This week even my brief skims of the news were rife with stories about Harvey Weinstein. I didn't really have a clue about who Weinstein is, but apparently I've seen a lot of his movies. In case you missed it, Weinstein has been accused of sexually harassing, assaulting or raping more than a dozen women. Police are investigating, and Weinstein's been fired.
You might have a variety of reactions to reading this: more confirmation of "rape culture"; he's innocent until proven guilty; this is the media sensationalizing trauma and violence; this is irrelevant to my life. Or it might feel painfully, personally familiar if you have been harassed or raped, especially if you've had the experience of not being believed.
On my Facebook page, one of my mentors bravely posted the sexual harassment she had experienced as a professor and pastor. No names, just her experience and the impact on her. This gave other clergy, seminary professors and others in the ministerial field the courage to likewise name the abuse they have survived. Some people were naming the abuse for the first time. And with many of the stories came reports that survivors felt they could not speak up, or when they did churches, seminaries, and pastors did not believe victims or minimized the abuse.
Our culture in general and the church in particular has a terrible history when it comes to protecting people from abuse and helping them to find healing and justice once abuse has occurred. Even worse, scripture and theology have too often been used to justify abuse. Let's be clear: God does not want God's children hurt or abused in any way, for any reason. God wants wholeness, safety and peace for all. That includes those who have been abusers, by the way. The church needs to be clear and vocal about support for those who have survived abuse, accountability for those who have abused, and awareness from all of us regarding how we can create a society that is safe for all people.
May we do all that we can to create a culture at UCCB where people can share their painful histories. May we do all that we can to create a whole, holy and healthy church. May we be a place where we practice creating God's beloved community for all.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, October 15, 9:30 am
Lo, I Hatest Thou. Flip through the psalms and you might encounter beautiful imagery like, "The Lord is my shepherd." You could also find, "May his children be orphans; may his wife be a widow." The psalms have something to teach us about enemies. In a world so full of conflict and division, let's see what ancient texts have to teach us.
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
Spiritual Nurture is well underway! Oct. 15, 22 and 29 join us for:
- Nursery (up through first grade) with Eliza in the Vestry
during the whole service
- Elementary with Rob in the Pipe Room after the Word for
All Ages
- Middle School with Paul in Fellowship Hall after the Word
for All Ages
Don't forget the Children's Corner in the sanctuary anytime kids need their own place to hang out. And join us for the Faith and Food event on Oct. 22 - information below!
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G. Ernest Fournier Youth Mission Trip Fund
Many, many thanks to everyone who was able to attend the celebration of Ernie's life last Friday. It was wonderful to have so many folks from UCCB there, including Mission Trip alums who traveled considerable distances to be there. The family poured over the guest book: it meant so much to read those names.
People have asked what the family is suggesting for donations in Ernie's name. Reflecting Ernie's love for youth, adventure and the outdoors, the family listed three suggestions: UCC Boxborough for the G. Ernest Fournier Youth Mission Trip Fund, American Forests in Washington, D.C. or to the charity of your choice.
The G. Ernest Fournier Youth Mission Trip Fund will be held at UCCB and is intended to help offset the overall cost of each year's trip, so that every participant will be touched by Ernie's spirit. If you would like to make a donation to that fund, you can send a check to UCCB with a reference to the fund in the memo line, or you can use our online giving portal, where the fund is listed under "Boxborough offerings". Just click "Donate" on this link and you'll be directed to the secure giving page:
http://www.boxboroughucc.org/our-ministries/giving/give-online/
If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Cindy
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Pie Social
On Sunday, October 29, Fellowship will host their annual Pie Social & Sale. Home-made pies donated by members of the church community will be available for sale by the slice or as whole pies. Consider buying one and freezing it for Thanksgiving! Mini pies, just right for smaller families, were very popular last year and will be available again this year.
If you're interested in contributing a pie, please see the sign-up sheet at the Fellowship Table in the Gathering Room or contact Deb Simmons at 978-365-9711 or [email protected]. Proceeds from the sale will be used to support the Fellowship Ministry Team's activities.
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Faith & Food for One and All
All Families, All Ages & All Sizes
Sunday October 22nd at 5pm
Come one, come all.
Come giant, come small.
Come green, come blue.
Come familiar, come new.
Come early, come late.
We want to meet you and share a plate!
Spiritual Nurture is trying something new! "Faith and Food for All" is an alternative to traditional Sunday School. We will share a meal, enjoy fellowship time and then Pastor Cindy will share some fun faith practices families can try at home. Join us and bring your friends and neighbors.
You don't need to do anything except show up with a hungry belly and an open heart.
Join us in the Gathering Room at 5 pm on Sunday October 22nd for faith and food and fun. To RSVP or for more information, please contact Art Boyd:
[email protected]
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Silent Auction
Get in the Christmas spirit early by giving an item or a service to the Silent Auction at the Merrie Christmas Fair! We welcome donations of all kinds: gifts you purchase, gifts that are hand-made, Christmas-themed items, tickets to sports events or concerts, collectibles, etc.
Some of the most popular items for bid are the services that we provide for one another. Here's a partial list of what has done well in the past:
- Use of vacation home
- Pie-of-the-month
- Carpentry services
- Special meals that you prepare
- Hikes on trails led by experienced hikers
We also gladly accept money to buy articles for the Auction. Send or bring your check to the church made out to "UCCB" with "Silent Auction" in the memo line. You can also donate online through the church website (
www.boxboroughucc.org
).
Access the pull-down menu "Giving" at the top of the home page, then click on Give Online, then click Donate, then choose Special Fundraiser (specifying "Silent Auction" next to the amount).
The Silent Auction needs everyone's participation to be successful so please let us know what you can give. Sign up on the Silent Auction poster in the Gathering Room during the coffee hour or contact Mary Anne Vogel (978-263-8957 or
[email protected]
)
or Jennifer Royce (978-263-0707 or
[email protected]
).
Items for the Silent Auction need to be identified by the end of October so they can be listed in the Auction Booklet. Thank you so much!
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Christmas Fair Ornament Table
Christmas Ornament Table Seeking People Make Items for Merrie Christmas Fair
The Christmas Fair Ornament Table co-chairs have pulled together a variety of new and delightful ornaments and house decorations to make for the 2017 Merrie Christmas Fair. However, we need your help in making these items between now and the Fair on November 18. No previous experience required.
Below is the schedule of Ornament Table workshops that we have planned so far. We are hosting a variety of dates and times this year to make it easier for some folks to attend. Hope you can join us for one (or all). Of course items can be made at home as well.
Friday - October 20 2:00-4:00 TBD/Gloria's House
Sunday - October 29 2:00-4:00 Linda Morse House (269 Joseph Rd. Boxboro)
More dates planned at the beginning of November.
If you would like to help to make items at a workshop or work on something at home, please contact either Gloria Roe 978-264-0052 (
[email protected]) or Linda Morse at 978-266-2836 or Connie Brown at 978-391-4854. Monetary contributions would be greatly appreciated to defray expenses for materials.
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Welcome Jenn!
Please welcome Jenn LaCross, our temporary administrative assistant. She's getting up to speed on our publications, calendar, Quickbooks, filing system and building use! It's a lot to take in, but I know everyone will be patient and supportive. Jenn herself has
shown great patience and support in the chaos of the last few weeks. We're so glad to have her with us. Welcome, Jenn!
- Rev. Cindy
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Remember Your Attic Treasures!
Instead of having a yard sale this year, why not donate your unwanted items to Attic Treasures for this year's Merrie Christmas Faire? Let's repeat our success of last year!
We can only accept goods that are in clean, working condition and free of mold or mildew. Household goods, kitchen ware, small appliances, electronics, toys, games, sporting goods, linens, office supplies & equipment, tools, and luggage are all welcome.
Some of the things we cannot take include clothing, shoes, curtain hardware, used pet items, and medical equipment.
Unfortunately, we are not able to take or store any items in advance this year.
Drop off is in the UCCB Vestry beginning Sunday, Nov 13 and throughout the week leading up to the fair. Please get your donations to us by Friday, Nov 18, 12:00 noon.
Any gasoline powered equipment or other items that give off fumes must be left outside, near the back door of Fellowship Hall.
We will need lots of volunteers to help us with table set-up on Thursday @4:00 and on Friday to help with sorting and arranging. If you have any questions, please call Gregg Hamlin at 978-855-0460.
We look forward to receiving your Treasures!
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Senior High Mission Trip Stockholder's Reception
Join us on Sunday, November 12th in Fellowship Hall after service for our Mission Trip Stockholder's reception to celebrate our Senior High Mission Trip participants! Come and enjoy lunch while listening to our youth recall memories and share a slide show from their Summer 2017 Mission Trip to Rutland, VT.
RSVP to [email protected] if you are able to join us by Wednesday, November 8th.
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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