STAYING CONNECTED TO YOUR CHURCH COMMUNITY
Thursday, February 10, 2022
Weekly Newsletter
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Worship with us in person this Sunday February 13th at 10 am!
You can also watch worship via Livestream at 10 am HERE!
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IN PERSON Church School Resumes this SUNDAY!
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Worship with us IN PERSON this Sunday at 10:00am! Our Children in grades Pre-K through Grade 5 will join us in the Sanctuary and after the "Word For All Ages" and the "Passing of the Peace" our children are invited to attend Church School (This week in the Wallace Chapel. After February vacation we will return to our church school classrooms!!)
Children under five are offered to either join their parents in the sanctuary or be dropped off in the Wallace Chapel before worship begins!
Our Middle School and High Schoolers are invited to attend worship and help collect Soup Donations! After worship we invite all our youth to pick a service project and participate in our Souper Sunday of Service!!! Read More about our service project offerings HERE!
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Family Ministries Service Opportunities!
Join us this weekend for TWO DAYS of SOUPER SERVICE!
Be sure not to miss the pre-game (Saturday 2/12) and the kick off (Sunday 2/13)!
This is an "All Ages" Souper Service Weekend! Please sign up to participate!
Family Ministries is inviting all of our church family to love God and love neighbor through acts of kindness and service!
Learn more and sign up to participate HERE!
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A Seniors TEA PARTY will be on Zoom,
Monday afternoon, February 14, 2022 at 1:30 pm,
Valentine’s Day
Please email Rev. Judy to receive a ZOOM Link!
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The Christian Service Support Board (CSSB) promotes and facilitates opportunities to serve our neighbors and to share our gifts as we care for others.
Throughout this month, the CSSB will highlight these opportunities here in this "Did You Know" section of the Events Newsletter.
This week the CSSB is highlighting the ministry of the Hills Church through Honduras Hope.
The Hills Church Christmas Collection was dedicated this year to support the ministry of Honduras Hope, which aims to empower marginalized people in rural Honduras. We will soon be sending a check for over $7,000 that was donated through our Christmas outreach collection.
The CSSB celebrates the ways in which the Hills Church has served and continues to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus in today's world!
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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 three opportunities to gather together in faithful fellowship and care!
A Spiritual Wellness Offering
We hope you will join us for a wonderful, in person, 4 week wellness series provided 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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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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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?
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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 weeks leading up to Isabel Wilkerson's talk. If you would like to receive a copy of the book Caste, a reading guide and a schedule of zoom discussion groups please email Rev. Anne Marie
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Believing that one transformation leads to another, your pastors would like to invite you-who-are-willing to share a story of transformation at a worship service during Lent. Our thought is to have three-minutes designated at each Sunday worship beginning March 6 and leading up to Easter for someone to share a story of transformation: a God-sighting, a time when the presence of God was made manifest, an experience of “a way being made from no way,” a movement from “mourning to dancing,” or finding “light in darkness.” We would love to talk with you in advance so we may pair your story with a Sunday scripture lesson. If we have more stories than Sundays, we’ll be creative! If you would be willing to share or know someone whom we should ask, please speak with one of your pastors. Anne Marie Holloway; Judy Swahnberg; Jill Edens; Richard Edens
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Lent 2022: STORIES OF TRANSFORMATION
begins March 6th
Share your stories!!
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Looking ahead to Lent...
ASH WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 12 Noon & 7pm
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 IN WALLACE CHAPEL THIS LENT
March 2 Ash Wednesday
March 9 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session One
March 16 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Two
March 23 Lay Led Service with Jim McKinney
March 30 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Three
April 6 The Cross & the Lynching Tree, Session Four
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 Wallace Chapel. 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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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 FOR YOUTH MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
From Rev. Anne Marie Holloway, Associate Minister of Youth & Families
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Find the Youth Group Schedule HERE
Find the Confirmation Class of 2022 Schedule HERE.
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CLICK HERE FOR CHILDREN'S MINISTRY NEWSLETTER
From Sally Tomasetti, Director of Children's Ministries
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THANK YOU!
Christmas 2021 has come and gone…but the gifts you bought for a low-income family had an impact that will live on. As one family wrote in their thank you note,
“Thank you for being a blessing in my life. I want to take a moment and let you know how much you are appreciated.
You are true angels and I’m more grateful to you than words can express. Thank you for the kindness and sharing and love expressed through giving.
I understand it’s the thought behind the gift that makes the difference and you have made that for all of us. May God bless you, and may God reward you abundantly.”
This year 241 people were on our list (67 families), all of whom received presents. 71 people shopped, wrapped, and dropped off the presents at the church. Many others participated by donating money ($4425). This money will be used throughout the year to respond to urgent needs (primarily food and diapers).
A huge thank you to all of you who made this all possible! You are truly a witness to God’s love.
Blessings,
Sue
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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 10
10:30 am
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
7:00 pm
February 11
3:30 pm
7:30 pm
February 12
12:00 pm
2:00pm
February 13
10:00 am
11:30 am
1:15 pm
2:00 pm
4:00 pm
6:30 pm
7:30 pm
February 14
7:00 am
2:00 pm
3:30 pm
February 15
9:30 am
1:45 pm
2:00 pm
February 16
12:00 pm
1:00 pm
6:00 pm
7:30 pm
8:00 pm
February 17
10:00 am
12:00 pm
5:30 pm
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THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Reception Room)
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
Faith Formation Support Board (ZOOM)
FRIDAY
Exercise Class (Upper Room)
AA (Board Room)
SATURDAY
Youth Service Projects Assembly Room
Food Pantry Food Drive
SUNDAY
Worship (Livestream)
Day of Service (whole church building)
Outdoor Church (Cambridge)
Wellesley Choral Society (Sanctuary)
Handbells (Bell Room)
Boy Scouts (Assembly Room)
AA Meeting (Board Room)
MONDAY
Cup of Morning Prayer (Facebook Live)
Food Pantry (onsite)
Suzuki Violin (Chapel/Assembly Room)
TUESDAY
Morning Meditation (Facebook Live)
Food Pantry (Pantry)
ARCH meeting (virtual)
WEDNESDAY
Noontime Prayers
Food Pantry (pantry)
Evening Prayers (Facebook Live)
Confirmation Class (Wallace Chapel and Upper Room)
Chancel Choir (Sanctuary)
THURSDAY
Staff Meeting (Reception Room)
Noonday Prayers (Facebook Live)
New Beginnings (AR, K, RR, L)
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Hills Church Parish Register
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ARTICLES DUE MONDAY BY 5:00 PM
"Events at the Hills" Newsletter Publications
e-newsletter to spread the word about activities/events
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