Celtic Worship

This Sunday, October 25 at 5 p.m.

First Church Chapel



Drawing on ancient rituals and Christian traditions that celebrate the sacredness of creation, First Church's Celtic worship service is a quiet, contemplative hour of song and reflection. We meet on the fourth Sunday of the month for prayer, Communion, poetry, music, and shared silence, making space for connection and renewal amid the uncertainties of daily life.

Our October service will be led by Rev. Thomas Carr, spiritual director and retired American Baptist minister. A freewill offering will benefit Mental Health Connecticut. For more information, contact First Church or the Library.

The BOHMAN BOOK REVIEW

Love Wins: For Teens

by Rob Bell

In this Young Adult adaptation of his earlier work, Love Wins: A Book about Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived (2011), Bell frames the question of Heaven and Hell in terms of a party: If God threw a party, who would be invited? With humor, and love for God and the Bible, Bell makes the case there is a clear, definitive, and inclusive answer.

Bell writes in a jovial and casual tone that will keep young adults, and all readers, thoroughly engaged throughout the book. Moved by Bell’s compassion and wisdom, young people are sure to come away from this reading experience feeling more connected to their faith, and more eager to learn, than ever.

–Molly Bohman, Assistant Librarian

JPWL Lunch & Learn

book discussion

Quarter-Acre of Heartache

Sunday, November 15, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm

A Hybrid Event! Register Here

This book tells the story of the late Chief Big Eagle of the Golden Hill Paugussett tribe and his successful fight in 1976 to save the tribe’s quarter-acre reservation. Tragically, this small parcel is all that remains of the tribe’s original 500,000-plus acres. Chief Big Eagle's granddaughter, Clan Mother Shoran Waupatukuay, will attend our discussion virtually.

Read the Chief’s story – you’ll gain a deeper understanding of Connecticut history and the relationships between local tribes, the state government, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents, both past and present. Long out of print, Quarter-Acre of Heartache has been reissued with additional news and information, including the Chief’s 2008 obituary.

A light lunch will be served.

Sponsored by the Universalist Church of West Hartford and the JPWL.

Looking for a fabulous read

for your book group?

Check out our book kits!

We have FICTION and NONFICTION books on

spirituality, environmental issues, history,

biography, theology, and more.

Each kit includes five or more copies – no need

for your group's members to buy a book or

track one down at a library! 

IN THE JPWL GALLERY

Pieces of the Past: 

Mementos from the Church Archive

October 7 - November 12

An eclectic collection of items from the church Archive is currently on view in the JPWL Ramp Gallery. Visit the exhibit during business hours. 

China saucer, ca. 1900

Soul Conversations

Celebration!

Thank you to everyone who attended Susan Izard's recent book launch for Soul Conversations – and to all the volunteers and staff who helped make the occasion special!

In Soul Conversations, Susan describes her encounters with God as a curious and open child to a frustrated young mother to a joyful grandmother. As she read passages from the book and discussed her encounters with Spirit, some attendees' own "God moments" were confirmed. They remarked afterwards that they felt inspired to trust themselves in a new way, and would try to lean in to this awareness for discernment or inspiration.

We are grateful to have shared this time with Susan and everyone who joined us. The conversation was a wonderful reminder of how others' stories help us recognize and make sense of our own experiences. Thank you to all who came, shared, and listened!

Soul Conversations is available at the JPWL.

Registration Ends 10/26

Sisters in SPIRIT:

A Circle for Spiritual Exploration



Mini Retreat

Sunday, November 1

11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

Free!

Registration & Info Here

Sisters in Spirit leaders Mary Mattke and Janice Olson invite the women of First Church to an afternoon of conversation, connection, and the kick-off of this brand new fellowship group. Come and tell us what activities you'd like to do: What spiritual practice or topic would you like to explore? What kinds of events or gatherings would bring women together at First Church? What programs would you enjoy?

Register here by October 26!

*Talk to Jennifer if you can't attend this mini-retreat but would like to be added to the Sisters in Spirit email list.

Ongoing Classes, Small Group Meetings

nurture body, mind, and spirit

with these free programs!

FitMix with Kathi

Tuesdays, 5:45 – 6:45 p.m.

All-levels Aerobics in the Auditorium

More info and registration here.

TaiChi & Qi Gong

Thursdays, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Mindfulness through movement, meets in the Chapel

More info and registration here.

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Join a book group to discover new ideas, enjoy good conversations,

and connect with a community of readers!

Believe in YourSHELF (Middle Schoolers, In-Person)

Third Sundays of each month, 10:15 a.m.

Next Meeting: November 15 in the Community Room

Book: Their next read will be Little Monarchs by Jonathan Case

Awakening the Spirit (Adult, Hybrid)

Mondays from 12 - 1:30 pm

Next Meeting: October 26

Register here

Book: How the Qur'an Interprets the Bible by Kaltner & Frechette

Discussion led by Rev. Dr. David Grafton, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations at HIU, through October 26.

STARTING NOVEMBER 2 we begin discussing White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity by Robert P. Jones (review here). Jones calls for an honest look at how generational racism has become deeply rooted in white Christian identity. He challenges white Christians to recognize that apologies alone are not enough – taking responsibility means working together today to make things right. 

This discussion will be led Joyce C. Chang, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Hartford Institute for Religion Research at HIU. A sociologist whose research examines race and religion among Asian Americans, Joyce’s work also explores broader questions of congregational life and vitality. 

Food for Thought (Adult, Hybrid)

First Tuesdays of each month, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Next Meeting: November 3

Register Here

Book: Theo of Golden by Allen Levi

Theo doesn’t say much about himself when he arrives in Golden, but people notice when he begins purchasing the portraits hanging on the walls of the local coffeeshop, tracking down the people depicted, and giving each one their own portrait. In exchange, he asks only for the person’s story. Thus, portrait by portrait, person by person, secrets are revealed, regrets are shared, and ordinary lives are profoundly altered. A "word-of-mouth smash hit” (NY Times).



Our book groups meet from September through June. Attend in person or via Zoom (you'll receive the Zoom link after you register). Copies of the books are provided free for participants. New members always welcome!



For more information, contact Jennifer or Molly at

860-232-3893 or jpwebster@whfirstchurch.org.