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

FCC hosts popular Christmas Fair again!

d43b0de4-6a00-4af0-b95e-dac938d2b368-8439-00000440c6e889d2-1Join us as we prepare our worship home for our Annual Winter Wonderland Fair on Friday, November 30 from 6pm to 8pm and Saturday, December 1, from 9am to 2pm.

A Christmas season family destination for years, our fair is known for the memories children make as they build gingerbread houses.

The fair also includes a wide variety of Christmas gifts, including jewelry, and baked goods. Every year brings new valuable items to be raffled off or to be bid on with the silent auction.

New and very different in the “raffle basket” category for this year: “An American Girl Doll Christmas Suite.” This suite is comprised of two adjoining “rooms” – a bedroom and a kitchen full of furniture and accessories for American Girl dolls, including a rack full of American Girl holiday dresses and a lit Christmas tree! This Christmas Suite can be packed up to go in less than two minutes, toted away in a waterproof vinyl carrier, backpack and plastic tub. This Christmas Suite would make a unique and wonderful gift

Friday evening will feature the Happy Baked Potato supper (with all the fixings!). Visitors on Saturday can enjoy a family lunch.

Welcome Back Flyer

Sunday, September 9:

Welcome Back Sunday
Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 AM
Sunday School Registration

Sunday, September 16:

Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 AM
Sunday School Registration

Sunday, September 23:

Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 AM
Sunday School Registration

Welcome Back Cookout
Playground Area, after Church
This gathering is a great time to catch up with church friends,
compare notes about fall activities, and as always,
enjoy the fantastic food that we always have
(thanks to everyone)!
Rain or Shine

SEPTEMBER DATES TO REMEMBER
AS OUR SCHEDULE RESUMES

Friday, August 31

  • Deadline for articles for first Messenger

Tuesday, September 4

  • 6:30 PM – Morning Star Voices Rehearsal 7:00 PM – RIM Meeting, Library

Thursday, September 6

  • 1:00 PM – Staff Meeting

Sunday, September 9

  • Welcome Back Sunday
  • Communion Sunday
  • 10:00 AM Worship and Sunday School
  • Sunday School Registration
  • 11:00 – 3:00 – Melrose Victorian Fair downtown

Tuesday, September 11

  • 5:00 PM – Circle 4 Pot Luck, narthex
  • 7:00 PM – Deacons, Library
  • No Morning Star Voices Rehearsal

Sunday, September 16

  • 10:00 AM Worship and Sunday School
  • Sunday School Registration continues

Tuesday, September 18

  • 6:30 PM – Morning Star Voices Rehearsal

Sunday, September 23

  • 10:00 AM Worship and Sunday School
  • Sunday School Registration continues
  • Welcome Back Cookout after worship

Tuesday, September 25

  • 6:30 PM – Morning Star Voices Rehearsal

Sunday, September 30

  • 10:00 AM Worship and Sunday School
  • 12:00 PM – Racial Justice Ministry book discussion

 

 

2018 Summer Schedule

During the summer, First Congregational Church worships with other Melrose churches in the month of July.  Please see our worship schedule below.  

Summer church office hours for July 1 to Labor Day are: Monday and Tuesday 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Phone messages and emails will be monitored so feel free to leave a message if you need to reach the office at other times: click here for contact information.

Sunday, July 8
10:00 AM – Union Service at Green Street Baptist

Sunday, July 15
10:00 AM – Union Service at First Congregational Church

Sunday, July 22
10:00 AM – Union Service at First United Methodist

Sunday, July 29
10:00 AM – Union Service at Highlands Congregational Church

August – No services

Monday, September 3 – Labor Day
Office Closed

Sunday, September 9
Welcome Back Sunday
10:00 AM Worship and Sunday School
Sunday School Registration

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Immigrant Rights Information Event - In the Messenger article this week, Rev. Dominic talks about the ongoing crisis of immigrant families being separated at the border. If you are interested in learning… Read more "Immigrant Rights Information Event"
Book discussion: Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America - The Racial Justice Ministry will be hosting a discussion on Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America by Ibram X. Kendi  Sunday Sept 30, 2018… Read more "Book discussion: Stamped From the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America"
2018 Summer Schedule - During the summer, First Congregational Church worships with other Melrose churches in the month of July.  Please see our worship schedule below.   Summer church office hours… Read more "2018 Summer Schedule"

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

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The Power of Kindness - It seems like our country is becoming more polarized and angry by the day.   Maybe that is why my reference to random acts of kindness in last week’s sermon garnered such a response. As I mentioned in the sermon, in the current climate kindness can seem like abnormal behavior.   Kindness is both simple and complex. It is both personal and global in its reach. Its outcome is only positive. Evidence of it is all too rare.
The News Cycle - It is amazing how quickly the news cycle moves on.  Major events happen and are front and center for a few days (at best) and then fade quickly into the background. What do you know about the aftermath of the worst wildfire season in California history? Probably not much. Once the fires are contained, reporters leave.
Thank You Susan! - As was announced in church last Sunday, we are creating a new staff position in the church to address the changing needs of our congregation. While there is much excitement about these new possibilities, there is also sadness as we say farewell to Susan Bowdridge who has been the Church Administrative Assistant for the past 20 years.
Together as One - There are some historic changes happening in our Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ! First, you should be aware that our Conference Minister, Rev. Jim Antal, has retired as of July 1st. Many of you may remember Rev. Antal from his two visits to our church during which he shared sermons on climate change and the importance of the United Church of Christ. Rev. Don Remick, who had served as Associate Conference Minister in our Conference, has now assumed the role of Transitional Interim Conference Minister. A formal search process for a new Conference Minister is presently on hold due to the following development!
Welcome Back! - This coming Sunday we begin a new program year at our church and I could not be more excited! Apart from advanced planning by staff and lay leadership, along with a well-attended pizza party earlier this month (thanks Tom and Becky!), it has been a summer of quiet, communal rejuvenation and we are ready to hit the ground running! And boy do we need to!
Welcome Back Flyer - Sunday, September 9: Welcome Back Sunday Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 AM Sunday School Registration Sunday, September 16: Worship and Sunday School at 10:00 AM Sunday… Read more "Welcome Back Flyer"

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.