Blue Christmas

December 9, 2021

Tuesday, December 21, at 7 PM

Each third Tuesday of the month we hold a special “Pressing Pause” service of quiet reflection and meditation. This month, the service will focus on the theme of “The Longest Night” or “Blue Christmas.” December 21st marks the longest night of the year, when the sun sets the earliest and rises the latest in the northern hemisphere. For those who aren’t able to be “jolly” in this season, it can be especially lonely and difficult. If you are grieving, depressed, anxious, lonely, heartbroken, or just fed up with the pandemic, you might find this meditative space helpful.

The Sanctuary will be open with contemplative live piano music and candlelight from 6:30 to 7 PM

From 7 to 7:30 PM there will be a brief service of meditation on the theme of Blue Christmas.

You’re invited to come in, light a candle, listen to the music, and press pause, whether that’s for 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or the whole hour. …

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Intergenerational Advent Workshop

November 2, 2021

Join us after worship on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 11 AM for an all-ages Advent Workshop where we will move between various stations around the church learning about Advent, making crafts, hanging greens, and decorating our own Advent Wreaths! Sign up is strongly encouraged so we know how many supplies to account for.

Can’t make it in person? No worries! Sign up below and select the option to receive Advent in a Bag so you don’t miss out on the fun.

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Trunk-or-Treat – Oct. 31 at 2 PM

October 18, 2021

Join us on Sunday, October 31 at 2 PM in the Town Hall Parking Lot for an intergenerational Trunk-or-Treat event where kids can get something sweet, and adults and families can also give something sweet!

Each “trunk” will be decorated and offer candy to hand out. And each trunk will also represent a local charity that the church partners with. You’re invited to bring the following donations to give to the different trunks:

Reading Food Pantry
Canned goods

PAWS Wakefield
Canned or dry cat food

Emmaus Inc (shelter and services in Haverhill, MA)
Diapers size 3-6
Pull ups
Toiletries (unopened hotel or travel size are good)
Paper products (bath tissue, paper towels, etc)
Education or art supplies

Habitat for Humanity
Cash or check donation
(checks can be made out to FCCR with charity in the memo)

Reading POWIR Afghan Refugee Support
Stop & Shop Gift Cards
Cash or check donation
(checks can be made out to FCCR with charity in the memo)

Various organizations who work with the homeless & unhoused (Outdoor Church, Common Cathedral, etc)
Plain new white socks
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Arts & Community Space Survey

For many years First Congregational Church of Reading has been the home to several arts groups, including Creative Arts, the Reading Art Association, and the Reading Community Concert Band. Our building has the potential  to house many more. We consider it part of  our mission to support the arts, as well as  community non-profits and self-help groups.  

To that end, FCCR is surveying members of the community regarding their space needs for work, meetings, and events. The results of this survey will guide us in making improvements to the building to accommodate your needs.

Click here to fill out the survey
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Blessing of the Animals

October 3, 2021

All pets of all kinds and their owners are invited to receive a blessing on Sunday, Oct. 10 at 1 PM on the lawn on Sanborn Street.

If your pet doesn’t play well with others, or maybe isn’t very mobile, or perhaps you’ve lost a beloved pet recently — we invite you to bring a photo of your pet to receive a blessing.

This will be a brief event so we will hold it rain or shine! (If there is rain, we’ll set up a little canopy tent. If the rain is very heavy, we will plan to cancel)…

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Olde Redding Express 2021!

September 9, 2021

Rain Date: September 26th

Visit the Olde Redding Express website here to learn more and to place an order or bid!

The Olde Redding Express began last year as a smaller Covid-safe version of our Olde Redding Faire (a First Congregational Church of Reading tradition for over 60 years!).

This year there will be so much to enjoy online, in person, and for pick-up or delivery! Order mums, food, or sweet treats, place a bid in the online auction, try your hand at a jigsaw puzzle, and have a few laughs with community!

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2022 Calendar Collection

July 19, 2021

It’s That Time of Year!


Have you been finding colorful 2022 calendars in your mail? Maybe you make a donation to the sending organization, or maybe you don’t. But please, if the calendar has colorful pictures for each month, save it! We’ll collect them and then pass them on to the Food Pantry near the end of the current year for distribution to clients. If the calendar is full of ads and you don’t want it, please recycle. We’re on only looking for cheery image calendars.


Leave all calendars in the box on the cabinet outside the Music Room (next to the Pantry basket).

Thanks for your help!

Contact the Church Office with any questions: office@churchofreading.org.

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