News

Thanks to all who participated in this year’s Christmas Giving Tree, sponsored by the Board of Mission and Action. The outpouring of support and participation was overwhelming, and the tree needed to be re-stocked with gift tags several times as congregants snatched them up. In total we were able to provide 155 gifts to dozens…

Mark your calendars now and start your days in Advent with a brief (20- 30 minute) prayer service.  We will gather and center ourselves, allow for the peace and quiet of Advent to enter our lives as we start our days in prayer.  Come and find peace through flickering candles, the presence of one another…

Help make this a special Christmas season for other families by choosing a tag (or 2 or 3!), with an age-appropriate gift request, from our Christmas tree, located in the Jonathan Edwards room. To take full advantage of the Thanksgiving sales, gift tags will be available for your selection starting on November 23rd. We suggest…

On Sunday, November 2, the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge presented the full Requiem setting composed by Gabriel Fauré, in the context of our All Saints Day observance during Sunday worship. Names were lifted up, candles lit, and tears shed as we paused to remember our dearly departed who have left this world for the…

Thanks to the 11 people from the church who walked in the annual Construct WALK, and to the many who supported them with prayers and donations. The First Congregational Church team raised more than $1,400 (with more coming in), which will be matched by a $1,000 grant from our Board of Mission & Action, for…

Elections and ballot questions are once again in front of us. The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge will hold a program on October 28th at 6:00PM in which we will engage our faith around the ballot questions that are up for vote in Massachusetts. This will NOT be a program to tell you how to…

Calling artists of all levels and experience who are interested in sharing their artistic gifts of graphite, ink, colored pencil, watercolor, pastel, oil, multi-media, sculpture, photography, etc. to enrich our church family life and home. There will be a sign-up sheet in the Jonathan Edwards Room in September. Please contact Olga Schwede at 413-644-9846 should…

The Book of Genesis is the first book of the Bible. In it are the stories of creation, sin, reconciliation and the renewal of relationship through Abraham. This study will use the Disciples curriculum that we used for the year-long Bible study last year. This is a chance to look at the foundational stories of…

Save the Date…Find the Time…Head for the Hills…Create Community…Swim in a Lake…Hike in the Woods…Find a New Direction…Have Fun…Share Meals (and Cleanup!)…Deepen Friendships…Seek After God. Date/time: Friday, September 19 at 5:30 pm until 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 20. Place: YMCA Camp Hi-Rock in Mount Washington, MA. Directions and maps will be provided. Activities: Friday:…

Our Board of Mission & Action is looking to deepen the church’s partnership with Berkshire Co-Act (Community Organizing for Action) and many opportunities to volunteer are available.  Co-Act develops grassroots initiatives guided by collaboration and community needs, supporting sustainability, coordinating collaborative action, and tapping the power of community. Co-Act will hold a silent Auction on…

This past spring, the book Shaping Public Theology: Selections from the Writings of Max L. Stackhouse was published. It contains an edited collection of writings of our very own Rev. Dr. Max Stackhouse, who has been called one of the fathers of Public Theology. On August 17th, in worship and during a luncheon and program…

In late May, a team from the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge went out into the world to bring love and hope. Although Hurricane Sandy seems like a distant memory, there are still many places in New York and New Jersey that have yet to be repaired or restored. Outgoing Mission and Action Chair Terry…

While the adult choir rests their voices for the summer, a pick-up choir (or, as Minister of Music Cathy Schane-Lydon calls them, a Fly-By-the-Seat-of-Your-Pants Choir) will gather several times over the summer to offer music in worship. All who are interested are invited to gather at 9AM on Sundays for a brief rehearsal. This is…

On Memorial day, we will open the doors to our sanctuary from noon to 2PM to offer a place for prayer and contemplation for those who are participating in the town festivities. With soft music and the chance to light candles in prayer, we will be a sanctuary to those who wish to pray for…

Calling all artists to submit one or two pieces of art for an art installation to be on display at the First Congregational Church from mid-May to June 15th. Works should reflect upon the theme “God’s Creation” and may be delivered to the church office for installation by Sunday, May 11th. Please include a short…

Music on Main presents its fourth and final concert of the season with “An A Cappella Extravaganza” at 3PM on Saturday, May 10th. Vocal groups Strike a Chord and Tapestry will share the concert, presenting a cappella music from two distinct traditions. Strike A Chord, a coed a cappella group, will perform an eclectic mix…

The journey to new life takes place in the shadow of encroaching darkness. Gather with others to ponder, to confess, and to mourn. And then await the unfolding of God’s promise that death has been put to death–the promise of reconciliation and resurrection. Maundy Thursday Service – April 17, 7:30 PM Good Friday Service –…

The Prayer Shawl Knitting Group of the First Congregational Church of Stockbridge has joined dozens of other churches and individuals to participate in the Marathon Scarf Project sponsored by Old South Church in Boston (UCC). Marathoners from around the world come to Old South (located at the finish line of the Boston Marathon) for its…

Do you shop at Price Chopper? If so, you may have earned enough points by shopping to redeem for free cookware without even knowing it! If you don’t need this cookware, the Board of Mission & Action invites you to redeem your points and bring your free pots and pans to the church so that…

A new program launched in 2014 by the Board of Mission & Action provides seed funding to individuals in the church who wish to start a new service or mission venture, whether short or long-term. We are pleased to announce the award of our first grant to Sophie Randolph to support her volunteer work in…