Sundays At FCC!

Information For Worship Service

Worship Service on the Front Lawn, October 24, 10:30am.

Worship Service will be held on the front lawn this Sunday. In case of rain we will be moving into the sanctuary (social-distanced and with masks.) Please join us.

We will also live stream the service.

Click here for the bulletin.

Child care is available.

FCC Parking Lot: The Plymouth St. driveway is permanently closed. Enter from The Crescent. Please drive slowly, our new driveway is next to the playground.

There will be no coffee hour this season.

* You can make a "Sunday Offering"

or "2021 Sustaining Gift" HERE

Underground Church is a unique and dynamic gathering that combines the intimacy of Jesus' early community with creative and inventive worship experiences.  In the warmth and safety of community we explore the scriptures, live out the questions through discussion,  and share innovative rituals that bring us closer to each other and to our still-speaking God.  Together we create the unity of spirit that helps us find God's presence in the messy and beautiful experience of living today.  

Join FCC and Bnai Keshet
for a screening of

Spiritual Audacity:
The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story

Followed by a discussion with the film's creator Martin Doblmeier on Wednesday, October 20th at 7:00 pm on Zoom.

Click this Zoom Link to attend: 
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83386710166

This interfaith event will begin with a screening of a documentary on the life of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, a Jewish theologian and philosopher whose social consciousness led him to participate in the Civil Rights Movement and speak out against the Vietnam War. Considered “one of the truly great people” of his day and a “great prophet” by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Heschel articulated to many the notion that they had a responsibility for each other’s liberation and for the plight of all suffering fellow humans around the world. He is also considered one of the most influential voices in the world of religion. His many books, including The Prophets, The Sabbath, and God in Search of Man, are considered religious classics and are widely studied. 

The film combines archival photographs and rarely seen footage, as well as interviews with Civil Rights leaders Congressman John Lewis, Andrew Young, Pulitzer-prize winning historian Taylor Branch, public theologian Dr. Cornel West, Jewish Theological Seminary Chancellor Arnold Eisen, and daughter Dr. Susannah Heschel.

The film screening will be followed by a conversation with the documentary's creator Martin Doblmeier who is the founder and president of Journey Films, a film and television company with a focus on religion, faith and spirituality. He has two Emmy Awards, He is a three-time winner at the US/International Film Festival, four-time winner of the Wilbur Award and an eight-time winner of the prestigious Gabriel Award for best film on a topic of religion in America. 
 
Martin has produced more than 30 award-winning films that have aired mostly on PBS but also on ABC, NBC, the BBC and the History Channel. He has filmed in more than 50 countries and profiled numerous Nobel Prize winners, leading religious figures and heads of state.

On Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 - 8:30 pm, a follow-up discussion of Heschel's essay "No Religion is an Island," will be held in Bnai Keshet's parking lot. Please click here for a link to the article: https://utsnyc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Heschels-No-Religion-is-an-Island.pdf

Labyrinth Walks

Weekly: Wednesdays 11am-1pm in the Sanctuary

(And FIRST Saturday of each month: 11am-1pm starting on November 6)

Take your soul for a walk on the labyrinth.  We are pleased to offer labyrinth walks each Wednesday in the mid-day as a chance to connect with your soul in our beautiful sanctuary. 

Social distancing will be observed with one walker at a time on the labyrinth and specially designated pews for prayer and meditation. We look forward to welcoming you back.

The labyrinth is an ancient spiritual tool , a mode of “walking prayer” that invites us to go deeper in our walk with God.  Our labyrinth, modeled on one in Chartes Cathedral in France, sits as the center of our Sanctuary, a constant metaphor for our spiritual lives.  Just like the labyrinth, our lives are not linear, but filled with twists and turns.  Sometimes we make great progress, and other times we feel we are going backwards.  But if we trust in the path we will find ourselves in the center -- the heart of God.

All are welcome to take their souls out for a healing walk... no experience necessary!  Check out this lovely write up on Baristanet from the Spring 2014.

Watch this video to find out more about walking the labyrinth. If you’ve never done so come out one Wednesday evening and give it a try. It is a wonderful way to nourish your soul and spend some quiet time in prayer or meditation.

Resumes November 1st:

Slow Motion Adult Bible Study Via Zoom: Mondays at 7:30pm

Our method is to take our time and dig deeply into Scripture, bringing in cultural, historical, theological, and linguistic backgrounds and resources. We utilize Queries (questions posed for consideration and opening, not to garner answers) and cross-referencing. (There are occasional dives down theological or linguistic rabbit holes.) Participants are encouraged to have their favorite translation of the Bible with them.

Click HERE to join!  Meeting ID: 874 8676 2412
Passcode: 985645   Phone only? Dial 646 558 8656 

Our study will be led by Rev. Jack Cuffari. First Congregational Church UCC of Haworth (which Rev. Jack serves as interim pastor) and First Congregational Church of Montclair members will combine into one class.    Email Rev. Jack with any questions:  jack@cuffari.com.