The First Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Chicopee, Massachusetts

We gather to worship each Sunday at 10:00 A.M. Sunday School for children from pre-school through Junior High School begins at 9:40 A.M., joins adult worship at 10:00, and returns to their curriculum after the the minister’s time with children, a weekly part of our worship liturgy.

Pastoral care is available to all. Your joys and concerns are of the utmost importance to our community of faith, and pastoral care is offered for any and all personal and spiritual situations that might arise in one’s life. The pastor and lay ministers form our caregiving team, reaching out to all members and friends of the church. Please call the pastor at (413) 592-0396 if you need spiritual guidance.

Our church recognizes two sacraments, Holy Communion and Baptism. Holy Communion is celebrated on the first Sunday of each month. Baptisms are normally celebrated as part of our Sunday worship service, and are scheduled through the pastor.

Music is an integral part of our worship, and we have a talented music director who keeps our needs intact. We also have a singing group called "A Joyful Noise." They rehearse each Sunday after church and are always looking for new voices.

Outreach is an important part of our church’s mission, and we do our best to fulfil our responsibility to our community and to the world. We have an ongoing collection of nonperishable food which is donated to CHIEFF, Chicopee’s local food bank. We also collect used eyeglasses which are distributed throughout the world by the United Church of Christ. Also, one requirement of our Confirmation Class is that they follow through on an outreach project of their choice.

We also have a very active Community Outreach Committee which coordinates our church’s mission to our community through both material collections and hands-on commitments.

The Ladies Benevolent Society is a fellowship and benevolent group open to all women of the church. It meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. Some of their ongoing projects include the May Cracker Barrel Fair, the September Rummage Sale, and the November Christmas Bazaar.

Our Men’s Club is open to all men of our church. They meet on the first Monday of each month at 8:00 P.M. During the year, they host two public roast beef suppers – one in April, and one in October. They also host an annual all-church pot luck dinner.

We also have an Adult Fellowship Group which meets for potluck dinners, followed by various programs of interest. All adult members and friends of the church are welcome.

We have a church library from which our youth borrow books and often report on what they have learned. As part of our Sunday School program, a reading contest is held. Those individuals who read and report on the most books receive special awards.

We also have an adult library with spiritual books, magazines, and video tapes. It is managed on the honor system. If you borrow something, just bring it back! We also accept donations to this library.

Our Confirmation class is open to any young person in grade eight and above. It is an opportunity for the participants to explore their faith, affirm their Baptism, and become full members of the church.

Our Sunday School, offered to all pre-school through 8^th grade children, meets each Sunday morning from September through June. Sunday School begins at 9:40 A.M. and joins adult worship in the sanctuary for the first part of the morning service. Before heading back to Sunday School, the children delight the congregation with a song that they have carefully rehearsed.

Two highlights of the Sunday School year include the traditional Christmas pageant and the Children’s Day presentation and picnic.

On the second Sunday of each month, at 6:00 P.M., we meet for group meditation and centering. Meditation and centering are ways by which we calm ourselves, grow in our relationship with God, and communicate more fully with Creation. All adult members and friends are welcome.

Our adult education offerings vary, based on the current spiritual needs and desires of the congregation. We offer a monthly Biblical reflection, "Wrestling with the Bible," on the second Sunday evening of each month, at 7:00 P.M..

If you would like to become a member of our faith community, please contact the pastor, who will discuss your desires, answer any questions you may have, and schedule a date on which you will become a member of the First Congregational Church of Chicopee, Massachusetts. You may join our church through "affirmation of faith" or by letter of transfer.

We currently have two youth groups which allow our young people to meet with their contemporaries in worship and in play. Our Junior Youth Fellowship is for children from first through sixth grades. Our Senior Youth Group is for those in seventh grade and above.

Please contact our minister on (413) 592-0396 if you have any questions regarding our fellowship of faith and our mission, or if you desire to become a member.