We call it spiritual ‘practice,’ because we’re not perfect at it. We call it faith, because it’s not a certainty. Here are some of the ways we work on our inner lives, our trust in God and our living-out of the teachings of Jesus, together.

Small Groups

We have a number of small groups, open to all, to help people connect with new friends and deepen the quality of their spiritual practice and their relationship with God. In small groups, we learn to be real. We learn to serve and be served, to love and be loved. We learn how God moves, and we support each others’ abilities to notice the movement of God. If you don’t a small group that fits, or you have a burning desire to start a new small group, speak to Rev. Laura Ruth!

• New Old Fashioned Bible Study is exactly what it sounds like: a weekly study in the scriptures, Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures) and New Testament (Gospels and Letters) to gain wisdom and insight into the historical meanings of our ancient holy texts, and their meanings for our lives, today. NOFBS assumes no prior knowledge of the Bible, and meets people where they’re at.
• The Imponderables Pub Night. War–what’s it good for? What if those of us who believe in God, are wrong? When does human life begin? Once a month, New Old Fashioned Bible Study relocates to a local pub and we focus on one current event or issue of moral significance, and duke it out, lovingly, looking to scripture, Christian tradition and our own experiences for practical answers to life’s big questions.
• Compassionate Harvest meets once a month to examine the ethical and spiritual issues related to our food, including the way we produce it and the way we consume it. The purpose of our gatherings is to raise our awareness about food issues, to identify ways we can exercise compassion in our food choices, and to work together on putting our compassion into practice. Along the way we discuss books, watch movies, have cooking demonstrations, and take part in various activities, such as preparing meals for the Somerville Homeless Coalition. All are welcome! Please visit our blog for more information.
• Compassionate Caregivers are members and friends trained in the art of keeping elderly people and others company. They visit, bring sweets, occasionally give rides to church or to the doctor, traveling in pairs as did the early disciples of Jesus.
• Rooftop People gather as people in caregiving professions and roles (teachers, therapists, health care workers, ministers and others) to look closely at the Bible’s stories and into our own experiences for insights into the work that we do. We support and pray for one another and theologically reflect on our difficult “cases” to gain wisdom and liberation from the stress of carrying people who are ill and need God’s care.
• Lenten House Church meets midweek during the season of Lent, the 40 days between Ash Wednesday and Easter. It is a time for reflection, meditation, and a chance to take on new habits designed to make more space in our heads, and lives, for God as we walk the long path to the cross with Jesus.

Retreats

Weekly worship and small groups are not enough for many of us. We love to go on retreat together several times a year, to sing songs late into the night, play games, worship together, walk the labyrinth, make new friends, and go deep.

Other Offerings

We offer short-term programs throughout the year to deepen our competency on many topics of relevance to our spiritual health and Christian learning. Some recent offerings have included: establishing a culture of welcome to transgendered people, identifying your place in the enneagram wheel of spiritual types, and learning the steps of bereavement.

Outdoor Ministries

Silver Lake Conference Center is the excellent UCC outdoor ministries center and summer camp in western Connecticut. It provides high-quality, inexpensive Christian camp experiences for children and youth, and fulfilling volunteers opportunities for older teens and adults as counselors and resource people. Some of us at First Church have long, happy associations with SLCC and return every summer to volunteer with children and youth, or to nourish our own spirits.

Additionally, the UCC has a gorgeous and affordable retreat center at Craigville, on Cape Cod, for group or individual retreats.