Annual Meeting – Sunday, February 15th – Plan to Attend!

The annual meeting of the First Congregational Church is scheduled for this Sunday, February 15th with a snow date of Sunday, February 22nd. This meeting is open to all members and friends of the church. You do not need to be a member of the church to attend and speak, only to vote. (If you are interested in becoming a member, please see Pastor Doug.) This annual business meeting is a wonderful opportunity to get to know your church better. Past and future activities of boards and committees are discussed as well as reviewing and approving our 2026 budget. This year, a delicious lunch will be provided by Jaclyn & Eric von Bleicken (our thanks to them!!).

Please remember to bring a copy of the annual report that was emailed out last week, to the meeting. If you are unable to print, there will be a few paper copies available.

Questions regarding the annual meeting? See Parish Board members, Pastor Doug or Clerk, Terry Hall.

We hope to see you all there!

Ash Wednesday Services

A couple of weeks ago I sent out the following message regarding Ash Wednesday and a time here at church to receive ashes. Here is the part of that message with details: On the First Sunday of Lent, February 22, immediately following our regular worship service, we will invite whoever would like to stay for a short service of imposition of ashes (likely 10 minutes or so) to come to the front of the church.  We will share a brief responsive litany and reading, and then impose ashes on those who wish to do so. I will offer the option of placing ashes on one’s forehead, or on the back of one’s hand, as many churches did during COVID.  We will still be offering this opportunity on Sunday, February 22.

Since that notice went out, we have been invited by Pastor Sandy at George Whitefield United Methodist Church here in town to participate in a “drop in” Ash Wednesday time of reflection and prayer from 2-5 p.m. at the George Whitefield UMC. Here is the introduction to that service that Pastor Sandy used last year and will use again this year: “This service uses Visio Divina (Latin for “divine seeing”) and a written reflection. Visio Divina is a method of praying with art or visual images. Please enjoy the images from the Hubble telescope as you contemplate God and God’s love for us and use the written meditation as you choose. You may sit and pray and (if you wish) come forward to receive the anointment of ashes whenever the Spirit moves you. The symbol will be in the shape of a cross, and you can choose to have it placed on your forehead or on your hand.”

Bible Study

I would like to do a six-week study using Professor Amy-Jill Levine’s book Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner’s Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven, beginning on Wednesday, April 8 and meeting on Wednesdays a 5 or 5:15 and lasting until 6:15 or 6:30 p.m. when we will still have plenty of daylight.  If we order books as a group, we will not have to pay shipping and they will likely cost $13.50-$14 each.  If this study sounds like something in which you would be interested , please e-mail me (djwnscaa@gmail.com) or text me (913-387-9947) and let me know if you would like to be part of a group book order or rather order your book individually.

Prayer Requests

Please continue to keep Dave and Joan Fitzgerald in prayer as Joan continues in hospice care at home.

Please also continue to keep Jim and Ellen both in prayer.

Pastor Doug’s Office Hours:

For the month of February and March, I will be changing my office hours to Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon and 1:00-2:00 p.m.  Wednesday hours will be by appointment, and I can be available by appointment on other days by calling my mobile phone at 913/387-9947.

Snow Cancellations:

We will make decisions about snow cancellations by 8:30 and if we decide the safest decision is to cancel the service we will send out an e-mail message announcing the cancellation.  If you would prefer to receive a telephone call regarding such cancellations, please let Karen Murphy know.

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard always needs mayo, mustard, ketchup, canned carrots, cookies, crackers cereal and coffee. Thanks to the wonderful community outreach, our shelves are well stocked with other items. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry.  Thank you.

Brookfield Farmer’s Market

Did you know?

….Our church is host to a fabulous farmer’s market each Wednesday afternoon from 3 – 6 in our Fellowship Hall!

Some of the fresh and delicious fare at the market include a wide variety of mushrooms, micro greens, fresh eggs, incredible bread, beautiful bulbs and flowers, a plethora of vegetables, fresh baked goodies, imported coffee, kombucha, honey, maple syrup, ice cream, grass-fed meat, hand-crafted jewelry, wooden bowls and cutting boards and even more!  Stop in sometime and enjoy one of West Brookfield’s hidden treasures! (Hidden right inside of our church!)

(Time is running out to shop the market – Last one is Wednesday, March 25th!)

 Meetings this Week

Friday 13th – Open and Affirming Committee

Sunday 15th – Annual Meeting