Barre Congregational Church
Home30 Park Street
Barre, Massachusetts
A Message From Pastor Margaret
We Are a Church of Creative People!
Watching the making of our Christmas
wreaths last year in Fellowship Hall was
such a joy. I watched in awe how each one
of the highly skilled women, and those who
came to learn for the first time, took their
cards from the table with orders for specific
colors, bows and decorations. They would
go back to their specific location and begin
their art-making. I moved around, observing
such delicate activity and focus of
everyone there, too nervous to make my
own, just in case it would come apart! The
end result was amazing! The floor was
covered with the art work of women who came together to make something beautiful from raw materials, and it was wonderful to see people come and pick up their wreaths, ready to decorate their homes.
Many of us love to create something from raw materials, such as pieces of wood, or metal, wool and more. Others love to cook and bake with ingredients that, when they come together, produce the most delicious meals, or cookies, or pastries. And others are looking forward to Spring to start their gardening or outdoor projects.
What was amazing about the wreath-making was the camaraderie, the teamwork, and the silence mixed with the occasional chat here and there. I knew I was disturbing them with my own chatter, but I was
happy to be among a group of women who were there for a purpose, to do something for the church and also to bring beauty to the homes of people who were ready to celebrate the festive season.
Creating something together with others is a wonderful experience, because of the sharing of skill and spending time with each other. We have such experiences in our own lives as we live out our passions
and creativity, and we also have wonderful times at church with all the opportunities to serve and activities to participate in.
Emerging from the pandemic where much of our activities were halted for some time, I now notice renewed energy and excitement among church members and visitors to serve and to do something that brings us together and to grow the church. Shall we do this, or think about that, people are asking at Committee meetings, or during coffee hour, or on the phone. It is great! It is wonderful! God is faithful! We are being blessed with new opportunities to serve, build our relationships as we do things together, and grow our church.
God is never far away, but always near during times when things go well, and when times are tough and we face challenges. God is also near to those who feel they have been away from the church for some time, and maybe feel ashamed or guilty for their absence. One thing about God which is so comforting, is the goodness of God’s heart, and the love that forgives, and the arms that are stretched open to receive anyone who wishes to return and to serve and to be in community with others. That is what church is, to be together in the presence of God, to serve, to love, forgive, and grow together. We are indeed a church of creative people. May God bless us all as we walk together, in love and patience and gentleness and may we see the fruit of our labor here at Barre Congregational Church.
-- Pastor Margaret
© 2022 Barre Congregational Church 30 Park Street, Barre, MA 01005
Interested in learning more about us?
Welcoming & Serving the Quabbin Area
Worship Services:
Sundays at 9:30 a.m.
Community Friendship Suppers (CFS)
We are so happy to be able to welcome members of our community to a meal prepared by our Community Friendship Supper volunteers. We are offering to-go meals on the third Thursday of every month, between 5:30-6:30 p.m.
From the Church Committee
Lights and Locks. Just a reminder that if you come
into the church and turn on lights, please make sure
the lights are turned off before you leave the church.
Also, make sure the doors are locked.
The Church Committee would like to remind everyone that the daily functioning of the church continues. They remind you to please keep up your pledges and donations to the church even in these challenging times. Donations can be submitted through the "Donate" page on this website or mailed to:
Margaret Marshall
169 Sunrise Ave
Barre, MA 01005
Welcome to the Barre Congregational Church Website!
A congregation of the United Church of Christ, Barre Congregational Church (BCCUCC) is located on the Common in Barre, Massachusetts. We are a caring community of Christ committed to reaching out into the wider community. We offer ourselves as ministers of grace, healing, understanding, inclusiveness, reconciliation, and joy for the sake of showing our love for Jesus.
Our Pastor: Margaret Keyser
