All are warmly welcome at these upcoming events. If we can do something to make you feel more comfortable with us, be in touch! We would love to see you here.
Upcoming Events & Meetings
The Missions Committee at the First Church of Bridgton is sponsoring a plant sale on Saturday, June 7th , from 8 am to noon, rain or shine.
Look for the tent full of tried-and-true perennials from local gardens, plus seedlings, houseplants, garden décor and more in front of the Oberg
Insurance Building at 132 Main St. in Bridgton.
Additionally, a raffle of garden décor will be available; tickets are $1 each. All proceeds will benefit local community projects that our Missions Committee supports.
Did you know Maine has a foster care crisis? We currently have 2,339 foster children in Maine and not enough families to welcome them, which means children in crisis are sometimes spending weeks in hotels with case workers while they wait for a place in a home. We currently have 272 foster children in Cumberland County and 140 in Oxford County. Each of these is a beloved child of God who deserves a safe and loving home.
The organization A Family For Me is coming to our church to host a foster care information session on Sunday, June 8th at 12:30 pm in our church. This is a gathering for folks who are considering becoming foster families, for anyone who wants to learn more, and for those of us who can’t be foster parents right now but who would be enthusiastic supporters of people in our church family doing this work. If, like me, you’re not able to foster right now but you might be open to offering meals, rides, free babysitting, or other tangible support to a family in our church if they choose to become foster parents, please come! I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there. For more information contact Pastor Emily or visit https://afamilyformemaine.org/.
Interested in joining First Church as a member? Below are our upcoming new member gathering sessions and corresponding joining dates!
- Sunday, June 22nd, 2 pm, new member gathering session
- Joining date: Sunday, June 29th
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!
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.
We have two offerings open to all:
- Wednesdays at 10 am: Calling all who are curious about scripture, hungry for community, and/or eager for a deeper connection to our sacred texts. Hosted by Rev. Emily in the church parlor. 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! This calls will meet monthly in the summer (June 11 is our June meeting) and resume weekly in September.
- Fridays at 2 pm, led by Debbie Owen: Joy, unity, and perseverance in faith. Do these sound like themes you’d like to explore with a small group of fellow spiritual travelers? Please consider joining us as we explore Paul’s very short letter to the Philippians. Paul wrote it while in prison, yet he encourages his readers to find joy in all circumstances and live in harmony, reflecting Christ’s humility. Discover how the message of Philippians can transform your perspective, inspire resilience, and deepen your relationship with God. This will be a truly uplifting time in your week! Fridays at 2 pm on the following dates: May 9 and 16, June 6 and 13. This class will be on hiatus through July and August.
Did you know that we have a robust Sunday School, Vacation Bible Camp, youth choir, and more offered here at First Church?
Check out our page on services offered for children and youth at first church to learn more!
At First Church, our goal for our youth choir is to provide opportunities for youth to develop a sense of belonging and connection to spiritual community through a variety of musical experiences like singing, playing instruments, creative expression, improvisation, composition, and through inclusive and accessible intergenerational collaboration.
Our youth choir is directed by Cassie Cooper-Ricci (they/them). Get to know Cassie on our staff page!
Youth aged 5 to 18 are invited to join our youth choir, and can join any week! (Children under the age of 5 can attend if accompanied by a parent.) Rehearsals take place on Sundays. Sessions will be in 6 to 8 week blocks and culminating in formal or informal music performance opportunities.
More details including rehearsal schedules can be found on our youth choir page (it is password protected; if you haven’t been given the password, please contact our office or our youth choir director to request access).