by Stacey Hilliard | Jul 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
As SPRC puts together the congregational profile that the Bishop and Cabinet will use to find us a new pastor (planned for 2027), and the Church Council continues discussions about the future of our church, we need your input and ideas. We will host small groups on Zoom on three separate dates in July. See the dates, times, and links below:
If you would rather write your thoughts, a questionnaire is available to download and print here. After completing it, please return it to the church office or give it to either Pam Reeves or Neil Cudmore.
All input will be aggregated without individual attribution to assist in the creation of the profile, provide feedback to Church Council and to be read back to the congregation in the fall.
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Annual Conference this year welcomed two special guests: Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams, the directors of a national program called A Long Talk that helps people figure out effective techniques for interrupting racism (or any of the other “isms”) when we encounter it. It’s no longer enough to “not be racist.” To really interrupt and put an end to racism, we must become “anti-racist.”
Carter and Williams did two presentations at Annual Conference—one an introduction to the work and the other a practice session. You are strongly encouraged to watch a video of the introductory session, here. (If the video doesn’t begin with Bishop Bickerton’s introduction of Carter and Williams, you can get there by forwarding the video to hour 3:00:30). Despite the heaviness of the issue it seeks to address; the presentation was fun, engaging, and motivational.
After hearing them, the Annual Conference passed a resolution that 100% of our clergy and as many of our laity as possible should participate in one of their free trainings, which can be done online with two interactive Zoom sessions and other activities and information you can do for a few minutes a day at your own pace. With several sessions being offered during July, you’re strongly encouraged to sign up. We’ve been promised that there will be additional dates posted in the next few weeks, but why wait? You can see the training sessions currently available and learn more here.
WHAT NOW?
I strongly encourage you to at least watch the presentation at Annual Conference (see the link in the second paragraph above) and then consider whether the skills they teach would be useful in your life, no matter what kind of difficult conversation you may be having. Spoiler alert: they will be!
Once you realize that, sign up for a training. I will be doing it as soon as I get back from vacation.
In hope,
Anne
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 22, 2025 | Sermons
This Sunday we heard from four of our members about the way they have thought about and experienced God’s calling in their own lives. Where and when have you heard God’s call in your life?
Watch
After you’ve watched, be sure to subscribe to our channel!
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
My name is Tina Rathbone, I am currently serving the Mass Council of Churches as their Congregational Coordinator for Immigration. Laura Everett has spoken very highly (and very warmly!) of you, and I am wondering if you might have some time for a zoom conversation about some opportunities to engage with an ecumenical group from East Boston which has gathered to serve their immigrant neighbors and is now looking for broader support from neighboring faith communities.
In particular, I am wondering whether you and/or anyone from Crawford Memorial might be interested in joining us all in weekly vigils of prayer and song. These are not protests against anything so much as manifestations of support for our immigrant neighbors, and everyone who has been involved so far – both in East Boston and in New Bedford where the vigils originated – has found the experience to be moving almost beyond belief: full of love and communion and, ultimately, hope.
The idea is simple: we gather for an hour in places where many immigrants live, and then pray (and sing a bit too) as we hold signs of support and solidarity. “Thank you for your courage. We are with you.” reads one sign. “In God’s love, all people are one” says another…. In this way, people who have been so violently targeted and demonized, receive word from Americans with more stable citizenship status that they are valued and important.
Peace to you, and much gratitude for all you do,
Tina
The Rev. Cristina Rathbone
Congregational Coordinator
Massachusetts Council of Churches
The next vigil is THIS Friday, June 20. Participants are asked to meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 28 Paris Street, East Boston at 4:30pm. The group will walk together to the Maverick Square T Station for the vigil.
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Come for the Vigil, Stay for the Party If you can, stay after the vigil for our Celebration of World Refugee Day from 6-8 PM to honor the courage and resilience of those who’ve fled their homelands seeking peace. This will be a
potluck celebration with live Brazilian music (read more about our musicians
here!), and we would love to see all of you there. Almost all of us have an immigration story in our family tree. Come hear some amazing music and bring a favorite dish from your family’s tradition to share. Kids welcome!
Register here.
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 16, 2025 | News
Last Hope K-9 will hold an adoption event at Crawford on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Last Hope K-9 rescues dogs from high-kill shelters and places them with loving foster families who give them the attention and the medical care so many of them need, until they can find their “forever” homes. Visit https://www.lasthopek9.org/ to learn more about the organization and the dogs that are up for adoption. Learn more about the adoption process, here.
