Welcome The First Congregational Church of Hatfield, United Church of Christ has been serving Christ and the people of this community since 1670. We are the church born of the Pilgrims and Puritans, but we are also the church that professes boldly that “God is still speaking,” We listen to and respect the traditions of those who came before us, but we believe also that the Spirit has not grown silent and never will. As Paul revels in the power and potential of faith, he exclaims: “Everything has become new!” (2 Cor. 5:17) The living church is not afraid of change and this gives a vibrancy to our worship, our theology and our people.
Hatfield Congregational Church invites all people to join us in worship. We truly mean it when we say, “Whoever you are, and wherever you are along life’s journey, you are welcome here!” Our congregation is open and affirming. If you are a person or a family of faith, or a person or a family searching faith, you are welcome in our church – whoever you are.
We seek to inspire and inform through Word, music, community, service and space. The holy can be touched in so many ways. We invite you to join us in worship on Sunday mornings at 10AM and to linger afterwards to meet our members and friends during coffee hour.
My name is Randolph Calvo and I am the new pastor here. I was Ordained in 1985, but I joined the UCC in 2017 because of its progressive theology and its vibrant democracy. I respect the church’s openness to others of faith so that in true, Christian humility we pray that “they all may be one.” Jesus asks for unity not uniformity. I would love to talk with you about any questions you may have, or simply just talk with you. I may be reached at randyc1897@gmail.com or by calling (413) 824-1630.
In Christ’s service,
Rev. Randy Calvo
Our Church The First Congregational Church of Hatfield, United Church of Christ, is located at 41 Main Street in beautiful Hatfield, Massachusetts. The town and church were founded simultaneously in 1670. Ever since our twin birth, the church has valued our place as the community’s church. The church has been a beacon of faith and of good works in this small community through many generations. We are blessed with warm and friendly members, a historic place of worship, a lovely home town and an upbeat outlook for our future.
Our vision To join together – in Christian worship as a loving community of all those in search of God’s purpose in their lives no matter their circumstances or position.
To work together – in reaching out to our neighbors and our community, and to help those who suffer in body and spirit. In the spirit of the earliest church, we practice a fundamental equality and an honest democracy.
To learn together – by preaching and studying the Gospel and Christian tradition. We seek in them and through the Spirit’s inspiration wisdom, peace, love, and truth in action.
We are Open and Affirming Open and affirming means we are a congregation that practices extravagant welcome. We profess in one form or another at the beginning of each worship Service: “Whoever you are, and wherever you are on life’s journey, you are welcome here.” Being Open and Affirming is a public commitment of our acknowledgment and full acceptance of the dignity all who choose to become a part of the body of Christ. The following covenant has been voted and adopted by First Congregational Church of Hatfield.
Jesus teaches us that we are to love one another and to love our neighbor as ourselves. So we pledge to love by listening to what each of us has to say, respecting and embracing every one of our brothers and sisters, and understanding we all have a vital place in the kingdom of God on earth and in heaven. In this way each of us becomes Open and Affirming, opening our hearts to the identity of our neighbor and opening our minds to the many lifestyles, ideas and cultures of the world. We affirm the dignity of every person as created by God and in the image of God.
As a congregation of Christians, traveling together on our spiritual journeys, we welcome and invite all persons of every race, age, gender, gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, culture, physical ability, mental capacity and economic condition to become full and respected participants in the life of this body of Christ. We do so in imitation of the boundary defying and moral defining embrace of all people that Jesus revealed in His life.
What is the United Church of Christ and what do we believe? We believe in God's continuing testament. We try to remain attentive to God's creative movement in the world.
We profess that religion and science are not mutually exclusive. Your head and heart are both welcome in our places of worship. Jesus lived and died to take away our sins, not our minds.
We prepare our members and leaders to be engaged in the varied ministry of church.
We believe in and welcome all into our community of faith. This is why we insist that Christ's communion table is open, not closed.
We teach that evangelism — offering spiritual bread to those in need of it — is our mission. The resurrected Jesus commands us: “‘Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.’” (Mark 16:15)
We advocate justice for all. We take pride in our place as prophetic truth-tellers, advocating for causes on their merits rather than their popularity. Our congregations extend hospitality and practice Christian charity as signs of God's inclusive love.
We hold to a global perspective. We work with — not against — people of other churches and faiths.
We believe the church's mission is to change lives — individually, systemically and globally. We work to make transformation possible trusting in the power of God's grace.
We believe churches must be places of vitality in worship, learning and advocacy.
Why?
Because our faith is 2,000 years old. Our thinking is not.