Accepting Everyone

Whoever you are, wherever you are on life’s journey,
you are welcome here.

Finding Actionable Hope

Ready your hands, feet, & heart to make a difference in the community & the world.
Learn more about ways to get involved. 

Welcoming All

With programs for people of all ages, there is a place for you here.
Come and visit us soon.

WORSHIP WITH US IN PERSON AND ONLINE AT 10:30 A.M. ON SUNDAYS

First United Church of Christ in Northfield, MN, is a thriving community of faith seeking to practice the courageous love and justice of Jesus.

Date
Info

05/09/25
Fourth Sunday of Easter
05/09/25

Sunday Worship Livestream

Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.

On-Demand

Sermon and Service Archive

“The world depends on love.
The world depends on us.”
– Pastor Cindy Maddox
Pastor Cindy’s sermon reminds us that Jesus’s gifts are not just for us, but for everyone! We believe in love – REAL! 🫶 
Watch or read the whole sermon here (23:30 – 40:30) 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Free perennials will be available in the church parking lot Saturday afternoon, May 10, and Sunday, May 11. Available plants:

  • Bronze Heuchera
  • Cimicifuga (Bugbane)
  • Silver Ferns
  • Sedum
  • Siberian Iris
  • Hostas

The smallish Memorial Garden is becoming home to bigger and bigger plants. We will divide those plants Saturday morning and set them out to bare root on a tarp under the crabapple tree. Bring your buckets and boxes on Sunday to take them home for your own gardens!

Join us and others at the Minnesota Capitol on Monday, May 12 at 2:00 p.m. in the Vault Room (B15) to rally to protect the funding that allows children to thrive! We are facing the elimination of Head Start and other programs that fund the top 5 early childhood programs for kids in our state. We want to remind Minnesota legislators as they wrap up their session that they need to prioritize our kids. Click here to register. 

Questions about legislation or voicing your views? Email isaiah@firstucc.org.

Our package filled with messages of love and hope for our friends and neighbors in Springfield, OH, arrived at the small but mighty First UCC congregation early last month. Upon its arrival, volunteers went straight to work. In addition to building relationships with members of the Haitian community who hold Sunday afternoon worship services at the church, members have been working to deepen their connections in other spaces. The volunteers also pulled together some of the notes from Minnesota for a display to remind everyone to continue to embrace hope! 

Click here to continue reading the message and to see images of the First UCC Springfield Haitian community.

Call to Congregational Meeting

On March 14 we sent out a notice inviting the congregation into a time of discernment. The Peace & Justice for Palestine & Israel group within our congregation asked us to consider joining with 500+ other organizations in signing the Apartheid Free Pledge.

Having offered many opportunities over the past two years to learn more about the tragedy in Palestine, in March we increased our congregational awareness campaign.

It is important for us to understand what signing the pledge both means and doesn’t mean to our congregation. Please click here to continue reading and sign up for future events.

Commemorating the Nakba

On May 10th at 1:00 p.m. in Bridge Square, Northfielders for Justice in Palestine and Israel will commemoriate the Nakba. The Nakba, meaning “catastrophe” in Arabic, generally refers to the forced displacement of over 800,000 Palestinians and depopulation of 500+ Palestinian towns and villages before and after the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. Today, an estimated half of all Palestinians around the world are descended from those displaced in the Nakba and are denied the right to return by Israel. 

At this event, we will read the names of the depopulated and destroyed villages. As each village name is read, a bell is rung and a small flag is placed on a large map in the location of said village. Those present are invited to take a turn at placing a flag on the map. 

This is a family-friendly event with a children’s table. You are invited to bring a folding chair. 

We cannot hope to understand the present turmoil in Palestine and Israel, let alone achieve a just peace for all those who live there, without knowing where and how this world-shaking conflict began.

UPCOMING EVENTS

PHOTO LIBRARY

Welcome to the photo library. Here you’ll find our an array of content from First UCC from Mindful Moments to Pride celebrations retirements parties.

First UCC Events

Carrie Newcomer concert, Pride in the Park, retirement parties, special services, community services, and more. See how committed First UCC is to the Northfield community!

Mindful Moments

Looking for some peace? Maybe you need a little motivation or some reassurance. You’ll be sure to find a little bit of everything here!

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Ruth’s House provides transitional shelter and support for women and children in crisis. If you need help, please call them at 507-332-2236.

Donations (monetary or physical items) and volunteers are also always needed!

Click here to learn more.

Sarah’s House is an offshoot of Ruth’s house and is a safe sober living space in Northfield. It is designed to help women transition to healthy independent living.

Click here to learn more.

Community Action Center (CAC) is a wonderful resource for community members who are looking for aid in any shape or form.

CAC has branches in Northfield and Faribault. They are always accepting volunteers and donations!

Click here to learn more about the CAC.

Stepsister AA

Are you or someone you know struggling with alcohol addiction?

You are not alone.

Stepsisters of Northfield are here for you. Meetings are held on Wednesdays at 12:00 p.m. and Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. at United Methodist Church.

NA Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous meetings are held here at First UCC on Thursday evenings at 7:00 p.m.

If you or someone you know are interested in attending a meeting, please contact Kate in the church office at 507-645-7532 or at church@firstucc.org.

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