The McMane Arts Ministry is pleased to present an exhibit in collaboration with Open Studios in our gallery hallway and the Heritage Room. Beginning February 26 and continuing through April 26, “Our Best Shots” showcases some of the best photographs taken by area artists. Join us for a celebratory First Friday Reception on March 7 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m..

Support Groups for grief and caregivers meet every month. These groups are always open to new participants, including first time visitors and folks who haven’t attended in a while.

Grief in person meeting: Noon – 1:30 p.m., Room 312.

Contact Bill Forbes or, Jean Manifesto.

Caregivers Zoom meeting: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m. Contact Bill Forbes.

Get your jump on! For youth group this week, we are meeting at Get Air Longmont. This giant trampoline park excursion is open to all youth grades 6-12. Parents/Guardians, please sign those two required waivers ahead of time so the youth can get right to jumping at drop-off! One waiver is through Get Air (here), and one is through First Congregational: (here).There is no cost for youth tickets. There is a concession stand for which the youth can bring their own money.

Each week’s session will begin with 25 minutes of centering prayer, followed by discussion of the book Open Mind, Open Heart

(20^th anniversary edition) by Father Thomas Keating, the Cistercian monk who founded the worldwide "Contemplative Outreach," teaching people the art of meditation. Along the way, the group will also explore other prayer practices including lectio divina and Zen meditation and read selections from other sources, such as The Energy of Prayer by Thich Nhat Hahn. Contact Kevin Pettit for more information and to join the group.

The hospitality of our congregation is enhanced by attentiveness to everyone’s safety. We are glad to partner with Mental Health Partners for De-escalation training. This two-hour training will help you learn how to help individuals de-escalate during times of stress or crisis, manage a dangerous outburst, and recover from distress. Participants will talk through situations to practice implementing these strategies. If you are an usher, on our safety team, a volunteer in the Soup Kitchen, or are interested in signing up, contact Eric Nickell.

Gather to discuss this year’s One Book One Boulder selection by Valarie Kaur. See No Stranger: A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love invites readers to embrace revolutionary love as both a remedy for our times and a path to a better future. Valarie Kaur, renowned Sikh activist and civil rights lawyer, shares her transformative philosophy – a radical, joyful practice that connects us to others, opponents, and ourselves. On April 27, we'll go together to meet Valerie Kaur in person. Contact: Chris Braudaway-Bauman.

Join us for an evening of exquisite music with Colorado Symphony clarinetist Nick Davies and acclaimed pianist Alaina de Bellevue. Davies has performed with top orchestras nationwide, while de Bellevue is a sought-after pianist and music director in Colorado. Experience their artistry in this special Lenten concert.

First Congregational Church and our LGBTQ+ and Allies Ministry celebrates the opening of the exhibit, Bending the Arc. Opening on March 14 with a reception, the exhibit focuses on the first six marriage licenses granted for same-sex couples in Boulder in 1975, some of the first in this country. Our church’s donation of $2500 makes it possible for the Museum to offer scheduled tours with docents. Watch your Weekly and bulletin to find out when ours will scheduled! 

We’re grateful for this opportunity to gather for

morning coffee and treats to thank all those who

serve as representatives of our church’s warm

welcome on Sunday mornings and for every service

of worship. If you might be interested in joining this

fine crew, please join us for this event to find out

more!

Are you new to the First Congregational Church

community, looking to find out more, and get better

connected? Join us after 10:30 a.m. worship to get to

know some of our staff and leaders, and learn more

about the many ways you can get involved, including

joining us as a member. Childcare is available. Can’t

make this one? There’s another coffee on April 27.

Please join FCC PIN on Zoom on Wed. March 26 at 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to hear Rabbi Michael Kengmana speak about his experiences growing up Jewish in America, how he became aware of Palestine, and his experiences running summer camps for Palestinian children at the Ramallah Friends School. As a teacher, he will challenge us to think about how we view Israel, Zionism, and antisemitism. Bring your questions! For more info, contact Jane Thomas.

Each Sunday after worship we meet in Plymouth Hall (or The Link on Soup Kitchen Sundays) for a time of fellowship, coffee and treats. Please consider providing 2-3 dozen baked or packaged cookies, or 2 loaves of fruit breads or 20-30 pieces of coffee cake, etc.… to be shared at Fellowship Hour. Contact Wendy Hall if you have questions or are unable to sign up using the link. Thanks for sharing your sweet love with one another!

Last Sunday was our congregation’s Annual Meeting and a new issue of Conversation magazine came out. You can pick up print copies of the in the Link. Or flip through the digital edition of the Annual Report here and Conversation here. Read about Lenten Study Groups, our Thursday evening Concert Series, and special Worship Services and Events.

Art, poetry, Scripture, and written reflections invite you to look, read, pray, reflect, and enter more deeply into the Scripture texts and themes of our Lenten series. A Sanctified Art collaborative creators have provided a special e-reader version, which you can access on your computer and mobile devices. Print versions are available to pick up in the Narthex and on a table in the Link. A collection of 52 Daily Devotional Cards for Ash Wednesday through Easter are also available. Each card has a question for reflection, and a short prayer. Pick up a set of cards in the Narthex or the Link.

Are you ready to bring more justice into the world? Sign-up to be added to our weekly collective action list. Led by our congregation's Coalition of Social Justice Ministries, we will send out a weekly email with something, one thing, you can do during the week to advocate for a more just world. If you have questions or need help signing up, email Caitlin Smith.

Support our High School Youth! Board of Faith Formation is hosting an auction and Pick-a-Party event starting April 6 to fund the youth Mission Trip to Fort Worth, TX. Donate an auction item/experience or host a Pick-a-Party! Hosts pick a theme, time, place, and price per person, while the Board handles sign-ups and payments. Past themes: game nights, global cuisine, hikes, and more. Last chance to sign up to host or donate.

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