For a copy of the 2021 Annual Stewardship Pledge form, CLICK HERE.

Annual Stewardship Message                                         

Dear Members & Friends,

I have written a lot of stewardship letters in my time as a minister.  I’ve always tried to be creative with them, but of course, the normal needs of churches don’t typically change all that much from one year to the next.  I’ve usually talked about where we are as a congregation and where we’re headed.  I’ve lifted up our theme for the year, our vision, our upcoming plans and programs, and, naturally, our need to continue funding it all. Writing a stewardship letter is an important part of the work that needs doing in the early fall of any normal year.

But of course, this year is anything but normal. Who could have imagined that we would need to close our doors to worship way back in the spring, and that they would still be closed? Who could have imagined the virus that has rampaged around the world, or the social isolation and wearing of masks that has become the new normal for our lives? I don’t remember who said it, but it is so true: The future is what happens while we are making other plans.

However, given these are not normal times, if anything, our current circumstances call for even more faithfulness and support from us than usual. We are not simply launching into another new church year. We are holding our scattered congregation together against that day when we can once again gather in person. We are experiencing new forms of online connection for worship and fellowship, while we wait to return to our beautiful sanctuary. We are keeping the flames of our beloved First Congregational Church alive, while we wait for that great day when warm hugs, joyful singing, and face to face fellowship (over some of Ethel Parker’s delicious cakes) are once again possible.

If we look back in our faith history, the Jewish Diaspora comes to mind. The word means dispersion or scattering, and it refers to the scattering of the Israelites among the nations after they were taken into exile. What we’re dealing with now is very different than what they dealt with back then. But, in a similar way, our pandemic has left many of us feeling scattered, isolated and alone. What we need in our time is not all that much different than what they needed in theirs. We need to trust in the Lord. We need a determination to hold on to our faith and keep our traditions alive. We need to maintain our identity and our enthusiasm as a worshipping Christian community and do all in our power to nurture our connections with one another as members and friends.

In that light, I ask you to think deeply and seriously about your response to this year’s stewardship campaign. Our church is precious and irreplaceable. Our high calling in these unprecedented times is to keep our faith community together until that time we can be together in fact, and not just on Facebook. Whether we are together or apart, our calling is to remain faithful and strong, and so we’ve chosen that as our theme for this year. If you are unable to pledge this year, you are no less a beloved member of our community. But if you are able, please consider continuing or increasing the loving and generous support you have blessed us with in the past.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Kevin M. Pleas and the Stewardship Committee

History of Stewardship themes:

“Weaving the Fabric of Life” at First Congregational Church has been an ongoing project…weaving our beliefs with our missions of outreach to each other and the community.  We continue to volunteer weekly with Special Olympics Young Athletes Program, at UpReach Therapeutic Riding Center making meals, and New Horizons.  Our expanded food support for children through Blessing in a Backpack and our Food Closet is growing exponentially, as is the demand for coat, boots, mittens and hats.  Dress A Girl Around the World has benefitted from over 50 dresses made by our Quilting Ministry for girls at risk, and continues to sew monthly and enjoy the comraderie and fellowship.  Hats, prayer shawls, and bavaclavas have been knit for Seafarers’ Mission, Helping Hands, Greater Manchester Mental Health Center, among many.  Snack, soups and cookies are lovingly made by congregants to bring a little lift to our members’ spirits in time of stress.  Your continued financial support of First Church ensures that we can still provide for these supportive services to our community in 2020.

“God’s Work, Our Hands” is more appropo than ever in 2019!  Our numbers of involved volunteers are increasing to service our expanding Outreach efforts…this year adding the Special Olympics Young Athletes Program on Thursday nights; the 21st Century Church visionary program; UpReach monthly meals; expanded food programs; and more coats, boots, hats and mittens for the elementary schools.  Pledge letters were sent to all members and active friends at the end of September and are due back by November 2nd, as we project our budgetary needs for 2019.

The 2018 Campaign… “God’s Love is Generous, Love Back Generously”…kicked off in the fall of 2017.  The generosity of our members and friends ensured a year full of expanded Outreach projects, and the completion of some building maintenance with a new floor and bathroom in the youth area of the rec room.

Our 2017 message, our ministries and our membership had all grown in faith. So it seemed appropriate, in seeking your generous contributions of support, that “Growing in Faith Together” should be our theme for 2017’s stewardship campaign.  As our Growing in Faith Together campaign moved forward, we thank you all for taking to heart the vital importance of our beloved First Church.

Latest News

Videos on Vimeo

[CLICK HERE] to enjoy our current videos on Vimeo.  Recently Adam has been recording some select pieces for your enjoyment.  Also check out "I Believe", Jeffrey Frye's original "We are Unbroken (After All)"; "Weave" sung by our choir during the Dress A Girl Around the World Blessing and Stewardship Sunday service; and other unique and enjoyable FCC musical moments!!

Open & Affirming

See the latest Open and Affirming News by [clicking here]!

Join the Open & Affirming Zoom Conference on Saturday, January 30th 9am-12:30pm.  Register by [Clicking Here].

Quick Links to Content

From the Pastor's Desk

Link to Pastor Kevin Pleas' In the Spirit columns by [clicking here].

Sunday Bulletin

See the order of worship at First Church for the Sunday Service, including the Scripture Reading. Learn more...

The Sunday News & FCC Friday Link

What’s happening this week in the life of First Church?  Click on the FCC Friday Link to see what happening around First Congregational Church!

For the rest of the "Covid season" we will stop producing the Sunday News, and resume it with the Bulletins at "in person" services.

Learn more...

Church Window

What’s happening this month at First Church? Learn more...

What's happening with committees!

Read the 2019 Written Committee Reports by clicking here!

The 2019 Financial & Statistical Reports. Members wishing to receive a digital copy, can request one by email to Linda Bonetti at LBonetti@FCCManchesterNH.org.

Cookbook

Women's Connection Cookbook

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