We are a congregation of friendly and open people who have discovered the freedom and joy of genuine faith. We are parents, singles, teens, children, and seniors who live out our faith daily in our varied walks of life. As a member of the United Church of Christ, we come from an unusually broad mix of denominational backgrounds, including Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Quaker.

Founded on the principle of religious freedom, we are a church with a rich history of progressive thought and action. A strong mission of outreach to the socially and economically disenfranchised is central to our ministry. In all aspects of our life and mission, First Congregational Church welcomes and affirms people of every race, age, gender, marital circumstance, sexual orientation, physical or psychological ability, economic condition, ethnic origin and theological tradition.

Once again the Youth Fellowship is sponsoring a Tag Sale to raise funds for its summer mission trip and other year-round activities. We could really use your donations - especially looking for jewelry, collectables, tools, small appliances (in good working order), toys, bikes, strollers, household goods, and smaller pieces of furniture. We cannot accept large exercise equipment, weights, magazines, encyclopedias, large appliances, mattresses, couches or other large furniture.

Items can be dropped off at the church from 9am-3pm Monday-Friday or on Sunday after church. Please call Shelley Rothenberg for off-hours access or to arrange a pickup (908-233-3678). If you have larger items, please wait to drop off until the week of April 28. The last day for donating is Wednesday, May 1.

The sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 4. If you can volunteer a few hours to help on the sale day or during the days before, we can use the help to sort and organize the "merchandise". It's tons of fun, and we give volunteers first choice to purchase! All unsold items are donated to local charities like the Westfield Service League and the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless. Please let Shelley know if you can volunteer.