STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, September 30, 2021
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*TONIGHT* Spiritual Conversations for Women
Whether you are a founding member or have never attended, NOW is the perfect time to come join us in our first in-person gathering since before the pandemic. Come share and/or just listen to a conversation about life and faith. A lot has happened since we last connected with one another. As you reflect over our time apart, there are many stories you might choose to share . . . some lighthearted, some difficult, some are about your own individual journeys, others may involve your family, your work, your health or something else entirely. What story (stories) would you like to share? What role did God play in this narrative? How does this understanding impact your faith today? Be prepared to be moved and blessed by the stories you hear. Please join us in the Upper Room (teen room on third floor), masked and no refreshments, on Thursday, September 30 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm.
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Since 2015, The Diaper Project at A Place To Turn has provided diapers and other basic necessities that children need to thrive. In 2020, it distributed 90,876 diapers to 1100 Metrowest families. This year between January and July, it has already distributed 60,540 diapers to 1055 low income families to keep their babies and toddlers clean, dry, and healthy! Children go through 6 to 12 diapers each day during the two to three years they wear diapers. According to the National Diaper Bank Network, one in three families in the United States struggle to provide an adequate supply of diapers for their children. With our help, families in financial stress will obtain the diapers they need to keep their babies clean, dry and healthy.
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Blessing of the Animals
Sunday, October 3 @ 4 PM
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On the afternoon of Sunday, October 3 at 4:00 pm, Rev. Judy Swahnberg invites all beloved pets and their “people” to gather outside near Wallace Chapel for a simple service of the Blessing of the Animals.
We’ll ask God to care for our animals’ health and well-being, and bless the relationship and bond we have with them as part of our common kinship, an aspect of the great glory of Creation.
Please consider what will work best for your animal -- bringing dogs on leashes and cats and other animals in comfortable travel containers. Stuffed animals also welcome!
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THE P_MPKIN PATCH RETURNS ON OCTOBER 9th! |
Hmmm...What is missing?
"U" are!!!
Won't "U" join us in our efforts to support those in need through this year's Hills Church Pumpkin Patch Fundraising efforts! There are many opportunities for service! Click the link below to learn more and to sign-up to help! LEARN MORE & LEND A HAND! Thank you for the blessing of your thoughtful and generous efforts to help with this year's Pumpkin Patch . . . it just wouldn't be the same without "U"!
The beloved Hills Church Pumpkin Patch is returning on October 9th! This year The Hills Church Pumpkin Patch Ministry Team, Youth Ministry Team and our Christian Service Support Board are partnering to support Global H.O.P.E. UCC with emergency relief efforts for Haiti! Join us on October 9th at 9 am to unload pumpkins and volunteer to take a pumpkin patch shift or two!
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A GOOD WORD:
Thoughts on Racial Justice
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“As people of faith and followers of Jesus, filled with love, we seek a just world for all.”
Racial Justice Working Group Mission Statement
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“By acknowledging America’s racist past, we can acknowledge America’s racist present. In acknowledging America’s racist present, we can work toward building an antiracist America. An antiracist America where no racial group has more or less, or is thought of as more or less. An antiracist America where the people no longer hate on racial groups or try to change racial groups. An antiracist America where our skin color is as irrelevant as the colors of the clothes over our skin.” By Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. By Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS ??? ??? QUESTION REFLECTIONS
Are we ready to recognize that racism existed in the past and still till this day? Are we able to accept that no one race is better than the other and that we are all made in the image of God?
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Nature as Cathedral: Finding the Sacred in the Natural World
This hybrid small group will meet virtually at 7 pm on October 6 and 13. We will then gather to experience an outdoor nature walk together on Saturday, October 23. We will discuss selections from the book "Renewal in the Wilderness: A Spiritual Guide to Connecting with God in the Natural World," as well as an essay from Annie Dillard. Facilitated by Suzanne Bossert and Mary Hill Canavan. Sign up using this LINK.
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Landscape Interest Group (in Formation)
You are invited to join like-minded church members and friends to explore the church’s current landscaping, learn about its history, including work by the Olmstead Bros, and potentially make suggestions about its enhancement. This wholly ad hoc group is not envisioned as any part of the church’s formal structure and has no budget and no decision-making authority or responsibility. This is solely for fun! Subject to other suggestions, we might start by “meeting”, weather permitting, in a few weeks after coffee hour and walk the grounds. If any of this appeals to you, please let me know via email (link below). Comments and ideas are invited. ~ Steve Hansen
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Wednesday Sermon Seeds
Join the pastors in listening for God’s Word on Wednesday mornings at 10 am in the Board Room. We will read through the lessons for the coming Sunday as designated by the Revised Common Lectionary and discuss them. On Wednesday, October 6, we will discuss the scripture lessons for Sunday, October 10:
Job 23:1-9, 16-17; Psalm 22:1-15; Hebrews 4:12-16; Mark 10:17-31
Tuesday Morning Meditation
Please join us on Tuesday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am when we will turn our hearts and minds to this ancient spiritual practice. Email Judy or Mary to receive the Zoom link.
Wednesday Prayer
Join us at 12 or 6 pm on Wednesdays for 5-15 minutes of reflection and prayer. Click on link above to join.
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A Hills Church Cheer!
Three cheers for our sexton Brian Aucoin!! Brian has been on staff with the Hills for many years now! His love for our church shows up in his thoughtful care of our building! Brian built and assembled all of our new furniture in the Upper (youth) Room, and all of the new " pews" in our Children's Chapel! Brian we are grateful for all that you do! Three cheers for Brian!
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Faithful Fun Ministry
Are you looking to make connections with others in our community? Let's get together for some fun and connect with friends with shared interests! The Faith Formation Support Board is excited to introduce the Faithful Fun Ministry for endless opportunities of fun for all ages, abilities, interests and talents!
Do you like to walk, hike, paint, play cards, fish or stargaze? These are just some of the ideas that could be fun to do together! Send us your ideas and let's create a group that shares your interest! Groups can meet indoors, outdoors, monthly, weekly, quarterly or whatever! We are seeking activity ideas as well as leaders to help get a new group off the ground.
If you have a special interest, hobby or talent that you would like to do or share with others, please email KC Kranker.
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Chancel Flower Memorials
If you wish to contribute to the weekly chancel flowers “In Honor of” or “In Memory of” a loved one, please email Susan MacDonald in the church office. Your gift will be noted in the order of worship. Any amount of donation is welcome.
Following the service, chancel flowers are delivered to members of the congregation who need our love and support, or are celebrating a particular joy, so if your wish is to bring home some of the chancel bouquet, please let a Deacon or one of the Ministers know.
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CHURCH MOUSE REMINDER, PLEASE?
"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
Need to spread the word about an activity or event?
ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5:00 PM
"Order of Worship" Information
DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY BY NOON
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar (picture below is link)
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September 30
8:00 am
10:30 am
5:30 pm
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
October 1
7:30 pm
October 2
October 3
9:45 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
October 4
2:00 pm
3:30 pm
7:30 pm
October 5
9:30 am
1:45 pm
October 6
10:00 am
12:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:30 pm
8:00 pm
October 7
9:00 am
10:00 am
2:00 pm
5:30 pm
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THURSDAY
Meditation 101 (Zoom)
Staff Meeting
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L, BR)
Spiritual Conversations (Reception Room)
Welcoming Diversity (Zoom)
FRIDAY
AA Meeting (Board Room)
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Outdoor Church School (Wallace Chapel)
Worship Service w/communion (Sanctuary)
Special Family World Communion (Chapel)
Fellowship Time (outdoors)
Handbell Practice (Bell Room)
Blessing of the Animals (outdoors by Chapel)
Boy Scouts (Assembly Room)
High School Youth Cafe (Upper Room)
High School Youth Conversation Circles (Upper Room)
AA Meeting (Board Room)
MONDAY
Food Pantry (Pantry Room)
Suzuki Violin (Assembly Room)
Deacons Meeting (Zoom)
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Zoom)
Food Pantry (Pantry Room)
WEDNESDAY
Bible Study (Chapel)
Noonday Prayers (Facebook)
Evening Prayers (Facebook)
Personnel Committee (Zoom)
Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)
THURSDAY - Susan Vacation
Tent drop-off and set-up
Staff Meeting (Library)
Food Pantry (Pantry Room)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L, BR)
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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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