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HORIZONS
June 2019
Hingham Congregational Church, UCC
366 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-1276
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Message from the Senior Pastor
Purposeful Movement
Mostly, we go from day to day, just getting through our busy schedules, responding to the most urgent needs of the people around us. Who has time to stop and think about what we really want out of life and where God is calling us?
As a community of faith, we can support and encourage one another to be thoughtful and proactive regarding our life together and our direction as a church. Instead of simply reacting to changing realities within our lives, congregation, and society, we can prayerfully plan and purposefully move toward the future we believe God wants for us.
Five years ago, we developed a five-year plan, which led to our amazing renovation project and more obvious expressions of our Open and Affirming commitment. It's time to make a new plan! We are blessed that Meredith Hollander has agreed to lead the effort this time around. Soon, we will let you know who else will be on the leadership team and how you can be involved in developing the new plan. Please do make your hopes, dreams, and voices heard! We'd love for you to help us answer the important question, "Now what?"
Peace,
Pete
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Christian Education June 2019
HCC family and friends,
June is quite the busy work travel month for me. I'll be gone from HCC in the last two weeks of the month - June 18th - 29th.
The first part of my time away will be spent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin with United Church Christ folks from throughout the United States. The national gathering of UCCers (called Synod) will begin on June 21st and I will be there for the first 3 days. I will be networking for myself and on behalf of our church, resource grabbing for all things Christian Education and be bringing information back to HCC about what the national UCC climate is currently like.
Just before Synod there is also a gathering for the National Open and Affirming coalition. Again, I will be there to connect for myself and our beloved community.
As many of you know, Open and Affirming is the language our church denomination uses to describe our efforts to welcome and fully include LGBTQ people.
The last part of my travels in June will lead to me meeting up with our High School youth who will be traveling to the heart of Washington, D.C. While they leave on June 23rd, I will be meeting them on June 24th. For those of you that may still want to learn more about the group that will be hosting us and setting up our work schedule that week, you can learn here:
http://www.ysop.org/
We hope you will pray for them as they prepare and depart near the end of this month; please also pray for all the people they will be serving and those at YSOP who will support them.
For this summer, I want to put 2 summer reads forward to our congregation. Each of these books will have a 3-4 week group this fall. Neither book is a 'cup of tea' so I encourage you to look elsewhere for that sort of reading as such reading is, of course, restorative. The first read I suggest relates to my travels to the UCC Synod and has been placed forward by the national church. The book is Evicted: Poverty and Profit in The American City and the author is Matthew Desmond. Learn more about Desmond's book here:
http://evictedbook.com/videos
. This book will be explored in November and December as the cold truly returns to New England.
The second book is called Beautiful Boy and the author is David Sheff. This book gives a clear picture of a father's experience of working to support an adolescent and young adult struggling with addiction. The father also works to support the entire family and find himself in a harrowing journey. Learn more about Sheff's book here:
https://www.davidsheff.com/beautiful-boy
This book will be explored in September and October.
So many of us are touched by struggles of addiction and mental illness and as statistics show us, we definitely have neighbors and friends who are struggling with housing. Knowing this, we educate ourselves and lean into God's call to neighbor love.
Each of these reading groups will be faith based; please let me know if you have questions about either.
As summer rapidly approaches, plans for Vacation Bible School are in full-swing. Do let me know if you would like to get involved in some way. We always need supplies, but we also always need volunteers! Please do consider giving of your time - even just one morning would help. The big event is July 29-Aug 2nd. To sign up a young person, go to:
https://hccucc.com/vacation-bible-school-2019/
Theme - Faith Exploration with Polar Pals
Who - children and youth ages 3 - 5th grade, young kids must be potty-trained
When - July 29-Aug 2, 9 am - 12 pm
Where - Hingham Congregational Church, 378 Main Street
Why - To learn about and grow into God's love in Jesus!
Cost - $30 / child, $55 / family; scholarships available.
We will be seeking church school staff over the summer so if you have any leads or are interested in a position yourself do let me know. The positions are fun and meaningful! Starting pay is $25/hour for a few hours each week.
Thanks again to all who helped with the lobster roll sale including those who purchased and enjoyed the rolls! We couldn't have done it without each of you!
Our raised bed up is up and 'running' - check it out next time you are at the church. Plants in the ground or bed currently include daisies, sunflowers, strawberries, honesty, snapdragons, black cherry tomato and oregano. If you would like to contribute simple gardening tools or plants, please email me -
[email protected]
. We do ask that no tools donated have rust as kids and youth will be using them!
Please let us know of any questions you may have!
Peace of Christ,
Sara
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Vacation Bible School
Hingham Congregational Church and Hingham House of Prayer presents:
Faith Exploration with Polar Pals!
Who: children and youth ages 3 - 5th grade, young kids must be potty trained
When: July 29-Aug 2, 9 am - 12 pm
Where: Hingham Congregational Church, 378 Main Street
Why: To learn about and grow into God's love in Jesus!
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A Note from Our Moderator
I always look forward to that first day of spring when it suddenly feels the whole world is blooming. Some years, like this one, spring is more a slow awakening. While we don't experience the thrill of that sudden burst, the gradual process affords us the opportunity to marvel at subtle changes.
When I first came to HCC, I had the instant and wonderful first day of spring feeling. I immediately thought, "This is what church should feel like!" We had planned to, "try out some churches," came to one, and immediately ended our search.
As assistant moderator over the past year I observed, in closer detail, what makes HCC such a special place. I witnessed the many components, and more importantly people, working together, to create a powerful force.
While sometimes the work required to run a church feels overwhelming, I urge you to step back and consider all we do, and the potential of what we can accomplish together. Give yourself a moment to ponder the importance of our community in Christ, and linger in that inspiration. Sometimes it's not as obvious as that glorious first day of spring, but may be found in little moments. Therein lies the wonder.
Lynn
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 Prayer requests...
- Lynn Wellings, Erin Childs' mother
- Don Giessow, David's brother
- Family and friends of Elna Soule, who died recently
- Betty and Tom Hulbert
- Vic Soldat, Nancie Mooney's brother
- Friends and family of Sydney Monfries
- St. John's UCC, Brighton, IL
- Suzy Burba, Sara M. Holland, Bill Ketchum, and Winston Janusz, Members in Discernment
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All those affected by violence in the world; our prayer is for love, justice, and peace.
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Consignment Center Looks to Summer
Summer is already in full swing at the Consignment Center, and we are well supplied with straw hats, beach towels, sandals, outdoor tableware, and golf balls. Come in soon and find planters, Red Sox tees, stadium seats, citronella candles, and porch décor waiting to meet your needs. Select an outfit for a summer event, picture frames to hold celebratory memories, totes for beach or travel or extra towels for the summer house.
Now is the time for recent grads to pick up lamps and shower curtains that could outfit a dorm in September. For a summer job or internship, business casual attire abounds in a range of styles and sizes. Tuck extra shorts, jeans, and T-shirts into your Work Camp duffle and be ready for anything!
June brings the end of another business season, and annual sales return before the shop closes for the summer months. On Saturday, June 8, business hours will be extended (10am-3pm) for the beginning of a store-wide
Half Price Sale which will continue on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 11 & 12.
Dollar Days bring further reductions on Thursday, June 13 and Saturday, June 15.
We are making concerted attempt to include agencies supported by HCC in the final distribution of remaining inventory and will be available to meet representatives on Tuesday, June 18, for donation according to agency needs. A year-end meeting of the volunteer staff will be held at 10am on Thursday, June 20 to review the year, vote on charitable donations, and plan for September.
Sadly, the retirement of some of our most faithful workers has come at a time of increased business demand and growing interest of our new and returning customers. We hope to recruit additional volunteers in preparation for the 2019-2020 season. If you are interested in joining our team, please contact Marcia Sinclair (
[email protected]), Gail Shields (
[email protected]) or Sarah England (
[email protected]).
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How many HCCers can you find in the photo?
Join us Saturday, June 8 at around 1:00 pm to walk with 100+ friends from UCC churches in Boston's Pride Parade! It's an unforgettable experience for young and old as people from all over the Boston region come to cheer the walkers on. It's also an incredible way to show your support and love for others, and to live out your faith in an open, welcoming and affirming church. Our presence makes a real difference.
We are looking for a minimum of 2 adults or an HCC family to walk with some of our young people who would like to be in this year's parade. The parade starts at Copley Square and ends at City Hall Plaza; line-up times are now staggered to reduce wait times to step-off. If you wish, you can picnic and watch the parade beginning at noon and then line up! We will provide information on where to park and what to bring. To ask questions or sign up, please contact Sara Holland [email protected]
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You are invited to celebrate 35 years of Open and Affirming churches with ONA!
Where: Plymouth Church, Framingham
When: Saturday, June 15 9:30am-3:00pm
What: worship, music, small group workshop conversations, lamentation, healing, revitalization, imagination and empowerment
Please RSVP to Sara Holland ( [email protected]) if you plan on attending. Childcare will be provided.
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Call for Summer Music Volunteers!
We need YOU to provide music for worship services while the choirs are on summer break --this is your chance to perform that piano piece you've been practicing, sing the solo you have always wanted to hear in church, get your old band back together, or practice your Didgeridu, and make a joyful noise during the Sunday service! For encouragement or more info, call or text David Giessow at 617-686-2581 or email
[email protected]. Sign-up here:
https://signup.com/go/qhDMjDd
We're using SignUp.com (the leading online SignUp and reminder tool) to organize our upcoming SignUps.
Here's how it works in 3 easy steps:
2) Review the options listed and choose the spot(s) you like.
3) Sign up! It's Easy - you will NOT need to register an account or keep a password on SignUp.com.
Note: SignUp.com does not share your email address with anyone. If you prefer not to use your email address, please contact me and I can sign you up manually.
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P
hoto Directory Now Online!
Our church directory is online, requiring an access code to view. If you did not make it in to the hardcopy directory, we can add you online!
Jen at the Church Office can help you with all your directory inquiries. To be added, obtain an access code, or for any other questions, please contact her at [email protected] or 781-749-1276
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HCC CALENDAR
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June 4
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7:00 pm
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Last Tuesday Night Bible Study
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June 5
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7:15 pm
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Deacons Meeting
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June 6
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9:00 am
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Growing In Faith Together
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6:05 pm
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Vacation Bible School Planning Meeting
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7:15 pm
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Christian Ed Meeting
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7:30 pm
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Sr. Choir Rehearsal
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June 8
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12:00 pm
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Boston Pride Parade Email [email protected] for more information!
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June 9
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10:00 am
12 - 2:00 pm
2:00 pm
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Worship: Music Sunday, Baptism Sunday, Green Sunday - Rev. Dr. Peter Allen
All Boards Meeting
Youth outing to Canton Tree Top (minimum age is actually more dependent on child/youth's size & weight); treetopcanton.com. RSVP to Sara.
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June 10
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6:30pm
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Men's Group
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June 13
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9:00 am
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Last Growing In Faith Together
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7:30 pm
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Sr. Choir Rehearsal
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June 15
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9 am- 3:00 pm
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June 16
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10:00 am
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Children's Sunday! Baccalaureate Sunday, Teacher Appreciation & Service Trip Commissioning - Rev. Dr. Peter Allen
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June 17
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8:00 am
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Pine St. Inn Meal Prep
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June 19
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7:30 pm
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Executive Council Meeting
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June 20
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10:00 am
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Guild consignment year end volunteer meeting
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7:30 pm
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Last Sr. Choir Rehearsal
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June 23
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7:00 am
10:00 am
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Service Trip Departure
Worship - Daryl Denelle
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June 30
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10:00 am
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Worship, Baptism Sunday - Rev. Dr. Peter Allen
Service Trip youth and adults will share about their experiences in worship; please come and hear!
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Looking ahead...
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July 29-Aug 2
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Vacation Bible School
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Oct. 20
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11:20 am
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Fun Fall Fundraiser Activities during coffee hour!
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Oct. 27
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11:20 am
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Fun Fall Fundraiser Activities during coffee hour!
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Nov 2
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6:00 pm
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Off Broadway Gala Fun-Raiser!
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Nov 3
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11:20 am
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Fun Fall Fundraiser Activities during coffee hour!
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Please contact the church office if you have any questions or changes to the
above,
[email protected]
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