IN THE COMMUNITY
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The Houghs Neck Congregational Church is an integral part of the community and is involved in many community activities. Our Pastor offers an blessing, invocation or benediction at events such as the Good Neighbor Banquet, the Community Council's Book Award Night, the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Harvey's Salt Water Fishing's Blessing of the Fleet. At the Annual Chowdafest Bake Sale, members of the church’s mission committee sponsor a bake sale. The proceeds from the sale benefit an organization which supports children in some way. Past recipients of the bake sale monies have included the No Kid Hungry, Quincy Community Action Programs and Interfaith Social Services. For the past few years, the money has been donated to the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Program which is part of the Quincy Public Schools. This program helps support the children in our schools who are homeless by providing athletic and field trip fees, school supplies, and even basic personal items such as clothing, soap and shampoo and much more. Since 2018, our bake sale has raised thousands of dollars for this program. The Seaside Social Club sponsors a Historical Houghs Neck Series presented by our own Patti Williams. The event is held in the Fellowship Hall and is open to the public free of charge. Following the Annual Community Council Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Firestation, attendees walk the short distance to the church where they enjoy hot cocoa and refreshments to warm them on a cold winter evening while socializing with neighbors. The church opens their doors to the needs of the community. The hall is often used for large meetings by the Community Council. Troop 6 of the Boy Scouts of America and their cub packs have met here for over a half century. Various girl scout troops also use the meeting space. When needed, the Houghs Neck Garden Club has held their plant sale or other special events in the church hall. Being a neighbor to the Atherton Hough School, we are pleased to open our facilities for their annual Polar Express viewing, Teacher Appreciation luncheon and any other event where the space is needed. Many events are organized for the participation of the community, such as the Princess Tea, Lobster/Fish Dinner, Strawberry Festival, and Chili Cook-Off and occasionally even a Piratefest. Wherever there is a need, church members are eager to share their talents, time and facilities. For instance, when the Community Council received a grant to build a new playground at Brill Field, members of the church not only supplied breakfast for all of the volunteer workers but also worked alongside them to help complete the playground for the community children. Founded as a community church, we take that mission to heart. |