STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
November 5, 2020
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A Sermon Series
Pilgrim Legacies at 400
November 8 through 22
November 8
One Body of Faith
November 15
A New World, An Old World, A Changing World
November 22
Freedom and Responsibility
The Congregationalist Church traces its theological roots to the covenanted community formed in Scrooby, England, whose members later came to this continent on the Mayflower. How do these pilgrims shape our lives, 400 years after arriving on these shores? Rev. Matt Wooster will present a three-week sermon series on aspects of Pilgrim Legacies: both the gifts we should treasure and the failures for which we should account.
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Inquirers Gathering (Zoom)
Sunday November 15 @ 1 pm
Are you new to the Hills Church?
Are you interested in learning more?
Are you curious about becoming a member?
Join the Ministers by Zoom, along with members of the church, to learn about the Hills Church and the Congregationalist tradition. The Inquirers Gathering is a virtual meeting for those interested in learning more about Wellesley Hills Congregational Church and considering membership. Ministers will share information and answer questions.
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Stewardship Campaign
Our Stewardship theme is inspired by the prophet Isaiah’s message to the Israelites during the Babylonian exile. In a time of isolation and terrible challenges, Isaiah told them to:
Look to the rock from which you were hewn,
and to the quarry from which you were dug. - Isaiah 51:1
Our theme reminds us that we belong to God and to one another. Right now, the pandemic has led to our time of isolation and challenge, not unlike the people in exile. Like them, we should “look to the rock” of God’s steadfast love and strength.
In this time, the Hills Church continues to be a community of vibrant hope and love. We are committed to the ministry of God’s amazing grace, made real in loving our neighbors. The spiritual and financial gifts that are offered by our members and friends are essential resources for the mission of the church.
Our leadership, both clergy and members of the congregation, have set an important and ambitious goal for stewardship funding in 2021. In the days ahead, you will hear more stories of our church’s ministry, details about what is needed at this time, and the ways in which you can make your pledge for 2021.
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What's Happening with Hills Church Youth in November?
Sunday November 8th
Outdoor Vespers Service from 6 to 8 pm. Our high school youth are invited to come gather (masked and socially distanced) around a small campfire at the church and spend time in conversation and prayer. This service will also include a blessing for our youth that have just received their drivers license(s)!
Wednesday, November 11th
Confirmation Class of 2021 meets on ZOOM for a virtual tour of the church calendar and a fun night of virtual Bingo!
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A Cup of Morning Prayer
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God in the early morning hours and focus on prayer. Every Monday at 7:00 am, join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer.
Each session will be held in the sanctuary of nature in varied outdoor locations (weather permitting). Hills Church friends and families are invited to participate via Facebook LIVE on a handheld device. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer.
Please share your prayer requests in advance via email: annemarie@hillschurch.org. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care by our virtual small and private Facebook Live group.
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Noon Prayers from the Hills
Did you know you can tune into the church's Facebook page at twelve noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 minutes) of reflection and prayer with one of the ministers. These prayers will be accessible for viewing later as well.
Tuesday: Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
Wednesday: Rev. Matt Wooster
Thursday: Rev. Judy Swahnberg
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A Picture (or two or three or more!) Is Worth A Thousand Words!
During our Trunk or Treat Drive Thru event, our lovely church community decorated the back of their cars for Halloween, handed out candy on a pole, and came to sit in a parking lot for kids to "trick or treat" from car-to-car. It was fun, trust me! Our beloved volunteers served the Wellesley community in a creative way while collecting donations for the Food Pantry. We got to socialize (distanced) and be creative while seeing all the cute and spooky costumes. With a joyful spirit the Kranker family won best decorated car with their bed sheet Frankenstein. This event provided a safer alternative to the traditional Halloween night while providing smiles (masked) and love to so many Wellesley families.
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On All Saint's Sunday our youth and their families came together to plant bulbs in honor of the Saints who had made their way home to God this past year and beyond. We planted approximately 150 bulbs in hopes that they will burst forth from the soil this Spring bringing new life and beauty to the world. |
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Update from the Reopening Task Force
https://www.mass.gov/doc/weekly-covid-19-public-health-report-october-22-2020/download) The number of new cases of Covid-19 infection per day has climbed slowly but steadily since the low point in late July/early August. The past 3 weeks, the average number of new cases in MA has exceeded 600 per day, as compared to around 200 at the low point. In addition, the percentage of molecular tests which are positive (7 day weighted average) has risen from around 0.8% in the summer, to 1.5% currently. The incidence of new Covid-19 infections in Norfolk County is lower than the state average (6.5 vs. 9.2 per 100,000) as is true for the town of Wellesley (1.7 per 100,000). While these figures are relatively good compared to many other areas of the country, it is clear that there has been a gradual but sustained increase of Covid-19 in MA. Two local experts we consulted (the directors of the microbiology labs at Children’s Boston and MGH) concurred that Covid-19 is on the rise in MA and that continued vigilance is necessary to blunt this new wave of the pandemic.
Because of this change in the public health picture, the Reopening Task Force believes that we should defer indoor, in-person worship services at least through Thanksgiving, at which point we will re-assess the situation and make a decision about services in Advent. It is disappointing to be certain. Many of us, including those of us on the Reopening Task Force, were looking forward to resuming worship together in the Sanctuary and Chapel. But we recognize that we have an obligation to our members, and the wider community, to minimize the spread of Covid-19 and keep everybody as safe as possible.
The following in-person activities (masked, distancing, etc.) will still be possible:
- Outdoor, in-person services for ≤ 25 people
- 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.)
- Daniel McCabe Memorial ARC blood drive in Assembly Room (Note that the ARC has robust procedures for screening, masking, distancing, etc.)
- AA and the Food Pantry, which have been deemed Necessary Services by the MA DPH
People meeting in the church for any purpose will be required to clean off any touched surfaces in the spaces they use (e.g. door/cabinet handles, banisters, rest rooms, counter tops) and must alert the church office (susan@hillschurch.org) of their intent to meet so that arrangements can be made for deep cleaning if needed. These are unusual times which are made even more difficult by the limitations on gathering together as a community. We are looking forward to the time when that will be safe for us to do.
Submitted by the Reopening Task Force:
Rob Andrews, Mimi D’Angelo, Anne Marie Holloway, Chris Stowell, Matt Wooster, Elaine Vildzius
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Tuesday Morning Meditation
We gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily . . . please join us and be restored during this time together.
Zoom is a service that enables groups to connect either by video using your computer or by audio using your phone. To participate, just e-mail Mary Hill Canavan and she will send you an official Zoom "invite" and tell you how to CLICK and Zoom in.
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Contact Your Ministers
Although we are not regularly in our offices at the church these days, you can still be in touch with your ministers by phone and email. Please use the contact information below, and know that they will be there for you to . . .
- Share a prayer request,
- Have a conversation for pastoral care,
- Simply share updates and receive a prayerful blessing by phone.
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Attend Worship By Video
Worship services have moved online during the building closure, with worship leaders recording their parts from different locations. Worship services will be available on the website (www.hillschurch.org) early Sunday mornings. Also, visiting the church website will allow you to access the Order of Worship. Services will also premiere on Facebook at 10:00 every Sunday morning, so that people can worship together at the usual time.
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THURSDAY, November 5
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
7:30 p.m. New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
FRIDAY, November 6
5:00 p.m. NEWSLETTER DEADLINE
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting (Assembly Room)
SATURDAY, November 7
SUNDAY, November 8
9:30 a.m. Community Hour (Zoom)
10:00 a.m. Worship Service (Online)
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting (Adams Board Room)
MONDAY, November 9
7:00 a.m. A Cup of Morning Prayer
1:00 p.m. Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)
2:00 p.m. Food Pantry Restocking (Undercroft)
TUESDAY, November 10
9:30 a.m. Morning Meditation (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Holloway (Facebook)
1:00 p.m. Clergy/CLG updates (Zoom)
2:00 p.m. Food Pantry Operation (Undercroft)
7:00 p.m. Church Council (Zoom)
WEDNESDAY, November 11 - Veterans Day
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Wooster (Facebook)
8:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, November 12
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
10:30 a.m. Staff Meeting (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
6:30 p.m. New Beginnings (Assembly Room)
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Events at the Hills
Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about
an activity or event?
Reach out to Susan MacDonald,
Church Administrator by phone: 781-235-4424
or by email: susan@hillschurch.org
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS
DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM
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