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Health & Fitness

A faith community for the rest of us

Do you call yourself spiritual but not religious?  Or are you a “none”- no religious affiliation?  Then you may be interested in a new kind of faith community that is being developed at the First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main Street in Bethel.  The first gathering of that new community will be held on November 3 at 5:30pm.

Have you been turned away from a church because your lifestyle, beliefs or family make-up doesn’t fit their theology?  We apologize.  We know how painful that can be.  And we hope to create a faith community that celebrates you just as you are.

Do you feel turned off by organized religion?  Sometimes so do we!

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Don’t get us wrong- we love our church.  We cherish our 254 year history of ministry in Bethel.  Many of us are spiritually fed by our traditional service of worship.  We’re proud of the hospitality the church has provided to spiritual seekers and community groups of all kinds.  And it’s because of these things that we are creating a new kind of spiritual community- one that takes the best elements of our heritage as Christians and members of the United Church of Christ and shapes them to meet contemporary needs.

Did you know that the name of our town is the name for a place where the human and divine meet?  It’s true- the word “Bethel” means “house of God”.  Our goal in creating this new community is to develop a place where people who are looking for a new way to experience the divine in community can gather.  We want this new family of faith to be community where spirits are fed and minds engaged, a place where questions are encouraged and space is made for doubt, a place to seek answers to deep questions and be supported in living a life of integrity.

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Our first gathering will be this Sunday, November 3, at 5:30pm.  We’ll begin with a time to experience God in music and prayer, readings from sacred and secular sources, and reflection on our theme for the day.  There will be an opportunity to offer or receive prayer for yourself or another person.  The Lord’s Supper, or communion, will also be served to anyone who wishes to receive it. Having fed our spirits, we will feed our bodies by sharing a potluck meal together. 

Come as you are!  No matter who you are, or where you are on life’s journey- you are welcome.  For more information, please contact Laura Westby at 203-743-1877. 





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