Worship Sunday with Rev. Rebecca and friends! Sunday school projects and many more! All welcome to join us!
Photo credit: Tom Reichard
FIRST CHURCH
May 21 - 28, 2021
Outdoor Worship
Sundays at 10 am
We are meeting outside on the side lawn of the church "under the maples." Note: If it is raining at 9:30 am, by the new Governor's Orders, we can hustle inside.
the day we celebrate the birthday of the church, as the Book of Acts describes it. Traditionally we wear red, bring noisy instruments to church, and enjoy all the opportunities we can find to embrace the gifts of the Holy Spirit as it gives us speech for understanding.
RETURNING TO OUR SANCTUARY
Many thanks to all of you who have been giving us notes about the strange and important spiritual insights that have arisen for you during the quarantine. We are gratefully compiling people’s insights. and welcome yours. Some people are hoping to worship back in the sanctuary, others are loving it outside, and I thank you all for that feedback too. The Deacons met with the Moderator on Sunday and propose this for the spring and summer worship: We will worship outside while the weather is beautiful until August 1, but will change the way we set up outside. We will set up a row of chairs in front of the speaker for folks who are hard of hearing, and we invite you, if you don’t like carrying a folding chair, to come to worship and enjoy one of ours. When the weather is rainy, we will worship inside, in masks, grateful for the governor’s new orders and safety protocols. It will be different than it was before: we will enter in the back, sit two rows apart, and exit through the front fire escapes. it will be wonderful, however, to enjoy our beautiful sanctuary when it rains. Rain or shine, no matter what the weather, you are welcome to join the First Church community for worship on Sundays. On August 1, we will return to indoor worship, with its adaptations from the quarantine, and if protocols are all relaxed, we will celebrate the sacrament of Holy Communion on that day.
Youth Retreat
We are planning a Youth Retreat next month.
SAVE THE DATES
Community service retreat for youth in grades 8 - 12
June 11 - 13
Human rights advocacy, kayaks, carpentry, food justice, prayers, games, and a visit to Boston
30 hours community service.
This summer, we will reach out to families of First Church (and anyone who is curious about this) for feedback, dialogue and visioning about the religious education plan for next year. (Sidenote: there will be church this summer, however, there is no formal religious education for children until Fall).
We are seeking parent insight and wisdom to help shape programming... learning from this past year of outdoor church and bringing back some of the foundations of the past. More to come on this (in June, July), however, if you'd like to join into this conversation, please respond to me directly : keaneblagg@gmail.com
We welcome new members, and meet Tuesday at 4pm. For more information, call the church: 978-356-2211).
Women's Guild
The Women's Guild will meet Tuesday, May 25 at 2pm for our annual tea party, for fully vaccinated friends who might like to dress up and wear a silly hat and bring your own teacup. For more information, call the church: 978-356-2211).
Book Group
We are grateful to begin to plan to read Barack Obama's "A Promised Land" over the summer and discuss it in September. Please join us, and let Rebecca know if you want to borrow a copy.
Volunteers Needed
We have several new volunteer opportunities that are arising for good people who have been vaccinated.
1. CHILDCARE: a formerly homeless family that is now living in Ipswich, with two toddlers, who need help with childcare while the parents work (their incomes are just over the cut off for subsidized child care).
2. TEAM LEADER: a group of First Church members and friends, some with special needs, is looking for a weekly leader to guide a walking meditation or walking fellowship group.
Caring
for our
Outdoor Altar
We are so thankful to Dennis and Cindy Quinn for their beautiful work on the church grounds this Eastertide.
If you would like to help them with gardening and weeding, the Altar Committee would thank and celebrate you for caring for our outdoor altar.
Call (508) 335-9824 if interested.
Thank you,
Margaret Newsome
The Micropantry is expanding
Our ministry with emergency food provisions for people in crisis is expanding, and soon we hope to have three micropantries erected in Ipswich.
If you need food, or know a friend who does, come to the Cable Gardens parking lot, and help yourself, or call the church office and we will make sure you get what you need.
To put something in the virtual offering plate or to make a pledge, you can give online HERE.If you prefer to send an e-check from your checking account, you can sign up with your bank (ask us for help if you need it). Of course you are welcome to put a regular check in the mail to the church as well. All offerings will support the ministries of the church to our local community and to the wider world.
CHURCH SCHOOL
