FIRST UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST

First United Church of Christ (Congregational), 300 Union Street will be holding a “Longest Night Service” on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:00 PM in the sanctuary.

This service of quiet music, readings, prayer, and candles is a time to seek peace during the holidays.   All are invited, but it will be especially helpful for those for whom the holidays are a difficult time.  Maybe you are grieving the death of a loved one, maybe the winter darkness recalls other dark times in your life – whatever the reason, this service is a time to acknowledge the reality of pain in the midst of a season of celebration.

In the service we will seek to be honest about our grief, while also seeking to open ourselves to the light and hope that is coming into the world.  You are welcome to join with us.

Pastor Bob Griggs will host an opportunity for study and discussion on Saturday, December 17 from 10:00 – 11:30 in the Big Room, with the intention being to continue one Saturday a month in the new year.

For the first session, Pastor Bob Griggs will be leading us in reflection and discussion of some of the psalms.  We’ll also take some time to plan what the group would like to focus on: more biblical texts, a book, a series of readings, whatever those assembled would find most rewarding.

Mark your calendars for the weekend of Advent IV, when Gian Carlo Menotti’s beloved Christmas opera will be performed at First UCC. Amahl tells of a young boy and his mother who are visited by the Three Magi on their journey to Bethlehem. The all-Northfield cast includes Christopher Brunelle, Bob Gregory-Bjorklund, and Jim McKeel as the Three Kings, Tracey Engleman (St. Olaf Music Dept.) as the Mother, and Carson Babbini as Amahl. With a shepherds’ chorus, beautiful orchestral music (conducted by Marty Hodel), and a timely and touching story, this delightful 50-minute show is suitable for young and old alike.

There will be three performances. The tickets for Friday, Dec. 16 (8:00 p.m.) and Saturday, Dec. 17 (8:00 p.m.) are $10, available at First UCC and at Coldwell Banker (419 Division). On Sunday, Dec. 18, the morning service will feature Amahl; no tickets are required, and a free will donation will be taken.

“Although we church folks seldom consider it, we are a people on an amazing journey. Like Abram and so many other biblical ancestors who followed the Spirit’s leading to a new place of promise and hope, each of us is traveling a path God has set before us. Like any journey, our path includes twists and turns, high roads and low places that we must learn to navigate.”1

The interim journey experienced here at First UCC has in fact involved both twists and turns, as well as highs and lows. In an attempt to provide a format for people to reflect upon our interim journey, and as a way to move forward in preparation to receive the first of two new ministers, our Interim Ministers will be facilitating a time to reflect on our journey and identify questions, concerns, hopes and observations made as we move toward a new life that rests in God’s hands.

As the Search Committee is narrowing in on four very strong final candidates, it behoves us to take advantage of this opportunity. This is  an investment in the future of this faith community. Even though we are in the midst of those in-between times, we need have no fear. Rather than anxiety, this can be a time for us to celebrate – because we have entered a phase that is expectant with grace.

Please join us in this conversation on Sunday at 11:30 am in the rear of the sanctuary during the Faith Forum time slot.

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1 Finding Yourself In-Between by Beverly A. Thompson, George B. Thompson, Jr.