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For more information, contact Gretchen Lewis.
Church Choir Our choir rehearses each Sunday morning in the sanctuary at 8:30, and we'd love to have some new singers join us. Please see Gretchen if you are interested. We are looking forward to singing in worship this year. We are also looking forward to participating in a late September choral workshop with well-known contemporary composer and choral clinician Mark A. Miller. Dr. Miller will be in Wichita September 27 - 29 for a United Methodist Event, and Dr. Amy Rosine, choir director at College Ave Methodist, is organizing an ecumenical song festival here in Manhattan on the afternoon of September 29. She has called our local event: Songfest, Songs of Hope, Compassion and Joy. Further information will be upcoming about the time of the local concert. If you're interested in attending the workshop, talk to Gretchen for more information. Congregational Handbells The bell choir will resume rehearsals in September. The first rehearsal is Tuesday, September 3, at 5:00 pm in the sanctuary. If you'd like to ring with us, and you're free on Tuesday evenings, please reach out to Gretchen. We aim to offer a Handbell Prelude in worship once a month. First Congregational Mini Hymnal We had some excellent congregational singing this summer. I'd love to put together a kind of First Congregational mini hymnal of hymns you'd like to sing every two or three months. If you have favorite hymns to suggest, please send me some hymn titles. If we have a good response, we can select the 15 - 20 greatest hits, and put them in a rotation. Thank you! The Member Engagement Committee or Nominating Committee is responsible for filling the positions on Committees and Boards that serve the church and work to fulfill our mission.
It is that time of year when we work to fill openings on these Committees and Boards to serve next year, 2025. Members of the Nominating Committee will be contacting all who attend First Congregational Church to ask if you will serve. We know that many of you are already committed to serving on a Committee and Board and will continue in that role next year. Thank you! However, there are several openings that we will work to fill before the entire slate is approved and installed by the Congregation. It is our hope that we can complete this task by the end of September. Please consider taking on a role of service on a Board or Committee if asked. The church cannot continue to flourish and grow unless all who are able and willing will take on a role of service in this way. First Congregational Church does so much for so many in our congregation, community, and beyond our area. That can only continue if we all do our part. Serving on a Board or Committee can be such an effective way to support the church. Boards and Committees are the foundation upon which all the good that is done flourishes. In most cases, board membership does not require a great deal of time…one meeting each month (usually through Zoom), and one or two activities to aid or support their work. The Board of Mission works to coordinate the programs we support that serve all the people. Their focus is Second Helping, which requires a number of volunteers beyond those on the board. The Board of Christian Education strives to assist our staff and volunteers who provide the many educational opportunities for all who attend First Congregational. Sunday School, Youth Group, Adult Education, and other educational outreach programs are the focus. The Board of Deacons serves the spiritual life of the church, coordinating with the pastor on matters relating to worship and the care of members. They also coordinate volunteers to help with worship activities. The Board of Facilities is charged with taking care of the building and grounds. They collaborate with the custodial staff and outside contractors as well as take on projects that can be completed internally with the help of volunteers. The Board of Justice and Witness facilitates a strong faith-based movement of peace, justice, equality, and inclusivity. That board has joined with other churches to form an alliance to better meet this important mission. Other committees that serve the church include Member Engagement; Gifts, Endowments and Investments; Pastoral Relations; Stewardship; and Ecumenical Campus Ministry. In addition, there are those who serve in capacities within the church who are indispensable to helping the church meet all its missions. The Archivist, Budget officer, Financial Secretary, Head Usher, Membership Clerk, Recording Clerk, Treasurer, Moderators, and Cabinet Members at Large fill these roles. It takes many volunteers and helping hands to fulfill our promise to “Love Every, Single, Other.” We know that there are many ways you can do this. The Stewardship Committee is specifically tasked to secure your financial support. Those who have served for many years and now enjoy the support of the community as they retire to emeritus status are examples of how we must continue to support our church, those who pray for others, those who quietly do the little things that are rarely noticed, and many others. Nothing we do is accomplished without the help of everyone in whatever capacity they can serve. Agreeing to give your time, energy, and talent to a committee or Board is one way we are all called to support our church, our mission, and our community. When we ask, please prayerfully consider saying yes to this service. Nominating Committee: Jeff W., Craig W., Di H-T. Tuesday, September 17: 7:00 pm KIFA Faith and Public Policy Forum at the UUFM building on Zeandale Road (click for more info)
We've invited experts and passionate advocates from across the state. Panelists include Jayme Morris-Hardeman, an elected member of the USD 383 School Board, who will discuss the state of public education in Kansas; Emily Wagner of Kansas Housing Advocacy Network, who will discuss homelessness and housing policy; Micah Kubic of the ACLU of KS, who will discuss civil rights; and Heather Braum of Kansas Action for Children, who will discuss work and family supports. Saturday, September 28: 10 am to 2 pm Climate Justice Revival Event at the UUFM building on Zeandale Road As many of you know, our Justice and Witness committee at First Congregational UCC has joined with our Unitarian and Mennonite sister congregations to create a combined team, called the Manhattan Interfaith Justice Team. Since January, we have been meeting together to discuss how we can combine our witness for local justice issues. Support of KIFA is part of this, but we are discussing other activities to bear witness to our faith that God calls us to work for justice in our world. The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan is hosting a Climate Justice Revival on September 28. The September event is part of a national Unitarian Universalist effort to address the specific topic of climate justice, an issue literally heating up in many parts of Kansas and our local community. There will be classes/activities for children, youth and adults, and we will all be invited to participate. Tentative agenda Collective Visioning Making Connections Building Capacity Nourishing Relationships Charting a Course Snacks, drinks, and regular breaks will be provided during the event, and we'll have a potluck lunch to facilitate the fellowship aspects of the occasion. You can sign up for the Climate Justice Revival here.
I’m delighted to return from sabbatical and look forward to reconnecting with each of you. You’re invited to sign up for a “reconnect with the Rev.” conversation sometime this fall. Please click here to sign up for a conversation OR call the church office and Sandy can assist. We can meet at your home, your office or mine, your favorite coffeeshop or trail, or get together on the phone or Zoom. A small group of us is also great; if you have family or friends you’d like to invite to the conversation, please do. The agenda is simple: what’s going on in your life that you’d like to share? What’s important to you these days? How can I support you as your pastor? Looking forward to the conversation, Pastor Caela   The students are back, parking is harder to find, and we're ready for another year of learning and growth. Sunday School for children and adults will resume this Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and the choir will be back from their summer sabbath. Guess who else is returning from sabbath? Pastor Caela will be back in our pulpit as her sabbatical draws to a close.
During worship we will also be blessing learners and educators of all ages. You don't want to miss it, so join us at 10:45 a.m. in-person or online. Kids and grown ups who are students, please bring along your backpacks to receive a blessing. Educators, please bring along your work bag or another object that represents your work. A big thank you to the Ministry of the Decorative Scissors for creating backpack tags again this year. We will be handing out backpack tags for students and educators of all ages during worship in the sanctuary, but if you worship online or are out of town, please contact [email protected] to request your tag. All members of our boards and committees are invited to attend the 2024 Leadership Kick Off on Wednesday, Jan. 10th from 6-8pm. We will gather for dinner and then meet together. If you're not able to make it in-person you also have the option of joining us after dinner via Zoom.
Please RSVP at your earliest convenience by using the online form below or calling the church office so we have numbers for dinner. The purpose of this gathering is to share tips and wisdom for the upcoming year and provide an opportunity for those who serve in leadership to meet one another and spend time connecting. This year we will be inviting people to select a topic of interest and spend time in small groups dreaming and exploring together. Please note: we will NOT be including time for your January board/committee meetings as we’ve done in the past. Please check in with other members of your board to find out whether you are having a January meeting at another time. We look forward to gathering with you! Please contact Paul Hunt if you have questions.  Monday, Dec. 18th at 5:30 p.m.
Christmas isn’t always happy. For those who are weary, grieving, lonely, or struggling with difficult memories, the holiday season can be painful. On December 18th, we will gather on one of the longest nights of the year to make space for grief and hope and remember the coming of Christ without all the tinsel and reindeer. Come if you are lonely, grieving, or having a difficult time this holiday season. Be with others who are also feeling blue. NOTE: This service will be in-person ONLY but if you aren’t able to join us in-person we have an at-home liturgy you can use. Please contact the office so we can send it to you. Image: A Dream Confirmed by Lisle Gwynn Garrity A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org  Nov. 26 - Advent Begins with HOPE Don’t forget to pick up your free Advent devotional and calendar at the church building. Online versions also available - just email the church office.  Dec. 3 - Lessons and Carols of PEACE Join us in-person or via Zoom for our annual Lessons & Carols service, led by members of our vocal and bell choirs.. Many thanks to our musicians for sharing your gifts in this way. We will also share Communion during worship. And after worship we are having a welcoming lunch for those who are new or new-ish to our congregation (RSVP at uccmanhattan.org/welcome).  Dec. 10 - the JOY of brass in Worship (and welcoming new members!) We’ll be joined by our beautiful brass ensemble during worship on December 10th. Join us at 10:30 a.m. for pre-service music in-person or via Zoom. We also plan to welcome new members during this service.  Dec. 17th - we LOVE the Christmas Pageant and Cookie Exchange Join us for our annual Christmas Pageant, led by the children of our congregation. Join us in person or via Zoom at 10:45 a.m. for this special service. The kids will be sharing scripture, story, and song. We can't wait to see what they've created! And….after worship it’s on to the Cookie Exchange! 🎄 Here's info about the cookie exchange! 1. Drop off 2 dozen cookies in Blachly Hall before worship. 2. After worship, we will hand out gloves and plates to those who dropped off cookies. 3. Participants will line up and walk around the table to choose three cookies each rotation until all the cookies are gone. 4. You will leave with 2 dozen new cookies to enjoy. 🎉 5. Eat on the way home??? 🍪 We have several folks in our congregation with food allergies. So we are also seeking volunteers to bring some store-bought/prepackaged cookies that will work for those who are gluten-free, nut-free, dairy-free, etc. Walmart, Hy-Vee, and Dillons all have good selections. Providing store-bought cookies ensures they are prepared safely, which can be challenging in a home kitchen. Plus, then you don't have to bake! Please DO bring the box along so those who need to can read the labels. Thanks! Dec. 18th - Blue Christmas (a worship service for the weary) at 5:30 p.m. Christmas isn’t always happy. For those who are weary, grieving, lonely, or struggling with difficult memories, the holiday season can be painful. On December 18th, we will gather on one of the longest nights of the year to make space for grief and hope and remember the coming of Christ without all the tinsel and reindeer. Come if you are lonely, grieving, or having a difficult time this holiday season. Be with others who are also feeling blue. NOTE: This service will be in-person ONLY but if you aren’t able to join us in-person we have an at-home liturgy you can use. Please contact [email protected] and we’re happy to send it to you.  Dec. 24th at 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Worship 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, in-person or via Zoom. Pre-service music will begin at 6:45pm. PLEASE NOTE: we will ONLY have the evening service on Christmas Eve (no morning activities on the 24th).  Dec. 31st: Poetry and Pajamas Worship
Christmas Sunday is Dec. 31st. The service will be centered around an offering of Christmas Poetry. If you are interested in volunteering to read poetry during worship, please contact Pastor Caela. Children are invited to come to worship in their pajamas on this low-key, comfy morning. Image credits: Christmas Eve: Ordinary Glory by Lauren Wright Pittman Blue Christmas: A Dream Confirmed by Lisle Gwynn Garrity A Sanctified Art LLC | sanctifiedart.org Advent devotionals and calendars will be available for pick up November 12th. Look for the plastic box outside the double doors that go into the office area at the church building or pick up in the lobby. If you'd rather have an electronic copy or need one posted in the mail, e-mail the office to request. Our devotionals are from A Sanctified Art and include poetry, art, scripture, and space for reflection. There is also a one-page family Advent calendar for your refrigerator. It includes simple activities for people or all ages.  |
