EVENTS

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Greetings from Pastor Chris....    

As many of you may remember, the month of October includes my favorite holiday of all–Halloween.  As I explained in this column last year, it is a holiday I think every Christian should celebrate as it is grounded in poking fun at the forces of fear and death.  With its spooky imagery as recreation, its message is the epitome of “fearing not.”

     But among this same spooky imagery is a figure very much connected to the history of Congregationalism in North America:  the witch.  Whenever we hear about the Puritans of New England, please understand that Congregationalism came from that movement.  In fact, even the very church that started the witchcraft crisis in Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts was a Congregationalist (and then a UCC) church.  Almost everyone involved was a Congregationalist, as Congregationalism remained the established church of Massachusetts and much of New England throughout the colonial period.  In other words, the Salem Witchcraft Trials serve as one of the worst times in our own church history.

     Let’s allow that to sink in.  We’re talking about a time when “our” version of Christianity was the official religion, when ethnic strife was at a minimum, when diversity and equality were not part of our community practices, when those who were different were excluded from our social circles, when traditional values went unquestioned.

     And yet, this time is considered anything but great.  A social panic ignited in the Congregationalist parsonage when an enslaved foreign woman was blamed for grooming young people for the devil.  The entire community found itself in the grips of acting out of fear.  Scientific findings were received with suspicion.  Neighbors turned on each other.  Those with wealth took advantage of those with less, accusing them of witchcraft, and taking over their property.  Childless women and other outcasts were targeted for bullying, harassment, and violence.  Nineteen people were hanged.  One was crushed to death.  Five died while incarcerated.

     It should be obvious that these were terrible times.  And yet, these circumstances are the closest in our history to a time when one version of Christianity reigned supreme, when diversity was guarded against as a threat, and when fear ruled the relationships between neighbors.

     May we learn from our own history and seek truly to follow Jesus’ call to be that shining city on the hill–where we love our neighbors, the last are first, the poor are blessed, we fear not, strangers and foreigners are welcomed, outcasts share the table with us, and we see diversity as God’s gift of creation in God’s own image.  Those are the biblical Christian values to which we are called in every season and in every choice.

--Chris


Join Us For Worship

 

Sunday, December 1  

 9 a.m. Sunday School

10 a.m. service; Service of Remembrance

Communion

Coffee Fellowship

Sunday, December 8

   9 a.m. Sunday School; Sr. Choir; Adlult Study

 10 a.m. service,  Holy communion.

Coffee Fellowship

 

 Sunday, December 15

9 a.m. Sunday School; Sr. Choir;  Adult Study

 10 a.m. service,  Congregational Budget meeting

Coffee Fellowship

7:00 Advent Recital ( see article below)

 

Sunday, December 22

9 a.m. Sunday School; Sr. Choir;  Adult Study

10 a.m. service, Christmas Program

Coffee Fellowship

Tuesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve  

 7:00 p.m. Candlelight service;

Communion

Sunday, December 29  

 9 a.m. Sunday School; Sr. choir

10 a.m. service;

Coffee Fellowship


22nd Annual Advent Recital

     The 22nd Advent Recital at First Congregational UCC in Watertown is scheduled for Sunday, December 15 at 7:00 p.m.   This is always a wonderful way to enjoy the musical gifts of members, family, and friends of the congregation and spend an evening contemplating the music of the season and enjoying fellowship.

      There will be a reception following the recital and Sue Harms has graciously offered to coordinate.  If you would like to contribute food to the reception, please reach out to Sue.

     I am extending this invitation for performers to share their talents in the spirit of the season with our congregation and community.  You can perform a solo, ensemble, vocal, instrumental, and you are welcome to do more than one selection and/or medium.  I encourage you to add what you feel called to share.  Please feel free to include family members or friends.  You don’t need to be a member of the church to perform.

      If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  If you plan to perform, please reach out to Juanita Edington.


Pride in the Park 

From the Wisconsin Conference of the United Church of Christ's Newsletter:

https://www.wcucc.org/2024s-pride-in-the-park-in-watertown/

 


 

The Housing Justice group  invites the public to our upcoming Housing Summit: Bringing Tenants and Landlords together that will happen on Saturday, November 16th from 10 -2:00. at the Senior Center (514 N S. First Street.)

Safe and affordable housing is important for everyon.  good housing builds a stong economy and safe community.

 

Join us for presentations to share ideas and resources for landlords, tenants, and homeowners.  Meet and network with area businesses and nonprofits.

We look forward to seeing you and we thank you for your collaboration to make this event a good thing for our community!

Pastor Carina Schiltz, Immanuel ELCA on behalf of Welcoming Watertown 

 


 

  Women's Breakfasts   

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