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June 15, 2018

 

This week we learned that anti-semitic graffiti was found on the athletic trailers at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School.  I was assuming that meant a swastika.  Turns out it's more specific than that, and even more upsetting to our Jewish siblings.  As Rabbi Mike Rothbaum from Congregation Beth Elohim wrote to colleagues, the graffiti "included a yellow star and 'Jude,' both Holocaust references.  Before the Final Solution, Jews were forced to wear yellow stars in public, with 'Jude' (the German word for 'Jew') written on them."  
 
I'm working with Rabbi Mike and colleagues to determine what steps we might take as communities of faith to counteract the anxiety and fear our Jewish neighbors are feeling, as well as what work our broader community needs to do around anti-semitism.  I'll let you know when I know more, and we'll be seeking God's in prayer on Sunday.  Meanwhile, I encourage you to reach out to Jewish friends and neighbors to check on them and show your support.  And if you have other thoughts please let me know.  I hear the warning of the quote, "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing."
 
We won't "do nothing".  We will work for justice and understanding.  We will take our own moral inventory.  We will reach out with compassion - including compassion for the person who painted this graffiti.  We will trust that God is at work in our lives and in the world, and partner with God to build the world God envisions.  We will be vulnerable, risk discomfort, and be open to change.  And throughout we can lean on each other for encouragement and support.
 
This Sunday we'll be talking about the great work God can do with small things.  So if you're feeling inadequate or overwhelmed, know that God can and is doing great things through you.
 
 
Peace,

Rev. Cindy

 
Worship  

Sunday, June 17, 9:30 am
 
The smallest seed.  On Father's Day we'll gather together for intergenerational worship and reflect on God's tendency to use little things to do great things.  This is the last Sunday before we join together with South Acton Congregational Church for 10 weeks of combined worship (see more info below).
 
Spiritual Nurture
  
All ages are invited to worship together this summer.  Nursery care will be provided all summer long as well, at both UCCB and SACC. 
 

strawberry shortcake
Strawberry Shortcake at Fifer's Day
 You are invited to enjoy delicious Strawberry Shortcake at the Church Tent on Fifer's Day, Saturday, June 16th. For just $5, you get a heaping bowl of pound cake, strawberries, and whipped cream. Join us in sharing this wonderful dessert with the community by volunteering to be a server or cashier for a one-hour shift between 11:30 AM and 4:00 PM. We also need help with set-up Friday night, starting at 5 PM at the church, and with clean-up on Saturday afternoon, starting at 4 PM at the Tent at Flerra Field. There is a sign-up poster in the Gathering Room where you can let us know when you can help us share some sweet hospitality! Need more information? Contact Mary Anne Vogel (978-263-8957 or voglfmly@gmail.com).


Open Doors at Fifer's Day
Along with serving strawberry shortcake, you can help share the Open Doors spirit at Fifer's Day!  We'll give people the opportunity to prepare care packages for Lowell Transitional Living Center.  If you can give a little time before or after your shortcake shift, let Rev. Cindy know (978-204-0473 or  cindyworthingtonberry@gmail.com ).
Pastor and Admin. Schedules 
Beginning Monday, June 18, Rev. Cindy is off for two weeks for vacation, planning and continuing education (see below for information on pastoral care coverage). She'll return on July 2.
 
Next Tues., June 19, the church office will be closed while Jenn is at a training for ServantKeeper, our church management software.
 
 
 
 

Team Ernie Rides Again!
"Team Ernie", honoring Ernie Fournier, is now preparing for this year's ALS TriState Trek, a 270-mile bike ride from Boston to Greenwich, CT on the weekend of June 22-24.  This ride benefits the ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), the world's first and largest non-profit biotech research center focused solely on finding a cure for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that control voluntary muscle movement.
 
Many of Ernie's family members and friends, including several people from UCC Boxborough, will be participating in this ride in memory of Ernie and to raise money to help researchers find a cure for ALS. Last year Team Ernie was 30-riders strong and raised over $50,000. This year, the team will have more riders and a goal to raise even more money for ALS research. Please give whatever you can to help Team Ernie. Click on this link to donate to Team Ernie or scroll down to donate to any of Team Ernie's riders: https://tst.als.net/fundraise/?t=2628  Thank you very much!

Celebrate! 
Congratulations to our AB Grads!
Nicholas Boyd attending Davidson College, Haley Grieco-Page attending Boston College, Aiden Holt taking a gap year to volunteer in healthcare and take courses at Middlesex Community College, Maya Murphy attending University of New Hampshire, Kira Murphy attending University of Vermont, Cassie Nelson attending Bridgewater State University, Allie Pearson attending Johns Hopkins, and Nicole Sedler attending Springfield College.
 
Congratulations to our College Grads!
Alexander Boyd graduating from Vanderbilt and heading off to the Peace Corps in Western China. William Boyden graduating from UMASS Dartmouth. As well as, Abigail Loughlin graduating from Bowling Green State University, Ohio.

 
Help a Boxborough family with rides?  
One of our neighbors is going through a difficult time, and needs help with rides to appointments.  Could you provide a lift?  For more information, please contact Rev. Cindy.


Every summer, South Acton Congregational Church (SACC) and UCC Boxborough combine to share worship, preaching and pastoral care.  This year we begin in Boxborough and then move to SACC at 35 School Street in Acton.  All services are at 9:30 a.m.
 
Sunday           Location                                                       Preacher       
June 24           United Church of Christ Boxborough           Rev. Amy Lunde-Whitler
July 1              United Church of Christ Boxborough           Rev. Amy
July 8              United Church of Christ Boxborough           Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry
July 15            United Church of Christ Boxborough           Rev. Cindy
July 22            United Church of Christ Boxborough           Rev. Amy
 
July 29            South Acton Congregational                         Rev. Amy
Aug. 5             South Acton Congregational                         Rev. Cindy
Aug. 12           South Acton Congregational                         Rev. Cindy
Aug. 19           South Acton Congregational                         Rev. Cindy
Aug. 26           South Acton Congregational                         Rev. Amy
 
Sept. 2            Resume Usual Schedule  
 
PASTORAL COVERAGE
 
Pastoral coverage is divided as follows:
 
June 18 - June 24                   Rev. Amy  
June 25 - July 1                      Rev. Amy       
July 2 - July 8                         Rev. Cindy
July 9 - July 15                       Rev. Cindy
July 16 - July 22                     Rev. Amy
July 23 - July 29                     Rev. Amy
July 30 - Aug. 5                      Rev. Cindy
Aug. 6 - Aug. 12                     Rev. Cindy
Aug. 13 - Aug. 19                   Rev. Cindy
Aug. 20 - Aug. 26                   Rev. Amy
 


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Rev. Cindy - pastor@boxboroughucc.org
Church office - boxborochurch@verizon.net
 
  United Church of Christ Boxborough
An Open And Affirming Congregation
978-263-7387 | boxboroughucc.org