• A Celebration of Life for Priscilla Josephine Gould
    A Celebration of Life for Priscilla Josephine Gould
    Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow in Fellowship Hall First Congregational Church, Eugene March 31, 1953 – September 29, 2023 Priscilla Josephine Gould was born March 31, 1953 to Naomi and Ralph Gould in Alton, Illinois. Naomi and Ralph were musicians, and met...
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  • Forum: "work towards urgency of opposing wars" - Dec. 10, 11a.m.
    Forum: “work towards urgency of opposing wars” – Dec. 10, 11a.m.
    On Sunday, December 10, we welcome Rev. Charles Busch, the founder of Peace Village, Inc. and Fields of Peace, for a special presentation after the worship hour. Charles will lead us in a one-hour orientation on what it means to work toward the urgency of opposing wars....
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  • Calling Conversations ~ December 10, 13
    Calling Conversations ~ December 10, 13
    Seeking your input! Let your voice be heard. Look for the Calling Conversation table to share your ideas with Transition Team members. Stop by after worship on December 3 and December 10, as well as Wednesday, December 13 at the Soup & Singing gathering.  Members of the...
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  • Women's Fellowship Dec. 10
    Women’s Fellowship Dec. 10
    Celebrating the Yuletide season in multiple ways We look forward to the following gathering planned for December as we celebrate the yuletide season in multiple ways. We will have a candle lighting ceremony of remembrance. Please bring a wrapped bottle or jar filled with a small gift...
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  • Kids Community Update - December 2023
    Kids Community Update – December 2023
    Thank you to the volunteers who are in the classroom on Sundays, and who take care of the space. Thank you to the volunteers that drop off gifts to the children like books and smiles. And thank you Adults, for bringing your Littles to Kids Community. I...
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  • Soup, Singing, and Sweaters Dec. 13!
    Soup, Singing, and Sweaters Dec. 13!
    Find your favorite Christmas Sweater, make a pot of yummy soup, and warm up those vocal cords! Join us on Wednesday, December 13. Soup will be ready by 6 p.m. and carols will start soon after. Sign-up via SignUp Genius below: You don’t want to miss this...
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  • Sierra Service Project 2024
    Sierra Service Project 2024
    We are headed back down to Del Norte County (Smith River, Redwoods), from July 21 – July 26. There are 10 youth slots available for middle school and high school youth, and 2-3 adult chaperone volunteer slots. First come, first served — let us know if you’re...
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  • Advent Candlelight Garden - Dec. 17
    Advent Candlelight Garden – Dec. 17
    Wintertime in Oregon helps illuminate how the light and warmth that has been radiated externally throughout the seasons of spring, summer and fall can now be cultivated to radiate within us. A time of “Advent” is universal, for Advent means the coming or arrival of something important....
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  • Lay Discussion: Biblical Perspectives on Reproductive Choices ~ Dec. 17
    Lay Discussion: Biblical Perspectives on Reproductive Choices ~ Dec. 17
    What does the Bible say about family planning and abortion? Are there prochoice verses in the Bible? Two verses in the Torah are pro-choice, whereas one in the Wisdom Literature may or may not offer a contrary perspective. For anyone interested in the questions and controversies surrounding...
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  • The Giving Tree - gifts due Dec. 18
    The Giving Tree – gifts due Dec. 18
    As has been our tradition for many years, the Giving Tree will again provide opportunities to help the less fortunate in our community during this holiday season. The organizations we will help this year include the Refugee Resettlement Coalition, Nightingale Hosted Shelters, Centro Latino Americano and ShelterCare....
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  • Third Act Lunch ~ Monday, Dec. 18
    Third Act Lunch ~ Monday, Dec. 18
    The next Third Act lunch is scheduled for Monday, December 18 at 11:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall. Don Gall will present a discussion question for the group to consider. Please plan to sign up on either Sign Up Genius or on the easel in the Church...
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  • Christmas Eve services ~ Dec. 24
    Christmas Eve services ~ Dec. 24
    Sunday, December 24 10 a.m. Christmas Pageant and music, including bells and other special musical offerings 8 p.m. Lessons and Carols Candlelight Worship with Festival Choir and other special musical offerings...
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  • “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up!”
    “Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up!”
    Advent 2023: December Adult Ed, Wheeler Room, Sundays at 9 a.m. Who was the historical Jesus, what is his meaning for us today, and how will the church of the future regard him? These and related questions will guide a three-session exploration into the meaning and place of...
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  • Hearing Support at First Congregational Church
    Hearing Support at First Congregational Church
    Are you challenged to hear in the Sanctuary or the Wheeler Room or the Chapel? Whether you wear hearing aids or hope the microphones work (and are used by the speakers), it can be challenging for many to hear. We want everyone to hear when they come...
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  • Taizé Longest Night Service - Dec. 21
    Taizé Longest Night Service – Dec. 21
    If you yearn for Advent’s invitation for quiet, reflections, simplicity and prayer, come and be with church community in the Chapel for the Advent Service of Taizé. This service of silence, readings and beautiful music is the perfect way to draw close to God and one another...
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  • Symbols and Rituals of Christmas - Dec. 24
    Symbols and Rituals of Christmas – Dec. 24
    December 24 at 9 a.m. Nancy Menning will lead a discussion of the history behind some of our favorite symbols and rituals of Christmas. For example, the popular nativity scene traces its roots to Francis of Assisi in the Italian town of Greccio in 1223. Come share...
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  • Christmas Eve Special Offering ~ Dec. 24
    Christmas Eve Special Offering ~ Dec. 24
    What gift can we bring to the Christ Child? A Special Offering will be received this night, and will be equally divided between two important efforts of the United Church of Christ: The Christmas Fund and Neighbors in Need. The Christmas Fund has been caring for active...
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  • Board Update on the selection process for the Search Committee for the Settled Pastor
    Board Update on the selection process for the Search Committee for the Settled Pastor
    On November 6, 2023 your Church Board held a special meeting to discuss the process for the selection of the Pastoral Search Committee chair and members of the committee. A total of 30 people were nominated for the Search Committee from throughout the congregation. The Board, Transition...
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  • Pastor's Letter: The Surprise of Compassionate Listening
    Pastor’s Letter: The Surprise of Compassionate Listening
    Friends, I began this Advent season in worship inviting us to wait and watch expectantly for the surprising ways, even amidst growing darkness, that Spirit can move. Knowing our deep stories, personal and collective, and how they shape what we can know or not know as true...
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  • ’Ohana Youth Update - Nov. 2023
    ’Ohana Youth Update – Nov. 2023
    Many thanks to all who came out for our annual Cauldron Cup and our pumpkin carving event in October. We had a fantastic time being in community together, with some nice additions to our intergenerational pumpkin carving event, including a photo booth opportunity and a cake walk...
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  • Personal Green Choices: Waste Wise Holiday
    Personal Green Choices: Waste Wise Holiday
    Master Recyclers promotes a Waste Wise Holiday to consider waste-free options for gift giving and celebrating. Here are some of the Favorite Waste-Free Things to Give and Receive. Do you have Personal Green Choices to share with all of us? I will collect them for future segments....
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  • From the board…Search Committee
    From the board…Search Committee
    Greetings from your Board of Directors. On October 16, 2023, the FCC Board approved the formation of a Search Committee for a Settled Pastor. This committee will be charged with searching for a settled pastor who will help us take the next step in the process of...
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  • Mental Health Awareness: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Now Available
    Mental Health Awareness: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Now Available
    The efforts of mental health advocates to establish a national Suicide and Crisis Hotline have paid off. Since July 2022, a federally mandated 988 hotline connects a person struggling with a mental health challenge to a trained crisis counselor. Callers can access help 24/7 by phone or...
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  • Lights Out Eugene!
    Lights Out Eugene!
    Lane Audubon has launched a Lights Out Eugene! campaign to protect migratory birds and pollinators. Mayor Vinis signed a proclamation to encourage the community to reduce unnecessary light at night, which can be deadly to birds and insect pollinators. With little effort, we can ameliorate the problem....
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