Inspired, encouraging, serving and seeking… Together in life’s joys and challenges… Making a difference! 

WINTER WALK on 2/11/24

What a great day we had on Sunday for the Winter Walk 2024.

From the ride in to the parking, to the speeches and video, to the sights and sounds of

Boston Common, this was a fantastic time to be together to support the cause of ending 

homelessness. The organizations that receive the funds were all there, and we even got to

see Rev. Jennifer McCracken of St. Pauls, and several of the MANNA Pilgrims who stayed in our church during the

once annual pilgrimages.

I am sending along a few of the pictures I took from the event. Sorry I do not have a close up of

Amanda (in green hat), who was fantastic in her speaking role. However, there is a picture of her dad Ken, selling

Rough Sleepers, the phenomenal book by Tracy Kidder about Dr. Jim O’Connell’s street ministry to the homeless. Amanda Grant-Rose has more copies if you would like one.

4000 people make the walk this year, so it was a slow walk, in the best possible way.

Thanks for all the financial contributions. Including the contribution from Missions, we raised over $1200 toward

The Rose Family team, and overall support.

.

Best,

Janet

The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI

7:30 until 8:30pm, on-site in the Library at First Church and on Zoom

UPCOMING

Wednesdays, February 7/21

Join Pastor Ian in this Book Group to learn about AI and its social considerations.



The Worlds I See: Curiosity, Exploration, and Discovery at the Dawn of AI

by Fei-Fei Li 

"The Worlds I See is a story of science in the first person, documenting one of the century’s defining moments from the inside. It provides a riveting story of a scientist at work and a thrillingly clear explanation of what artificial intelligence actually is—and how it came to be. Emotionally raw and intellectually uncompromising, this book is a testament not only to the passion required for even the most technical scholarship but also to the curiosity forever at its heart."

Please let Pastor Ian know you might participate.

Pastor Ian will be away from Feb 25- March 14. Local Pastors are on hand to help with Sunday Services.

If you have a pastoral emergency, please contact Lorraine Follis or Sharon Thomas.

Thank Youi

Stewardship

Spiritual Conversations with Coffee in January

Group led conversations before church, about scripture and the life of faith, and the journey we are on with God and each other. The January meetings will take place on January 21/28 at 9:10 AM in the Library.

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Al-Anon is an organization that offers experience, strength and hope to families who are

struggling with alcoholism and addiction. It is a very safe place to share the challenges of

difficult family situations. We at Al-Anon are very grateful to the First Church of Swampscott which has offered us space to hold our meetings, as below:

Tuesday nights at 7:30

Tuesday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in the library

Thursdays at noon in the library

Please join us! For more information, please email Jodie or Laurie. Thanks.

The First Church Swampscott

40 Monument Avenue

Swampscott, MA 01907

Senior Pastor: The Rev. Ian Holland

Director of Music Ministries: Patricia Clark

Church Council 2023-2024

Chair: Clarke Orzalli

Clerk: Sharon Thomas

Treasurer: Sharon Scofield

Members: Diana Beaupre, Betty McNeil,

Susan Hamilton, Heidi Whear, Melissa Foye