Upcoming Events & Invitations

Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill will guest preach at First Church on November 16. In his sermon, Rev. Dr. Ewing-Merrill will be addressing how, in the face of climate catastrophe, we can making meaning and develop a faithful response. What if global climate change is not only a concern for scientists and activists to address, but also an invitation for people of faith to show up with our unique perspectives, postures, and practices — celebrating our oneness with all of Creation and mobilizing for the sake of our common home?

Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill serves as Executive Director of The BTS Center, a small Portland-based nonprofit, growing from the deep roots of the former Bangor Theological Seminary. Ordained in the Methodist tradition, Allen served local churches for 20 years, and as founding Executive Director of Hope Acts, a Portland nonprofit focusing on housing asylum seekers and helping immigrants succeed. In addition to nonprofit and congregational leadership, he has extensive experience in advocacy, direct action, and faith-based organizing around issues of justice and equity. He is deeply engaged in conversations about a generous, inclusive Christianity, about faithful responses to the climate crisis, and about the future of the church. Allen lives in Portland, Maine with his spouse, Rev. Sara Ewing-Merrill, and they are the parents of three daughters.

Rev. Marvin Ellison, Ph.D., will guest preach at Bridgton UCC on November 30, the first Sunday in Advent.  Drawing on the life story of the late U.S. Congressman John Lewis, Ellison will speak, in a sermon titled “Holding onto Hope,” about an ethic of hope in perilous times and our calling to exercise the distinctive “powers of the weak” to keep hope alive. The scripture reading will be Luke 1:5-13, 24-25.

Ellison, an ordained Presbyterian minister, is an educator and author who taught Christian ethics at Bangor Theological Seminary for thirty-five years.  Among his books are The Center Cannot Hold: Towards a Global Economy of Justice and Making Love Just: Sexual Ethics for Perplexing Times. In 2009 and again in 2012, he helped organize people of faith throughout Maine in support of marriage equality.  He developed a voluntary chaplaincy service at Planned Parenthood and also worked on Maine’s Death with Dignity campaign.  More recently, he’s led a Wabanaki Allies working group at First Congregational Church in South Portland, where he’s an associate member and serves on the church council.  He’s also active with Grace Street, an outreach ministry serving the unhoused community in southern Maine.  He lives in Portland with his husband Franklin Brooks, a clinical social worker, who taught at the University of New England.

We are happy to announce our toddler group continues to meet weekly!  Come and join in the fun with your little person!

Exciting program for little ones and their grown ups! You are welcome to join us and experience some music and creative play. Free and open to all – we’re looking forward to seeing you here! (Parking and entrance are both behind the church.)

Please contact our office for dates and times!

Jeanette’s Closet is a free clothing room, open to all. The Closet offers clothing for all ages, footwear, household linens, and bedding. Come check it out Tuesday from 9 to 11 am downstairs in our Fellowship Hall.

Photos of Jeanette’s Closet, taken March 2025

This group meets weekly to hold church members and loved ones in prayer and study a book together. The current book is Rob Bell’s Love Wins.

Prayer group meets at 1:30 via ZOOM, Tuesday afternoons. Contact the church office for the zoom link.

This group will be on hiatus through July and August.

First Church Senior Choir meets weekly on Thursday evenings (7 to 9 pm) and Sunday mornings (9 to 10 am) for rehearsal. Are you interested in joining a robust and enthusiastic group of singers? Or looking for more information about the senior choir? Email our senior choir director Debbie at dowen@bridgtonucc.org.

Choir is on hiatus for the summer.

We have two offerings open to all:

• Wednesdays at 10 am, led by our Senior Pastor, the Rev. Emily C. Goodnow: Calling all who are curious about scripture, hungry for community, and/or eager for a deeper connection to our sacred texts. We will study the text(s) that will be read in the following Sunday’s service. No commitment is required and no attendance will be taken — come every week, or once in a while, or just drop in to connect with some good people, drink deeply of our sacred stories, and learn a thing or two. All ages, beliefs, and familiarity with the Bible are welcome. Please join us! 
• Fridays at 2 pm, hosted by lay leader Debbie Owen: This group is reading a book on Revelation together. For more information contact the church office.