October 02 , 2026 • WWW.WHFIRSTCHURCH.ORG

Hello friends:


I’m excited to announce that this Sunday is GHIAA Sunday! First Church is a founding member of the Greater Hartford Interfaith Action Alliance – a non-profit enterprise dedicated to the advancement of social justice concerns. Our guest preacher, GHIAA organizer Lukas Champagne, will offer words of inspiration during worship and answer questions following worship. His message (based on James 1:19-25) is entitled Engaged Faith: People and Their Environment. It’s about hearing and doing “the implanted word that has the power to save [our] souls.”


I know you’ll enjoy listening to him. Meanwhile, here’s a brief bio: Lukas worked in low-wage labor and lived in poor communities across the country throughout early adulthood, returning to school to pursue an education and career in social work in his mid-30s. He holds an MSW from the University of Chicago, where he studied international social work, as well as social welfare policy and administration. He is passionate about racial and social justice; and his writing on those two topics, community organizing, and the history of systems-focused social work has been published in the U.S. and the U.K. Professionally, Lukas has done casework and community organizing focused on immigrant and refugee populations, young people, and populations vulnerable to food insecurity. He is currently completing his doctoral studies at the University of Connecticut School of Social work, where he teaches courses on policy, systems-focused social work, macro and micro social work theory.


With hope for a just world for all,


rev.fredd

See you in church on Sunday at 10 a.m. – in person or livestream.

Call to Congregational Meeting


Notice is hereby given that a Congregational Meeting of the First Church of Christ Congregational of West Hartford, Connecticut, UCC, will be held in the Meetinghouse on
Sunday, October 11, 2026, starting at approximately 11:15 a.m.


This meeting is called to transact the following items of business:


  1. To consider and vote on revision of the By-laws of the congregation.
  2. To consider and vote on the purchase of a piano. 
  3. In accordance with the By-laws of First Church, action will be taken only on matters included in the Call to Meeting.


Notice given on September 27, 2026


~Linda Bronstein, Secretary

Blessing of the Animals with Rev. Fredd


Join us for a service of worship to honor God's gift of creation. Open to all faiths and creatures. Bring your pets leashed or crated. If your pet is unable to attend, bring a photo!

See photos of our previous "Blessing of the Animals" HERE.


📅Sunday October 4

🕒12:30 p.m.
📍Front lawn

RECONNECT
A New Framework for Helping Parents Protect Their Child from Anxiety & Depression Fueled by Digital Addiction


Join personality type experts Michael Shelby and Paul Tieger as they explain how to protect kids from anxiety and depression caused by digital addiction in this program designed for parents, educators, and mental health professionals. Childcare will be provided and a light lunch will be served. Register HERE

📅Sunday, October 4

🕒11:30 a.m. - 1p.m.

📍JPW Library

Chamber Music Concert Series


Our concert series runs from fall to spring. Great music performed to an audience in an intimate setting. All are welcome to experience the beautiful gift of music.


📅Sunday October 4

🕒3 p.m.
📍Chapel


Exploring Scripture Bible Study



Join us every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month for bible study! All are welcome to join. If you have questions or want to join, contact Joe Tobin by phone or email.


📅Sunday October 4 & 18

🕒9 a.m.
📍JPWL

Joe Tobin: jtobin@gmail.com, 860-916-1923


Communication Requests
Website & Family News requests can be sent to:
Amy & Joy



Stay connected with what’s happening at First Church! Our weekly Sunday Notes highlights upcoming events, opportunities to get involved, special announcements, exhibits, outreach updates, and more!



Send Sunday Notes & Happenings submissions to: office.manager@whfirstchurch.org



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Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Phone: 860-233-9605 | Email: Office.Manager@whfirstchurch.org

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