On the third Wednesday of every month, the parlor at WCUC is transformed into a community space where members and friends come to enjoy refreshments, conversations, and games/puzzles. The space is open from 10:30am – 12noon and is open for adults of all ages and abilities. Transportation is also provided by volunteers so please email Joyce (joycedegreeff@gmail.com) if you need or could offer a ride. Our next two gatherings will be on November 15th and December 20th.
Families, friends and church members came together as Team WCUC raising over $1500 in support of the Minute Man Arc March. It was a great day for fellowship and community.
Minute Man Arc (MMArc) is a human services agency that supports people of all ages who have disabilities providing therapeutic services, day programs, and a variety of supported residential options. West Concord Union Church (WCUC) and MMArc first began to partner back in the 1980’s when the first group home opened on West Street. Since that time, WCUC has hosted Sunday Fellowship, a ministry of worship and friendship for people with disabilities. Minute Man Arc is WCUC’s largest mission partner.
To open the March, State Senator Jamie Eldridge and State Representative Simon Cataldo spoke warmly about their experiences with Minute Man Arc, especially the self-advocates who regularly meet with them. Cataldo shared his excitement about a bill he co-sponsored to increase pay rates for direct care workers employed by the Department of Developmental Services. As a whole, the March raised over $125k. Enjoy the photos!
Our WCUC families enjoyed a gorgeous Sunday afternoon climbing trees, picking apples, and sampling cider donuts from Carver Hill Orchard. The picking was more sparse than in years past because of a May frost that destroyed about 80% of the crop, but the kids declared this year “the best ever” because they got to scramble up trees and use the giant pickers to grab apples at the tops of the branches. Nothing like a challenge for motivation! You can see from the pictures that we managed to pick PLENTY of apples. 🙂
It was great to be back in our sanctuary with the Senior Choir, Sunday School Youth Class, our lovely piano, and one another!
Children, youth, and teachers receiving a blessing before their first class of the program year!
On Friday night, September 8th, the youth gathered in North Hall for their annual Welcome Back Game Night, complete with pizza, ice cream, and of course a few suspenseful rounds of Sardines. (the game, not the fish) We then returned to church on Sunday for our first class of the year to learn about how the early Christians learned to form community and to brainstorm ideas about what makes for a fun, safe, and meaningful community in Youth Group. Kindness, mutual respect, inclusivity, trust, and non-judgement all ranked high among these young people. It is such a gift to be walking with them in faith and in life. Today, I give thanks to God for joyous play, contagious laughter, and friendships, old and new!
On September 3rd, we gave thanks to Rev. Lee Atherton for her caring pastoral presence, while welcoming Pastor Hannah back to WCUC.
A sermon on Exodus 3:1-10 given by Rev. Hannah Brown on September 3rd, 2023.
Jesus asked his followers, “Who do you say I am?” Jesus? Christ? Great Prophet? Son of Joseph? Carpenter? Crazy Man? … What’s in a name, anyway?
I must give credit where credit is due… Although I have adapted it a wee bit, this sermon comes to you from Pastor Josiah Boyd of Oakridge Bible Chapel in Oakville, Ontario. – Pastor Lee