Church life at FPC is somewhat like that of a busy family. There is usually a lot going on! From social action outreach to social potluck meals, committee meetings, musical concerts, and building and grounds work. We build our community through these many interactions with each other. We also deliberately take time out to build our spirits; together at Sunday Service quietly reflecting on what is meaningful, awakened and moved by a sermon, appreciating the beauty in flowers and music.
Many people serve the church community by participating in groups that make things happen, solve problems, plan for the future, provide opportunities for fun and fellowship, and reach out to the community and world. A list of these groups can be found here.
Due to our growth, we now have two Sunday morning services! Services are at 9 and 11AM; each includes Religious Education classes and is followed by a coffeehour.
The Caring Connection is a new pastoral care program for First Parish Church, to help members of our church community who are ill, suffering, or simply in need of a helping hand. Examples of services included a meal delivered, a ride to a doctor's office, or a visit.
Pledging
We ask each family who participates in church on a regular basis to make a pledge of financial support. Amounts are determined solely by each family, according to their own financial circumstances and desire to support our community. We have an annual canvass activity in the spring to reach out to all members and friends of the church, prior to determining what the annual budget for the next year may be.
Community Activities
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Retreat – We have gotten together for the last couple of years at
Ferry Beach in the spring, for relaxation, recharge, and getting to know each other better and enjoy each other’s company in a different setting.
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Canoe Trip – This summer trip in mid-July is a wonderful all-church-family get-together, which we have done for many years now. Recently we have been going to the Battenkill river, on the New York / Vermont border, for camping, paddling, community supper, playing, campfire and sing-along. Sign-ups are in the spring; watch the announcements and newsletter for details.
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Service Auction – A spring social and fundraising event for the whole community
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Fall Fair – A tradition of many years, including lunch, children’s games, crafts and edible treats and rummage sale.
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Plant Sale – Usually on Mother’s Day, in the church parking lot.
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Apple Pies – Four weeks in the fall, many hands help picking, carrying, washing, peeling, doughmaking and rolling, filling, baking, bagging, selling, and tasting!
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Movie Night – Join us in Fellowship Hall for popcorn, soda, and a movie, followed by a short discussion afterwards.
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Book Group - Third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 PM in Room 5 of Fellowship Hall. Everyone is welcome. Just show up.
Email lists & On-Line Discussion Groups
First Parish Church has a number of e-mail discussion groups set up to create a "virtual" coffee hour for announcements, discussions and the ongoing exchange of ideas.
We offer an email based version of our monthly Chronicle newsletter. Signing up not only saves the church money and time, but also trees! To enroll, simply send an email to: news@fpc-stow-acton.org
Paper copies are available at the Church Life table during coffee hours following the Sunday services.
FPCAnnounce Policy
This is an email list widely used for church announcements, upcoming meetings, etc. fpcannounce is a moderated list. This means that postings must be approved by one of the moderators of the list. Currently the moderators are the members of the FPC Communications Committee. We offer two methods to subscribe. These are via an email message or on the web. Both are offered below.
Click below to send an e-mail to: fpcannounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You can also visit the Yahoo! Groups website for more information and an archive of previously posted messages http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fpcannounce
Once you are a subscriber, you can send email messages to the distribution list (no attachments) at this address: fpcannounce@yahoogroups.com
FPCForum Policy
This email list is a sort of open mike. Topics should pertain to church, religion, or society as opposed to say, gardening, but beyond that anything is fair game including controversial debates - BUT NO FLAMING. Flaming is a personal attack on someone or generally not respecting differences of opinion. This list is unmoderated, any posting will go directly to the list without approval.
We offer two methods to subscribe. These are via an email message or on the web. Both are offered below.
Click below to send an e-mail to: fpcforum-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
You can also visit the Yahoo! Groups website for more information and an archive of previously posted messages http://groups.yahoo.com/group/fpcforum
You can send email messages to the distribution list at this address: fpcforum@yahoogroups.com
FPCcommunityEvents is an email group for announcements of First Parish Church related events, of interest to the wider community near Stow MA USA. For example: coffeehouses and musical performances, fall fair, apple pies & plant sales, church job opening, community forums. It is for people who are not members of the church.
