West County Thanksgiving Service 2021
Write checks out to Ascentria Care Alliance.
This year the churches in West County made a Thanksgiving video featuring clergy and lay members and singers/musicians from all our churches. The message is a lovely testimony to our relationships with each other. We are asking for donations to a Western Mass relief agency that is working closely with Afghan refugees. The information is at the end of the video. Please consider giving. You can send your donations directly or bring checks to church on Sunday to put them in our offering plate or any day after and we will forward them on.
This year the churches in West County made a Thanksgiving video featuring clergy and lay members and singers/musicians from all our churches. The message is a lovely testimony to our relationships with each other. We are asking for donations to a Western Mass relief agency that is working closely with Afghan refugees. The information is at the end of the video. Please consider giving. You can send your donations directly or bring checks to church on Sunday to put them in our offering plate or any day after and we will forward them on.
Two Opportunities - Lent 2021
Click for Schedule
24th Annual Lenten Discussion Series
Even the Cherry Blossom Falls
Begins Wednesday, February 17
7 p.m. on Zoom
photo: John Cameron, with permission, via Unsplash
Interfaith Council of Franklin County
3-part online Zoom program
Lifting the Veil
Racism in Franklin County
Begins Wednesday, February 24, 2021 7-8:30 pm
Lenten Conversations
2020
2020
In this season of reflection and exploration it is time for the congregation to embark on a discernment process concerning the direction our church might take in the years ahead. This process of discernment will help to inform the Pastoral Search Committee in their work on the Church Profile. The entire congregation is invited to gatherings on Sunday following morning worship in Fellowship Hall during the season of Lent. The initial process is to generate any number of options that the church might embark upon. These are not to be strategies or tactics, but rather a larger decision concerning direction. Once the options are produced the task will be to reduce their number based on criteria including church resources, church vision and mission and the consensus of the congregation. There will also be opportunities for open conversation concerning the church’s ministries. At the end of the process there may be more than one recommendation concerning our church’s direction. The final recommendations born of these conversations will be presented to the Executive Committee, who may bring them to the congregation for adoption by calling a Special Meeting in accordance with the church by-laws. Each gathering will be facilitated by our Interim Pastor.
March 1 Lenten Conversation Initial Gathering
March 18 Lenten Conversation Second Gathering
March 15 Lenten Conversation Third Gathering (cancelled)
March 22 Lenten Conversation Fourth Gathering (cancelled)
March 29 Lenten Conversation Fifth Gathering (cancelled)
March 1 Lenten Conversation Initial Gathering
March 18 Lenten Conversation Second Gathering
March 15 Lenten Conversation Third Gathering (cancelled)
March 22 Lenten Conversation Fourth Gathering (cancelled)
March 29 Lenten Conversation Fifth Gathering (cancelled)
During Pastor Rob's time with our church, he will help us explore our transition to a settled pastorate with the following schedule. We hope you can join us!
Exploration 2019
Navigating Our Time of Transition:
Five Focus Points for the Journey
Navigating Our Time of Transition:
Five Focus Points for the Journey
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February 10 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Worship
Focus Point 1: Our Heritage February 17 Sunday: Following Morning Worship Focus Point 1 continued in Fellowship Hall Adding to the Heritage Trail February 24 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Worship Focus Point 2: Our Leadership March 3 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 2, Report back and Open Mic March 10 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 3: Our Mission March 17 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 3 Conversation March 24 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 4: Our Connections March 31 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 4 Drawing the Web April 14 Sunday: Fellowship Hall Following Morning Worship Focus Point 5: Our Future May 5 Sunday Following Morning Worship Focus Point 5: Report back and Open Mic |
Managing Personal Transitions
The Shelburne Congregational Church will be offering a free two-part adult series led by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Downes, a local expert in personal and organization change who has consulted with non-profits, congregations, and individuals throughout the United States. His work has helped assist people in understanding and coping with the emotional, psychological and spiritual process of adjusting to difficult change.. Part One will be held on June 4, Monday from 7:00-8:30 pm and will explore our relationship with difficult change(s) and how we might view change through a developmental model of three stages. Part Two will be held on June 11, Monday, from 7:00-8:30pm and will focus more on solutions and strategies to managing our most difficult Transitions. Participants must attend Part One of the Series to be eligible to also attend Part Two. Both sessions will be held at the Fellowship Hall, 21 Common Road, Shelburne, MA
The Shelburne Congregational Church will be offering a free two-part adult series led by Rev. Dr. Kenneth Downes, a local expert in personal and organization change who has consulted with non-profits, congregations, and individuals throughout the United States. His work has helped assist people in understanding and coping with the emotional, psychological and spiritual process of adjusting to difficult change.. Part One will be held on June 4, Monday from 7:00-8:30 pm and will explore our relationship with difficult change(s) and how we might view change through a developmental model of three stages. Part Two will be held on June 11, Monday, from 7:00-8:30pm and will focus more on solutions and strategies to managing our most difficult Transitions. Participants must attend Part One of the Series to be eligible to also attend Part Two. Both sessions will be held at the Fellowship Hall, 21 Common Road, Shelburne, MA
250th Anniversary Drummers
The Shelburne Congregational Church will be offering a free intergenerational drumming program as part of their own celebration of the towns 250th Anniversary. Led by master drummer/teacher Ellen Clegg, this group will first meet on Wednesday, June 20th, from 7:00-8:30pm to create two original compositions that will then be performed on Sunday, June 24th, as part of the congregation’s morning worship service. Participants must be available for both dates and is open to individuals ages 10-110. This program is limited by the number of drums available, which is 20, and registration is required. Priority will be given to church members but is open to others from the community as space is available. Please register to hold your spot by calling Marion Taylor at 625-6306.
The Shelburne Congregational Church will be offering a free intergenerational drumming program as part of their own celebration of the towns 250th Anniversary. Led by master drummer/teacher Ellen Clegg, this group will first meet on Wednesday, June 20th, from 7:00-8:30pm to create two original compositions that will then be performed on Sunday, June 24th, as part of the congregation’s morning worship service. Participants must be available for both dates and is open to individuals ages 10-110. This program is limited by the number of drums available, which is 20, and registration is required. Priority will be given to church members but is open to others from the community as space is available. Please register to hold your spot by calling Marion Taylor at 625-6306.
JOIN US DURING HOLY WEEK - 2017
Thursday, April 13: Maundy Thursday service at 7 pm. This is a very traditional Tenebrae service with Holy Communion. It is significant to have this service in between the wildly exciting services of Palm Sunday and Easter. This service really makes the other two come together!
Friday, April 14: Good Friday service at 7 pm...a worship experience that is fitting of the events of the day that Jesus was crucified. It is a somber and meaningful experience.
Sunday, April 16: the Son-Rise Sunrise service at 6 am. The sun rise is expected at 6:08 am (but we'll see, so arrive a little early). An Easter breakfast will follow the service at Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, April 16: 10 am worship. The Big Show--all the pomp ad majesty that you would expect--the tulips, lilies, choir, and pipe organ! Dust off your bonnet and shine those shoes.
And Sunday, April 16: at 2 pm you are invited to the Greenfield Town Common as we celebrate Easter at Cathedral in the Light.
Friday, April 14: Good Friday service at 7 pm...a worship experience that is fitting of the events of the day that Jesus was crucified. It is a somber and meaningful experience.
Sunday, April 16: the Son-Rise Sunrise service at 6 am. The sun rise is expected at 6:08 am (but we'll see, so arrive a little early). An Easter breakfast will follow the service at Fellowship Hall.
Sunday, April 16: 10 am worship. The Big Show--all the pomp ad majesty that you would expect--the tulips, lilies, choir, and pipe organ! Dust off your bonnet and shine those shoes.
And Sunday, April 16: at 2 pm you are invited to the Greenfield Town Common as we celebrate Easter at Cathedral in the Light.
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Our Easter Journey - 2016
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On Palm Sunday, we waved palms and shouted "Hosannas." There was great excitement. As Holy Week progressed the mood became darker and the followers of Jesus were back on the busy track. We paused on Maundy Thursday to remember the Last Supper of Jesus with meaningful worship that included both communion and the Tenebrae service. On Good Friday participants were asked to make a pilgrimage through a 'virtual' Stations of the Cross. The service concluded before the cross. The Congregation was invited to take a palm and place it on the cross. While doing this, they were encouraged to make a silent prayer of confession.
On Easter Sunday- the congregation was invited to place a flower on the cross as an act of acknowledgment, an affirmation of our forgiveness. Truly we have been forgiven of our sins- and the cross is the ultimate symbol of God's love for us.
- Rev. Will Sencabaugh
On Easter Sunday- the congregation was invited to place a flower on the cross as an act of acknowledgment, an affirmation of our forgiveness. Truly we have been forgiven of our sins- and the cross is the ultimate symbol of God's love for us.
- Rev. Will Sencabaugh
