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About Us

Here we are gathered together for a Sunday service. We sing together, pray together, hear scripture and inspiring sermons. Within the service we also share our concerns and celebrations. We offer our prayers for members, friends, and loved ones facing difficult times and give thanks with those sharing their joy.

In these moments, one begins to see why so many members and friends of First Church care so deeply about their church. We have always been known for the care and concern we show for one another, and for our efforts to reach out to the surrounding community and the world. We strive both to live as disciples of Christ and to manifest God's love for all people.

Those who become part of First Church soon find that our community feels like an extended family. We make an effort to get to know as many people as we can, and to be supportive and helpful in whatever way we can. Our coffee hour after church is the scene of genuine welcome, engaging conversation about our concerns, and lively discussion of hopes and plans for our church.

First Church has always been very involved in our local community. Our Board of Missions and Social Concerns links us to many social service agencies, we cook and serve for Loaves and Fishes faithfully, and many members are personally committed to volunteering their time and talents to serve others. Our church has undertaken a Habitat for Humanity project along with St. Andrews Episcopal Church and Sinai Temple.

Missionaries have been sent out from First Church throughout its long history. Today we have a relationship with CONESPEH, a council of churches in Haiti, to which we have sent substantial financial help, from which we have learned much about the deep faith of the courageous people of Haiti.

Our church has been in covenant with the United Church of Christ for many years. Recently we reexamined and reaffirmed our covenant with our denomination. Our members have accepted responsibilities within the Hampden Association and the Massachusetts Conference, and participate in many association and conference events.

Our congregation has worshipped "on the green" for almost three centuries. We maintain our "congregational" structure, in which officers are elected and the budget approved at our Annual Meeting in February. Nearly 200 members participate in the work of the church through boards, committee and task forces. The Moderator leads the Church Council, which make decisions for the church between church meetings. We call a Senior Pastor and an Associate Pastor to lead us, and all members are charged to be ministers of the church. We feel deep gratitude to all those who carried on the work of First Church from the Revolutionary War through Abolitionist days through the challenging social changes of our own century. We strive to apply new understandings of the story of God's relationship to humankind and of the teachings of Jesus to the issues facing our church and our community today.

The people of First Church are at many places on their spiritual journeys. Some were baptized at First Church, many were raised in other faith traditions, and others are participating in a faith community for the first time. While the majority of First Church members and friends live in Longmeadow, many people active in the church live in surrounding communities. All are welcome to worship with us, to join with us in exploring the meaning of faith in today's world, and to work with us as disciples of Christ.