Welcome To Women’s Fellowship
The fellowship of women in our church includes every woman, young and old, member or “friend” of the church. We are a busy group that plays a vital role in the life of this church in so many ways. Some of those ways include the following:
♥ Knitting shawls through an active Prayer Shawl Ministry
♥ Sending our own line of beautiful photo cards created by Diane Burgess to our “Cheer List” throughout the year.
♥ Hosting funeral and memorial service receptions when needed
♥ Actively supporting our church fundraisers such as the December Christmas Cookie Sale and Easter Bake Sale
♥ Sponsor our own fundraiser that for 25 years was our annual Mid-Winter Chocolate Fest held in February. That ended in 2023, but we are now offering a Mardi Gras Fest! From authentic New Orleans culinary treats to baked goods and an amazing Basket Raffle, the date of this event changes depending on when Easter falls. Check our website for the timing of this annual festival.
♥ Occasionally plan programs and women’s retreats for all to enjoy
We have three business meetings a year where all women are invited to gather, to engage in meaningful discussions and make decisions of how to spend our financial earnings. These meetings, as well as, any other women’s events during the year will be posted through the Weekly Word and monthly Belfry Chimes. We are also informed through emails from our Women’s Fellowship president.
We are also a part of a wider fellowship of women who are connected through the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. The SNE Conference of the UCC came into being on Jan. 1, 2020 with the coming together of the historic Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island Conferences. The Conference is one of 36 regional bodies of the United Church of Christ, a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church to join faith and action. The Conference comprises 615 churches, more than 1600 authorized ministers and nearly 120,000 members. We are invited to join together with SNE Conference women at various times throughout the year including an annual Spring Gathering.
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP OFFICERS 2025
PRESIDENT – Nancy Johnson
VICE PRESIDENT – Diane Burgess
SECRETARY – Cari Klick
TREASURER – Linda Cunningham
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP MEETINGS OPEN TO ALL WOMEN!
Please join us for our planning and decision making. Your voice is needed!
Celebrating Greenpeace Day!
DATE: Monday, September 15, 2025
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
TYPE: Women’s Fellowship Potluck
Greenpeace Day is observed on September 15 each year and highlights activism in the name of the environment. Founded in 1971 by seventeen activists protesting nuclear testing off the shores of Alaska, Greenpeace now is a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative confrontation to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green, just, and joyful future.
Psalm 24:1 reminds us that “The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.” As faithful Christians we acknowledge creation care as an act of discipleship; we are stewards of the earth, summoned by God to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15). Our uses of the earth must be designed to conserve and renew it rather than to deplete or destroy it. Let us take this evening to learn more about Greenpeace and reflect on the many ways that we can help the environment and save our planet.
For our potluck, we ask that you bring your favorite hot dish or salad, while the beverage and dessert will be provided. As we nourish our bodies, our time together will nourish our spirits. If you are unable to come at 6:00 p.m., please feel free to come later for dessert and our program and meeting. Your presence will make our evening complete.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden
to work it and take care of it.” Genesis 2:15
The Upper Room
DATE: Monday, October 27, 2025
TIME: 6:30 p.m.
TYPE: Inspirational Gathering
Have you ever noticed the small books found monthly in the narthex that are titled The Upper Room? For 90 years, The Upper Room daily devotional guide has encouraged people everywhere to share their stories of faith. Not long after its first issue was printed The Upper Room began crossing borders and being translated into many different languages. Today it covers more than 30 languages and can be found in over 100 countries.
This devotional has inspired some of our members to begin a gathering time called The Upper Room. In the Bible, the upper room was a very meaningful place for the Disciples. It was a place of preparation for ministry; a place of prayer; a place they could be without worldly distractions; a place of profound communion with God. When the Holy Spirit eventually came on Pentecost Day, the upper room became the womb of the Church; its place of birth.
As members of God’s church, let us gather together in our very own upper room to reflect on life, to have meaningful discussions, to share stories of faith, and be inspired by each other. Our initial meeting will be upstairs above the church office and will be led by our very own Deb Hunt. We invite all our members and friends to join us as we listen to God speaking to us through each other and where we like the Disciples will be inspired by the Holy Spirit.
A Doll’s Christmas
DATE: Wednesday, December 3, 2025
TIME: 7:00 p.m.
TYPE: Holiday Program
Did you know that historically, dolls were not originally made for children, but for religious rituals in ancient countries around the world, going back to early civilizations. Today they are traditionally toys for children. However, dolls are also collected and used by adults for their nostalgic value, beauty, historical importance or financial value.
In the 1951 Christmas song, “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” it is mentioned that some children want “dolls that can talk and can go for a walk.” Are you one of those children? On this advent evening let us fill our fellowship hall with a variety of dolls. Among those that you will see include: a 1920’s antique doll, 1950’s Ginny doll, the original 1959 Barbie, two 1982 Cabbage Patch Kids, a homemade Raggedy Ann & Andy, and an American Girl doll. We invite you to bring your doll(s) or a picture if you no longer have your doll. We will then have time to share stories and memories of how special they are to us.
An added treat will be a wonderful display of a barn dollhouse filled with farm animals and equipment and maybe a miniature Santa Claus will even come for a visit on his sleigh! This barn is created by our very own talented Patty Pizzichemi and is sure to be a highlight of the night.
Please join us for this delightful evening that will not only remind you of your childhood, but bring the joy of the Christmas spirit to your soul.
“Dolls are precious little reflections of joyous light,
whose hope is only to delight" – Gayle Wray
Mardi Gras Fest
Saturday, February 7, 2026
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
This is a wonderful day filled with delicious authentic New Orleans cuisine including gumbo and red beans and rice thanks to Jeff Frualino’s culinary skills. We will also have delicious desserts that will feature everyone’s favorite, New Orleans Bread Pudding. When customers arrive, they will be given a choice of colorful beads to wear. The purple, green, and gold color of the beads represent the Christian symbols of justice, faith, and power, respectively.
Homemade candy and baked goods will entice those with a sweet tooth, shoppers can peruse our own line of greeting cards, children of all ages can enjoy the Kid’s Corner, and everyone can have their picture taken at the Photo Booth area filled with Mardi Gras accessories to make the photo complete.
We could not forget our Basket Raffle Booth. People rave over our beautiful baskets. At this writing we have “Cherry,” “Tea,” and “Bee” baskets along with one called “Kids Just Want to Have Fun!” Join us on February 7, 2026 for lots of fun and delicious food!
“Peace Like A River”
DATE: Monday, May 18, 2026
TIME: 6:00 P.M.
TYPE: Women’s Fellowship Potluck
When we talk about peace, we usually refer to a lack of conflict, the tranquility of mind, or calmness of heart. The Bible has a much richer and deeper meaning. The Hebrew word “Shalom,” which literally translates to peace, has several other meanings including: rest,safety, health, completeness, wholeness, welfare, soundness, prosperity, perfection, harmony, and the absence of agitation or discord.
This is the kind of peace that God wants to give us. God desires to give us peace like a river that flows on and on. Even when it seems as if we are experiencing a drought in ourlives, when we feel parched by life’s trials, the river of life flows from God’s throne right to our hearts. We will bring peace to your life on this spring evening through poetry, music, scripture, and prayer.
Please join us for our traditional potluck dinner that you will help provide. Bring your favorite hot dish or salad with dessert and beverage being provided. If you can’t make the dinner, please come later for dessert and our short program and meeting.
“Now may the lord of peace himself give you peace at
all times in all ways. The Lord be with your all.”2 Thessalonians 3:16
HAPPY 189th Birthday Women’s Fellowship!
2025 Mardi Gras!
