"GCORR is horrified and devastated by the recent shooting in Buffalo, NY. The white supremacist shooter acted with a violent and racist agenda against the Black community. This act of terrorism is a direct result of white supremacy and is unfortunately all too common in America." To read the rest of the statement, and for a special prayer and links to resources, click here.

The memorial service for Ann Cobb, a longtime member of Harvard-Epworth who passed away in February, will be held on Friday, May 20 at 2:00pm.  In-person attendance is limited due to COVID; the service will be live-streamed at 

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83067899180?pwd=WGthaXl2c0JzY0NRMHVCek9kN3Fsdz09.

Church members have raised more than $8,000 for aid and relief for Ukrainians since the Russians invaded the country on Feb. 24. Our donations were sent last week to the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) and the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), where Ukrainian native and church member Bogdan Savych graduated. (In this week's Adult Forum, we'll discuss “Reflections on Ukraine” led by Bogdan and Gwen Savych--see below for details.)

For an update on UMCOR relief efforts, you can view two short (under five minutes) videos on their website. To learn more on how donations and helping and to hear what is giving UMCOR partners hope, please click here. In the second video, UMCOR expands on "how our partners are encouraged by the support they’ve received, where they see God in the midst of suffering, and what you can pray for right now."

UMCOR donations will be used for refugee assistance relief as well as for direct aid for those still in areas under attack. KSE is buying and distributing medical kits, such as those shown in the photo. In a weekend Facebook post, school president Tymofiy Mylovanov said the kits are being delivered to Kharkiv and other cities, "the front lines where people suffer the most." To all donors, he said, "Thank you for your support. These kits stop blood loss and save lives. One life at a time."

The Missions Committee continues to collect donations for UMCOR and KSE, either through checks (made out to HEUMC) brought to worship or mailed to the church, or online at www.harvardepworthchurch.org by clicking the "Give Now" button, then choosing "Ukraine Relief" in the drop-down menu. Donations will be sent weekly to these organizations.

If you have questions, please contact us at education@harvardepworthchurch.org .

Café: 12:00 to 3:00

Opening Shift (Kitchen): 11:00–1:30

Opening Shift (Hall): 11:15 to 1:30

Harvard-Epworth provide volunteers on the third Friday of each month (next on Friday, May 20), from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Volunteers may work in the kitchen, buffet line, donations table, or work other positions. COVID-19 vaccination is required of volunteers. You may sign up at the new Onsite Volunteer sign up link: https://signup.com/go/FxPZwPZ.

If you wish to volunteer on the third Friday, please contact the Harvard-Epworth office at office@harvardepworthchurch.org or 617.354.0837 so that we can connect you with the team. 

For those who like to cook at home, volunteers may contribute main courses, salads, sides, soup, and desserts each week. You may sign up at the new Cooking sign up link: https://signup.com/go/iNhdzfW.  More information about the Friday Café may be found at www.thefriday.cafe, Facebook and Instagram.

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On the third Saturday of every month (next on Saturday, May 21), a volunteer team from Harvard Epworth brings sandwiches to homeless neighbors in Harvard and Central Squares.

Interested in joining the sandwich distribution? We gather at the church at 2:30 on the third Saturday of the month. For more details, email Lane at jamaicaplainlane@gmail.com.

The next Women's Potluck will be on Wednesday, May 24 at Katie Carlone's place! All vaccinated women of the church are warmly invited to come together for an evening of fun, good food, and sharing. Join us 6:45pm at 9 Washington Ave, Apt 6 in Cambridge. Email Katie at katie.carlone@gmail.com (or text 617-710-1062) with questions or for a parking permit. We hope you will join us! 

So the logical solution is to have a Men's Evening Breakfast Potluck! You are invited to gather at the parsonage (27 Avon Hill Street) on Tuesday, May 24 at 7:00 pm (yes, the same time as the Women's Potluck) for a rustic meal and sparkling conversation (or a sparkling meal and rustic conversation; your pick!) Mitch will make waffles and provide the genuine Vermont maple syrup. You can bring anything else you might like to share to make the breakfast complete. Please email an RSVP to pastor.mitch@harvardepworthchurch.org or text (802.881.3268) so he knows how many waffles to make. 

Brunch Bunch! – Sunday, May 29 at 12:45pm

In May, life groups are focusing on the prayer practice of breath prayer. In Genesis 2:7, God breathes life into creation when forming the first human being. And in the new testament, the greek word for Spirit, pneuma, also means breath. A breath prayer can incorporate scripture or can simply be a time of connecting with the Spirit of life God breathes into us all. In a pattern of equal measure (at your own pace) breathe in, hold, breathe out, hold, and repeat. Practice this as often as you can--try to focus on God's presence in each breath and in that moment of prayer.

There is a new group at Harvard-Epworth for "young-ish adults who feel they've 'aged out' of the Young Adults group.” We would never be so coarse as to assign a numerical age to such a category, bu we suspect you know who you are! You are invited to a first gathering for this new Soul Friends Group at the Parsonage (27 Avon Hill Street) on June 2 at 7:00 pm for dessert and conversation. We may pick out a book for summer reading and discussion as well.

On Wednesday, May 25 and Thursday, May 26, the United Methodist Foundation of New England is hosting two webinars for women on "Amplifying your Impact" in faith and philanthropy. Click here for more details and to register!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f44aead2ca6fcc34-sunday 

We have made arrangements with Coady Florist in Cambridge to provide us with a lovely floral arrangement on Sunday for only $50. This is an excellent way to celebrate someone's birthday, graduation, or other important event. You can also give flowers in memory of someone dear to you, perhaps to remember a birthday. You may take your flowers home or give them to a friend or loved one. Sign up at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0A4DA5AC2FA64-sunday or contact Janet Allen at jlallen302@gmail.com.

Payment may be made by check to the church office or by using https://harvardepworthchurch.org/giving/.

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We'd love your help filling the table on this date and going forward. Please sign up at this link (https://signup.com/go/vLAxKUQ) or contact Sarah Bailey (sarabailey202@gmail.com or 917 439 1103) if you would like to contribute. 

Be part of the 11:00 Worship Team by responding to the doodle poll https://doodle.com/meeting/participate/id/aM8vxgAe. Please indicate the Sundays you are available; we’ll coordinate based on everyone's availability and let you know when it is your turn as the liturgist at Worship. 

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During the "online reality" that we find ourselves in, it is difficult for new people to get a sense of who we are as a church. Therefore, the Welcome and Evangelism committee is inviting people to submit a video (30 seconds or less) that introduces themselves and says what they find special about our church. We are hoping to put together a number of these short videos and release them in the coming weeks and months. This will be a great way for people to get a sense of this ministry we share in together. Please consider recording a short video and emailing it to Erin Lee, our Welcome & Evangelism Chair, at erinism614@gmail.com. Thank you in advance for being a part of this important opportunity of welcome! 

Remember that we have a Harvard Epworth Church Member Online Directory.  You can log in to the directory by going to directory.harvardepworthchurch.org by clicking on the link in the menu on the church website (it's next to the live stream link).

Current users can reset their password with the "Need a password" button on the directory login. If you don't have a directory account or access to it, email office@harvardepworthchurch.org  and we will be in touch with login information for you.