Good Girls of the Bible

Join other women as we explore the good and bad girls of the Bible. Within a caring community, we will explore how these women speak to us in today’s world. We can learn about ourselves as we delve deeper into the stories of Eve, Miriam, Esther, Hannah and others. We also have done some spiritual book studies like "The Land Between" and "Who Calls Me Beautiful” along with some Bible Equipping.Through sharing these women’s stories and our own we will grow in our faith and love of Jesus Christ. We meet Wed. evenings, 7:00-8:30 p.m. following the Wednesday evening fellowship dinner.

Gospel Hiking

Footpaths for those who seek fellowship with the wilderness. 2½ to 3 hours, Saturday mornings at 8:00 a.m. beginning in the spring of 2012. Start your Saturday with a morning hike. We will explore various Bible lessons while participating in what Thoreau calls “the church of nature.” Local trails will include the Saugatuck Trail, Pine Mountain, Devil’s Den and the Appalachian Trail near Brewster and Kent. These will be day hikes open to anyone, regardless of physical conditioning. The goal is to enjoy the outdoors, get some fresh air and explore our relationship with Christ. Let us hike through the gospel together!

Helping Hands Global Mission

Partner with others to serve God through short-term global mission experiences. Helping Hands Global Mission looks to recruit, train and encourage men and women who are willing to serve God throughout the world. Share fellowship and caring with others as you learn about the Bible, participate in small group worship and prayer, and plan and carry out ways to help others. Come and enjoy the opportunity to experience Christ’s love. This group makes an international mission trip every other year. In 2011 the group travelled to Honduras. Please let Steve know if you’d be interested in participating in future trips.

It’s just not that complicated -- A Practical Guide to Bring God Into Your Daily Life

So often we start the New Year with resolutions to get more in sync with God. This, like so many resolutions, proves tough to actualize so we bail out on the intention by February 1st. This 8-week course is a way to revitalize that resolution with a step-by-step program to lead us closer to God. The process is not that complicated, but it does require a degree of passion, dedication, discipline, accountability and the ability to accept our own imperfections. Bring your inspiration, be prepared to invest some perspiration and you will enjoy transformation. Remember, with God, all things are possible. We’ll meet Wednesday nights from 7:30 – 9:00 in Room 10 starting on February 8.

Ministry of Gardening

Enriching our lives and spirits through gardening. We share the love of Christ and fellowship during our meetings, which are held in Church between services twice a month in gardening season and once a month out of season. Our mission outreach program, at this time, is working in the Memorial/Meditation Garden of our Church so it will remain a quiet place to meditate and pray or just enjoy walking through the garden.

Movies With a Message

The primary intent is to discover — and in many cases rediscover — those movies that you may have forgotten about or always wanted to see. Within discovery, the group will interpret the special theme(s) they communicate and what they may convey about our lives even today. We've had lively discussions over the numerous movies we've screened thus far, some eclectic (Lars & the Real Girl), real classics (Inherit the Wind, Citizen Kane), Christmas themed (The Gathering) and just plain ole everyday movies that have been released recently.

One Book, One Season

To be more precise, this time around let’s call it ONE BOOK, 3 CENTURIES. As part of our 300th Anniversary celebration, during Lent 2012, ChristCare will be offering our church history, We gather together… as the subject for One Book, Three Centuries (OB3C). Everyone in the congregation is invited to participate! Groups will meet once a week for three weeks. Learn more about our church, its pastors and parishioners as they lived through turbulent and trying times. Get to know one another in the ChristCare small group setting with Christ at the center. Please join us during the season of Lent for this very unique FCC adventure. These groups, typically offered on Sunday evenings and Wednesdays mid-day, are led by trained ChristCare leaders and provide a unique opportunity to explore inspiring and sometimes challenging themes within the caring, respectful environment of a ChristCare small group. One Book, One Season is a great way to find out what ChristCare groups are all about without making a long-term commitment.

Saturday Morning Men's Bible Study

We read and discuss books of the Bible and how particular passages apply to us in our daily lives. The group meets weekly on Saturday from 8-9 a.m. in the Parlor. Contact Ralph for more information or just show up!

Saturday Sisters

This inspired group of spiritual women come together to study scriptures, offer support and shine a bright light created by a strong community of believers. We share a lot of laughter, an occasional tear and authentic discussion of how faith plays out in the day-to-day events of our lives. This dedicated family of faith meets weekly on Saturdays from 8:30-10:00 a.m. in the Library.

Strike Up The Band

Many of us played a musical instrument “years ago,” and have good memories of the fellowship and camaraderie that entailed and nourished. We bring our instruments to the Music Room for a fun and memorable fellowship. If you don’t still have one, maybe borrow or rent one. This no-pressure group is designed for fellowship and discovery through music. I am eager to see, hear, and encourage you in a new and rich chapter in your church life. The group will meet on Wednesdays from 7 – 8:30 p.m. from October to December, 2011.

Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study

A study of God’s Word which includes reading and discussing the Bible and applying it to our lives. Our study also includes prayer and worship. We meet every week (weather permitting) on Thursday mornings from 11:00–12:00 p.m. in the Parlor of the First Congregational Church. Childcare is provided if needed. Please contact Yvonne or Sharon for more information. New members always welcome – we meet in the summer as well!

Wrapped in His Love

Join others and learn how to make no-sew blankets, which we will then donate to the charity of the group's choice. Within a caring ChristCare small group, we will grow, through prayer, worship and mission, in our faith and love of Jesus Christ. We will meet on Thursday afternoons from 12:00 - 1:30 or at some other mutually agreeable time.