First Congregational Church

Responds to & organizes assistance for persons in need.

Eric Allen, Nancy Brose, Dorothy Creswell, Ann Floyd, Vicki Kemper, Ginny Kendall, Nancy Luce, Dusty Miller, Gale McClung, Linda Smith, Cynthia Wade

Prepares and hosts Sunday morning coffee hours after worship.

Ann Clark, Connie Conn, Marie-Dominique Corbiere, Ann Floyd, Alexis Kumar, Bill Labich, Windy Sayer, Linda Smith, Bob Stover

Is organizing geographic clusters & assessing small group life.

Joan Lindeman, Gail Weirick

Designs and works on our website, media publicity & other ways of making our church visible.

Webmaster: Tim Coppolo

Tim Coppolo, Gale McClung, Bob Stover

The Healing Circle Singers meet every Wednesday,from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Hawley Room.

We gather to sing simple healing songs and be present to those who would like to receive healing energy, through hands-on healing or simply being lifted up in our hearts.

Whether people are there for specific support, or our energy is focused on the wider community and world, healing is needed. Where two or three are gathered with open hearts, there will be blessings.

Come as you are. Bring someone you care about. This circle is open to all, not just those in our church community, although we will start there. Children and teens are welcome, if they come in a spirit of respect and concern for others. They may have friends whom they want to do something for and don't know what to do. This is a way to respond.

Dorthy Creswell, Dusty Miller

Hospitality Team - Prepares and hosts refreshments for celebrations, memorials services and other special events.

Nancy Brose, Ann Clark, Connie Conn, Ann Floyd, Ginny Kendall, Linda Smith, Marylou Sullivan, Jennifer Unkles

Designs & works on effective internal communications processes including E-mail, the newsletter, bulletin boards & other methods.

Tim Coppolo, Betsy Howlett, Sterling Lamet, Gale McClung, Ruth Morse, Jean Thompson, Lydia Vernon-Jones

Plans and organizes membership development process.

Carlton Brose, Joanne Sunshower, Lydia Vernon-Jones

The Men's Breakfast is open to all men of the church who are able to meet at 7:30 in the morning on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month in the Hawley Room. A short devotional period is followed by a check-in. This is a time to share what is happening in our lives and what our concerns are. Conversation includes individual reflections (one of the understandings is "what is said here is in confidence"). Breakfast is simple--hot drinks, juice, fruit, and rolls/donuts--prepared on a rotating arrangement with each member who is able, taking a turn. To help defray the cost a donation of two dollars is suggested.

For more infomation contact: Charlie Camp

Plans and organizes annual winter uplift--the intergenerational Merry Musical Show.  More

Dorothy Creswswell, Louise Harper, Maryelise Lamet, Sabra MacLeod, Gale McClung, Savanna Ouellette

For nearly fifteen years, two dozen people have met monthly to share a meal together and to sing. Whether you think you can sing or not, you are welcome. We believe that singing is good for the soul and recent studies show that singing is also good for your health. Being able to sing is not a pre-requisite. Enthusiasm is what counts. The music has been collected over the years, and reflects our belief that when 2 or 3 are gathered together, the spirit is present. The songs come from a variety of traditions and styles, from South African freedom songs to Taize chants and everything in between. We try to find music that is easy to sing, has words that reflect what we believe, and is inclusive. We sing old faithfuls, such as Amazing Grace and Precious Lord, and new music created by members of the group. We sing rounds, chants, music from around the world, we sing in unison and in 4-part harmony. And we most certainly have a good time and lots of laughs. Katie Tolles and Betsy Howlett help keep us on key by accompanying us and Pat Vittum adds her lovely flute music.

Of course, the potlucks are delicious and there is ample time to talk to old friends and meet new people.

Sometimes, we wander from house to house. Most often the sings are at the Camp's in Sunderland, the Tolles-Ouellette in Shutebury, or the Langley's in Leverett. The Sing has wandered to many other places also--too many to list. We try to meet on the 1st Friday of each month. However, this does vary depending on what's happening in our lives and in the world.

Because we are never quite sure from one month to the next where we will meet and what day we will meet on, we have an e-mail annoucement system. Joan Langley keeps the list up-to-date, langley@physics.umass.edu. If you want to get on the announcement list contact Joan. If you want more information, email caroleann.camp@gmail.com or psavanna@gmail.com

CaroleAnn Camp, Betsy Howlett, Joan Langley, Katie Tolles

Knitters and non-knitters alike are invited to join the Prayer Shawl Ministry team of knitters (and talkers!). We meet nearly every month to work on a shawl or do other knitting or handwork as well as to share some of our favorite devotional material, or to help each other out with knitting and yarn tips. Even if you cannot knit you are welcome to join us. To find out when and where we will meet, please contact: Nancy Brose at cnbrose@verizon.net or 256-8425 or Cynthia Wade at pagewade@juno.com or 584-2315.

This team makes and distributes shawls for persons experiencing illness or other stressful situations.

Gretchen Allen, Nancy Brose, K. C. Conlan, Connie Conn, Diane Kelton, Sarah Mager, Doris Peterson, Cynthia Wade

Katie Tolles

This team organizes and carries out the welcoming and follow-up process for Sunday morning visitors.

Eric Allen, Carlton Brose, Connie Conn, Ann Grose, Jan Hargis, Ginny Kendall, Joan Langley, Jennifer Unkles, Lydia Vernon-Jones