The Development of Congregational Polity and Early Governance in Watertown, Massachusetts”
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MASSACHUSETTS: Or the First Planters of New-England, the End and Manner of Their Coming Thither, and Abode There: in Several EPISTLES (1696)
University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln Joshua Scottow Papers Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln 1696 MASSACHUSETTS: or The first Planters of New-England, The End and Manner of their coming thither, and Abode there: In several EPISTLES (1696) John Winthrop Governor, Massachusetts Bay Colony Thomas Dudley Deputy Governor, Massachusetts Bay Colony John Allin Minister, Dedham, Massachusetts Thomas Shepard Minister, Cambridge, Massachusetts John Cotton Teaching Elder, Church of Boston, Massachusetts See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/scottow Part of the American Studies Commons Winthrop, John; Dudley, Thomas; Allin, John; Shepard, Thomas; Cotton, John; Scottow, Joshua; and Royster,, Paul Editor of the Online Electronic Edition, "MASSACHUSETTS: or The first Planters of New- England, The End and Manner of their coming thither, and Abode there: In several EPISTLES (1696)" (1696). Joshua Scottow Papers. 7. https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/scottow/7 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Libraries at University of Nebraska-Lincoln at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Joshua Scottow Papers by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Authors John Winthrop; Thomas Dudley; John Allin; Thomas Shepard; John Cotton; Joshua Scottow; and Paul Royster, Editor of the Online Electronic Edition This article is available at DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln: https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/ scottow/7 ABSTRACT CONTENTS In 1696 there appeared in Boston an anonymous 16mo volume of 56 pages containing four “epistles,” written from 66 to 50 years earlier, illustrating the early history of the colony of Massachusetts Bay. -
BIRTH of BOSTON PURITANS CREATE “CITY UPON a HILL” by Our Newssheet Writer in Boston September 8, 1630
BIRTH OF BOSTON PURITANS CREATE “CITY UPON A HILL” By our newssheet writer in Boston September 8, 1630 URITAN elders declared yesterday that the Shawmut Peninsula will be called P“Boston” in the future. The seat of government of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, which began two years ago, will also be in Boston. It follows a meeting between John Winthrop, the colony’s elected governor and clergyman William Blackstone, one of the first settlers to live in Trimount on the peninsula, so called because of its three “mountains.” Blackstone recommended its spring waters. Winthrop (pictured) left England earlier this year to lead ships across the Atlantic. Of the hundreds of passengers on board, many were Puritans seeking religious freedom, eager to start a new life in New England. They had prepared well, bringing many horses and cows with them. The new governor, a member of the English upper classes, brought the royal charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company with him. However, the company’s charter did not impose control from England—the colony would be effectively self-governing. Arriving in Cape Ann, the passengers went ashore and picked fresh strawberries—a welcome change from shipboard life! Colonists had previously settled in the area, but dwellings had been abandoned after many had died in drastically reduced by disease. But Winthrop the harsh winter or were starving. is taking few chances by spreading out One early colonist was Roger Conant, who settlements to make it difficult for potentially established Salem near the Native Naumkeag hostile groups to attack. people. But Winthrop and the other Puritan In time, Winthrop believes many more leaders chose not to settle there, but to continue Puritans will flock to his “City upon a Hill” to the search for their own Promised Land. -
Exploring Boston's Religious History
Exploring Boston’s Religious History It is impossible to understand Boston without knowing something about its religious past. The city was founded in 1630 by settlers from England, Other Historical Destinations in popularly known as Puritans, Downtown Boston who wished to build a model Christian community. Their “city on a hill,” as Governor Old South Church Granary Burying Ground John Winthrop so memorably 645 Boylston Street Tremont Street, next to Park Street put it, was to be an example to On the corner of Dartmouth and Church, all the world. Central to this Boylston Streets Park Street T Stop goal was the establishment of Copley T Stop Burial Site of Samuel Adams and others independent local churches, in which all members had a voice New North Church (Now Saint Copp’s Hill Burying Ground and worship was simple and Stephen’s) Hull Street participatory. These Puritan 140 Hanover Street Haymarket and North Station T Stops religious ideals, which were Boston’s North End Burial Site of the Mathers later embodied in the Congregational churches, Site of Old North Church King’s Chapel Burying Ground shaped Boston’s early patterns (Second Church) Tremont Street, next to King’s Chapel of settlement and government, 2 North Square Government Center T Stop as well as its conflicts and Burial Site of John Cotton, John Winthrop controversies. Not many John Winthrop's Home Site and others original buildings remain, of Near 60 State Street course, but this tour of Boston’s “old downtown” will take you to sites important to the story of American Congregationalists, to their religious neighbors, and to one (617) 523-0470 of the nation’s oldest and most www.CongregationalLibrary.org intriguing cities. -
By Alan D. Strange
MJT 14 (2003) 57-97 JONATHAN EDWARDS AND THE COMMUNION CONTROVERSY IN NORTHAMPTON by Alan D. Strange JONATHAN EDWARDS CAME to Northampton, Massachusetts in 1727 to serve as assistant pastor to his renowned maternal grandfather, Solomon Stoddard. He and his grandfather agreed on most things, including what it meant to be a true Christian. Stoddard taught that a saving work of the Holy Spirit was necessary for one to be a true Christian and to be admitted to heaven.1 Edwards agreed with this and taught the same throughout his life.2 Stoddard also taught that whether or not someone had experienced such a saving work of the Holy Spirit was not necessarily discernable by others. Because the saving work of the Holy Spirit remained ultimately undetectable, Stoddard taught that anyone who agreed with the doctrines of Christianity and was moral in life could partake of Holy Communion, whether they professed such a saving work or not.3 Edwards came to disagree with this and argued that 1Many examples of this from Stoddard’s preaching and writing might be adduced. See his Safety of Appearing in the Righteousness of Christ (Northampton: S. & E. Butler, 1804; rpt., Morgan, PA: Soli Deo Gloria, 1995), 161-261, and The Tryal of Assurance (a lecture-day sermon preached by Stoddard in Boston on July 7, 1698, published there by B. Green and J. Allen), 6-7. 2Edwards’s emphasis on the necessity of a saving work of the Holy Spirit is such a pervasive theme that the entirety of his corpus demonstrates his unshakeable conviction of the necessity of “A Divine and Supernatural Light Immediately Imparted to the Soul by the Spirit of God …” as seen in Wilson M. -
Congregational Study Committee Report
Congregational Study Committee Report First Presbyterian Church of New Haven 704 Whitney Avenue New Haven, CT 06511 fpcnh.org 2016 – 2017 Mission Statement First Presbyterian Church is a worshiping community of progressive Christian believers in the greater New Haven region. We are a broadly diverse and welcoming congregation, and include people from the city of New Haven and many of the surrounding towns, as well as many from the university communities. We gather on Sunday morning to worship God, and throughout the week to be about the work of God in the world. We are a part of the Reformed tradition, which means that we value the Word of God in Scripture, and as we understand it in the midst of today’s world. In the Word of God read and proclaimed, in music which stirs the soul, in the nurture of children and adults alike, we seek to serve God together. Report submitted August 22, 2016 1 Table of Contents 1. Background and Purpose of This Report 3 2. FPCNH Church History 4 3. FPCNH Organizational Structure 6 4. Survey Process 8 5. Demographic Snapshot and Comparison 9 6. Findings from Survey and Small Groups A. Theological Stance 12 B. Christian Education 13 C. Worship and Nurturing our Church Community 14 D. Mission and Social Justice 16 E. Community Interviews 17 F. Traits of an Ideal Pastor 19 7. Our Vision: Who We Are and Who We Want to be as Christ’s Community in this Place 21 Appendices: 1. Statement of Financial Position, End of Year 2015 23 2. -
A Model of Christian Charity Directions
A Model of Christian Charity Directions: Use the primary source below to do a quality PSA. Don’t forget the text specific question! John Winthrop's A Model of Christian Charity - delivered on board the Arbella as members of the Massachusetts Bay Colony sailed toward the New World - describes the struggle of Puritans and their "errand into the wilderness." Winthrop's address comes down to us as a cultural artifact, an integral part of our national legacy, and the city it envisions at its climax is a key to ideas of American exceptionalism which became such an important part of the place of the United States in world affairs. John Winthrop (1588-1649) was the first Governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Like most members of the Colony, Winthrop was a Puritan. This group claimed that the Church of England was corrupted by selfish leaders and petty squabbles. In contrast, Puritans envisioned an idealized community in which all citizens would focus their lives on the word of God. The text of A Model of Christian Charity, written in 1630, can be found below. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- God almighty in His most holy and wise providence hath so disposed of the condition of mankind, as in all times some must be rich, some poor, some high and eminent in power and dignity, others mean and in subjection. Reason: First, to hold conformity with the rest of His works, being delighted to show forth the glory of His wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures and the glory of His power, in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole. -
Biblical Pictorial Timeline & Resources a My S Ands
Biblical Pictorial Timeline & Resources ANDS. S MY A RT BY RT A ONSIN. ONSIN. C IVER FALLS, WIS IVER FALLS, R H, H, C COPYRIGHT © 2016 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHUR COPYRIGHT © 2016 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL The Biblical Pictorial Timeline is a collection Think about this image: of 36 images depicting Bible stories. The What do you see in this image? timeline and its related books are a creative, Where is Jesus? engaging way to foster biblical literacy and Why are the fish important? interpretation, and encourage people to find What the man in front doing? their place in the unfolding drama of the Bible. The timeline is applicable to a wide variety of congregational settings; connects worship, education, and mission; and provides a link between church and home. 110 North Third Street, River Falls, Wisconsin 715-425-2052 l www.firstchurchrf.org Biblical Pictorial Timeline l Draws in viewers with exceptional-quality art. l Fosters biblical interpretation and increases biblical literacy. l Presents images chronologically or thematically. l Augments all types of Christian Education curricula. l Connects to a variety of educational settings. l Offers a strong connection between worship, education, and mission. l Provides an effective link between home and church through the books. Available Resources Books The Story of God’s Love for Us is similar to a children’s Bible featuring the timeline’s art. This book is designed to be given at the time of baptism. It includes all 36 timeline images. 74 pages. Light in the Darkness tells the overarching story of the Bible from creation to Pentecost. -
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST “Unexpected Places” the UCC General Synod Comes to Cleveland, Ohio
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH First Church News UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Columbus Ohio June 2015 Volume 163 No. 6 “Unexpected Places” The UCC General Synod comes to Cleveland, Ohio June 26-30, 2015 By The Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens With a theme of “Unexpected Places,” the 2015 General Synod of the United Church of Christ will be in Cleveland, June 26-30. We have a great opportunity as members of this denomination and active supporters of its ministry and mission to support the work of the UCC in our home state this month! People from around the globe and around the nation who make up the many congregations of the UCC will descend upon Cleveland – like the Holy Spirit descending upon the church at Pentecost – and become the church gathered for action in five days on the lakefront of Ohio’s north coast. There is much planned for the five days of General Synod. In order to experience the length and breathe of the UCC in action, I highly recommend you go the www.ucc.org and cruise through the General Synod links. You will read about keynote speakers, special worship services, workshops, 16 resolutions (which I have attached at the end of this article) and special dinners and events. You have opportunities to bake cookies, volunteer your time and service to the larger church. Having served as a delegate to three General Synods and having attended six others, it is a dynamic gathering of the church in faith and action. I highly recommend you take time to visit the Synod and become an active participant as you see the church in worship, fellowship and action. -
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH UNITED CHURCH of CHRIST “CONNECT!” We “Reconnect” in September As We Launch Our New Fall S
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH First Church News UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST Columbus, Ohio September 2016 Volume 164 No. 9 “CONNECT!” We “reconnect” in September as We Launch our New Fall Season: Bring family, friends, and neighbors to church as we begin again! By Rev. Dr. Tim Ahrens “Connect” is our theme for 2016-2017. The staff and lay leadership of First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus have been hard at work getting ready for a glorious fall season. From Worship and preaching, to Christian Education, to Music Ministry, to Stewardship, to building preparation, to justice and mercy missions, to Celebration/Legacy Sunday, to the start of our largest Confirmation Class and joy of being back together again, we have been preparing for a great fall season! Inside this issue you can read about all the excitement that has been building. Here are some highlights as we move joyfully into the Fall. On September 4 – Labor Day Sunday/End of Sermon Series - I will bring to a close the five-part sermon series, Mental Illness: The Journey In, The Journey Out. My final sermon is entitled, Blessed are the Stigma Busters. The entire series will be printed in booklet form. In addition, we will have them posted on-line and our podcasts will be available for you to hear and share. On September 4, we will also celebrate Holy Communion at both services. On September 11 – The 15th Anniversary of 9/11 – Faith Formation Time Kick-off, Adult Choir Returns, Requiem at 4 p.m. - Christian Education kicks off at 10 a.m., the Adult Choir returns and we launch into a whole new season! The fun begins on the Second Sunday of September! Bring friends, children, grandchildren, co-workers and NEIGHBORS to church! My sermon is entitled, “When Everything Changed.” Everyone is invited back to church in the afternoon. -
Centennial Booklet
1918 to 2018 The Walls Tell Our Story First Congregational Church September 10, 1916 Order of Worship Just 5 days after the fire, Dr. William Barton reflected the church’s resolve to rebuild. This message was contained in the Sunday worship bulletin. Our Baptism of Fire “Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned with fire; and all our pleasant things are laid to waste.” Isiah 64:11 Our beloved church building was struck by lightning about 5:45 o’clock Tuesday morning, September 5, 1916, and totally destroyed. The fire was reported at 6:10 and the fire department was on the ground and hard at work before the arrival of the pastor about 6:20. At that time the spire was blazing fiercely. No flame was visible inside, but the fire was breaking out at the ridge pole above the echo organ, and at the eaves on both the east and west sides at the points of junction of the nave wall and transepts. At the same time fire was almost certainly under way in the swell organ in the extreme northeast corner of the church. The main building was not set on fire by the falling of the spire, for the fire was already well advanced in the attic, though the fall made more apparent the hopelessness of our effort to save the church. With a strong south wind blowing, there was imminent danger that the church house also would be lost; and the greater part of the church house furniture was moved by the willing and heroic service of volunteers, through the rain into near-by homes. -
A Platform of Church Discipline Gathered out of the Word of God
Maine State Library Maine State Documents Winthrop Congregational Church, United Church Winthrop of Christ Books 1949 A platform of church discipline gathered out of the Word of God: and agreed upon by the elders: and messengers of the churches assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New England Congregational Churches in Massachusetts; Cambridge Synod. Follow this and additional works at: http://digitalmaine.com/wccucc_books Recommended Citation Congregational Churches in Massachusetts; aC mbridge Synod., "A platform of church discipline gathered out of the Word of God: and agreed upon by the elders: and messengers of the churches assembled in the Synod at Cambridge in New England" (1949). Winthrop Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Books. Book 12. http://digitalmaine.com/wccucc_books/12 This Text is brought to you for free and open access by the Winthrop at Maine State Documents. It has been accepted for inclusion in Winthrop Congregational Church, United Church of Christ Books by an authorized administrator of Maine State Documents. For more information, please contact [email protected]. PLATFORM OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE GATHERED OUT OF THE WORD OF GOD: AND AGREED UPON BY THE ELDERS: AND MESSENGERS OF THE CHURCHES ASSEMBLED IN THE SYNOD AT CAMBRIDGE IN NEW ENGLAND To be presented to the Churches and Generall Court for their consideration and acceptance, in the Lord. The Eight Moneth Anno 1649 Psal: 84 1. How amiable are thy Tabernacles O Lord of Hosts?Psal: 26.8. Lord I have loved the habitation of thy house & the place where thine honour dwelleth. Psal: 27.4. One thing have I desired of the Lord that will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the dayes of my life to behold the Beauty of the Lord & to inquire in his Temple. -
Colonies with Others Puritan Colonies Were Self-Governed, with Each Town Having Its Own Government Which Led the People in Strict Accordance with Puritan Beliefs
Note Cards 1. Mayflower Compact 1620 - The first agreement for self-government in America. It was signed by the 41 men on the Mayflower and set up a government for the Plymouth colony. 2. William Bradford A Pilgrim, the second governor of the Plymouth colony, 1621-1657. He developed private land ownership and helped colonists get out of debt. He helped the colony survive droughts, crop failures, and Indian attacks. 3. Pilgrims and Puritans contrasted The Pilgrims were separatists who believed that the Church of England could not be reformed. Separatist groups were illegal in England, so the Pilgrims fled to America and settled in Plymouth. The Puritans were non-separatists who wished to adopt reforms to purify the Church of England. They received a right to settle in the Massachusetts Bay area from the King of England. 4. Massachusetts Bay Colony 1629 - King Charles gave the Puritans a right to settle and govern a colony in the Massachusetts Bay area. The colony established political freedom and a representative government. 5. Cambridge Agreement 1629 - The Puritan stockholders of the Massachusetts Bay Company agreed to emigrate to New England on the condition that they would have control of the government of the colony. 6. Puritan migration Many Puritans emigrated from England to America in the 1630s and 1640s. During this time, the population of the Massachusetts Bay colony grew to ten times its earlier population. 7. Church of England (Anglican Church) The national church of England, founded by King Henry VIII. It included both Roman Catholic and Protestant ideas. 8. John Winthrop (1588-1649), his beliefs 1629 - He became the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony, and served in that capacity from 1630 through 1649.