STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, May 27, 2021
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SAYING FAREWELL TO MATT
As Matt prepares to leave the Hills Church on Sunday, June 20th, we would like to honor him for the seven wonderful years he has been our pastor and friend. To show our appreciation for all that he and Betsy have meant to us, we would like to present them with a memory book of letters, cards, and pictures that express our personal recollections, our gratitude, and our best wishes. We would also like to give Matt a monetary gift. Members and friends are invited to contribute to these gifts.
Please send your contributions for the memory book and checks by MONDAY, JUNE 7 to: Kelly Ford, 20 Asheville Road, Newton, MA, 02462. You may also send written items via email to Kelly. Checks should be made out to: Wellesley Hills Congregational Church, marked Matt’s farewell gift in the memo line. (Please be aware that these are personal gifts to Matt and as such are not tax-deductible gifts to the church, although the church will act as coordinator of this effort.)
Thank you in advance for your generosity as we wish Matt and Betsy Godspeed with our
affection and appreciation.
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At the Hills Church, the next two months will be marked by significant milestones, including a plan to resume in person worship. With the guidance of the church’s Reopening Task Force, worship will begin to stream from the sanctuary on June 27, and ‘in person’ attendance can begin on July 11. Between now and then, the final pre-recorded worship services will celebrate Confirmation, Celebration Sunday, and the congregation’s ten-year anniversary of becoming Open and Affirming. On June 20, the church will hold a special outdoor service, in order to allow more people to attend Rev. Matt Wooster’s last Sunday. Also look for other opportunities to say farewell to Matt and Betsy. |
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CELEBRATION SUNDAY
SUNDAY, JUNE 6
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Our children and youth will lead this joyful worship service of our congregation as we celebrate the blessings of our faith formation programs across the ages! Following the service all are invited to drive on over to the church between 11:15 and 12:15 pm for a special communion and vegetable seedlings blessing "drive-thru." |
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10 YEARS OPEN & AFFIRMING
SUNDAY, JUNE 13
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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. |
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FAREWELL GATHERINGS
JUNE 13 THROUGH 18
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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.
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OUTDOOR WORSHIP
SUNDAY, JUNE 20
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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.
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LIVE-STREAM SERVICES
SUNDAY, JUNE 27
SUNDAY, JULY 4
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Live-streamed worship service from Sanctuary with preaching and about ten co-celebrants. |
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WORSHIP IN THE SANCTUARY
SUNDAY, JULY 11 & 18
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Live-streamed worship service from the Sanctuary open to 40 worshipers. Sign-Up Genius will be used to reserve spaces.
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IMPORTANT CORRECTION!!!
There was an error in the Moderator's report that went out on Monday of this week. The correct version is posted on the church website at this link:
The noted correction is also highlighted below:
Spiritual Care Support Board: The Deacons have formed an Interim Minister Search Committee and are making plans to bid Matt and Betsy farewell on June 13th and to host a special “Release of Vows” service on June 20th. On June 13th, the church will also celebrate the 10th anniversary of our congregation voting to be Open and Affirming.
*FREE* Air Conditioners
The church has four very large air conditioning units that are no longer needed now that the Parish House has central air conditioning. If anyone wants to check these out, they are located in the Bell Room, and free for the taking! They will be recycled June 1, if not claimed.
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A Cup of Morning Prayer
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God on Mondays at 7 am. Weather permitting, sessions are held in the sanctuary of nature, via Facebook LIVE in a private group page. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer. Please reach out to Rev. Anne Marie to be added to the group and/or share prayer requests. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care.
Morning Meditation
Join us on Zoom on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am. Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily . . . be restored. Questions? email Mary Hill or Judy Swahnberg.
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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
@ Listen to the PRAY AS YOU GO app each morning as a refreshing way to start your day, with scripture and beautiful music in a five minute audio.
@ Faith Practices for Families Teaching Videos: These four videos on simple faith practices have wonderful short faithful practice ideas for your family. Each one has three simple practices families can use to practice faith at home. Watch one or all!
@ A collection of Poems for Children (curated by Caroline Kennedy) is just wonderful. The introduction in which she explains how her family members were encouraged to select poems and hand write them for each other to celebrate birthdays & other occasions is particularly delightful. The paintings inside are beautiful and the poems are accessible to children while also being interesting for their grownups.
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"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
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Celebrating Our Confirmands
Following last Sunday's virtual worship service, our Confirmation Class of 2021 gathered together for two in person services of blessing!
Join us in celebrating the Rite of Confirmation of the following youth:
Julia Andersson
Viktor Davidsson
Lexy Douglas
Blake Foster
Robert Foster
Anna Nye Gardner
Ginger Gooch
Faith Anne Holloway
Charlie Liebenberg
Anna McGrew
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar |
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May 27
10:30 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:00 pm
6:45 pm
May 28
7:30 pm
May 29
May 30
9:30 am
10:00 am
7:30 pm
May 31
June 1
9:30 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
June 2
12:00 pm
12:00 pm
3:00 pm
7:30 pm
June 3
10:30 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
6:45 pm
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THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)
HVAC computer monitoring training (Zoom)
Food Pantry Walk-thru (on-site)
Recording (Sanctuary) - John Finney
New Beginnings (Virtual)
FRIDAY - Last day of Nursery School
AA Meeting (Reception Room)
SATURDAY
Coffee Hour (Zoom)
Worship Service (Online)
AA Meeting (Reception Room)
MONDAY - Memorial Day
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Zoom)
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)
Food Pantry (Assembly Room)
WEDNESDAY
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Matt (Facebook)
Food Pantry (Assembly Room)
Sandwich Making (Kitchen)
Choir Rehearsal (Zoom)
THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)
Reopening Task Force (Zoom)
New Beginnings (Virtual)
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"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5:00 PM
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