To mark the one year anniversary since worship and church programs became remote, we invite you to a service of prayers for a year of Lament & Hope, on Thursday, March 11 @ 7 pm. The last worship service held at the church was a Wednesday Lay-led service in Wallace Chapel on March 11. In the next two days, local schools went remote and Sunday worship services, classes, and meetings moved to a virtual format.

Have you been on a Prayer Walk? A Prayer Walk is an innovative and delightful way to enjoy reading about, and praying about, our community, God, and ourselves. Prayer walks provide a way to be both outdoors and connected to our church at the same time. On the front walkway leading up to our church steps you will find laminated prayer prompts that will guide you towards the LOVE at the center of it all. Visit church this season of LENT and pray - it is open for visits!

And here is an added fun part . . . We then invite you to write a sentence or two (and email it to Susan at the church office), sharing what you chose for your Lenten practice. Each week in our newsletter, we will feature different stories, encouraging others to embrace this idea!

The Very Rev. Randolph “Randy” Marshall Hollerith, Dean of Washington National Cathedral, reminds us: “The point is, God wants us – not our religious practices. So, find what works for you, and remember that religion is only useful to the extent to which it connects us to God, the ultimate source of life, love, and hope.” 

This Lent, our meditations will focus on Love at the Center, using scriptures selected for the Lenten sermon series. We welcome all to to join us and listen for God’s word in prayer and then twenty minutes of silent meditation on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 am to 10:30 am, via Zoom. Sharing the fruit of our prayers is often spiritual sustenance for our faith journeys. So come as you are able, just as you are. To receive the Zoom link email Mary Hill Canavan or Rev. Judy Swahnberg. 

Please join us as we hold "Love at the Center" of our lives,

Tired of the toxic messages of judgment made in the name of Christianity today, which stand against the clear ethic of Love described by Jesus in the gospels? Join us for a small group Zoom experience of the acclaimed work of Rob Bell, an electrifying, unconventional pastor whom Time magazine calls “a singular rock star in the church world, one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World.” Bell is the author of several New York Times Bestsellers, including What We Talk About When We Talk About God, and Love Wins. He’s been profiled in the New Yorker, toured with Oprah, and a podcast that regularly makes "best of the year" lists on iTunes. In this five week program, we will gather via zoom to view beautiful, imaginative short videos written by Bell, followed by invigorating conversation led by Rev. Anne Marie and Rev. Suzanne Bossert. No advance reading is needed--come to one or all Nooma Nights as we seek to deepen our faith during the holy season of Lent. A ZOOM link will be provided.

CLICK ON THIS LINK TO REGISTER!

Sign up HERE to attend this very important workshop!

On Sunday February 28th from 3:00 to 5:00 pm our teens are invited to attend a ZOOM workshop that will be focused on ways our teens can serve as racial justice leaders in our community! Rev. Anne Marie Holloway and the members of the Racial Justice Working Group invite Hills Church teens (and their friends) in grades 7 through 12 to join us for this important work! This is a YOUTH only workshop that will be led by diversity, equity, and inclusion trainers, Guimel DeCarvalho and Amy Hogarth, from Wayside Youth and Family Support Network. Please register at the link above. A ZOOM link will be sent along the day before the workshop.

@ A poem, The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry — A poem, The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry — In this animated version by Charlotte Ager and Katy Wang, the poet and novelist Wendell Berry narrates his poem, The Peace of Wild Things, a Walden-esque ode to the wisdom, calming influence, and restorative qualities of the natural world. A good reminder to go outside for us all.

@ Violence and Holy Week Rethinking the Atonement — Author Traci Smith provides discussion points and views on this subject. One of the things it will include is a small preface on rethinking the way we understand and speak to children about the atonement and the violence of the cross. HERE is a blogpost Traci Smith wrote about this subject HERE is another one, and HERE is an interview she did with Laura Alary where they talk about atonement. If you’re interested in reading up about atonement theology and focusing on something new, HERE is a really thorough bibliography for you to sink your teeth into. Good to prepare for Holy week conversations.

@ The Healing Power of Nature — Help to continue your quest to spend as much time outside as possible this year. This led me to these 40 NATURE ACTIVITIES FOR YOUNG CHILDREN THIS LENT.

@ UCC Churches Respond to the Scourge of Racism — Here is a curated list of resources and articles written by UCC pastors to proactively assist families to do something positive to nurture a generation of children who will stem the tide of racism. 

On behalf of the congregation, Matt and the CSSB have received thank you notes from a number of groups to which our Church sent outreach support in 2020.  These include Boston Medical Center Grow Clinic, Cooperative, Grace House, Metropolitan Ministries, Family Promise MetroWest, Honduras Hope, New Beginnings, New Life Furniture Bank, and A Path in the Woods. These confirm that the money we distribute as outreach is doing good in this world and carrying out Christ’s commission that we help care for the poor and needy.

Hills Church is collecting gently used children’s books throughout the month of March for the benefit of The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Books are given to children while receiving treatments or when waiting for a sibling, to occupy the child’s mind during a bad situation, offering them a glimmer of hope. Collection bins will be on the porch of Donna & Gary McCabe’s home at 124 Washington Street, Wellesley. Their house is just east of the church with a circular driveway and a large covered porch. Questions? Contact Donna McCabe or May Persson.



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