Fellowship is about people making spiritual connections with other people, coming together to share our beliefs, to discuss issues, and to help each other to deepen our belief in God and our savior, Jesus Christ. The Fellowship activities that occur throughout the year help to accomplish this mission.

Attic Treasures

Gently used, and sometimes not-so-gently-used, items abound at our annual outdoor yard sale.  Our attic treasures yard sale is held on the town common during the town-wide yard sale each fall.  This high visibility yard sale is very attractive to those that pass through Sterling center.  Should you like to donate items, please contact the office between June and September to arrange for someone to pick-up or to drop-off your items.

Camperships

If you’ve ever gone to camp during the summers of your youth, you likely have a fond memory of the experience that might include recollections of hiking, camping, water sports, beautiful scenery, and bug juice.

Unfortunately, not all kids are financially able to attend camp.  Thus, each year we provide the resources for two children to attend summer camp; to give them the opportunity for the same wonderful experiences that we had in our youth.

Caregivers

Some people have visual, medical, or mobility issues that make it difficult to leave their homes without assistance.  Our caregivers visit them, arrange for rides, and meet other varying needs.  Caregivers provide support that is received with gratitude and anticipation.

Church Directory

Our church directory is a valuable reference: for seeing our kids grow over the years, for remembering people we haven’t seen in awhile, and for learning people’s names. New members are provided with the current directory to help them begin to match faces with names; one more way in welcoming new members to our church community.

Coffee Hour

Following church services, the coffee hour is a time when we can get together to talk to one another, to share our concerns and celebrations with one another, or to simply say hello. We usually have punch and snacks for the children, and a large pot of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods for the grownups.

Hospitality is a ministry.  Each week, an individual or group is responsible for coordinating and staffing the coffee hour.  Volunteers help serve, others provide baked goods, and some serve in both capacities! Coffee hour is funded through direct donations made during coffee hour.

Collation Ministry

When there is a funeral or memorial service at the church, church volunteers come together to offer a simple “coffee hour” style reception in the church hall following the service. This is a ministy that is deeply appreciated by the grieving families and friends.

A committee sets up the reception area, coordinates with a caterer, and cleans up afterwards.  This activity is funded by direct donations.

Craft Fair

We have a lot of talented and artistic people in our church and in nearby communities. Once a year, we host a craft fair to provide an opportunity for others to see their creations, allowing crafters to benefit from their hard work, and providing a means for people to buy beautiful gifts for others or something special for ourselves. Crafters are charged a nominal fee per table.  Please contact the church office for an application.

A committee is formed each year to coordinate the craft fair, to advertise the event, to lease tables to the crafters, to assist with set up, and to clean up afterwards. In a typical year, we rent all the tables and pack the Parish Hall with potential customers.

Flower Committee

The Flower Committee has two distinct tasks. The first one is to provide altar flowers for our church services. People will often provide flowers for a service as a way to remember loved ones, as a way to celebrate a special occasion, or simply to provide warmth to our worship atmosphere.

The other important task of the committee is to provide flowers for those who are housebound or temporarily sidelined due to illness.  The smile on someone’s face when they receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers is, as the saying goes, priceless.

Indoor Yard Sale

It’s safe to say that many of us collect and keep items that we no longer need or will ever use again. Even though we might not need something (such as those old ice skates hanging up on that nail in your basement), it’s very possible that someone else will value it. So each Spring, usually in March, we hold an indoor yard sale as a means for people to get a jump on Spring cleaning. People are able to rent tables, and this money is used to provide financial resources for some of our church activities.

Mealgivers

Mealgivers provide meals for families and individuals going through times of illness, loss, or difficulty. It is heartwarming to know that people care about you during difficult times, and the offer of a meal is a simple but dramatic gesture, providing some measure of comfort.  We are ALWAYS open to additional volunteers.

Name Tags

There is nothing like remembering someone’s name to make a personal connection, which is why we encourage everyone to wear a name tag during the church service and afterwards. The name tags give us a little extra help getting acquainted with new faces, with faces we haven’t seen in awhile, and in just remembering faces we see every week.  Let’s be honest, some of us have trouble remembering where we left the remote control!

The name tag board is updated monthly to ensure that we have plenty of blank name tags, and to put away the name tags after church into the name tag stands so that we can easily find our name tag on the next sunday.  Each new visitor to First Church is offered a name tag as a way of welcome.

Prayer Shawl Ministry

Known cleverly as the “Knit Wits,” this tightly knit intergenerational group knits and crochets shawl and blankets for the confirmation class and others, praying for those who will receive them.  They meet together as well as work independently.  If you are new to First Church or simply like to knit or crochet, contact the church office if you would like to participate in this important ministry.

There is something especially comforting being wrapped in a shawl that was knitted and given to you to convey God’s healing  love, compassion, and mercy!

Reiki Healing Ministry

This caring ministry is based on an adaptation of the Biblical “laying on of hands” for personal wholeness and healing. The purpose of this activity is to channel “healing energy” through the practitioner’s hands, whether through the placing of hands on on the recipient in various positions, or through non-touching techniques.

Several church members have been trained in this practice.  Reiki practitioners from within our congregation as well as the surrounding communities offer treatment sessions at the church one Friday evening per month from September through June.

Summer Events

Usually sometime in July, between 15 and 30 of our more adventurous church members either go on a camping trip or embark on a four-day canoeing trip along the Saco River in Maine.  For those without canoes or camping equipment, we usually are able to borrow what we need.  These trips are organized by Jonathan, our minister.  It is a time to get away, relax, enjoy nature, and the companionship of others.

Turkey Supper

The annual turkey supper at the First Church has become a highly anticipated event; a chance for people to gather for fellowship over a scrumptious meal of freshly roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, vegetables, cranberry sauce, dinner rolls, beverages, and apple crisp with ice cream.  Many friends and neighbors of First Church join with us in this wonderful time to renew acquaintances, to laugh, and to share bread.

We have a Turkey Team who seek food donations,  sell tickets, buy food, cook the meal, set up the tables, and clean up afterwards.  It is gratifying to see all the smiling faces and contented looks as we visit with others over a meal of thanks.   The only ones generally not having a good time are the turkeys!