We have marched in our local Gay Pride parade every year here in Santa Rosa and sometimes in SF too.
Sunday, August 7th
On Sunday, August 7, First Congregational Church Santa Rosa will be observing the 77th anniversary of one of the saddest days in human history – the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the death of 200,000 human beings. Since 1945, hydrogen bombs, more than 3,000 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb, have been developed. Detonate one and burn greater New York City to a crisp. Detonate a few and condemn our planet to a nuclear winter ending life as we know it.
Redwood Empire Food Bank
For the past several months, our Outreach Team has been scheduling group work days at our local food bank! If you're interested in joining us next time, email our church office atsecty@sonic.net and we will contact you. It's a fun, busy, and day and rewarding day!
Black Lives Matter
Our congregation has been suppportive of the Black Lives Matter movement, even during the pandemic.
To date we have:
Held a "Chalk In" to write the names of some of black and brown people who have lost their lives at the hands of police brutality.
Added a "Black Lives Matter" banner to the exterior of our sanctuary.
And we have participated with other UCC Northern Nevada Conference churches in the moving exhibit, "Pray Their Names". “Pray Their Names” is at once a visual art piece and an interactive experience for its viewers who are able to scan a code with a smart phone, directing them to a site containing information, stories, and pictures about each memorialized person.
Click here to "Pray Their Names" and obtain more information on the exhibit and the individuals who have so tragically lost their lives.
Our Peace Pole
Our church has a Peace Pole in the front of our sanctuary. A Peace Pole is an internationally recognized symbol of the hopes and dreams of the entire human family, standing vigil in silent prayer for peace on earth.
Once per month we sell Life Pax during Coffee Hour for members to share with people experiencing homelessness. Life Pax are small bags filled with granola bars, fruit, a drink, etc.
We participate annually in SF Gay Pride Parade and enter floats in the City of Santa Rosa's Rose Parade.
On the last Sunday of each month, our Outreach committee supports letter writing to our representatives on various topics requiring advocacy. We've written to legislators about the environment, food insecurity, health care for all, immigration, racial justice, support for living wages, etc. Click arrow for more info.
One Sunday per quarter, Outreach plans a forum after Coffee Hour that delves deeper into subjects of Social or Economic Justice. In the past we have had speakers from Catholic Charities, The Living Room, North Bay Organizing Project, etc. We typically serve a light lunch with forums. All are welcome!
Additionally, our building is used by a number of organizations that work to support a variety of needs in our county including North Bay Organizing Project, AA, Overeaters Anonymous, Stroke Club, an SRJC Senior Exercise Class, etc.
Serving Within
Music
Our church glorifies God through many forms of musical expression. The music you’ll hear here includes traditional hymns, choral music, jazz piano, pipe organ, flute, percussion instruments and acoustic guitar. The choir, a diverse group of folks who like to sing, provides music for most Sunday services during the year.
We celebrate our music program annually with Music Sunday, which is often accompanied by instrumentalists.
The choir rehearses on performance Sundays 9:00-10:10am, and on scheduled Monday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00pm. Singers of all abilities are welcome; come join the fun!
For more information or to get involved in music at our church, contact Director of Music, William O’Neill at woneill41@yahoo.com.
Liturgical Art
Artistic-minded members are encouraged to express themselves through First Congregational’s Liturgical Art.
Meeting periodically throughout the year with the pastor, there's a brainstorming of ideas to express love of God through artistic expression. Creating banners, murals, liturgical cloths, etc, we enjoy working together and experiencing the joy and satisfaction of seeing our ideas come to life and glorify God in their completion. Some of our projects have included paper cranes for the altar on Peace Sunday, suspended dream-catchers, Pentecost streamers, and Advent Art that inspires us all throughout the season. Come and express yourself with our artists!
Council and Committees
Serving on committees and church council is a very important part of an active church.
Most church activities are impossible without a structure supporting them. Our council, which is a governing board, and the committees provide that structure. If you're interested in serving on a committee, please let our pastor or moderator know.
Meal Train
When a member of our church family has a need for help with meals, we get the Meal Train going! We can always use volunteers to prepare meals (or get Take Out) for those in need.
Please contact the church office to learn more or email Judy Adams.
Other Opportunities to Serve
Our congregation has many ways to serve. Is something calling you? Listen inside yourself. Might it be helping with hospitality, praying for others, assisting with special projects, sending cards, etc? Whatever is calling you, we hope you'll trust the spirit and respond "Yes!"
