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ALL THE LATEST NEWS
First Church’s 104th Summer Fair is a GO!
Against the backdrop of a beautiful view of Mount Monadnock, the First Church in Jaffrey holds its annual Fair on the first Wednesday in August from 1 to 4 pm, in this iconic New England village that is on the National Register of Historic Places. 104th Summer Fair at First Church! On Thursday, May 27, 2021, some past Fair leaders met to talk about the viability of a Fair and what changes or omissions might be wise in light of our nation’s recovery from the pandemic and our aging...
First Church in Jaffrey is resuming outdoor services
First Church in Jaffrey is resuming outdoor services one step at a time. The first step is the Pentecost service scheduled for presumed good weather at 10:30 on Sunday, May 23. It’s too early in this unpredictable COVID variant time to state the precise COVID prevention guidelines. After assessing the latest COVID trends and the weather forecast, we will make an announcement by email and telephone tree on Friday, May 21 if there are changes in plans. Our expectations are that we will still...
First Church in Jaffrey’s Labyrinth Is Open for Walking in Circles
JAFFREY First Church in Jaffrey’s Labyrinth Is Open for Walking in Circles The First Church in Jaffrey invites you to walk in circles in its Peace Labyrinth and meditate in a neighborhood of 18th and 19th century historic buildings and houses. The Labyrinth is at the back of the 1831 red brick church, which is next to the 1775 Jaffrey Meetinghouse on the Jaffrey Center Common. Built in 2005 with stones brought by members of the congregation and the wider community, this non-denominational...
ANNUAL MEETING
Shortly after the Sunday service, First Church in Jaffrey held its annual meeting. Carol Hess, Sylvia Hamilton, and Janet Grant were re-elected as Moderator, Clerk, and Treasurer. A plan to rotate membership on the board of Trustees was approved. Gwen Gundlach and Sylvia Hamilton continued as Trustees through 2020, Ken Campbell and Jane Jontz will continue as Trustees through 2021, and Sam Greene and Tom Warren will serve as Trustees through 2022. The Annual Report was accepted and noted for...
Rev. Dr. Luther P. Durgin
In Memoriam Rev. Dr. Luther P. Durgin August 28, 1932 – December 16, 2020 Luther and Diane Durgin came to First Church in 2000 after a long career of settled ministry and interim ministry, occasionally as co-pastors. Together they mentored our intended minister Debbie Hill while she finished her studies at Andover-Newton Seminary. In addition to providing guidance to the minister-in-training, our congregation thoroughly enjoyed Luther’s leading worship one Sunday a month, with Diane doing so...
Rev. Dr. John Hasbrouck Van Ness
Rest in Peace, John Van Ness As some of you may already have heard, after several months under hospice care, John VanNess, 90, passed away quietly in his sleep the morning of January 4. We are very saddened at the thought of his absence in our lives; we hope and pray, John, that your much-anticipated exploration of “the other side” is bringing you all the delight and wonder you had imagined. There will be a private memorial service for the family video-recorded live at the church on Sunday;...
