Hingham Congregational Church

United Church of Christ

Weekly Newsletter

November 16, 2023

FROM THE STEWARDSHIP BOARD

This Sunday is Commitment Sunday. Last week, on Stewardship Sunday, Eugene Buczynski shared his faith journey as part of the Stewardship Sermon. If you weren't there, you can find it here!

We respectfully request that faith pledges be submitted as early as possible, and no later than the December 14th Finance Committee meeting, at which our financial stewards seek to balance the 2024 church budget and prepare for the financial outlays needed in the coming year. Please go to www.hccucc.com/pledge-card/ or scan this QR code to make your faith pledge today.

Make your pledge quickly and easily using the QR Code above.

Faith Formation This Week

Middle school is hard! Since returning from medical leave I have been working hard with our Faith Formation board to find the right space, program and teachers for students in grades 5-8.

Although it took me a bit longer than we hoped, their refurbished space has been up and running since October and now we have teachers that are ready to help them on their faith formation journey. 

Here are the basics: Each week there will be a topic. Using games, videos and guided discussions this class will explore the basic principles of faith, Christianity and community building.

See the attached flyer for a calendar of winter topics. This class is offered during Worship time. It does not replace Confirmation class or monthly youth group meetings.

Men's Retreat!

January 5th 6:00pm- Jan 6th 7:00pm @ Cedar Hill, Duxbury

Cost: $120*

Sign up during coffee hour

Questions? contact Pete (pastor@hccucc.com) or Neil (hinghamneil@gmail.com)

*Scholarships available if needed. Contact Pete for more information.



Come join the fun!! Our annual Christmas tree lot sales at the Hingham bathing beach to raise money for our youth service trip and faith formation will begin later this month. This has become a special event for our greater Hingham community and we hope you will join us by volunteering to help - it's a great experience!. We especially need volunteers to help during the weekends, beginning November 25 through December 17. Sign up on our church website at HCCUCC.com

11/18 Sat 9:00 am Tree Lot set up! Meet at the Edmundson's (55 Cottage St.) SIGN UP HERE

11/25 Sat 9:00 am Xmas trees arrive at the lot **Please help with unloading. It's a big job!**

SIGN UP HERE FOR TREE UNLOADING

11/25-12/17 Sell trees - sign ups available soon! Friday evening, Saturdays and Sundays, 2-hour shifts SIGN UP HERE

12/23 Sat 9:00 am Tree Lot take-down

Thank you for your help!

FROM THE BOARD OF FELLOWSHIP

Fellowship invites you to sign up to bring a soup in a crock pot to our Advent Soup Luncheon on December 3. Sign up online or scan the QR code! https://hccucc.com/soup-luncheon/

FROM THE BOARD OF OUTREACH

An urgent appeal: Help UCC give humanitarian aid to people amid war in Gaza, Palestine and Israel:  Please see the article on ucc.org

The UCC church is asking that we advocate for a cease fire, access for humanitarian assistance, and for the core issues to be addressed. At the same time, we invite your financial support to undergird the work of our partners with whom we have had a long-standing relationship. Your gifts will make an impact and a difference on those who are suffering so greatly during these days of lamentation and suffering. The two actions go hand-in-hand. Thank you for your generosity.

To donate to this cause, visit the appeal page https://support.ucc.org/middleeast

Thank you to all those who participated in our Giving Thanks By Giving Back program!

Looking for a Few Good Men: The Consignment Center is discarding an old display case and in need of The Young and The Strong to carry it out and up to the parking lot for transport to Swap. Move needs to be made by Nov. 1. Please let Sarah England know ASAP if you are up to the challenge, but do not let your heart allow you to risk another back injury or shoulder repair! (We could also use a pickup truck!) Respond via email to

england-sarah@comcast.net, phone 781-749-1168, or text 617-967-0899.

Please note: Due to Thanksgiving, the following meetings will not be held:

11/22 Wednesday Evening Prayer

11/22 Board of Trustees Meeting

11/23 Growing In Faith Together

11/23 Sr. Choir Rehearsal

With the hearty affirmation of our Executive Council and Pastor Pete, the Green Team (now Ed Bartholomew and Kate Kallis) invite ALL of you to 

read this book:

Join others for the reading and discussion of THE FLAG THE CROSS AND THE STATION WAGON. The author, Bill McKibbon founded the global grassroots climate campaign 350.org. and is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar in Environmental Studies at Middlebury College, that author of more than a dozen books and many awards.

Pick up the book and start reading. The former Green Team, (Kate Kallis and Ed Bartholomew) will lead a discussion (probably the second Sunday in January after church), so get this engaging book now or as a Christmas gift. (There will be an additional copy in the church meeting room library.) There will be discussion questions sent to you in November and December. 

Let Kate or Ed know that you’re planning to be a part of this reading and conversation by emailing one or both of them at katek1004@gmail.com or jeeko@comcast.net. You can pick up a book for yourself and/or a Christmas gift at the Glastonbury Abbey Book Store or go on line.

Teens, please join us.

Knitting (and more) group

Newly formed Knitting Group to meet again in November! We will meet regularly on the second Tuesday 10 am and third Monday 7:30 pm.

Upcoming meeting:

Monday, November 20 at 7:30 pm 

While not meant as a learn to knit class, help with patterns, problems, or basics is available.  If you have any questions, or if you are interested, but cannot make the meetings, please get in touch with Penelope Baltera, 781-740-1210 (email- allenbalte@aol.com).

(Information will be available on possible charity knitting opportunities, if that is your interest, but you are more than welcome to work on personal projects.)

GREEN TIP OF THE WEEK



A THANKSGIVING BLESSING

As we look ahead to celebrating Thanksgiving next week, here are some words to ponder that day - and every day. Today we have gathered, and when we look upon the faces around us we see the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now let us bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.

             - Robin Wall Kimmerer - “Braiding Sweetgrass”

       “USE WISELY...” HELP US CARE FOR OUR FRAGILE ENVIRONMENT 

                 BY REDUCING WASTE.

 REDUCE - REFUSE - REUSE - REPAIR - RECYCLE - ROT (COMPOST)

UPCOMING WEDNESDAY ADVENT SERVICES 

Will be held in the sanctuary to celebrate the season of Advent. There will be beautiful music, candle lighting, reflections, and peace. Join us on 12/6, 12/13, and 12/20 at 7:30pm.

at 7:00 pm in the Library and on Zoom.   Please contact

Terri Fortin if you have any questions

terrifortin@comcast.net

WEDNESDAY EVENING PRAYER –

at 7:00 pm.

A Zoom Link will be sent out

the day of.

There will not be Wednesday evening prayer November 22nd.

GROWING IN FAITH TOGETHER (G.I.F.T.)

Bible Study

Please contact Rev. Dr. Peter Allen to connect

pastor@hccucc.com

No meeting on 11/23.



CHOIR NOTES:

Senior Choir

rehearses Thursdays, 7:30-9:15 pm

All are welcome!

David Geissow, Choir Director 

david@figgypuddin.com

No Rehearsal on 11/23.

JUNIOR CHOIR

Meets select Sundays after church on the 3rd floor.

Please direct questions to Ed B. jeeko@comcast.net

• Rachel Scott's friend, Diane
• Rich Lalonde Sr.
• A healing prayer for Roger Hoit who is recovering from surgery
• People living in Israel and Gaza
• Heather Collins
• Kathy Beitler, recovering from a fall and surgery
• Victims of the Maui wildfires
• Victims & survivors of Moroccan earthquake     
• Prayers for healing and support for Patty Krumm, Mark's mother
• Gerald Jones
• The People of Ukraine
• Candy Heath
•  Barbara McGovern’s nephew Brendan, and his wife, Oksana, photo journalists living in Kyiv.
•  Terri Fortin’s friend, Diane
•  The Ahmadi family from Afghanistan, who are now in the US
•   Nancie Mooney
•   Ryan Lamonde, prayers for peace and courage