In the event of war, the First Congregational Church-UCC of Williamstown, will immediately open its doors for prayer and sanctuary for all; and will offer a community-wide potluck dinner at 6 p.m. on the day hostilities commence.
“It will be our inclination to scurry to the seeming safety of our individual homes to watch the mainline media give us ‘approved news’ about the fighting,†said Reverend Carrie Bail, Pastor of the congregation, “Instead we believe that it is being in community and in breaking bread together that we will find our faith and our security; thus we have instead decided to open our Fellowship Hall for a potluck meal when and if war begins. We hope that everyone , no matter what their faith or ethnicity, will be inspired to join us, to break bread and to offer our prayers or our silence as we feel led.â€
Nationally some clergy have agreed to be part of a two-day fast as a symbol of protest should war begin. Pastor Bail invites those choosing to attend this meal to consider beginning their fast afterwards.
“I truly believe that breaking bread together makes all the difference,†Pastor Bail continued, “One day earlier this week I sat around a table with two friends: one Jewish, one Muslim, and me as a Christian. We laughed and ate together, having so much more in common than we do in difference. Our best and most hopeful response to a world at war is to gather at table together, as we would hope the rest of the world would be able to do.â€
Please call (413-458-4273) or e-mail (fcc.willi@verizon.net) the First Congregational Church in Williamstown if you have questions. In order to maintain some sort of "balance" in the potluck meal, it is suggested that people whose last names begin with the letters A-F bring a main dish; G-L bring a salad; M-R bring bread; and S-Z bring desert.
The First Congregational Church is located on Main Street (Rt. 2) immediately opposite the top of Spring Street. Parking is available behind the church, and the building is handicap accessible.
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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer
By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.
In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.
Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear.
The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.
"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."
Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.
In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.
The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.
"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.
The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.
In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.
"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said.
Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.
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