News

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

Special Open and Affirming Panel Discussion – Thank you for joining us!

The Open and Affirming discussion that was held last Sunday provided powerful testimonies and stimulating conversation for all who were there. The committee would like to thank all who attended and shared their questions and thoughts.  We continue to be open to questions and comments from all members and friends of the church. Our future plans will be announced soon.

It was wonderful to have you all there.

Your Open and Affirming Committee

Upcoming Worship Services

As a result of having to cancel two consecutive Sunday worship services, we will be adjusting the service content for the first three Sundays of February:

February 8 – A worship service using the bulletin that would have been used on January 25th; communion will be postponed until February 15

February 15 – Transfiguration Sunday, the final Sunday before the beginning of Lent; this service will include communion.

Dismas Farm Dinner

Dinner will be at the church this Tuesday, February 10th at 6.00 PM.

Please email Deanna or Angela with whatever you would like to bring!  Thank you for your help!

Deanna Randall – 413-436-7849 or drandall444@comcast.net

Angela Carville – 508-347-1148 or angelacarville67@gmail.co

Announcements from Pastor Doug

I have had long discussions with several groups regarding a possible Ash Wednesday service.  The suggestion of holding the service at 5 p.m. sounded good until we remembered that we have the winter farmers’ market in the building from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.  No other time seemed to work well for our congregation at this time of year, so we have come up with a creative plan that we hope may be meaningful for a number of folks.  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.  Lent and Easter come very early this year, so we are hoping that this option will be helpful in this winter of snow and icy roads.

I have also been discussing the logistics of a possible Bible study group for our church in the near future.  Once again, finding a good time in Lent has been exceptionally difficult.  Several folks suggested that we wait until after Easter, when the weather is warmer and we have longer times of daylight.  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.

Jim Haynes has once again been transferred from the rehab facility to Baystate Hospital in Springfield to be treated for a likely infection.  Please 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.

Annual Meeting – Sunday, March 15th – Plan to Attend! (A Few Desserts Requested)

The annual meeting of the First Congregational Church is scheduled for 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!!). A few desserts are requested.

Please let Terry Hall know if you would like to bring a dessert to share so that we don’t have too many.

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

We hope to see you all there!

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!)

Have a wonderful weekend.

Bonni Holmes
Church Secretary

Special Open and Affirming Panel Discussion – RESCHEDULED FOR THIS SUNDAY! February 1st!

Due to the snowstorm last week and the cancellation of church, our ONA panel discussion has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 1, following our worship service.

Please note: Communion has been moved to Sunday, February 15th due to this change.

Please join your Open and Affirming Committee members as they present an informal panel discussion where they will share why they are on the Open and Affirming Committee, why it is important to them and why they believe that our church should proclaim itself an open, affirming and welcoming church. This discussion will begin during coffee time, so plan to grab a bite, a drink, a chair and join the discussion. All are strongly encouraged to attend, to bring questions and your comments.

Upcoming Worship Services

As a result of having to cancel two consecutive Sunday worship services, we will be adjusting the service content for the first three Sundays of February:

February 1 – A Service of Inclusivity related to the process of becoming an Open and Affirming congregation, followed by a panel discussion in conjunction with coffee hour (originally scheduled for January 18); Choir will sing during the offering time.

February 8 – A worship service using the bulletin that would have been used on January 25th; communion will be postponed until February 15

February 15 – Transfiguration Sunday, the final Sunday before the beginning of Lent; this service will include communion.

Announcements from Pastor Doug

I have had long discussions with several groups regarding a possible Ash Wednesday service.  The suggestion of holding the service at 5 p.m. sounded good until we remembered that we have the winter farmers’ market in the building from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.  No other time seemed to work well for our congregation at this time of year, so we have come up with a creative plan that we hope may be meaningful for a number of folks.  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.  Lent and Easter come very early this year, so we are hoping that this option will be helpful in this winter of snow and icy roads.

I have also been discussing the logistics of a possible Bible study group for our church in the near future.  Once again, finding a good time in Lent has been exceptionally difficult.  Several folks suggested that we wait until after Easter, when the weather is warmer and we have longer times of daylight.  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.

Pastor Doug’s Office Hours:

Friday, January 30^th  – 9:30am – 12:30pm

Wednesday, February 4^th  – 12:30pm – 3:00pm

Friday, February 6^th  – 9:30am – 12:30pm

Please feel free to call me at 913-387-9947 if you need to schedule other times to meet.

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.

1. 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!)

Special Open and Affirming Panel Discussion – RESCHEDULED FOR SUNDAY! February 1st!

Due to the snowstorm last week and the cancellation of church, our ONA panel discussion has been rescheduled for Sunday, February 1, following our worship service. Please note: Communion has been moved to Sunday, February 8th due to this change. Please join your Open and Affirming Committee members as they present an informal panel discussion where they will share why they are on the Open and Affirming Committee, why it is important to them and why they believe that our church should proclaim itself an open, affirming and welcoming church. This discussion will begin during coffee time, so plan to grab a bite, a drink, a chair and join the discussion. All are strongly encouraged to attend, to bring questions and your comments.

Announcements from Pastor Doug

• Thanks to everyone for their patience with our adaptations to this winter’s crazy weather! This past Sunday’s cancellation of our worship service also forced the postponement of our post-church Open and Affirming committee panel discussion to February 1.  Because the worship service preceding that discussion was already planned, we will move our February communion to the February 8 worship service.  The choir will still be singing on February 1, and they will have a beautiful selection to enhance our worship that day.
• There is snow forecast for this Sunday, January 25, but the latest reports are that the snow will not begin until noon. If we have learned anything this winter it is that predicting the precise arrival of storms is difficult, so we will be keeping watch to see if that snow will impact our service this week.
• I have had long discussions with several groups regarding a possible Ash Wednesday service. The suggestion of holding the service at 5 p.m. sounded good until we remembered that we have the winter farmers’ market in the building from 3-6 p.m. on Wednesdays.  No other time seemed to work well for our congregation at this time of year, so we have come up with a creative plan that we hope may be meaningful for a number of folks.  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.  Lent and Easter come very early this year, so we are hoping that this option will be helpful in this winter of snow and icy roads.
• I have also been discussing the logistics of a possible Bible study group for our church in the near future. Once again, finding a good time in Lent has been exceptionally difficult.  Several folks suggested that we wait until after Easter, when the weather is warmer and we have longer times of daylight.  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.

Pastor Doug’s Office Hours:

Friday, January 23^rd  – 9:30am – 12:30pm

Wednesday, January 28^th  – 12:30pm – 3:00pm

Friday, January 30^th  – 9:30am – 12:30pm

Please feel free to call me at 913-387-9947 if you need to schedule other times to meet.

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.

1. 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!)

Meetings This Week

Sunday, January  25th

Board of Deacons

DEADLINE

Please submit your articles for Glad Tidings by Monday, January 26^th

Have a wonderful weekend.

Bonni Holmes
Church Secretary