First Church Receives Grant

We are one of 32 Massachusetts organizations that received grant money from the Nonprofit Security Grant Program funded by Gov. Maura Healey’s administration.  

We’re so grateful the state approved our application! We applied for funding for updated lock systems and security as our building is used by a variety of nonprofit and community groups serving all generations and peoples. We’re excited to bring our community building into the 21st century and offer safety for groups like Creative Arts, A Community School for the Arts, Northeast School of Ballet, and others! Work will be done over the next year according to the grant guidelines. We’re grateful for legislation that supports nonprofits like ours!

We are looking for someone to take the role of project manager to work with church groups and subcontractors to implement this project. Work will be done over the next year according to grant guidelines. 

Many thanks to Craig Vickery who developed and submitted the proposal on the church’s behalf.

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Open Mic – This Saturday, October 21st

6:30 – 8:30 PM in Guild Hall

Our monthly Open Mic Night is back! This partnership with Reading School of Guitar and Creative Arts has been an amazing community event each month with acts from all ages, experience, and a variety of talents. Come to perform or be a part of the audience!

If you’re interested in volunteering to offer and host refreshments, please reach out to Rev. Emelia.

Sign up here to perform – https://tinyurl.com/Open-Mic-at-FCCR

Mark your calendar for future dates!

  • November 18
  • December 16

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Church Retreat – This Saturday, October 21st!

Last year’s fall retreat brought dozens of creative ideas, discussion on our church’s norms, culture, and how we communicate formally and informally. It was also excellent time for relationship building!

This year we’ll meet on Saturday, October 21 with special guest Rev. Barb Lemmel who will instruct us on Behavioral Covenants for churches, why they are helpful, and more importantly, how we can implement them in our congregational life together.

The retreat will begin with light breakfast at 9:15 AM, followed by Rev. Lemmel’s presentation, and will end after lunch at 1 PM. Come even if you didn’t register!

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CPR and AED Training

Interested in learning CPR and how to use a defibrillator?

First Church is hosting a CPR/AED class on November 18th, at 9 am.
The class is $50 per person, and a typical class is 2 hours maximum.
All attendees will learn infant, child and adult CPR, use of an AED (Defibrillator), Chokesaver, and will receive a CPR card valid for 2 years.

Register by Monday, November 13th. Fill out the form below to sign up.

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Worship Schedule & Volunteers

October 1 – Intergenerational Worship & World Communion Sunday with Chancel Choir

October 8 – Indigenous Peoples’ Weekend with Chancel Choir

October 15 – Handbell Ensemble in Worship & Rev. Alex Shea Will visits and preaches

October 22 – Chancel Choir

October 29 – Reformation Sunday with the FCCR Orchestra & Chancel Choir

As always, we are looking for volunteers to lead us in worship! We need you to volunteer for Flower Delivery, Greeters, Scripture Reading, and Fellowship Hour Hosts. Contact Rev. Emelia, sign up outside the office, or use the link below.

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Church Planning Retreat – Saturday, October 21

Last year’s fall retreat brought dozens of creative ideas, discussion on our church’s norms, culture, and how we communicate formally and informally. It was also excellent time for relationship building! It was so great, we’re doing it again!

This year we’ll meet on Saturday, October 21 with special guest Rev. Barb Lemmel who will instruct us on Behavioral Covenants for churches, why they are helpful, and more importantly, how we can implement them in our congregational life together.

The retreat will begin with coffee and donuts at 9:15 AM, followed by Rev. Lemmel’s presentation, and will end after lunch at 1 PM. We hope all can attend! Please register with the link below to help us plan ahead. Please sign up by October 17 so we can plan for lunch. Walk-in’s are welcome on Saturday, this just helps us plan ahead!

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Olde Redding Faire Silent Auction

As the excitement for the Olde Redding Faire builds, we ask you to consider donating to this year’s Silent Auction. We hope you will join us in celebrating our faire and auction.

Our silent auction is part of a tradition that goes back to 1957, when the first faire was held. The online Silent Auction has grown to be a significant area of the faire. In fact, the bidding starts the week before the faire! 

Last year’s silent auction offerings displayed in the sanctuary on faire day.

Donations to the auction include gift cards, gift baskets, products, and services. Last year, we had donations such as crafts, including hand knitted afghans, quilts, artwork, and pottery; homemade food from soup to dessert, vacation rentals, and unique local daytrip experiences. You might have a different and wonderful idea for a new creative donation. Contact the Silent Auction team if you want to discuss ideas for your contribution.

All donations are greatly appreciated. Click here to donate. If you need help with this online process, please reach out for help.

We can pick up your donation or you can leave your donation in the church office starting on Sunday, September 24. We will coordinate drop off of food baskets and very large items. Please contact us for details.

Click here to view the auction.

The Silent Auction will open Saturday, September 23 and close on Saturday, September 30. You can view the donations and make bids in person during the faire on Saturday, September 30, between 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM. Please drop by!

Proceeds from the Silent Auction, which earned roughly $7,000 last year, benefited our church, as well as the Reading Food Pantry and Reading’s Mission of Deeds.

Contact the Church Office at 781‑944‑0205 or at OldeReddingFaire@gmail.com if you have any questions. 

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The Olde Redding Faire

Save the date for the Olde Redding Faire!

Saturday, September 30th, from 10am-2pm

  • Picnic Basket – Lunch & Fun Food
  • Silent Auction – In Person
  • Jewelry – Modern and Vintage
  • Puzzles – GREAT Selection
  • Baked Goods – Fresh & Tasty
  • Farm Stand – Seasonal Items
  • Books – Used and Classics
  • Kids’ Place – Fun Activities for All

Email OldeReddingFaire@gmail.com for more info.

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Dress a Girl Around the World

The First Congregational Church of Reading’s Women ‘n Stitches group is kicking off the “Dress a Girl Around the World” sewing project. 

Dress a Girl Around the World is a campaign where you sew dresses for young girls in need, following a simple pattern that’s provided for you. For many of the girls, the dress you create may be the ONLY dress they will EVER have. We want it to be a high-quality product in which they feel dignified and beautiful. These girls live in areas where they are easy targets for trafficking; the new dress shows that they are cared for and may discourage would-be predators. 

Caption:  These dresses were made during the Reading MLK, Jr. Day of Service and we donated to the organization.

You can join us to create dresses as a group or you can pick up a kit with instructions to sew on your own. We will be meeting Tuesday, September 12, from 7:30 – 9pm at the church, 25 Woburn Street, Room 17.

More information about the program can be found here:

https://dressagirlaroundtheworld.com/

While we have plenty of fabric, we are looking for attractive trim:  lace, rick rack, eyelet,  double fold bias tape (½” or  ¾”), any color (minimum 8 ft  length), and elastic (½”).

Contact the church office, 781-944-0205 or office@churchofreading.org, regarding donation and any questions about this meaningful project.…

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