Stacey Hilliard, Author at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church

City in Turmoil

by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 11, 2022 | Sermons

When Matthew’s gospel tells us the story of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, he ends the story on a strange note. After all the Hosanna’s and celebration of Jesus as he approached the city, Matthew tells us that, when Jesus actually enters, “the whole city was in turmoil.” The Greek word for “turmoil” there means “shaken,” and not in a good way. It implies fear, not excitement. Why is Jerusalem shaking in fear at the conclusion of a grand parade for Jesus?

— Pastor Anne

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Join Our Palm Sunday Parade

by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 6, 2022 | News

Come one, come all to our second annual Palm Sunday Parade, this Sunday, April 10. The parade will step off from the front of the church at 9:30, led by a New Orleans brass band. We’ll share palms and joyful music with our neighbors, and return to the church in time for our 10:00 worship Service. Palms will be provided, dogs welcome! (See a special canine invitation from our newest team member, here.) You’re also invited to join us for Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday (multiple services, details here.)

Crawford’s Chili Cookoff is Back!

by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 6, 2022 | News

We’re thrilled to announce the return of Crawford’s Chili Cookoff this April 23, benefitting New England Justice For Our Neighbors (NEJFON). Enjoy a variety of chili recipes — from sweet and mild to burning hot — and vote for your favorite by donating to a worthy cause! All proceeds benefit NEJFON — a faith-driven ministry providing immigration and legal services, education, and advocacy.

We look forward to hearing from two lawyers from the Northeast Justice Center, an important partner of NEJFON, on Saturday. Claire Maguire and Molly Curley will share with us about their work documenting immigrants and refugees on their path to legal residency in the U. S. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; Claire and Molly will speak at 6:30, after everyone has voted for their favorite chili; and winners will be announced before the event ends at 7:00.

Think you have the best chili in the land? Enter the competition. Click the “ENTER” button below for more information and to sign up. Are you not a chili cook, but want to help out? Click the “VOLUNTEER” button below to help out with set-up or clean-up, or by providing cornbread, salad, dessert, or beverages — all essential to making this event a success.

Do you care about immigrants’ rights? Love chili? Or just want a night off from cooking? Bring your family and friends to the cook off on:

Saturday, April 23
Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
Chili served until 7:00 p.m. or whenever we run out.

Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church
34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA

ENTER or VOLUNTEER

Download a copy of our 2022 Chili Cook-off Flyer here, and share it with your friends!

Snake on a Pole

by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 4, 2022 | Sermons

Not all of the stories about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt are in the book of Exodus. The book of Numbers has some doozies, and I could have taken up the talking donkey this week, which is always tempting. But since we are rounding the last corner of Lent and heading for Holy Week, I think the better choice is the story in Numbers 21 about why Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole. I think it’s a better choice because Jesus pulls this oddball story out of a hat in John 3 to talk about the meaning of his own crucifixion.

– Pastor Anne

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Priorities

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 28, 2022 | Sermons

As we continue in the wilderness stories of the Exodus, we’re going to skip forward quite a few chapters and head to Mt. Sinai and Moses receiving the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20. Someday I’ll do a whole series on them, but this week we’re going to look at them all as a group and think about the way the individual commandments provide support for each other as we try to keep the main thing the main thing in our lives. I think they have an internal order to them that can teach us how to build a moral core. Watch, listen, or read, and see if you agree.