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VOLUME 6, ISSUE 8, OCTOBER 29, 2020
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HILLSCHURCH.ORG
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STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
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Welcome Susan MacDonald, Interim Administrator
Susan MacDonald having some "Fall Fun" with grandson, Tucker
As the rush of the autumn leaves and wind surrounds us, we welcome Susan MacDonald to the staff of Hills Church, serving as Interim Administrator.
Susan was baptized and raised at Hancock United Church of Christ in Lexington, MA. She later joined Littleton Congregational Church in Littleton, MA, where she and her husband, Neal, raised their four children in the Christian faith. Susan is thus well equipped with an understanding of Congregationalism! Susan brings a wealth of experience as a church professional, including administrative, communications, and programmatic ministry leadership. She has worked at seven parishes and served fifteen clergy. Susan will be working Monday - Friday during business hours. During the pandemic, all staff members are working mainly from home, and working from the church office when needed. The best way to reach Susan is by email: susan@hillschurch.org.
Please contact Susan for:
- Communications of the church, including submissions for the church newsletter, Events from the Hills submissions are due Friday at 5 pm for release the following week.
- Scheduling events, including virtual meetings and events at the building - or times of building use.
- Invoices and requests for reimbursement. Susan will process requests for payment to be approved by an officer of the congregation.
- Church Building issues. During the week, Susan will be the first point of contact for areas in need of repair or attention.
Please join us in welcoming Susan to the church, and helping her to learn about the
many wonderful people and ministries of our congregation.
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NOVEMBER IS STEWARDSHIP MONTH
"Look to the Rock from Which You Were Hewn"
Isaiah 51:1
November 1st marks the beginning of the Hills Church stewardship campaign - the season when we all make our financial commitment to the church for 2021. Stewardship giving supports our annual operating budget for ministries of pastoral care, worship, faith development, and outreach to meet the needs of the wider community. Financial gifts from members and friends of the church provide most of the funding to support our ministers, staff, and leadership with the resources for these ministries. The shape of church life has changed during the pandemic, and the need for a community of God's love and hope is as vital as ever.
Between now and Commitment Sunday, on November 22, watch for messages by letter, email, and video to let you know what we need from the members and friends of the church. We are grateful to the co-chairs of this year's stewardship campaign, Susan Walton and Linda Wilkins.
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YOU ARE INVITED TO A HALLOWEEN
TRUNK OR TREAT DRIVE THRU!
Saturday, October 31, 2020
2:00 to 3:30 pm in the church parking lot
What is that, you may say?
It's visiting decorated cars, getting candy, maybe doing a 'trick' and voting for your favorite trunk decorations! Families are invited to drive thru or stay and decorate their car. Of course, we have Covid procedures to keep everyone safe, and instructions for decorating and parking cars.
- Trunk or Treat is an outdoor event, the church building will be closed.
- Masks and gloves are a must for all attendees and volunteers.
Trunk or Treat
There are 2 options to collect candy from trunks:
Option 1: "Trick or Treaters" will drive up to each decorated car, and the volunteer families will use a bucket on a pole to serve candy bags to each family.
Option 2: Drive up to a table or tray and grab the candy bag yourself. At some trunks there will be a 'trick' to do.
Vote! and Donate Food
Vote for your favorite decorated trunk at the end of the parade! To vote for the best decorated trunk, kids are invited to bring a food donation for the local food pantry and place it in front of the #trunk bucket they like best. The trunk with the most food donations or votes wins. Depending on how many non-perishable food donations they bring, kids can vote for more than one trunk! This is not a requirement as paper slips will also be supplied for voting.
For more information, email Sally.
We also are taking candy filled treat bag donations. Or you can volunteer for this event.
Sign up here!
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CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Commitments Top $5,700,000
 Following a culminating commitment weekend, the capital campaign "Generation to
Generation: One in Spirit" has received over $5,700,000 in commitments from almost 140 donors. An overview of the campaign can be found in the final issue of the "Campaign Messenger."
Click Here to read the Campaign Messenger, which includes a recognition of more than 50 people who volunteered many hours to the campaign, and of almost 140 donors. Several donations have been received since the publication of this newsletter, who will be included in future acknowledgments of gratitude.
We celebrate the commitment and generosity of our community. The total commitments have surpassed our initial goals, and are close to the new ultimate goal of $6,000,000.
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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 (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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Grab a Cup of Coffee and come to
Virtual Community Hour
Every Sunday morning at 9:30, you are invited to visit with clergy and other members/friends in a "Virtual Community Hour" from 9:30 am until the virtual worship service begins to stream at 10:00 am.
Following a brief welcome, separate "breakout rooms" are randomly generated to allow for conversations in small groups. The only agenda is to connect with familiar faces and meet new friends, so feel free to bring your coffee and stop in for a quick hello or stay for the full half hour. The dress code is casual. (PJ's encouraged!)
Virtual Community Hour is hosted as a Zoom conference, which can be joined using a computer, a smart phone, or a standard phone. If you're not already a Zoom veteran - don't worry. Zoom is very easy to use. To participate in this Sunday's Virtual Community Hour by computer, just click on the link you will see in the community hour notice that will be emailed to you at 6:45 on Sunday morning.
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Tuesday Morning Meditation
Please mark your calendars for Tuesday Morning Meditation We will be continuing to gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30. 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 (see below) and she will send you an official Zoom "invite" and tell you how to CLICK and Zoom in. (And if you have been meditating via Zoom for a while now, there is no need to e-mail Mary - as she will automatically send you a Zoom invite.)
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A Cup of Morning Prayer
Every Monday morning at 7:00 you are invited to join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer - on Facebook LIVE.
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God in the early morning hours and focus on 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 while finding an outdoor space to practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer.
Please share your prayer requests in advance via email to Rev. Anne Marie ( annemarie@hillschurch.org) - and 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. |
Noon Prayers from the Hills
Did you know you can tune into the church Facebook page at 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.
Tuesdays: Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
Wednesdays: Rev. Matt Wooster
Thursdays: Rev. Judy Swahnberg
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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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Please join us as we help people in need in our community by donating your clean and gently used clothing, footwear, and accessories to Second Chances.
When
The month of November
Where
The home of Donna and Gary McCabe: 124 Washington Street, Wellesley
Please leave your bagged donations on the porch.
What
Women's, men's, and children's clothing, shoes, and accessories from any season or era, including coats, belts, hats, costume jewelry, purses and bags.
Questions? Email Tina Andersson at Tina.Andersson987@gmail.com |
As you know, continuing problems related to the pandemic make it particularly important for all of us to continue to support the vital work being done by The Food Pantry.
The Pantry's website is updated weekly to reflect items in short supply, but they can always use your help with white and brown rice (preferably 2 pound bags), vegetable oil, liquid dish detergent, paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, diapers (size 5 & 6), shelf-stable almond and soy milks, and jars of jelly/jam.
For more information about the Food Pantry's new hours and how you could help the Food Pantry at this time, visit their website. Your help is greatly appreciated!
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Hills Church Calendar
THURSDAY, October 29
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning (Virtual)
10:30 a.m. Church Staff Meeting (Virtual)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg - On Facebook
6:30 p.m. New Beginnings
FRIDAY, October 30
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
SATURDAY, October 31
SUNDAY, November 1 - All Saints Sunday
9:30 a.m. Virtual Community Hour (Zoom)
10:00 a.m. Worship Service (Online)
11:00 a.m. Church School (Online)
7:30 p.m. AA Meeting
MONDAY, November 2
7:00 a.m. Morning Cup of Prayer
1:00 p.m. Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)
2:00 p.m. Food Pantry Restocking (Undercroft)
7:30 p.m. Board of Deacons (Reception Room)
TUESDAY, November 3 - Election Day
9:30 a.m. Tuesday Morning Meditation (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Holloway (Facebook)
2:00 p.m. Food Pantry Operation (Undercroft)
6:00 p.m. Sacred Silence Sacred Sounds
WEDNESDAY, November 4
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Wooster (Facebook)
8:00 p.m. Choir Rehearsal
THURSDAY, November 5
10:00 a.m. Clergy Worship Planning (Zoom)
10:30 a.m. Church Staff Meeting (Zoom)
12:00 p.m. Noon Prayers - Rev. Swahnberg (Facebook)
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This week's Scripture Reading is:
Matthew 5:1-12
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Events at the Hills Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
Email your notice to Susan MacDonald, Church Administrator
at susan@hillschurch.org
NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS DUE FRIDAY AT 5 PM
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