Join Us!

Super Giant Tag Sale

Apple Fest Potato Booth

Mission Immersion Day

Check out our many opportunities to serve together!

Worshipping together...

October 13: TWO Sunday Worship Services Resume

8:00 a.m. in the Micah Chapel

10:00 a.m. in the Meetinghouse

Sunday, October 13

Preacher: Rev. Dr. Laurie Andersen, Interim Minister of Visitation

Music: 8:00 a.m. Nicole Struth, Soprano; 10:00 a.m. Mallet Ringers, Chancel Choir

Childcare is available during our services and Church School meets during the 10:00 a.m. service.

Our services are livestreamed and are also available for viewing later on our YouTube channel. Please let an usher know if you would like a large print bulletin, large print hymnal or a hearing device to use during the worship service. Large print bulletins are also available on our website home page. We offer accessible and limited mobility parking. Masks are optional.

If you missed our World + Family Communion Sunday worship service on October 6, you can click below to enjoy it.

Giving together...

Please consider a pledge to our 2025 Stewardship Campaign! You can pledge online or return your pledge letter in the offering plate on Sundays, drop it off or mail it to the church office. If you have questions, please contact Rebecca Fleahman in the church office at rebeccafleahman@glastonburyfirst.org. We are Rooted and Grounded in Love, and your contributions are greatly appreciated!

Serving together...

As we continue to pray for and respond to those who have experienced unimaginable loss, please consider a gift to the Hurricane Helene Recovery Appeal through our denomination, the United Church of Christ.

Many people have asked how they can support Pastor Kate and her family during their time of grief. Because of that, we set up a Meal Train. If you are interested in participating, please sign up online. Meals to serve five (Bob VanDerzee, Kate, Rob and the boys) should be brought to the church on the day of your sign-up and placed in the church kitchen refrigerator. There are specifics on the Meal Train site regarding types of food or place for gift cards if people decide they would like to buy one. Please feel free to call John McNab at 860-462-8013 or Sarah Gantley at 810-8453 if you have any questions. Thanks in advance for the kindness and generosity that makes our church family so special!

Youth and adult volunteers are needed for our Potato Booth on October 18-20 at the Glastonbury Apple Harvest & Music Festival! This annual fundraising event supports First Church youth mission trips. We need help to wash, wrap, bake and sell potatoes. Sign up online and come join the fun! We are also looking for donations of water bottles to sell at the potato booth so if you are able, please drop off a case or two in the church lobby. For more information, please contact Alicia Haffner at aliciahaffner@gmail.com or 860-306-0169.

We will be accepting your no-longer-wanted treasures starting on October 17 during drop-off hours and leading up to the First Church SUPER GIANT TAG SALE on October 25 and 26. You can also sign up online to volunteer or stop by the sign-up table on Sundays after 10:00 a.m. worship through October 13. For more information, contact Rich Baber at richbaber@yahoo.com or Jen Miller at jfd529@gmail.com. Thank you for making this year’s sale a success.

You are invited to join us for our fall Mission Immersion Day (MID) on Saturday, November 9, when we will come together to brighten the day of those who may need it. You can sign up online or contact Terry Darr with any questions at terrydarr@sbcglobal.net. We have opportunities for various ages at three different sites:

• Make cookies, soup, cards and/or care packages at home or at church with other families, then deliver them to brighten the day of a fellow church member or two
• Work in the MACC thrift shop and soup kitchen
• Provide lunch at South Park Inn

Being together...

Join Thursday Morning Study Group to talk about the popular book Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus on October 10 and 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Lehman Library. All are welcome! For more information about the group, please email Sally Brown at saldaybrown@aol.com or Deanna Tiffin at deetiffin52@gmail.com. 

Hike with First Church Outside on Saturday, October 19, at 9:00 a.m. at Botti Farm, Manchester (2.75 miles, easy to moderate). Owned by the Manchester Land Trust, Botti Farm is a former orchard and cider mill, and along with the adjacent and recently acquired Lombardo Farm, is located on 175 scenic acres. We will meet at the parking area in front of the cider barn at 330 Bush Hill Rd., Manchester. For more information, please contact Rich Baber at 860-881-0063 or richbaber@yahoo.com.

Join us for the first Music at the Meetinghouse concert of the season on Saturday, October 19, at 7:30 p.m. Renowned for passionate and musically stirring performances, the Marrazza-Cart Duo will feature Philadelphia’s exhilarating flutist, Robert Cart, performing with pianist Gaylien Chun. Contact Angela Salcedo for info at angelasalcedo@glastonburyfirst.org.

Are you thinking of joining First Church? People join from many different church backgrounds, but all find here a warm and caring, faith-filled church home. It’s a place to worship, learn, share, serve and grow in faith. There will be an informational prospective member gathering on Sunday, October 27, at 11:15 a.m. in the Quiet Room. A second session is planned for November 3 at 11:15 a.m. New members will join on Sunday, November 17. Please contact Nicole Struth at nicole@glastonburyfirst.org or 860-633-4641 for more details.

Participate in a class on eco-spirituality with church member Pam Vollinger using the book Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us into the Sacred by Victoria Loorz on November 6 and 13 at 7:00 p.m. in the Parlor. Those interested should consider purchasing and reading the book prior to the first meeting. If you would like to sign up, please call the office at 860-633-4641 or email Faith at facilities@glastonburyfirst.org. 

Ongoing collections...

Carol’s Closet, the paper pantry in town, especially needs men’s and women's incontinence pads in addition to all the other usual toiletries and paper products – toilet paper (4-packs or individually wrapped rolls), paper towels (individually wrapped rolls), tissues, bar soap (individually wrapped or 2-pack) and shampoo (standard size). Please place your donated items in the Carol’s Closet box in the back lobby of the church. Please contact Suzanne Schwartz with any questions at 860-490-7336.

Our October Food Collection of pasta, pasta sauce, beef stew, cereal and other items will support the Horace Bushnell Children's Food Pantry. Items can be dropped off in the back lobby or in the Narthex. If you have questions, please contact Susan Lambert at sjlambert22@gmail.com.

Office updates...

Check out our new, improved website at the same address: Glastonburyfirst.org!

The Reminder newsletter is easily available online at the link below in our eblasts and on our website. To opt out of a paper copy, you can simply email publications@glastonburyfirst.org.

Be alert for scams...

Please be alert for email and text scams: Our pastors and staff would never reach out to you via email or text to ask for help buying gift cards or send you other requests for personal assistance.

First Church of Christ,

Congregational, UCC

2183 Main Street, Glastonbury, CT 06033

www.glastonburyfirst.org, 860.633.4641

We are an open, welcoming and affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ.