worship, we’ll kick off the new Adult Education class,
Embark: A Journey of Spiritual Questioning and Formation
, developed and taught by Stacy Roberts. I hope you’ll plan to attend (and let us know in the survey questions below so we’ll have plenty of seats.)
Knowing/not-knowing, we journey together. And I am grateful.
In trust,
Rev. Lee Ann
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I plan to attend the "Embark" Adult Ed series starting this Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-Noon.
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If yes, how many in your household will attend?
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An Invitation from Stacy Roberts
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Hello friends!
I am so excited to go on this journey with you!
Embark
is a fantastic opportunity for us to explore our spiritual journeys together in a safe, positive environment.
We will gather in the Social Hall after worship. If you can’t make it to all the sessions, don’t worry! You can catch up and pop in when you can. The lessons will be available in
The Comma
every week (click on the link below), and emailed to you if you sign up on Sunday. As a way to save church resources, we ask that you print the lessons and bring them to class with you. If you are not able to print them yourself, let me know, and I’ll get you all set up!
See you Sunday,
Stacy
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The Education Hour
THIS SUNDAY!
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NURSERY (infants-4 years old; next to Rev. Lee Ann's office)
The
Nursery will be available during the Education Hour for children. (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)
The AdVill theme this year is "The Great Story" and its connection to the Bible. The kids will create a h
istory timeline on the FCC grounds, as well as
write a history of themselves.
YOUTH (6th-12th grade; second floor, Room 203)
Our pre-teens and teens will be catching up after summer break, getting to know the new youth, and talking about plans for the upcoming year.
ADULT EDUCATION
(Social Hall)
Adult Ed will start the new semester with
Embark: A Journey of Spiritual Questioning and Formation,
developed and taught by our own Stacy Roberts, MDiv., MA (Theological Studies). See above article for more info.
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Are You Ready for the Pride Parade?
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Come join FCCers on Saturday, October 5th (after NAMIWalks), in downtown Fort Worth for the Tarrant County Pride Parade!
Pride is one of our biggest church events of the year! This year's theme is "
2019 Remember Stonewall 1969 - 50th Anniversary.” There will be no float this year--we'll just be a walking entry--but we will have a truck for those who cannot walk the route. More details to come, but mark your calendars!
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Join Ben's Babes for NAMIWalks 2019
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Join co-captains Lisa November and Ingrid Keller for NAMIWalks 2019 on 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.
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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Meet Our New Bell Choir Director!
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First Congregational Church is pleased to introduce our new bell choir director Zane Freemyer. Zane grew up in Fort Worth, attended the
Academy of Fine Arts, and
graduated from Baylor with a degree in church music. He now attends Brite Divinity School. Zane has been playing handbells since second grade, and has been in music ministry several years, including as music director at a church in West for over two years. He is excited to continue learning about God and serving at FCC. Welcome, Zane!
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Beginning next Friday, September 20th, millions of people around the world will walk out of their homes, workplaces, and schools to
demand emergency action be taken to avoid climate breakdown.
This strike is being led by a 16-year-old Swedish climate activist. (Here is a good
article
about the event.)
The Fort Worth climate strike will happen next Friday, September 20th, from 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. in downtown Fort Worth, outside of City Hall.
NOTE:
You are not expected to be there the entire time unless you choose to do so.
There will be FCCers attending
, so check next week's
Comma
and Facebook for times we can gather together.
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Starting this Saturday!
A New (and Free) Corena TCC Class
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FCC's own Corena White will be teaching another free continuing ed course at TCC entitled
"Federal Courts and Major Supreme Court Decisions." All of the classes are on Saturdays from 9:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m., beginning this Saturday. The course schedule is as follows:
- September 14th: Overview of Article III and the Federal Judiciary
- September 21st: 2006 Supreme Court decision Hamdan v. Rumsfeld
- September 28th: 2010 Supreme Court decision Citizens United v. FEC
- October 5th: 2019 Supreme Court decision Rucho v. Common Cause
To register, send an email to
tr.cee@tccd.edu.
(Corena recommends following up with a phone call to 817-515-1071. And if you have any problems, call
Yolanda Fansler at 817-515-1004.)
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Sunday, October 20th, is Season of Giving 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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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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Looking for a Simple Way
to Make a BIG Difference?
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The birthdays of children in foster care often go unnoticed. If you would like to send a birthday card to a foster child at Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home, it can be mailed to: Pastor Katie, c/o Birthday Boy or Birthday Girl (DOB), 909 Greenlee Street, Denton, TX, 76201
There is just one September birthday. (See image.)
NOTE:
For privacy reasons, no names are listed. Envelopes should not include anything other than a store-bought or hand-drawn birthday card with a kind message and signature. (Please no cash or checks. Donations can be made at
cpch.org
.
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Fall is on its way--ready or not--so be sure to mark your calendar for the following events:
- Saturday, October 5th--NAMIWalks 2019 and Tarrant County Pride Parade
- Sunday, October 20th--Season of Giving 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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#wetoo: How the Church Should Respond
to the #metoo Movement
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In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Women and Gender Studies at TCU, the topic for the 7th Annual Crossroads Lecture on Faith and Public Life is
#wetoo: How the Church Should Respond to the #metoo Movement.
The event will take place next
Wednesday, September 18th
, at 7:00 p.m., at the Robert Carr Chapel.
Participants will explore the Christian community’s historic response to sexual violence, and new possibilities for healthy frameworks that allow religious communities to become a “haven of healing rather than institutions of judgement.” Author and activist Mary DeMuth will be the keynote speaker, and opening remarks will be offered by Kathryn Jacobs, President and CEO of SafeHaven of Tarrant County. Q&A and a reception will follow.
Individuals are strongly encouraged to register
here.
For questions, please email
faith@tcu.edu
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September/October Small Groups
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FIRST CONGO BOOK CLUB, Thursday, September 26th, 7:00 p.m., home of Marla Boswell
September's selection is
Defectors
by Joseph Kanon.
This story takes place in Russia during the Cold War. It's the story of two brothers from a prominent Boston family who choose different paths: One at a young age goes to fight in the Spanish Civil War and ends up with the CIA before defecting to Russia. The other is a prominent publisher who isn't entirely trustful of his brother when he offers the prospects of a new book about his life.
Contact Marla for directions (817-277-7155) 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
)
SATURDAY CULTIVATING MINDFULNESS, Saturdays, 10:00 a.m., Parlor
Come join us this Saturday when we will sit and walk in the tradition of Plum Village and Thich Nhat Hanh. T
his Saturday, we will meditate on the Four Noble Truths which are: 1.
Dukka
which means ill-being, uneasiness, pain or suffering; 2.
Samudaya
- how our ill-being came to be, the roots of our suffering; 3.
Nirodha
- the cessation of ill-being and suffering; and 4.
Magga
- the path out of suffering. Just as the second noble truth is the origination of ill-being, the fourth noble truth is the origination of well-being. Please join us for meditation and discussion on the Four Noble Truths and, of course, for tea and a cookie.
(Contact:
Lisa November
;
Facebook page:
FoWoMindful
)
FIRST SUNDAY LUNCH BUNCH, Sunday, October 6th, following worship (location to come)
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, September 25th, 10:00 a.m., Chapel
H2H will be learning about the Enneagram. (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
)
Note: The Wednesday women's group is no longer meeting.
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:
Audrey Meza
)
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, September 28th, 2:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m., home of Claire Graham
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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Dementia Friendly Fort Worth Events
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Dementia Friendly Fort Worth has classes, dementia-friendly worship, and a
monthly gathering for those with early dementia and their caregivers. Go to their website
here
for more information.
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Please Keep in Your Prayers
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Janna Ferguson's sister, Gena
Martha Salvato
Landon (Jerri Cunningham's cousin)
Janna Brown and Pat Parker
Beck Trammell
Lisa Schaub's family
Martha Salvato
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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