Much more than a building — it's a place of fellowship, solace & contemplation!
Sunday, December 1, 2024 - Worship 10:00 AM (In person or via ZOOM)
Sermon: When the Road Sings - Kathleen Reed, Pastor To join via ZOOM, please contact us at (617) 479-8778 or [email protected] |
Houghs Neck Congregational Church (UCC)
310 Manet Avenue Quincy, MA 02169 (617) 479-8778 Parking & Directions |
Are you searching for a spiritual home where all are welcome? Look no further. When our forefathers and mothers settled and formed a church in Houghs Neck 129 years ago, they did so to provide a Christian community that would affirm who they were, their histories, their families and their deep faith in a loving God and their unity in the spirit. It is this legacy that we continue to lift up.
We are an open Community of Faith serving the families and people of Houghs Neck, Quincy and surrounding communities. We seek to create a space for all believers who know their spiritual pilgrimage is one among many. We seek to honor each person’s walk with God and see others who seek the loving presence of God as brothers and sisters.
We are an open Community of Faith serving the families and people of Houghs Neck, Quincy and surrounding communities. We seek to create a space for all believers who know their spiritual pilgrimage is one among many. We seek to honor each person’s walk with God and see others who seek the loving presence of God as brothers and sisters.
Pastor’s Note
November 2024
As you may have observed, since becoming your Designated Term Minister on July 1st 2023, I’ve been navigating several learning curves. I feel I’ve made progress. For example, I can almost always remember to say “debts” instead of trespasses when saying the Lord’s Prayer.
But I continue to stumble when it comes to remembering how our Fiscal Year works. I’ve been used thinking of the Calendar Year and a church’s Fiscal Year as one and the same. However, our HNCC financial calendar runs from July 1 to June 30, which is the norm for many institutions including universities.
To wrap my head around this, I’ve come to think of our financial pattern as akin to a sports season. And if we were a baseball team entering into the second quarter of the season, we might say that the Congregational Houghs Neckers are experiencing a “building year.”
Our ministry is currently funded approximately 40 households who either make annual pledges or—while not “pledging”—give generously according to a regular pattern known only to our Financial Secretary Shirely Pearson. Additionally, most years that “ministry muscle” gets a big boost from fundraisers like craft fairs, yard sales, and the Chili Cook-Off.
The reason I’d call this season a “building year” is the fact that we have had some key players on the I.L. (Injured List), including our best fundraising-pitcher Gayle Mackay.
At the same time, we need to remember that we had a record-breaking season last year, ending in the black AND completing the sanctuary-adjacent accessible restroom with enough to fund a new sewage ejector this year!
Botton line: we need to add a little more muscle to our individual giving, scout some new or hidden talent, and re-think how we can deepen our fundraising game.
We have great team spirit and the best coaching staff in the universe. There is no reason we can’t turn our fiscal season around, breaking new records by June 30, 2025!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:21-22
Amen?
Pastor Kathleen O. Reed, DTM
Determined Team Minister
November 2024
As you may have observed, since becoming your Designated Term Minister on July 1st 2023, I’ve been navigating several learning curves. I feel I’ve made progress. For example, I can almost always remember to say “debts” instead of trespasses when saying the Lord’s Prayer.
But I continue to stumble when it comes to remembering how our Fiscal Year works. I’ve been used thinking of the Calendar Year and a church’s Fiscal Year as one and the same. However, our HNCC financial calendar runs from July 1 to June 30, which is the norm for many institutions including universities.
To wrap my head around this, I’ve come to think of our financial pattern as akin to a sports season. And if we were a baseball team entering into the second quarter of the season, we might say that the Congregational Houghs Neckers are experiencing a “building year.”
Our ministry is currently funded approximately 40 households who either make annual pledges or—while not “pledging”—give generously according to a regular pattern known only to our Financial Secretary Shirely Pearson. Additionally, most years that “ministry muscle” gets a big boost from fundraisers like craft fairs, yard sales, and the Chili Cook-Off.
The reason I’d call this season a “building year” is the fact that we have had some key players on the I.L. (Injured List), including our best fundraising-pitcher Gayle Mackay.
At the same time, we need to remember that we had a record-breaking season last year, ending in the black AND completing the sanctuary-adjacent accessible restroom with enough to fund a new sewage ejector this year!
Botton line: we need to add a little more muscle to our individual giving, scout some new or hidden talent, and re-think how we can deepen our fundraising game.
We have great team spirit and the best coaching staff in the universe. There is no reason we can’t turn our fiscal season around, breaking new records by June 30, 2025!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:21-22
Amen?
Pastor Kathleen O. Reed, DTM
Determined Team Minister
upcoming events in the life of our church
Both the Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionaries define a choir as an organized company of singers. Neither state that you have to be able to read music, have perfect pitch or an amazing voice. The Houghs Neck Congregational Church choir welcomes anyone who loves to sing. Each Wednesday evening from September through May, our talented director Steve Reed works with us going over individual parts until we are comfortable with them then magically combines our voices and voila - we have a four-part anthem for our Sunday service!
So, if you love to sing, give us a try. We meet at the Church (310 Manet Avenue, Quincy, MA 02169) Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:30 PM then again at 9:30 AM Sunday mornings to prepare for the 10:00 AM Worship Service.
Bible, Brews & Qs - Wednesdays 10-11AM - Luke
Gather for a midweek pick me up. Bible for inspiration,
Brewed coffee and the Questions we all wrestle with. To join via ZOOM, please contact us at (617) 479-8778 or [email protected] Houghs Neck Congregational Church (Coffee Room) 310 Manet Avenue Quincy, MA 02169 |
Seaside Social Club - Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Houghs Neck Congregational Church
310 Manet Avenue Quincy, MA 02169
PRE-HOLIDAY
SHOPPING NIGHT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
6:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
Sponsored by the Seaside Social Club
Houghs Neck Congregational Church
310 Manet Avenue, Quincy
Dozens of vendors and artisans
50/50 Raffle
Bake Sale
Gift Baskets
Free Admission and Refreshments
Event is open to the public – invite your friends
SHOPPING NIGHT
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2024
6:00 TO 9:00 P.M.
Sponsored by the Seaside Social Club
Houghs Neck Congregational Church
310 Manet Avenue, Quincy
Dozens of vendors and artisans
50/50 Raffle
Bake Sale
Gift Baskets
Free Admission and Refreshments
Event is open to the public – invite your friends
QUINCY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Leslie Bridson
McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Foster Care Point of Contact
300 Granite Street, Quincy, MA 02169
617.376.1197
617.984.8808 (FAX)
[email protected]
October 30, 2024
Dear Pastor Kathleen and Houghs Neck Congregational Church Friends,
Thank you so much for the generous donation from the Chowdafest! I hope you had a successful day!
As in past years, we will use this wonderful donation to help our Quincy students experiencing hardships and trauma, including homelessness, neglect, loss, and displacement. The check was deposited into our Student Support Fund and will be used to purchase various necessities for our students, including toiletries, school supplies, food gift cards, bedding supplies, clothing, and other basic needs.
I received steady, almost non-stop, calls from school principals and from the Department of Children Services (DCF) during our summer break. Each call notified me of another very troubling and sad situation involving children and teens in our schools – resulting in the students being removed from their homes.
These calls for assistance have only increased exponentially since we started school only a few months ago.
As you know, your donation will reach students and families who are homeless, students in foster care, those who lost a parent or may be experiencing significant illness, unaccompanied teens, fire victims, victims of domestic violence, refugees and others who have fled wars, along with children and teens who have additional instances of severe trauma.
Thankfully, due to the Church’s compassion and kindness, we have already been able to offer substantial support to many of these students. Your donation has, and will continue to, enable these students to attend school with a sense of belonging and well-being – knowing that others care for them.
Thank you again for all you do to help our Quincy students. I am so fortunate to have such caring, thoughtful community members assist me. The Hough Neck Church community continues to make lasting, positive impacts for our students and for that, I am always extremely appreciative.
I hope you all enjoy the Fall and have a joyous, blessed Thanksgiving.
Leslie Bridson, Quincy Public Schools
Leslie Bridson
McKinney-Vento Coordinator
Foster Care Point of Contact
300 Granite Street, Quincy, MA 02169
617.376.1197
617.984.8808 (FAX)
[email protected]
October 30, 2024
Dear Pastor Kathleen and Houghs Neck Congregational Church Friends,
Thank you so much for the generous donation from the Chowdafest! I hope you had a successful day!
As in past years, we will use this wonderful donation to help our Quincy students experiencing hardships and trauma, including homelessness, neglect, loss, and displacement. The check was deposited into our Student Support Fund and will be used to purchase various necessities for our students, including toiletries, school supplies, food gift cards, bedding supplies, clothing, and other basic needs.
I received steady, almost non-stop, calls from school principals and from the Department of Children Services (DCF) during our summer break. Each call notified me of another very troubling and sad situation involving children and teens in our schools – resulting in the students being removed from their homes.
These calls for assistance have only increased exponentially since we started school only a few months ago.
As you know, your donation will reach students and families who are homeless, students in foster care, those who lost a parent or may be experiencing significant illness, unaccompanied teens, fire victims, victims of domestic violence, refugees and others who have fled wars, along with children and teens who have additional instances of severe trauma.
Thankfully, due to the Church’s compassion and kindness, we have already been able to offer substantial support to many of these students. Your donation has, and will continue to, enable these students to attend school with a sense of belonging and well-being – knowing that others care for them.
Thank you again for all you do to help our Quincy students. I am so fortunate to have such caring, thoughtful community members assist me. The Hough Neck Church community continues to make lasting, positive impacts for our students and for that, I am always extremely appreciative.
I hope you all enjoy the Fall and have a joyous, blessed Thanksgiving.
Leslie Bridson, Quincy Public Schools
Eldy’s Yoga
Houghs Neck Congregational Church – lower level
Tuesdays 1:00–2:00PM
Cost $5 per session
Let’s Get Moving – Even if you think you can’t
Eldy’s yoga was developed specifically for those over 50 or those with joint issues who might find other forms of exercise difficult. The sessions can be done entirely from a seated position or can be done standing and seated (no poses that require you to be on the floor). You will learn to coordinate your breath and movement. You will also increase your strength and flexibility. If this sounds right for you please join us with our certified yoga instructor, Linda Beck. Hope to see you there. Namaste.
Houghs Neck Congregational Church – lower level
Tuesdays 1:00–2:00PM
Cost $5 per session
Let’s Get Moving – Even if you think you can’t
Eldy’s yoga was developed specifically for those over 50 or those with joint issues who might find other forms of exercise difficult. The sessions can be done entirely from a seated position or can be done standing and seated (no poses that require you to be on the floor). You will learn to coordinate your breath and movement. You will also increase your strength and flexibility. If this sounds right for you please join us with our certified yoga instructor, Linda Beck. Hope to see you there. Namaste.