Wedding Shower for Doreen & Quentin

The Bride and Groom

Vanna (Bonnalee) declares Ann the winner!

A surprise wedding shower was held after church on Sunday, July 11, 10 for Doreen and Quentin. As usual, the women put out a fabulous luncheon. In bridal shower tradition, we played some games. First we tested the new couples shopping skills by playing our version of the “Price Is Right”. Bonnalee Bohlman and Debbie Arsenault served as game show hosts. Bonnalee was definitely a rival for Vanna White. Prizes were given out in three different rounds. We have to say that Quentin has very keen shopping skills, winning the $10 shopping test. Some of the parishioners were pretty impressive too. Ann Orsi nailed one of the prices right on the money and came within two cents of the other item; winning the first round. Then we found out how well this couple knows each other. About a week before the shower, Quentin had answered about 30 questions about either himself or Doreen (i.e. What is your favorite color?). Then Doreen had to see if she could match his answer. We were a little worried at first, it took about 10 questions before Doreen got one right. We were about ready to recommend counseling for this couple  but they rallied in the end.

Shower Cake by Marie Frascolla

The beautiful cake that Marie Frascolla had made was served and then they opened presents. It was a really fun party. Best Wishes and blessings to Doreen and Quentin on their wedding day and for many years to come.

Click here for more pictures from the shower.

Children’s Sunday June 13, 2010

A.R.K - Acts of Random Kindness

This year the children built an A.R.K. Each week, as the Acts of Random Kindness were recorded, we saw the ARK get bigger and bigger. On Children’s Sunday, the superintendent, Chris Cathcart, shared with the congregation many examples of the acts of random kindness as the Children received their awards. Anne Mulrain created a wonderful slide show of the children learning, growing and playing throughout the year. Joshua St. Laurent and Andrew Cathcart were presented with their own Bibles. Thank you to our teachers, Chris and Jim Cathcart, Louise Do, Anne and Kelli Mulrain and to all the children for a wonderful Children’s Sunday and another great year.
Click here to see more pictures of Children’s Sunday.

Installation Service – Rev Doreen Oughton

Click Here for more pictures of the

Installation Service and Dinner

On April 25, 2010 was the church was filled to capacity as we celebrated the installation of Rev Doreen Oughton as the pastor of the First Congregational Church of Leicester. Members of our church, clergy from the Central Association and friends of Doreen’s participated in the service, making it a memorable event. After the service, we gathered in Russell Hall to celebrate and enjoy a delicious turkey dinner.

Welcome Doreen. May we grow together in our faith.

Click on the video below to see the Charge given by the pastor of First Parish Church United in Westford, Mass (Doreen’s home church), Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry.  She is a dynamic speaker, well worth the time to view.

Charge to Rev Doreen Oughton by Rev Cindy Worthington-Berry from Deborah Arsenault on Vimeo.

Forgiveness Workshop given by Rev. Eileen Epperson – April 26, 2010

Feel stuck in some area of your life over a past injury or regret? How might your life look without resentment? Without guilt?  Do you want to stop draining your energy and take back your power!  Give yourself the gift of forgiveness. Rev. Eileen Epperson is an experienced and gifted presenter.  She has done powerful work in the area of forgiveness.  Please join us on Monday evening, April 26th from 6:30 to 9PM for a Forgiveness Workshop.  The workshop is open to anyone who wants to know more about the process of forgiveness.  Reserve your spot by calling the church office at 508-892-3274 or emailing Rev Oughton at pastorfccleicester@verizon.net.   The workshop is free to church members and regular participants, there is a $15 charge to non church members.

Rev. Epperson will also be preaching at Rev Doreen Oughton’s installation service on April 25th.

Installation Service for Rev. Doreen Oughton – April 25, 2010

You are warmly invited to celebrate with us the installation of our called Pastor, the Reverend Doreen Cullen Oughton. The Service of Installation will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 4:00 p.m. The service will be followed by a turkey dinner. If you would like to stay for the dinner, please RSVP by Friday, April 16, by phone to 508-892-3274, or by e-mail to pastorfccleicester@verizon.net so that we have plenty of food for all. We hope you will come to share in this joyous event.

Guest Minister

Rev. Elizabeth Magill was the guest minister on Sunday, March 21, 2010.  Click here to learn more about the service and her ministry.

EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Egg Hunt - March 15, 2008

Peter Cottontail’s Easter Party “EGGSTRAVAGANZA” will be held at the First Congregational Church of Leicester, 1 Washburn Square, from 2 to 4 PM. The event is for children 10 years old and under. Crafts and an Easter Basket Raffle will be held indors beginning at 2 PM and an Easter Egg Hunt will be held outdoors at 3:30 PM. Bring your cameras for pictures with the Easter Bunny! Admission will be a non-perishable food item for the benefit of the Leicester Food Bank.

CLICK HERE for more pictures of last year’s event.

Lenten Bible Study

The Passion Narratives, Exploration of all Four Gospels
All are welcome to join us for our 6-session Lenten Bible Study

 

Session 1: Jesus’ anticipation of his crucifixion and resurrection

The ride into Jerusalem

Driving out money changers / cleansing of the Temple

Session 2: Betrayal by religious authorities and Judas

Passover meal

Betrayal by Peter

Session 3: In the Garden

Arrest

Judas’ end

Session 4: Trial of Jesus

Pontias Pilate

Via Dolorosa (the way of sorrow, the route to Golgotha/Calvary)

Session 5: The Crucifixion

Jesus’ Death

Burial

Session 6: Empty Tomb

Reappearances

Groups meet on:

Wednesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. from 2/17-3/31 in the Pastor’s study (except 3/10),
and on
Monday evenings at 7:00 p.m. from 2/22-3/29 at the home of a group member.

All are welcome to attend any one, several, or all sessions. If you are unable to attend either group but are interested in the readings, please contact Pastor Doreen Oughton at 508-892-3274 or pastorfccleicester@verizon.net and she will e-mail them to you. But they are much richer in communal discussion, so join us if possible.

Family Sunday – Feb 7, 2010

Family Sunday was another successful, fun day for our church family.  A delicious potluck dinner was topped off with Brave’s birthday cake.

Brave's Birthday (Rev Oughton & Brave

With a large assortment of games to choose from, several groups settled into playing. Apples to Apples was a popular choice. One of the most intense though was a game of Jenga played by Len & Judy Ivel, Ron & Cindy LaPointe and Carol Mulrain. The tower reached an incredible height of 30 levels before toppling. Click here MOV06758 to see who was the big loser.

Apples to Apples - Ben & Jim C.

Children’s Christmas Pagaent

DSC06559

Spread the News!
The Children’s Christmas Pageant was wonderful!

Click Here to check out pictures of the Pageant
Click Here to see the pictures of everyone getting ready for the Pagaent.