Chime Notes news & updates

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February 2026 | Issue 134

Upcoming Events

Sunday Worship this month

February 1 - 8 - 15 - 22

Communion Sunday

February 1

Winter Walk

Originally scheduled for Sunday, February 8

(Info to register below)

Rescheduled to March 22, 2026!

Sandwich making for

Capuchin Mobile Ministry

Thursday, February 12, 9-10 AM

Contact Jim/Sharon Scofield for more info.

President's Day

Monday, February 16

In addition to our in-person worship, we will continue to use ZOOM to broadcast the 10 AM Sunday Worship Service, which is also streamed to Facebook Live and YouTube.

Coffee hour is after worship, in Clarke Hall, with fans moving the air.

Many thanks to our team of ushers and coffee hour hosts.

Please let Janet Fischer know if you would like to be an usher or coffee host on an upcoming Sunday.

Coffee and Conversations

is run by lay leaders and is a time of discussion and reflection about the day's scripture.

During fall, winter and spring, we meet at 9:10 on non-Communion Sundays, and finish by 9:55.

Please join us as you are able!

Through the Years

On Sunday, January 6th Pastor Ian informed the congregation of his intention to retire as of May 3, 2026. This will conclude 14.5 blessed years of shared ministry. Pastor Ian came to us as settled pastor in Fall 2011, following the retirement of Rev. Dean Pedersen and the subsequent interim ministry time.

First Church in Swampscott was Pastor Ian’s first pastorate after finishing divinity school at Andover Newton Theological School. Prior to his ministry he had a successful career in the technology industry. Ian also holds a PhD in Computer Science. Many of his tech skills came in handy during COVID times, providing the congregation continued connection during social and physical isolation.

In addition to sharing times of weekly worship, Christmases and Easters, celebrations and sorrows, Pastor Ian has been an innovator and collaborator. Some hallmarks of our ministry together include enriching the children’s program, mentoring several ministerial interns, leadership in ECCO, guiding the congregation through the Open & Affirming process, and the strong connection with Bethel A.M.E.

We all know that Pastor Ian is a man who possesses a tender heart and has seen many families of the church through times of loss. He has shepherded many of our congregants through the end stages of their lives with compassion and love.

He will always be remembered for this kindness.

The previously mentioned COVID times were a test, but, ironically, we were strong enough to conduct a successful Capital Campaign during those years.

The congregation has been equally blessed by Pastor Ian’s wife, Pamela, who has been an integral and meaningful participant in the life of First Church. It has also been a pleasure to watch Aine and Nolan grow into adulthood in our midst.

As Pastor Ian and the congregation prepare for his retirement, we look forward to celebrating him and his ministry in the coming months.

Details to follow!

While the road ahead is uncertain and change can be challenging, we feel certain that God is with us and with Pastor Ian,

and we will get through this together!

Through the years

When everything went wrong

Together we were strong

We know that we belonged

Right here with you

Kenny Rogers - Dec 1981

Album "Share Your Love"

Don’t cry because it’s ending, smile because it happened.

Dr. Seuss (1904-1991)

Celebrating Ian’s Ministry Through Music!

For some pastors, planning a gala service with a myriad of special music would be an appropriate response to their retirement.

For Ian, however, Patty is proposing an entire spring of special music

to celebrate his ministry!

Through the years Ian has been such an incredible friend of the music program at First Church.

Many guest musicians have been eager to return to First Church for the music, perhaps, but mostly to work with Ian

and to be inspired by his sermons!

Over the next several months, you can expect to hear a wealth of guest musicians, who will enrich the service and augment Ian’s sermons.

See you in church! Patty

Winter Walk 2026

Please join us on Sunday, March 22 at 10 AM on the Boston Common for this year's Winter Walk!

This is a wonderful event that promises to be LOTS OF FUN

(maybe a little cold.... that's the point!) with possible snow!

There are opportunities to commute together into Boston, or you can take the Commuter Rail.

Please see the flyer above with a QR code to register to walk with our partners through Capuchin Mobile Ministries!

If walking isn't your thing, you can support this fundraiser through an online donation through the QR code or via check made out to Winter Walk with First Church Swampscott in the memo line.

WINTER COATS

Did you get a new winter coat for Christmas?

Please consider donating your gently used coat.

The Missions Team is continuing to collect gently used (and new) WINTER COATS. The collection bin will in the Narthex as you enter the church's front door through the end of February.

After collecting the coats, they are given to Peter Cipriano, a local man who has been collecting coats for those in need for many years.

The coats are sent to Anton’s cleaners to be cleaned and then the coats are distributed to organizations all over New England

for men, women and children.

The coats are always free to anyone in need.

If you have any questions,

please contact Sue Burgess (sueburgesspt@hotmail.com) or

Sharon Thomas (chaise1158@verizon.net)

North Shore Youth Ministry

CityReach Event

Over the last weekend in January, some of the North Shore Youth Ministry youth and parents went to Boston to participate in City Reach, learning about homelessness in our area from people who have experienced it. In the subzero windchill, it was especially apparent how much services like those provided by Common Cathedral are necessary, including the pop-up shop of donations for folks to "shop" from that we served in.

In reflecting on the experience, our youth said they enjoyed getting to learn more concretely what homelessness looks like in Boston, hearing people's stories of hardship and courage, handing out clothing and supplies during street ministry, and, for Emerson and Amanda, seeing old friends.

Some of the things they found challenging were accepting when help is not wanted, sleeping in a big room with lots of people they didn't know, and dealing with the cold.

They closed out their reflections by writing this prayer:

Dear God, Thank you for giving us this opportunity to learn about our neighbors. Bless our guides, AJ and Jimbo, and their journeys forward. We pray for safety and warmth in these cold winter months. Amen.

Above are several photos of the NSYM CityReach experience, including sorting clothing donations at First Church, Common Cathedral walkers, sharing food at St. John's Parish Hall, as well as a photo (bottom right) of another CityReach walk in 2018. You may know some of these faces!!