Special Services
Open and Affirming 20th Anniversary, Sunday, January 22
Worship Service, 10:25 a.m., Sanctuary
Celebration Reception, 11:45 a.m., Fellowship Hall
First Congregational Church is proud to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its historic vote to become an Open and Affirming church, the action that affirmed its openness and embraced the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, and that helped pave the way for other churches in the process.
First Congregational United Church of Christ was one of the first churches in the Central Pacific Conference of the United Church of Christ to take action as an Open and Affirming church. The worship service will feature special music and a guest sermon by The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross, now retired, but the associate minister during the precedent-setting vote in 1992.
Desserts and coffee will be served in the Fellowship Hall immediately after service and guests will have an opportunity to hear from people who experienced this big step in the life of the church and the difference it made.
Celebration for Pastor Emerita, Sunday, February 12
The Rev. Dr. Patricia Ross will be honored and installed as Pastor Emerita in a special worship service February 12. Rev. Ross served at First Congregational United Church of Christ for 22 years -- 10 years as associate minister and 12 years as senior minister. She retired from the church in 2008.