JUNE 2026

Everybody’s in. No, no, no, no. Nobody’s out.

That’s what the kingdom, the kingdom’s all about.

- Refrain from FCC Children’s Sunday anthem, May 17, 2026

 

At First Congregational Church, we are proud to celebrate and live out the inspiring words of the Children’s Sunday song and our Pride Month banner message, that “All are welcome and wanted.”

 

We will honor and celebrate those messages at the Manchester Pride Festival on June 27. FCC will once again be represented, hosting a booth at the Fest. Many thanks to all those volunteering for a fun, exciting afternoon at Veteran’s Park. If you have not signed up to volunteer, the committee would appreciate your help and support. There’s a sign-up sheet on the Office Window. For questions about Pride Fest, we encourage you to connect with a member of the Open and Affirming Committee.

 

Plans are in place to consider and pay tribute to FCC’s faith-affirming messages of Pride on Sunday, June 28, when our own Jeffrey Frye will offer the sermon. Jeffrey began attending First Congregational Church 25+ years ago, after he moved north from the Boston area. He was drawn by the preaching and music at his new home church. Over these many years, Jeffrey has shared his faith, talents, and heart in service to the FCC Chancel Choir, as our steadfast and skilled Church Treasurer, and as a member of the Open and Affirming Committee. He continues to support and celebrate our faith community’s efforts to insure that “…everybody’s in and nobody’s out” at FCC. Pastor Chris and others will also participate in the service. Please join us for worship on June 28.  You’ll hear special messages from Jeffrey – in word and in song.

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APRIL AND MAY 2026

Mark the date of Saturday, June 27, 2026 on your calendar. The Manchester Pride Festival will take place at Veterans Park on that day. Our Open and Affirming Committee will once again host a booth at the festival. We encourage you to make plans to attend this fun, engaging community event. The presence of the First Congregational Church community has been noted and much appreciated at past Pride Fests. We’ll be seeking volunteers for our festival booth and would love to have you join us!

Participating in the festival connects us to the spirit of FCC’s Open and Affirming covenant - to love God and live out our faith in the here and now. Look for more information in the June newsletter and Friday Link publications. We’ll post a volunteer sign-up sheet later in May.

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When Guest Preacher Steve Cushing preached on March 22, 2026, he reminded us that we are called to make a difference for others. Looking at Sunday News as he did, it’s clear that our FCC faith community is active and involved in many areas of our community – both inside and outside our doors. Since 2017, the Open and Affirming Committee has been active in FCC’s efforts to make a difference. 

Pastor Chris and our group agree it’s a good time to check in and ask our faith community about direction and efforts we should plan as we forward. Look for a survey coming soon, seeking your input, questions, comments, and suggestions. We continue to ask the Holy Spirit for support and guidance. We ask that you take some time to reflect and provide us with your personal thoughts and guidance as well. 

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JULY AND AUGUST 2025

“Each person is a unique and beautiful expression of God’s divine light and love.”

Words from a prayer, published by the ONA Coalition 2023

 

The words from the prayer opened our June meeting:

The message continued as our theme during the month of June. On June 1, a group of FCC members and friends attended the powerful, meaningful, and still relevant oratorio, Considering Matthew Shepard, performed by the Manchester Choral Society. Greetings and socializing before the concert moved into a kind of sacred silence, as the story unfolded in song and the music of the orchestra. MCS President Elizabeth Shiel expressed the experience of the performers and the audience so well. She wrote, “…Telling Matthew’s story through music allows us to feel what headlines cannot: the sorrow of a family, the brutality of silence, the dignity of a life lost too soon. And the hope that, by remembering, we might change.”  The program notes, including an interview with Matthew Shepard’s mother, are worth reading, even if you didn’t attend. A copy will be available in the office, if you’d like to borrow it. You may also experience the oratorio online. There are several free versions posted.

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Committee members and FCC volunteers were excited to once again host a booth at the Manchester Pride Festival on June 28. That event, held downtown at Veterans Park, supports FCC connections with the Manchester community and beyond, offering opportunities to personally share God’s love and acceptance to each person that stopped by. In addition to displaying our FCC banner and passing out items with FCC’s logo and “All Are Welcome” messages, the team of volunteers led some new, engaging games, activities, and offered fun prizes. Thanks to committee members and FCC volunteers who spent the day in service to the mission expressed in FCC’s ONA Covenant.

 

On Sunday, June 29, FCC’s worship service connected with themes of being yourself, loving yourself, and loving others. Justin May delivered the sermon. Karen Hawver, Jeffrey Frye, and Barbara Brawley assisted along with Pastor Chris.

 

The Open and Affirming Committee plans to work with Manchester’s Homeless Coalition this summer, to support and participate in an interfaith event at the Engagement Center, scheduled for August 14. Further information will be published in Sunday News and Friday Link.

 

Plans for summer Open and Affirming Committee are not finalized, but we’ll be back in the fall. The next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, September 21 at 11:30 am. Let’s continue to lend our heads, hands, and hearts to the work of building the Beloved Community that Civil Rights activist John Lewis spoke about.