Events December 10, 2020

STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

Thursday, December 10, 2020

"ADVENT"ures

Through December 20th!

Advent Through the Eyes of Those Who Waited (Zoom)

Sunday, December 13 & 20

Adult Focused Bible Study 6:00 to 7:00 pm

Family Focused Bible Study 7:00 to 8:00 pm

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. Register here

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. Register here

Advent Spirituality Group (Zoom) Led by Rev. Judy Swahnberg

Tuesday, December 15 & 22 from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm

"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

Looking for a Santa's helper to do a simple task from the safety of your home. You simply call and ask to be removed from mailing lists. The above picture is one month's worth of unwanted catalogs. If interested, email Susan.

Zoom Church School

LIVE Sunday @ 11 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.

Are you coming to this event?

DATE AND TIME
12/17/20 3:00pm - 12/17/20 4:00pm

Count me in!

I will miss everyone!

Christmas Tea Party!

Calorie free when consuming goodies remotely!

Update from the Reopening Task Force

The Reopening Task Force has continued to follow the Covid-19 monitoring data from the MA Department of Public Health which shows a surge in new cases in October and November. As is also very evident from reports in the news media, this surge is equivalent to, and possibly worse than, the previous peak of the pandemic in April. What is even more concerning is that this surge is occurring even before we would expect to see the impact of increased traveling and gathering over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Under these circumstances, it doesn’t seem wise or responsible for us to consider expanding indoor services and gatherings during December and January, so the Task Force is recommending that we continue to limit in-person activities to what we have been doing, namely:

Special Services (e.g. baptism) indoors, in-person for ≤ 10 people
Small meetings in Board Room, Reception Room, Bell Room (≤ 5 people)
Recording services or instrumental music in Sanctuary (≤ 5 people)
Recording up to 2 vocalists or wind instrument players plus 1 accompanist in the Sanctuary
Nursery School (Note that the children are segregated in class groups of ≤ 10.)
AA and the Food Pantry, deemed necessary services by the MA DPH

This decision was not undertaken lightly, because all of us, including the members of the task force, would love to be able to experience our Advent and Christmas traditions together this year. But we need to do our part to help our immediate and broader communities flatten the curve of this surge and keep each other safe. We know that we are all disappointed, Task Force members included, not to be able to celebrate Advent and Christmas as we traditionally have done, but we have a responsibility to keep ourselves, and the members of our communities, healthy and safe.

Fortunately, our clergy and staff have done a wonderful job of planning worship services and other events for this Advent season. (Please check the listings in ‘Events at the Hills’.) Even though we won’t be able to gather in person, we will still be able to share our faith and traditions with one another in a meaningful way.

The Task Force will continue to follow the public health data and make recommendations about gathering after January, 2021. By that time, the first waves of vaccination may have started, and while most of us will not be in those high priority groups, the vaccines raise our hopes of beating this pandemic. And Hope, fittingly enough, is the first candle in Advent.

The Re-opening Task Force: Rob Andrews, Mimi DiAngelo, Anne Marie Halloway, Christopher Stowell, Matthew Wooster, Elaine Vildzius

THE TIME IS NOW!

THE HILLS CHURCH NEEDS YOUR SUPPORT

The Stewardship Campaign for 2021 has reached about half of our goal, which is good news, but we have a long way to go! We have heard from slightly more than half of our previous pledging members, along with some newcomers – but more widespread participation is critical. Please return your pledge card promptly so that the Hills Church can maintain the ministries that serve all of us. Or you may pledge online by filling out the secure form by clicking this link.

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.

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.
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.

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.

Seating for Wallace Chapel

Last spring I was asked by the Deacons and Church Council to form a committee to select chairs for our newly renovated Chapel. Lucy Sur, Susie Alexander, and Myralee Wilson agreed to serve with JoAnna and me. All of the members had one thing in common, a belief that our Chapel is the gem of our church campus. With its beautiful stained glass windows and antique organ case, it provides an intimate, worshipful space that is unmatched on our campus. Our goal was to choose chairs that would not only maintain, but also enhance the beauty and worshipful atmosphere of the Chapel and make it more flexible for different forms of worship.

Myralee had already done a great deal of work to identify quality chair manufactures from which to make our selection. The company we chose, New Holland Church Furniture, is located in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country. They delivered sample chairs, stains and seat coverings for our approval and we unanimously chose the chair pictured above, except that the chosen wood stain color will be lighter and less red to better complement the colors of the new hardwood floor and the wood trim of the chapel. As you can see, the chairs are similar to the chairs used by our Chancel Choir. However, they are wider and much more comfortable. They will not detract from the acoustics of the chapel, and John Finney has expressed his enthusiastic approval. The chairs are stackable and have holders for hymnals and communion cups. We made several calls to churches and schools which are using New Holland chairs and received very good reviews on the quality and durability of the chairs, as well as the service of New Holland.

We have ordered 90 regular chairs and 10 arm chairs. This number of chairs will enable us to have both a center aisle and a 2’5” aisle on each side.

We very much appreciate the opportunity to work on this project, which we are convinced will enhance the beauty and usefulness of this sacred worship space.

Jim McKinney

Anti-Racism Workshop

Sunday, January 10, 1:00-4:00 pm

How to talk about Racism with Connection:

Introduction to the model of “Validate, Challenge & Request”

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 HERE for the free workshops to receive additional ZOOM link information.

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.

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!

Tuesday: Rev. Anne Marie Holloway

Wednesday: Rev. Matt Wooster

Thursday: Rev. Judy Swahnberg

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE

CHURCH'S FACEBOOK PAGE

Stone with a painted smile. On the shore_ one stone stands out from the others. On a small stone is an image of a happy face. Concept joy_ happiness_ positive_ kindness.

SCRIPTURE THIS WEEK:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11

CLICK HERE TO

WORSHIP ON FACEBOOK

CLICK HERE TO

WORSHIP ON OUR WEBSITE

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.

Hills Church Weekly Calendar

THURSDAY

Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)

Worship Recording (Sanctuary)

New Beginnings (Assembly Room)

FRIDAY

Worship Recording (Sanctuary)

AA Meeting (Assembly Room)

Connections (Zoom)

SATURDAY

Worship Recording (Sanctuary)

SUNDAY - THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT

Community Hour (Zoom)

Worship Service (Online)

Advent Church School (Zoom)

Adult Advent Study (Zoom)

Family Advent Study (Zoom)

AA Meeting (Adams Board Room)

MONDAY

A Cup of Morning Prayer

Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)

Food Pantry Donations (Undercroft)

Mourning During Advent (Zoom)

TUESDAY

Morning Meditation (Zoom)

Advent Spirituality (Zoom)

Noon Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)

Food Pantry Operation (Undercroft)

Council Meeting (Zoom)

WEDNESDAY

Nursery School Holiday Concert (Assembly Room)

Noon Prayers with Rev. Wooster (Facebook)

Holiday Lunch/Meeting (Reception Room)

Choir Rehearsal

THURSDAY

Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noon Prayers with Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)

Christmas Concert Recording

Christmas Tea Party (Zoom)

New Beginnings (Assembly Room)

Stewards/Council Meeting (Zoom)

"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