Ash Wednesday looks different this year. And that’s okay – everything looks different this year. Join us for Ash Wednesday at Home on Zoom and Facebook Live, February 17, at 7 PM. Scroll down to sign up for weekly E-News or just to get the Sunday Zoom links.
Our Lent in a Bag included an at-home guide for Ash Wednesday as well as temporary tattoos to use instead of receiving ashes. It’s not the same, but the meaning is the same: we are marked by the dust we are, and reminded of our existence here on earth is only temporary. If you didn’t get a Lent in a Bag, but would like to receive the at-home guide and temporary tattoo in the mail (even if it is weeks after Ash Wednesday!) just email emelia.attridge@churchofreading.org
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Each month our Mission ministry highlights a different mission partner. This month we’re collecting new or gently used towels and washcloths for Emmaus Inc. in Haverhill.
You can drop off donations just inside the Church Office door on Sanborn St. The door will be open Mon-Thur, 10AM-2PM and on Sun, Feb 28, noon-2PM. Donations will be accepted through Sun, February 28th. Contactless pickup can be arranged.
Emmaus is a community-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill, MA. FCCR has supported Emmaus for decades and has watched it grow into a comprehensive agency serving the needs of the all those insecurely sheltered. Emmaus programs span emergency shelters, affordable housing, homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services, and education and job training, as well as community outreach. Find out more at https://emmausinc.org/
Each January, ReadingCares organizes a day of service during the MLK Jr weekend. It’s a day the whole town comes together from various communities and gives back! ReadingCares is making sure the work continues this year. Click below to volunteer for a variety of projects, get connected, and make a difference! Instead of just one day of service, this will be an ongoing project for 21 days of service ending February 7th.
The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (this year it is February 17). Some traditions involve “giving something up” or “taking something up.” Read below about ways to get involved.
Lent in a Bag
Sign up to receive a bag filled with materials to spiritually guide you and keep you connected this Lent.
Wednesday Evening Meditation Series Join us each Wednesday in Lent for a moment of centering and meditation at 7 PM on Zoom. Dates below:
Ash Wednesday service – February 17 February 24 March 3 March 10 March 17 March 24 Holy Week meditation service – March 31…
2020 has been a difficult year. Even though we’ve been apart, it’s our relationships that have brought us even closer together. As the year draws to a close, and we look hopefully into the future, enjoy this slideshow of photos throughout the year!
Note: any photos with large groups of people, lacking masks and social distancing, were taken before mid-March 2020.
Join us as we celebrate Christmas at home this year! There will be brass, organ, candlelight, and all the sparkle and warmth of our usual Christmas Eve services. While we wish we could be together in person, we know this is the way we can love ourselves and our neighbor by staying at home.
You can join us in a few ways!
We will be streaming live at 4 PM EST on Thursday, December 24 on Zoom, Facebook and here on our website. Can’t make it at 4 PM? Don’t worry. You can watch the video later at any time on both Facebook and the website.…
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my
spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for God has looked on the humble estate of
his servant… God has brought down the mighty from their throne, and exalted
those of humble estate; the Holy One has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich God has sent away empty.” — the Gospel of Luke
The final Advent Candle is the candle which symbolized Love. This is appropriate as we recognize the Christ child as Love incarnate (since, after all, God is love). This has been a difficult year for love. We have found so many ways to be divided and “take care of our own.” Mary’s Canticle when she is carrying her child speaks of how God’s love will lift up those who are hungry for love, for justice, for well-being. We are called to be that love in action in the world. Let Christ’s light remind you that love is not scarce – there is enough for all. And love never decreases as we share it. It only multiplies.
Adapted from Dr. Marcia McFee’s Advent Resource
In the days following Christmas, invite love in. Practice a “Loving Kindness” meditation. Consider where love has moved you in this difficult year. Write a card to someone that you love.
“Love came down at Christmas” by Christina Georgina Rossetti
Love came down at Christmas, Love all lovely, love divine; Love was born at Christmas, Star and angels gave the sign.
Worship we the Godhead, Love incarnate, love divine; Worship we our Jesus: But wherewith for sacred sign?
Love shall be our token, Love shall be yours and love be mine, Love to God and to all men, Love for plea and gift and sign.…
