First Congregational Church of South Windsor
United Church of Christ
Welcome
Whoever you are,
wherever you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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Business Office Hours
Tues. - Fri.: 9am - 2pm
Our Mission
We strive to apply Jesus’ teaching by recognizing that every individual is a child of God and we welcome all to join us on our faith journey in providing guidance, love, and hope to our community and the world in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Visit Us
993 Main Street, P.O. Box 165
South Windsor, CT 06074
(860) 528-7992
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Worship: 10am on Sundays
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Follow Us on Facebook at First Congregational Church of South Windsor
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Business Office Hours -
Tues - Fri. 9am-2pm
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Worship Services
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Worship services are on Sundays at 10:00am in person and online. If you are interested in joining us for online worship, please email the church office at firstchurchsw@gmail.com for the link.
The church office hours remain Tuesday - Friday 9am - 2pm. Should any pastoral need arise, please call the church office at (860) 528-7992 and your call will be returned as soon as possible. Have a blessed day!
Our Holiday Church Fair is fast approaching!
Join us!
Friday, Dec 1st from 5pm-8pm and
Saturday, Dec 2nd from 9am-2pm.
Free Admission both days!
Please join us for worship, in person or on zoom for the First Sunday of Advent at 10:00am on Sunday, December 3rd. Bridge Pastor Linda Huff will lead worship. Her sermon title is 'Rehearsal of Faith'. Come join us! We would love to see you at church! If you would like to be included for the service on zoom, please contact the church office at (860) 528.7992 or firstchurchsw@gmail.com
2023 Holiday Church Fair
Friday December 1, 2023
5pm-8pm
free admission
&
Saturday December 2, 2023 9am-2pm
free admission
All are invited to a special Interfaith Thanksgiving service, led by local clergy of different religions on Monday, November 20 at 7 p.m. at Temple Beth Hillel, South Windsor CT.
This free event will feature inspirational readings and comments, music and songs by many area clergy, including our Interim Rabbi Leah Benamy.
Praying in an interfaith community can remind us that we are here for each other, and with each other...especially now.
All are welcome - People do not need to belong to a house of worship to attend.
Anyone, anywhere can watch via live-stream on www.tbhsw.org or on Temple Beth Hillel’s Facebook page: Temple Beth Hillel, South Windsor CT
Sewin4Servicemen2023
Sewin4Servicemen is a group of dedicated sewers and quilters organized by First Church member, Judy Borre. They have been meeting in our church basement for years over the winter, generally 4 times for these all day sewing projects. Patriotic lap quilts are made for deserving veterans in our town as a special thank you for their service to our country. A few photos below from our lap quilt presentations recently. Thanks to all the sewers and quilters, and of course, organizer Judy Borre for their dedication to this special mission.
Event Cancelled Due To The Rain
Heritage Day is back!
Saturday, September 30, 2023
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Birden Field, 1871 Main Street ~ South Windsor
It will be at Birden Field, 1871 Main Street, next to the East Windsor Hill Post Office.
South Windsor History and Family Fun!
FREE ADMISSION
The First Congregational Church of South Windsor is pleased to be taking part in Heritage Day on September 30, 2023. Heritage Day is sponsored by the South Windsor Historical Society.
Today is God's Gift: Your Present
Thank You SW Community Chorus!!
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Thank you to the South Windsor Community Chorus for their spectacular concert held here at First Congregational Church on September 1st. The talent was just incredible! For more information about the South Windsor Community Chorus, please visit them at http://swchorus.org
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Copies of Karen Ziel's Second Hour Presentation are available. Please contact the church office if you would like a copy.
Where do we go from here?
June 11, 2023 “Second Hour” Presentation 11:30 am
In-person and Zoom
Karen Ziel of the Center for Transformational Leadership, Southern New England Conference, will help us start a discussion about “Discovering and exploring the essential elements of a successful process for Discerning your Church’s Future”.
Where are we now?
Where are we going?
Where is God leading us?
We’ve been through this before with “Beyond Beginnings” and “CAT Survey” you’ll say. This is true. But we nod and agree but nothing is done. It is time to identify options available to us and make some decisions. This is a process of which this meeting will be just the beginning.
It is important that our members attend either in person or by zoom so you can share your ideas.
Lunch will be provided.
Judith Borré, Moderator
First Congregational Church of South Windsor
United Church of Christ
993 Main Street, PO Box 165
South Windsor, Connecticut 06074-0165
Tel 860-528-7992 Fax 860-528-3945
April 10, 2023
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven – Ecclesiastes 3:1
Dear Beloved Members and Friends,
I am writing to share with you my decision to resign as Minister of First Congregational Church of South Windsor, effective June 10, 2023. This was not an easy decision, reached after months of deep, soul-searching prayer and discernment. I now feel that The Lord is calling both this minister and, I believe, this congregation, “on to fresh and newer spaces.” It is time for our paths to diverge.
I will be forever grateful that the First Congregational Church of South Windsor was the first to call me as its settled pastor. Serving this historic and hospitable congregation has been the opportunity of a lifetime. The fruits of these almost seven years of ministry together will always be with me, and I pray, also with you.
Worshipping God through the seasons of both church and life, celebrating the FCCSW’s 325th Anniversary with an interfaith theme, voting to become an Open and Affirming congregation, holding our first Armchair Retreat, continued collaboration with Mission Partners, representing and ramping up the church’s presence in the community for funeral services and receptions, leading prayer for various civic organizations, attending and supporting church efforts such as Sew-in-4-Servicemen and Christmas Fair, forging together through two-plus years of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Zooming worship from my living room to safeguard the congregation and community, and caring for the needs of God’s people, are just a few of the notable good works we have labored so hard to accomplish.
During April, May and part of June, I will conduct my usual duties with continued special attention to pastoral care, bidding adieu to the people of our church community, preparing the path for next steps, along with tending to closure in administrative areas. I look forward to worshiping, visiting, sharing coffee and meals and being in communion with all of you at this tender time.
May 28, 2023 will be my final Sunday leading worship and preaching, during which there will be a Service of Release. June 10, 2023 will be the closing day of my ministry to all of you, which date satisfies the required sixty-day advance notice according to our covenantal agreement. I will be utilizing the balance of my vacation time from May 29 through June 10, along with a few days here and there post-Easter.
The Rev. Isaac Lawson, Area Conference Minister, South Central Region, Southern New England Conference, UCC will be available to share his wisdom and assist with transitional details and guidance regarding ministerial coverage.
I most sincerely thank you for your support and love. I will always carry you in my heart. Please know you are loved and I will miss you. May God’s grace shine upon all of us as we remain pilgrims of Christ, trodding new paths set before us. I leave you with the words of Herman Hesse’s poem, Stages:
As every flower fades and as all youth
Departs, so life at every stage,
So every virtue, so our grasp of truth,
Blooms in its day and may not last forever.
Since life may summon us at every age
Be ready, heart, for parting, new endeavor,
Be ready bravely and without remorse
To find new light that old ties cannot give.
In all beginnings dwells a magic force
For guarding us and helping us to live.
Serenely let us move to distant places
And let no sentiments of home detain us.
The Cosmic Spirit seeks not to restrain us
But lifts us stage by stage to wider spaces.
If we accept a home of our own making,
Familiar habit makes for indolence.
We must prepare for parting and leave-taking
Or else remain the slaves of permanence.
Even the hour of our death may send
Us speeding on to fresh and newer spaces,
And life may summon us to newer races.
So be it, heart: bid farewell without end.
God keep you,
The Rev. Nina Barlow Schmid
During these uncertain times, we reflect upon the many ways in which God can be found in our world around us.
Prayer Place by Adrienne A.
Near the River by Lilly M.
Sunset on Christmas 2020 by VIcky M.
Peace by the Pond at the Park by Lee and Rachel A.
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OUR HISTORIC CHURCH SEEKS INCLUSIVENESS AND VOTES TO WELCOME ALL!
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First Congregational Church of South Windsor wants the world to know that we have begun a new journey! First Congregational Church of South Windsor is now an Open and Affirming church community! On January 26, 2020, the historic congregation committed to what is surely one of the most important decisions made in our storied, 325+ year history. What exactly does this mean? This means that:
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We seek to widen our expression of God’s Love by becoming a place of inclusiveness, diversity, and unconditional love that inspires all individuals in our community regardless of race, culture, age, ability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
We strive to apply Jesus’ teaching by recognizing that every individual is a child of God and we welcome all to join us on our faith journey in providing guidance, love, and hope to our community and the world in the spirit of Jesus Christ.
Come, join us! “No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here!” Worship Services on Sunday mornings at 10:00 am.
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