Stacey Hilliard, Author at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church

What Can We Learn from St. Patrick?

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 11, 2026 | Conversations

However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (if you celebrate), as Christians, this is a good time to consider the holiday’s namesake and what his life and work has to teach us. “While many of the details of his life are shrouded in legend, on this scholars agree: The patron saint of Ireland left a legacy far more vibrant and lasting than the green food and beverages served on his feast day.”

Click HERE to read the full article about St. Patrick’s life and ministry, written by Heather Hahn for UM News.

Faith and Works

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 8, 2026 | Sermons

As we fully launch into our look at examining our own beliefs, this Sunday we’ll take on a question that has been dividing Christian churches and denominations for centuries. Are we saved by faith or by works? It’s more nuanced than you might think!

– Pastor Anne

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Holy Week & Easter 2026

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 5, 2026 | News

AT-A-GLANCE:
Palm Sunday, March 29: Parade at 9:00am | Service at 10:00am
Maundy Thursday, April 2: Service at 7:00pm
Easter, April 5: Sunrise Service 6:30am | Family Service 10:00am

Palm Sunday, March 29, 9:00 a.m. parade and 10:00 a.m. worship service
On Palm Sunday we’ll again celebrate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem with a New Orleans brass and percussion ensemble, starting with our annual parade around the neighborhood. (Gather at 9:00 to join us in the parade.) The musicians will stay for the service and join the choir in a selection from Handel’s Messiah.

Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:00 p.m.
During this somber service, we partake in Holy Communion as Jesus did with his disciples, and we remember Christ’s betrayal, trial, and crucifixion through a series of scripture readings and hymns, while slowly extinguishing the light in our sanctuary. When we leave, in darkness, we do so with the hope for Christ’s triumphant return on Easter morning

Easter Sunrise Service at Sandy’s Island, April 5, 6:30 a.m.
Join us if you’re able on Sandy’s Island (behind the Winchester Public Library) where we will celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with a service of Holy Communion and a few well-known hymns. This service will be followed by a light breakfast back at Crawford, in Gifford Hall.

Easter Service at Crawford, April 5, 10:00 a.m.
For Easter, a brass quartet will help us sound the Resurrection in collaboration with the Chancel Choir, including an open-sing of the Hallelujah Chorus!

Dwelling Place

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 2, 2026 | Uncategorized

Two months in a row – January and February – our nights to serve dinner to guests of the Dwelling Place were canceled when snow emergencies in Woburn forced the Woburn UMC (home to the Dwelling Place) to remain closed. Dwelling Place provides hot meals on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so there were other nights to get hot meals there. They’ve also installed a community refrigerator behind the church, where those in need can find donated produce and other perishable groceries.

On March 23 – which would be our next opportunity to serve and hopefully one that won’t get snowed out – the Interact Club from Winchester High School will serve dinner instead. Stay tuned for our next planned menu in April.

What Do You Believe?

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 1, 2026 | Sermons

This Sunday’s sermon will be an introduction for what we’ll be talking about for the rest of my time at Crawford. We’ll be looking at different Christian beliefs—from official church doctrines to Biblical foundations to things that are more cultural beliefs that sprang out of various religious tenets. My goal is not to proclaim what you should believe but to help us all look inward and do a bit of digging to discover what we actually do believe and where that belief came from for each of us.