June 1, 2023

Dear Christine,


Happy Pride Month! Across the United States and the world, we are celebrating and honoring the LGBTQIA2S+ community (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Two-Spirit, Plus all others in the community). June was chosen to remember where the modern Pride movement reached a tipping point - at the Stonewall Inn riots in New York from June 28 to July 3, 1969. I encourage you to learn more about Stonewall and the brave actions of the saints of the movement, particularly transgender women of color like Marsha P. Johnson.

 

Church was one of the first places where I really started to understand myself as a queer woman. I found an affirming and loving home in the United Church of Christ, where I was ordained while being open about the fullness of my identity. My understanding of sexual orientation and gender identity is inextricably linked to my Christianity, because I believe that we are all beloved by and created in the image of God!

 

I marched in the Boston Pride Parade with my previous church, and I saw the miraculous work God was doing when people would see a church show up for them. We came with folks from every age and stage of life, from small children to elders, proclaiming God's love for the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I saw people reach out their hands to touch the hands of our clergy - clergy decked out in rainbows, stoles, and clerical collars. I can't help but think of the bleeding woman who reached out to touch Jesus, who met her with love and care and acceptance.

 

You are invited to be a part of this miraculous healing day. I will lead a "pilgrimage" to the Boston Pride for the People Parade on Saturday, June 10. We will leave WVC to take the commuter rail into Back Bay at 9:45 a.m. Wear your rainbows, bring water, wear sunscreen, and get ready to party! I hope you will come to spread the Good (Gay) News! Please RSVP to me at martha@wellesleyvillagechurch.org to let me know that you're coming. I hope you all have a month filled with joy, love, and pride!


Martha

Rev. Martha Schick, Pastoral Resident, 2nd Year

PENTECOST SUNDAYS

This Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 2023

Remember to wear red!

  • 9am Worship ~ Chapel
  • 10am Worship ~ Sanctuary and livestream with For His Children (FHC) Service Partnership Presentation & Communion Sunday followed by Birthday Sunday Fellowship hour and FHC video presentation
  • Children & Youth Programming >
  • 3pm Chapel in the Pines
  • 5pm Worship at the Congregational Church of Weston (CCW)
  • 7pm High School Youth Group


(Please find details to some of these items below)

Worship details & links

This Sunday is Birthday Sunday!

In the welcome given at the start of worship, we hear words that celebrate the presence of all who gather. We hear words that affirm how each of us matters. We matter to the church, and we matter to God. That is worth celebrating and we will do so with song and cake immediately following 10am worship at the start of fellowship hour. If you (or your children) were born in the month of June and would like your name(s) lifted up in song, please email Rev. Stacy at: stacy@wellesleyvillagechurch.org.

For His Children (FHC) Ecuador ~ Service Partnership Presentation & Communion Sunday Offering

Sunday, June 4th in the Chapel following 10am Worship

 

This Sunday, Jennifer Schneider Thomas, Executive Director of our service partner 

For His Children (FHC) - Ecuador, will speak during both services and we will hold a reception in the Chapel at 11:15. Jen will be accompanied by a young adult, Darwin Snyder, who was adopted from FHC as a child. Come and get an update on the extraordinary work that FHC does, and hear about plans for our next church service trip (February 17-25, 2024).

 

FHC operates 2 homes in Ecuador for about 50 children who have been abandoned, abused, or neglected. Village Church volunteers of all ages (12 and up) have visited FHC over the past 20 years to serve and nurture infants, children, young adults, and their caretaker "Tias". Volunteers help with daily care, read, play, initiate activities and assist with projects. Sign-ups have begun for the 2024 trip, and will close by June 30. 

 

During worship, our offering will support FHC’s ministries. We encourage you to bring a check or make a cash offering during the service. We will also include a special QR code for your donations. You are also welcome to follow this link >

Installation of The Reverend Diane Peterson Seaborn

Sunday, June 4th, 2:00 PM

The SCC Senior Minister Search Committee joyfully invites you to gather in worship and celebration at the Storrs Congregational Church for the installation of Rev. Diane Seaborn! Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Sarah Sarchet Butter will preach. Follow this link for more info >

If you are able to provide a ride for a fellow congregant, please email Stacy@wellesleyvillagechurch.org

Chapel in the Pines


A Wild Church Worship Service


Sunday, June 4th from 3-4 pm

McKinnon Park, Wellesley MA


ALL ARE WELCOME!


Contact: chapelinthepines02482@gmail.com

Upcoming Sundays at Village Church

June 11, 2023



  • 9am Worship in the Chapel
  • 10am Worship in the Sanctuary and via livestream, followed by a brief Congregational Meeting to call our newest Pastoral Resident, Megan Strouse
  • Last Sunday of children's programming
  • Pentecost and Pizza Celebration at 11:30 (details below)
  • 5pm Worship at the Congregational Church of Weston (CCW)
  • 7pm High School Youth Group


Congregational Meeting

Following 10am Worship at 11:15am

The Pastoral Residency Committee is pleased to announce Megan Strouse as the candidate for pastoral resident commencing this summer. We are holding a brief Congregational Meeting on June 11th to make this call, more details will be forthcoming. (see Megan's introduction and bio in the Pastoral Residency section below)

Pentecost and Pizza Celebration

Sunday, June 11 at 11:30am

Please join us for a Pentecost and Pizza Celebration following 10am Worship and a very brief congregational meeting to call our new pastoral resident, Megan Strouse. Let’s celebrate the Pentecost season and the terrific progress of this year’s Stewardship Campaign. Remember to wear something red!

SUMMER SUNDAYS

SUMMER WORSHIP 2023

"Pray, Tell"


A summer of exploring prayer

through psalms, storytelling, songs,

movement and more.


Join us this summer for clergy and lay-led Sunday worship in our beautiful, air conditioned Chapel. followed by lemonade in the Cloister Garden.

One 9:00 am

worship service

beginning

Jun. 18 - Sept 3

Chapel & via livestream

Worship details & links

PASTORAL RESIDENCY

Meet Pastoral Resident Candidate Megan Strouse


On behalf of the Pastoral Residency Committee, we are excited to introduce our next Pastoral Resident, Megan Strouse. We know you will feel the instant connection we experienced to their authentic caring and eagerness to learn. Megan will be worshipping with us on June 11th when you can meet them in person. 


Megan Strouse Bio:

Megan Strouse (she/they) has always had a natural sense of curiosity and a passion for learning about people and their stories; this interest led her to pursue two undergraduate degrees from Ithaca College: Documentary Studies & Production and Anthropology. Megan is a recent summa cum laude graduate from Boston University School of Theology. During her studies, she worked as the Intern for Discipleship and Outreach at Plymouth Congregational Church in Belmont, the BU STH Religion and Conflict Transformation Program, and was a project assistant for a Trauma Responsive Congregations grant from the Lilly Endowment...

Read more >

SERVE & ACT

Boston Pride Parade Pilgrimage

Saturday, June 10th, gathering at the church and taking commuter rail together at 9:45am



June is Pride Month, and we are celebrating with a field trip to the Boston Pride for the People Parade on Saturday, June 10! We will leave WVC to take the commuter rail into Back Bay at 9:45 a.m. Wear your rainbows, bring water, wear sunscreen, and get ready to party! Please RSVP to martha@wellesleyvillagechurch.org if you’re interested in attending.

Seeking 4 dinner hosts (2 for June 12 & 2 for June 15) for Family Promise Service Week

Support hard-working families that are facing housing crises and make new friends by sharing a meal at the Mulligan Street, Natick shelter (someone else brings the dinner!)


Here are the links to the Family Promise Metrowest website (www.familypromisemetrowest.org) and the link to sign up. Scroll down to find the Village Church/St. Andrew's week OR the separate Teen Volunteer signup: https://www.cervistech.com/acts/console.php?console_id=0002&console_type=event&ht=1 . Let one of us know if you'd like more information or need help signing up. Diana Carroll (diana.carroll4@gmail.com) and Kim & Abby Reohr (reohr@mac.com)

C O N N E C T

Village Churchmen

June 15, 12:30pm-2:30pm via Zoom

The men of Village Church meet via Zoom monthly and invite you to participate. If you're interested in attending the next meet up on June 15th. Please email: getinvolved@wellesleyvillagechurch.org for the link or more information.

Fall Fellowship Supper Groups  

Now that spring is upon us, the Community Ministry begins planning our Fall Fellowship Supper Groups program. These small dinner group gatherings give us the opportunity to meet new friends, connect in meaningful ways, and gain insight into the workings and spirit of our church community. We hope that you will join us as we look forward to new friendships and laughter this fall.   

Please use the button below to learn more and sign up. Feel free to contact Natalie Colbert if you have any questions: ncolbert@lesley.edu.  

Supper Group Sign Up >

FAMILY LIFE: Children & Youth

Family Life: Children & Youth invite you into our vibrant community of seekers and learners. We gather to experience and know the love and joy of God in our hearts and in our relationships with each other. We are an enthusiastic bunch who are drawn to hear the stories of our faith and the stories of our lives as we journey together on the Christian path. Our faith changes and transforms our hearts and calls us to action in our community and in our world.

Follow this link to sign up for our

Family Life: Children & Youth Weekly Email >

Family Life: Children & Youth Programming Info >

Village Church Dads invite dads of Village Church to meet on June 20th at 7:00 PM at Julien Grant's House. This group will be taking July and August off and plan to regroup in September.

Our Website & Partner Links:

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Calendar

Community

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Charles Street AME Church

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