Adopt-A-Family 2026

October 22, 2026

Deadlines Are Approaching – Don’t Delay!

The Reading Adopt-A-Family Program is available to families who could benefit from extra help during the holidays. Through the Program, Recipients are provided food baskets for Thanksgiving and/or Holiday/Christmas, and gifts for children 18 or younger. It is coordinated by The Reading Rotary Club and ReadingCares, with support from the Reading Food Pantry, Reading DPW and several Town Hall departments.

Recipients must be Reading families, or have children in the Reading School System, who can provide proof of need and residency, with at least one child 18 or younger. Recipients may also be referred by Elder/Human Services, the Food Pantry, Reading Public Schools, or local clergy. Recipients are assigned numbers to maintain anonymity and confidentiality. The deadline for applying for a Thanksgiving basket is October 31st, and the deadline for Holiday applications is November 12th. The Program strives to support all qualifying applications.

Donors can be individuals, families, work or social groups, scout troops and school groups. Donors can choose to donate a Thanksgiving food basket, a Holiday/Christmas food basket, and/or gifts for children. Donors are provided with suggestions for food baskets as well as personal Wish Lists if they elect to provide gifts for children.

Please contact Reading AAF at 781-942-6678 or ReadingAAF@gmail.com if you would like information about becoming either a Recipient or a Donor. Applications can also be accessed  through Reading Town Hall, the Food Pantry, or downloaded here.

Please contact us promptly with any questions since the deadline is fast approaching. If you would like to be a donor but cannot shop this year, please consider sending a monetary donation made out to Reading Rotary, and mailed to AAF, 16 Lowell Street, Reading MA 01867. Thank you!

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Coat Boston/Holiday Shop

October 14, 2026

Collection Moved Earlier – Final Donation Day November 8

First Church has a long history of generously supporting Coat Boston and the Holiday Shop – last year with a record donation of 39 coats, a giant bag of hats, gloves, etc., and a giant bag filled with toys.

This year Coat Boston is moving their donation window earlier, which will allow coats to be in the hands of Boston children and adults before the first hard freeze of winter.  Donations are due at the Hancock Church hub by November 8.

While we normally pace our calendar, the schedule change means that we are collecting for both white socks and the Holiday Shop/Coats Boston simultaneously.  Please donate as you are able.

Last winter Coat Boston received over 3,500 coat requests and was able to serve 2,600 individuals, as well as provide toys to children through 27 recipient organizations. They expect the need to grow again this year. 

We will be collecting new winter coats, gloves, and hats for children and adults as well as new toys starting now through November 8.

Coat Boston – Donation List – New Items Only

  • Coats – New winter coats for children size 6 months and above, to teen and adult sizes to XXXL
  • Winter Accessories – New winter accessories – hats, mittens, and gloves in child and adult sizes
  • Toys – New toys, action figures and ethnic dolls, ages infant through middle school
  • Gifts for Children and Teens – New books, art supplies, and games, ages pre-school through high school
  • Sports Equipment – New sporting equipment, all ages – soccer balls are in demand
  • Gift Cards – Gift cards from vendors such as Amazon, Target, and Stop & Shop in any denomination

Coat Boston has an Amazon Wish List of coats, from infants to teens and adults. This convenient option is available through November 3, 2026. Choose delivery to your home or directly to our facility in Lexington, for drop off no later than November 8, 2026. When ordering please use the “NOTES” section to provide the donor’s name or organization, unless you wish to remain anonymous.

Thank you for all you do.

Please contact Linda or the church office at office@churchofreading.org with any questions or visit the Coat Boston website. …

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Join Our Book Group!

September 21, 2026

2026-2027 Reading List

  • October 6 – Marsha by Tourmaline
  • November 3 – Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristen Kobes Du Mez
  • December 1 – The Motion of the Body in Space by Lionel Shriver
  • January 5 – Going Home by Thich Nhat Hanh
  • February 2 – This is Happiness by Niall Williams
  • March 2 – Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks
  • April 6 – Theo of Golden by Allen Levi
  • May 4 – Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green
  • June 1 – Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

Reach out to the church office at 781-944-0205 or office@churchofreading.org to learn more or be added to the email list.…

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Join a Music Ministry

Do you play an instrument or sing in the shower? Have you wondered what it’s like to ring handbells? Now’s a perfect time to try one of our Music Minsitries!

Our Chancel Choir rehearses before Sunday worship, our Church Orchestra rehearses on some Sundays before or after worship, and our Handbell Choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings.

Join one or all! We’d love to have you. Reach out to the church office at office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205 to learn more.…

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Memorial for Barbara Philbrick

August 25, 2026

A service of Thanksgiving & Celebration for the life of Barbara Philbrick will be held on Saturday, September 12 at 11 AM EDT at First Congregational Church of Reading.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday September 11 at the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St., directly across from the church) Reading from 4-7PM.

If you would like to attend the service on September 12 by Zoom, please click the button below to fill out a form. A Zoom link will be sent to your email the morning of September 12.

Click here to fill out the Zoom Link request form

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