Stacey Hilliard, Author at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church

Just Breathe

by Stacey Hilliard | Feb 4, 2022 | Conversations

“Isn’t it strange that sometimes it’s easier to be busy than to be still and breathe? (Or is that just me…?)”
Joseph Woo, “Breathing In God”

During coffee hour following a recent worship service that featured a 30-minute musical mediation lead by Santiago Barragan Noguera, we discussed meditation in general, and the impact of intentional breathing on our minds, spirits, and bodies. Here are some resources that attendees shared that day and in the days that followed.

Morning Moment, a conscious breathing exercise, available any time you need it, led by Christina Sooji, executive coach to feminine leaders
20 days of “live” meditation with Jay Shetty, bestselling author, podcast host, former monk, and purpose coach
Free online breathe class, Thursdays at 1:00 p.m. ET, offered by Soul Dimension, an online resource for spiritual and physical health through yoga and breath work
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, a book by James Nestor

New Fundraising Goal for Resettlement

by Stacey Hilliard | Jan 27, 2022 | News

The Winchester faith community, including Crawford Church, has formed a Neighborhood Support Team to sponsor and assist an Afghan family in relocating to the Arlington area, where relatives already live. They are a young couple with five children. We thought we might have six months to prepare for their arrival, but we learned on Tuesday that they are arriving this week.

We’ve found temporary housing for them in New Ipswich, NH, for a month. The search for longer-term housing and other resources to support this family as they acclimate has just begun. Ascentria Care Alliance of Worcester, a social service organization, is leading and supporting our local effort. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to help an Afghan family.

2/15 UPDATE: New Fundraising Goal
The Winchester Interfaith Committee on Afghan Resettlement now has a better understanding of what it will cost to support the Afghan refugees coming to our area and has raised our fundraising goal from $25,000 to $36,000. The good news is that the committee has already received donations totaling approximately $10,000. To donate, checks may be made out to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church, indicating it is for Afghan refugees, then mail them to 34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA 01890. You can also donate by texting CRAWFORDCARES to 44-321. Or donate online here – Click on Pledge or Donate Now, choose Other, and specify Refugee Aid where indicated. The firt $8000 in donations made through Crawford Memorial UMC will be matched 100%.

Volunteers welcome!
Volunteers will also be needed to assist this family as they acclimate to their new home and life in the states. If you are interested in learning more about what is involved, let us know via our contact form.

The Beginning of Wisdom

by Stacey Hilliard | Jan 10, 2022 | Sermons

Over the holidays, I spent some time praying about the direction of my sermons this year. The answer I received to that prayer was “courage.” I did one sermon on courage last year and you can watch it here if you missed it. But to start off this year, I’d like to go deeper.

We can’t meaningfully understand courage until we can wrap our heads around the nature of fear. The Bible has a lot to say about fear, and some of it seems contradictory. Where to begin? Since Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,” that seems like a good place to start and will be the text for Sunday.

— Pastor Anne

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Winter Clothing Drive

by Stacey Hilliard | Dec 28, 2021 | News

Crawford Memorial UMC is collecting clothing for the Malden Warming Center, Dwelling Place, the homeless on Boston Common (if Covid allows), and possibly other area shelters. We ask that you donate only winter coats, winter hats, and gloves/mittens in new or like-new condition…we are donating clothing that gives dignity. Please bring in your donations by January 9. Clothing can be left in the church lobby or in the bin on the front porch. Contact the church office (office@crawfordumc.org) if you have any questions. Thank you!

Does Christmas Mean Something?

by Stacey Hilliard | Dec 19, 2021 | Sermons

I was recently speaking with a man from the community who was both repelled and fascinated by the Church and religion. He had a lot of questions, but one in particular intrigued me. He asked, “What were holidays like Christmas originally designed to do for people? Is there a way to dial it back so that holidays actually mean something other than spending?”

I’ve been asked a lot of things over the years, but this question was new and is more important than I think the man asking it realized. At its core, this question is both an indictment of the Church and a plea for some shred of hope. It’s an indictment because, if the Church had been living its mission, the question would be unnecessary. But it also contains the hope that maybe there’s still some way to peel back all the layers and find something that can help us get through this life with a sense of meaning and purpose.

In this sermon, I explore his question and the larger meaning of Christmas.