[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 18]
[Senate]
[Page 24947]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  275TH ANNIVERSARY OF FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, UNITED CHURCH OF 
                                 CHRIST

 Ms. SNOWE. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the First 
Congregational Church, United Church of Christ of South Portland, ME, 
on the momentous occasion of its 275th anniversary. What a tremendous 
milestone and enduring testament to the church's centuries of spiritual 
leadership and goodwill.
  Established in 1733, the church held its inaugural worship service in 
1734 and has, through its steady growth and exemplary commitment to 
others, expanded its ministries, championed education for all, and 
engendered an abiding sense of fellowship for literally hundreds of 
years. Although the physical buildings of worship may have changed over 
time, the church's fundamental mission--to foster its congregation's 
spiritual life while offering outreach to others through words and 
actions--has not wavered.
  Although this church's history and time-honored presence within the 
South Portland area are truly remarkable, the First Congregational 
Church, United Church of Christ concentrates its energies and attention 
on its current and future role within the greater community--to serve 
members of its congregation and people whose lives are enriched by the 
interaction of the ministry, the congregants, and the faith that binds 
them to a benevolence of purpose that is an inspiration to all.
  Through such practical programs as the Discovery Center preschool, 
the Community Crisis Ministries Program, the Mission and Outreach 
Team--which offer soup kitchen and food pantry assistance--and the 
Social Witness Ministries that address current sociocultural and 
environmental challenges, this church truly extends its reach beyond 
its walls in the selfless quest to contribute to others.
  As 2009 represents a monumental moment of celebration in the life of 
the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ, I wish to 
offer my heartfelt congratulations and profound gratitude to all who 
have sustained the dynamic work of this church in centuries past and 
who will do so for many more years to come.

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