You are warmly invited to start the season of Lent in community at this service with ashes and Communion on March 9, 2011 at 7 Pm.

Labyrinth Workshop & Open Walk

Begin your Lenten journey with a Labyrinth walk.   Join us for an introduction to the labyrinth followed by a quiet contemplative walk on a pattern provided by Labyrinth Alchemy. A labyrinth is an ancient symbol that relates to wholeness. It combines the imagery of the circle and the spiral into a meandering but purposeful path. The labyrinth represents a journey to our own center and back again out into the world.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Location:

First Congregational Church of Leicester

1 Washburn Square, Leicester, MA

Time:

1-3 p.m.

Snow Date: March 26

Contribution:

$10 for workshop and open walk

$5 for walk only, 2-3 p.m.

To register:

Call 508-892-3274 OR

E-mail pastorfccleicester@verizon.net

Click here to read recent interview with Doreen Oughton regarding to Labyrinth on thedailyleicester.com

Labyrinth and workshop provided by Labyrinth Alchemy info@labyrinth-alchemy.com

COMMENTS

Thirteen people participated in this workshop. Many of us did not know what to expect, most were just curious – trusting that our minister was opening our minds to new ideas. I do not believe anyone was disappointed and for many it exceeded our expectations. Barbara Ducharme and Mia Corinha from the Labyrinth Alchemy conducted not only a very informative workshop but challenged us to think about the Lenten Season and how we can use this labyrinth as one way of thinking about our spiritual journey. It is hard to explain what walking a labyrinth is like, it needs to be experienced. It is safe to say that although this was the first walk for most of us it would not be the last. We will keep you posted if we go as a group to another labyrinth.

Our Sunday School children put on a Christmas Pageant during church service, Dec 19th.  The story was adapted  from the book, Hurry Hurry, Have You Heard?! by the Sunday School Superintendent Chris Cathcart. The video below is of the middle section of the play.  Enjoy ! For more pictures, click here. Members of the cast are:

Kitten: Bella Ferraro              Pup: Jillian Morrison                      Spider: Liam Cathcart

Hummingbird: Abigail Morrison   Camel: Tyler Burnor             Bunny: Emily Butkus

Elephant: Ben LaPointe           Frog: Arunas Orloff                       Bird: Ben Cathcart

Sheep: Caitlin Morrison           Ladybug: Kiley Shea                      Squirrel: Tristan Shea

Donkey: Ayden Burnor             Bee: Skylar Ferreira                       Butterfly: Ava LaPointe

Cow: Dilon Butkus                      Fox: Andrew Cathcart                 Mouse: Sammy Shea

Tortoise: P.J. Ferraro            Chipmunk: Michael Spaulding       Star: Alexi Orloff

Wolf: Nida Orloff                      Mary & Jesus: Angela & Johnny Shea

Children’s Christmas Pageant – Dec 19, 2010 – FCC of Leicester from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

14th Annual Tree Lighting & Caroling

Leicester Town Common. [map]

Sat, Dec 4, 2010 6:00 PM

Lighting of the tree on the Leicester Common followed by refreshments and a Christmas Carol sing along inside the First Congregational Church.

Sponsored by the Leicester Historical Society, Bandstand Committee and the Leicester First Congregational Church

update: view pictures from this event! click here

Rejoice! The Lord is King from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

Our organist and choir director, Robert Shauris, put together a wonderful program for the dedication of our new Roger’s organ. Guest organist was Erik Johnson accompanied by trumpeters Kenneth and Kenny McCane and on timpani, Nick Narcisi. It was a thrill to hear the combined choirs of the First Congregational Churches of Sutton and Leicester. After the service, everyone was invited to continue this celebration by joining for a collation prepared by the Woman’s Association of the congregation. If you missed it, you missed a special event.

This Sunday November 21at 4:00pm, the First Congregational Church of Leicester will be having a Dedication Service for our new Organ. Playing will be guest Organist Erik Johnson, the Musical Director of the First Congregational Church of Sutton, MA. Also, their Senior Choir will join ours for some beautiful music.

After there is a food and fellowship gathering downstairs in Russell Hall. All are welcome and encouraged to come!

Singers of all types and experience were asked to join the choir on Nov 7, 2010 for our first Pick Up Choir.  Bob Shauris is our organist.  Below is a small sample of the anthem sung that day.  It was recorded on a small personal camera from the audience – not a professional recording.  But they sounded great and hope you enjoy this segment. (Ken – apologies for cutting your picture out of the video – you sounded great – I didn’t realize I had done that)

Let Me Live for You – Pick Up Choir Nov 7, 2010 from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

Lots of food, raffles and homemade items made for another successful fair

Click on picture to see more pictures from the Fair

The Strawberry Hill Fair

Nov 13, 2009
9 to 2

Start your Christmas shopping at the

Strawberry Hill Fair!

*

Take a chance on our great raffle baskets and donations from local merchants. Bid on a great find in the Silent Auction.

Check out the Christmas Room for decorations.

The knitting room is full of great hand made items.

Take a break and have lunch in Russell Hall.  Tell all of your friends. It is a great way to get into the Christmas Spirit.

There has been so much happening in the church that I have not been able to keep up with the posts. Here are some highlights. To see more pictures, click on the picture of the event in this post and it will take you to the photo gallery.

Our own Rev Doreen Oughton and Quentin Lewis got married in a beautiful ceremony this past July. Many of the parishioners were able to attend. Everyone said they had a wonderful time. Congratulations Doreen and Quentin.

The Harvest Fair was another huge success. We were a little worried when Cindy was in the hospital the week before. Actually, we were in a panic. She does all the planning and organizing for the apple crisp we sell at the fair. But she rallied and was home in time to lead us to another both profitable and fun day. We sold 34 pans of apple crisp. Ron and Quentin sold popcorn and soda. Lenny directed traffic and Bob Kelly ran back and forth with hot pans of apple crisp that Deb E. and Carol M were baking in the church. An added table was the Busy Fingers. Bonnalee volunteered to put out a table of the knitted goods that we sell at the Church Fair. The hats were going as fast as the apple crisp!

Collin Edward Burtt was baptized on Sunday, September 26, 2010. His parents are Craig and Mandy. Collin is Marie Frascolla’s great grandson. The godparents are Amber and Jamie. Rev. Doreen Oughton performed the ceremony with the help of Deacon Ann Orsi.

Spare Me Bowling – held at the Auburn Ten Pins was another huge success. This was the first time we held a bowling fundraiser; everyone was asking when we are going to hold the next one. We raised over $500 and all we did was have a good time. It was good to get together for an activity outside of the church. In addition to our members there were a lot of people from outside the church filling all 20 lanes that AMF Bowling had donated. We want to thank them for their generosity. Everyone there was so nice.