ABOUT US

Linfield Church can be traced as far back as 1862 with the gift of land from Jefferson March. This was the seed of our growth. The actual building of the chapel took place during the summer of 1878 under the name Limerick Station Union Chapel. Then, on July 6, 1891, the church was incorporated as the Linfield Reformed Church, reflecting the change in name of the town. We remained the Reformed Church until June 1934, when the Reformed and Evangelical churches merged. This union remained in effect for 23 years until, in June of 1957, the Evangelical and Reformed Church merged with the Congregational Christian Church to become what is now known as the United Church of Christ. The church building has grown to accommodate an expanding congregation. These changes included a church school extension in 1940 to house a growing Sunday School. In 1958 the sanctuary was expanded, and Christian Education rooms were added. The illuminated steeple and large stained-glass window were part of this expansion project. In 1969 a two-story addition was completed to provide additional educational space, replacing the "church house" which was torn down. We take pride in maintaining the church property with improvement projects on a yearly basis.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR PASTOR

The whirlwind of September is upon us! The kids are back in school, the church calendar is bursting with activities and new ideas, and Labor Day is just around the corner. We’re caught up in the hustle and bustle of a new season—school supplies to buy, meetings to attend, schedules to manage. And as if that wasn’t enough, the familiar sniffles and sneezes of fall allergies and back-to-school colds have already made their presence known. It’s like everything suddenly decided to happen all at once!

In the midst of this chaos, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and, let’s be honest, a little run-down. I’ve caught myself more than once this week forgetting to take a moment to breathe, let alone take care of myself. If you’re feeling the same way, know that you’re not alone. But did you know that September is National Self-Care Awareness Month? It’s a timely reminder, especially during this busy season, to prioritize our health—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

National Self-Care Awareness Month began as a way to encourage individuals to take time for themselves, recognizing that self-care is not selfish but essential. It’s about finding those small moments in our day to breathe, reflect, and recharge. It’s about nurturing our bodies with rest, our minds with peace, and our spirits with connection to God.

As Christians, we’re often so focused on serving others that we forget to care for ourselves. I’m reminded of a scripture we’ll be hearing this month from the Gospel of Mark, where Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” However, while this calling is at the heart of our faith, we must remember that we cannot pour from an empty cup. Jesus himself took time to rest, to pray, and to be alone with God. If we are to follow his example, we too must embrace the practice of self-care.

So, this September, I want to invite you to join me in making self-care a priority in our spiritual lives. On Sundays, the 8th, 15th, and 22nd, we will be dedicating time in our worship services to learn about and practice spiritual disciplines that can help us care for our whole selves. We’ll delve into practices like centering prayer, exploring a finger labyrinth, or breath prayer, we’ll discover how these gifts from God can restore and renew us. These Sundays will be an opportunity not only to learn but to experience firsthand the peace and strength that comes from taking time to connect with God.

As we navigate this busy season (or perhaps this busy year?!), let’s remember that taking care of ourselves is not an indulgence but a necessity. It enables us to be the best versions of ourselves for our families, our community, and our church. So, as we juggle the many demands of September, let’s commit to making self-care a priority, knowing that in doing so, we are living into our call as disciples of Christ.

Blessings and peace,

Pastor Caroline

OUR FAITH

Drawn together by the Holy Spirit, we are a distinct and diverse community of Christians that come together as one church, joining faith and action. In covenant with the church in all its settings, we serve God in the co-creation of a just and sustainable world as made manifest in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

OUR COMMUNITY

We are a small faith community with BIG hearts. Our welcoming and faithful congregation has embarked on a journey to minister within the community and ourselves. The members of Linfield UCC are a community of followers of Jesus Christ. We seek growth in our faith through worship, mission, education, fellowship, and loving service to others.

"That they may all be one."

John 17:21