STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
November 12, 2020
|
|
|
|
Stewardship Campaign 2021
Thanksgiving Sunday is November 22nd
What will you pledge to sustain and enrich the ministries of the Hills Church? The Hills Church relies on your stewardship donations to put faith into action. Look for your pledge card in the mail - every amount, large or small, makes a difference.
|
|
Saturday, November 14
10:15 am to 12:15 pm
Join us to bake cookies for the homeless of the Outdoor Church. For more details on helping with this Backyard Ministries project, email Rev. Anne Marie
Sunday, November 15
4:00 to 5:00 pm
Our Middle School Youth Group meets outside (weather permitting) for the "Can-Tucky Derby!" Bring canned good donations, play some games, and win some prizes!
Wednesday, November 18
7:15 to 8:15 pm
Join us to make sandwiches for the homeless of Common Cathedral. To volunteer to help with this Backyard Ministries project, email Rev. Anne Marie. This is an in-person gathering for Confirmands, past and present!
|
|
|
Join Us for Tea & Conversation
Tuesday, November 17 at 3:00 pm
“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing
that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously.
And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson
How do we practice being grateful?
Sometimes we are in a beautiful spot in our lives and we just need to open our eyes and take it in, and thank God for our blessings. Other times the beauty or the gifts we are being given are more subtle…like leaves strewn in the fall winds…underfoot, yet easy to overlook.
We are approaching Thanksgiving 2020, and our holiday may look very different from our usual traditions. Some folks may be grieving loss. Others feel frightened or isolated. And yet, in the midst of it all, can we spot grace?
The Seniors Ministry team and Rev. Judy Swahnberg, invite all those in the church family to gather for tea and conversation via Zoom on Tuesday, November 17 at 3 pm. Make a mug of tea for yourself, enjoy a cookie, and Join Us Here!
|
|
 |
Pilgrim Legacies at 400
November 15
A New World, An Old World,
A Changing World
November 22
Freedom and Responsibility
The Congregationalist Church traces its theological roots to the covenanted community formed in Scrooby, England, whose members later came to this continent on the Mayflower. How do these pilgrims shape our lives, 400 years after arriving on these shores? Rev. Matt Wooster will present a three-week sermon series on aspects of Pilgrim Legacies: both the gifts we should treasure and the failures for which we should account.
|
|
|
|
Inquirers Gathering
Sunday November 15 @ 1 pm
Are you new to the Hills Church?
Are you interested in learning more?
Are you curious about being a member?
Join the Ministers by Zoom, along with members of the church, to learn about Hills Church and the Congregationalist tradition. This virtual meeting is for those interested in learning more about Wellesley Hills Congregational Church and considering membership. Ministers will share information and answer questions.
|
|
|
|
What: CLOTHING DRIVE - Please join us as we help people in need in our community!
When: The month of November
Where: The home of Donna and Gary McCabe: 124 Washington Street, Wellesley
Please leave your bagged donations in a bin on the porch. The circular drive makes drop off very easy!
What to donate: Your clean and gently used women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing, footwear, and accessories from any season or era, including coats, belts, hats, costume jewelry, purses and bags.
|
|
At a pivotal time in our nation, the Hills Church seeks to build on a tradition of racial justice ministry by providing knowledge and competencies for racial reconciliation. This training model has been planned by the Racial Justice Working Group, appointed by Church Council to implement next steps for our congregation to support racial justice, continuing the tradition of the church’s founding as an abolitionist church in 1847.
All sessions will be held on zoom, with presentations from our trainers, discussion, and break-out rooms. Friends and neighbors are invited. These are resources that we want to share with the broader community. It is recommended, but not required, to attend all three sessions.
Register for the first free workshop HERE to receive additional ZOOM link information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, November 22 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm
Making a Start. Holding an Anti-Oppression Space:
Noticing Privilege and Learning How to be an Ally or an Accomplice
Trainers: Amy Hogarth and Guimel DeCarvalho,
Diversity and Equity training team of Wayside Youth and Family Support Network
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
There will be two more workshops in this series:
Sunday, December 6, 1:00-4:00 pm
Me & My White Self: How Can I Be Anti- Racist?
Sunday, January 10, 1:00-4:00 pm
How to talk about Racism with Connection:
Introduction to the model of “Validate, Challenge & Request”
|
|
Christmas Gifts for Low-Income Families
An Opportunity to Serve Others
|
|
For many years this congregation has generously provided Christmas gifts for low-income families in Waltham that are identified by THOM Charles River Early Intervention clinicians. All families on our list have at least one child under age 3 with developmental challenges due to identified delays, or whose development is at risk due to certain birth or environmental circumstances. The need is great…you can help!
COVID-19 has necessitated some changes to this important and meaningful tradition:
-
Sign-ups will be done on SignUpGenius - CLICK HERE
- Drop-off of presents will be on specific days and times (TBA)
Beginning Sunday, November 15, you can sign-up to shop for a family (or individual). Recipients will be grouped in family units, with each family having a unique Code # along with gift suggestions for each individual. Families do not expect you to purchase every item on their wish list.
Each present should be wrapped and labeled with the recipient’s name and Code #. All presents for the same family should be placed in a large plastic bag that is tied shut and securely labeled with the Family Code #. If you need a bag there will be some in a bin inside the West Entrance door (by the choir room).
Presents due by Sunday, December 6. There will be scheduled windows of time to bring your gifts to the church for curbside contact-less drop-off. More drop-off details will follow.
Can’t shop? We gladly accept check donations (memo line "Christmas Gifts"). Since March, THOM CREI has spent well over $3,000 on diapers and grocery store gift cards for our families. Much of that money was donated by the Women’s Ministries and by members of the congregation last year as part of the Christmas Gift Program. We expect the need for these necessities will continue well into 2021.
|
|
A Cup of Morning Prayer
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God in the early morning hours and focus on prayer. Every Monday at 7:00 am, join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer.
Weather permitting, each session will be held in the sanctuary of nature, where church friends and families are invited to participate via Facebook LIVE. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer.
If you cannot make it to the LIVE session, visit our Facebook page, or request to have the recordings sent to you via email. Please share your prayer requests in advance via email to: annemarie@hillschurch.org. 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.
|
|
Noon Prayers from the Hills
Tune into the church's Facebook page at twelve noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 minutes) of reflection and prayers. Although we are not regularly in our offices at the church these days, please stay in touch!
Tuesday: Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
Wednesday: Rev. Matt Wooster
Thursday: Rev. Judy Swahnberg
|
|
This week's scripture:
2 Corinthians 7:9-11
|
|
Tuesday Morning Meditation
On Zoom from 9:30 to 10:30 am
We gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning. Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily . . . please join us and be restored during this time together. Questions? Email Mary Hill Canavan or Rev. Judy Swahnberg.
Attend Sunday Worship By Video
Worship services are now online with worship leaders recording their parts from different locations. Worship services will be available early Sunday mornings, and a reminder invitation with a link to the Order of Worship, will be sent out to everyone on our mailing list.
|
|
|
|
November 12
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
7:30 pm
November 13
5:00 pm
7:30 pm
7:30 pm
November 14
November 15
9:30 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
7:30 pm
November 16
7:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
November 17
9:30 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
November 18
12:00 pm
6:30 pm
8:00 pm
November 19
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
7:30 pm
|
|
THURSDAY
Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
FRIDAY
Newsletter Deadline
AA Meeting (Assembly Room)
Connections - Women's Fellowship (Zoom)
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Community Hour (Zoom)
Worship Service (Online)
Inquirers Gathering (Zoom)
AA Meeting (Adams Board Room)
MONDAY
A Cup of Morning Prayer
Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)
Food Pantry Restocking (Undercroft)
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Zoom)
Noon Prayers - Rev. Holloway (Facebook)
Clergy/CLG updates (Zoom)
Food Pantry Operation (Undercroft)
Tea Party (Zoom)
WEDNESDAY
Noon Prayers with Rev. Wooster (Facebook)
Governance Task Force
Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY
Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
|
|
|
|
"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
Reach out to Susan MacDonald, Church Administrator
phone: 781-235-4424 / email: susan@hillschurch.org
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS DUE FRIDAY @ 5 PM
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
