Welcome to Christ Lutheran e-news, a weekly electronic newsletter which highlights programs and activities of our congregation. Feel free to .
|
|
From El Paso to Natick and Back
It was a year ago on August 3 that we welcomed Pastor Rose Mary Sánchez-Guzmán to our church and into our hearts to hear first-hand her account of work with migrant detainees on the border. That same day in El Paso a young man with a high-power gun killed 23 people at Walmart and now, a year later, we grieve the tragic loss of life-mostly Latino, the prevalence of weapons of war in our streets, the virulence of white supremacy ideology, and the hatefulness of anti-immigrant rhetoric that has wrought such pain.
It was during last year's visit that we learned of children who shivered under thin mylar coverings in the detention centers and decided that we could make child-size quilts for Pastora and her volunteers to distribute to released families. Inspired by her visit, the congregation also began to fundraise for the mini-bus that would replace the church's worn-out vans. Invited back in February 2020, Pastora and her husband viewed the bus packed full of donated clothing, shoes, quilts, and sleeping bags for distribution across the border now that new border policy required all migrants to remain in Mexico. But then coronavirus struck. Everything stopped. The van remained in the church parking lot until a few weeks ago when it was finally picked up and transported by flatbed truck to Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in El Paso.
Interviewed last evening as she and her daughter Allexa waited in line to view the luminaria set out as a m emorial for those who died a year ago, Pastora talked about the deliveries of food she and her famil y are able to make to members of her church and to the few released detainees at the nearby mission: 145 meals a week to members who are too elderly or have no transportation, 90 meals to detainees and the growing number of homeless. A local restaurant prepares the meals; the church provides boxes of fruits and vegetables. Hungry brothers and sisters are fed in El Paso; hungry brothers and sisters are fed in Framingham. Two congregations yoked together in service.
|
Tom Berryman, Music Director
|
|
A number of choral groups have produced virtual performances of themselves during the past six months of social distancing when singing in groups has been all but banned. While there is a certain cleverness about the recordings, they really only approach the reality of singing together.
But look at The Aeolians of Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama singing "We Shall Overcome" in a January 7, 2020 performance:
This is a live video, predating the quarantine. In April 2020, they produced a "virtual" performance of the same piece that would be worth a comparative view:
Oakwood is a Seventh Day Adventist, historically black college and The Aeolians has an international choral reputation. These singers perform everything from Bach to blues superbly.
|
In August the CLC Book Group returns to its regular format of reading one book together, this month's selection being the Pulitzer-prize winning novel, March, by Geraldine Brooks. A gifted writer of historical fiction, Brooks takes the absent father of Little Women
and follows him to the battlefields of the Civil War where he encounters challenges to his most cherished beliefs.
Available in public libraries and your local, independent bookstores. The group meets on Monday, August 24, 2020, 7:30 pm. If you would like to be added to the book group's email list, contact Marianne Swenson, [email protected]
|
Our partners at Metrowest Immigrant Solidarity Network (MISN) have set Aug. 8 and Aug. 22 for this month's food distribution to over 600 families in the area. Canasta Solidaria, their feeding program, is asking for more volunteers to assist in making this possible.
-
Location: 160 Hollis St, Framingham (old fire station turned into the Amazing Things Arts Center)
-
Safety: All volunteers and recipients are asked to wear masks at all times. We try to maintain at least 6 ft of distance from each other although sometimes this is not possible. When you volunteer to bag food, you will have the choice if working alone at a separate table or with others.
-
Flexibility: is essential. There are so many variables that inevitably, things change week to week/day to day/minute to minute. Please come with a spirit of collaboration and adaptability.
If you cannot volunteer in person, you can always donate to their Covid-19 Relief Fund. Donate online here or send a check to PO Box 409, Framingham, MA 01704. Checks can be made out to MWC-Casa with "Covid" or "Canasta" on the memo line. Thank you!
|
|
Music Director Tom Berryman has continued to bring us creative music opportunities throughout the covid pandemic. With hope that the current number of cases continues to decline, the Worship, Music, and Visual Arts Committee has planned an outdoor, in-person service of Evening Prayer on August 16 at 7 pm. Attendance will be limited to 25 people. Masks are required and seats will be set six feet apart. Look for an invitation to the service in your inbox.
|
READINGS FOR THIS WEEK - 10th Sunday after Pentecost
August 9, 2020 - the Rev. Angel Marrero presiding
Do you know the old song that goes "When the storms of life are raging, stand by me"? That song is about the gospel for this coming Sunday. Come to worship, to encounter Christ standing by you, no matter the storms, and to stand with others, to be the presence of Christ for them.
First Reading Psalm Second Reading Gospel
|
|
Sing For Joy
Enhance your understanding of the weekly scripture readings by listening to Sing For Joy from St. Olaf College. The Sing For Joy radio program, produced by St. Olaf College, has a simple mission: to explore the weekly themes of Christian worship by providing the best in sacred choral music and thoughtful commentary. The musical performances eloquently "do the talking," while the concise remarks from host Pastor Bruce Benson illuminate the meaning of the texts.
|
Do you have information for our weekly e-news?
Please be in touch by email if you have news to include.
|
|
|
STAY CONNECTED:
|  |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
