STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, February 24, 2022
Weekly Newsletter
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Worship with us in person this Sunday February 27th at 10 am!
You can also watch worship via Livestream at 10 am HERE!
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DO NUT FORGET
TO GET DONUTS!!
After worship this Sunday, February 27! Just for fun! Pancakes styled differently :)
We will gather outside for a Mardi Gras Fellowship Hour!
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Lent-at-home Package
Meet Hope! HOPE has some exciting adventures to share with you. HOPE always believes that the situation will get better. HOPE keeps going, even when the going is hard, or there is no reason to expect anything good. HOPE knows that God has lots of wonderful things in store for you. Let HOPE join your family this Lenten season. You will receive HOPE with your Lent at-home package as you linger with a Donut.
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CHURCH SCHOOL RESUMES THIS SUNDAY BACK ON THE THIRD FLOOR!
Families are invited to worship as they feel comfortable.
Following the "Word For All Ages" and the "Passing of the Peace," children in grades Pre-K through Grade 5 will be invited to walk with us to the church school classrooms.
Alternatively, Children under five and unvaccinated are offered to join their parents in the sanctuary or be dropped off on the Parish House Third Floor before worship begins at 10:00 am!
Our Middle School and High Schoolers are invited to attend worship.
Church School teachers remain masked, and air filters are in place.
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Looking ahead to Lent...
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2nd,
@ Noon & 7pm
in the Wallace Chapel
Last year almost 60,000 wildfires left 7.5 million acres of our country in ash. Ashes are also the remains of lives burnt by anger, singed by pride, and scorched by envy. It is no wonder that ashes have come to symbolize our low moments whether our fiery passions have led us astray or we have been blindsided by out-of-control events.
Lent prepares us for the transformation promised by Easter when the ash of death or despair gives way to new life and energy. The season of Lent is an invitation to practice transformation: humiliation overcome, suffering healed, the worst survived, death defeated, and hopelessness transformed. The ash which marks our forehead on Ash Wednesday bears witness to the impending transformation of Easter. Join us on March 2 in Wallace Chapel at either 12 Noon or 7pm.
WEDNESDAYS AT 7:00 PM THIS LENT
March 2 Ash Wednesday (Wallace Chapel)
March 9 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session One (Reception Room)
March 16 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Two (Reception Room)
March 23 Lay Led Service with Jim McKinney (Wallace Chapel)
March 30 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Three (Reception Room)
April 6 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Four (Reception Room)
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THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE
James H. Cone
LENTEN STUDY beginning Wednesday, March 9
James Cone taught at Union Theological Seminary in New York over 4 decades. He was the leader in Black Liberation Theology. His first book was Black Theology and Black Power. He has also written extensively about black spirituals and the blues. In 2011, he published this painful yet hopeful book, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. Painful, because the lynching tree symbolizes the violent racism that has terrorize the lives of African Americans in this country. Hopeful, as the cross of Christian faith – the dominant faith of African Americans – is the symbol of violence transformed.
We are planning to offer this study on four Wednesdays in Lent – March 9, 16, 30 and April 6 – at 7pm in the Reception Room. The fifth Wednesday in Lent, March 23, will be a lay-led service in Wallace Chapel with Jim McKinney. For more information, please speak with Jill Edens (jill@hillschurch.org) or Richard Edens (richard@hillschurch.org). The church office will have paperback copies available.
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Lent in Plain Sight :
For Busy Parents and Caregivers.
Book. Blessing. Breath. Bread.
Beginning on MARCH 10th.
Busy parents and caregivers this gathering is for you! We will focus on themes from Jill Duffield’s book; Lent in Plain Sight. Together we will seek to carve out an hour a week for spiritual practice and renewal. Join Rev. Anne Marie in-person in the Wallace Chapel on Thursday evenings throughout Lent from 7:30-8:15pm for breath prayer, blessing and leave with a small loaf of freshly baked bread.
Email Rev. Anne Marie to receive a devotional and attend on any of the following Thursday nights: 3/10, 3/17, 3/21, 3/31.
Attend all or just one or two sessions.
Those interested can also sign up HERE.
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Grow Clinic Book Drive
The Hills Church has started collecting gently used children’s books for the benefit of The Grow Clinic at Boston Medical Center. Books are given to children while receiving treatment and to the children’s siblings who often accompany them during these visits. Books are a blessing to these families, who welcome a diversion during a difficult time.
There are two collection bins at the church: one is in the stairwell to the Nursery School at the East Entrance and the other at the North Entrance near the coat racks. A third bin will be on the porch of Donna & Gary McCabe’s home at 124 Washington Street, Wellesley. Their house is just east of the church with a circular driveway and a large, covered porch. Donations will be taken until the end of March. Email Martha Stowell or Gary McGabe for more information!
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Faith & Fun Ministry Team:
Faith & Fun Ministry Team is excited to offer some in-person events that nourish the mind, body and spirit! Below, find four opportunities (below) to gather together in faithful fellowship and care!
1) A Spiritual Wellness Offering
We hope you will join us for a wonderful, in person, 4 part wellness series led by Dana Brennan and Jordan Rosetti beginning Monday February 28th.
In the Christian tradition, we celebrate the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. If you desire to have better sleep, more energy, greater focus and a variety of new wholesome foods in your diet, come join us for a weekly discussion.
Please register HERE to join us in person on Monday evenings from 7:30-8:30pm beginning on February 28th.
Jordan Rossetti is a licensed mental health therapist, a yoga teacher and an integrative health and wellness counselor. Dana Brennan is a registered dietician and integrative health and wellness counselor.
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2) A Faith & Fun Ministry: Hiking Series
Come join us in the great outdoors for hikes led by Jessica Sturtevant! Jessica will offer a series of hikes over the next few months with varying degrees of difficulty for both adults and families. Let’s enjoy some time together in the woods surrounded by the beauty of God's creation! Find the sign up HERE!
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3) A Faith & Fun Ministry: Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
Are you interested in fly fishing and tying your own flies? Tying flies is one of Jason Kranker's favorite things to do when it's too cold or dark to actually fish! Jason is providing an opportunity to gather and talk about (or learn about) fly fishing and tying your own flies. He will even have the materials and tools set up to tie your own flies. If you are new to fly fishing/fly tying, Jason can show you how. If this is one of your favorite activities too, this is a wonderful opportunity to share your passion and knowledge! How fun would it be to catch a fish with a fly you made yourself? All abilities and ages welcome!
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4) A Lenten Soup Swap:
To begin our journey and time of reflection in the season of Lent, the Faith & Fun ministry is hosting a Soup Swap so that we may nourish and take care of one another... with homemade soups! Simply bring your favorite homemade soup and plan to go home with servings of a variety of homemade soups (along the same lines as a cookie swap)! Please register HERE to join us on Sunday, March 6th (tentt after worship in the Assembly Room!
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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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Community Book Read Event
Thursday, March 10, 2022, 6:15-7:30pm
The Hills Church Racial Justice Working Group would like to invite our church to participate in the Community Book Read event supported by the World of Wellesley (WOW). WOW is inviting Wellesley residents to read Isabel Wilkerson's book, Caste: The Origins of Discontents.
On Thursday, March 10, 2022, from 6:15 to 7:30pm, author Isabel Wilkerson will speak to the community via webinar about her book (find the sign up link HERE). On hand to facilitate will be Dr. Regine Michelle Jean-Charles, Director of Northeastern University’s Department of Africana Studies, and Dean’s Professor of Culture and Social Justice, and Professor of Africana Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies.
Leading up to March 10th, the Hills Church Racial Justice Working Group would like to invite our community to join in this town wide reading of Caste and will offer weekly reflection questions and discussion group zooms throughout the week leading up to Isabel Wilkerson's talk. If you would like to receive a copy of the book Caste, a reading guide and/or a schedule of zoom discussion book group being sponsored by the World of Wellesley
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Lay-Led Service - March 23, 2022, 7PM
In both our Old Testament and New, we find verses that emphasize not only the importance of speaking the truth rather than falsehood, but also an obligation to discover the truth and to have the courage to speak that truth to power. In our lay-led service on March 15,2017 we wrestled with the wisdom of these verses, and over the course of the last five years we have witnessed both the consequences of not taking the verses seriously and what can be accomplished by those who do. On Wednesday evening, March 23, we will hold our first lay-led service of 2022 and we will revisit the wisdom of these verses lest we again take them for granted. Join us at 7pm for the service in Wallace Chapel.
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A Cup of Morning Prayer
From Rev. Anne Marie Holloway
Every Monday at 7 am, join Rev. Anne Marie Holloway for a cup of morning prayer - in the quiet presence of God - focus on prayer. Most sessions are held in the sanctuary of nature, where church friends and families are invited to participate via FACEBOOK LIVE. Find your special outdoor space, and practice an ancient form of prayer known as breath prayer. If you cannot make it, you may request to have the recordings sent to you by email. Please share prayer requests in advance HERE. Your personal prayers of celebration and concern will be lifted up and held in gentle care by our small, private group.
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Morning Meditation
From Rev. Judy Swahnberg & Mary Hill Canavan
We gather via Zoom every Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. 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 Rev. Judy Swahnberg.
Noonday Prayers
Tune into the church's Facebook page at twelve noon on Thursdays for a brief time (5-15 mins.) of reflection and prayer. Click here to participate via FACEBOOK LIVE.
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CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE YOUTH MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
From Rev. Anne Marie Holloway, Associate Minister of Youth & Families
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CLICK HERE FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
From Sally Tomasetti, Director of Children's Ministries
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Blankets for Baptisms
Knitters needed! When a baby is baptized at the Hills Church, he or she is given a hand knit blanket as a symbol of the love and care of the entire congregation. Despite not being able to worship together in person, baptisms have continued as needed, and we are down to our last few baptismal blankets. This is a wonderful problem to have! Women's Ministry will provide the yarn and instructions for you to make one (or more!) of these precious gifts. Please contact Laurie Otten if you are interested. Thank You!
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Hills Church Weekly Calendar
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February 24
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
February 25
3:30 pm
7:30 pm
February 26
February 27
10:00 am
4:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
February 28
2:00 pm
March 1
9:30 am
1:00 pm
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
7:30 pm
March 2
12:00 pm
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
8:00 pm
March 3
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
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THURSDAY
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
Faith Formation Support Board (ZOOM)
FRIDAY
Exercise Class (Upper Room)
AA (Board Room)
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Worship (Sanctuary/Livestream)
Handbells (Bell Room)
Boy Scouts (Assembly Room)
AA Meeting (Board Room)
MONDAY
Food Pantry (onsite)
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Facebook Live)
Staff Meeting
Food Pantry (Pantry)
ARCH meeting (virtual)
Landscape Interest Group
WEDNESDAY
Noontime Prayers (Facebook Live)
Ash Wednesday Service (Wallace Chapel)
Food Pantry (pantry)
Evening Prayers (Facebook Live)
Ash Wednesday Service (Wallace Chapel)
Confirmation Class (Wallace Chapel and Upper Room)
Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)
THURSDAY
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
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ARTICLES DUE ON TUESDAYS BY NOON
"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
e-newsletter to spread the word about activities/events
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