News

Advent is both an incredibly important and an incredibly special time.  It is a time of both memory and anticipation.  We recall the coming of Christ to a stable in a tiny town over two thousand years ago even as we prepare to make room in our hearts to welcome him this very year. At…

The Stockbridge Festival Chorus annual Christmas concert will celebrate the 80th birthday of composer John Rutter by performing his Magnificat on Saturday, December 13, 3:00 pm at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge. Sir John Rutter is an English composer, conductor, editor and arranger whose works are frequently performed by choral groups around the world,…

Dear Church Family, Grace and peace to you during these beautiful and challenging liminal times.  One liminal aspect of these times for our life as a church involves the annual endeavor of stewardship. Stewardship is the prayerful discernment of commitment. We are asked to think about our mission and our purpose.  We are called to review…

I would like to take a moment to heighten awareness of one of our Christian Education opportunities.  Wednesdays at 1:00pm, there is an online Bible study led by The Reverend Dr. Rick Floyd. It is an informative and fun group activity.  We start with a bit of a warmup in which we greet each other,…

Dear Church Family, October is here.  In New England, October is a great month of liminality. It would take willful stubbornness not to notice the change that comes throughout the month.  The leaves literally change their colors before dropping to the ground and revealing a whole new landscape.  The last vestiges of summer finally give…

The first rehearsal of the Stockbridge Festival Chorus will be Sunday, October 5. If you’re planning on singing with us this fall, the first rehearsal is Sun Oct 5, from 1 to 3. Concert date is Sat December 13, at 3:00pm. The big piece is the Rutter Magnificat. Last rehearsal to join is now October…

Sponsored by The First Congregational Church, UCC, Stockbridge.  FREE.  Screening is at the Berkshire Waldorf High School, next to the church. Hear Me features seven young people from Berkshire County who have been impacted by gun violence. We explore root causes, stories of impact, and a way forward, through the voices of experts: those who have…

The Board of Christian Education invites you to participate this Fall.  We will be offering two different studies – the first focusing on “The Parables of Jesus” with the second exploring “Great Characters of the Bible.”  These studies will take place on Thursday evenings here at the church in the classroom beginning at 6:00pm.  (Please…

On Rally Sunday there will be the joy of familiarity.  The choir will be there (appropriately as it too is moving into a new place), the kids will head off to Sunday School (yes in new ways), we will gather out on the lawn for food and watermelon seed spitting (with the chance to find…

Fun and Fellowship AUGUST 9, 1:00pm Pittsfield State Forest ¨  Barbecue with potluck salads and desserts ¨  Bring your own plates/utensils ¨  All-Berkshire UCC clergy and congregations ¨  Rain or shine  

Dear Church Family, Grace and peace be unto you! Connections matter.  One of our sacred books – The Bible reminds us that Jesus prayed “the glory that you (God) have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one” (John 17:22).  Another of our sacred books – our…

Dear Church Family, I remember being fascinated by the simple arcade game “Whack-a-Mole.  Perhaps it was the different cartoonish smiling moles that popped up begging to be whacked. Perhaps it was the music that kept getting more frantic as the game went on. Perhaps it was that no matter how many moles you hit another…

Dear Church Family, In J.R.R. Tolkien’s masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, an intrepid group sets out on a journey to save the world against formidable odds.  It isn’t long before the energy and purpose so present at their departure gives way to the reality of their predicament.  They become literally and figuratively lost in…

As an Open and Affirming Church, we gathered in worship to remember and proclaim that we are all the beloved children of God each of us made in God’s own image.  The stirring text from Galatians reminds us that through Christ all barriers have been broken down and that we are all one mosaic in…

If you have read the church history, How Firm a Foundation, and have questions, or have a story to share that is not in the book, join historic architect and co-author Michael Lynch for a book discussion on the following Thursday evenings, May 29, June 6, and June 12 from 6-7pm. Even if you haven’t read…

Dear Church Family, Easter was such a joy!  Thank you to all who helped plan, implement, or participate in worship, music, fellowship, egg hunts, flowers and more.  There was good news to be shared, and we did! We now face the same question that the early followers of Christ did – now what?  The answer…

Community Supper – Kick off to Summer! Date: Wednesday, May 14, 2025 Time: 5:30pm–7:00pm Location:Jonathan Edwards Room You are warmly invited to come together for this month’s community supper. In these full times it is a blessing to gather together around the table for food and fellowship. This month the menu will feature quiche. As always, you are…

Yes, God so loves the world as to give the only begotten one as whoever believes may not die but have eternal life. God sent the only begotten into the world not to condemn the world but that through the only begotten the whole world might be saved.  John 3:16-17 Inclusive Translation Dear Church Family, …

This year we invite you to an intentional, daily practice that will help you not only to be present to every moment but do so in a way that cultivates, gratitude, joy, and wholeness. Being open to the challenges of our world and the fullness of self requires vulnerability and courage.  This year we invite…

The March newsletter is available. We are approaching one of the longest and most important seasons, Lent.  It is a season that leads up to one of the most important days of any year – Easter.  Lent is a serious and reflective time. It offers the gift and possibility of exploring our lives, our choices,…