CAMDEN — With the new year on the horizon, members, friends, and staff of the First Congregational Church of Camden are unveiling a new series of weekly lunchtime gatherings called Cake and Community. An entirely volunteer-driven effort, Cake and Community aims to be a social gathering hub for citizens who seek conversation and companionship during the bleak months of winter.

Beginning January 10 and running through March 27, 2024, Cake and Community will convene on Wednesdays, from 12 to 1 p.m., in the church’s Pilgrim Room. Each week a team of volunteers will host the gathering, providing dessert and hot beverages. Attendees are encouraged to bring lunch if they wish.

Once each month, Reiki will also be offered in the Mayflower Room. All are welcome to experience a 10-minute mini session of Reiki prayer during the following three Cake and Community dates: January 31, February 28, and March 27. There will be a sign-up sheet available when you arrive on these dates.

“All are welcome to join us for Cake and Community this winter!” said the Church, in a news release. “We will listen and learn as we come together to beat the winter doldrums.”

If you have questions, please call the Church Office at 207-236-4821 or email churchoffice@camdenucc.org. Otherwise, please drop in to Cake and Community when it convenes on Wednesday, January 10.

“We hope to see you in the Pilgrim Room at First Congregational Church, 55 Elm Street, Camden,” said the release.

Background

For 15 years, The First Congregational Church hosted Soup’s On!, a weekly soup lunch between late fall and early spring. That program was halted in 2020, due to the Covid pandemic. After careful consideration, the group concluded that there are not enough volunteers to restart Soup’s On! Cake and Conversation, the new program that has emerged from those deliberations, hopes to fill that gap.

Founded in 1805, The First Congregational Church of Camden is an Open and Affirming Congregation of the United Church of Christ. Worship service is held every Sunday morning at 9:30 am, and all are welcome. Nursery care is provided during worship and Faith Connections, an intergenerational ministry model for its faith formation programming with children and youth, takes place directly following worship on the second and fourth Sundays each month, between September and June. For more information about the life of First Congregational Church, visit www.camdenucc.org, follow us on Facebook, call 207-236-4821, or stop by the church at 55 Elm Street, Camden.