In this issue of Tidings:
Change to our Sunday Schedule
Update on Rainbow’s End
Green Tips and more!
Beautiful Beloveds,
As the pandemic grinds on, it is tempting to either pretend nothing is happening, or crawl into bed and stay there. It is tempting to assign blame, or give up practicing safe and healthy practices. It is tempting to give in to anger, despair, and fear. And that’s just one more reason the church, the people of faith are so very, very important. We give one another reason not to give up. We help one another find the strength to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. We remind each other, while separate, we are not alone. We are connected, to support one another, sometimes from afar, in our shared work. And friends, we’ve got work to do: to feed the hungry, to care for sick, to live the love of God, to make justice, to BE the church.
See you soon, from my screen to yours.
Peace,
Heather
Enjoy another Mark Miller Song, We Resist.
**Zoom links are now at the very end of the email…keep reading!
Together in Christ
Have you ever read the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Beginning September 23, we’re offering two opportunities to read through the gospels. Wednesdays at 5:30 pm, outside at the church. Thursday mornings, at 10 am, via Zoom. (Link is at the end of the email) We’ll read and ponder together, asking one another what the text means and how it relates to today. All are welcome–those new to the Bible and those who’ve read it Through multiple times. There’s always something new to be discovered in the pages of scripture. To participate at the church, please register here.
John Greene’s series on the Lord’s Prayer continues: click here to read part 5, “Where There’s a Will.”
We Worship Together–Virtually: Worship with us: Worship with us on-line, on Sunday through our website and Facebook. We premiere it on Facebook at 9:30 am, which allows us to watch together and greet one another, or you can watch it at your convenience.
Chat with friends: Sunday at 11 am, join us for Zoom Coffee Hour (link at end of email)
Wednesday-
3pm Zoom Check In and Prayer (link at end of email)
7pm Vespers at the church. For the health and safety of us all, please register here before 7pm Tuesday, September 15 or contact Pastor Heather directly, pastorheather@umcchurches.org, or 774.994.3645.
Join us for outdoor and drive-in Vespers style worship. We’ll have music, scripture, and prayer offered to the comfort of your car, via radio, or you can sit on your own lawn chair near your car and hear, thanks to our portable sound system. Worship will last 30 minutes or less. We will practice safe distancing and encourage everyone to wear masks for the safety of others. Remember, the building remains closed so bathrooms will be unavailable. Please plan accordingly.
Register here for next week, September 23.
Youth Group meets tomorrow, September 13, at the church for Flash Light Tag at 7 pm.
Sunday, September 20–We’re changing our Sunday morning Schedule.
8:30–Facebook Worship Premiere
9 am–Kid’s Zoom
Room or Children’s Coffee Hour (Clever name to be found later–or maybe you’ve got a suggestion)
9:30 am–Coffee Hour for God’s children of all ages
11 am–Worshipful Engagement Outdoors at the Church–30 minutes of music, scripture, prayer, and time to engage with one another and the holy from inside your car or outside in the comfort of your own lawn chair. For the health and safety of everyone, please wear your mask, and register here.
Committed to Serve:
Green Tips
There are more than 20 species of goldenrod Solidago native to New England. Some people mistakenly think goldenrod is responsible for aggravating allergies but it is ragweed that blooms at the same time, that is the culprit. Ragweed pollen is light and is dispersed by the wind where goldenrod pollen is heavy and sticky and needs to be carried away. Goldenrod is one of the very best native perennials for biodiversity and it has been shown to support over 100 species of moths and butterflies. Goldenrod also has high pollinator value, attracting many native bees, wasps, beetles, ants, and flies. Consider adding it to your pollinator gardens, and let people know that it is a friend, not a foe.
Rainbows End Update:
Rainbow’s End is opening! The store will be open Thursdays, 10 am-3 pm. With your help store could open as early as September 24, but volunteers are needed to make this possible. Please contact Pamela Turner, store manager, directly at the store to volunteer today: (508) 428-5304. Donations of clean, washed clothing and items will be accepted next door at the Annex beginning September 23, Wednesdays from 11 am-1 pm. Consignments will also be accepted during this time. Whether shopping or donating, for the health and
safety of all, everyone must be masked.
Please save your shoes. As you, our your children, or your grandchildren grow out of shoes, please hold on to them. We have a church fundraiser coming up soon, which will collect gently used shoes. Stay tuned for more information.
Holiday Fair–our fund raising team and our holiday fair team are working to find creative and safe ways to have some kind of an outdoor Christmas Market or sale in November. Details are still be worked out and will be shared as we have them.
Help Needed
Delivering Food: Due to a variety of reasons, the usual team of volunteers cannot do the Friday Deliveries from Stop-N-Shop to the Faith Family Kitchen. Are you willing to help, once a week or even once a month? Please call John Whiteley, (508) 360-0594 , to let him know, and find out more.
BIC Cards are Available! Let’s continue to support housing for local families in transition! Please contact Kathy Sandell [508-790-7603] to purchase BIC cards. Kathy will make arrangements to get money from you and get the cards to you safely. We have coupons for CVS $25, Dunkin Donuts $10 & $25, 99 Restaurant $25, Shaw’s $25 & $50, Stop & Shop $50 & $100, and Lambert’s $25.
Please continue to submit pledges via our online giving portal, and through the mail. Your generosity is supporting meaningful mission and ministry in our community!
Zoom Links:
Wednesday 3pm
Check In and Prayer
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88587967096?pwd=Wm1ENGtBNWc4L1QxVXhXYVdON2ovdz09
Meeting ID: 885 8796 7096
Passcode: 185286
One
tap mobile
+16465588656,,88587967096#,,,,,,0#,,185286#
Or Call: +1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID: 885 8796 7096
Passcode: 185286
Thursday
Morning Bible Study– 10am
Join Zoom
Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81440554141?pwd=dGpRbkx2dDVSaXZGOGNOU0hqZ2VwQT09
Meeting ID:
814 4055 4141
Passcode:
198253
One tap mobile
+16465588656,,81440554141#,,,,,,0#,,198253#
Or Call
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID:
814 4055 4141
Passcode:
198253
Sunday
Morning Coffee Hour, 11am
Sunday September 13 (New
Zoom Links for 9/20–stay
tuned)
Join Zoom
Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89909659316?pwd=R3dFZHg3SndFRGpnUStuYWdtRmIxZz09
Meeting ID:
899 0965 9316
Password:
485407
One tap
mobile
+16465588656,,89909659316#,,,,0#,,485407#
Or Call:
+1 646 558 8656
Meeting ID:
899 0965 9316
Password:
485407