Fellowship and Groups
First Congregational is an “Open and Affirming” congregation which extends a welcome into the life of the church to all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. COLLAGE is a fellowship of GLBT members and friends which meets for Brunch every fourth Sunday of the month following church and for other social functions throughout the year. Members also are involved in all aspects of church life.
Men’s BreakfastThe men of the church meet for breakfast at 8:00 AM on the first Saturday of each month. The role of host rotates and the venue depends upon the host.
F.E.A.S.T.
Friends Eating and Studying Together is a series of adult (winter) and intergenerational (summer) educational opportunities.
Winter FEAST is offered Thursdays during January, February and March, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm. Lunch and fellowship are provided between workshop offerings.
Summer FEAST usually meets on Thursday evenings from mid-June through July from 6:00pm to 8:00pm. A pot-luck begins the evening, followed by age-appropriate and intergenerational learning opportunities.
FEAST is a wonderful time to grow together: intellectually, spiritually, and socially. Workshops are free and open to all.
Spiritual Life Teams are small groups of people who gather to share their experiences of moments when they felt the presence of God in their lives and spiritual insights. These groups follow a specific and simple format of praying and sharing stories together developed by Rev. Dr. Bobbie McKay that has enhanced the spiritual life of thousands.
Contact Person: Sara Little 941-201-6343
ARTogether
The five artists currently participating in the church’s painting group, ARTogether, showed the October Women’s Fellowship group their interpretations of the“Reading for Renewal” books they read and translated into a work of art, and also described the process of their selections, as well as tidbits about the books themselves. Pictured below are the ARTogether participants with their paintings and details related to them: Kay Gerlach, watercolor, “Afghan Girls,” Stones into Schools, Greg Mortenson; Cindy Woodling, acrylic, Last Train to Paradise, Les Sandiford; Cheryl Beller, mixed media, Signora deVinci, Robin Maxwell; Sylvia Kornelsen, oil, “Dunkin’ Doughnuts with Olive,” Olive Kitteridge, Elizabeth Strout; Karen Britton, watercolor, Half Broke Horses, Jeanette Walls.
ARTogether is open to all church members who paint, regardless of media. Rather than a teaching group, it is friends painting with friends. Novices and experienced painters are welcome – the current group includes both. They generally paint in Room 9 on Mondays, except the second Monday, during the hours of 10 am – 3 pm. Time to chat occurs during alunch break. Other times the artists get serious with their current project as they concentrate on it. Call any of the painters with questions you might have. We’d love to have additional painters this winter!
Women’s Fellowship to Honor Circles and Feature “A Pilgrim Woman”
The circles contribute much energy to the women’s fellowship of this church and always have. However, they do not get much press. Come to our next meeting on Tuesday, November 2nd, and hear what each of them does and perhaps if you are not yet a member, you will want to join one. Members will be identified with special name tags. They meet on different days and an evening, and have different programs and projects. We will also honor past and present leadership of these circles. We are looking forward to a dramatic presentation, “A PilgrimWoman,” by Cathy Schusser, appropriate to our heritage and a November theme. Sign up after church on Oct. 24th or 31st or call Ethel Rudy at 727-0122 by Sunday evening, Oct. 31st.
Sunday School for ages 3 through high school after the children's story.
