Friday, December 20, 2024 | |
Bring a friend this Sunday and on Christmas Eve!
Did you know that in a recent survey, “Among those who usually skip church, 56% said they would likely attend if someone they know invited them, including 17% who are very likely to go.” (Lifeway Research Executive Director, Scott McConnell)
More than half of our friends and neighbors are waiting for an invitation to worship this Christmas. While inviting people to church may feel awkward, a hospitable, "Why don't you join me?" may be the first time that a friend or acquaintance has been invited to church. This Christmas be an invitation for someone who has yet to discover the warm welcome that awaits them at UCCB. Remember “No matter who they are or where they are on life’s journey, your friends and neighbors are welcome” at UCC Boxborough
See you on Sunday and on Christmas Eve!
Jill and Richard Edens
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SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY
SERMON SHAPING or TUESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY:
The 10am Tuesday Bible study over Zoom is open to everyone. On Tuesdays at 10am, you are invited to a lively and far-ranging conversation with the Pastors on the scripture for the coming Sunday.
We enjoy a lively and far-ranging conversation with the Pastors on the scripture Sunday.
Then we will take a break and not resume until Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025.
The meeting opens at 9:45 for visiting.Please join us.
The Zoom link is: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81402428901 Passcode: 7387
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Advent Begins
Sunday Worship (9:30am) at UCC Boxborough!
Dec 22 Fourth Sunday of Advent LOVE Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching
Senior Choir and the Sounds of Peace
Dec 24 Christmas Eve, 7pm Rev. Richard Edens preaching
Dec 29 1st Sunday after Christmas Carols, Carols, Carols
On Sunday, December 29, we will enjoy a Carol Sunday. You can help select the carols to be sung by going to this link for a Google Poll. Larry Wellington, Deacon Chairperson, will lead worship on the First Sunday after Christmas and offer a brief homily.
Jan 05 Epiphany (observed)–Candidate Sunday & Congregational Meeting
The Search Committee for a new settled Minister of UCCB has a candidate to present! The Candidate will lead worship on Sunday morning, January 5. Following worship, there will be a Congregational Meeting to vote on the recommendation of the Search Committee.
Jan 12 1st Sunday after Epiphany (Baptism of Jesus) Rev. Richard Edens preaching
Jan 19 2nd Sunday after Epiphany (MLK Jr. Weekend) Rev. Dr. Jill Edens preaching
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Pastoral Search Update
The Pastoral Search Team is delighted to announce that we have selected a candidate to be our next settled pastor. The candidate has verbally agreed to the terms of call, and Moderator Peter Senghas has called a special congregational meeting for January 5, 2025 to vote on whether to call our candidate to be our pastor. Here are the plans for candidate weekend:
January 3: Candidate information will be released in the Friday Flash
January 4: A reception for our Zoom congregation will take place at 11 AM
January 4: An in-person reception will take place at 2 PM in the Gathering Room.
January 5: The candidate will lead the congregation in worship at 9:30 AM
January 5: A special congregational meeting will be convened after worship
Please plan to attend either in person or online January 5 to see our candidate and vote on whether that candidate should be our next settled pastor.
Susan Appleton, Brian Davis, Ellen Hickey, Kellie Senghas,Todd Waddington, and
Larry Wellington (chair) Your Pastoral Search Team
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Generosity 2025
Thank you to all who submitted your financial pledge for the 2025 program year on Celebration Sunday. Your commitment to this congregation and community helps fuel all we can imagine and accomplish together. Watch for the rainbows in the center stairwell on Sunday - thank you!
For those who were unable to participate last Sunday, you are welcome to mail or email your pledge to Nikki at the church. Blank pledge forms are available at church if you are not locating a “2025 Generosity Pledge Campaign” email from the church ~November 1st. If you would like to submit your pledge online, you may follow this link.
The spiritual practice of generosity arises from imagining all that God calls us to do as a community. Our donations to our congregation make it possible to turn what we imagine into a reality. Through our annual commitments to our congregation, we imagine together all that we can do. Whether you are someone who has pledged annually in the past or are new to this practice, we invite you to consider how you may contribute financially to UCC Boxborough to keep our lights on in this corner of the world and continue to invest in our community. Thank you!
Yours in faith,
Generosity Ministry Team: Jeff Glidden, Kellie Senghas, Rev. Dr. Jill Edens and Rev. Richard Edens
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The Christmas Eve Service December 24, 2024
The Christmas Eve service at our church is a beautiful experience, filled with light and hope. We decorate the alter with poinsettias plants for the service.
If you would like to take a poinsettia home to enjoy on Christmas and the days after, please contact Laurel Dickson-Bull in person or at laureldave@verizon.net. The price is $15.
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Announcement of Congregational Meeting: January 5, 2025 (Sanctuary)
Following Sunday worship on January 5th, led by our Candidate, please remain in the Sanctuary for an important Congregational Meeting. At this time our Pastoral Search Committee (PSC) will answer questions about the candidate and how that candidate meets the criteria described in our Local Church Profile.
Please plan to attend either in person or online to see our candidate and vote to call our candidate to UCCB. Details are forthcoming about opportunities to meet the candidate prior to this Congregational Meeting.
This is an exciting moment in the history of this Church!
Peter Senghas, Moderator – UCC Boxborough
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New Year’s Early Eve - enjoy Nosh and Games!
Somewhat spontaneously, we are hosting an event on New Year’s Eve from 4:30-7:00(ish) in the Community Center. If you are in town and looking for a low key and fun gathering, join us for some light fare and games!
We’ll have a variety of games and puzzles available and a taco bar for make-your-own tacos. Perhaps some non-alcoholic punch for added festive New Year’s Eve flair! Feel free to bring a favorite game to share - and invite a friend or neighbor who may enjoy ringing in the new year in this way! Playful prizes are likely! Dessert offerings will be potluck so feel free to bring a favorite to share!
Event is weather dependent, but the outlook is clear so far!
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Wanted: Keeper of the Church Sign
After 5 years, Glynis would like to retire her role as the person who posts messages on the church sign. Taking on this task is a great way to do something for the church which is impactful and yet requires a minimal time commitment.
For many people in the wider community this is the only window they have into what’s going on at UCCB. Sometimes The message is used to advertise an upcoming event, sometimes the message is purely inspirational.
If you would like to take over this role, please let Glynis know at glynis.hamel@gmail.com.
Thank you!
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Community Supper Volunteers Needed, Wednesday, January 8, 4:30 - 6pm
I can quickly think of five reasons why UCCB continues to support the Mt. Calvary Community Supper:
- It provides a weekly hot, healthy meal to anyone who shows up, no questions asked.
- It’s local.
- It fosters a sense of community. The “regulars” greet each other with waves and smiles. The room is noisy with conversations and laughter.
- It runs like a well-oiled machine. The kitchen and support staff, many of whom give of their time and talents on a weekly basis, are amazing. Volunteers are given a quick orientation and someone is always there to answer questions and to provide help where needed.
- It’s the embodiment of UCCB’s Mission Statement and Open Doors policy.
Because of the generous pledges of the UCCB community, Faith in Action will once again be able to contribute $350 to underwrite the cost of an entire meal. We’ll also be sending a team of volunteers to help serve the supper on January 8. We need a few more people to round out the team. Please contact glynis.hamel@gmail.com if you can help out. Thank you!
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Help Wanted
The Buildings and Grounds team is looking for some help with snow removal. We have a person who plows the parking lot whenever it snows, but the sidewalks and entrances must be cleared as well.
When it snows on weekdays (Mondays through Fridays), we are responsible for clearing snow only from the sidewalks and entrances around the church, and only on Tuesdays and Fridays, when Lenny is not here. When it snows over a weekend, we are responsible for clearing snow from the sidewalks and entrances around the church and for clearing snow from the Community Center steps/ramp as well. This is especially important on Sunday mornings when we need to have the snow removed from the sidewalks/entrances at the church by the time people arrive for church.
So here is my request. If you are interested and can help out, please email your cell phone number to me at voglfmly@gmail.com or text it to me at 978-273-4523. When it snows, I will send out a text asking for help and specifying the time to meet at the church. We will usually need 4 to 6 people to run our snow blower and/or shovel.
Thanks in advance.
Ron Vogel
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UCCB Relieves Over $420,000 of Medical Debt!
The Faith in Action team is happy to announce that UCCB will be sending a contribution in the amount of $4201 to Undue Medical Debt. The interest accrued from the Eleanor Voorhies endowment accounts for $3068 of this total, and the rest comes from the generous donations of members and friends of the congregation. Because each dollar donated buys approximately $100 of medical debt, our donation will result in $420,100 of forgiven medical debt. As a result of our contribution, many people who are in the untenable position of choosing between paying the rent and grocery bill or paying off their medical debt will receive letters saying their debt has been forgiven.
Thank you for making this possible!
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Empowering the Girl Child in Uganda
Back in 2022, Anitta N. started an annual fundraiser to benefit young girls in Uganda. Her campaign supports girls from underprivileged backgrounds by providing them with sanitary products and school supplies. Now, nearly three years later and as a member of UCCB, Anitta shared her story with the Faith in Action team.
You can read more about Anitta’s campaign that helps to empower the girl child in Uganda by visiting this GoFundMe page. Faith in Action is proud to support Anitta’s efforts this year with a donation of $500, and we hope this will jumpstart additional donations by members of the congregation.
Thank you for your generosity!
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UCCB Glean Team Celebrates Third Anniversary
December 9 marked the 3-year anniversary of the UCCB Glean Team. This team has made hundreds of deliveries over the past three years, collecting produce, bakery, and prepared food items that are close to their sell-by dates from local grocery stores and delivering the food to area food pantries.
The Glean Team can always use new volunteers. One of the founding members of the Glean Team (the team that originated with the UU Church in Harvard, MA about 15 years ago) is moving away in the spring, and her departure will leave a big hole. Gleaning is a great way to do good, on your own schedule.
You can sign up to glean as little or as often as you like - once a week, once a month, or once a year - it’s up to you! If you’d like to learn more about the program, please see me (Glynis) during coffee hour, or email me at glynis.hamel@gmail.com. Thank you!
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Our Little Food Pantry's Cupboards are Empty!
Please consider donating food to our Little Food Pantry. Items needed are: proteins, fruits, vegetables, crackers, non-perishable shelf stable milk, soups, beans, and more.
Thank you for all of your support! Happy Thanksgiving!
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UCCB Transitions to Compostable Tableware
Over the next few weeks you may notice some changes on the Fellowship table during coffee hour. The Fellowship team, with the support of Faith in Action, will be transitioning to the use of compostable cups, plates, and cutlery. While we’ll surely miss the beautiful flowered napkins and seasonally-themed plates provided by our wonderfully creative Fellowship team, we can feel proud that UCCB is taking one more step toward living out our mission statement of “caring for the world”.
Purchasing compostable tableware is step one in this process. Step two is education; what goes in the compost bag, what goes in the recycling bin, what goes in the trash? Step three is completing the circle and disposing of the compostables at a commercial composting facility. Faith in Action is currently investigating the possibility of pickup by a commercial facility. In the meantime, we’ll start simply by putting only compostable cups in the compost bag.
Signage will be there to remind us all that the compost bag is for cups only; please do not put anything else in the bag! A member of the Faith in Action team will be responsible for bringing the used cups to the transfer station to be composted in a commercial compost bin. (Of course, an even greener alternative is to bring your own coffee mug to coffee hour!)
We hope you will support this effort to work toward a healthier planet.
Please, if you have any questions or comments, talk to a member of the Faith in Action team: Janet G., Glynis H., Susan A., Lee B., Joe C, Kellie
S., Linda S.
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Please Support CPO Holiday Gift Bag Project
“My name is [...] and I’m locked up in Shirley Max. Doing time is very hard during the holidays…but receiving this Christmas bag made my day…I’ve been locked up since 18, I’m about to be 25 and my family disappeared slowly so receiving this gift was a blessing. Thank you and everyone who had a part [in] giving us a good Christmas. God Bless.”
Concord Prison Outreach (CPO) maintains a binder filled with thank you notes like this one from grateful recipients of CPO’s Holiday Gift Bags. This year, more than 2300 incarcerated people in Shirley, Framingham, Concord, and Gardner will receive gift bags containing toiletry and other items; CPO relies solely on contributions to cover the $35,000 cost. If you are able, would you consider, making a donation, to CPO this Christmas?
A contribution of $14 would cover the cost of one gift bag, but donations in any amount would be greatly appreciated. Faith in Action will be collecting donations throughout the month of December. Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “CPO” in the memo line.
Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “CPO” in the memo.
Thank you for your generosity!
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Flowers in the Sanctuary!
Poinsettias from Larry and Nicolette Wellington are given in celebration of Vivien G’s birthday on Christmas Eve, sister of Nicolette, and Bill G, on Christmas Day, brother of Larry.
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