Staying Connected to Your Church Community

STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY

Thursday, May 13, 2021

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:

Help Kids India; FACEBOOK

LINK: To join the Care Team email Rev. Judy Swahnberg

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.

LINK: Contact our Administrator HERE

LINK: View our Calendar HERE

*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.

A 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.

Morning Meditation

We gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 am to 10:30 am. Whether you are new to meditation or practice it daily . . . please join us and be restored during this time together. Questions? Email Mary Hill Canavan or Judy Swahnberg.

Noon Prayers from the Hills

Tune into our Facebook page at noon on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 minutes) devoted to reflection and prayer.

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.

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 . . .

READ OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

@ 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!

@ Check out this recently published The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Johnson considered Teen and Young Adult Nonfiction but would be useful for people of any age who want to better understand racism.

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.

READ OUR NEWSLETTER HERE

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

SELF CARE PACKAGES

Sunday, May 16 from 3-5 pm

CONFIRMATION SUNDAY

Sunday, May 23 @ 10 am

Hills Church Weekly Calendar

THURSDAY

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

Sandwich Making (Kitchen)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

FRIDAY

Caring for Caregivers (Zoom)

AA Meeting (Reception Room)

Connections (Zoom)

SATURDAY

Boy Scouts Food Pantry Drive (on site)

SUNDAY - Printed Order of Worship

Coffee Hour (Zoom)

Muddy May Small Family Group (on-site)

Worship Service (Online) - Care Team Celebration!

Video Streaming Meeting (Sanctuary)

Care Packages (Rosie's Place)

Confirmation Class (on site outdoors)

AA Meeting (Reception Room)

MONDAY

Cup of Morning Prayer

Clergy Pastoral Care Meeting (Zoom)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Stewards Meeting (Zoom)

TUESDAY

Fraser Walk Through (on site)

Morning Meditation (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Holloway (Facebook)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Water Meter Upgrade (parsonage)

PPR Meeting (Zoom)

WEDNESDAY

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Matt (Facebook)

Food Pantry (Assembly Room)

Choir Rehearsal (Zoom)

THURSDAY

Staff Meeting (Zoom)

Noonday Prayers with Rev. Judy (Facebook)

Water Meter Upgrade (on site)

New Beginnings (Virtual)

CSSB Meeting (Zoom)

"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications

Need to spread the word about an activity or event?

ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5 PM

EMAIL // WEBSITE // 781-235-4424