WOW! 36 people came to the Theory One workshop last Sunday when we talked about the future direction of this church. The energy and passion were wonderful. Stay tuned for a summary of what the Theory One consultants heard in our conversations.
One of the themes we know heard loud and clear is our desire to be bridge-builders, welcomers of all people, neighbors in the broadest sense of the world. Well, good news! We've got the opportunity to live this out on Saturday at Boxborough's Fifer's Day. Well, we have the opportunity to live this out every day, but Saturday is special.
We'll be serving strawberry shortcake at the UCCB booth. With overflowing friendliness and a big scoop of strawberries we will bring joy to all ages. But that isn't the only way we can bring "sweetness" to the day.
- When we're in line for a burger we can say hello to our "neighbor" in line who we've never met before.
- Listening to the bands we can smile and make eye contact with somebody who, at first glance, looks quite different from us.
- If we see someone looking lost, probably experiencing their first Fifer's Day, we can introduce ourselves and direct them to the port-a-potties.
- And if you would prefer to set up the tent all by yourself rather than say hello to someone you don't know, you can just keep thinking to yourself, "I send love and light to all I pass."
Whatever radical welcome we practice at 723 Massachusetts Ave., it won't make much of a difference unless we also bring it out into the world. Fifer's Day is a great opportunity to spread the love!
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, June 18, 9:30 am
Last Sunday before summer worship. On this Father's Day, Rev. Cindy leads intergenerational worship at UCCB. Beginning next Sunday, June 25, we'll combine with South Acton Congregational Church. The first five weeks of joint summer worship will be at SACC. See more information below.
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
Nursery care is provided for our youngest participants this Sunday, then goes on hiatus for the five weeks we're at SACC. Nursery care resumes during the second half of summer worship, beginning July 30, when we return to UCCB.
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Unified Pledging Cottage Meeting
Sunday, June 18, 11:00 am
Do you have questions about Unified Pledging?
Council will hold a cottage meeting after service at 11am in the Vestry to discuss unified pledging with anyone interested and answer any questions you may have. Please see article below for more information.
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Strawberry Shortcake at Fifer's Day
Join us in sharing our delicious strawberry shortcake at Fifer's Day! The sign-up sheet is in the Gathering Room, and those serving/cashier slots fill up fast! We also need help with setup on Friday night (starting at the church), and take down on Saturday around 4. Help us share some sweet hospitality with the community!
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Summer Worship & Pastoral Coverage
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE 2017
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Sunday
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Location
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Preacher
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June 25
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry
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July 2
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Elizabeth Magill (Rev. Liz)
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July 9
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy
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July 16
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Cindy
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July 23
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South Acton Congregational
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Rev. Liz
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July 30
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UCCB
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Rev. Liz
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Aug. 6
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UCCB
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Rev. Liz
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Aug. 13
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UCCB
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Rev. Cindy
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Aug. 20
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UCCB |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 27 |
UCCB |
Rev. Liz |
| Sept. 3 |
Resume Regular Worship Schedule |
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PASTORAL COVERAGE
As is our custom, South Acton Congregational Church and United Church of Christ, Boxborough, will be sharing pastoral care coverage this summer, in addition to Sunday worship.
Coverage is divided as follows:
| June 19 - June 25 |
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry |
| June 26 - July 2 |
Rev. Elizabeth Magill (Rev. Liz) |
| July 3 - July 9 |
Rev. Cindy |
| July 10 - July 16 |
Rev. Cindy |
| July 17 - July 23 |
Rev. Liz |
| July 24 - July 30 |
Rev. Liz |
| July 31 - Aug. 6 |
Rev. Liz |
| Aug. 7 - Aug. 13 |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 14 - Aug. 20 |
Rev. Cindy |
| Aug. 21 - Aug. 27 |
Rev. Liz |
| Aug. 28 |
Resume Usual Schedule |
When Rev. Liz is providing coverage, she can be reached at:
Office: 978-263-2332
Cell: 508-450-0431
When Rev. Cindy is providing coverage, she can be reached at:
Office: 978-263-7387
Cell: 978-204-0473
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Christmas in June, July & August...
The Christmas Decoration Table co-chairs have begun plans for the Merrie Christmas Fair. We are looking for help in making ornaments and holiday decorations over the summer. Have an ornament or decoration in mind to make? You may already be working on something now. Please let us know. We will have a few project kits available on Sunday, June 11 and June 17 after the Worship Service. If you would like to help, please contact Gloria Roe 978-264-0052 or email
[email protected]
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Project Linus
A wonderful response to the drive for Project Linus blankets this year. We collected thirty-six beautiful quilts and blankets. Thank you to all who cared and shared in bringing love and comfort to many babies and children in need.
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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.
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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!
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Support Team Ernie
"Team Ernie", in honor of our hero Ernie Fournier, is preparing for this year's ALS TriState Trek. Read on for updates on Ernie, and how you can support the team!
Hello Friends and Family,
Team Ernie rides again!
Let me begin by thanking everyone for supporting Team Ernie last year in our first TriState Bicycle Trek to find a cure for ALS. Because of your generous contributions, Team Ernie finished in the Top 10 raising $25,000. Thank you everyone!
Now, an update on Ernie. As expected, Ernie continues his fight against ALS the only way he knows how, with a smile. He has lost his ability to speak and his mobility and stamina are significantly reduced. But you know Ernie: despite his limitations, he gets up every morning determined to face the day's challenges. His courage is truly an inspiration to us all!
And now, some good news. The first new ALS treatment drug to be developed in many years, Radicava, was approved by the FDA just last month with distribution expected to begin this summer. Also, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI) in Cambridge MA has developed and screened another new drug, AT-1501. It is now ready for human clinical trials, with funding being the only obstacle in its way. Although Ernie isn't a candidate for these treatments, the recent progress by researchers like ALS TDI gives us all hope for the future.
AT-1501 is just one more reason that Team Ernie rides again in 2017. This year's 275-mile bike trek is June 26-28. Our goal is to top last year's results and raise $30,000 for ALS TDI. We hope you'll consider supporting Ernie, the team and ALS TDI. The often-used fundraising phrase really is true: "large or small, every donation helps."
Thank you all.
Ray Ritter
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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