STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, May 20, 2021
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A day at the beach with my youngest daughter Shelley, and two grandsons, Tucker (front) and Waylon (back) from Montana, during a visit over Easter. |
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Welcome Susan MacDonald as our settled Church Administrator
The Administrative Search Team is delighted to report that Susan MacDonald has accepted our offer to serve as the church’s full-time administrator. Susan has been working with the church since October 2020 as our Interim Administrator and came to us with nearly 20 years of experience as a church administrator. In addition, she has served in a variety of roles as a lay leader in her own Congregational Church. We feel blessed to have her join our team! Once the church fully re-opens, Susan will keep regular church office hours Monday through Thursday 9 am – 3 pm and the balance of her full-time schedule will include both remote and onsite work. In addition to providing general office support, Susan will handle the church’s communications needs, coordinate the scheduling of rooms, and help oversee the church’s facilities. Please join us in welcoming Susan to be a permanent member of our team!
Sarah Pedersen, Ruth Perrson, Elaine Vildzius, Susan Walton
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This Sunday our Confirmation Class of 2021 will share with us their personal Statements of Faith during the pre-recorded 10:00 am worship service. Our Confirmands and their families will celebrate the Rite of Confirmation in person during two afternoon special services! With joy in our hearts we look forward to honoring the faith journeys of these wonderful young adults! It is our hope to have a chance in the Fall to introduce the past two years of Confirmation Classes to the entire congregation as we are able to safely gather in person and in our sanctuary! |
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In light of encouraging signs that we have turned the corner with this pandemic, the Reopening Task Force announced a schedule for the beginning of in person gatherings in June and July, including special dates for worship.
This path to reopening is good news!
Already, efforts have been underway to adjust different aspects of church life, each involving coordination of volunteer and staff teams, while continuing to exercise care and caution as we learn or re-learn how to be together in different ways.
If you haven't done so yet, open the full report above. Then, stay tuned for “Events at the Hills” next week for more details on these upcoming gatherings and worship services.
June 13 - Outdoor farewell gathering with Matt and Betsy Wooster
June 20 - Outdoor worship on the lawn of the parsonage for Matt's last Sunday
June 27 - Sunday worship begins video streaming from the sanctuary
July 11 - Sunday worship begins to welcome in person attendance
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"Our teens continue to work the soil, plant seedlings and prepare the gardens for additional plantings! We are looking forward to Celebration Sunday on June 6th, when the our younger children will bring the seedlings they have been caring for at home to the Community Gardens to be transplanted! Our high schoolers will be tending to our gardens throughout the Summer months! We are excited to be growing fresh vegetables for the food pantry!" ~ Anne Marie
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Sunday Worship By Video
Worship services, are creatively composed by worship leaders recording their parts from various locations. They are available early Sunday mornings, by CLICKING HERE. An invitation with a link to the recorded worship service and the printed order of worship will be sent early Sunday. STAY TUNED FOR EXCITING UPDATES ABOUT SOON-TO-BE LIVE STREAMING WORSHIP!
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Reaching out for your help,
Kelly Ford, Sarah Pedersen, and Laurie Otten
on behalf of Rev. Pash Obeng and the AIA partners
Help Kids India & Small Acts for Sustainability. PLEASE HELP! "India has now reported >20mil coronavirus infections, including nearly 3.5 mil people actively being treated for COVID-19. Through the Africian Indian Alliance ministry our church has had a close relationship with the people of Karnataka in this beloved community. A lock down has been imposed in Karnataka which is making it impossible for the families to work which is causing widespread hunger. A group within India that also works with the Siddi population is Small Acts for Sustainability, which is run by Fiona Almeida who has received support from the WHCC community in the past for her menstrual pad initiative. Fiona is partnering with Ramnath Siddi, who is a Siddi who visited the WHCC in 2016, among others to deliver food and basic medical supplies to Siddi families. They are working with a local wholesaler to package groceries for individual families to lessen the risk associated with the people congregating in one place. THIS VIDEO describes the work of the group. Donations are being accepted at Small Acts for Sustainability. Donations sent to them would directly benefit the Siddi community that the church has supported throughout the years.
For many years, in addition to our work with the Siddi people, we have supported (through Women's Ministry funds) a creche which cares for 50 Indian children, ages 2-5. It's a combination day care/preschool program, but school has not really functioned for the last year. Instead, they are trying to feed and care for the families of these children, who are out of work, with no safety net. Vaccinations, medical care, food: HKI needs emergency funds. Any amount is welcome. Donations are being accepted at DONATE TODAY. Money sent today will be used tomorrow for preschool families and staff.
Thank you for this small kindness, any amount will make a difference. For more information:
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Does your heart yearn to reach out to members of the congregation who are experiencing life’s joys, sorrows, or other challenges?
During the pandemic, our Care Team members have reached out in love to members of our congregation, writing notes, making calls, delivering food, and sharing love. There are four Care Teams, each responsible for kindnesses every 4th week. The ministers notify your team via email, suggesting individuals who might benefit from more care or celebration, and team members respond as their heart guides them. You are asked to serve at least a year, but may sign up or resign at any time.
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*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.
Junk Mail Volunteer Needed
Thank you to Lori Janiuk, who has made many phone calls from her home asking that the church be removed from mail lists. This important task eliminates many of the unwanted catalogs and mailings that come to the church office. Lori has stepped aside, so I am looking for a new volunteer to pick up this task. Please contact me if this is something you might be interested in. I leave the catalogs in a box just outside the church office for you to pick up at your leisure and make calls from home.
Calling All Knitters
Each year our graduating high school seniors are gifted with a blessing and a red knitted scarf from the Hills Church. This is an age old tradition that is beloved by the church families. The red scarf signifies the presence of the Holy Spirit and the scarf itself is prayerfully hand knit by a member of the congregation specifically for our youth. I am calling for all skilled knitters to consider knitting red scarfs to be donated to keep our supply ready for our graduating seniors! There is a pattern available to use for the scarf. If you are a knitter, and this interests you, please contact Anne Marie Holloway.
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Cup of Morning Prayer
Begin each week in the quiet presence of God, joining with others in prayer on Mondays at 7 am. Weather permitting, sessions are held in the sanctuary of nature, via Facebook LIVE. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer. If you can't make it to the LIVE session, visit our Facebook page, or ask to have the recordings sent to you. Please share your prayer requests in advance to Anne Marie. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up each Monday morning and held in gentle care by our virtual small and private Facebook LIVE group.
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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 during this time together. Questions? Email Mary Hill Canavan or Judy Swahnberg.
Noon Prayers
Tune in at noon on Facebook every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday for a brief time (5-15 minutes) devoted to reflection and prayer. Thursday, June 17 will be the last Noon Prayers, as the church gradually re-enters into more real-time fellowship!
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Families and Children
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 . . .
@ Want to Pass Your Faith to Your Children? Here’s the Key: HERE’s a great article on passing on the faith. It was an honor to be interviewed for it.
@ Simple Coloring Printable: THIS fruit of the spirit coloring sheet is simple and nice.
@ 5 ways to celebrate Pentecost @ Home: Please see THIS series for Pentecost Images filled with ideas for celebrating the church's birthday at home. Enjoy!
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Youth Ministry Mission
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.
Hills Church Youth are AMAZING! I invite you to join me in thanking God for the service filled hearts of our teens! Our Middle School Youth have been busily preparing the community gardens for our Farm to Table Vegetable Growing Project, and our Cookie Ministers baked cookies for THREE organizations in need! Nothing can stand in their way of loving God and loving their neighbors in need!
FARM TO TABLE PROJECT
May 1 - August 1, 11 am to 12:15 pm
CONFIRMATION SUNDAY
Sunday, May 23
Prerecorded Service @ 10am
Special in-person afternoon services Confirmand families @ 1:00 pm and 2:30 pm
NEW LIFE FURNITURE BANK:
Fill kitchen baskets with supplies.
Sunday June 13 from 3-5pm
(Email Rev. Anne Marie annemarie@hillschurch.org
for more details)
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar |
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May 20
10:30 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
6:45 pm
7:00 pm
7:00 pm
May 21
10:30 am
7:30 pm
May 22
2:30 pm
May 23
9:30 am
10:00 am
10:00 am
11:00 am
7:15 pm
7:30 pm
May 24
7:00 am
1:00 pm
2:00 pm
May 25
9:30 am
12:00 pm
2:00 pm
May 26
12:00 pm
12:00 pm
7:30 pm
May 27
10:30 am
12:00 pm
6:45 pm
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THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)
Water Meter Upgrade (on site)
New Beginnings (Virtual)
CSSB Meeting (Zoom)
Chancel Ministry Team (Zoom)
FRIDAY
Playground Wood Chips delivered (on site)
AA Meeting (Reception Room)
SATURDAY
Boy Scouts Food Pantry Drive (on site)
Coffee Hour (Zoom)
Muddy May Small Family Group (on-site)
Worship Service (Online) - Confirmation
Middle School Faith Formation (Zoom)
Confirmation Class (on site outdoors)
AA Meeting (Reception Room)
MONDAY
Cup of Morning Prayer
Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)
Food Pantry (Assembly Room)
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)
Choir Rehearsal (Zoom)
THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Zoom)
Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)
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 PM
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