{"id":13014,"date":"2023-11-21T12:39:37","date_gmt":"2023-11-21T18:39:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/?p=13014"},"modified":"2023-11-21T12:39:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T18:39:37","slug":"october-2023-listening-tour-east-coast-and-back-to-wisconsin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/october-2023-listening-tour-east-coast-and-back-to-wisconsin\/","title":{"rendered":"October 2023 Listening Tour &#8211; East Coast and back to Wisconsin"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1185.6px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><h6 style=\"padding-left: 40px; text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>October 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/h6>\n\n\t\t<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 {\n\t\t\t\tmargin: auto;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-item {\n\t\t\t\tfloat: left;\n\t\t\t\tmargin-top: 10px;\n\t\t\t\ttext-align: center;\n\t\t\t\twidth: 25%;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 img {\n\t\t\t\tborder: 2px solid #cfcfcf;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {\n\t\t\t\tmargin-left: 0;\n\t\t\t}\n\t\t\t\/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes\/media.php *\/\n\t\t<\/style>\n\t\t<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-13014 gallery-columns-4 gallery-size-thumbnail'><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2041 Biddeford\" data-caption=\"Second CC of Biddeford, ME\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2041-Biddeford-rotated.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2041-Biddeford-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13017\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2041-Biddeford-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2041-Biddeford-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13017'>\n\t\t\t\tSecond CC of Biddeford, ME\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2062 Biddeford 2\" data-caption=\"Second CC of Biddeford, ME\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2062-Biddeford-2-rotated.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2062-Biddeford-2-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13018\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2062-Biddeford-2-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2062-Biddeford-2-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13018'>\n\t\t\t\tSecond CC of Biddeford, ME\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2068 Warren ME\" data-caption=\"Second CC of Warren, ME\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2068-Warren-ME-rotated.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2068-Warren-ME-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13019\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2068-Warren-ME-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2068-Warren-ME-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13019'>\n\t\t\t\tSecond CC of Warren, ME\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2070 Warren ME\" data-caption=\"Clothes Closet, Warren, ME\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2070-Warren-ME.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2070-Warren-ME-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13020\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2070-Warren-ME-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2070-Warren-ME-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13020'>\n\t\t\t\tClothes Closet, Warren, ME\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2077 Robbins\" data-caption=\"Robbins Memorial CC, Greenfield, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2077-Robbins.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2077-Robbins-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13021\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2077-Robbins-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2077-Robbins-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13021'>\n\t\t\t\tRobbins Memorial CC, Greenfield, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2082 White Oaks CC\" data-caption=\"White Oaks CC in Williamstown, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2082-White-Oaks-CC.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2082-White-Oaks-CC-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13022\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2082-White-Oaks-CC-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2082-White-Oaks-CC-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13022'>\n\t\t\t\tWhite Oaks CC in Williamstown, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2092 FCC Westfield\" data-caption=\"First CC of Westfield, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2092-FCC-Westfield.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2092-FCC-Westfield-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13023\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2092-FCC-Westfield-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2092-FCC-Westfield-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13023'>\n\t\t\t\tFirst CC of Westfield, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2096 FCC Westfield\" data-caption=\"First CC of Westfield, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2096-FCC-Westfield-rotated.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2096-FCC-Westfield-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2096-FCC-Westfield-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2096-FCC-Westfield-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13024'>\n\t\t\t\tFirst CC of Westfield, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2106 FCC Hadlyme\" data-caption=\"Hadlyme CC in East Haddam, CT\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2106-FCC-Hadlyme.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2106-FCC-Hadlyme-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13025\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2106-FCC-Hadlyme-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2106-FCC-Hadlyme-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13025'>\n\t\t\t\tHadlyme CC in East Haddam, CT\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2112 FCC Hadlyme 2\" data-caption=\"Hadlyme CC, East Haddam, CT\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2112-FCC-Hadlyme-2.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2112-FCC-Hadlyme-2-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13026\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2112-FCC-Hadlyme-2-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2112-FCC-Hadlyme-2-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13026'>\n\t\t\t\tHadlyme CC, East Haddam, CT\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2117 Florence CC\" data-caption=\"Florence CC, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2117-Florence-CC-rotated.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2117-Florence-CC-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13027\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2117-Florence-CC-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2117-Florence-CC-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13027'>\n\t\t\t\tFlorence CC, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"IMG_2127 Florence CC 2\" data-caption=\"Florence CC, MA\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2127-Florence-CC-2.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2127-Florence-CC-2-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13028\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2127-Florence-CC-2-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/IMG_2127-Florence-CC-2-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13028'>\n\t\t\t\tFlorence CC, MA\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><br style=\"clear: both\" \/><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"FullSizeRender St J\" data-caption=\"St. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield, WI\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13016\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13016'>\n\t\t\t\tSt. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield, WI\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl><dl class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<dt class='gallery-icon portrait'>\n\t\t\t\t<a data-rel=\"iLightbox[postimages]\" data-title=\"FullSizeRender St J 2\" data-caption=\"St. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield, WI\" href='https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-2.jpeg'><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-2-200x200.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-13015\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-2-66x66.jpeg 66w, https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/FullSizeRender-St-J-2-200x200.jpeg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/dt>\n\t\t\t\t<dd class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-13015'>\n\t\t\t\tSt. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield, WI\n\t\t\t\t<\/dd><\/dl>\n\t\t\t<br style='clear: both' \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<p style=\"background: white; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">Saturday, October 14<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">, brought a leisurely visit to the\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">Second Congregational Church of Biddeford, Maine<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#40). The members, led by Rev. Cat Anglea, minister to the community by opening their space to addiction recovery groups and Bon Appetit, which provides dinners for 50-100 people on weeknights. On Saturday mornings, volunteers of all ages pick up trash in the town. A highlight of the year is Kids\u2019 Shopping Day. Children can select items for their parents and others to discover the joy of giving. Our delicious soup lunch was graced with the youngest and oldest members of the congregation, spanning over 90 years in age.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">On Sunday, October 15<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">, I worshipped at the\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">Second Congregational Church of Warren, Maine<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#41). Following worship, we enjoyed beef stew with homemade yeast rolls and a selection of fall desserts, including pumpkin cake. Yum. During lunch, pictures of recent events scrolled on a television screen. The church takes pride in flowers and landscaping that complement recent improvements on the exterior and interior. Rev. Bette Bond and I made the short, uphill walk to a converted building behind the Baptist church. There, we visited a clothes closet, well-stocked with laundered garments available for free to local families. Displays included Halloween and Christmas attire and a fun tiger hat costume. Congregationalists and Baptists look forward to a shared Thanksgiving Eve worship service, one of many ecumenical collaborations in Warren.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">Tuesday morning, October 17<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">\u00a0(#42), I was in western Massachusetts.\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">Robbins Memorial Congregational Church<\/span><\/strong>, an expansive Tudor structure, was preparing for pie sales. Members reminisced about selling pies at the fair years ago. On Sunday, they observed Pastor Appreciation Month by surprising clergy members of the congregation with a cake.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">After a drive along the Mohawk Trail, I found myself at\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">White Oaks Congregational Church<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#43) in Williamstown, Massachusetts. I was ninety minutes early and was welcomed inside for freshly baked shortbread and tea with the moderator and pastor. Later, we were joined by other members. The church has experienced several deaths in recent years. It has carved out a unique ministry of providing storage and finding new homes for household items following those losses. Members were looking forward to an upcoming bazaar with a pancake breakfast.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">On October 18<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">, I spent a couple hours with leaders at\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">First Congregational Church in Westfield, Massachusetts<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#44). I enjoyed hearing about an upcoming Halloween party for EVERYONE \u2013 kid-friendly food, candy, and games for all ages. A significant outreach to the community is the Blessed Buys Thrift Shoppe, occupying an adjacent building with rooms designated for books, household items, clothing, and more! A walk through the historic meetinghouse included a stroll through the balcony with impressive views of the pews and chancel. Windows at the front of the church provide a prime vantage point for looking out on the town square.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">Friday, October 20<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">, carried me along winding roads to our newest (provisional) member church,\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">Hadlyme Congregational Church in East Haddam, Connecticut<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#45). Founded in 1742, this rural congregation calls itself the \u201csmall church with a big heart.\u201d It comprises individuals who have been members for over eighty years, following in their parents\u2019 and grandparents\u2019 footsteps, and members who are new to the community or held membership in other historically Congregational churches in the area. The members enjoy fellowship and coffee after every service. I enjoyed homemade pie with freshly whipped cream \u2013 comfort food in good company on a rainy afternoon.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">Florence Congregational Church in Massachusetts<\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">\u00a0(#46) welcomed me on October 22 for one of their traditional worship services, held twice a month in conjunction with a restart. In collaboration with the Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, the church is planning a performance and discussion of the writings of Jonathan Edwards. Music for that occasion was a distinctive offering during the service. The sermon and liturgy acknowledged the conflict and crisis in the Middle East, with concern expressed for the Jewish congregation that worships in the same space. Longtime \u2013 and new \u2013 church members reflected on the strength of their relationships with one another and the clergy who have blessed them in the past and present.<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"background: white; box-sizing: border-box; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; widows: 2; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; word-spacing: 0px; margin: 0in 0in 15.0pt 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #3d4145;\">Back home in Wisconsin, I worshipped with\u00a0<strong style=\"box-sizing: border-box;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif;\">St. Jacobi Congregational Church in Richfield<\/span><\/strong>\u00a0(#47) on October 29. This church, founded in 1851, joins other congregations and the fire department for fundraising breakfasts. Their minister, Jerry Eisner, is a graduate of the Lay Ministry Training Program. Beautiful banners made by a member of the church grace the walls of the sanctuary and fellowship hall. Like the Hadlyme congregation, this church in farm country rejoices in its identity as a \u201clittle church with a big heart.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/the-listening-tour\/\">Back to the main Listening Tour page<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":655,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[384],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13014","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-listening-tour"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/655"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13014"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13014\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13029,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13014\/revisions\/13029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naccc.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}