Following are the current announcements from First Congregational Church, West Brookfield, United Church of Christ:

From Pastor Doug:

With evening dinners at the church on October 14 and 21, Pastor Doug will change his office hours for the next two weeks from Wednesdays to Tuesday afternoons (10/14 and 10/21) from 2:30-5:30 p.m. Friday office hours from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. will remain the same. Wednesday hours will resume on October 29.  Thanks for noting these temporary changes!

Dimas Farm Dinner

We will be hosting the dinner at the church on Tuesday, October 14th at 6:00pm.  It is potluck.  We are looking for main dishes, salads and desserts.  Please contact Angela or Deanna if you are bringing something to share or if you have questions.  As always, please joins us for dinner and meet the gents!

A Special Visit and Simple Supper – Tuesday, October 21st

Please join your Mission Committee and others on Tuesday, October 21st for a delicious meal and an engaging presentation by Global Ministries missionary, Elena Huegel from Chiapas, Mexico. Elena has visited our church a few times over the years and with each visit those who attend are always mesmerized by her storytelling and message of hope. Elena, who works at the Institute for Intercultural Studies and Research on the southern border of Mexico will present stories, games, prayers, cultural notes, and indigenous wisdom from the Mayan people and maybe even a recipe or two from the Dignity Cookbook: A Journal to Nurture our Relationships.

We hope to see you on this special evening!

Your Missions Committee –  Stephanie Beland, Neil Blodgett, Debbie Steltzer, Angela Carville and for this event, Beverly Prestwood-Taylor and Terry Hall

Sharing Cupboard Needs:

The Sharing Cupboard is in need of more plastic shopping bags, mayo, canned peas, canned carrots, and canned green beans. Fresh vegetables from your garden are always welcome. Please leave all donations in the donation box at the church entry but leave the vegetables with a pantry volunteer.

Thank you

Meetings This Week

There are no meetings this week.

Blessing of the Animals

We will be celebrating a Blessing of the Animals on the Common at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 11!  We’ll have a brief responsive reading, scripture reading, and prayer together before Pastor Doug anoints and blesses each animal.  Please also invite friends and neighbors to bring their animals (Doug has blessed dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, an iguana, and a snapping turtle over the years, so all animals and well-behaved humans  are welcome!). This will be a joyful conclusion to the Season of Creation!