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Plymouth UCC in Lawrence has chartered a bus to take people to the Women's March in Washington, D.C. and our Vitality Committee wants to share information about this opportunity. So far we know of at least two people from our congregation who will be traveling with the Lawrence contigent. We are thankful for the invitation! The nitty-gritty: - Chartered bus will depart Thursday evening, Jan. 19th from Lawrence and return sometime in the early evening on Sunday, Jan. 22nd - Cost is $100 per person for the bus - Meals are at your own cost - Two nights will be spent sleeping on the bus. The remaining night will be home/church stays organized by Plymouth. Full details here. Click here to register for the bus.  All members of our boards and committees are invited to join us on Wednesday, Jan. 11th for a Leadership Kick Off. We will share a meal and fellowship and then hear some tips and tricks for our work together. Many of our boards and committees are also having their January meeting at this event. We will gather from 6-8pm in Pioneer-Blachly. Please RSVP to Julie Hunt ASAP so she can have a count for dinner.
We will also be blessing our ongoing, continuing, and incoming officers during worship on January 22nd. We hope you'll be able to join us for worship that day as we thank, release, and bless our church leaders.  We will gather at 10:45am around the Christmas tree in historic Pioneer Hall on Sunday morning, Dec. 25th. Tasty treats will be provided and you can sip your coffee while we worship. We will sing carols and listen for the Word through children’s picture books. Come if your PJs if you’d like. Kids, bring your toys so you can play. It will be a laid-back, intimate setting for giving thanks as we welcome the Christ Child on Christmas morning.
Christmas Eve is a time for singing carols by candlelight and remembering the gift that came to us in a tiny town all those years ago. Join us at 7:00 p.m. on December 24th as we celebrate the birth of Christ by hearing the story once again and sharing Communion at Christ's table (open to all!). People of all ages are welcome at this service. Pre-service music will begin at 6:45pm. Full details about all the Advent and Christmas events at First Congregational available here.   UPDATE: First Congregational is co-sponsoring a charter bus with MAPJ and UUFM. Please contact Linda Thurston if you'd like to ride on the bus. Members from our congregation and the K-O Conference have been involved with the planning for this upcoming event. Please mark your calendar and spread the word! Kansas People's Agenda Rally Wednesday, Jan. 11 from 9:30-3:30 Come take over the Kansas Capitol with 1,000+ Kansans! Show Solidarity, Demand Change, and set the Legislative Agenda! 10:15am #KSPeoplesAgenda Rally The building opens at 8 a.m. Arrive around 9:30 because 1000+ people takes time to process and get situated! Order the official t-shirt: www.loudlight.org/kpa/shirt Please RSVP: goo.gl/forms/wXlwws0FzKPELP862 After the Rally: Visit your legislator, sit in on a committee meeting, sightsee in our beautiful capitol, be a moral witness, and more. This is an inclusive event and agenda planned by many Kansas organizations and hundreds of folks from every region and walk of life. The Kansas People’s Agenda: Economic Justice Racial & Indigenous Justice Adequate & Equitable Public Education Healthcare Access Anti-Corruption Policy Environmental Stewardship & Sustainable Agriculture Criminal Justice Reform Gender Equity Responsible Gun Policy LGBT Rights Voting Rights Immigrant Rights Infrastructure Investment Children Protection Religious Freedom Read the full STATEMENT OF CONCERN here. Learn more about the Rev. William Barber's movement here. Questions? Email us at: [email protected] FACEBOOK EVENT  Christmas isn’t always happy. For those who are grieving, the holiday season can be excruciating. On December 22nd, we will gather on one of the longest nights of the year to sing quiet songs, make space for grief and hope, and remember the coming of Christ without all the tinsel and reindeer. This service is a part of the Compassionate Friends Worldwide Candle Lighting and we will invite parents who have lost children to light a candle in memory of their children.
We hope you will also bring a photo or memento connected to any loved ones you've lost. We will use these during the service. Come if you are lonely, grieving, or having a difficult time this holiday season. Be with others who are also feeling blue. Facebook event PDF flier to share Full details about all the Advent and Christmas events at First Congregational available here.  Come and hear the story of Jesus's birth read from our sacred texts and enjoy music for the season by our choir. This year's lessons and carols service will include music from the Seven Joys of Christmas by Kirke Mecham.
Full details about all the Advent and Christmas events at First Congregational available here.  Christmas is a time for singing! We gather with our friends from Bethel AME on Saturday, December 17th at 4:00pm to bring joy into our community.
We will come back to the church for a shared soup supper after the meal. Full details about all the Advent and Christmas events at First Congregational available here.  Usually in worship we have "the Word FOR children" but this upcoming Sunday we'll hear the word FROM our children. Our kiddos have been hard at work for over a month now, preparing their lines and music for the pageant. Come and hear familiar words from scripture and Christmas music presented by our preschool and elementary-aged children. Join us for worship at 10:45am. Full details about all the Advent and Christmas events at First Congregational available here.  A note from Pastor Caela: Ministry is all about figuring out how our particular gifts line up with the world’s needs and then listening to God to see if we feel a call. Sue Zschoche feels called to the ministry of preaching, teaching, leading worship, administering the sacraments. She also feels strongly called to do those things among us. Sue would like to volunteer her time in an official ministerial role at First Congregational. The Cabinet, at their most recent meeting, reviewed a draft of a position description for a new part-time, unpaid staff position of Pastoral Associate. It is our desire that the congregation enter a period of discernment as to whether we should call Sue into this role. I join with the members of Cabinet in being fully supportive of calling Sue as our Pastoral Associate. In this new role, Sue would preach and assist in leading worship on a more regular basis. She would also take on a leadership role with our adult education ministries and work closely with the Board of Christian Education. In my absence, Sue would be on call for any emergency pastoral care needs. Once she is licensed by the KO Conference, she will be able to administer the sacraments. If you are newer to First Congregational you may not have had a chance to get to know Sue yet (she’s more than just the lady who asks for Second Helping desserts!). We will be having an open forum after worship on Dec. 18th in Andover Hall. Grab a cup of coffee and come join us as we talk informally with Sue and hear from her about her sense of call. Members of Cabinet will also be available to answer questions. In the January newsletter, you’ll see a personal statement from Sue about her call to ministry and additional information from Cabinet. Sue will preach during worship on Sunday, January 8th. We will have a congregational vote to call her to the position of Pastoral Associate during our regularly-scheduled Congregational Meeting on Sunday, January 22nd. Upcoming Dates: Dec. 18th immediately after worship: Open Forum with church leaders and Sue to ask questions and get to know Sue Jan. 8th: Opportunity to hear Sue preach during worship Jan. 22nd: Regularly-scheduled Congregational Meeting where a vote will be taken on whether to call Sue as our Pastoral Associate Additional Information: Personal statement from Sue Zschoche on her call to ministry |
