News

From September through December, two different groups worked through a fourteen section study on the Gospel of Matthew. We studied Matthew as, starting in Advent, Matthew will be the Gospel the Lectionary supplies for worship most often for the coming year.

As the lights of Christmas fade and give way to the light of that star of Epiphany we turn from birth and new beginnings to journeys and following The Way. Starting with the magi journeying from afar, to the baptism and the voice from heaven claiming him as beloved, to stories of water changing into wine, the blind seeing, and life bursting forth Epiphany brings us along for us to come and see.

Faith is not a spectator sport. Instead we bring our faith to life through our choices, our actions, our participation. We gather mid-week on a cold, dark night to the point where the sanctuary and our hearts can barely hold it all in.

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.

The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge seeks a dynamic and visionary leader for our music ministry. An Open and Affirming Congregation located in the Berkshires, we are blessed with great musical resources within the church and the wider community.

From this month’s newsletter: “One of the many blessings of living in the Berkshires is that it is a place people like to visit…When Sunday morning rolls around, the question can be “what do we do about church?” Here is what I encourage you to do, though: bring them to church!”

Please bring your loose change to coffee hour on Sunday, October 27, as the kids will be collecting for UNICEF.  It’s an opportunity for kids to try out their Halloween costumes a few days early!

From this month’s newsletter: “Following the example of Jesus of Nazareth, we throw open our doors and our lives to welcome stranger and friend. As a place of sanctuary, we honor the struggles of all who enter, and discern, celebrate, encourage and employ their unique gifts and talents.”

Join Construct for its 50th Anniversary WALK – Walk Into the Future – on Sun., Sept. 22, with registration beginning at 12:30 pm. Music, food, entertainment. Bring your families, friends, kids, and (licensed and leashed) dogs. Help build communities and house families, step-by-step and brick-by-brick. There are many ways to get involved. WALK – GRAB YOUR…

Numerous artists are sharing their paintings and photography on display in the JE Room during October and November, exploring the theme of “God’s Autumn Colors.” Take a look and enjoy the show!

From this month’s newsletter: “That Sunday we sang a new-to-me song in four-part harmony, and a couple of familiar melodies with new words, poetic and thought-provoking…I had paid attention to the words because they were different. I liked paying attention to the words, a form of prayer.”

Mark your calendars! Sunday school resumes and the choir returns to the loft on Sun., Sept. 8. We’ll have our first Sunday school lesson, meet the new teachers, and have a giant test! OK, no test. But, we are most definitely planning to celebrate on the front lawn after church with food, games, and activities…

Take part in our Council Fundraiser – the Golf Scramble!! We take to the links on September 11 to raise money for the care of our historic buildings and vibrant programs. This month we ask for your assistance. Here are some ways you can help: Help field a team! If you play golf, get a…

Wondering what to do this Fall when the kids go back to school, the leaves begin to tumble, and the days start to shorten? Why not consider one of our adult formation classes? Multiple studies confirm that Bible Studies and other learning opportunities are some of the best ways to deepen your faith and connect…

On August 15 at 7:30 pm, First Congregational Church, Stockbridge, will host a joint choral concert by the B’Shalom Chorale of the Berkshires and the Berkshire Lyric Chamber Chorus. Led by Jack Brown, the two groups will perform both together and separately in Jewish and Christian sacred choral music from several centuries. There is no…

From this month’s newsletter: “Amazing! Sacrificial! Loving! Transformational! These are words at the center of our faith and our shared life. They also fully apply to the attitude, approach and accomplishments of a group of people who have been tirelessly working on a critical process within our church.”

From this month’s newsletter: “It is not a liturgical season, but there is a sacredness in the Berkshires with the coming of the summer. There is the most odd combination of the permission, if not encouragement to slow down and idle along with the simultaneous onrush of people and the crush of things to do…”…

Lisanne Finston, Executive Director of Gould Farm and an ordained minister, will preach and help lead worship on Sunday July 7. Our Board of Mission and Action has had a long relationship with the Farm and is delighted to help the congregation get to know it better. Coffee hour will include information about how members…

Our annual Strawberry Social will take place outside, weather permitting, after church this Sunday, June 30th. Join us for a celebration of our local bounty and good fellowship. There will be strawberry shortcakes for one and all!

For kids entering grades K-8. Three Sunday afternoons: July 28, August 4 and August 11. Mostly unison music with a possibility of one (or two) two parts and/or rounds. This choir is free with no charge to participate! Directed by Jill Wheat, Accompanied by Dr. Gene Kalish.