|
|
 |
|
HORIZONS
March 2020
Hingham Congregational Church, UCC
366 Main Street, Hingham, MA 02043
781-749-1276
|
|
|
|
|
|
Message from the Senior Pastor
Dear Friends,
Viral Fear
The coronavirus has us on edge. We are learning more about it every day, but there are still so many unknowns - and we fear those. Hopefully, each of us is doing what we can to take care of ourselves as individuals: Staying healthy. Going to the doctor if we need to. Avoiding handrails if we can. Coughing into our elbows instead of our hands. Using hand sanitizer. Washing our hands often and thoroughly...
It's also important to take measures as a church community. On Wednesday, the Deacons and Christian Education Boards will be discussing preventative measures we can take on Sunday mornings. A couple of preliminary ideas: Please stay home if you are sick. Let's pass the peace with elbow bumps.
We will share more ideas later this week.
From a spiritual perspective, I believe we should never panic. We cannot control everything in the world around us. We must do our best to be responsible and then trust God, ourselves, and one another. This virus is real. Our fears are real. But faith overcomes fear every time. We are going to be OK.
Peace,
Pete
Rev. Dr. Peter Allen
Senior Pastor,
Hingham Congregational Church,
Church Office:
781-749-1276
|
|
Christian Education March 2020
HCC family and friends,
As Lent has just begun, we have an awesome opportunity to move toward God's heart. There are many ways to do so; traditionally, Christians will fast in some way, pray, and attend services specific to Lent (Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday). For us 21st Christians in the United Church of Christ, we might decide to broaden our understandings of how we might move closer to God and work to become one with the journey Jesus showed us.
As some of you know, I am sending out daily Lenten snippets through an online platform. A handful of you have opted in for these and I can add as many people as
are interested! You may be added with your cell number (enabled to received tex
messages) or with your email address. Fear not - these are truly snippets - less
than 3 lines of faith for your day. Perhaps if you have not yet thought of a Lenten
practice this would suffice? After all, one of the modern movements in the
Protestant church is indeed to add rather than subtract. There are many ways to move towards the divine. Let me know if you'd like to be added.
During this Lenten season, our Christian Education board is continuing to take a serious look at our curriculum and if we might want to shift to a rotational model. The older kids and youth will experience a model like this in March, April and May. As they try this out, I am happy to hear feedback from anyone who would like to offer it. Furthermore, if you have interest in helping with the board considering this curriculum shift, do let me know.
I would like to offer a huge thanks to all of you who have reached out as my best friend from High School ended her battle with cancer this past month. I will be going to a celebration of her life the third week in March. 2020 has been trying
for me thus far. In addition to my friend's passing, my brother continues to
struggle with addiction, mental health and homelessness. I am grateful that I
spoke to him recently. If you'd like to add him to your prayers, his name is Daniel.
He is sensitive and caring; I miss him. I share this news about my brother too, in part, because I am aware that substance abuse issues pop up in almost all families, if not immediate then at least extended.
Relating to homelessness, our book study is coming to fruition this month. On March 8th, 22nd, & 29th we will be discussing Matthew Desmond's book Evicted in either the meeting room or the 3rd floor classrooms. Childcare will be provided and substantial snacks will be available. These meetings will be between 11:15 am and 12:15 pm. To catch a brief snippet of this program's content, check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY4Q8XQ0n6E Non-HCC folks are more than welcome though this will be book reflection from a Christian perspective.
The women's retreat is coming right up and we are so looking forward to it. Limited space is available so do let us know if you want to attend. Cost is dependent on single, shared or day only attendance: $220, $160, $60. Yoga will be on Saturday this year and Rev. Holly will return to lead our group at Craigville Retreat Center. Our theme is Circles of Relationship, Spirals of Life: Throughout the course of life, we enter into circles of relationships and community that challenge, inspire, and comfort us. We break free from one circle and find another welcomes us. We enter a new turn in life's journey and find our circle expanding or contracting. Come, enter the circle of retreat and join in considering how the Circles of Relationship in which we
move draws us into the larger Spirals of Life in God's sacred dance.
We continue to successfully find middle and high school youth to help us with reading scripture for worship and we are so grateful to them! If someone in your family wants to read, please let me know.
We are always looking for people to help with shepherding (this just means assisting teachers): https://signup.com/go/fHAHuST If you feel unprepared or not ready to shepherd and would like to chat more about what it entails, please send me an email!
I hope you will give me ring, visit me during office hours or send me an email should
you have any questions or comments about any of this programming.
Sending peace,
Rev. Sara
|
CLIMATE CAFÉ NEWS
TWO special presenters will be with us on
March 15 and April 19.
Sid Florey (March 15),
who works for a Belgian company, is a key figure in developing OFF SHORE WIND in the US and Canada. Sid is doing exploration from the Atlantic northeast and the mid-Atlantic to the Pacific Northwest to create off-shore wind power from far out at sea. This is an optimistic development for alternative power sources. Hear Sid's personal story.
Laura Burns (April 19),
will then be with us the Sunday after Easter to talk about her work on behalf of the environment on the South Shore in numerous ways, including getting arrested at the Weymouth Compressor Station site. Not bad for a former Hingham Select(wo)man!
The HCC Climate Cafe gathers one Sunday a month after church in the meeting room adjacent to Hale Hall from approx. 11:30-12:30. Grab some coffee, greet a new member or visitor, then head to the Climate Cafe!
|
Meditation Monday
March 9 from 7:30 pm to 8:15 pm
This is a great way to slow down and connect to the Spirit of the Divine -
please consider joining us!
We are accessible to all.
Park in the Pleasant St parking lot and take the elevation to the 3rd floor.
|
LONG RANGE PLANNING SURVEY
Please take a moment to fill out a survey about church
life that will help us in our strategic planning goals.
|
Consignment Center Prepares for Spring
February ended with annual clearance events, as the Consignment Center staff
removed winter apparel in preparation for spring's arrival. Customers were eager to snap up bargains and glean for friends and families. At the conclusion of Dollar Days last Saturday, all remaining merchandise was sorted and packed for distribution to charities.
This year, we have been able to broaden our base for donations, and direct surplus merchandise to assist a greater number of specific local and area needs. After making contact with Cradles to Crayons through our HCC youth activities, additional clothing, toys, games, and craft supplies were given to help their children and families. An assortment of picture frames has been delivered to Cardinal Cushing Training Center, where students prepare and mount original artwork for sale at the Trader Gift Shop. A large supply of household goods (draperies, linens, kitchen utensils, baking tins, tableware, and home decor) was given to Friends of the Homeless of the South Shore for use by families establishing new homes. Winter hats, scarves, gloves, socks and layering jerseys have been sent to the Upper Valley Haven in White River Junction, VT, to provide for overnight guests who rely on their shelter through nights that will remain
cold for many more weeks. We also appreciate the Salvation Army's willingness to pick up items which can be used in their ongoing ministries.
The Consignment Center will be closed during the week of March 3-7 to allow staff to
complete a thorough cleaning, sort incoming donations, and prepare items for display and sale. Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, March 10, when doors open to invite a first peek of spring and, something
Green? We are accepting early spring merchandise and Easter décor, but ask that you do not bring shorts, sleeveless tops, sundresses, or sandals until April 7.
|
March Jr. Choir Notes
The Jr. Choir will continue rehearsals the next few Sundays following Church School classes as we prepare to sing in church again on March 15. Last month was such fun as w
e sang, "Take Care," with the Folk and Sr. Choirs. In March we will sing on our own. Jr. Choir is open to children who enjoy singing, ages 4 through 5th grade. New members are always welcome, and may bring an adult of their choice with
them to rehearsal if that would raise the comfort level. Rehearsals always end by 12 noon. We'd love for you to join us in joyful singing!
Contact Mr. B. or Mrs. England for more information.
|
LADIES LOUNGE
Simple fellowship for women - seeking a host for the end of
|
P
ine Street Inn Meal on
Monday, March 16, 2019.
Kitchen help is needed on Monday morning, March 16 at 8:00 AM in the HCC kitchen.
Donations of desserts are needed
. Cookies, bars, cupcakes, and brownies are easy to serve and enjoyed by our friends at Pine Street Inn. Please drop off donations on Sunday morning, March 15, or on Monday morning, March 16 before 9 am. Making cookies for the Pine Street Inn is a fun activity
if you and your children are home for school vacation. If you have any questions, please contact Ruth Whitner, [email protected].
|
|
 The Board of Outreachis
coordinating a food collection event for
the Hingham Food Pantry. Our goal is 100 bags of groceries for needy neighbors. (We have 65 so far) Please bring bags filled with non-perishable food items to church (drop off downstairs in the meeting room) this
Sunday, March 1 or March 8.
Please bring bags filled with non-perishable food items to church (drop off downstairs in the meeting room). Please join us after church for an hour on Sunday March 8 to help sort the donations. All ages welcome!
And finally, we need a few volunteers to help drive the food from HCC to the Hingham Food Pantry on Sunday, March 15 after church. Please sign up with an Outreach Board member at a table in Hale Hall after services or email
[email protected].
Most Needed items:
-Ground Regular Coffee -Canned Stew
-Grape or Strawberry Jelly -Canned Fruit
-Boxes of Granola Bars -Cookies and Crackers
Please check that all items have a current date
EASTER BOXES:
Once again, we will be organizing the donation Easter Food Boxes for the community served by Wellspring in Hull. Look for the boxes after church beginning
Sunday, March 22.
|
Next Men's Group meeting
will be Monday March 9th, 6:30 PM
at Ames Chapel 12 South Street Hingham,
Dick Hawkins will be sharing some photos and memories of Saigon during the Vietnam War.
We will meet at 6:30 for social [half] hour
Dinner at 7:00
Dick's talk at 8:00.
I'm really looking forward to this presentation as well as taking advantage of the beautiful meeting space available to us. We will be making a donation to the Friends of Hingham Cemetery to help with upkeep and restoration. The cemetery and chapel are managed by an all volunteer board of directors and receives no money from the town.
Let me know if you can make it so we can get a head count for food and drink. Suggested donation is $20 but don't let that stop you from coming. All men from the church and their friends are welcome.
Neil
|
The HCC Board of Outreach
is proud to announcement that
DOVE (Domestic Violence Ended)
is officially naming both their kitchens the
"Hingham Congregational Church Kitchen"
and the Dedication Ceremony will be on
Thursday March 19 at 6 pm.
Any interested HCC member is welcome to join Rev Pete and members of Outreach at this historic event.
DOVE is a Quincy-based organization committed to helping victims of domestic violence through broad range of preventative and responsive services, including a 24 hour hotline and shelter. HCC has been faithfully supporting DOVE and its mission for 20+ years. DOVE's recent Moving Forward Campaign sought to raise funds to enable them to expand their services in a new Community Resource Center in Quincy. This campaign coincided with HCC's own renovation project fundraising campaign and DOVE was the happy recipient of grant money made available during that time. These funds combined with proceeds from the Taste of Hingham and our regular HCC Outreach support all has added up to enough to inspire DOVE to name their two kitchens (one in the new Community Resource Center and one in the Shelter) in our honor.
We are so proud that DOVE has recognized OUR support over the years and welcome you to join us at the Dedication Ceremony, in which two other spaces will be dedicated. The event is at the Community Resource Center on 3/19/20 at 6 pm at 159 Thomas Burgin Parkway in Quincy. Please email Lynne Powell-Pinto if you would like to attend so that she can rsvp an accurate number and coordinate carpooling for anyone interested at [email protected].
|
SAVE THE DATE!
The annual HCC Progressive Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 28th
Great food, great fun, and a wonderful way to get to know the members of our church family a little better.
The party begins with appetizers and beverages in the Hale Hall at 5 pm and from there, we will split into groups and enjoy a delicious dinner that we all had a hand in preparing, at one of the assigned dinner houses. More details to come over the next month. But in the meantime, if you'd like to host a group for dinner, please contact Sherry Schilb at
[email protected]
|
Prayer requests...
-
Kurt Nilsen, whose mother died recently
-
-
Candy Heath, whose sister died recently
-
Allan Bacon, Carolyn Antoine's brother
- Ed Ford, on the loss of his sister Patricia Ford, December 11, 2019
-
- Betty and Tom Hulbert
- Don Giessow, David's Brother
- Vic Soldat, Nancie Mooney's brother
- Suzy Burba, and Winston Janusz, Members in Discernment
- Daryl Denelle, seeking ordination
- All those affected by violence in the world; our prayer is for love, justice, and peace.
|
HCC CALENDAR
:
|
Mar 1
|
10:00 am
|
Lent has begun - worship Sunday morning with communion!
|
|
11:15 am
|
Junior Choir
|
|
11:15 am to noon
|
Christian Education discussion of rotational
model (teachers welcome to attend too)
|
|
3:00 pm
|
All Church Family Fun Bowling
|
|
5:00 pm
|
Pizza & Prayer
|
|
Mar 3
|
7:00 pm
|
Tuesday Night Bible Study
|
|
Mar 4
|
7:15 pm
|
Board of Deacons
|
|
7:15 pm
|
Board of Christian Education
|
|
7:15 pm
|
Board of Trustees
|
|
Mar 5
|
9:00 am
|
Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)
|
|
7:30 pm
|
Choir Rehearsal - cancelled
|
|
Mar 5
|
7:30 pm
|
Tree lot meeting with some Christian Ed reps and other volunteers (if you would like to come to this meeting, inquire to Sara orTracy)
|
|
Mar 6
|
10:30 am
|
Rev. Sara's 'open' office hours at 366 Main Street
|
|
Mar 8
|
2:00 am
|
Change your clocks - Spring forward
|
|
10:00 am
|
Sunday worship, New Members Joining! Rev Sara will focus on the theme 'Bold Blessing,' as presented by the United Church of Christ.
Also, it is International Women's Day. We hope to see you!
|
|
10:00 am
|
Breakfast Club- faith reflection for HS youth (meeting room)
|
|
10:00 am
|
New Members joining Sunday
|
|
11:00 am
|
Sorting Sunday - Food Pantry Items
|
|
11:15 am
|
Junior Choir
|
|
11:15 am
|
Book Discussion - Evicted- child care available
|
|
6:30 pm
|
Confirmation with a light supper
|
| Mar 9-10 |
|
Purim 2020 begins and continues through Tuesday
|
|
Mar 9
|
6
:30 pm
|
Men's Group - Ames Chapel
|
|
|
7
:30 pm
|
Meditation Monday
|
Mar 10
|
7:00 pm
|
Tuesday Night Bible Study
|
|
Mar 11
|
7:30 pm
|
Lenten Evening Service-Contemplative service (our confirmands will lead too!)
|
|
8:00 pm
|
Board of Outreach
|
|
Mar 12
|
9:00 am
|
Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)
|
|
7:30 pm
|
Choir Rehearsal
|
|
Mar 13-14
|
5:00 pm
|
Women's Retreat @ Craigville Retreat Center
|
|
Mar 14
|
8:30 am |
Super Saturday (UCC educational event); inquire to office or
either pastor for information. This one will be in Wilbraham, MA
|
|
Mar 15
|
10
:00 am
|
Sunday Worship
|
|
11:15 am
|
Junior Choir
|
|
11:30 am
|
Climate Cafe - with guest: Sid Florey
|
|
4:00 pm
|
Middle School Youth Group
|
|
Mar 16
|
8:00 am
|
Pine Street Inn Meal Prep
|
|
11:30 am
|
Rev. Sara's 'open' office hours at 366 Main Street
|
|
Mar 17
|
7:00 pm
|
Tuesday Night Bible Study
|
|
Mar 18
|
7:30 pm
|
Lenten Evening Service
|
|
7:30 pm
|
Executive Council
|
|
Mar 19
|
9:00 am
|
Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)
|
|
7:30 pm
|
Choir Rehearsal
|
|
Mar 22
|
10:00 am
|
Sunday Worship
|
|
11:15 pm
|
Junior Choir
|
|
11:15 am
|
Book Discussion - Evicted - childcare provided |
|
|
6:30 pm
|
Confirmation with light dinner provided
|
|
Mar 24
|
7:00 pm
|
Tuesday Night Bible Study
|
|
Mar 25
|
7:30 pm
|
Lenten Evening Service
|
|
Mar 26
|
9:00 am
|
Growing in Faith Together (G.I.F.T.)
|
|
11:30 am
|
Rev. Sara's 'open' office hours at 366 Main Street
|
|
|
7:30 pm
|
Choir Rehearsal
|
|
Mar 28
|
5:00 pm
|
Annual Progressive Dinner
|
|
Mar 29
|
10:00 am
|
Sunday Worship
|
|
11:15 am
|
Junior Choir
|
|
11:15 am
|
Book Discussion - Evicted - childcare provided |
|
4:00 pm
|
Middle School Youth Group
|
|
Mar 31
|
7:00 pm
|
Tuesday Night Bible Study
|
|
SAVE THE
|
DATE
|
|
|
Apr 5
|
10:00 am
|
Breakfast Club
|
|
5:00 pm
|
Pizza & Prayer
|
|
|
6:30 pm
|
Confirmation with Sponsors
|
|
Apr 9
|
7:30 pm
|
Maundy Thursday
|
|
Apr 12
|
6:00 am
|
Sunrise Service
|
|
9:00 am
|
Easter Service
|
|
11:00 am
|
Easter Service
|
|
Apr 20
|
8:00 am
|
Pine Street Meal Prep
|
Please contact the church office if you have any questions
or changes to the above
|
Wishing a happy March birthday to our HCC family:
|
1
|
Eric Whitner
|
16
|
Bryan Dettman
|
23
|
Daniel Wylie
|
|
|
Henry Sibley
|
|
Lauren Edmundson
|
24
|
Clark Vialle
|
|
2
|
John Gillig
|
17
|
James Ricciardelli
|
26
|
Whitney Hall
|
|
|
Warren Brini
|
18
|
Tyler Anderson
|
|
Duncan Burleigh
|
|
|
Melissa Anderson
|
|
Gerald Jones
|
27
|
Doug Juenumann
|
|
3
|
Holly Moriarty
|
19
|
Maarten Noordzij
|
|
Caryl Sullivan
|
|
|
Coco Berube
|
|
Camille Boer
|
|
Alex Gorczyca
|
|
4
|
Owen Burleigh
|
|
Alex Pinto
|
|
Connor Cease
|
|
5
|
Clay Harbert
|
20
|
Caroline Nilsen
|
28
|
Ryann Wolfgruber
|
|
6
|
Malin King
|
|
Lynn Anderson
|
|
Avi Lev
|
|
|
Jerry Randall
|
|
Susan Passaretti
|
|
Jane Thorell
|
|
|
Meghan Rowan
|
22
|
Hunter Schilb
|
29
|
David Hulbert
|
|
12
|
Meghan Sloan
|
|
Elena Smith
|
30
|
Richard Hollander
|
|
13
|
Clark Ricciardelli
|
|
Jessica Jaena
|
31
|
Alex Pinarchick
|
|
16
|
Julia Hedlund
|
23
|
Jody Nash
|
|
|
Wishing a happy March anniversary to:
March 18 Michael & Susan Sardina - 42 years
|
IN OUR COMMUNITY:
BECOME A HOSPICE VOLUNTEER -
Someone needs your help today... Bring joy to someone's life! Are you a caring person with a compassionate heart? Give the gift of time to a hospice patient! Free training is provided. For more information please call Helen Burgoyne, Volunteer Coordinator, Beacon Hospice, Plymouth MA 508-747-7222 x119, or Lora Wooster, Volunteer Coordinator, Hospice of the South Shore-Rockland, 781-624-7255.
|
|
|
|
Sarah Drummond_ Dean of Andover Newton Seminary at Yale_ recently visited HCC. Pictured here with Sarah are current and former Andover Newton students and board members.
|
|
Hospitality in a Growing Church:
Why do we welcome visitors to HCC? Reaching out to visitors in a warm and friendly manner helps our church to grow and creates community. Visitors often come to our church to try it out. They have a variety of reasons and a diversity of backgrounds. What happens to them from the time they first arrive to the time they leave will determine how well our church embodies our commission from Jesus to reach out and make disciples. The inspiring quality of the sermon and the worship service are crucial. However, research has shown that the warmth and friendliness of the congregation account for more than half of the reasons that visitors return. When new members are asked, "Why did you choose to join this church?" the most common replies are, "We tried several churches but this one had the friendliest people," or "On our first visit we felt as if we were part of the church community." All of us at HCC practice hospitality when we reach out to others, wear our name tags, pass the friendship pads along our pews, greet newcomers after the service and invite them to coffee hour. We invite them to participate in all that HCC has to offer. We all help make HCC a warm and friendly place to be!
Adapted from: Hospitality in a Growing Church, UCC, 1985
|
The Broad Cove Chorale-Unicorn Singers perform
"Considering Matthew Shepard"
The Broad Cove Chorale-Unicorn Singers will be performing Craig Hella Johnson's contemporary passion oratorio
Considering Matthew Shepard
at the United Church of Christ Norwell, 460
Main St., on Saturday, March 28 at 8:00 pm and Sunday, March 29 at 4:00 pm. This beautiful, significant work, so well-suited to the needs of our times, recounts the brutal slaying of a young, gay Wyoming college student in 1998 and the hate-filled, anti-gay protest staged by members of the Westboro Baptist Church at his funeral several days later. While it tells a deeply disturbing story, often in difficult language, it ultimately affirms life.
With notes of gospel, blues, folk and jazz, it calls us to remembrance, itself an affirmation that we could do-be-better; reminds us of the commonality of human experience; embraces the beauty and solace of nature; and finds power in community and love. More information about CMS can be found at http://bcc-us.org/cms.html. A video created by Todd Swavey supplements CMS information with rehearsal footage and singers' reflections:
https://youtu.be/5C3truj9M6Q. Todd, Tracy Allen, Ed Bartholomew, David Giessow and Lynn Anderson will be performing this work with the chorus.
Student tickets are $10, at the door or in advance at bcc-us.org. Regular tickets are $20 in advance at bcc-us.org, and $25 at the door.
|
|
| |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
| |
|
