First Congregational Church of
Ashfield
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The Interfaith Council of Franklin County is raising $2,000 (which will be matched by a local family) with the monies going to help shelter the homeless in our area. “If you are praying for a way to help during these cold days and nights, we hope you will support this challenge! Your check can be made out to: The Interfaith Council of Franklin County, with “shelter” in the memo line, and mailed to P.O. Box 1171, Greenfield, MA 01302.
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From Rev. David Jones' sermon, Jan. 16, 2022, MLKing Sunday: "Dr. King had the same shimmering faith in the inherent worth of every person that Christ did; the same faith in the great dignity of humankind. King had so much faith in you and in me, and in all the people he met, that it was worth it to fight for and to organize a new way of being. He was so persuaded by God’s goodness, by the beauty of Creation, that he could look on a world of segregation and prejudice, he could look on a country embroiled in violence at home and abroad, and strangely enough he could see signs of peace and justice for all; 'only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.'” Two Ashfield Churches to Launch Sacred Ground, a Study Group on History of Race, Grounded in Faith Sacred Ground is a film and readings-based dialogue series on race, grounded in faith. Small groups are invited to walk through chapters of America’s history of race and racism, while weaving in threads of family story, economic class, and political and regional identity. The 10-part series is built around a powerful online curriculum of documentary films and readings that focus on Indigenous, Black, Latino, and Asian/Pacific American histories as they intersect with European American histories. This series is free and open to all, though limited to six people per congregation. It is especially designed to help white people talk with other white people. Participants are invited to peel away the layers that have contributed to the challenges and divides of the present day – all while grounded in our call to faith, hope and love. Registration will open on January 24th. Read details about the series and curriculum here. Watch a video message about Sacred Ground from Episcopal Presiding Bishop Michael Curry. 
Congregants participating in 11th Hour Bell Ringing to Save Our Climate on January 11, 2022 at 11 AM.
The First Congregational Church of Ashfield participated for the first time in the 11th Hour Bell Ringing to Save Our Climate (see photo above). 11th Hour Calling is an interfaith collection of people who intend to build hope through faith-based actions. Read more here. |
Church Awarded Grant to Work with Bug Hill Farm and Food Pantry
Our church has received a grant of $12,000 from the Stackpole-Hall Foundation to support a collaboration with Bug Hill Farm and the Food Pantry. This is seed funding to get the project off the ground over a two year period. The grant will bring together young people and adult volunteers from the First Congregational Church, St. John’s Episcopal, local schools, and from Food Pantry families themselves at Bug Hill Farm to help owners Sam and Charlotte Perkins plant, tend, and harvest vegetables for the Hilltown Churches Food Pantry. Read more here.
Our church has received a grant of $12,000 from the Stackpole-Hall Foundation to support a collaboration with Bug Hill Farm and the Food Pantry. This is seed funding to get the project off the ground over a two year period. The grant will bring together young people and adult volunteers from the First Congregational Church, St. John’s Episcopal, local schools, and from Food Pantry families themselves at Bug Hill Farm to help owners Sam and Charlotte Perkins plant, tend, and harvest vegetables for the Hilltown Churches Food Pantry. Read more here.
Creating Community, Welcoming All
Welcome
“Creating Community, Welcoming All” -- Those words sum up our aspirations for our Ashfield church. For over 250 years, we have been group of people who strive to know God — in each other, in our life together, in the wider community, and in ourselves. Read more. |
Worship
As of June 20, in-person worship services and church meetings have resumed. The service will continue to be offered on-line for those who wish to connect virtually. To receive information about online services, contact uccashfield@gmail.com. Read more. |
Spiritual Resources
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