Welcome to Christ Lutheran e-news, a weekly electronic newsletter which highlights programs and activities of our congregation. Feel free to .
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The COVID-19 Working Group (Pr. Bourret, Lana Peta, Joyce Simon, Bruce S
c
hnepp
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r, Phil Roberts, and John Whitlock, Chair) met for a second time last week. The group is charged with developing criteria and benchmarks for returning to in-person worship, advising leadership on preparing the building for a return to more regular use, and communicating developments with the congregation at large.
At last week's meeting there was consensus that returning to worship in the nave is unlikely to happen for some time. Given the current limitations on the number of people who may gather, required distancing, the inadvisability of singing, and increased jeopardy to persons in higher risks groups, the worship we would be able to offer would likely be quite unsatisfying.
Worshiping outdoors may be a possibility during favorable weather, with Zoom worship continued for those for whom gathering in person, even outdoors and with safety protocols in place, is imprudent.
Watch for a poll to offer your feedback on current Zoom worship, as well as interest in some form of in-person worship.
Please note: the link for Zoom worship is available on the CLC website: www.christnatick.org. That's also the place to find daily reflections, based on the daily biblical readings of the Revised Common Lectionary.
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Youth & Families
Gail Weston-Roberts, Youth & Familes Coordinator
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Greetings, Youth and Families!
I'll keep this short: can you come to a tailgated, socially-distanced celebration of our high school graduates? We have 3 this year! Liana Chan, Vanessa Isbrandt, and Otto Kirleis. Congratulations, peoples!!
So of course I need your ideas for exactly what this party would be, but I'm thinking cars in the church parking lot, bring our own foods and beverages, wear masks of course, and maybe include...family members? You tell me.
I'll be sending you all suggested dates after I call The Graduates and their parents about their availability, which is of course essential.
Thank you, everybody-I really look forward to seeing you all again. It's been mighty quiet without you!
Peace and good health be with you all,
Gail W-R, Y & F Coordinator
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Book Group:
The CLC book group has selected Monday, June 30, for its next (virtual) meeting date. Once again, rather than readi
ng the same book, participants are invited to choose a volume from their own libraries, with a common historical theme either fiction or nonfiction.
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Family Promise Metrowest (FPM) continues to help our homeless neighbors and those at risk of becoming homeless
because of hardships such as job loss, wage reduction, or illness due to COVID-19, and they need our help now more than ever! Under normal circumstances Christ Lutheran would be preparing for our host week, but instead families are being sheltered in a local hotel. FPM is requesting the donation of gift cards to offset the increased costs associated with this temporary model.
Old-fashioned gift cards (not electronic gift cards) in smaller denominations ($10, 20, 25) to any local grocery, pharmacy or general store are appreciated and can be sent to Family Promise Metrowest at 6 Mulligan St., Natick 01760. Or you can donate directly to FPM (https://www.familypromisemetrowest.org/donate/), who will purchase the gift cards for the families. Please indicate that you are a member of Christ Lutheran when you make your donation so we can track our contributions.
Two of the four families who were in shelter at the beginning of March have moved into their own apartments, and the remaining two families are ready to join them as soon as they can locate affordable housing. Both of the mothers of the two remaining families are pregnant, due later this summer, and it would be such a blessing to have the babies come home to their own homes. If you know of any landlords with units available, please reach out to FPM! Family Promise is committed to continuing to provide assistance to four shelter families at a time and is interviewing new families to join the program as others graduate.
June 18 is World Refugee Day!
In recognition of the sacrifice, resilience, and contributions of refugees - including the hundreds of thousands working on the frontlines during the COVID-19 pandemic, tell your Members of Congress, local officials, and communities to stand in solidarity with refugees and support refugee resettlement.
Multiple virtual events are happening on Thursday, June 18th to commemorate World Refugee Day:
- ALL DAY! Join the National Call-In Day: Click here to contact your Members of Congress on June 18th and urge them to cosponsor a bipartisan resolution commemorating the 40th anniversary of the refugee resettlement program and honoring refugees on World Refugee Day.
- 1:00 PM ET! Amplify your Message During a TWITTERSTORM: Click here for a digital toolkit with sample social media posts and graphics to join the twitterstorm at 1pm ET (10am PT).
- 2:00 PM ET! Join the Faith Community Virtual Town Hall: Together national and local leaders will discuss how faith communities can continue to support refugees during these difficult days.
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At our semi-annual meeting on June 7, new Congregation Council members were elected. Hannele Saramo-Raja, Martha Cronin, Patricia Bianco, Kristina Stjernfeldt, Hilding Hedberg, Celeste Larson, Edie Lohr, Amy Lousararian, Peter Miller, Dave Ripp, John Whitlock, and Ellen Zagajeski, as well as Pr. Bourret, comprise the Council. Your prayers for their work in these difficult days are cherished!
The COVID-19 crisis having interrupted an otherwise productive year, the new Council will turn its attention to some unfinished business: work on archives and record retention, and the establishment of committees leading our efforts in social justice and advocacy, as well as evangelical outreach. (One related task will be to determine how each will be named.) If you are asked to serve on either committee, please give the invitation thoughtful prayerful consideration.
Work in these areas has been far from absent! Mary Wolf, Celeste Larson, Cathy Gallagher, and Ellen Zagajeski, for example, have had their sewing machines humming, making face masks for Ascentria Care Alliance. Here are a few of their hundreds of masks.
 
Of course, our response to the COVID-19 crisis will be ongoing.
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Celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Emanuel 9 online at ELCA tomorrow June 17, 2020 at noon. Click https://www.elca.org.
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READINGS FOR THIS WEEK - 3rd Sunday after Pentecost
June 21, 2020
In the gospel reading for this coming Sunday, Jesus says several surprising things: that he has come to bring, not peace, but a sword; and that followers must love him more than they love their own family members. Come to worship to meditate on what these sayings might mean, and at the table, be strengthened to live the surprising life of the Christian.
First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel
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Sing For Joy
Enhance your understanding of the weekly scripture readings by listening to Sing For Joy
from St. Olaf College. The Sing For Joy radio program, produced by
St. Olaf College
, has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the concise remarks from host
Pastor Bruce Benson
illuminate the meaning of the texts.
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