STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, March 31, 2022
Weekly Newsletter
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Worship with us in person this Sunday, April 3rd at 10 am!
You can also watch worship via Livestream at 10 am HERE!
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You can now pull up your mobile browser and type in WHCCNOW.ORG and you will be taken to our website for mobiles*. Click on the button that says “Events” and you will find these announcements with more information, links, and sign-up sheets. Thank you to our website task force!
*works on desktops/laptops too!
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(TONIGHT!) Lent in Plain Sight:
For Busy Parents and Caregivers.
Book. Blessing. Breath. Bread.
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.
Attend all or just one or two sessions.
Those interested can also sign up HERE.
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Church Governance Information Table
Sunday, April 3 – Community Hour
Don’t know the difference between a Support Board and a Ministry Team? Can’t name the church’s Visioning Hallmarks or say what they have to do with how the church works? Then here’s your chance to find out everything you always wanted to know about our church governance but were afraid to ask! Following up on the Annual Meeting and presentation on the Bylaws updates, members of the Strengthening Church Governance Implementation Task Force will be hosting an information table during Community Hour, April 3, to speak with church members and visitors about all of the above and more. Stop by, pick up a flier, and find out how our church works together as one body to fulfill Christ’s mission.
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THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE
James H. Cone
LENTEN STUDY concludes Wednesday April 6
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.
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Annual Follow-Up Appeal
This week we’ll be launching our annual follow-up appeal effort for our “Generation to Generation, One In Spirit” Campaign, an effort that was launched in 2019. Now as we enter the final phase of our campaign, we reflect on the blessings that came from your prayers, countless volunteer hours and financial support. We have successfully paid off the construction costs for all phases of our recently completed upgrades and our outstanding balance with Cambridge Trust is down to $426,000 from $2.6 million. As stated during the annual meeting, we plan to repay the $1 million drawn from the endowment with any pledge amounts received once our commitment to Cambridge Trust has been satisfied.
Within the next week or so, we’ll be writing to those who have not yet made gift commitments to this important effort to ask for their support in the coming year.
Long-term gifts or pledges payable through December 2022. These gifts are still absolutely essential to realizing our full and needed potential. So, when you’re contacted, please pledge your new or renewed support for this important effort and please do your best in the way of your gifts. Thank you and God bless you for your support.
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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 multiple opportunities to gather together in faithful fellowship and care!
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Hiking Series
There are still slots available for this Saturday 4/2 @ Jericho Town Forest in Weston, plus more dates on the horizon. Sign up HERE
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!
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Fly Fishing & Fly Tying: 4/4/22 @ 7:30PM
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 April 4th 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?
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The Easter Egg Hunt is back!
Saturday, April 9
Do you want to be on a fun pop-up planning ministry team with a short time commitment?
This year, the Easter Bunny and his team of friends are bringing the Easter Egg Hunt to our front lawn! Hopefully, with your help!
We hope to open it to the community once again, and we are looking for volunteers.
Could you purchase things and stuff Easter eggs before the event?
Would you volunteer on the day of the event?
Opportunities include helping the Easter Bunny visit, setting up the egg hunt, refreshments, crafts, & petting cute animals.
The Egg Hunt is an outdoor event, weather-dependent.
Contact Sally Tomasetti or fill out the volunteer form for more information.
Volunteer assistance is greatly needed to make this year's event a success :)
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The Immigration Justice Group at TEMPLE BETH ELOHIM and the
SHEFFIELD CHAMBER PLAYERS present MUSIC FOR UKRAINE
A Fundraiser Concert to benefit refugees and displaced persons
resulting from the war in Ukraine
SUNDAY, APRIL 10 from 5:00pm to 6:30pm
For tickets and more information, click HERE
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Experience Holy Week together as a family.
A family-friendly self-paced guide along the path that Jesus walked.
Designed especially for parents and their children to experience together, these stations teach about the life-changing message of the cross in a way that everyone can understand, and no one will forget.
Church School will walk through the stations on Palm Sunday during Church School time.
Then the Wallace Chapel will be open for families on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.
You are invited to discover the old, old story again, in a new way.
Also, during Easter Sunday, the worship service will be screened in the Wallace Chapel.
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40 Days 40 Food Items Lenten Challenge!
In Response to Cynthia Scott’s wonderful mission moment last week, we would like to encourage and remind you of our Lenten 40 Days 40 Food Items Challenge.
A food collection challenge for the 40 days of Lent.
Please pick up a list on Sunday or email Sally for a copy if you don’t already have one from the @ Home Lenten package, given out at the beginning of Lent.
Take an extra bag or two if you need them too.
Return them on Palm Sunday for blessings and gratitude.
Thank you for giving.
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Community Hour Needs You!
Now that we can once again have a cup of coffee and a goodie at Community Hour, we need to find those who are interested in being part of the Community Hour Ministry Team. Your involvement might be limited or it might be almost weekly depending on your schedule. Please know that your church family will be so appreciative of any help you can offer!
If you are interesting in being part of this Ministry Team, please contact either
or
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During a time when prayer is so necessary, you are invited to pick up a prayer stone on the front lawn near the cross. Say a prayer while holding the stone and leave it at the foot of the cross. |
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The United Church of Christ is working with global partners in Europe to assist Ukrainians displaced by war. You may assist with gifts made to Wellesley Hills Congregational Church with “Ukraine Relief” in the memo line
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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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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 PROGRAM SCHEDULE!
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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March 31
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
7:30 pm
April 1
3:30 pm
7:30 pm
April 2
8:00 am
9:00 am
April 3
10:00 am
11:00 am
4:00 pm
6:30 pm
6:30 pm
7:00 pm
7:30 pm
April 4
7:00 am
2:00 pm
6:45 pm
7:30 pm
April 5
9:30 am
12:00 pm
1:45 pm
April 6
8:00 am
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
7:00 pm
8:00 pm
April 7
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
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THURSDAY
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
Lent in Plain Sight (Wallace Chapel)
FRIDAY
Exercise Class (Upper Room)
AA (Board Room)
SATURDAY
Cub Scouts (Assembly Room)
Hiking Series (Jericho Town Forest)
SUNDAY
Worship (Sanctuary/Livestream)
Soup & Fellowship (Assembly Room)
Handbells (Bell Room)
Boy Scouts (Assembly Room)
Upper Room Youth Café
HSYG (Upper Room)
AA Meeting (Board Room)
MONDAY
A Cup of Morning Prayer (Facebook Live)
Food Pantry (onsite)
Deacon's Meeting (Zoom)
Fly Fishing & Fly Tying
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Zoom)
Staff Meeting
Food Pantry (Pantry)
WEDNESDAY
Wellesley Garden Clubs (Assembly Room)
Noontime Prayers (Facebook Live)
Food Pantry (pantry)
Lenten Study (Wallace Chapel)
Chanel Choir (Sanctuary)
THURSDAY
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
Mother's Forum (Assembly Room)
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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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