Open and Affirming Committee 

Please plan to join the committee on Sunday, April 26^th when we present two short videos: Gatekeeping an interview with the late Rachel Held Evans and another containing a brief interview with Nadia Bolz Weber. We will begin our meeting during coffee hour and hope everyone will be able to stay.

In addition, many have asked the committee for a vocabulary list with definitions to assist in understanding our LGBTQI+ brothers and sisters. Copies of this list are located on the table under the bulletin board in the Fellowship Hall. Please help yourself to a copy.

SPECIAL VOTE – Please join your Open and Affirming Committee on Sunday, May 3rd, following our morning service when a special meeting will be held to vote on our “Covenant of Welcome”. This covenant has been reviewed and approved by the Church Council, the Parish Board and the congregation over the past year. This is a very important vote in the life of our church so please plan to attend. Carefully read the warrant that is attached to this email for more details. Questions? Please see a member of the ONA Committee.

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

Prayer Requests

Please keep Neil Blodgett and Jim Haynes in prayer.  Neil fell and needed stitches to close a wound on his head. He is at Holy Trinity Rehab in Worcester.  Jim continues at JGS LIfecare Rehab in East Longmeadow.

Bible Study

The fourth week of the Spring Bible Study will take place on Wednesday, April 29^th – 5:15 – 6:30pm.  Please read chapter four.

Office Hours

• Friday, April 24^th –  9:30am – 12 noon.
• Wednesday, April 29^th  – 2:30 – 4:30pm
• Friday, May 1^st –  9:30am – 12 noon.

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard always needs wet dog food, 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.

Meetings this Week

Sunday, April 26 – ONA video presentation during coffee hour

ONA Committee meets following coffee hour/video presentation

***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

The First Congregational Church of W. Brookfield, UCC

Warrant

To the Members of the First Congregational Church of

1. Brookfield and the First Parish of West Brookfield:

You are hereby notified that the members who are qualified to vote in the affairs of the church are requested by the Parish Board to meet following morning worship on Sunday, May 3, 2026 to act on the following:

Article I: To call the roll of the members, or take any action related thereto.

Article II: To vote to adopt the following Covenant of Welcome for our church, which expresses our church’s intention to welcome all persons who seek to follow Christ and participate in the life, leadership, ministry, and mission of our church. The acceptance of this Covenant will require an 80% vote of the members of our church who are present at this May 3 meeting (in person or by Zoom).

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.

I hereby certify that this notice was duly posted as directed.

Terry Hall, Clerk

(Members wishing to attend this meeting via Zoom please contact the church clerk to be sent a link.)