The First Congregational Church of Reading

Friday, May 9 & Saturday, May 10

ReadingCares and the Reading Climate Advisory Committee are again hosting the annual Bike Recycling and Give-Away. The public is invited to donate their used bikes (in good condition) at RMLD, 230 Ash Street, on Friday, May 9th from 11am-12:30pm and on Saturday, May 10th, from 9am – 11am. All donors will receive a voucher for early admission on Saturday to choose a free bike. Free Bikes will be available to everyone starting at 12:30pm on Saturday, May 10th.

Please consider volunteering an hour or two at the Bike Event this year! On Friday, May 9th from 11:00am to 12:30pm, 1 -2 people will be needed to accept donated bikes at RMLD. On Saturday, May 10th , several people will be needed to help wipe down the bikes, pump tires and organize the donations. No experience or expertise required. The busiest time will be Saturday between 9am to noon.

Come down to see what it is all about! RMLD is very generous to offer us space and support to hold the event. Additional support is provided by The Reading Police Dept., REI, Reading Town Hall, and our incredible volunteers. Please join us!…

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An Easter Egg Hunt for children will be held on the lawn on Sanborn Street after the service at about 11:15 AM (weather permitting).…

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Many people living on the edge of poverty often have to choose between buying food for their family or basic hygiene items. Many are living in temporary shelters. As hurricanes, floods and other disasters become more frequent, the road to recovery can feel overwhelming. We can help in a small but important way with the collection of these Hygiene Kits which could make a difference between sickness and health.

The kits contain the following 9 items. (Note there has been a change from past years)

• 1 washcloth
• 1 fingernail or toenail clipper (remove from package)
• 1 toothbrush (in the original package)
• 1 bath-size bar of soap (in original package)
• 1 travel-size stick deodorant (3.4 oz or less)
• 1 travel-size lotion (3.4 oz or less, fragrance free)
• 1 travel-shampoo (3.4 oz or less)
• 1 travel-size toothpaste (3.4 oz or less, expiration date of at least 1 year)
• 1 sturdy wide-tooth comb at least 6 inches of teeth (remove from package)

All items should be packed in a gallon ziplock bag and left in the collection box outside the church office on Sundays, or Monday thru Thursday 10am to 1pm beginning April 6th. Gallon bags for your use will be left near the collection box.

Monetary donations are also accepted. The cost of a kit is $15.

Please contact the church office, office@churchofreading.org or 781-944-0205, with any questions.…

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Book Group meets Tuesday, April 1, at 7:30 PM on Zoom. We’ll be discussing The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict.

Let’s Talk meets Tuesday, April 8, at 1:30 PM in the Parlor. This month we will be discussing the non-canonical Gospel of Mary.

Women ‘N Stitches meets Tuesday, April 8, at 7:15 PM in Room 17

Yarning to Care meets Monday, April 28, at 1 PM in the Parlor…

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April 2, 3-4pm, in the Sanctuary

Learn a new spiritual practice this Lent. You’ll receive instruction on the meditation technique “Visio Divina.” Instead of closing your eyes while meditating, you’ll be using sight to focus on an image. We’ll be using our stained glass windows as inspiration. Light meditation music will play in the background for the time of meditation.…

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April 2 at 7 PM on Zoom

Interested in learning more about the church, meeting others, or joining the church as a new member? Email Rev. Emelia to sign up: emelia.attridge@churchofreading.org…

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California Wildfire Disaster Relief Funds

The United Church of Christ has established a California wildfire special appeal. The Altadena Community Church United Church of Christ, in Altadena, CA was destroyed by the Eaton fire, and we all know that 10,000 homes were lost leaving devastated residents without a place to stay and without any belongings.

The National Ministries of the United Church of Christ is committed to assisting with short-term and long-term initiatives. The CWS cleanup buckets and hygiene kits were already made available.

Donate either via check including “Disaster Relief” in the memo, or by using our church website. When donating online, please select the arrow on the “Give to” line for a drop-down list of options, then select Disaster Relief. You may add “CA Wildfires” in the comment section on the payment page.…

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