In Their Own Words--What Members & Friends Say About First Congregational...

Below are the 2008 responses members and friends of First Congregational offered as part of the "Blessing Bowl" ritual for the All-UCC offering "Strengthen the Church".  Read these from-the-heart words of how being part of this church has been a blessing to them as well as some of words of gratitude for personal blessings.  Maybe, if you're just checking us out, they will speak to you and inspire you to visit with us live and in-person!

We are blessed by having a church that offers such a wonderful environment for fellowship, community and spiritual growth.—The Millsap Family

I am grateful for the compassion, love, honesty and joy this church shows not only to each other but also the great concern in this community and the global community.

I like seeing Livy at church.—Michon Rose (Obois), April 26

I am struck by the large and small gestures in concert that comprise our church’s outpouring, whether it’s mention in a national publication about our per capita giving [to One Great Hour of Sharing] or simply helping my daughter select Jello to put in a Thanksgiving food bag.  Week of 4/27/08.

From a Turkish village over 100 years ago to Circus City, USA, today, five generations of my family have found welcome, joy, comfort and support, first in the Congregational Church and now in our UCC.  But our family isn’t the only one.  As a community of Christians, we continue to search for ways to demonstrate God’s will with open hearts and hands.  We do this as a congregation, but also as individuals, publicly or privately, in big ways or small.  God is speaking.

I am grateful for learning how to be in a church family; in a circle of “strangers” moving toward a common purpose of wholeness and renewal.  I feel I am given the space to seek on my own and respect that space for others.  Yet, in that “strangerness” I have learned more about connectedness than I could have imagined.—Erika (Obois), 5/11/08.

I like all the family and friends that are at church.—Claire (0bois), April 27.

…generosity of spirit to our community is amazing—to the Food Pantry, especially with the Eilertsons’ sharing of fresh produce with blessings that overflow; the witness, base in love, of the congregation and individuals to our community of welcome and affirmation, often at cost to reputation and respectability—praise God!

Thankful for:  my darling wife; my children and grandchildren; loving mother and friends; a country with many freedoms; my education; public radio; music; joy of laughter.

Church as a microcosm has taught me about myself in a smaller setting.—week of 4/20

Thankful for: my husband; children/grandchildren; family/friends; health; education; country with freedoms; home/food; music/entertainment for enjoying life.

First Congregational members often greet and welcome guests, but they have gone out to create homes, give rides, help serve meals to bikers on the “Ride4Life,” hosted the Meadows birthday party, caroled and brought a good moment to those who have very few—it moves me to know we are more than Sunday morning, and more than a check or an opinion.

It really resonates for me to fathom God as “is-ness”—the very breath, spirit and presence of simply being, existing.—Week of April 13.

Clear days of sunshine and nights of quietness are blessings without measure.

What blessings are the many young children who grace our presence!  Their hard-working parents are blessings also in their friendliness and concern for others.

I’ve liked the people we’ve met at church—Mike (Obois), May 5.

God, thank you for my health—13 years a cancer survivor—and thank you for my daughter, a joy and blessing.  Thank you for my brother and sister-in-law.  Thank you for this congregation and all the love and support they have given Joanna and me.  We are blessed.

I like Sunday School.—Claire (Obois), April 29

Art and music and skills to use them!  These are special blessings!!

Thanks for 50 wonderful years.

…to have been received and affirmed for who I am—flaws and strengths—with grace, with challenge, with patience and with a lot of good humor.

I have been blessed to serve as a deacon and observe first-hand the dedication of our members within our church and the community.  I have seen the impact they make in the community and the world, sometimes a quiet impact, in Christ’s name.  This is an inspiration and a blessing.

I like snacks at church.—Michon (Rose Obois), April 27

Thank you that my church is open to anyone:  Blacks, gays, lesbians and all those people that believe differently.  That is why I enjoy coming to this church every Sunday.  Even if some churches aren’t open to everyone, I’m glad that my church is. –Joanna Hagan