Coat Boston & The Holiday Shop need YOUR support!

November 9, 2024

Supporting Coat Boston & Holiday Shop this Advent

Last year the Coat and Holiday Shop received requests for over 4,000 coats but was only able to provide 750 coats. This year, the Coat and Holiday Shop has developed some innovative ways for us to support this need, and so we are thinking innovatively as well.

You can find the detailed information on the requests of the Coat Boston and The Holiday Shop at, www.coatboston.org. We at FCCR are focusing on collecting new coats and winter accessories for children of all ages and sizes.

  • You may purchase and donate a new coat, from infants through high school.
  • You may contribute cash or Kohls cash or gift certificates or any other tender, and we will purchase the coat with the accumulated funds. The Mission Ministry is donating benevolence funds to this as well, so we will shop smartly and wisely to best contribute to the drive. We would like these types of donations before Thanksgiving so we can deliver on time.
  • The Coat shop has created an Amazon Wish List with suggested coats and sizes. The prices range from $19.99 to $59.99. These will be delivered directly to the Coat and Holiday shop.

The Coat and Holiday shop is also requesting new games, books, or sports equipment. We are collecting through December 8.

Please contact the church office at office@churchofreading.org. or 781-944-0205 with any additional ideas or contributions about this important community support. …

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Anton’s Coats for Kids and Families

November 7, 2024

Collecting now through noon on January 5

Donate gently used winter coats for children and adults!

Drop off your donations by January 5 in the box near the Sanborn Street ramp door

Coats for Kids & Families accepts warm winter coats that are new or gently used, good quality, and all sizes (especially XL and infant/pre-K sizes). Please no coats with rips, tears, broken zippers, or permanent stains.

Help us keep our community warm this winter!…

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Advent & Christmas at a Glance

November 6, 2024

Our theme this year is “From Generation to Generation…” inspired by the words of Mary’s song in Luke 1.

Order your Poinsettias

Decorate our sanctuary in honor, remembrance, and celebration.

  • Order by Sunday, December 8:
  • 4-inch red ($5), 6-inch white ($9), 6-inch red ($9)
  • Click to order (or call the office)

Hanging the Greens

Join the Deacons and others for the decorating of the Church for Christmas on Saturday, Nov 30 at 10:00. It is lots of fun, gets you in the Spirit and looks so beautiful when done. Mark your calendar now!

Cookies and Cocoa

The Annual Tree Lighting will be on December 1! We are looking for bakers, volunteers for set up, clean up, and serving on the day of, and anyone else willing to help coordinate. Would you like to volunteer? Let Rev. Emelia know.

Advent Mission Collection

Once again, the Mission Ministry will celebrate the arrival of the Christmas season with four varied collections for different charities. This year our first recipient will be the Coat and Holiday Shop, which is now being run by the Hancock Church in Lexington for the benefit of Greater Boston communities. Subsequent collections will be the familiar gathering of toiletries for Emmaus House, Inc., and of items for the Reading Food Pantry. The main collection box will sit outside the doorway to the Music Room. Read more below about further information for the Coat & Holiday Shop.

Our collection schedule is as follows:

  • Now through December 8 – NEW coats for the Holiday Shop
  • December 15 – toiletries for Emmaus Inc.
  • December 22 – items for the Reading Food Pantry
  • Now through noon on January 5 – gently used adults’ and children’s coats for Anton’s Coats for Kids & Families project. The box for Anton’s coats will be outside the Chapel.

Thanking you in advance for your participation and generosity in this holiday season!

For Kids & Families

Our Sunday School Sundays will be November 24 (with childcare during church and an intergenerational Advent Workshop from 11:15-11:45) and December 15.

Menorah Lighting

The annual Community Menorah Lighting will be on Sunday, December 8 at 5 PM on the Common (rain location: Pilgrim Hall). Afterwards, attendees are invited to the church in Pilgrim Hall for folk dancing and crafts for kids. Would you like to volunteer? Let Rev. Emelia know.

Special Orchestra Sunday

Save the date for a “Christmas Music Extravaganza” on Sunday, December 22 with the Orchestra and Chancel Choir.

Christmas Eve Services

5 PM – Festive Handbell Candlelight Service – bright, fun, and perfect for families

11 PM – Choir & Candlelight – a quieter and more meditative service with scripture, hymns, and poetry…

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Post Grad Care Package Time!

November 1, 2024

Yes! If it’s November it’s time to think about planning to send packages to our recent graduates. The Care Ministry loves supporting this program.

This year we have twelve young people on our list as recipients. And as we know, young people LOVE home made cookies. And FCCR of course, has a multitude of outstanding bakers. Contact the church office to learn more about volunteering to bake.

If you won’t be baking but would like to lend your support to this ministry, we would welcome donations to cover mailing expenses. Should you wish to do so, please mark your envelope, or comment on the memo line of your check, “care pckgs”.

The packages will “hit the street” after Thanksgiving weekend. Thank you for your help in letting these young adults know that they are remembered.

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Cocoa and Cookies

October 30, 2024

Yes, it’s time! Contact Rev. Emelia if you’re interested in assisting with making cocoa, baking cookies, setting up or helping on December 1 during the Reading town Tree Lighting event.

Creative Arts will once again be hosting a performance of A Christmas Carol in the sanctuary while we serve warm cocoa and homemade cookies in the narthex so we can invite people to warm up in our sanctuary decorated for the Advent & Christmas season.

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October Mission

October 18, 2024

White Socks for The Outdoor Church of Cambridge

“A majority of the ailments suffered by the homeless are foot-related. Having a clean pair of socks to change into when you get dirty or wet is essential for staying healthy on the street. Responding to this need, the Outdoor Church distributes over 8,000 pairs of socks annually.” ~The Outdoor Church

Participate in our October Sock Drive for The Outdoor Church of Cambridge. Drop off your new, men’s, crew length white socks in the collection box outside the music room.

Thank you for making a difference.…

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