These intergenerational Sundays might feel a little more like camp and less like church — but it’s all worship-FULL! Each Sunday will feature prayer, music, and activities for all ages. You’ll want to make sure these Sundays are saved into your calendar.
On August 30 we’ll transform the Sanctuary into a giant assembly line to make 100+ bagged lunches for Common Cathedral and volunteers are needed to bring them to Boston Common after church.
Our church sponsored book group meets on the first Tuesday of the month on Zoom. It’s always a great discussion, and we welcome new folks. Reach out to the church office if you would like to join us.
We will take a break for July and August. Our September book is Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari.
Here are the books we read and discussed during the 2025-2026 year:
June – The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong, a novel about chosen family, unexpected friendship, and a life-altering bond.
May – Abundance, by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson, a nonfiction work examining the reasons behind the lack of progress in the US on such things as affordable housing, infrastructure, and climate change.
April – Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks – a novel loosely based on a real village in England in 1665 and 1666, which, encouraged by a passionate minister, isolated itself from the surrounding area to prevent spread of bubonic plague, and which follows the development of housemaid Anna Frith into a heroine in the midst of catastrophic events.
March – The Jackal’s Mistress: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian, inspired by a real-life friendship across enemy lines, an historical novel about the wife of a missing Confederate soldier who risks all to save the life of a stranger, a wounded Union soldier.
February – The Sinners All Bow by Kate Winkler Dawson, in which the author reconstructs and attempts to finish the true crime investigation into the death in Fall River, Mass. of a young woman begun by Catharine Williams in the 1830s, the conclusions of which were likely influenced by wealthy mill owners as well as America’s burgeoning evangelical religious movements.
January – The Hare with Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de Waal, a renowned ceramicist and the fifth generation to inherit a collection of 264 exquisite wood and ivory netsuke, saved by a loyal housemaid and all that remained of the vast fortune of the Ephrussis, a grand banking family in 19th Century Paris and Vienna society, after the Nazis imprisoned or scattered the family and confiscated all their wealth, books, art, and properties.
December – Table for Two by Amor Towles. Amor Towles, a favorite author whose works include A Gentleman in Moscow, wrote this collection of short historical fiction pieces, including a novella which is a continuation of Rules of Civility.
November – Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg, on the art and science of successful communication – techniques we can master to successfully connect with others even in difficult circumstances.
October –The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain combined with the Pulitzer Prize winning James by Percival Everett. James is a re-imagining of the Huckleberry Finn tale, told from the enslaved Jim’s point of view, highlighting his agency, intelligence, and compassion.…
Join us for a facilitated conversation about “what we learned” during Rev. Emelia’s sabbatical last Fall. Everyone is invited to visit coffee hour and then join others in the parlor for a brief discussion about the opportunities and lessons learned from this experience.
As our music ministries take a break for summer, we rely on our talented musicians for “special music.” Can you play one or two songs on an instrument or sing a solo? Sign up in the Music Room. Need help selecting music? Contact Rev. Chad.
Get involved and join one of our groups. Drop in or reach out ahead to learn more.
Yarning to Care meets Monday, June 1, (rescheduled due to Memorial Day) and also Monday, June 29, at 1 PM in the Parlor.
Bible on Tap meets Monday, June 1 at 7 PM at Bunratty Tavern. This summer we’ll be exploring the theme “That’s Not in the Bible!” considering phrases we think are biblical, but aren’t (and what the Bible actually says instead!).
Book Group meets Tuesday, June 2 at 7:30 PM on Zoom to discuss The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong.
Let’s Talk meets on Tuesday, June 9 at 1:30 PM in the Parlor. This month, we’ll be talking with a special guest from the Reading Mosque.
Women ‘N Stitches meets on Tuesday, June 9 at 7:15 PM in Room 17.
To learn more about these groups reach out to the church office at office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205…
You asked for more hands-on opportunities so read on!
Mission will be preparing and serving fifty meals for Mitch’s Place, an emergency homeless shelter run by Emmaus, Inc. Volunteers are needed to plan the menu, purchase ingredients (funds from Mission budget), prep food, and serve food. Cookies, brownies and other desserts are also needed!
We will prep food in our church kitchen after worship on May 31st (orchestra players can join us after rehearsal). Food will be frozen then transported to Haverhill on Wednesday, June 3 for dinner service, setup at 4PM, service at 5PM.
Desserts should be individually packed, marked “Emmaus” and dropped off in the kitchen on May 31 or in the church office June 1-3.
Click Here to Sign Up or reach out to the church office at office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205 to learn more.
Have you moved, changed phone numbers, added a new email address, or just want to make sure we have all your correct info?
Take some time after worship this Sunday, May 17, to confirm your directory listing. Copies will be available during fellowship hour.
Let the church office know of any changes at office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205.
If you’d like to update your picture, email the office a new picture in landscape format. We’ll be ready to take new pictures on June 7 at the Church Picnic!…
Join us in May for Sunday Worship
May 10 – Rev. Katie Omberg, our Area Conference Minister for the Southern New England Conference will be joining us for worship and preaching this week. Sunday School meets; Card Ministry after church.
May 17 – Orchestra & New Member Sunday followed by Annual Meeting after church. Last day of Sunday School until September.
May 24 — Memorial Day Weekend with Choir.
May 31 — Adam Smedberg from Church World Service visits us during worship.…
Join us at 10 AM to celebrate new members and be moved by music from the choir and church Orchestra.
After the service we will celebrate all that our church has done in the last year, from mission and ministry to property improvements and capital campaign progress! We will also vote on our officers for the next year and to approve the budget.
Please review the warrant and Annual Report. Paper versions are available in the church office or click the link in your enews to view a digital version.
Join us for worship on Sunday, May 3, at 10am.
This week is Communion Sunday, and also a special Children’s Sunday with our Handbell Ensemble.
