Track Your Giving Online

We're excited to roll out Realm, a secure online database that allows you to see where you are in your pledge. One parishioner who's accustomed to tracking her giving using pledge envelopes tried Realm and said, "Realm is great and very easy to use. Better than envelopes!"

Realm has profiles for each parishioner with contact information. If you get rid of your landline, you can email Kristina -- or you can log into Realm and delete it from your profile.

Realm is capable of much more, too, but we'll get to that later.

We'll be sending out email invites to everyone in the next couple of weeks, but if you'd like to hop on as an early user, let Kristina know. She'll send you an email invitation through Realm. If it's confusing or doesn't make sense, let her know and she'll schedule time with you to help.

Shine God's Light

As we begin the new year, we want to thank the 46 individuals and families who have pledged to our 2023 stewardship campaign. Parishioner pledges provide almost our entire income, and they’re critical for building a responsible budget for 2023. Your pledges allow us to be there for you and for our communities in and around Medfield, offering our vital ministries and programs all year long.  

If you haven't yet pledged, please do. No amount is too small; we welcome and are grateful for all pledges. Pledge cards are available in the entryway, or you can pledge online by using use our Google form available here. For more information on this year's campaign, check out our website!

A pledge is an estimate of giving. If you need to adjust the amount during the year because of changing circumstances, simply let us know.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration and your generosity. And Happy New Year!

Save the Date: February 12

Our Annual Meeting will take place on Sunday, February 12, right after our 9:30 worship service. The meeting and accompanying report share what's happening in different areas of our parish, including finances.

Dry stuff, you say? Well, our Mardi-Gras theme will liven things up!

Wikipedia says, "Mardi Gras refers to events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is known as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for 'Fat Tuesday,' reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fatty foods before the ritual Lenten sacrifices and fasting of the Lenten season."

Vestry Nominations Needed

We often think of our church as being run by clergy. They assist, but parishioners create and lead the parish.

One of the most important ways to do this is by serving on Vestry, a group of parishioners who, with the clergy, lead the parish. A Vestry includes two Wardens (chairs), a Treasurer, a Clerk, and members-at-large.

But there's more to it. Serving on Vestry is a chance to deepen your faith. The monthly meetings offer a time of bible study and spiritual connection. And, we share a lot of laughs at each meeting!

We vote in Vestry members at the Annual Meeting. If you'd like to be on Vestry, nominate yourself by emailing Rev. Lynn. Or if you see leadership qualities in a fellow parishioner, nominate them. Feel free to reach out to Rev. Lynn if you'd like to know more about serving on Vestry.

Sign Up to Serve on Sundays

Our website has a new page in the top navigation called Sign Ups where you can reserve a slot for one of these roles.

Ushers

Each Sunday, we need Ushers to greet worshippers, hand out bulletins, pass the offering plates, bring the gifts to the altar, and guide people to the communion rail. Sign up here.

Lectors

Before covid, Lectors and Lay Eucharistic Ministers shared the responsibility of reading scripture and the Prayers of the People during the service. We'd love to return to that! Kristina sends out the readings on Friday so you know ahead of time what you're reading. If you'd like to read but have questions, please reach out to Rev. Lynn or Kristina with questions. Sign up here.

Coffee Hour Hosts

Volunteers make our time of fellowship after worship possible by making coffee and bringing snacks. Hosting is easy, and there are written instructions to help you along. If you're new to it, you can be paired with an experienced host to learn the ropes. Sign up here or on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall.

Thank you for supporting our worship and community! And thank you to Rev. Lynn for photos of last Sunday's Coffee Hour!

Sign Up for Dedications

You can sign up to dedicate Altar Flowers or the Tabernacle Candle on the bulletin board in the Parish Hall or online -- the links are located on our website under Sign Ups in the top navigation.

MANNA Collection

Last week we shared photos of our Advent collection for New Life Furniture Bank of MA. Here are results of our other collection.

Church of the Advent has a tradition of collecting hats, gloves or mittens, scarves, and new white socks for the MANNA (Many Angels Needed Now and Always) ministry with the homeless community in downtown Boston. Thank you to all who contributed to help keep our siblings in Christ warm this winter. And thank you to Christine Babson for taking the donations into Boston.

Note from Kristina

If you have your phone handy, please take photos and share them with me! It can be anything that catches your eye: altar flowers, smiles at Coffee Hour, the table set for communion, sharing of the peace, a favorite hymn or piece of scripture that resonates with you in the bulletin... anything that moves you or makes you smile. It's so important to share the beauty of our community, and doing that through as many eyes as possible is wonderful!

Email kristina.adventmedfield@gmail.com or if messaging is easier, my cell is 781-927-8511. Thank you very much!

Office Hours

Kristina is in the office Monday through Friday from 9:00am-1:00pm. You can reach Kristina at kristina.adventmedfield@gmail.com.

Deadline for Submissions

Please email kristina.adventmedfield@gmail.com or call 508-359-6303 by the end of day Wednesday to add something to that week's Announcements email.