News Here you will find information on some of the exciting things going on at FCC. Visit this page often to review featured events, ongoing opportunities, and various updates from the congregation. Scott’s Column: The God Revolution Mar 18, 2024 | Education, NewsThe last three weeks in First Forum I've taught a series on recent theological insights into God. A number of folks asked that I put together a biography of all the... Scott’s Column: Spiritual Experiences Mar 6, 2024 | NewsWhat are your most profound or memorable spiritual experiences? Currently in our Wednesday Night Family Night's we are exploring and discussing spiritual experiences,... An Interview with Yvette Polinsky Feb 28, 2024 | Interview With . . . What is your name, and how long have you been a member at First Central? Yvette Polinsky. I grew up in the church but was not an official member. My family moved... An Interview With . . . La Dell Diaz Feb 8, 2024 | Interview With . . ., NewsBringing back an old feature of our newsletter, which will explore the myriad ways our congregants are working in the community to change lives and change the world.... Scott’s Column: Open & Nimble Feb 5, 2024 | NewsThis is the sixth and final in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 6. Given all of that I want to return to the theme I’ve been trying... Scott’s Column: Impacts on Churches Jan 30, 2024 | NewsThis is the fifth in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 5. What are the impacts, then, on churches? There are the trends we are well... Scott’s Column: Cultural Trends Jan 22, 2024 | NewsThis is the fourth in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 4. As if all of that weren’t enough, there are other cultural trends and... Scott’s Column: In a Context of Crises Jan 14, 2024 | NewsThis is part three in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024 3. Beyond the demographic trends, what else shapes the context in which we are... Scott’s Column: Changing Religious Demographics in America Jan 4, 2024 | NewsThis is part two of a series of reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 2. Even thirty years ago Mainline Protestantism was grappling with decades of decline. ... Scott’s Column: The State of the ‘Big C’ Church Jan 2, 2024 | NewsNormally in late December I begin working on my Annual Report and my State of the Church presentation for the Annual Meeting. Over the past year or so I've been trying... Scott’s Column: Resources for Living–Grief Jul 27, 2023 | News“For as one reweaves the fabric of one’s life after a loss, and as the thoughts around which one has defined one’s aims and aspirations change tense, one becomes to... Scott’s Column: State of the ‘Big C’ Church Jan 1, 2023 | NewsNormally, at the turn of the year, I begin working on my Annual Report and my State of the Church presentation for the Annual Meeting. Over the past year or so I've... Scott’s Column: Gratitude Nov 18, 2020 | NewsMy sister ordered Sebastian an Advent calendar. He knows it has arrived but hasn't seen it yet. The other day he asked what day he could open it up and begin opening... Scott’s Column: Mayflower Compact Nov 11, 2020 | NewsOn November 11, 1620 the Mayflower floated in Provincetown Harbor (the landing at Plymouth was a month away). The crew was grumbling. The voyage had been delayed,... An Interview With… Barb & Bonnie Oct 28, 2020 | Interview With . . .Long time finance guru, Lou Lamberty recently stepped down from keeping the books at First Central. He left it all in the very capable hands of Barb Switzer and Bonnie... Katie’s Musings – But/And Oct 14, 2020 | katie's musingsI’ve been thinking a lot about language and the way we use it to talk about life and each other and about God, particularly in the present covid/election/world-on-fire... Tug, My “AA” Buddy Oct 7, 2020 | Events, NewsThank you Kathy Hoyt sharing this story of her faithful Tug at this year's Pet Blessing! Unlike the rest of us, Tug is getting older. He’s not the same one or... Gospel Encounters: Fall Worship Theme Sep 1, 2020 | News"The encounter with people who are different from others, in whose lives you can see a new intelligence about reality, a fully awakened desire, a tireless initiative, a... Pandemic Stress Relief – The Labyrinth Aug 19, 2020 | NewsIn the midst of a pandemic, any activity that relieves a little stress is a welcome distraction. First Central Congregational United Church of Christ offers the... Katie’s Musings – COVID Consent Aug 12, 2020 | COVIDTo mask or not to mask… that is the question. …. no actually, it really isn’t a question. #WearAMask and #ListenToTheScientists Realistically, unless there are... Pandemic Spirituality Jun 24, 2020 | NewsThis spring Senior Minister Scott Jones wrote a series of five essays connecting our pandemic and quarantine experiences with the spiritual wisdom of the church. Here... Katie’s Musings: COVID Time Jun 24, 2020 | NewsI think the weirdest thing about COVID life is the passage of time. June is almost gone. But May was only yesterday. Remember the Australian wildfires? No? Don’t... Living Well During the Pandemic: Zoom Forums May 26, 2020 | EducationWe are living through a public health crisis with profound implications for all other aspects of human living—morality, psychology, culture, politics, economics, etc. ... From the Health Team May 13, 2020 | Education, EventsSubmitted by Bonnie Harmon, First Central Health Team In preparation for this week’s Adult Forum on Mental and Spiritual Well Being, I’ve tried to do more... From The Refugee Team May 5, 2020 | EventsWe received word last month that our (current) refugee family was struggling during this time of pandemic. The bread-winner of the Khamis family had been having... From The Health Team – Mask Mastery Apr 24, 2020 | EventsYour mask protects me, and my mask protects you. I hope you have heard this many times by now. It is the crux of why everyone who goes out of their home should be... An Interview With… Sally Lewis Mar 18, 2020 | Interview With . . .Late last year, the Council - with guidance from the Health Team - asked First Central member Sally Lewis to step into the roll of Professional Heath Advocate to our... State of the Church 2020 Jan 27, 2020 | NewsAt yesterday's Annual Meeting, Senior Minister Scott Jones delivered his annual "State of the Church" address. This being my tenth Annual Meeting as your Senior... TAGG – One Easy Way to Give to First Central! Nov 20, 2019 | News, StewardshipTAGG, which is an acronym for “Together A Greater Good” is a non-profit organization unique to Omaha. The phone app was launched a few years ago my two busy moms who... From the Health Team: Cold & Flu Season Nov 19, 2019 | NewsHere we are again, right at the onset of cold and flu season. We are all interested in things we can do to keep ourselves and others healthy. Of course, we always start... Education Spotlight: What’s Happening Downstairs? Nov 6, 2019 | Education, NewsOn Sunday mornings, the kids all head out of the sanctuary after the Children's Sermon. But then what happens? Most Sundays, the FIRSTKids time actually starts with... First Central’s All Church Retreat Sep 20, 2019 | Events Registration Form Super Station Signup Form Parables: Wednesday Night Bible Study Sep 11, 2019 | Education, Events"The parables give us access to the way Jesus re-imagined the possibility of living, of being in the world."--Brandon Scott Our Wednesday Night Bible Study this autumn... Scott’s Column: Resolution 8 Aug 27, 2019 | News“The covenant communion of the congregations with each other gives each the responsibility of engaging in a common conversation,” writes historian Randi Jones Walker in... Peace Works: Summer Camp at First Central Jul 24, 2019 | Education, NewsOur campers this summer explored the topic of peacemaking from a variety of cultural and theological perspectives. Now Katie and Scott are bringing the camp experience... First Central Library Jun 21, 2019 | Education, NewsEver wondered what books are available in the church library? The First Central Library catalog is now online. You can access it from home or office or wherever you... Katie’s Musings: Church/Theater May 21, 2019 | NewsOne of the first theatrical productions I was a part of took place in a decommissioned Episcopalian church. In retrospect, it was a bit of an odd setting for a musical... Scott’s TED Talk Apr 2, 2019 | NewsIn February Scott was an invited speaker to this year's TEDxUNO where the theme was Resilience. His talk, "Living Open" has now been published. 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Scott’s Column: The God Revolution Mar 18, 2024 | Education, NewsThe last three weeks in First Forum I've taught a series on recent theological insights into God. A number of folks asked that I put together a biography of all the...
Scott’s Column: Spiritual Experiences Mar 6, 2024 | NewsWhat are your most profound or memorable spiritual experiences? Currently in our Wednesday Night Family Night's we are exploring and discussing spiritual experiences,...
An Interview with Yvette Polinsky Feb 28, 2024 | Interview With . . . What is your name, and how long have you been a member at First Central? Yvette Polinsky. I grew up in the church but was not an official member. My family moved...
An Interview With . . . La Dell Diaz Feb 8, 2024 | Interview With . . ., NewsBringing back an old feature of our newsletter, which will explore the myriad ways our congregants are working in the community to change lives and change the world....
Scott’s Column: Open & Nimble Feb 5, 2024 | NewsThis is the sixth and final in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 6. Given all of that I want to return to the theme I’ve been trying...
Scott’s Column: Impacts on Churches Jan 30, 2024 | NewsThis is the fifth in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 5. What are the impacts, then, on churches? There are the trends we are well...
Scott’s Column: Cultural Trends Jan 22, 2024 | NewsThis is the fourth in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 4. As if all of that weren’t enough, there are other cultural trends and...
Scott’s Column: In a Context of Crises Jan 14, 2024 | NewsThis is part three in a series of personal reflections on the State of the Church in 2024 3. Beyond the demographic trends, what else shapes the context in which we are...
Scott’s Column: Changing Religious Demographics in America Jan 4, 2024 | NewsThis is part two of a series of reflections on the State of the Church in 2024. 2. Even thirty years ago Mainline Protestantism was grappling with decades of decline. ...
Scott’s Column: The State of the ‘Big C’ Church Jan 2, 2024 | NewsNormally in late December I begin working on my Annual Report and my State of the Church presentation for the Annual Meeting. Over the past year or so I've been trying...
Scott’s Column: Resources for Living–Grief Jul 27, 2023 | News“For as one reweaves the fabric of one’s life after a loss, and as the thoughts around which one has defined one’s aims and aspirations change tense, one becomes to...
Scott’s Column: State of the ‘Big C’ Church Jan 1, 2023 | NewsNormally, at the turn of the year, I begin working on my Annual Report and my State of the Church presentation for the Annual Meeting. Over the past year or so I've...
Scott’s Column: Gratitude Nov 18, 2020 | NewsMy sister ordered Sebastian an Advent calendar. He knows it has arrived but hasn't seen it yet. The other day he asked what day he could open it up and begin opening...
Scott’s Column: Mayflower Compact Nov 11, 2020 | NewsOn November 11, 1620 the Mayflower floated in Provincetown Harbor (the landing at Plymouth was a month away). The crew was grumbling. The voyage had been delayed,...
An Interview With… Barb & Bonnie Oct 28, 2020 | Interview With . . .Long time finance guru, Lou Lamberty recently stepped down from keeping the books at First Central. He left it all in the very capable hands of Barb Switzer and Bonnie...
Katie’s Musings – But/And Oct 14, 2020 | katie's musingsI’ve been thinking a lot about language and the way we use it to talk about life and each other and about God, particularly in the present covid/election/world-on-fire...
Tug, My “AA” Buddy Oct 7, 2020 | Events, NewsThank you Kathy Hoyt sharing this story of her faithful Tug at this year's Pet Blessing! Unlike the rest of us, Tug is getting older. He’s not the same one or...
Gospel Encounters: Fall Worship Theme Sep 1, 2020 | News"The encounter with people who are different from others, in whose lives you can see a new intelligence about reality, a fully awakened desire, a tireless initiative, a...
Pandemic Stress Relief – The Labyrinth Aug 19, 2020 | NewsIn the midst of a pandemic, any activity that relieves a little stress is a welcome distraction. First Central Congregational United Church of Christ offers the...
Katie’s Musings – COVID Consent Aug 12, 2020 | COVIDTo mask or not to mask… that is the question. …. no actually, it really isn’t a question. #WearAMask and #ListenToTheScientists Realistically, unless there are...
Pandemic Spirituality Jun 24, 2020 | NewsThis spring Senior Minister Scott Jones wrote a series of five essays connecting our pandemic and quarantine experiences with the spiritual wisdom of the church. Here...
Katie’s Musings: COVID Time Jun 24, 2020 | NewsI think the weirdest thing about COVID life is the passage of time. June is almost gone. But May was only yesterday. Remember the Australian wildfires? No? Don’t...
Living Well During the Pandemic: Zoom Forums May 26, 2020 | EducationWe are living through a public health crisis with profound implications for all other aspects of human living—morality, psychology, culture, politics, economics, etc. ...
From the Health Team May 13, 2020 | Education, EventsSubmitted by Bonnie Harmon, First Central Health Team In preparation for this week’s Adult Forum on Mental and Spiritual Well Being, I’ve tried to do more...
From The Refugee Team May 5, 2020 | EventsWe received word last month that our (current) refugee family was struggling during this time of pandemic. The bread-winner of the Khamis family had been having...
From The Health Team – Mask Mastery Apr 24, 2020 | EventsYour mask protects me, and my mask protects you. I hope you have heard this many times by now. It is the crux of why everyone who goes out of their home should be...
An Interview With… Sally Lewis Mar 18, 2020 | Interview With . . .Late last year, the Council - with guidance from the Health Team - asked First Central member Sally Lewis to step into the roll of Professional Heath Advocate to our...
State of the Church 2020 Jan 27, 2020 | NewsAt yesterday's Annual Meeting, Senior Minister Scott Jones delivered his annual "State of the Church" address. This being my tenth Annual Meeting as your Senior...
TAGG – One Easy Way to Give to First Central! Nov 20, 2019 | News, StewardshipTAGG, which is an acronym for “Together A Greater Good” is a non-profit organization unique to Omaha. The phone app was launched a few years ago my two busy moms who...
From the Health Team: Cold & Flu Season Nov 19, 2019 | NewsHere we are again, right at the onset of cold and flu season. We are all interested in things we can do to keep ourselves and others healthy. Of course, we always start...
Education Spotlight: What’s Happening Downstairs? Nov 6, 2019 | Education, NewsOn Sunday mornings, the kids all head out of the sanctuary after the Children's Sermon. But then what happens? Most Sundays, the FIRSTKids time actually starts with...
Parables: Wednesday Night Bible Study Sep 11, 2019 | Education, Events"The parables give us access to the way Jesus re-imagined the possibility of living, of being in the world."--Brandon Scott Our Wednesday Night Bible Study this autumn...
Scott’s Column: Resolution 8 Aug 27, 2019 | News“The covenant communion of the congregations with each other gives each the responsibility of engaging in a common conversation,” writes historian Randi Jones Walker in...
Peace Works: Summer Camp at First Central Jul 24, 2019 | Education, NewsOur campers this summer explored the topic of peacemaking from a variety of cultural and theological perspectives. Now Katie and Scott are bringing the camp experience...
First Central Library Jun 21, 2019 | Education, NewsEver wondered what books are available in the church library? The First Central Library catalog is now online. You can access it from home or office or wherever you...
Katie’s Musings: Church/Theater May 21, 2019 | NewsOne of the first theatrical productions I was a part of took place in a decommissioned Episcopalian church. In retrospect, it was a bit of an odd setting for a musical...
Scott’s TED Talk Apr 2, 2019 | NewsIn February Scott was an invited speaker to this year's TEDxUNO where the theme was Resilience. His talk, "Living Open" has now been published. Watch it here.