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

Snow Cancellation Procedure

Dear Friends,

Now that we are in the heart of winter, I want to share with you an update on how you would know if we should decide to cancel our Sunday morning worship service due to snow. This is simplified from what we have set up in the past.

In the event of a significant storm, Rev. Dominic will consult with our Senior Deacons and together they will make a decision. If the decision is to cancel, a notice will be placed on the church’s website. Additionally, the outgoing message on the church phone will also be updated to notify of a cancellation of worship. The following will be contacted directly: All staff, Facilities Deacons, Worship Deacons, Fellowship Deacons, Christian Education Deacons.

So remember, if a storm is upon us on a Sunday morning and you are unsure if there is a worship service, keep checking the church website
at fccmelrose.org and the outgoing message on the church phone at 781-665- 2111.

Thank you, –Rev. Dominic

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Christmas 2018 Schedule
The members of the First Congregational Church in Melrose invite all to join us for the following church services:
  • On Sunday, December 16 at our 10:00am service, the congregation’s youth will re-enact the story of Jesus Christ’s birth set to poem and song.
  • Also on Sunday, December 16 at 3:00pm, the congregation hold a Christmas Concert featuring the church’s musicians.
  • On Sunday, December 23, there will be a guest trumpeter during our 10:00am worship.  The service will conclude with carol. A special Christmas coffee hour.
  • On Monday, December 24, we will hold our Christmas Eve worship at 7:00 p.m.
On behalf of all of the First Congregational Church in Melrose worship family, we wish all a blessed Christmas.

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Snow Cancellation Procedure - Dear Friends, Now that we are in the heart of winter, I want to share with you an update on how you would know if we should… Read more "Snow Cancellation Procedure"
Christmas 2018 Schedule - The members of the First Congregational Church in Melrose invite all to join us for the following church services: On Sunday, December 16 at our 10:00am service,… Read more "Christmas 2018 Schedule"
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Click here to see ALL of our news (present & past)

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Crisis and Opportunity - Every year, I rediscover how odd some of the scripture lessons for the Sundays of Advent really are. 
An Intentional Exchange - Happy New Year!  That’s right, this coming Sunday is the start of the new year on the church calendar.  I know that is it is kind of counter-cultural because the “real” New Year doesn’t begin until January 1st, but it is good to remember that the church is supposed to be counter-cultural!
Trust God - Where do you draw the line on worry? I hope you have a line.  If you don’t, now’s a good time to create one!  Start by asking: When does a healthy concern for the future become a self-destructive obsession about tomorrow?
Staying Aware of the Good News - It was already a week lacking in good news.  During the Prayers of the People the previous Sunday there were an inordinate number of prayers for family’s who had suffered a loss or a difficult diagnosis. 
The Enormity of the World’s Grief - The following is a Pastoral Letter to the churches of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ from Rev. Don Remick, our Transitional Interim Conference Minister. I commend it to you as a source of solace and inspiration during these challenging days.
Voting to Answer a Call - Jesus commanded Christians to be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16).  The second part of that calling—to be the “light of the world”—tends to make more sense to us.  We know how necessary light is where there isn’t any.  It is easy for us to translate that into our need to be light in order to dispel gloom (and there is no shortage of that!). The first part, though, doesn’t resonate so well.  Salt?  Really? 

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 & Tuesday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Thursday & Friday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

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.