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ATTEND WORSHIP IN-PERSON or REMOTELY.
First Congregational Church continues in-person Sunday services at 10AM, masks optional. Access the service remotely at this link. Meeting ID: 873 3090 6123 Invitation to Join Church Choir! Singers of all voice parts are invited to join the Choir. Youth Choir is available for elementary and middle schoolers. High School singers are welcome in Adult Choir. For more information call Margery Heins at 413-625-8461, or speak to her (available most Sundays) at coffee hour. ADULT ED ON RACIAL JUSTICE
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Bending Toward Justice 2023 ....
was a day long workshop/worship sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Western MA. It is an annual focus on the works and teachings of Martin Luther King, Jr. The morning began with a service of communion, and was followed by a Zoom keynote address by Indianapolis Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, the first African American woman bishop of the Episcopal Church. Afternoon workshop topics included the Poor People’s Campaign, Shrinking the Racial Wealth Gap, Land Acknowledgments, Building Creation Care Justice (climate related), Episcopalians Against Gun Violence, and Welcoming the Stranger. Sue Craft and Annie Cheatham were invited to speak about our work with the Ahmadi family for the Welcoming the Stranger workshop. We were joined by two women who represented the Episcopal Cathedral and St.David’s Episcopal Church in Springfield. They worked together to sponsor an Afghan family of 7, and worked with the Jewish Family Services in Springfield throughout their process. Our story of how we have managed a long-distance relationship and offered support for over a year to the Ahmadis was very different from their story which is very hands-on. It was wonderful to hear how their family is doing, and for us to share how the Ahmadis are doing. The message from each project was that helping a family resettle in the US after traumatic war and experiences is a win-win for church and family. And that there are thousands of families waiting for support and care. A few photos of us and the conference. 
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