April 7, 2021
Dear Members and Friends of the Hills Church,
The large heart with the cross at its center at the front door of the church is a beautiful statement of our faith, demonstrating to all who walk or drive by that in the Hills Church, there is a heart of love. Back in December, the Advent themes on the front lawn lifting up Hope, Peace, Joy and Love inspired us. Over Holy Week our heart communicated both our sorrows and then the joyful Alleluia of Easter morning. Our signs communicate to the world what we believe:
Love is at the center of our ministry,
and we want to share the joy of church life!
Our front lawn had always been a gathering spot for conversation, ice cream, lemonade, cookouts, Blessing our Animals, and, of course, pumpkins! Our central location offers us a unique opportunity to signal Christian hospitality and love through activities, and symbolism and signage.
For many of us one of the great joys of our lives is church! Yet each of us had a time of beginning our journey of faith and fellowship; each of us took the first step to enter into life at the Hills Church. In this time of pandemic, we believe many people are yearning for the Good News of God’s love and also for community. We want to make sure all know they are welcome, whoever they are, and wherever they are on their faith journey.
In June 2011, at a Special Congregational Meeting, the members of the Hills Church voted unanimously to become an Open and Affirming church ("ONA"), the 944th in the United States and the 104th such church in Massachusetts. This vote affirming that members of the LGBTQ community are invited to be in fellowship was held after a committee led the congregation through extensive conversations, study, reflection, and prayer. The “ONA” Committee chose as its guiding light a verse from Romans: “Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”
Since then, every in-person worship service begins with a heartfelt welcome that is also printed on orders of worship. Our virtual services always begin with welcome. We mean it. Yet we wonder: how is our welcome being communicated to those who don’t know us yet? Who don’t tune in on-line? Who just drive by? How can we reach out to others, “for the glory of God”?
You may have noticed that most “ONA” churches in Wellesley and neighboring towns indicate their affirmation with some sort of signage. Our worry is that our lack of symbolic welcome might lead others to infer that they are not, in fact, welcome at the Hills Church. In anticipation of the 10th anniversary of our historic vote on becoming an Open and Affirming Church, the Spiritual Care Support Board (Board of Deacons) has formed a Welcoming Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force to invite dialogue, and then to recommend:
• welcoming signage such as banners, rainbow stripes, multi-colored Adirondack chairs?
• how might the congregation live out welcoming all with love at the center?
Please join us in conversation. We recognize that members of the congregation may be very enthusiastic about embarking on this project and others may have different opinions on signage options. Bishop Michael Curry in his book Love Is the Way reminds us, “One of the most important functions of the Church is to be a sanctuary in which people can disagree, even vehemently, and yet still see the other as a brother or sister in Christ.”
As we engage in discussion, consider options for signage and ways our congregation can be more welcoming, we are guided by the prophet Micah’s words: "…what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
We invite your ideas and suggestions before May 1, 2021. Please email the church office or Mimi, or you may reach out to any of us with direct conversations or direct a letter to the Task Force chairs, Mimi D’Angelo and Pete Pedersen, in care of the church.
Yours in faith,
Mary Hill Canavan
Mimi D’Angelo (co-chair)
Kelly Ford
Anne Marie Holloway
Gary McCabe
JoAnna McKinney
Steven Patrick
Pete Pederson (co-chair)
Lucy Sur
Judy Swahnberg
Anna Thomas
Matt Wooster
