Isiah Booker
John Rodriguez
William Owens
Brian Odiorne
Robert Boniface
Alexandria Morrow
Austin Bieren
Mark De Alencar
Cameron Thomas
Joshua Rodgers
Weston Lee
Kyle Milliken
Do you recognize these names? I didn't. They are the men and women who have died in US military service so far in 2017 (according to the "Honor the Fallen" website). Twelve people who vowed to serve their country, and gave their lives to that promise. I think I remember news reports about the deaths of Rodgers and Thomas in April, but otherwise these young lives lost hadn't registered with me. But this weekend, we'll all remember. Not just these 12 precious souls, but the more than one million people who have died in US wars beginning with the Revolutionary War. So many have been forgotten to history, we don't know their names or their stories. But this weekend we will remember that they lived, and died. And in their honor, we will once again vow to do all that we can so - someday - no son or daughter will die in war.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
|
|
Worship
Sunday, May 28, 9:30 am
Join us this Sunday for intergenerational worship and the baptism of Mabel Sterling (see more information below). Mabel is so little she won't remember her baptism. Maybe you don't remember yours either. So this Sunday we'll renew our own baptisms!
This Sunday we will celebrate the baptism of Mabel Sterling, daughter of Graham and Brittany (Erickson) Sterling, granddaughter of Cindy Blanchard. We know many folks might be away for the holiday weekend, so we wanted to share Mabel's wonderful "bio" with you!
Brittany Sterling came to UCCB in 1997 as the elder daughter of the new minister, John Erickson. UCCB has become a place of deep connection, meaning, and unconditional support for Brittany as the community has continued to serve as a surrogate family to her throughout her awkward teen years and the havoc she and her fellow youth group members committed before moving on to college. UCCB has continued to show love and support as Brittany was blessed to find her husband, Graham Sterling, and give birth to their son, Graham, and their daughter, Mabel! Graham works as a Navy Psychologist in Bethesda, Maryland while Brittany stays at home with their children and completes her graduate degree in Clinical Psychology. Brittany and Graham enjoy rest, relaxation, eight hours of uninterrupted sleep, dogs and baby goats, and watching their incredible children discover their passions, explore the world, and love completely. Graham V enjoys playing outside, animals, exercising his vivid imagination, being a big brother, reading stories, and showering his family with love. Mabel enjoys smiling at people, anything involving her big brother, her dogs (especially Lucy), bright lights, chewing pacifiers, also showering her family with love, and looks forward to eating solids someday. Brittany and Graham pray their children will maintain their innocence and faith in all that is good despite the many unexpected challenges and upsetting moments they may encounter throughout their lifetimes. They hope Graham and Mabel will live their lives certain of their parents' unconditional and undying love and support, knowing they are encouraged to become their authentic selves and cultivate joyful lives. This baptism is a wonderful reminder of the depth of their support network and the countless ways belonging to a faith community can bring strength and resilience to all people.
The Sterling's are very grateful for the opportunity to have both their children welcomed and blessed in baptism by the UCCB community. Thank you so much!
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
|
|
Spiritual Nurture
Can you believe the end of the school year is in sight?! Here is the Spiritual Nurture schedule for the rest of the program year.
Nursery care is available for our youngest parishioners every Sunday, in the Vestry. When Spiritual Nurture is offered for elementary, middle and high school youth, kids begin with us in worship then leave for their programming at the second hymn.
May 28 - Intergenerational worship with Baptism (Memorial Day weekend)
June 4 - Final day of Spiritual Nurture for elementary through high school
June 11 - Spiritual Nurture Sunday! Intergenerational worship featuring our youth.
|
 |
|
Neighborhood BBQ
Planning Meeting
Sunday, June 4, 10:45 am, Pipe Room
We know, summer hasn't even begun . . . BUT, before you know it, Rally Day will be here and our FIFTH annual BBQ will be 2 weeks later! Save the date: Sunday, Sept. 24!
The Neighborhood BBQ has become a beloved tradition at UCCB. Last fall, we agreed we wanted more people involved in the planning and execution. And early planning and ownership is even more important this year because Jennifer & Walker Royce will be away the week prior and day of the BBQ! But they have complete confidence in our ability to make this year another success.
We need a representative from each Ministry Team and anyone else interested to join a planning meeting on June 4 to review the various aspects of the BBQ. We need folks to volunteer and work together on the invitations, the food & beverage planning, ordering and pick up, sign-up sheets, set-up and clean-up plan, identifying and securing an activity for children and some mix & mingle activity for the broader audience. An idea will be shared at the June 4th meeting if you want to weigh in.
An outline of all planning elements has been prepared and we'll walk through the items together. If you can't attend the June 4 meeting, but want to be involved in the event preparations, please contact Rev. Cindy.
|
|
Church Master Plan
Drop-in to review the Church Master Plan. We love your input!
Curious about the progress of the Church Master Plan? Come and take a deeper look, at your own pace, at the current renovation plans. The Master Plan Team has been diligently working over the past 8 months with Dan Burton of Maugel Architects. The current concept was presented at the Congregational Visioning meeting on April 30, followed by lively small group discussions. We want to hear from you! Share your thoughts with a member of the Master Plan team who can walk you through or answer questions. We hope you can drop-in and join the conversation, even if you can only stay for a couple of minutes! Bring your family, kids, friends or neighbors, ... we love to hear all perspectives.
If you can't make it to any of the drop-in sessions, you can still participate. Take a look at the church website to view the current plans. Share your comments with Guy Marchmont, the Master Plan Team Chair (marchmont922@gmail ). If you want a ride to one of the sessions, contact Heather at the office.
Drop-in sessions in the Gathering Room:
Tue, May 30 - 10:00 to 11:30 am
Thur, June 1 - 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Sat, June 3 - 9:00 to 10:30 am
|
|
Unified Pledging -- Frequently Asked Questions
What is Unified Pledging?
Parishioners will be invited to pledge a single unified amount yearly to support UCC Boxborough.
How is it different from current practice?
Each of us currently pledges a separate amount for operations and a separate amount for missions. In the last several years, the percentage for missions has ranged between 8% and 10% of the total pledged giving.
Why are we changing?
Combining into one unified pledge amount affirms that the entire church is a mission.
When we pledge for "Operation Expenses", we are enabling the church to carry out its fundamental goal of mission in the community. Combining the two amounts underlines our commitment to mission. The Missions and Outreach Ministry Team, the Finance Team and the Generosity Team have endorsed unified pledging. Two thirds of Massachusetts UCC congregations currently practice unified pledging. Council intends to improve on two fronts. First, we want to make annual budgeting a more holistic process where Missions is a part of everything we do. Second, we would like to see more active planning and communicating of specific forecasted Missions activities during the budgeting process.
When will this change become effective?
The Fall 2017 pledge campaign will invite unified pledges.
How will the Missions and Outreach budget be determined?
In the last several years, the percentage for missions has ranged between 8% and 10% of the total pledged giving. Council proposes a three-year transition period where we will set 9% of budgeted pledge income as the planned budget allocation of pledges for the Missions and Outreach budget. After three years of transition, council will determine how to better codify our lessons learned into formal church processes as needed. During this transition period, a different percentage can be proposed if there are specific needs forecasted by the Missions and Outreach team. A proposal to change the 9% allocation to Missions could be accommodated in the existing budget process and would have to be approved by the Congregation at the Annual Budget Meeting. We also want to separate OCWM from the Missions budget and manage that contribution more intentionally.
What about the Merrie Christmas Fair and other fund raisers?
These funds will remain separate and will not be included in the percentage.
How can I learn more?
Talk to any council member. Also, a cottage meeting will be held after service on June 18th to discuss further and answer any questions.
|
|
Fresh Air And Fellowship
Saturdays, 10:00 am
Want to experience some fresh air and fellowship? Saturday mornings are a great time!
Let's meet at 10:00 at UCCB for a walk - destination/distance unknown!
The walk will be customized depending upon who joins. Perhaps down Middle Road and then crossing into Steele Farm (if we have some good Boxborough guides!) or perhaps a loop on the roads. We'll be flexible and welcoming to all!
Please bring your own water bottle. If the organizers are organized (no guarantees!), there may be refreshments at the church for before / after.
Please feel free to personally invite family, friends, and neighbors to join.
The more, the merrier!
|
|
Want to learn more... click the links below!
|
|
