March Mission Collection

This month we are collecting pajamas for teens for the Dept. of Children and Families in Wakefield. The Metro North Area Office in Wakefield covers a group of cities/towns north of Boston. These include Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Wakefield, Reading, North Reading, and Stoneham. It is wonderful to provide a pair of clean, cozy pajamas for a teen to start his/her first night in foster care! The DCF typically receives donations for young children, and there is a need for the larger sizes. 

Donations can be left in the box immediately inside the doors at the office entrance to the church on Sanborn Street. The doors are open on Monday – Thursday from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. If these times are not convenient, please do not hesitate to call the Church Office. We will gladly make other arrangements to allow you to participate. Thank you for your kindness.

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Ash Wednesday is February 17

Ash Wednesday looks different this year. And that’s okay – everything looks different this year. Join us for Ash Wednesday at Home on Zoom and Facebook Live, February 17, at 7 PM. Scroll down to sign up for weekly E-News or just to get the Sunday Zoom links.

Our Lent in a Bag included an at-home guide for Ash Wednesday as well as temporary tattoos to use instead of receiving ashes. It’s not the same, but the meaning is the same: we are marked by the dust we are, and reminded of our existence here on earth is only temporary. If you didn’t get a Lent in a Bag, but would like to receive the at-home guide and temporary tattoo in the mail (even if it is weeks after Ash Wednesday!) just email emelia.attridge@churchofreading.org

Sign Up for weekly E-News or Sunday Zoom links (including a link to Ash Wednesday Zoom):

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February Donation Collection

Each month our Mission ministry highlights a different mission partner. This month we’re collecting new or gently used towels and washcloths for Emmaus Inc. in Haverhill.

You can drop off donations just inside the Church Office door on Sanborn St. The door will be open Mon-Thur, 10AM-2PM and on Sun, Feb 28, noon-2PM. Donations will be accepted through Sun, February 28th. Contactless pickup can be arranged. 

Emmaus is a community-based nonprofit corporation founded in 1985 to provide housing and services to homeless adults and families in Haverhill, MA. FCCR has supported Emmaus for decades and has watched it grow into a comprehensive agency serving the needs of the all those insecurely sheltered. Emmaus programs span emergency shelters, affordable housing, homelessness prevention and housing stabilization services, and education and job training, as well as community outreach. Find out more at https://emmausinc.org/

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ReadingCares MLK Jr 21 Days of Service

Each January, ReadingCares organizes a day of service during the MLK Jr weekend. It’s a day the whole town comes together from various communities and gives back! ReadingCares is making sure the work continues this year. Click below to volunteer for a variety of projects, get connected, and make a difference! Instead of just one day of service, this will be an ongoing project for 21 days of service ending February 7th.

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Get ready for Lent!

The season of Lent begins with Ash Wednesday (this year it is February 17). Some traditions involve “giving something up” or “taking something up.” Read below about ways to get involved.


Lent in a Bag

Sign up to receive a bag filled with materials to spiritually guide you and keep you connected this Lent.


Wednesday Evening Meditation Series

Join us each Wednesday in Lent for a moment of centering and meditation at 7 PM on Zoom. Dates below:

Ash Wednesday service – February 17
February 24
March 3
March 10
March 17
March 24
Holy Week meditation service – March 31…

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A Year in Photos

2020 has been a difficult year. Even though we’ve been apart, it’s our relationships that have brought us even closer together. As the year draws to a close, and we look hopefully into the future, enjoy this slideshow of photos throughout the year!

Note: any photos with large groups of people, lacking masks and social distancing, were taken before mid-March 2020.

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Virtual Christmas Eve

Join us as we celebrate Christmas at home this year! There will be brass, organ, candlelight, and all the sparkle and warmth of our usual Christmas Eve services. While we wish we could be together in person, we know this is the way we can love ourselves and our neighbor by staying at home.

You can join us in a few ways!

We will be streaming live at 4 PM EST on Thursday, December 24 on Zoom, Facebook and here on our website. Can’t make it at 4 PM? Don’t worry. You can watch the video later at any time on both Facebook and the website.…

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Blue Christmas Service – Dec. 21

Blue Christmas is a time when we hold tenderly the difficult emotions the holidays bring. For many of us (especially in 2020), the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year. If you are grieving, lonely, isolated, tired, weary, angry, or just need a place to be on the Longest Night of the year, you are welcome to this virtual service of prayer, music, and virtual Communion.

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