FELLOWSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Our objective is to provide opportunities to nurture church fellowship and strengthen community, increase and nurture member involvement and increase welcoming and gathering times.
Some of our yearly activities include Rally Sunday, Blessing of the Animals, Advent Workshop, Chili Cook-Off, Lenten dinners and programs, Children’s Sunday ice-cream social and a Carillon Concert picnic in July. We also provide a “Community Garden” at the church for those wishing to provide themselves with some fresh vegetables during the summer.
TAI CHI / QIGONG
Tai Chi and Qigong are traditional Chinese exercises that have been practiced for over 2000 years. Regular practice can improve strength and balance; ease arthritis, knee and back pain; calm the mind, increase energy and deepen ad regulate breathing.
We will resume our Tai Chi / Qigong program by offering a session of six weekly classes from Monday, September 24th-Monday, November 5th; we will not meet on October 29th, as the church will be closed for Columbus Day. The class will meet from 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm and will cost $30 for entire session, or $5 for drop-ins. Our certified and award winning instructor, Mr. Hoa Nguyen, will return.
COMING THIS FALL…HOLY YOGA
Holy Yoga is an experiential worship created to deepen people’s connection to Christ. Holy Yoga embraces the essential elements of yoga; breath work, meditation, and postures. In all elements, Christ is the focus of our intention and worship. Yoga has many health benefits from increased flexibility and improved muscle tone to decreased anxiety and stress management. Holy Yoga at First Church is for every “body” from no experience to master Yogi. The practice is facilitated by a certified and insured Holy Yoga instructor. Come join us in community and leave feeling renewed in your mind, body, and spirit.
We are blessed to have church member, Mary Salvador, who is a certified instructor! She will be available on Rally Day to answer your questions and provide more information about Holy Yoga. There will be a sign-up sheet as well, so that we can determine best time and room to hold classes.
Book Club will begin meeting again on Friday, September 21st, from 12-2 pm in the Parlor. The books that will be discussed are Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, by John Berendt and The First Law, by John Lescroart. All who enjoy reading are welcome. Please see Mabel Yeterian or Janet Culton with any questions.
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
Francis of Assisi was a holy man with a great love for creation, for humanity and for the animals. His hymn, All Creatures of our God and King (#64 in the Pilgrim Hymnal) is a perennial favorite. On Sunday, October 7th, we will have a blessing of the animals at 1:00 pm in the courtyard. Bring your pets, any kind, to be blessed. It will be a grand celebration of life.
FIRST CHURCH LENDING LIBRARY
With fall approaching, stop by for a book to cozy up with . . . the shelves of the First Church library are filled with a wide selection of books. They don’t need to be signed out, so please enjoy one. Thank you to all who continue to bring books in to share! If you have books you’d like to contribute, please leave them in the copy room in the church office and only donate books that you don’t want back. Thank you! Kristine
Our Men’s Breakfasts have moved to the second Sunday of the month and will resume in October, on Sunday, October 14th. All men are welcome to join us for breakfast at 8:30 am; we will take turns cooking and cleaning up and put our wonderful church kitchen to good use. A hearty breakfast and good conversation is the perfect way to get ready for church.
A Coffee and Social Hour is held on Sunday mornings, immediately following worship, in the Fireside room. Please join us! The Hospitality Crew invites you to bring something to the weekly Coffee Hour. Sharing your food and stories with others is a wonderful part Fellowship. Make it, bake it or purchase it, just bring it to church and “The Crew” will do the rest.