Get Involved
Learn ways you can make a contribution
Caring Connections
Caring Connections is a volunteer group of parishioners created to support members of our church family when concerns arise. The volunteers work closely with the Pastor to support our church family during times of illness, hospitalizations, personal loss, life transitions, and requests for assistance. Volunteers make calls, send notes, provide meals, and any other support measures to “hold one another up.”
If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email Linda Towle or Reverend Bonnie.
Food Donation
On the first Sunday of each month, the Discipleship Ministry invites everyone to bring non perishable goods to be donated to the Holliston Food Pantry. Please place your donation in the baskets at the back of the sanctuary. Thank you so much for participating in this important ministry!
Holliston Community Children's Center
The Discipleship Ministry Team provides support and resources to HCCC, a non-profit, non-sectarian community service organization. HCCC is sponsored by the First Congregational Church of Holliston as part of its greater mission to provide education and child care services to the community. HCCC has provided quality early childhood opportunities for young children and their families since 1955.
Environmental Ministry
Active involvement in the sustaining life of God’s creation is the focus of the environmental ministry. We believe it is our Christian duty to be responsible neighbors to all living creatures and the earth itself. We are currently devoting our efforts to these initiatives.
Environmental Awareness
We have completed a three-session program on faith and the environment. Topics included carbon footprint, sacred places, and our call to environmental action as people of faith. Additional programs are scheduled for this winter, including Lenten programming and a book study group.
Green Congregation
UCC has identified a select group of churches as meeting the standards of a Green Church. This designation includes three levels of participation in environmental action. We have fulfilled the requirements of the first level and are submitting an application for this honor.
Carbon Fast for Lent
Watch for a carbon fast program for Lent on the MACUCC.org website. This program identifies many ways – both simple and complicated – by which individuals can reduce their carbon footprint as an act of faith.
Our Church and Photovoltaic Solar Cells
We are beginning a long-term investigation into reducing our carbon footprint, energy consumption, and costs through the use of photovoltaic solar cells for our building. We are looking for volunteers to help with this project. If you are interested, please contact Pam Kyrka.
Healing and Wellness Ministry
The Healing and Wellness Ministry at First Congregational Church was born in 2013 from the desire to foster the connection between body, mind, and spirit in a unique way. The classes and techniques that we offer come from many traditions, and invite the participants to learn about both new and ancient modes of healing. From Reiki and yoga to workshops on how to heal faster from surgery, the purpose of the healing ministry is to nurture and foster the spiritual life of all who enter our doors.
Our classes are open to the public and are offered on a sliding scale basis. Full scholarship is also available. We are always open to new programming ideas. If you have questions or wish to offer a suggestion, please contact Rev. Bonnie.
Our Church's Wider Mission
Our Church’s Wider Mission (OCWM) is the international umbrella for the broader UCC mission work. A portion of our Christian Outreach giving is donated every year to OCWM for the church to use across the globe in concert with giving from many other congregations. This support includes disaster relief, economic development, humanitarian assistance, advocacy programs, and other forms of Christian Outreach. By combining our giving with that of other churches, we are able to leverage our resources, and direct them to areas in such a way that we can be sure they are being used to their fullest.
Racial Justice Group
Since 2017, the racial justice group has met to learn, discuss, and take actions related to racial justice. We are guided by the following vision:
Grounded in Christ’s love and with compassion for one another, we seek to identify and eliminate racism in our church, ourselves, and our world.
Some of the focus and actions that the group has taken on over the years include:
- Discussed books together, including “Waking Up White” by Debby Irving and “Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You” by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
- Explored different facets of systemic racism for greater understanding and discussion
- Held a standout for Black Lives Matter and “Say Their Names” in front the church in the summer of 2020 following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.
- Participated in a Holliston local TV show “Just Thinking” to share what we’re learning together and how we approach difficult conversations
- Held a standout for Protecting Asian Lives in front of the church following the Atlanta spa shootings in March 2021
- Signed messages to congress in support of the Martha Wright Prison Phone Justice Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act
- Wrote letters to Holliston School Board in support of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion position and programming
- Collected stamps for Black Voters Matter and wrote hundreds of letters to under-represented communities with Vote Forward
- Rang the church bells in celebration of Juneteenth
All are welcome to join in, no matter where you are in your journey to be antiracist. Meetings are monthly and are posted in Gabriel’s Trumpet.
Project Just Because
Project Just Because is located in neighboring Hopkinton, Massachusetts and serves basic needs of families, children and seniors through food, household items, clothing and other resources. During the holidays, FCC coordinates Christmas gift giving through PJB programming. Look for the Giving Tree in Jordan Hall during November/December.
Women's Retreat
Once a year, usually in January or February, a group of First Congregational women gather together at a retreat site for a weekend of fellowship, fun and spiritual renewal. We, as women try to be all things to all people. In doing so, we can get lost or misdirected in our search for ourselves again. So, what can we do? A great start is to join us on the retreat. You deserve this time. For more information contact Rev. Bonnie.
UCC Outreach
Through the year, the international United Church of Christ and our local congregation conduct special offerings so as to raise money to support specific work or mission areas or in response to natural disasters. One Great Hour of Sharing is collected in the spring to support the United Church of Christ’s broader mission programs. Money from this offering is used across the globe for a wide array of Outreach activities. Veterans of the Cross is collected during the Christmas season and is used to support the needs of retired clergy and church employees.
When You Come Through Our Doors, You Are Family!
We are a congregation who actively seeks to incorporate the gospel message of love, compassion and hope into our daily lives.
725 Washington St, Holliston, MA 01746
508.429.8608