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

01/31/25
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
01/31/25

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
This past Sunday, 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

Justin Spenner Concert

  • What: NORSE/NORGE: 200 years of Sad Scandanavian Songs
  • Who: Justin Spenner (Baritone, Guitar), and Carson Rose Schneider (Piano)
  • Where/When: First UCC, Saturday, February 8 at 4:00 p.m.
  • Tickets: $0-20+ — Pay-As-Able at the door

Genre-bending art song duo poem | music Justin Spenner and Carson Rose Schneider will perform their program NORSE/NORGE; a curated glimpse into how Scandinavian songs grapple with a wandering home, fragmented pride, and the pursuit of beauty. This centuries-spanning musical journey features works by Agathe Backer Grøndahl, Tallest Man on Eart, Alf Hurum, Dry the River, Erik Bye, Fartein Valen, and others. The total runtime, including pre-concert chat, is 70 minutes.

The event runs ~75 minutes (~15 minute open discussion, followed by the ~60 minutes concert, chat around the merchandise table). Tickets will be available at the door on a sliding scale, with a suggested price of $15+. This pay-as-able model ensures the performance is accessible to all.

For fans of: Classical Music; Indie Folk; Feeling a Lil’ Sad in a Good Way; Acoustic Singing; Impressive Piano Playing; Music Nerdiness; Meditative Experiences; Songwriting; Classy Date Nights; Emotional Music

Letters of Love Campaign

This fall, the Immigrant Welcoming Ministry reached out to the First UCC of Springfield, OH, following the horrific lies that were perpetuated about the Haitian community by the now current President and Vice President. We were initially seeking ways to offer support to the Haitian community. We quickly realized there were significant challenges being faced by those working to be allies of the immigrant community as well. The self-described “small but mighty” congregation of 26 active members of First UCC Springfield has been tirelessly working to welcome and support their Haitian neighbors.

The Haitian community of Springfield needs to know they are seen, valued, embraced, and welcomed by those within and beyond their community borders. First UCC Springfield is asking us to send words of hope and encouragement to uplift their Haitian neighbors. Our notes of welcome and support will be delivered to the Haitian Community Center and to the group of 20+ Haitians that now hold church services each Sunday afternoon at the First UCC. In addition, the Immigrant Welcoming Ministry is asking for a second letter of support for the members of this UCC church. Hopefully our words will encourage them as they continue to pursue vital work to bridge gaps and build relationships to make a more inclusive community in Springfield.

During the month of February, a display about our “Letters of Love” campaign will be set up in the Fellowship Hall. You are invited to drop in notes from home or use cards within the display. We will be collecting cards through February 28th and all the cards will be shipped to First UCC Springfield on March 3rd. Thank you for your compassion and support!

Peace and Justice in Israel and Palestine

Now through March 12
Perlman Teaching Museum at Carleton

This Winter, the Perlman Teaching Museum presents Basel Abbas and Ruanne Abou-Rahme: Only Sounds that Tremble Through Us. The exhibition features three bodies of work which explore diverse traditions of communal song and dance across the Arab world. The central moving image piece, Only Sounds that Tremble Through Us (2020-22), which debuted at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2022, builds upon the artists’ video archive of song and dance — primarily from communities in Iraq, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen — which the artists collected from social media.

Rethinking Hope: Living Under the Occupation
Thursday, February 6 – 7:00 p.m.
St. John’s Church

Rachel Williams is a senior at St. Olaf College (’25), studying Economics, Political Science, and Religion with a concentration in Middle Eastern Studies. On campus she co-founded and chaired the Palestinian Relief Subcommittee of the Student Government Association. This past summer, she interned at Musalaha, a Palestinian NGO centered in Jerusalem that works towards reconciliation between Palestinians and Israelis. Rachel will draw from her experience in Palestine to reframe the idea of “hope” in the context of those living under occupation.

WFFF

Join us at WFFF on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. We hope to see you there!

  • 2/12: Hard tacos with tomato soup

All are invited to Wednesday Nights for Food, Friends and Faith (WFFF)! The meal is free and open to the community. Free-will donations are welcome to offset costs.

The WFFF team is looking for more volunteers! Please click here if you’re interested in volunteering with the WFFF team!

Exploring Spiritual Practices

Are you looking for a winter retreat? Every Wednesday evening in February from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. we will explore a new topic, including how to create a circle of trust, movement to open the heart, art as a creative wellness with Angie Ekern, and into to the Enneagram with Marian McKone. This is a “learning by doing” hands-on experience. We will practice what we are learning each week! 

A $10 donation for this series is encouraged but not required. Middle Schoolers and High Schoolers are welcome. We will meet in the Parlor. Please RSVP to the church office at church@firstucc.org or 507-645-7532.

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.

LATEST NEWS

Let’s Celebrate with Soup!

Consecration Sunday is November 10! As is our tradition, we will invite members to bring their estimates of giving (pledge cards) to church that day and hand them in during the offertory. It is our way of acknowledging a commitment to our collective faith journey. 

read more