Staying Connected to Your Church Community

STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

Thursday, June 10, 2021

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO EXPRESS YOUR GRATITUDE TO MATT!

THE DUE DATE HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO TUESDAY, JUNE 15TH

As you know, the congregation would like to present a memory book to Matt and Betsy, and a monetary gift to Matt on Sunday, June 20th. If you would like to participate, please send your contributions no later than next Tuesday, June 15th to Kelly Ford, 20 Asheville Road, Newton 02462. Checks should be made out to WHCC, marked Matt’s farewell gift in the memo line. In addition, there will be a basket at the farewell gatherings with Matt and Betsy from Sunday, June 13th through Thursday, June 17th for your pre-written notes and/or checks. (Please sign up for one of these gatherings through SignUp Genius.) Thank you in advance for your generosity as we wish Matt and Betsy Godspeed with our appreciation and affection.

Hills Church Adult Ministry Program Offerings

(Sponsored by the Faith Formation Support Board)

PATHWAYS:

A Summer Exploration

June 10, 17, 24 - 7 to 8 pm

on the church lawn

In this time of keen transition -- with our senior pastor's departure and the world slowly reopening -- we invite you to envision this summer as a time to re-orient and re-anchor yourself in God and community. This adult ministry program will use Dr. Howard Gardner's theory of "Multiple Intelligences" as a framework. "PATHWAYS: A Summer Exploration," with facilitators Rev. Suzanne Bossert and Mary Canavan will lead an exploration of the multiplicity of ways individuals can authentically feel in tune with the Divine.

Embracing faith formation as an on-going way of life, this small group will meet in-person on three nights in June, within covid guidelines. This program will include practicing time-honored spiritual traditions as well as creating and experimenting with new ones, with peer-to-peer discussion and theoretical learning leading the way.

With all of the exciting changes ahead, it's time to re-ground ourselves so that we can faithfully thrive amid change. We hope you can join us and please do not hesitate to contact facilitators, Suzanne or Mary with questions.

Finding JOY! SIGN UP HERE

Join others on Friday, June 11 at 10:00 am on the church front lawn for an hour of gathering, reconnecting, and finding your joy! In this adult ministry program presented by KC Kranker, and sponsored by FFSB, KC will share ways in which she has found joy in her life and how it has strengthened and transformed her faith in God. Bring a journal and pen, a bottle of water, and a chair or blanket. We will talk, move, and explore ways to incorporate more joy into your life!

Church Governance

Zoom Open Forum

Tuesday, June 22 @ 7 pm

Want to learn more about church governance? Please join us for a virtual Zoom session with Church Council and Strengthening Church Governance Implementation Task Force to explore:

How is the church organized and how do we fulfill our mission?

Church Milestones and Reopening Plans

10 YEARS OPEN & AFFIRMING -- SUNDAY, JUNE 13

The tenth anniversary of the congregational vote to be an Open and Affirming church in the United Church of Christ will be celebrated in the pre-recorded worship service.

FAREWELL GATHERINGS

JUNE 13 THROUGH 18

The Deacons will host an open house on the Parsonage lawn on Sunday, June 13, followed by daily gatherings with Matt on the church lawn the next four days. Pre-registration for small groups is available at Sign Up Genius or contact the church office for scheduling assistance.

OUTDOOR WORSHIP

SUNDAY, JUNE 20

A special outdoor service at 10:00 AM will be held on the Parsonage lawn, rain or shine. Attendance is limited to 200, so please reserve your spot on Sign Up Genius, or contact the church office for scheduling assistance. A virtual version of the service will also be available.

LIVE-STREAM SERVICES

SUNDAY, JUNE 27 & JULY 4

We will begin to live-stream worship services from the Sanctuary with preaching and about ten co-celebrants.

WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY

SUNDAY, JULY 11 & 18

"In-person" attendance at worship in the Sanctuary open to 50 worshipers. Sign-Up Genius will be used to reserve spaces. The service will also be live-streamed and available on our website.

LINK to contact our Church Administrator

LINK to view the church calendar

Calling All Graduates!

Do you have a high school or college graduate you would like us to acknowledge in the Events newsletter? Please send their name, school, degree, etc. to Susan MacDonald by June 14 to be printed in the June 17 Events newsletter.

Sexton Log Book

If you have a task you would like Brian to do around the church, please write your request, along with your name, in the Sexton Log book just outside the church office. If you are unsure what sort of tasks to ask Brian to do, please contact Susan MacDonald, our church administrator for guidance. Brian's hours are Monday through Friday, 5:30 to 8:30 pm.

Property Maintenance "To-do-list"

If you have an idea or notice an issue around the church that needs attention, there is a "to-do-list" blue book just outside the church office. Write your idea/request and it will be reviewed by the Property Maintenance Committee, and prioritized as time permits.

Welcome to our weekly roundup of goodness focused on links related to faith and family, inspired articles, books, and activities to encourage your faith journey @ home. Whether you are 2 or 92, there is something for you. ~ Sally

VIEW LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

"With love at the center of all that we do, it is our hope to journey beside our youth as they grow in faith together and discover how God is calling each one of them to use their gifts to help build a just world for all." ~ Rev. Anne Marie

VIEW LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER

NOT TO BE MISSED! DID I SAY DON'T MISS IT!

Watch the Celebration Sunday, June 6 prerecorded worship service HERE on YouTube. The service included a beautiful slide show highlighting the ways we remained connected and rooted in love this past year! View the slideshow HERE.

Hills Church Weekly Calendar

THURSDAY

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

Staff Luncheon (Parsonage Lawn)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

Pathways: Summer Exploration (church lawn)

FRIDAY

Finding JOY! (church lawn)

AA Meeting (Board Room)

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Coffee Hour (Zoom)

Worship Service (Online)

Parsonage Open House (Parsonage Lawn)

Farewell Gatherings (Parsonage Lawn)

Deliver Cookies (Cambridge)

Kitchen Baskets (Assembly Room)

AA Meeting (Reception Room)

MONDAY

CPC Meeting (Zoom)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Farewell Gatherings (Parsonage Lawn)

TUESDAY

Morning Meditation (Zoom)

Farewell Gatherings (Parsonage Lawn)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)

Community of Practice (Garth & Reception Room)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

WEDNESDAY

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Matt (Facebook)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Farewell Gatherings (Parsonage Lawn)

Brass Recording (Sanctuary)

Choir Rehearsal (Sanctuary)

THURSDAY

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

Farewell Gatherings (Parsonage Lawn)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

CSSB Meeting (Zoom)

Pathways: Summer Exploration (church lawn)

"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications

Need to spread the word about an activity or event?

ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5:00 PM

EMAIL // WEBSITE // 781-235-4424