Announcements
Dear Friends,
Our annual stewardship season is now underway, and each of us is being asked to prayerfully determine how we will support our beloved church in 2022. This year’s stewardship theme – “Rooted in Love” – is inspired by Psalm 1: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season." As I think about this verse it reminds me of all the ways our congregation helps root my life in God through our devotion to worship, service, and prayer. I pray this is true in your life as well. While there are many ways we can support our congregation, the annual stewardship campaign provides a chance to think in a particular and prayerful way about the choices we make with our money in support of the church. The work of our church can only happen because of the generous financial and volunteer support of our community. Because of you, our congregation is able to share God’s love. Although our church is in transition, it is important to remember that we are still ministering to the community. We share our building with two organizations that nurture the lives of children - Head Start and Stoughton Extended Day. We continue to serve regularly at MainSpring House, Brockton’s shelter for the homeless. We have been able to resume serving those who live on the streets through our partnership with the Outdoor Church of Cambridge. In all these ways and more, we are working for the common good and are bearing witness to God’s love and justice in this challenging time. Your stewardship pledge helps us carry out this divinely inspired mission work in our community as we seek to share God’s love with others in meaningful ways. My prayer is that our stewardship season will be an opportunity for each of us to sink our spiritual roots ever deeper into the unending love and limitless generosity of God. With blessings and gratitude for each of you,
Pastor Mary
Per CDC guidelines face masks MUST be worn when inside the church building.
November 14 (Sun) New Directions Conversation: Join us for an informal conversation immediately following worship about the exploratory process on our church’s future. We want to hear your ideas, concerns, and insights. We make our best decisions when we do it together in prayer and truthful, loving conversation.
CHURCH FAIR
Saturday, November 13, 9 am - 3 pm
* Attic Treasures * Jewelry Box * Book Nook *Knit Goods * Bakery and Candy Shoppe * Holiday Crafts * * Theme Basket Raffles * Kid’s Toys * The church fair is almost upon us and we have already been hard at work making crafts and knit goods, baking, and collecting attic treasures. But now more hands are needed. Please contact one of the fair chairpersons below to cover a shift, donate an item, craft or baked good. Set-up (Thu/Fri, Nov 11-12) – Please come by during the day on Thursday or between 7-9 PM in the evening on Thursday or Friday to help organize and set up the tables. Reminder to all bakers, candy makers, soup or chili makers, knitters, and crafters – please drop off your items to be sold at the fair by Thursday or Friday as well. Contact Janet Clough or Maurine Upton for more information. Cleaning, sorting, and pricing (Sun-Fri, Nov 7-12) - whatever time you can give to help us with this enormous task will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Marcia Olson (baglole.olson@verizon.net | 781-344-9547). Staffing tables during the fair (Sat Nov 13) - We need some volunteers to staff tables in two hour shifts or act as floaters who can cover for many tables so people can take a quick break and shop the fair themselves. Help is also needed to greet people at the door and make sure that everyone is wearing a mask. Attic Treasures could use 2 or 3 additional people to assist customers and wrap purchases. Help is most especially needed the first few hours of the fair as well as right at the end. Cleanup - We need to get the rooms back into shape for regular post-fair activities. Volunteers are needed to help restore order from chaos Saturday afternoon. It takes many hands to pull off a successful fair – it takes all of us working together and giving whatever time we can when we can. Won’t you join us and lend a hand? Please contact Janet Clough (781-344-3860 | cloughjl@gmail.com) or Maurine Upton (781-344-4609).
Our annual stewardship season is now underway, and each of us is being asked to prayerfully determine how we will support our beloved church in 2022. This year’s stewardship theme – “Rooted in Love” – is inspired by Psalm 1: “They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season." As I think about this verse it reminds me of all the ways our congregation helps root my life in God through our devotion to worship, service, and prayer. I pray this is true in your life as well. While there are many ways we can support our congregation, the annual stewardship campaign provides a chance to think in a particular and prayerful way about the choices we make with our money in support of the church. The work of our church can only happen because of the generous financial and volunteer support of our community. Because of you, our congregation is able to share God’s love. Although our church is in transition, it is important to remember that we are still ministering to the community. We share our building with two organizations that nurture the lives of children - Head Start and Stoughton Extended Day. We continue to serve regularly at MainSpring House, Brockton’s shelter for the homeless. We have been able to resume serving those who live on the streets through our partnership with the Outdoor Church of Cambridge. In all these ways and more, we are working for the common good and are bearing witness to God’s love and justice in this challenging time. Your stewardship pledge helps us carry out this divinely inspired mission work in our community as we seek to share God’s love with others in meaningful ways. My prayer is that our stewardship season will be an opportunity for each of us to sink our spiritual roots ever deeper into the unending love and limitless generosity of God. With blessings and gratitude for each of you,
Pastor Mary
Per CDC guidelines face masks MUST be worn when inside the church building.
November 14 (Sun) New Directions Conversation: Join us for an informal conversation immediately following worship about the exploratory process on our church’s future. We want to hear your ideas, concerns, and insights. We make our best decisions when we do it together in prayer and truthful, loving conversation.
CHURCH FAIR
Saturday, November 13, 9 am - 3 pm
* Attic Treasures * Jewelry Box * Book Nook *Knit Goods * Bakery and Candy Shoppe * Holiday Crafts * * Theme Basket Raffles * Kid’s Toys * The church fair is almost upon us and we have already been hard at work making crafts and knit goods, baking, and collecting attic treasures. But now more hands are needed. Please contact one of the fair chairpersons below to cover a shift, donate an item, craft or baked good. Set-up (Thu/Fri, Nov 11-12) – Please come by during the day on Thursday or between 7-9 PM in the evening on Thursday or Friday to help organize and set up the tables. Reminder to all bakers, candy makers, soup or chili makers, knitters, and crafters – please drop off your items to be sold at the fair by Thursday or Friday as well. Contact Janet Clough or Maurine Upton for more information. Cleaning, sorting, and pricing (Sun-Fri, Nov 7-12) - whatever time you can give to help us with this enormous task will be greatly appreciated. Please contact Marcia Olson (baglole.olson@verizon.net | 781-344-9547). Staffing tables during the fair (Sat Nov 13) - We need some volunteers to staff tables in two hour shifts or act as floaters who can cover for many tables so people can take a quick break and shop the fair themselves. Help is also needed to greet people at the door and make sure that everyone is wearing a mask. Attic Treasures could use 2 or 3 additional people to assist customers and wrap purchases. Help is most especially needed the first few hours of the fair as well as right at the end. Cleanup - We need to get the rooms back into shape for regular post-fair activities. Volunteers are needed to help restore order from chaos Saturday afternoon. It takes many hands to pull off a successful fair – it takes all of us working together and giving whatever time we can when we can. Won’t you join us and lend a hand? Please contact Janet Clough (781-344-3860 | cloughjl@gmail.com) or Maurine Upton (781-344-4609).
We Are Blessed
This month we thank all who faithfully provided casseroles for the MainSpring dinner in October and Anita Keenan for coordinating this important outreach. We once again thank Marcia Olson for her very successful efforts in selling Attic Treasures on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks also go out to Maurine Upton and Janet Clough for their ongoing preparations for the Church Fair. We are also grateful to John Baglole, Gian DiCostanzo, and the members of the Worship and Music Ministry Team for leading Laity Sunday last month. We are also delighted to have our Welcome sign restored to the front lawn of the church thanks to the talents and dedication of Ed and Gale Porter. Once again, all who come to our church receive an extravagant welcome and know that we are an Open and Affirming community.
Wednesday Phone Prayer Service
Pastor Mary will be hosting a brief prayer service by way of a conference call each Wednesday morning at 10:00 until we are able to resume our in-person gatherings. Dial 1-253-215-8782 and when prompted, enter meeting ID 862 2469 5175. There will be a scripture reading and time for the sharing of our prayer concerns.
Confirmation News
Confirmation classes began on Sunday, October 3 and will be held after worship on the first Sunday of the month. These classes are led by Pastor Mary with the assistance of parent volunteers. If you would like your child to participate, please contact Pastor Mary.
ATTIC TREASURES ONLINE
Our Church Fair may have been postponed until spring 2021, but you can still shop for just that right gift, find that hidden gem, or snag a bargain. Don’t miss out! We have been regularly posting selected items from Attic Treasures on Facebook Marketplace - and you can shop now! Here’s how:
Ways to stay connected:
Sunday Worship at 10:00 AM. We worship together each Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Please pay careful attention to Pastor Mary’s weekly emails and other church communications for any changes in Covid-19 health and safety protocols. The Safe Opening team, after monitoring the current data on the Delta variant surge and recent CDC recommendations, has asked that all who attend indoor worship wear face masks and observe social distancing. If you do not get the weekly email, contact the church office at office@uccstoughton.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Mary at 774-571-7307.
November Worship Schedule
All services will be held in the church sanctuary unless otherwise noted. We ask that you wear a mask and observe social distancing while in the building.
November 7: All Saints Sunday and Celebration of Communion. Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 14: Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 21: Thanksgiving/Pledge Sunday. Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 28: First Sunday of Advent and Pastor Mary’s scheduled Sunday off. We encourage you to visit a neighboring church.
On Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM Pastor Mary leads a 30-minute conference call Prayer Service. Dial 1- 253-215-8782 and when prompted, enter conference code 862 2469 5175. There is a scripture reading and a time for the sharing of our prayer concerns. This weekly gathering is open to all, so if you have a friend who might find this opportunity helpful, please share the information.
Pastor Mary has set up a private Facebook group called UCC Stoughton Prayer. No one sees the posts except group members, so it is a safe place to share your prayer requests, pray for others in our community, or just vent. If you have a Facebook account and would like to join the group let Pastor Mary know.
Also remember to check our church Facebook page and church website (http://www.uccstoughton.org/).
Church Council has been meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm via Zoom. These meetings are open to everyone, not just Council members. If you would like to attend, please contact Pastor Mary and she will send you the link to the meeting. If you prefer to call in by telephone, dial 1-646-876-9923 and enter Meeting ID: 837 8927 2962
Food Pantry Collection
Donations are still urgently needed. Now that we have resumed indoor worship, you can bring your non-perishable food items to church on Communion Sunday each month or leave them in the Giving Corner in the church lobby at any time. Please check the expiration dates. If you are looking for practical ways to help your neighbors, please consider making a monetary donation to the Stoughton Food Pantries.
To donate by credit card:
Food Pantry Foundation of Stoughton
To donate by check please mail to:
Food Pantry Foundation of Stoughton
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Although we cannot yet meet in person, we encourage you all to continue to knit prayer shawls for those who need to feel God’s loving care wrapped around them. You can also work on knit goods for the church fair.
December 15 (Wed): Mainspring House: This is this next date we are scheduled to provide dinner for Brockton’s homeless shelter. Although we cannot serve dinner due the pandemic, food donations are still needed. If you can make a casserole or make a monetary donation to defray the cost of salad and dessert, please contact Anita Keenan keenans21@gmail.com (781-244-7742). It’s a busy time of year so you can make your casserole early and pop it in the downstairs church freezer any time before Sunday, October 17. Contact Anita if you need a foil baking pan and recipe or to arrange drop off.
Seafarers Clothing Drive: Once again help us gather warm clothing for the men and women who serve us upon the sea. These Seafarers help to bring us items we need daily. Friendly Service will collect and deliver your clean clothing items in good condition between September 1 – October 15. Place your donation in the large baskets in the church lobby. Thank you.
Bottles and Cans: Please donate your clean, redeemable bottles and cans. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted and the money collected is used for various church ministries and operational needs. Cans and bottles can be left in the drop-off container at the bottom of the stairs just before the church office or contact Maurine Upton for more information.
Sunday Worship
10:00 AM in the Sanctuary
Wheelchair Accessible
Coffee Hour
After worship in the
Fellowship Hall
The Link
Download our latest newsletter
"The Link"
Church Bylaws
Current bylaws
Have a Prayer Request?
Let us know here.
This month we thank all who faithfully provided casseroles for the MainSpring dinner in October and Anita Keenan for coordinating this important outreach. We once again thank Marcia Olson for her very successful efforts in selling Attic Treasures on Facebook Marketplace. Thanks also go out to Maurine Upton and Janet Clough for their ongoing preparations for the Church Fair. We are also grateful to John Baglole, Gian DiCostanzo, and the members of the Worship and Music Ministry Team for leading Laity Sunday last month. We are also delighted to have our Welcome sign restored to the front lawn of the church thanks to the talents and dedication of Ed and Gale Porter. Once again, all who come to our church receive an extravagant welcome and know that we are an Open and Affirming community.
Wednesday Phone Prayer Service
Pastor Mary will be hosting a brief prayer service by way of a conference call each Wednesday morning at 10:00 until we are able to resume our in-person gatherings. Dial 1-253-215-8782 and when prompted, enter meeting ID 862 2469 5175. There will be a scripture reading and time for the sharing of our prayer concerns.
Confirmation News
Confirmation classes began on Sunday, October 3 and will be held after worship on the first Sunday of the month. These classes are led by Pastor Mary with the assistance of parent volunteers. If you would like your child to participate, please contact Pastor Mary.
ATTIC TREASURES ONLINE
Our Church Fair may have been postponed until spring 2021, but you can still shop for just that right gift, find that hidden gem, or snag a bargain. Don’t miss out! We have been regularly posting selected items from Attic Treasures on Facebook Marketplace - and you can shop now! Here’s how:
- Go to Facebook Marketplace (https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/109554902404443/).
- Type “Online Church Fair” in the Search Marketplace box.
- Most items that pop up at the top of this search have Stoughton MA listed as the location of the seller.
- Click on one of those items, scroll down to Seller Information and click on Marcia Olson. You can also scroll down that post and see all the treasures currently for sale that day.
Ways to stay connected:
Sunday Worship at 10:00 AM. We worship together each Sunday morning at 10:00 AM. Please pay careful attention to Pastor Mary’s weekly emails and other church communications for any changes in Covid-19 health and safety protocols. The Safe Opening team, after monitoring the current data on the Delta variant surge and recent CDC recommendations, has asked that all who attend indoor worship wear face masks and observe social distancing. If you do not get the weekly email, contact the church office at office@uccstoughton.org. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Pastor Mary at 774-571-7307.
November Worship Schedule
All services will be held in the church sanctuary unless otherwise noted. We ask that you wear a mask and observe social distancing while in the building.
November 7: All Saints Sunday and Celebration of Communion. Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 14: Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 21: Thanksgiving/Pledge Sunday. Pastor Mary leading worship.
November 28: First Sunday of Advent and Pastor Mary’s scheduled Sunday off. We encourage you to visit a neighboring church.
On Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM Pastor Mary leads a 30-minute conference call Prayer Service. Dial 1- 253-215-8782 and when prompted, enter conference code 862 2469 5175. There is a scripture reading and a time for the sharing of our prayer concerns. This weekly gathering is open to all, so if you have a friend who might find this opportunity helpful, please share the information.
Pastor Mary has set up a private Facebook group called UCC Stoughton Prayer. No one sees the posts except group members, so it is a safe place to share your prayer requests, pray for others in our community, or just vent. If you have a Facebook account and would like to join the group let Pastor Mary know.
Also remember to check our church Facebook page and church website (http://www.uccstoughton.org/).
Church Council has been meeting on the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm via Zoom. These meetings are open to everyone, not just Council members. If you would like to attend, please contact Pastor Mary and she will send you the link to the meeting. If you prefer to call in by telephone, dial 1-646-876-9923 and enter Meeting ID: 837 8927 2962
Food Pantry Collection
Donations are still urgently needed. Now that we have resumed indoor worship, you can bring your non-perishable food items to church on Communion Sunday each month or leave them in the Giving Corner in the church lobby at any time. Please check the expiration dates. If you are looking for practical ways to help your neighbors, please consider making a monetary donation to the Stoughton Food Pantries.
To donate by credit card:
Food Pantry Foundation of Stoughton
To donate by check please mail to:
Food Pantry Foundation of Stoughton
- Box 757 Stoughton, MA 02072
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Although we cannot yet meet in person, we encourage you all to continue to knit prayer shawls for those who need to feel God’s loving care wrapped around them. You can also work on knit goods for the church fair.
December 15 (Wed): Mainspring House: This is this next date we are scheduled to provide dinner for Brockton’s homeless shelter. Although we cannot serve dinner due the pandemic, food donations are still needed. If you can make a casserole or make a monetary donation to defray the cost of salad and dessert, please contact Anita Keenan keenans21@gmail.com (781-244-7742). It’s a busy time of year so you can make your casserole early and pop it in the downstairs church freezer any time before Sunday, October 17. Contact Anita if you need a foil baking pan and recipe or to arrange drop off.
Seafarers Clothing Drive: Once again help us gather warm clothing for the men and women who serve us upon the sea. These Seafarers help to bring us items we need daily. Friendly Service will collect and deliver your clean clothing items in good condition between September 1 – October 15. Place your donation in the large baskets in the church lobby. Thank you.
Bottles and Cans: Please donate your clean, redeemable bottles and cans. Monetary donations are also gratefully accepted and the money collected is used for various church ministries and operational needs. Cans and bottles can be left in the drop-off container at the bottom of the stairs just before the church office or contact Maurine Upton for more information.
Sunday Worship
10:00 AM in the Sanctuary
Wheelchair Accessible
Coffee Hour
After worship in the
Fellowship Hall
The Link
Download our latest newsletter
"The Link"
Church Bylaws
Current bylaws
Have a Prayer Request?
Let us know here.