News

AED Training

Sunday, June 28 following service at 11:30ish.   There will be an AED training that will be conducted by a West Brookfield EMT.   This is a very important training so please consider attending.  Questions, contact Karen Murphy at. Kmurphy718@charter.net

Chorus For These Times,

will be performing a sing/concert for us on June 20 from 6 PM to 8 PM.  There will be refreshments and entertainment.  This event is open to the public please invite family and friends.  If you are able and willing to contribute some kind of refreshments, please contact Karen Murphy at KMurphy718@charter.net.  We are looking for easy finger foods.  Hope to see you there.

Prayer Requests

Please keep Jim Haynes in prayer.   Jim continues at JGS Lifecare Rehab in East Longmeadow.

Pastor Doug / Office Hours

• Friday, June 5 – 9:30 – 12:00, and 1:00 – 2:30
• Friday, June 5 – 9:30 – 12:00, and 1:00 – 2:30
• and by appointment

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard currently needs mayo, mustard, ketchup, 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.

Meetings this Week

There are no meetings this week.

Guest Minister, Sunday, May 31st

We are happy to welcome Pastor Emily Castner to our church this Sunday while Pastor Doug is away. Ordained by the UCC in 2007 to a half-time position as the Protestant chaplain in a 500-bed nursing home in Rochester, NY, Emily retired and moved to Worcester in 2018.   She is a deacon of the United Congregational Church in Worcester and chairs their Creation Justice Task Force as well as occasional supply preaching.

Please give her a warm West Brookfield welcome!

Prayer Requests

Please keep Jim Haynes in prayer.   Jim continues at JGS Lifecare Rehab in East Longmeadow.

Thank you for your prayers.  Millie Gushe is home after her hospital stay.

Pastor Doug / Office Hours

Pastor Doug is taking a short break.  He is taking off Friday, May 29 – Monday, June 1.

• Wednesday, June3 – by appointment
• Friday, June 5 – 9:30 – 12:00, and 1:00 – 3:00

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard currently needs mayo, mustard, ketchup, 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.

Meetings this Week

Church Council Sunday, May 31

Post-Asparagus Festival Committee – June 2 – 1 pm

Missions Committee – Thursday, June 4 – 2pm

Transition Team  – Friday, June 5 -1 pm

***Does your committee or Board have a meeting planned? Please let others know!  Send your meeting date and time to Bonni before any Friday as she posts on Friday mornings. The church email address is fccwbworship@gmail.com. Thank you.

Did you know that we are on YouTube???

Visit our YouTube channel and see recorded sermons from Pastor Doug Williamson.

www.youtube.com/@firstcongregationalchurchofW.B

You can also find a link on our website.  Look under the NEWS tab and you will find SERMONS.

Glad Tidings

The June issue has been mailed and emailed.  There are copies available in the foyer of the church or if you would like to receive a copy by mail, please let me know.

Chorus For These Times, will be performing a sing/concert for us on June 20 from 6 PM to 8 PM.  There will be refreshments and entertainment.  This event is open to the public please invite family and friends.  If you are able and willing to contribute some kind of refreshments, please contact Karen Murphy at KMurphy718@charter.net.  We are looking for easy finger foods.  Hope to see you there.

Asparagus, Heritage and Flower Festival – A Roaring Success for All!

We planned, they came, and we had an incredible day!

The weather was picture perfect and the crowds were bigger than ever. We sold gallons and gallons of asparagus chowder and tons of brownies. 

There was frequent and loud laughter from many corners of our lawn – – – and we’ll do it again next year!

Thanks to everyone who donated the groceries, gave monetary support or volunteered their time to help on Friday and Saturday. It was ALL appreciated!

The total raised from all your efforts to support our church missions and our church infrastructure was just shy of $10,000. A very successful day, indeed!

Thanks, everyone!

Your Asparagus Festival Kitchen and Tent Crews – and Committee

In Case You Missed it

There are still 5 quarts of chowder left for purchase.  They have been put in the freezer.  If you are interested, please see Karen Andersen or Karen Murphy.

Prayer Requests

Please keep Jim Haynes in prayer.   Jim continues at JGS Lifecare Rehab in East Longmeadow.

Please keep Millie Gushue in prayer. Millie is at Harrington Hospital in room 321, being treated for an infection, and would love to have visitors.

Pastor Doug / Office Hours

Pastor Doug will be taking a short break next week, taking off Friday through Monday, May 29-June 1.  He will be working from home in the early part of next week, so please feel free to call him (913-387-9947) if you need to speak with him or make an appointment.  Pastor Doug will be offering a Memorial Day prayer on the Common at 9:45 a.m. as part of the community remembrances that day.

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard currently needs mayo, mustard, ketchup, 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.

Meetings this Week

Open and Affirming Committee – Friday, May 22, 1 pm

Deacons – Sunday, May 24

Church Council Sunday, May 31

***Does your committee or Board have a meeting planned? Please let others know!  Send your meeting date and time to Bonni before any Friday as she posts on Friday mornings. The church email address is fccwbworship@gmail.com. Thank you.

Did you know that we are on YouTube???

Visit our Youtube channel and see recorded sermons from Pastor Doug Williamson.

www.youtube.com/@firstcongregationalchurchofW.B

You can also find a link on our website.  Look under the NEWS tab and you will find SERMONS.

Next issue of Glad Tidings

The deadline for submissions to the June issue of Glad Tidings is Tuesday, May 26^th.

Open and Affirming Committee 

As was reported in last week’s email, our congregation ushered in a new welcoming era on Sunday, May 3rd as we made our Covenant of Welcome an official document of our church. With the adoption of this covenant, we were able to apply to the United Church of Christ’s Open and Affirming Coalition for open and affirming status. We celebrated this milestone on Sunday, May 10 with a group photo! In addition, on Thursday of this week, the Coalition approved our application. This makes our church the 1954th church in our denomination to achieve this status. Truly something to celebrate!

Thanks for your continued support of this very important mission of our church.

Doug Showalter, Pat Jackman, Karen Murphy, Angela Carville, Stephanie Beland, Beverly Prestwood-Taylor, Pastor Doug and Terry Hall

Our Covenant of Welcome

We, the members of the First Congregational Church of West Brookfield, UCC, are a people of faith, following Jesus and sharing God’s abundant love, believing each of us is created in God’s image. We seek to demonstrate God’s love through respect and care for one another. We celebrate and learn from differences in race, culture, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, economic and political background, and physical and cognitive challenges. We welcome those who have no church home, need strength, want to follow Christ, or are seekers in their spiritual lives. All are invited to participate fully in the life, leadership, ministry and mission of this church as we strive to grow in a safe and nurturing community of faith. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.

Asparagus, Heritage and Flower Festival – THIS Saturday, May 16th 10 am – 3 pm

Spring has sprung and the asparagus is growing!  Once again, it’s time for the annual festival that celebrates the gorgeous, green goodness!

Our church will have hot chowder by-the-cup ($7),  cold chowder by the quart-to-go ($20), yummy brownies, and drinks on the church lawn from 10 – 3. Cold quarts will also be available on the town common (west end), along with raffle tickets for a chance to win Mary Deotte’s beautiful handmade quilt.

Mark your calendars and plan to stop in for a delicious treat and a quart to-go!

Thanks to everyone who has donated the groceries needed, given monetary support or is scheduled to volunteer their time to help on Saturday. It is ALL appreciated!

Questions?

See Karen Andersen, Karen Murphy or Terry Hall

Prayer Requests

Please keep Jim Haynes in prayer.   Jim continues at JGS Lifecare Rehab in East Longmeadow.

Prayers of thanksgiving that Neil Blodgett is healed and home from his lengthy stay in the rehab care center.

Office Hours

• Friday, May 15^th–  9:30 a.m.-12 noon, and 1-3 p.m
• Friday, May 22^nd–  9:30 a.m.-12 noon, and 1-3 p.m

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard currently needs mayo, mustard, ketchup, 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.

Meetings this Week

No Meetings this week

***Does your committee or Board have a meeting planned? Please let others know!  Send your meeting date and time to Bonni before any Friday as she posts on Friday mornings. The church email address is fccwbworship@gmail.com. Thank you.

Did you know that we are on YouTube???

Visit our Youtube channel and see recorded sermons from Pastor Doug Williamson.

www.youtube.com/@firstcongregationalchurchofW.B

You can also find a link on our website.  Look under the NEWS tab and you will find SERMONS.

Have a wonderful weekend.

Bonni Holmes
Church Secretary