This summer, we’re collecting 100 bottles of maple syrup for Reading’s St. Vincent de Paul summer meals program to assist families struggling with food insecurity here in Reading.
In July, as sales begin for school supplies, you’ll hear from Mission Ministry about our annual summer collection for school kits for Church World Service.
In August, we’ll be serving our homeless and unhoused neighbors on Boston Common with Common Cathedral.
Find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/churchofreading.
To learn more about First Church or these mission projects reach out to office@churchofreading.org.…
With the Riverside Renaissance Swing Band
Join us on Sunday, September 14, at 3pm for a benefit concert for disaster relief.
The Riverside Renaissance Swing Band will be playing a benefit concert at the church on September 14 at 3 PM to help raise funds for disaster relief. The afternoon will feature the best swing hits from the 1940s, and an energetic ensemble perfect for dancing and reminiscing.
One-hundred percent of the funds raised will go to United Church of Christ Disaster Relief Ministries, which partners with local aid organizations on the ground where domestic and international disasters strike. Funds raised from this concert will most likely benefit victims of Los Angeles fires and flooding in Texas.
The Riverside Renaissance Swing Band is a north-shore 18-person ensemble performing music from the 1930s to today, including many styles, like swing, big band, country, rock, and polka. The group rehearses in Peabody, Mass., under the direction of Henry Lucas.
The concert is a part of the church’s Sanctuary Arts programming, an initiative to partner with local musicians, artists, theatre, and arts organizations to host arts and humanities programming in its historic 112-year-old sanctuary in the heart of downtown Reading.
The suggested donation for the concert is $20. Cash, check or online donations accepted. If you would like to donate online, use the link below and select the dropdown Give to +Concert – UCC Disaster Relief.
Sunday School programming begins in September.
For more info, reach out to the church office at office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205.
At the moment, we have supplies for 14 complete kid kits!
We also have lots of supplies for additional kits. In order to complete the extras, we could use more of the following:
- pencil sharpeners
- kid size blunt tip scissors
- colored pencils (12 pks)
- rulers (inch/cent. variety)
These are the items in the shortest supply at this time.
If you have already purchased other items to donate, fear not. We can still use them as well.
Thank you for all of your generosity!
Here’s a complete list of kit items:
Our list of needed items has changed a bit this year. Please note that specific sizes are requested for uniformity.
- Box of 12 colored pencils
- Two pocket folder
- Glue stick
- Blunt-tip scissors (packaging removed)
- 1-70 page wide spiral-bound notebook
- 30-cm/12” ruler
- Hand-held pencil sharpener (packaging removed)
- Large eraser (not pencil top)
- Six new, unsharpened pencils (bundled with a rubber band)
- Box of 24 crayons
- Optional: handmade or store bought pencil pouch.
Not a shopper? Funds to cover costs of items (approximately $15 per bag at full price) and shipping (over $100) can also be donated by check, or using the link below and choosing CWS Kits from the dropdown menu.
https://www.churchofreading.org/donate/
Staples has great sales on many of the needed items through Sat. Other summer back-to-school sales will follow in July and August.
Donations can be dropped off at the church office during the week or on Sundays in the sanctuary collection area.
We plan to assemble the kits in church in early Sept.
Thank you for joining this worthy project.…
It’s time to start getting ready for our Annual Church Faire, and we need YOUR help!
Our Annual Church Faire is just around the corner, on September 27th, 2025. We’ll be celebrating a day of community, connection, and fun! The faire doesn’t just happen on its own – it’s powered by the incredible spirit and dedication of our wonderful volunteers.
Click the button below to sign up today!
August 3 at 10 AM
This service will be hands-on living the gospel of Jesus as we make and pack lunches during 10 AM worship. Join us as we celebrate Communion and bless lunches to be served at Common Cathedral – a ministry for the homeless on Boston Common.
We still need volunteers to provide essentials for lunches (turkey, cheese, egg salad) and to volunteer to go into Boston (about 11 AM to 3 PM). Use the link below to sign up.
Breakfast is crucial for children’s physical and cognitive development. Unfortunately, too many children don’t get breakfast in the summer months when they’re out of school. The local St. Vincent de Paul Society is working to change that by providing both breakfast and lunch foods for Reading families. We’re collecting maple syrup for them – 100 containers! We have a good start but ask you to add it to your list this week – and maybe next week too! Thank you.
