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 MOVED TO CRAWFORD’S FRONT STEPS, April 5, 6:30 a.m.
Join us if you’re able on Crawford’s front steps where we will celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with a service of Holy Communion and a few well-known hymns. If the weather is uncooperative, we will move inside. Please join us after the service for a light breakfast 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! This service will be followed by Easter games and goodies in Gifford Hall for all children in attendance.

Dwelling Place

by Stacey Hilliard | Mar 2, 2026 | Uncategorized

After a couple of snow emergencies and giving up one of our nights to the WHS Interact Club, this we’re back to planning, preparing, and serving dinner at the Dweilling Place this month (Monday, April 27). Please sign up if you’re able to provide pasta with meat sauce, salad, roll, or dessert. (For the meat sauce, you can use this simple recipe or one of your own.)

If you’d like to help, please click the button below to see what we still need, and sign up for whatever you can provide. You’ll find more information on the sign-up sheet… if you still have questions, reach out to Steph Altavilla or Brian Rogers.

Help at the Dwelling Place

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.