STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, December 3, 2020
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STILL PONDERING YOUR PLEDGE?
What is a pledge?
Your annual pledge sets aside a portion of God’s gifts to you and your family to support our church’s activities and to extend outreach to others. Each confidential pledge reflects your commitment to our faith community, the needs of the Hills Church, and your own financial resources. Collectively these promises enable the church to plan for the upcoming year and to create a budget that reflects our priorities.
What does my pledge pay for and are there other sources of revenue?
In the Congregational tradition each church has the responsibility to support itself. Our pledges represent about two thirds of our income; the nursery school usually provides about 25%, and we take a “draw” from our unrestricted funds. Taken together, these revenues pay the salaries and benefits of our clergy and lay staff, support our music program, provide faith formation opportunities for all ages, maintain our building and grounds, and fund numerous outreach programs.
Why is such a major increase in our total stewardship needed this year?
Your confidential pledge reflects your commitment to our faith community, the needs of the Hills Church, and your own financial resources. Annual revenues have not kept pace with our expenses for several years, and we have made up the difference from our unrestricted funds, our “savings.” This is not sustainable, and we look to close that gap this year. With pandemic restrictions, nursery school income is down significantly. We are asking for an 18% increase in current pledges, and seek 200 new pledges of at least $200 per month.
How do I make a pledge and how do I pay it?
Mail your completed pledge card to the church, or visit www.hillschurch.org and click on DONATE in the top right corner, where you will find links to complete your pledge.
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17 CHILDREN are counting on you this Christmas!
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Let's wrap this up! 23 more signups will bless every person on our list with the joy of opening a gift this Christmas. CLICK HERE to sign up to give a gift.
Contact-less Curbside Present Drop-off by the Office/Chapel side of the church. Someone will be there to take your gifts out of the car on:
- Saturday, December 5, 2020 from 9:00 to 11:00 am & 1:00 to 3:00 pm
- Sunday: December 6, 2020 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm
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set up a time that works for you by contacting Sue Spencer
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).
Can’t shop? We accept check donations (memo line "Christmas Gifts"). Since March, THOM CREI has spent 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.
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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. Register for the free workshops HERE to receive additional ZOOM link information.
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”
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Wellesley Nursery School in the Hills has immediate openings for the second half of this school year. Enrollment for the 2021/22 school year begins on January 1st. Please contact the Director, Melanie Dawson, or 781-237-9137 for enrollment information.
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Four available openings for children ages 4 and 5: Pre-Kindergarten meets Mon, Tue, Thu, and Fri from 9:00 am to 1:50 pm and Wed from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.
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Two available openings for children ages 3.8 and up: Preschool II meets Mon thru Fri 8:40 am to 11:40 am with both four and five day options.
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"ADVENT"ures
Through December 20th!
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Advent Video Series
Each week our Hills Church family is invited to savor the beauty of an original Advent video series. This creative series, directed by Hills’ own Kevin Groppe, is based on the work of beloved theologian Frederick Buechner.
Advent Church School (Zoom)
LIVE on Sundays @ 11:00 am
Travel with your Church Zoom friends on an adventure from India to Indiana, as we explore the history and traditions of the Christmas story through fun videos, crafts, and new friends each Sunday. We will answer questions like:
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What do Christmas trees have to do with Jesus?
Where do we get the word Christmas?
When was Jesus born?
Who is St. Nicholas?
What is Hanukkah?
Who is Emmanuel?
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Advent Spirituality Group (Zoom) Led by Rev. Judy Swahnberg
Tuesday(s) December 8, 15, 22 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm
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"Advent is not about a sentimental waiting for the Baby Jesus," Richard Rohr asserts. Advent is a time to focus our expectations and anticipation on “the adult Christ, the Cosmic Christ,” who challenges us to empty ourselves, to lose ourselves, to surrender. Richard Rohr’s Scriptural reflections for Advent are the perfect preparation for the Christmas season. Jesus is not telling us to believe unbelievable things, as if that would somehow please God. He is much more saying to us, “Try this,” and you will see for yourself that it is true. But that initial trying is always a leap of faith into some kind of action or practice.” ― Richard Rohr
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Mourning during the Holidays, during the Pandemic
Monday, December 14 at 7:30 pm (Zoom)
In the past year, many people have lost someone they love. Grieving is always hard work, and as we head into the holidays the reality can hit us hard. In 2020, the pandemic makes grieving even more complicated. The social distance we need to maintain to stay healthy is making family togetherness and shared meals with friends nearly impossible. How are you doing? What is giving you comfort? Are you able to find God in the midst of it? Anyone who has experienced loss is welcome to gather on Zoom for support, comfort, and prayer. Please register for this gathering HERE. Rev. Judy Swahnberg, facilitator
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Advent Through the Eyes
of Those Who Waited (Zoom)
Sunday(s) December 13 & 20
Adult Focused Bible Study
6:00 to 7:00 pm
Family Focused Bible Study
7:00 to 8:00 pm
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Living through a pandemic creates a new kind of Advent experience this year. Instead of frenetic schedules, we have mostly grown tired of quarantine waiting. Even so, as Christian activist Joan Chittister reminds us, “Life is an exercise in transformation, the mechanics of which take a lifetime of practice, of patience, of slow, slow growth. Learning to wait is an essential dimension of spiritual development . . . with its own values, bringing its own character to the process of becoming spiritually mature.” What can our scriptures teach us about waiting and making space for God who comes to us at Bethlehem? This virtual study will be offered in two formats: Rev. Anne Marie will lead a youth/family group, and Rev. Suzanne Bossert will lead an adult gathering. |
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Are you coming to this event?
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DATE AND TIME
12/17/20 3:00pm
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12/17/20 4:00pm
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Christmas Tea Party!
Calorie free when consuming goodies remotely!
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Participate in the Christmas Pageant!
Behold we bring you good news of Glad Tidings!!! Spread the Word! On Christmas Eve, at our 4:00 p.m. online family service, we will have a virtual Hills Church Family Christmas Pageant. Family Ministries have created a new version of our beloved Christmas Pageant, one that will safely allow us to share the good news and still actively participate in this beloved tradition! An invitation to sign up went out to our families! If you would like to sign up to participate click HERE. If you have trouble accessing the sign up link, please email Sally Tomasetti or Rev. Anne Marie!
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Puzzled about how to select meaningful gifts this holiday season? Consider supporting the African Indian Alliance (AIA) by purchasing our gift card. Due to the pandemic, the Siddi schools are closed, but our partners in India continue to educate the socially and economically disadvantaged students and their families about health safety and make home wellness checks. Your support is greatly needed and appreciated. This year there is only one card design; we are asking for a minimum donation of $10 per card. This year we won’t sell cards at church. Instead, please contact Kelly Ford to place an order. Cards will be delivered to your home as soon as you wish. Payment may be made by check to AIA, and sent to Kelly at 20 Asheville Road, Newton, MA 02462, or by credit card by phoning Kelly at 617-966-2913.
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A Cup of Morning Prayer
Every Monday at 7 am, join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer - in the quiet presence of God - focus on prayer.
Weather permitting, each session is 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. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care by our small and private Facebook Live group.
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Noon Prayers from the Hills
Tune into our Facebook page at twelve noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for 5 to 15 minutes of reflection and prayer. Although we are not regularly in our church offices these days, please stay in touch!
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SCRIPTURE THIS WEEK:
Isaiah 40:1-5
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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. A reminder invitation with a link to the Order of Worship, will be sent out to everyone on our mailing list. Please join us at 10:00 am each Sunday morning.
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar |
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December 3
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
6:30 pm
December 4
1:00 pm
7:30 pm
December 5
8:00 am
9:00 am
10:00 am
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
December 6
9:30 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
11:00 am
1:00 pm
1:00 pm
7:30 pm
December 7
7:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
7:30 pm
December 8
9:30 am
11:00 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
December 9
12:00 pm
8:00 pm
December 10
10:00 am
10:30 am
12:00 pm
6:30 pm
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THURSDAY
Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
FRIDAY
Worship Preparation (Large Kitchen) (Judy)
AA Meeting (Assembly Room)
SATURDAY
Worship Recording (Sanctuary) (Anne Marie)
Christmas Present Drop-off
Worship Recording (Sanctuary) (Matt)
Christmas Present Drop-off
Worship Recording (Sanctuary) (John)
SUNDAY - SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT
Community Hour (Zoom)
Worship Service (Online)
Christmas Present Drop-off
Advent Church School (Zoom)
Anti-Racism Workshop (Zoom)
Worship Recording (Sanctuary) (John)
AA Meeting (Adams Board Room)
MONDAY
A Cup of Morning Prayer
Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)
Food Pantry Restocking (Undercroft)
Deacon's Meeting (Zoom)
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Zoom)
Advent Spirituality (Zoom)
Noon Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)
Food Pantry Operation (Undercroft)
WEDNESDAY
Noon Prayers with Rev. Wooster (Facebook)
Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY
Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
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"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
phone: 781-235-4424
email: office@hillschurch.org
NEWSLETTER DEADLINE IS FRIDAY @ 5 PM
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