Congregation2017Welcome!

 

I’m Reverend Dominic Taranowski and I’d like to welcome you to the First Congregational Church in Melrose, United Church of Christ. A lot of churches say “come as you are,” but we really mean it. It doesn’t matter your age or your background or your story: you are welcome here.  We’re an intergenerational church with something for everyone: from our vibrant worship service on Sunday morning, to our Sunday school program, to our mission work, to our public advocacy presence.  We’re always about the work of faith formation and discipleship.

We strive to create a deeper relationship with God but also an outward expression of that faith in the wider world. The church provides opportunities for both of those.  You can renew and strengthen your relationship with God and also find ways to live out that faith on a daily basis. We are a casual, committed, progressive church and we welcome you here.

See you in church!

News

Winter Wonderland Fair!

It’s time for our annual Winter Wonderland Fair, a staple of the Home for the Holidays weekend! Ring in the season on Friday evening and Saturday by wandering through our festive fair, which features a silent auction, gift basket raffle, baked goods, Christmas decorations, jewelry, collectibles, toys, gifts, books, and much more!  Bring the kids to visit Santa’s Workshop where they can decorate their own Gingerbread Houses and make Christmas crafts!

On Friday evening, after greeting Santa on Main Street come to warm up and enjoy our popular Baked Potato Bar, Mac and Cheese, and Hot Dog supper!

On Saturday we continue to celebrate the coming season with a Comfort Food Lunch in our Candy Cane Café offering meatball subs, clam chowder, hot dogs and more.

We’re located at 121 West Foster Street, just a block from downtown. Open Friday 12/6 6:00pm – 8:00pm and Saturday 12/7 9:00am – 2:00pm. Take the Home for the Holidays Trolley to Stop #8 or #13 on Route A

 

We look forward to welcoming you back to church on Sunday, September 8, at 10 am!

A quick note:  You can register your children for Sunday School online now; go to this page for a form-fillable PDF, or you can print this form here and bring it to us on Sunday.  We’ll have copies waiting for you, as well.  Remember, children through preschool age are always welcome in our nursery on Sundays during worship.

See you soon!

 

welcome back

Six Good Reasons

Welcome Back!  I truly hope that you have had a rewarding summer.  A lot has happened in our world over these weeks of summer and in your own life as well.  I look forward to hearing all about it!

As we begin another dynamic year of ministry together here at First Congregational Church, it is the perfect time to begin a Sunday practice of attending worship.  Everything we do at FCC—whether it be education, mission, spiritual care, finance, you name it—begins and ends with worship.  Sunday worship can also have a profound impact on your own life.

So here are six reasons why you should attend worship on Sunday mornings:

  1. You will have the opportunity to re-connect with God. Worship reminds you that you are a child of God and a disciple of Jesus Christ.
  2. You will connect with old friends. No doubt there is some important catching up to do!
  3. You will connect with new friends. Recent and first time visitors are looking to get to know you!  Who knows what interests you might share or how your journey will be enriched by approaching a new person.
  4. You will get a fresh take on the Christian faith. At FCC we are all about honoring our heritage while making our faith relevant for 2019.  The Christian faith should be an exploration of our relationship with the divine; not simply a repetition of what has gone before.  Our forebears have given us a wonderful framework to investigate, examine and question our faith so as to enrich who we are as the church today.
  5. Your week will have greater meaning. You won’t just be moving from one thing to another on your daily agenda.  Instead you will remember that what you do is an act of spirituality.  You will remember that you are treasured by a divine source.
  6. You will be given avenues for making a Christian impact in the world through our educational, mission, social justice, and outreach ministries.

Worship is the center of who we are as Christian people.  I hope you will join us and I look forward to seeing you this coming Sunday!

See you in church,

–Rev. Dominic

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Church School of the Past - In keeping with our occasional look back on the history of our church this year, below is an interesting excerpt from the 1948 Anniversary book celebrating the… Read more "Church School of the Past"
The Mainline Seven Sisters - The United Church of Christ is often referred to as a mainline Protestant church along with the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and several others. But… Read more "The Mainline Seven Sisters"
The Children’s Sermon - I’d like to give a shout out to those who led the Children’s Sermons during the worship services over the past month or so when I was… Read more "The Children’s Sermon"

Click here to see ALL of our news (present & past)

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Church School of the Past - In keeping with our occasional look back on the history of our church this year, below is an interesting excerpt from the 1948 Anniversary book celebrating the… Read more "Church School of the Past"
The Mainline Seven Sisters - The United Church of Christ is often referred to as a mainline Protestant church along with the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and several others. But… Read more "The Mainline Seven Sisters"
The Children’s Sermon - I’d like to give a shout out to those who led the Children’s Sermons during the worship services over the past month or so when I was… Read more "The Children’s Sermon"
Timing Time in the Pulpit - As I continue to recover from a recent illness, I have decided to lead progressively more parts of the liturgy over the next few weeks.  This will… Read more "Timing Time in the Pulpit"
10 “Resolutions” - In the continuing spirit of the New Year, I offer here the recent words of our United Church of Christ President Rev. John Dorhauer as he seeks… Read more "10 “Resolutions”"
A New Conference for a New Future - Here’s a bit of important news that you may have missed.  Our church no longer part of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ.  What,… Read more "A New Conference for a New Future"

Click here to see ALL of Rev. Dominic’s weekly notes (present & past)

In depth review

Church blogger George Parks recently attended our congregation and had this to say: “This is a warm, active, community church, that provides space for personal growth and contemplation, as well as advocacy for the greater good of the community. Melrose and the surrounding communities are very lucky to have FCC of Melrose contributing to the greater good.”  Read his review here.

Get to Know Us

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We seek to foster the joy, love, and fellowship that are part in parcel in our Christian community. We have a great time when we’re together. Our hope is that our church will brighten lives and not subtract joy.

These are exciting days for our church as we grow in the spirit and love of Christ. We have much to celebrate at First Congregational Church. We are an Open and Affirming Congregation with a growing membership. Our youth are engaged and eager to contribute to our church missions. We have innovative and exciting ministries that involve both new and lifelong members of our church family. We have a wealth of history that reflects our members’ desire to make a difference! Please click one of the links below to find out more.

Children & Youth


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From newborns to graduating high schoolers, our church provides a dynamic programs with an active enrollment of children and youth. Taught by members of the congregation, our church school teaches the basic values and stories of our faith and encourages a questioning attitude on the part of students. The goals of the program are to help children claim the Christian faith as their own and instill in them the truth that they are valued by God and the community.

Our church has two youth groups for Middle School and High School aged youth. Recreation, service and faith development hallmark this important ministry.

Children & Youth News

All children and youth news (present & past)

Find us/Contact us

Address
First Congregational Church
United Church of Christ
121 W. Foster Street
Melrose, MA 02176
phone: (781) 665-2111 – fax: (781) 665-8824
Office email: info@fccmelrose.org
Reverend Dominic email: revdominic121@gmail.com
Click here for all staff members email addresses		 Church Office Hours
Monday through Friday 8:45 am – 1:45 pm

From Route 93 South:

  • Exit 35 “Park Street/Stoneham/Melrose” (Two exits south of Rt. 128)
  • Left at the bottom of the ramp, under Route 93, right at stop sign.
  • Continue straight through set of lights at Friendly’s
  • Road becomes two lanes at Zoo, stay left.
  • Take first left after Zoo onto Pond Street. (Don’t take the Pond Street before the zoo.)
  • Continue straight through set of lights.
  • At next set of lights, turn left onto Main Street.
  • Follow Main Street to second set of lights, turn left onto West Foster Street.
  • Church is on right after stop sign.

From Route 93 North:

  • Exit 33 “Rt. 28 Stoneham/Melrose”
  • Follow Route 28 signs staying to the right. Turn right on Elm Street.
  • Continue to rotary, “turn left” by going three quarters of the way around the rotary.
  • Road becomes two lanes, stay right.
  • Take second right after Hospital onto Pond Street. (If you go past the Zoo, you’ve gone too far.)
  • Continue straight through set of lights.
  • At next set of lights, turn left onto Main Street.
  • Follow Main Street to second set of lights, turn left onto West Foster Street.
  • Church is on right after stop sign.

From Route 1 South:

  • Exit “Essex Street, Saugus/Melrose” at Walgreen’s and Dunkin Donuts.
  • Follow Essex Street over Route 1, past Square One Mall and into Melrose.
  • Essex Street becomes Upham Street in Melrose.
  • Take left at second set of lights onto Main Street.
  • At next set of lights, turn right onto West Foster Street.
  • Church is on right after stop sign.

From Route 1 North:

  • Exit “Essex Street, Saugus/Melrose” after Square One Mall and Corners.
  • Follow Essex Street, past side of Square One Mall and into Melrose.
  • Essex Street becomes Upham Street in Melrose.
  • Take left at second set of lights onto Main Street.
  • At next set of lights, turn right onto West Foster Street.
  • Church is on right after stop sign.