- We Also Need the Anchor (9/22/2021) - Along with the cross and the fish, there are many symbols of Christianity dating back to its earliest days. One of the less common is the anchor.… Read more "We Also Need the Anchor"
- You Need this Place (9/14/2021) - Hurricanes. Droughts. Fires. Flooding. Pandemic. Domestic and international instability. Yeah, things are going great! It is completely understandable that many people are tired, frustrated and disappointed with… Read more "You Need this Place"
- A New Program Year! (9/7/2021) - Worship resumes at FCC this Sunday. Boy, it sure has been a long time since I’ve been able to write and say those words! But, yes, the… Read more "A New Program Year!"
- Welcome Back Sunday! (8/26/2021) - In-Person Worship Resumes on Welcome Back Sunday, September 12 at 10 am! We are thrilled to return to in-person worship here at FCC! It has been a… Read more "Welcome Back Sunday!"
- Waiting for Things to Develop (6/22/2021) - Summer is upon us and cautious summer travel plans are in the works for many people. Actually, a lot of people. That’s understandable, of course, given that… Read more "Waiting for Things to Develop"
- Please join us for worship Sundays at 10 (6/15/2021) - JUNE 27: Outdoor Worship Yes, it is finally here! A return to in-person worship! We hope you will join us on the front lawn of FCC on… Read more "Please join us for worship Sundays at 10"
- Some Good News (6/15/2021) - I have noticed again (as if for the first time!) that so much of the local news is tragic. The headlines are typically about shootings, fires, robberies,… Read more "Some Good News"
- Living in the Wrong World (6/8/2021) - In last Sunday’s sermon (which is now, like all others since this pandemic, enshrined forever on the internet if you didn’t catch it the first time), I… Read more "Living in the Wrong World"
- A National Bible (6/1/2021) - A few things hallmark the UCC’s approach to the bible: We believe it is a product of divine/human interaction. Consequently, we take it seriously as an inspired… Read more "A National Bible"
- Chalk Messages for our 2021 Grads (5/25/2021) -
- “Hi, how are you?” (5/25/2021) - When we first moved to Massachusetts, lo those many years ago, one of the first things I noticed was how people greeted each other on the street… Read more "“Hi, how are you?”"
- UCC Advocates Celebrate New 62,500 Goal for U.S. Refugee Admissions In 2021 (5/18/2021) - by Connie Larkman for the United Church of Christ | In a sharp course reversal, the Biden administration is now raising the cap on refugees from war-torn… Read more "UCC Advocates Celebrate New 62,500 Goal for U.S. Refugee Admissions In 2021"
- Fame (5/11/2021) - You probably saw the headline this past week: Bill and Melinda Gates are getting a divorce. You probably saw the headline a couple of weeks ago: Prince… Read more "Fame"
- Fame (5/11/2021) - You probably saw the headline this past week: Bill and Melinda Gates are getting a divorce. You probably saw the headline a couple of weeks ago: Prince… Read more "Fame"
- The Riddle of Church Membership (5/4/2021) - Three weeks ago, Gallup polling came out with results of a recent survey on church attendance. It showed nothing surprising, really, except to highlight again the growing… Read more "The Riddle of Church Membership"
- Annual Spring Cleanup (4/30/2021) - Let’s clean up the church grounds together! Enjoy fellowship and make a difference in our church. No matter what your skills are working outdoors, we can find… Read more "Annual Spring Cleanup"
- Church Mission Statement (4/27/2021) -
- Board of Deacon Opportunities! (4/27/2021) - Raise your hand if you’ve ever said: “I could never be a deacon!” Most people have. In fact, every person whose ever been a deacon in our… Read more "Board of Deacon Opportunities!"
- Being Right vs. Being Kind (4/20/2021) - Is it more important to be right or to be kind? Are they mutually exclusive? Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer, who lives and works in Portland, Oregon has… Read more "Being Right vs. Being Kind"
- Angels (4/13/2021) - If you are ever to visit my office (which I know you can’t right now, but if you could), you would see that I have a lot… Read more "Angels"
- Easter Eyes (4/6/2021) - We come to this Easter Season alive with the hope of spring. We come to this Easter Season alive with the promise of an improving pandemic. We… Read more "Easter Eyes"
- (4/5/2021) - Concert Link: Join us on Wednesday, April 7th, at 7:30pm for a classical music concert featuring the Buswell-Ou duo, guitarist Andy Robinson, the Melrose FCC Handbell Ringers,… Read more
- The Empty Cross of Love (3/30/2021) - This week holds Good Friday and the cross looms large for us. Some may think it odd. How can you have a symbol of torture and death… Read more "The Empty Cross of Love"
- Erasing Progress (3/23/2021) - As a pastor of an Open and Affirming church within the United Church of Christ, I was utterly dismayed to learn that our Roman Catholic brothers and… Read more "Erasing Progress"
- Easter Caroling! (3/16/2021) -
- Vaccine Reluctance (3/16/2021) - As much as we would like to join Gov. Baker’s optimism about the pandemic and open our church to in-person worship, we have decided that it remains… Read more "Vaccine Reluctance"
- Searching for Spiritual Life (3/9/2021) - Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” I thought of that… Read more "Searching for Spiritual Life"
- Our Suffering God (3/2/2021) - The Apostle Paul once said: “Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then… Read more "Our Suffering God"
- Jezebel (2/23/2021) - To call a woman a “Jezebel” has never been a compliment. In fact, it is quite an insult. Recently, however, it has become an even more loaded… Read more "Jezebel"
- What is Lent? (2/9/2021) - February 17th marks the end of the Season of Epiphany and the beginning of the Season of Lent in the church. This season begins with Ash Wednesday… Read more "What is Lent?"
- Winter Congregational Meeting Notice (2/8/2021) - During this pandemic, and given the restrictions for large gatherings set forth by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Board of Deacons recognizes the difficulties associated with conducting… Read more "Winter Congregational Meeting Notice"
- Finding Stillness (1/26/2021) - “A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat the boat. … Jesus rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased,… Read more "Finding Stillness"
- Fascism Alive and Well (1/19/2021) - This week we welcome a new president to the White House and with him, a new beginning. That new beginning could not come soon enough. Had the… Read more "Fascism Alive and Well"
- Taking the Long View of Things (1/12/2021) - Raise your hand if you’ve had it with this pandemic. Honestly (or dare I say “Honest to God”), we over a year in and the waves keep… Read more "Taking the Long View of Things"
- Hanging on to Christmas (1/5/2021) - Remember back in November when people couldn’t wait to put up their Christmas lights and decorations? It made sense, really. With the gathering darkness of winter on… Read more "Hanging on to Christmas"
- Christmas in 1918 and 2020 (12/22/2020) - Like every holiday since St. Patrick’s Day, Christmas this year is another strange one; not least because we are still unable to gather for in-person worship. But,… Read more "Christmas in 1918 and 2020"
- Good King Wenceslas (12/15/2020) - My wife’s favorite Christmas carol is Good King Wenceslas. It is not sung that often, which is surprising because it has a very catchy tune. Maybe the… Read more "Good King Wenceslas"
- Advent Light (12/8/2020) - We have been focusing a lot on the tradition of the Advent Wreath and Advent Candles this year. Trish Faro was inspired to yet again provide these… Read more "Advent Light"
- Advent Origins (12/1/2020) - As I’m sure you know, Advent and Christmas have their origins in the Priscillian controversy of the fourth century. What’s that? You have no idea what I’m… Read more "Advent Origins"
- In-Person Worship Update (for 11/29/2020) (11/23/2020) - When we began our move to in-person worship this fall, we committed to evaluating this in late November. After much discussion among our Deacons of Worship, Senior Deacons,… Read more "In-Person Worship Update (for 11/29/2020)"
- A Different Kind of Advent (11/23/2020) - This Sunday begins our Advent journey toward Bethlehem and Christmas. Like everything else this year, Advent will feel different. The same challenges will be with us that… Read more "A Different Kind of Advent"
- Budget Matters (11/17/2020) - As we near the end of this calendar year, it is becoming apparent that our church will be facing a significant budget deficit as we enter 2021. … Read more "Budget Matters"
- The Importance of Honor (11/9/2020) - “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that… Read more "The Importance of Honor"
- QAnon: Eerily Familiar… (10/27/2020) - Have you heard of QAnon? I have been aware of it over the past couple of years as a kind of right wing background noise, but it… Read more "QAnon: Eerily Familiar…"
- Black Lives Matter at FCC (10/23/2020) - (As posted on the 9/25/2020 Messenger) At its September meeting, the Board of Deacons of our church decided to move forward with the placement of Black Lives… Read more "Black Lives Matter at FCC"
- View each of our worship services here: (10/23/2020) - If you wish to view our worship services and are not sure how to get to a specific service, we now have them listed out, with the… Read more "View each of our worship services here:"
- Democracy at Risk (10/20/2020) - With the election looming and anxiety high, the United Church of Christ has given voice to concerns that our democracy may in genuine peril this fall. The… Read more "Democracy at Risk"
- In His Own Words (10/6/2020) - For decades, the United Church of Christ has recognized Indigenous People’s Day in place of Columbus Day. Still, many states and communities—not to mention the federal government—still… Read more "In His Own Words"
- The Humility of a Judicial Giant (9/29/2020) - Pretty much everything we take for granted, we shouldn’t. For example, here are a few laws that I think are pretty important and I take them for… Read more "The Humility of a Judicial Giant"
- Hours of Operation (9/17/2020) - Regular Office Hours (Closed for Federal Holidays) Music Office Hours (current Sept. 2020)
- Are You Joining Us for Worship? (9/15/2020) - With our first live streaming worship service under our belts, we are underway with our new program year here at First Congregational Church! What did you think… Read more "Are You Joining Us for Worship?"
- Virtual Coffee Hour after Worship (9/11/2020) - Join us after worship on Sunday at 11 am for our Virtual Coffee Hour! If you didn’t receive an invitation by email and wish to join next week, please click… Read more "Virtual Coffee Hour after Worship"
- An End to Social Distancing (9/11/2020) - After a summer sabbatical time way, it is great to be back in the saddle here at FCC! I am, again, so very grateful that the church… Read more "An End to Social Distancing"
- Summer Office Hours & Music Director’s Hours (6/16/2020) -
- May it be Well with Your Soul (6/16/2020) - Summertime is typically all about BBQs, vacation travel, camps, and time at the beach. All in the name of fun. All in the name of soaking in… Read more "May it be Well with Your Soul"
- Blasphemy at the Very Least (6/9/2020) - I try to focus more on issues and social dynamics rather than individual politicians, but when one of them–in this case Donald Trump–makes or tries to make… Read more "Blasphemy at the Very Least"
- Sabbatical Plans (6/2/2020) - Early in the new year, I received approval from our Board of Deacons to take a sabbatical. A sabbatical, for those who may not know, is typically… Read more "Sabbatical Plans"
- STATEMENT ON RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS – Not Out of Nowhere (6/2/2020) - June 2, 2020 Dear Friends, The murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, the protests that have followed, and the riots that have come on the heels of… Read more "STATEMENT ON RACIAL JUSTICE PROTESTS – Not Out of Nowhere"
- Opening for Deacon of Christian Mission: Covid and Economy Focused (5/26/2020) - The next 1-2 years will be very challenging for many in our church and the broader community due to the economy and Covid-19. We have an opening… Read more "Opening for Deacon of Christian Mission: Covid and Economy Focused"
- In the Same Boat? (5/26/2020) - One thing that is touted as a “silver lining” in our struggles with this pandemic is that it unifies us all. It may be tough, but we… Read more "In the Same Boat?"
- In-Person Worship Suspension Reminder (5/19/2020) - 5/19/2020 In order to avoid confusion, please know that First Congregational Church will continue our virtual Sunday worship services despite Governor Baker’s announcement this week that houses… Read more "In-Person Worship Suspension Reminder"
- Faithful and Patriotic (5/19/2020) - I’m confused. Can someone explain to me why the American flag has suddenly come to represent a refusal to social distance during this pandemic? All across this… Read more "Faithful and Patriotic"
- The New Normal (5/12/2020) - As states begin making plans to “re-open” (some already have), it has gotten me thinking: How do we want to shape our New Normal? I frame the… Read more "The New Normal"
- Diaper Drive (5/8/2020) - The community of Chelsea has been especially hard hit with COVID-19: nearly 2000 cases and 98 deaths as of April 28. Among the greatest needs right now… Read more "Diaper Drive"
- We Are With You (5/5/2020) - The following is a new letter from the national leadership of our United Church of Christ. Dear Friends in Christ, We send this with the magnitude of… Read more "We Are With You"
- Unity, Not Division (4/28/2020) - This pandemic has certainly brought out the best in people in so many ways. At the same time, it has also brought out the worst. Recent protests… Read more "Unity, Not Division"
- Worship Cancellation Update (4/23/2020) (4/23/2020) - It is with great regret that I must announce a continuation of our in-person worship cancellation through the end of this program year (which ends on Sunday,… Read more "Worship Cancellation Update (4/23/2020)"
- Planting Hope (4/21/2020) - It is mid-April we are starting to think seriously about spring! We also start to think about Earth Day, which is on April 22nd. There is also… Read more "Planting Hope"
- Inoculated with Good News (4/14/2020) - This year, Easter falls during what is being called the “the week of death” due to the coronavirus. It is the week (or two) when the outbreak… Read more "Inoculated with Good News"
- Thank You! (3/31/2020) - With in-person worship cancelled, you might think that everything has come to a grinding halt here at FCC. Actually, nothing could be farther from the truth! In… Read more "Thank You!"
- 3/25/20 Update to Sunday Worship (3/25/2020) - March 25, 2020 Dear Members and Friends, This is to let you know that we are extending cancellation of Sunday worship services and all other church activities… Read more "3/25/20 Update to Sunday Worship"
- Empty Parking Lots, Full Hearts (3/24/2020) - One of the strangest, almost eerie, things to see these days are church parking lots empty on a Sunday morning. It is one thing to witness this… Read more "Empty Parking Lots, Full Hearts"
- Sunday Worship Cancellation Notice (3/13/2020) - 3/13/2020 Dear Members and Friends, I am writing to share with you the decision that has been made to cancel Sunday worship services and all other church… Read more "Sunday Worship Cancellation Notice"
- Being Prepared for the Coronavirus at FCC (3/10/2020) - While those most cases of this virus are mild (and as News reports are filled with stories of the spread of the Coronavirus and its growth in… Read more "Being Prepared for the Coronavirus at FCC"
- Overcoming Contempt (3/3/2020) - A month ago, the Annual National Prayer Breakfast was held in Washington, D.C. Typically, it is a time to emphasis both religious and political unity; to set… Read more "Overcoming Contempt"
- Music Ministry of Yesteryear (2/25/2020) - Along with Sunday School, the Music Ministry of First Congregational Church has always been a cornerstone of the parish. Last week we got a glimpse of the… Read more "Music Ministry of Yesteryear"
- Church School of the Past (2/18/2020) - 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 (2/11/2020) - 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 (2/4/2020) - 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 (1/28/2020) - 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” (1/21/2020) - 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 (1/14/2020) - 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"
- Happy New Year! (1/7/2020) - On behalf of the entire staff at First Congregational Church, I wish you all a very Happy New Year filled with peace, justice, hope, and love. May… Read more "Happy New Year!"
- Abundant Love, Abundant Thanks (12/31/2019) - When I recently came down with a bout of shingles, I felt I could shake it easily enough. Boy, was I wrong. Not only was this pretty… Read more "Abundant Love, Abundant Thanks"
- Tree Toppers (12/17/2019) - What sits on top of your Christmas tree? There are really three traditional options here and each has deep scriptural and religious meaning. That said, times they… Read more "Tree Toppers"
- Written in a Rush (12/10/2019) - Phillips Brooks grew up memorizing hymns. By the time he got to college, he had around 200 that he could recite on the spot. Phillips went into… Read more "Written in a Rush"
- From Tomb to Womb (12/3/2019) - On the first weekend on November, the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ met as part of the forthcoming Southern New England Conference. More about… Read more "From Tomb to Womb"
- Winter Wonderland Fair! (11/27/2019) - 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… Read more "Winter Wonderland Fair!"
- An Honor Roll of Clergy (11/26/2019) - Continuing our look back at the history of our church, this month I am sharing a glimpse of the clergy who have served our church. This is… Read more "An Honor Roll of Clergy"
- Pilgrims and Puritans (11/19/2019) - It is pretty common for people to get the Pilgrims and the Puritans mixed up. Since the United Church of Christ traces its history through both of… Read more "Pilgrims and Puritans"
- Cancelling People (11/12/2019) - I don’t think it is any secret that I am a progressive person. My theology, my politics, and my hopes for the future all lean to the… Read more "Cancelling People"
- Same Church, Different Buildings (10/29/2019) - As we intentionally build a strong future for our church, it is also important to look back and appreciate where we have been. Last month I began… Read more "Same Church, Different Buildings"
- Halloween (10/22/2019) - Halloween has changed over the years, I think. When I was growing up it was pretty tame holiday with games and fun, benign costumes like bedsheet ghosts… Read more "Halloween"
- What Do You Believe? (10/15/2019) - What Do You Believe? “There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do.”—Dame Freya Stark I love this… Read more "What Do You Believe?"
- Me? An Evangelist? Nah! (10/8/2019) - Are you an evangelist? (I can almost hear your answer!) “Of course not! I’ve seen evangelists on TV and I want no part of them! That’s not… Read more "Me? An Evangelist? Nah!"
- A Better You (10/1/2019) - What gets you up in the morning? Maybe you need to get to work or to school. Maybe you have an appointment. Maybe you have responsibilities to… Read more "A Better You"
- How It All Started (9/24/2019) - With so many newer people in our church, I feel it is important to not only maintain a focus on crafting a dynamic future for First Congregational… Read more "How It All Started"
- Who is Your 2:00 a.m. Friend? (9/17/2019) - It is the middle of the night and you are wide awake. You are worried about this or that. You are remembering the day just past and… Read more "Who is Your 2:00 a.m. Friend?"
- It Starts with Kindness (9/11/2019) - “Jesus was not killed by atheism or anarchy. He was brought down by law and order mixed with religion—which is always a deadly mix. Beware of those… Read more "It Starts with Kindness"
- Six Good Reasons (9/4/2019) - 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… Read more "Six Good Reasons"
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