union congregational church...spread the word! as a church, we advertise the ministries and programs...

�Union Congregational Church

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UNION CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

105 Pleasant Street East Bridgewater, MA 02333

The Reverend Derek van Gulden Telephone: 508-378-2874 Pastor E-mail: [email protected]

Dear Members of Union Congregational Church, We at Union Congregational Church are a diverse group of seekers. We strive to be people dedicated to God's mission of Justice, Compassion, Reconciliation, and Love. We are a warm, nurturing, and compassionate group of Christians on the journey of life and faith. We laugh and we cry together. We share our concerns and we celebrate with great joy. We welcome all who wish to join us on our communal faith journey. With in this booklet you will find photos and descriptions of our varied ministries. They help illustrate how God is at work in our congregation and the blessing we have received through our work for God. These good works can only be done through the generous support of all our parishioners. We are all called to: “Contribute a freewill offering in proportion to the blessings that you have received from God.” (Deuteronomy 16:10b) It is good to be reminded that Jesus told the disciples; “The measure you give will be the measure you get, and still more will be given you.” (Mark 4:24) Your gifts of time and finances to the church will allow us to continue to offer these varied ministries to our community and throughout God’s created world. Within these walls history has lived and been nurtured, Within these walls people like you have found family, Within these walls people like you have found a place that welcomes and accepts you just as you are. May God’s blessing be upon your home and our church as we continue to live together in Christ. Blessings of peace, Rev. Derek

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Have you found Good News for your life and your family here at Union Congregational Church? Then spread the word and invite a friend, neighbor or co-worker to experience our church family and our faith.

Spread the word! As a church, we advertise the ministries and programs here at Union Congregational Church through our newsletters and programs. We have a new website that will soon advertise our ministries and programs as well. Visit our site at: www.uccofeb.org. The best advertising though, is from individuals sharing their stories of faith. So reach out and invite a friend or neighbor. Invite a co-worker. Spread the word so that others can share in our faith community here at Union Congregational Church.

www.uccofeb.org

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The Mission Committee has the pleasure of distributing the funds donated by our church family to help many organizations both in our community and beyond the borders of our town.

With these funds, the Mission committee makes a significant contribution to the Senior High Work Camp program. In this program, our teens can join many other Christian youth for a week of making “home improvements” to selected homes in a disadvantaged community.

Ten years ago, the Mission Committee took on a special one day project, the Good Friday Walk. Sometimes in fair weather, sometimes in foul weather, a group has driven to Hingham for a 10 -20 mile walk to raise funds for Share, Inc., a healthcare and education assistance program for children from impoverished circumstances. Our children also contribute to this program by participating in a family walk around (and around) our church property on the following day.

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On a broader scale, Mission supports Medical Missions for Children, City Reach Ministries, Bread for the World, and Woman’s Place Crisis Center. Globally mission supports an orphan project in Luanda Kenya and the Bidi women’s cooperative in Equanda Kenya. In all, there are 21 organizations we are able to help with a contribution.

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Missions, $12,638

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Closer to home, Missions supports the East Bridgewater Food Pantry, E.B. YMCA Summer Camp program, Main Spring House Meal-A-Month program and Sew Much Love.

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Every second and last Wednesday of the month the East Bridgewater Food Pantry opens it doors to the community. Currently the Food pantry supports 60 families within town.

Sew Much Love help obtain supplies for our churches quilting group. In 2007 the Quilters made and delivered 43 crib sized quilts and 38 adult sized quilts to 3 different local shelters. 81 quilts made and donated.

Community, $1,505

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We have religious classes for Kindergarten thru 8th graders. We split up the kids into 2-3 groups for their religious class, held again during church services.

We focus on the same Bible story or theme for 3-4 weeks, letting the children absorb the information. Our theme for this year is Miracle of the Bible & of Today.

To reinforce the religious stories we have fun activities at the end of the lessons that the children all look forward to. The children are grouped by age to participated in one of the activity rooms. They may be in the cooking & science room one week, then the following week it could be the arts & craft room, or game room or even the movie room w/popcorn!

Each month the Lesson & the activities change to keep the children interested in coming to Sunday School.

The 9th & 10th graders are receiving confirmation this year & meet every other week w/Pastor Derek & are getting involved in individual & a group confirmation project. They have written to the Kenya orphans in the last year & look forward to what projects they will be involved in next.

The Sunday School program provides the children of the church a safe & fun environment to learn about our church traditions, community & world service projects, Jesus' teachings, the Bible stories & how to relate it to everyday life.

We have a pre-school & nursery room with lots of toys, videos, books & puzzles for the kids to enjoy during our church service. An audio speaker is set up in the nursery for the adults to hear the church service.

Teaching, $5,987

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As members of a Christian community we are called to care for one another in many different ways. Here at Union Congregational Church we believe in “The Priest hood of all Believers” ministering with each others to all. Meals are provided, home and hospital visits made are made, and cards are sent. When needed transportation is provided to worship service, special events, and medical appointments. Prayer concerns are lifted up weekly and prayer chain put into action when called for. A lot of the information, requests and needs are coordinated by our administrative assistant Robyn as well as the Deaconate.

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Pastoral Calls Deacons Calls

Home Communion Tape Ministry

Baptisms Weddings

Card Ministry Prayer Concerns

Newsletter Collations (funeral meals)

Deacons Fund

Caring, $14,829

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Sunday morning worship is our communal time together as people of God. Many people take part in planning as well as active participation during all worship services. These services are filled with beautiful music, prayers, scripture, joys and concerns as well as a message on the word. The first Sunday of every month is family Sunday with all the children remaining in service. During the first Sunday of the month we also partake in the service of Holy Communion. Here at Union Congregational Church all are invited to join us at the table and share in communion.

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Greeters Acolytes Hymnals Bulletins

Liturgists Candles Banners Floral Arrangements

Hearing Assist devices

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Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Easter, Confirmation Sunday, Work Camp Sunday, Blessing of the Animals, and two Christmas Eve candlelight services

Worship, $34,834

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Music inspires us to feel the presence of God and each other in congregation. Music can uplift us and bring us to tears. Singing hymns together brings us closer to one another and gives expression to our highest joy and our deepest sadness. Listening to the piano centering music focuses us to begin worship and listening to our organ postlude sends us out into the world.

Here at Union Congregational Church, there are many opportunities to take active part in music. The choir rehearses once in the evening during the week and again before service on Sunday and sings most every Sunday.

The adult hand bell choir and two youth hand bell choirs practice after Sunday services and perform during services and for special services throughout the year. The choir and bell choir combine for special Advent evening concerts such as Island Christmas and Renaissance Christmas.

Hockomock Recorder Group rehearses at Union and plays here and in the community. Guest musicians, on flute, guitar, oboe, and violin, also enhance our services. The Union Coffeehouse presents an evening of folk music on a monthly basis with opening performances by local youth.

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Piano Organ Guest Musicians

Hymnals Choir Hand Bell Ringers

3 Octaves of Hand Bells and Chimes

Music, $18,710

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The Board of Trustees consists of six members. Our job is to oversee the church property, including the church building, the parsonage, the parish house, and the related grounds. We are also responsible for hiring the church secretary and church sexton. In addition to our annual spring cleanup, we are responsible for routine maintenance issues that come up throughout the year. Sometimes, these would be things that we can handle ourselves, and other times, we have to hire professionals to help us out. Our biggest challenge is keeping the church building heated during the winter months due to a quirky heating system. The board meets once a month to approve utility and maintenance bills pertaining to the church property and to discuss other building issues as they arise. Each spring, the Board of Trustees sponsors a Spaghetti Dinner / Goods & Services Auction. We usually raise at least $2,000 for the General Fund at this event. Being a Trustee may not always be glamorous, but there’s a sense of satisfaction that comes with a job well done.

Facilities, $57,588

union congregational church...spread the word! as a church, we advertise the ministries and programs...

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