"You are awesome! A rock star!"
In the days since Ernie Fournier's death, so many people are sharing beautiful memories of Ernie in person and via email and Facebook. We're re-membering Ernie, bringing him back in our hearts with a fullness that overshadows the last few years, when verbal communication became so hard. It's becoming easier to hear him yelling, "Sweet!" with two thumbs up.
Thank you for the ways in which you are reaching out to support Bunny and Hilary. They feel it, and it really matters. Please plan on giving that support not just for the next few weeks, but also six months from now, a year from now, two years. Grief is a long journey, and all too often a very lonely one.
Thanks also for the kind words folks have shared with me, as I, too, seek to support Ernie's family. You know it is an impossible task to adequately celebrate his life, and your thoughtfulness means a great deal.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Worship
Sunday, October 1, 9:30 am
Is God With Us, or Not? On this World Communion Sunday, we will hold refugees and immigrants in our prayers, feeling connected to their struggles and hopes. We will also take the annual UCC offering, Neighbors in Need.
Sermons
Worship Bulletins
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Spiritual Nurture
Spiritual Nurture for elementary and middle school kids will be held Oct. 1, 15, 22 and 29. Oct. 8 will be intergenerational worship for Columbus Day weekend. Nursery care is available every Sunday, as is the Children's Corner in the sanctuary.
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Neighbors In Need
This Sunday we will be taking an offering for Neighbors In Need (NIN). This is a special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that supports ministries of justice and compassion throughout the United States. One-third of NIN funds support the Council for American Indian Ministry (CAIM). Two-thirds of the offering is used by the UCC's Justice and Witness Ministries (JWM) to support a variety of justice initiatives, advocacy efforts, and direct service projects through grants.
Neighbors in Need grants are awarded to churches and organizations doing justice work in their communities. These grants fund projects whose work ranges from direct service to community organizing and advocacy to address systemic injustice. Funding is provided through donations to the Neighbors in Need offering.
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Andre Brassard Memorial Service
Many of you have heard the news of the death of Andre Brassard, friend of Heidi Matthew. A celebration of his life with reflection and song will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1 at 11:30 in the sanctuary. A small reception to follow.
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Celebration of Ernie Fournier's Life
Plans are coming together for a celebration of Ernie Fournier's life. And that's what we are clear it will be: a celebration. Clearly, there is much to celebrate. So please join us:
Friday, October 6, 2 pm
First Parish Church
20 Lexington Road
Concord, MA
First Parish Church in Concord has graciously agreed to host the service, which Rev. Cindy will lead. This is the church where Bunny and Ernie were married, and Bunny's childhood church. It's equipped to hold the large gathering the family is anticipating, but parking is tight so consider carpooling. Reception to follow, also at First Parish.
The outpouring of love, memories and gratitude for Ernie's life over the last couple of days has been amazing. It is making a huge difference to Bunny and Hilary. Thank you.
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For almost four years, Heather Delaney has kept everything running at UCCB. As the administrative assistant, she makes sure bills are paid on time, supplies are ordered (and she always gets the best deal!), the Flash is full of fun graphics, everybody has space to meet, and all our documents are perfect. Not to mention her support of the Buildings and Grounds team! We are so grateful for everything she has done.
Heather is leaving for another position, where her organizational skills will bless another community. We are sad to see her go, but grateful to have had her with us for this time. Monday, Oct. 2 will be Heather's last day. Please join us in wishing her well.
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Design Review Cottage Meetings
Since the presentation of the Master Plan in April, the Master Plan Team has made lots of progress. Come and take a look at a new design that was presented on September 17 to the congregation. Learn why we propose to renovate within the current footprint; how we plan to build less, but do more; remake Fellowship Hall and create a great common outdoor space.
We want to hear from you how well the new plan reflects the original priorities and needs. Members of the Master Plan and Capital Campaign Teams can walk you through the plans, share some interesting discoveries or answer questions. Feel free to drop-in any time, 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 the meetings, take a look at the church website to view the current plans or click here. Share your comments with Guy Marchmont, the Master Plan Team Chair ([email protected]). If you want a ride to one of the sessions, contact Heather at the office.
Reserve the date for the 'Design Review' cottage meetings:
- Sunday, October 1, 11 am - noon @ vestry
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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.
Sunday- October 1 2:00-4:00 Gloria's House (56 Osceola Dr., Boxboro)
Thursday- October 12 7:00-9:00 Gloria's house
Friday - October 20 2:00-4:00 TBD/Gloria's House
Friday - October 27 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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Congregation Beth Elohim hosts Community Forum on the Safe Communities Act
Sunday, October 1, 9:15 am
Congregation Beth Elohim will host a Brotherhood and Na'aseh (Social Justice team) sponsored breakfast, Sunday, 10/1, @ 9:15 a.m. The Community Forum on Safe Communities Act is an act to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents. Senator Eldridge, James B. Eldridge, Juana Matias, Jack Lewis, Jason M. Lewis and other members of the General Court filed a petition for legislation to protect the civil rights and safety of all Massachusetts residents. The forum will include speakers Sen. Eldridge, Chief Rich Burrows, Deputy Chief James Cogan, and members of our immigrant communities. This is a public forum being held at the synagogue and is open to everyone in the community interested in the newly unveiled policy regarding the flow of information with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement, U.S. Federal agency). We are looking forward to information and a conversation about the bill and why it is in keeping with our values as Americans (and as Jews). $7.00 at the door for non-members.
Congregation Beth Elohim, is an egalitarian, community synagogue located in Acton, Massachusetts. We are located at 133 Prospect St. Acton, MA 01720. Independent and non-affiliated, we welcome diversity, including individuals and interfaith families, regardless of age, race, gender, economic or family status, ethnic background, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation. We draw our membership from surrounding towns including Ayer, Bolton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Chelmsford, Concord, Groton, Harvard, Littleton, Stow, and Westford. As an oasis of Jewish life far from areas of high Jewish concentration, we embrace a progressive orientation, combining an appreciation for the sanctity of Jewish traditions with a sensitivity to the needs of a population which is religiously diverse. Come join us for breakfast and check us out. Questions, call the synagogue office at 978.263.3061.
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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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