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VOLUME 4, ISSUE 83, AUGUST 20, 2020
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HILLSCHURCH.ORG
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STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
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Pumpkin Patch Team Announces
Cancellation of This Year's Patch
It is with great sadness that the Pumpkin Patch Team announces the cancellation of Pumpkin Patch 2020.
Our biggest concern is asking Church members to become "essential workers," with all of the COVID19 risks that implies, particularly during the unloading and selling processes. Many of our best sales folks are retired, so would be at greatest risk for COVID-19 complications.
We do not want folks to risk their lives for the Pumpkin Patch!
We look forward to resuming next year!
The Pumpkin Patch Team
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Re-Opening Task Force - Status Report
Earlier this summer, Church Council authorized the creation of a "Re-Opening Task Force." This Task Force was charged with responsibility for the development of a set of guidelines to govern a phased re-opening of the church to in-person worship services and other church activities, including small group ministry and committee meetings, use of the church by outside groups, the Nursery School, and our Sunday School and other children and family ministries. Each phase would be contingent on the achievement of certain COVID-19-related public health milestones.
This Task Force consists of Chris Stowell (chair), Matt Wooster, Anne Marie Holloway, Rob Andrews, Mimi D'Angelo, Elaine Vildzius, and Cynthia Gordan. They are meeting regularly and are currently considering the addition of an in-person service - with readings, prayers, and music- at some time during the week that would not conflict with the (virtual) 10:00 a.m. Sunday morning worship services being offered. Once the format and timing for the new in-person service are finalized, the clergy will reach out to the congregation with the details.
In addition, a clear decision has been made to continue the virtual version of our Sunday morning worship services throughout the period that the COVID-19 epidemic is with us. Once we are able to resume in-person Sunday morning worship services, we will begin live streaming those services. To further this objective, we are already working to develop the technology needed to record and live stream them for the benefit of people who have difficulty coming to church, are ill, or are out of town.
This Task Force will also be conducting a survey of the congregation later this month to determine the level of interest and comfort with in-person, but appropriately socially-distanced, masked, etc. worship services.
The Task Force presented their plans to the Ushering Committee and the Board of Deacons, and will consider input received from both when preparing a detailed report for review at the next Church Council meeting, which is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, September 8.
Christopher Stowell, Chair Re-Opening Task Force |
Come to Virtual Community Hour
Every Sunday Morning at 9:30 -
Grab a Cup of Coffee and Join In!
Every Sunday morning, you are invited to visit with our clergy and other members and friends in a "Virtual Community Hour" - from 9:30 Sunday morning until the virtual worship services begin to stream at 10:00.
Following a brief welcome, separate "breakout rooms" are randomly generated to allow for conversations in small groups. The only agenda is to connect with familiar faces and meet new friends, so feel free to bring your coffee and stop in for a quick hello or stay for the full half hour. The dress code is casual. (PJs encouraged!)
Virtual Community Hour is hosted as a Zoom conference, which can be joined using a computer, a smart phone, or a standard phone. If you're not already a Zoom veteran - don't worry. Zoom is very easy to use. To participate in this Sunday's Virtual Community Hour by computer, just click on the link you will see in the community hour notice that will be emailed to you at 6:45 on Sunday morning.
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New Racial Justice Working Group Being Formed
In 1848, the founding members of this congregation shared a commitment to the abolition of slavery in the United States, and a pledge to the abolitionist cause was a requirement of membership in the church.
In continuation of our heritage, a new Racial Justice Working Group is being formed at the church. The initial leadership of this new group includes several volunteers from the congregation, along with WHCC's three clergy members.
So far, this group has met twice for the purpose of gathering information and making plans to expand the working group so that it has more members, and a greater diversity in membership.
The second meeting included consultation with Amy Hogarth, Director of Recruitment and Inclusion at The Wayside Youth and Family Network and member of a UCC congregation, to learn about best practices for racial justice work within/by organizations.
If you have thoughts to share, or questions to raise, please be in touch with me, or with pastors Anne Marie Holloway and Judy Swahnberg, or you may contact the Office of the Moderator ([email protected]). In the meantime, I invite you to pray with me for the ministry of our church, with thanks for what God has done, and hope for what God has yet to do in our midst.
Rev. Matt Wooster |
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Summer Psalms and Morning Meditation
Tuesday Mornings - from 9:30 - 10:30
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday Morning Meditation throughout this summer as we will be continuing to gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning - from 9:30 - 10:30. Each week, we will meditate using sacred readings from the Book of Psalms.
Zoom is a service that enables groups to connect either by video using your computer or by audio using your phone. To participate, just e-mail Mary Hill Canavan (see below) and she will send you an official Zoom "invite" and tell you how to CLICK and Zoom in. (And if you have been meditating via Zoom for a while now, there is no need to e-mail Mary - as she will automatically send you a Zoom invite.)
Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily...please join us and be restored during this time together - from wherever your summer takes you.
Peace to you all,
Mary and Judy
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Cup of Morning Prayer
Monday Mornings at 7:00
Every Monday morning at 7:00 you are invited to join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer - on Facebook LIVE.
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God in the early morning hours and focus on prayer.
Each session will be held in the sanctuary of nature in varied outdoor locations (weather permitting). Hills Church friends and families are invited to participate via Facebook LIVE on a handheld device while finding an outdoor space to practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer.
Please share your prayer requests in advance via email to Rev. Anne Marie ( [email protected]) - and your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care by our virtual small and private Facebook Live group. |
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Waiting to Re-open - Attend Worship By Video
Church Council, our Board of Deacons, the Re-Opening Task Force, and Hills Church clergy continue to believe that - for our church - waiting to re-open remains the most prudent, inclusive and loving path forward.
Consistent with this decision, the church building remains closed - and church staff members are continuing to work from home.
Virtual worship is being provided every Sunday, and is continuing to feature worship leaders, including John Finney, recording their parts from different locations.
All Sunday morning worship services will be available on the church website early Sunday mornings. The services will also premiere on Facebook beginning at 10:00 every Sunday morning, so that people can worship together at the usual time.
And finally, visiting the church website will allow you to access the Order of Worship for each Sunday morning's 10:00 a.m. Worship Service.
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 Youth Ministry News
Summer 2020
The Good News Project
Is your middle schooler or high schooler doing some good work that will serve to help others this summer?
Are they looking for ways to spread the good news of hope and love with those in need?
Let Rev. Anne Marie Holloway know! She would love to share the good news of your young person's good works with our church community by interviewing your teen and your family on ZOOM and featuring these projects of good news, virtually!
Need some ideas? Anne Marie has those, too! There are organizations the Hills Church supports that could use face masks, weekly food donations, diaper and baby supplies, toiletry packs, homemade cookies and more! (All projects can be worked on safely from home!)
Be sure to reach out to Rev. Anne Marie at [email protected] with your "Good News Project" ideas or questions!
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2020 Confirmation Class Zoom Gatherings
Our Confirmation Crew will continue to touch base on the second Wednesday of each month.
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Noon Prayers from the Hills
You can also tune into the church Facebook page at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 minutes) of reflection and prayer with one of the ministers. These prayers will be accessible for viewing later as well.
Tuesdays: Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
Wednesdays: Rev. Matt Wooster
Thursdays: Rev. Judy Swahnberg
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Contact Your Ministers
Although we are not regularly in our offices at the church these days, you can still reach your ministers by phone and email. Please use the contact information below to be in touch with any of your ministers - and know that they will be there for you if you want to:
- Share a prayer request,
- Have a conversation for pastoral care,
- Simply share updates and receive a prayerful blessing by phone, or
- Just hear their friendly and comforting voices.
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SUMMERTIME ACTIVITIES FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD -
FROM SALLY TOMASETTI
SUMMER BIBLE STORY VIDEOS :)
Each month this summer, Mrs. T. and the church staff has been sending out a summer fun Bible story and suggested craft video. Look for the next one in your inbox on Sunday September 6. (For all ages, like the one below :)
FAITH, RACE, AND CULTURE: FAMILY SUMMER PRACTICE
God made us to be diverse, from our skin color, to our families, to the expressions of our cultures. This three-session guided faith practice will help families continue teaching their children about empathy, culture, race, and prejudice. "Deep Blue Life: Faith and Culture-Anti-Racism" teaches about "Prejudice and Stereotypes," "Curiosity and Empathy," and "Colors and Cultures."
Designed to use at your own pace over the summer weeks. Basic household supplies needed such as markers, tape, glue, pencils, paper, poster board, yarn, paint and paper plates. All can be adapted.
These wonderful faith formation materials are FREE - and they are a great starting point for much needed conversations! Just read them - and adapt them to fit your family's needs.
FLAT JESUS FOR EVERYONE!
"Flat Jesus" is based on a children's book called Flat Stanley, by Jeff Brown. In the book, a boy named Stanley is accidentally "flattened" - allowing him to be mailed to lots of different places where he has all kinds of exciting adventures.
Because Church School does not meet during the summer, Sally Tomasetti believes now to be the perfect time for "Flat Jesus" to help our church family stay connected. Flat Jesus also serves as an important reminder that Jesus is always with us and encourages children to remember his greatest commandment, which is to love God with all of your heart, your mind and your strength - and to love your neighbor.
Here's how it works: Download a picture of Flat Jesus. Color it and cut it out. If you have a Popsicle stick, you can tape your picture of Jesus to that to make it like a puppet. Then take Jesus on all of your adventures this summer wherever they may take you: your backyard, a nearby sports field, family outings and vacations, day trips to the beach .... And don't forget to take pictures of Flat Jesus everywhere you go!
Then ask your mom or dad to e-mail your pictures to Sally Tomasetti ([email protected]), so that they can be shared on the church's Facebook page with our whole church community.
CONSIDER SILVER LAKE's "SUMMER CAMP AT HOME BOX" FOR YOUR CHILD
Silver Lake Camp in Connecticut is our very own UCC summer camp. Ordering this box from Silver Lake will give you everything you need to participate in a Silver Lake "Summer Camp at Home" experience. The box will guide you through four weeks of camp programming!
Designed to inspire the entire family, you can pick and choose how to engage with the material. Follow the prompts and instructions for a self-guided experience, join in a cabin group to share the experience (separate registration required: $10), add on optional activities from Silver Lake's website, come to the weekly Friday campfires. Purchase a box from online store*. (Sally Tomasetti's children went to Silver Lake and loved it - and Sally believes this would be a wonderful introduction to sleepaway camp.)
Each box includes: a Silver Lake journal and pen, a Silver Lake water bottle, a wooden necklace/mandala, a friendship bracelet kit, butcher paper, markers, a pollinator garden/mini greenhouse kit, recipe cards, journal prompts, activity instructions, and more. Cost: $30. For various ages.
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 The Wellesley Food Pantry Has Moved to Temporary Quarters During This Summer's Construction Work at Our Church
Due to this summer's construction at our church, the Wellesley Food Pantry will be operating on a temporary basis out of the Unitarian Universalist church (309 Washington Street - across from Green's Hardware).
The Food Pantry will be returning to the Hills Church once this summer's construction work is complete.
In the meantime, it is important for all of us to continue to support the vital work being done by The Food Pantry. The Pantry's website is updated weekly to reflect items in short supply, but they can always use your help with white and brown rice (preferably 2 pound bags), vegetable oil, dishwashing liquid, paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, diapers in sizes 5 and 6, shelf-stable almond and soy milks, and jars of jelly/jam.
For more information about how you could help the Food Pantry at this time, you can always go to their website. Here is the URL - (http://www.wellesleyfoodpantry.org) - or
It is no longer possible to bring your Food Pantry donations to our church, but please continue to drop them in the collection bins at Roche Bros or Whole Foods. OR, you can also drop your donations off on the WEST side of the Unitarian Church on Monday mornings, between 8:30 and 10:30.
Anything you can do to help will be greatly appreciated. |
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Hills Church Calendar
THURSDAY, August 20
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning - Virtual
10:30 a.m. Church Staff Meeting - Virtual
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg*** - On FB
FRIDAY, August 21
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
SATURDAY, August 22
SUNDAY, August 23
9:30 a.m. Virtual Community Hour - Virtual
10:00 a.m. Worship Service*** - On FB
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
MONDAY, August 24
7:00 a.m. A Morning Cup of Prayer - Rev. Holloway - Virtual
TUESDAY, August 25
9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Meditation - Virtual
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Holloway*** - On FB
1:00 p.m. Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting - Virtual
WEDNESDAY, August 26
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Wooster*** - On FB
THURSDAY, August 27
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning - Virtual
10:30 a.m. Church Staff Meeting - Virtual
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg*** - On FB
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This week's Scripture Reading is:
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Jesus summarized all the teaching about a faithful life by citing just two commandments: love God, and love your neighbors. We are at a time when loving our neighbors is demonstrated in safe actions to mitigate the risk of infectious spread.
Rev. Dr. Matthew Wooster
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Newsletter/Events at the Hills Publication Deadlines
Need to spread the word about an activity or event? Email your notice to Cynthia Gordan, Church Administrator, at [email protected], or call the Church Office at 781-235-4424.
All submissions are due Fridays, by 5:00 p.m.
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