As the new pastor of the church, I have been amazed by how people described their relationship with the church as transformative – that their involvement with this congregation has deeply impacted their lives and changed them for the better. Here’s just a few such sentiments I have heard: I give thanks for the loving kindness and generous Spirit that is at…

Sermon delivered August 13, 2023 by Rev. Mark Seifried @ Haydenville Congregational Church, UCC.Publication here is for devotional purposes and not for duplication. Based upon Exodus 1:8-2:10, Mystic, Episcopal priest, writer, and internationally renowned retreat leader Cynthia Bourgeault shares a great little tale in her book, The Wisdom Way of Knowing. Bourgeault spins her parable this way:Once upon a time, in a…

By Annie Turner Sermon delivered July 2, 2023  at Haydenville Congregational Church READINGS: ISAIAH 43: 16-21 & 1 JAMES: 12-18. “SEE I AM DOING SOMETHING NEW; NOW IT SPRINGS FORTH, DO YOU NOT PERCEIVE IT?” HELLO, MY DEAREST PEEPS. I HOPE YOUR DAY IS GOING WELL, AND I PRAY THAT MY WORDS WILL GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND UPLIFT IN THIS DAY AND…

Haydenville Congregational Church is committed to social justice work. On Sunday, March 26, Doug Renick offered this message about the social justice mission as part of opening words. Friends, the following two passages are the foundation of our peace and justice work here at HCC: From Matthew 25 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)  ‘Come, you that are blessed by God, inherit the…

By Rev. Andrea Ayvazian I was recently interviewed on a local radio program about my reflections on the state of the peace and justice movement in the Valley and around the country. At the end of the show, the host asked: “So Andrea, what keeps you going? What gives you hope?” Those are good questions, and I should have predicted he would…