Join us for Brunch Church in on July 6th and August 3rd. Bring a dish to share and we'll gather around tables to sing, pray, reflect on scripture together, and share Communion. Zoomers, stay tuned as the Deacons will share details soon about how you can worship when we're having Brunch Church. 

It's time for our annual Blessing of the Animals and Worship in the Park. Join us at (shady) Long's Park on Sunday, May 11  for this special service. We will gather for fellowship BEFORE the service rather than have a potluck after the service as we've done in previous years. Fellowship begins at 10:15 and worship will begin at 10:45.

Childcare staff will be on hand to care for young kids who want to explore the playground or the rest of the park. 

Things to bring to the park:
• your own lawn chair, if you have one
• your pet (or stuffed animal!) for a blessing
***If you have any questions about accessibility at the park, please let us know.

For those worshiping at home, please use the regular Zoom link. If you have an animal you'd like blessed at home, please reach out to Pastor Caela so she can arrange a visit.

NOTE: no Sunday School on May 11. Join us at the park before worship for donuts and coffee beginning at 10:15 a.m. 

Dear First Congregational members and friends,

Every two years faithful members of the United Church of Christ gather for General Synod – a time for inspirational worship, fellowship, and learning more about the U.S. and global ministries of our beloved community.

In July 2025, members of the Kansas-Oklahoma Conference, along with the Missouri Mid-South Conference, will welcome thousands from across the country for the UCC’s 35th General Synod in Kansas City, Missouri. 

There are multiple opportunities (about 1,000 volunteer shifts, to be precise) for demonstrating the extravagant welcome we enjoy in our home congregations in Kansas and Oklahoma. For example:

Hospitality – at the hotels and the Convention Center, registration, plenary sessions, and the exhibit hall.
Worship – assisting as ushers, and with communion.
Delegate Support – helping to ensure that plenary sessions run smoothly and according to schedule
Staff Support – being available to work with national staff and Local Arrangements Committee team members

We are expecting around 3,000 guests, so this is the chance to showcase our Midwest hospitality. Please consider volunteering. See the FAQs below for more information and click here to register on the volunteer hub. 

With gratitude,
Janet & Pastor Caela,
Members of the KO Conference Board of Directors

If a want to volunteer, do I need to register for General Synod?  If you are planning to volunteer for multiple days, YES, you will need to register. You are able to do so at a discounted rate (see below). If you are only planning to volunteer for ONE day, you do not need to register for General Synod. 


I plan to volunteer for multiple days. What is the registration cost for Synod? The cost for volunteers to register for Synod is $100, a discount of $250. Volunteers from Kansas and Oklahoma will also receive a $30 rebate on the cost of registration. This registration will allow you to attend ALL Synod events. 

What about my options for lodging? There are hotel room blocks (limited quantity). There may be a few local families offering to host volunteers. You will find a “homestay” option at volunteer registration.


What if I want to volunteer but the costs are prohibitive? Please reach out to the office and we will try to help.


What if I’d like to support Synod but can’t volunteer? If you’d be interested in helping financially support one of our volunteers, please reach out to the office. We also welcome your prayers!

There are several ways to make your donation to support of our congregation and many other worthy causes: 

1. You can give in-person at the Colony Square Atrium (555 Poyntz Avenue) from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm on April 22nd. There is also a satellite location at Meadowlark from 11:00 am to 2:00pm. Gifts of checks, cash, and credit cards are accepted at the event. Donors who make a gift at the live event will be entered into an hourly drawing for $100 to the participating fund of their choice.
2. You can give online at GrowGreenManhattan.com on Tuesday, April 22nd from midnight through the end of the day.
3. You can also mail a check BUT the checks must be RECEIVED by the 22nd. With the unpredictable nature of the mail, this is probably not the best option. Check donations should be mailed to GMCF, P.O. Box 1127, Manhattan, KS 66505. All mailed donations must include a completed donation form (available at GrowGreenManhattan.com). Mailed donations must include the completed giving form to qualify for a match.

Visit the Grow Green website to learn about the organizations participating this year and make your giving plan!

​This year we have TWO options for free devotionals to help guide your Lenten journey.

1) Our Lenten Devotional Booklets from A Sanctified Art are available for pick-up beginning March 2. You can pick up in the church lobby or in the plastic box outside the office doors. If you prefer a web-based version or would like a hard copy placed in the U.S. mail, please contact the church office. (This is the devotional that the Adult Sunday School class will use to guide their conversations throughout Lent.)

About the devotional:  "Beginning with Ash Wednesday and concluding on Easter Sunday, this devotional follows Jesus through Luke’s Gospel. Each week offers commentary, poetry, visual art, hymns, and reflection prompts. We encourage you to walk through these weekly readings at your own pace throughout the season, following the rhythm that works best for you. The devotional features biblical commentary by our guest writers, Rev. Jeff Chu and and Dr. Mindy McGarrah Sharp, and art and reflections by our guest artist, Steve Prince." (from sanctifiedart.com)

2) For those who prefer a daily devotional, we are pleased to offer Daily Devotional cards via email. Receive a daily invitation to a Centering Practice, Reflection Question, and Prayer. These cards were also created by A Sanctified Art and follow our Everything [In] Between theme. If you’d like to receive one each day in your inbox, please email [email protected] and we’ll get you added to the list. ​

Use one or both of these great resources to guide your spiritual journey this Lent. And....don't forget about the Spotify playlist for when you need some music. 

Please note: this year we are not breaking into small groups after the orientation time. January board meetings will be held at a different time. We will list those times here once we know them.

Christian Ed: Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom
Deacons: Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 5:15 p.m. via Zoom
Facilities: Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room/Zoom
Mission: TBD
Justice & Witness (MIJT): Wednesday, Jan. 8 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom
Cabinet: Wednesday, Jan. 22 at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

Dec. 8 - Second Helping Celebration and Brass in Worship
We’ll be joined by our beautiful brass ensemble during worship on December 8th. Join us at 10:30 a.m. for pre-service music in-person or via Zoom. 

We are also marking a momentous occasion in the life of our church - the transition from Second Helping to Common Table. The first Second Helping meal was held in November 1998. The final Second Helping meal will be held on December 29, 2024. During the first week of January, our meal will move to the Lincoln Center at 901 Poyntz. Dinner will be offered through Common Table seven nights a week - all in one location. Common Table will take over meal planning, grocery shopping, recruiting volunteers, and more. We hope, of course, that our Second Helping volunteers will support this new endeavor and our church plans to continue supporting Common Table financially, as well. 

We will celebrate 26 years of the Second Helping and pray for the future of Common Table on Sunday, December 8th during worship. Our Mennonite friends, who have been faithful volunteers at Second Helping, will also be marking this occasion during their worship service that same morning. ​

Dec. 29 Lessons & Laughter
Inspired by our theme and the tradition of Lessons & Carols, we have crafted a “Lessons & Laughter” creative liturgy for the first Sunday after Christmas. It interweaves joy and playfulness with scripture readings that emphasize all of creation rejoicing. The order of worship includes three lessons; in each lesson, there is a scripture reading, a hymn/song, and a creative response rooted in joy.

Did you vote already? If so, you've done what you can do. No amount of doom-scrolling or refreshing your preferred news site will effect the outcome of the election. You can not single-handedly will the votes to be counted any faster by watching cable news. (No. Really.)

We will have the church building open 
Tuesday:  8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Wednesday: from 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 
Wednesday there is also a KIFA prayer vigil over the noon hour, see details below. 

You're invited to drop in on Tuesday or Wednesday to center yourself, find some peace, pray, journal, keep your hands busy, or whatever else your spirit might need. You can also join the live Zoom room, if coming down to the building isn't an option. 

This is open to the public - no need to be a member of our congregation. 

Possibilities for quieting your inner anxiety monster:

• You can sit and enjoy silence in our sanctuary. 
• We have a box of books that might help guide your time: devotionals, poetry, etc. Or bring your own favorite
• Consider bringing earbuds and music if you'd like to relax in that way. No news podcasts allowed. 🫣
• We will have a prayer journal if you'd like to write a prayer or read prayers that other's have left. 
• We will have an origami station where you can make a peace dove or heart. Or you can make 100 of them if you really need to keep your hands off your phone. Put them around your home to remind you to seek peace in the coming days or give to a friend who might need a little love. Level up: give your peace dove or heart to an enemy and say a prayer for their well-being. 
• We will have a group art project where you're invited to write or draw your answer to this question: "Regardless of the outcome of the election, what goodness will remain constant and present in your life? 
• If you choose to stop in via Zoom, you'll have a silent view of our sanctuary. You can light a candle at home and share any of your prayers in the chat for others to read. 

Please enter our building through the double-doors located near the bike rack on the west side of the building. And please invite a friend who might also need space to find some peace. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 6th we are also encouraging people to join Kansas Interfaith Action from 12-1pm for an interfaith time of prayer, song, and holding space as we celebrate, lament, and reflect prayerfully on the outcomes of this historic election season.

You can attend the KIFA event via Zoom by registering here.
- OR - 
Come down to the church building at Noon on Wednesday and we'll log into the Zoom gathering together.