Congregational Church of Topsfield

06/03/2026

Why does a church celebrate Pride?

Pride is an opportunity to affirm something we believe at the heart of our faith: every person is created in the image of God and worthy of love, dignity, and belonging.

Many LGBTQ+ people have experienced rejection, exclusion, or silence from religious communities. We also know that churches have not always reflected the expansive love of Christ.

We witness to a different message.

You are beloved.

You are welcome.

You do not have to hide who you are to belong here.

As an Open and Affirming congregation, we celebrate Pride because we believe God's love is wider than our fears, stronger than our divisions, and big enough to embrace us all.

Happy Pride Month from the Congregational Church of Topsfield. 🌈

06/01/2026

Happy Pride Month!

At the Congregational Church of Topsfield, we believe every person is created in God's image and worthy of love, dignity, and belonging.

As an Open and Affirming congregation, we celebrate the beautiful diversity of God's people and commit ourselves to the work of welcome, justice, and love.

If you're looking for a place...you are welcome here.

04/29/2026

What kind of world do we live in when people are arrested trying to deliver care packages for others who are inhumanely detained?

"This is a matter of doing what's right," Smith said, "even in the face of the possibility of not being successful." - Rev. Allison Smith, Senior Minister of the Congregational Church of Cumberland, ME

Yes, Allison. And there are also things we can do that will be successful with a little organizing and effort.

Tomorrow we'll gather at Trinity Episcopal Church of Topsfield to meet with Essex County Community Organization - ECCO and learn more about actions we can take locally to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by the current administration's approach to immigration. More info here: https://www.facebook.com/events/2845441005810131

Several dozen faith leaders and volunteers from Maine joined activists in Massachusetts for the action at ICE's Burlington field office.

04/25/2026

Who? You! A caring adult. We think everyone should be caring adults - helping the next generation grow into the best versions of themselves.

This is useful training whether you're a parent, grandparent, friend, coach, neighbor or just someone who participates in the world (which means everyone). By giving up a little of your time, you'll be equipped when situation presents.

No one wants our children and youth to be in pain, to feel disconnected, to be addicted, or to feel helpless. And it takes every one of us to care for them.

Thanks Tri-Town Council for the work you do in our communities and for organizing this important training.

🧠💚 Today’s the LAST DAY to register for Youth Mental Health First Aid Training!

What is Youth Mental Health First Aid?
It’s a skills-based training that teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges in young people—and how to respond in a supportive, effective way.

Why sign up?
✔️ Learn how to identify early warning signs
✔️ Gain practical tools to support youth in crisis or distress
✔️ Build confidence in having important conversations
✔️ Help create a more informed, compassionate community

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, educator, coach, or community member—this training gives you the tools to make a real difference.

⏰ Registration closes TODAY! Learn more and Register here: https://www.tritowncouncil.org/events-1/2-day-youth-mental-health-first-aid
Be part of the change. 💬✨

04/24/2026

Sometimes we struggle to figure out how to make our beliefs, convictions, our faith visible. We struggle to figure out how to make a tangible difference.

First Church in Salem, Unitarian Universalist is setting an example for us - showing us the way. As a faith community that believes every person has inherent worth and dignity they've created a Children's LGBTQ+ Little Free Library. A tangible gift to not only the local community but also to the multitudes of tourists who visit Salem every year - who may have access to these types of books where they live.

Thanks First Church for being a beacon of love!

Our stock of books for our Children's LGBTQ+ Little Free Library is getting low! Spring tourism has begun, which means that books will leave our library much more quickly from now through October. We hope to get a book with positive LGBTQ+ representation into the hands of any young person passing by who would like it—especially since many of our tourists come from areas where these books are not always easily available.

You can use this link to order from our wishlist and have a book shipped directly to the church: https://bookshop.org/wishlists/dfd23c8da3a3afb158b319a897b3869b55ddfa57

Or, if you prefer, you can buy the book elsewhere and bring it in on a Sunday morning (used books are totally fine as long as they are still in good condition!). Books also do not have to be on the list! If there's a book you know and love that isn't included, we would love to learn about it.

04/24/2026

We believe in power and importance of intergenerational community building. Hats off to the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestras for sponsoring this event. This event is free - but you have to get a ticket from the Ipswich Council on Aging.

Join the Northeast Massachusetts Youth Orchestra for a free concert and pasta dinner for seniors on May 4 at Ascension Memorial Church.

04/23/2026

So important that we keep talking, keep remembering, keep acting.

Join us to reflect, connect and find nourishment.

04/19/2026

This morning we read the story of the road to Emmaus, two disciples walking 3 days after the crucifixion. The tomb is empty. The disciples are sad and confused. They were hoping Jesus would free them from the tyranny of the Roman government and re-establish Israel, but now he's dead.

A stranger joins the disciples on their walk, asking what they are talking about. They take a risk and tell him about Jesus and how they thought he was the Messiah. Remember, Jesus was killed because the authorities wanted to silence him. Voicing belief in Jesus as the Messiah is a risky move.

But on the road the disciples share who they are and what they believe. And later they invite the stranger to stay with them. And only then, when they gather to eat, do they recognize that the stranger who has been walking with them is Jesus, himself.

What if they hadn't been brave enough to share their thoughts and convictions? What if they hadn't been courageous enough to invite the stranger to stay?

04/17/2026

One of the dreams we're living into at Topsfield Congregational Church is to be an intentional intergenerational community that honors what each person brings - each person, young and old. Sometimes though, we really struggle.

If you look around, there aren't very many places in our society today that engage intergenerational community. We are siloed from one another. Separated because of our developmental milestones and maturity - but that separation harms us. It robs us of what's possible when we make space for and honor and see one another. When we recognize that each age and stage has a unique way of seeing and interacting with the world that the rest of us can benefit from.

Sharing what the Tag It from Tri-Town Council is one way we can honor intergenerational community and see one another. Thanks Tri Town Council for doing this activity and for sharing it with all of us!

In honor of Youth Voice Week, we’re sharing our March Tag-It Tuesday collage.

Each month, TTC invites Masco Middle School students to respond to a prompt inspired by the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets Framework. This time, we asked: “What do you wish adults understood about middle schoolers?” and they definitely had a lot to say.

Why does this matter? Because creating space for youth voice is essential to healthy development. When young people feel heard, respected, and understood, they build confidence, strengthen relationships with trusted adults, and are more likely to engage positively in their communities.

We truly believe that when youth feel heard and understood, they have the opportunity to thrive—and their voices can guide us in building a stronger, more supportive community for everyone.

Take a moment to sit with a middle schooler in your life and really listen. It may not always be easy to hear, but creating a safe space where they feel heard and understood makes all the difference.