Month: January 2023

There is so much going on at the Reading Congregational Church! If ever there was a month for you to consider testing the waters here, this may be the one. Our theme for the month is Drawing on our Resources…and we have many. See what’s happening. Uncertain where to go? Contact the office at 781-944-0250 or office@churchofreading and ask!

• Feb 2nd, 7 pm, sanctuary: “Out of Darkness, a service of healing, peace and blessing.
• Feb 7th, 7 pm, parlor: Book Group, “Founding Mothers – The Women Who Raised our Nation”.
• Feb 12th, starting at 10 am, downstairs: Brunch church (yes we eat AND worship), followed by a fundraising cookie walk
• Feb 14th, 7:15 pm, room 17: Women ‘n Stitches, making lap ad baby quilts for charity
• Feb 18th, 11 am: a paint party as a part of our monthly theme
• Feb 21, 7 pm, sanctuary: Pressing Pause, a time of quiet, prayer and meditation
• February 25, A community Open Mic Night
• Feb 27, 1 pm parlor: Yarning to Care: knit crochet, visit, making hats, blankets, shawls

And while you’re in the building, check out our newly installed art wall along the ramp heading from the chapel/town hall end of the building toward the sanctuary, FCCR is an art centered meeting place for many.…

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Thursday, Feb. 2 at 7 PM 

Some call it “Candlemas,” others “St Brigid’s Day,” and others call it “Imbolc” – no matter the tradition, February 2 marks the half-way point between Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. In days of old, villagers would bring their candles to be blessed at the local church on this day. Join us for a special evening service as we lift up prayers for the difficult things in our lives and the world, and bless candles which can be brought home.

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Start the weekend with service, and end with reflection and learning!

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Start the new year off feeling great by doing good! There are 13 projects you can sign up for, some able to be completed at-home and some to be completed on January 14th at 9:00am at the First Congregational Church. If you choose to work at home, indicate that when you sign up and a volunteer will send you complete instructions for your chosen project(s). Volunteers will also be at the January 14th workshops with instructions and supplies.

Choose one or several projects:
Knit or Crochet Hats for adults or children.
Make no-sew fleece blankets for the Linus Project.]
Make cards for local health care workers.
Sew dresses for girls around the world.
Decorate positive bookmarks for our neighbors.
Prepare and bag meals for Lazarus House in Lawrence.
Decorate the Peace Tree with your own leaf.
Move and pack household items at Mission of Deeds.
Decorate and fill individual bags with snacks for DPW, RFD, RPD and Pantry workers.
Write a Valentine’s Day card for LGBTQ+ incarcerated people in Massachusetts.
Sort and move items at the Reading Food Pantry.
Donate money towards grocery gift cards for the Pantry.
Donate pajamas and diapers for children in the care of DCF.

To sign up for projects: https://tinyurl.com/MLK2023SIGNUP

To donate to the Reading Food Pantry: Go to Gift Cards for the Food Pantry 2023

Please contact info@ReadingCares.org with any questions. Thank you!

Monday, January 16

Come to the RMHS Performing Arts Center at 9:30am for a community breakfast followed by a special interfaith invocation by the Reading Clergy Association, performances by student groups including Mixed Choir and RMHS Jazz Band, an art exhibit, and more! This year’s guest speaker is Lynnette Marshall, co-founder and Director of Learning and Collaboration for The Flourish Collective, a racial and social justice organization. This year’s program theme is “True peace is the presence of justice”. Everyone is welcome to attend this commemoration of the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his ongoing influence in the world.
For more details, contact the Office of Equity & Social Justice, oesj@ci.reading.ma.us. The event location is wheelchair accessible and ASL translators are available on request. We look forward to seeing you there!…

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