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Our own Judy Ivel was presented with an award in appreciation for all her hard work and dedication in bringing Leicester their summer Concerts on the Common.

CLICK HERE to read the completer article in TheDailyLeicester.com

Concerts on the Common are fun nights for the whole family. Every week is a different style of music by very professional entertainers. Our church is having another successful year selling hotdogs, popcorn, soda and a variety of wonderful homemade desserts. If you want to help, just come on down. Most of all – support the music.

A surprise wedding shower was held after church on Sunday, July 11, 10 for Doreen and Quentin. As usual, the women put out a fabulous luncheon. In bridal shower tradition, we played some games. First we tested the new couples shopping skills by playing our version of the “Price Is Right”. Bonnalee Bohlman and Debbie Arsenault served as game show hosts. Bonnalee was definitely a rival for Vanna White. Prizes were given out in three different rounds. We have to say that Quentin has very keen shopping skills, winning the $10 shopping test. Some of the parishioners were pretty impressive too. Ann Orsi nailed one of the prices right on the money and came within two cents of the other item; winning the first round. Then we found out how well this couple knows each other. About a week before the shower, Quentin had answered about 30 questions about either himself or Doreen (i.e. What is your favorite color?). Then Doreen had to see if she could match his answer. We were a little worried at first, it took about 10 questions before Doreen got one right. We were about ready to recommend counseling for this couple  but they rallied in the end.

The beautiful cake that Marie Frascolla had made was served and then they opened presents. It was a really fun party. Best Wishes and blessings to Doreen and Quentin on their wedding day and for many years to come.

Click here for more pictures from the shower.

This year the children built an A.R.K. Each week, as the Acts of Random Kindness were recorded, we saw the ARK get bigger and bigger. On Children’s Sunday, the superintendent, Chris Cathcart, shared with the congregation many examples of the acts of random kindness as the Children received their awards. Anne Mulrain created a wonderful slide show of the children learning, growing and playing throughout the year. Joshua St. Laurent and Andrew Cathcart were presented with their own Bibles. Thank you to our teachers, Chris and Jim Cathcart, Louise Do, Anne and Kelli Mulrain and to all the children for a wonderful Children’s Sunday and another great year.
Click here to see more pictures of Children’s Sunday.

Click Here for more pictures of the

Installation Service and Dinner

On April 25, 2010 was the church was filled to capacity as we celebrated the installation of Rev Doreen Oughton as the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Leicester. Members of our church, clergy from the Central Association and friends of Doreen’s participated in the service, making it a memorable event. After the service, we gathered in Russell Hall to celebrate and enjoy a delicious turkey dinner.

Welcome Doreen. May we grow together in our faith.

Click on the video below to see the Charge given by the pastor of First Parish Church United in Westford, Mass (Doreen’s home church), Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry.  She is a dynamic speaker, well worth the time to view.

Charge to Rev Doreen Oughton by Rev Cindy Worthington-Berry from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

You are warmly invited to celebrate with us the installation of our called Pastor, the Reverend Doreen Cullen Oughton. The Service of Installation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a turkey dinner. If you would like to stay for the dinner, please RSVP by Friday, April 16, by phone to 508-892-3274, or by e-mail to pastorfccleicester@verizon.net so that we have plenty of food for all. We hope you will come to share in this joyous event.

Rev. Elizabeth Magill was the guest minister on Sunday, March 21, 2010.  Click here to learn more about the service and her ministry.

Peter Cottontail’s Easter Party “EGGSTRAVAGANZA” will be held at the First Congregational Church of Leicester, 1 Washburn Square, from 2 to 4 PM. The event is for children 10 years old and under. Crafts and an Easter Basket Raffle will be held indors beginning at 2 PM and an Easter Egg Hunt will be held outdoors at 3:30 PM. Bring your cameras for pictures with the Easter Bunny! Admission will be a non-perishable food item for the benefit of the Leicester Food Bank.

CLICK HERE for more pictures of last year’s event.

The Passion Narratives, Exploration of all Four Gospels
All are welcome to join us for our 6-session Lenten Bible Study

 

Session 1: Jesus’ anticipation of his crucifixion and resurrection

The ride into Jerusalem

Driving out money changers / cleansing of the Temple

Session 2: Betrayal by religious authorities and Judas

Passover meal

Betrayal by Peter

Session 3: In the Garden

Arrest

Judas’ end

Session 4: Trial of Jesus

Pontias Pilate

Via Dolorosa (the way of sorrow, the route to Golgotha/Calvary)

Session 5: The Crucifixion

Jesus’ Death

Burial

Session 6: Empty Tomb

Reappearances

Groups meet on:

Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. from 2/17-3/31 in the Pastor’s study (except 3/10),
and on
Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. from 2/22-3/29 at the home of a group member.

All are welcome to attend any one, several, or all sessions. If you are unable to attend either group but are interested in the readings, please contact Pastor Doreen Oughton at 508-892-3274 or pastorfccleicester@verizon.net and she will e-mail them to you. But they are much richer in communal discussion, so join us if possible.