Back 2 School Supplies Drive

Back 2 School Supplies Drive

Again this year, we are supporting Housing Families by contributing to their annual school supplies drive. On Sunday, August 7 and Sunday, August 14, we’re collecting ball point pens, pencils, highlighters, magic markers, loose leaf paper, rulers and more. (Click here  for a complete list of items needed.) If you can’t bring your donations to church on Sunday morning, the church office at office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056 to arrange a time to drop them off. Thanks so much!

Bloomin’ 4 Good

Bloomin’ 4 Good

Flowers can make someone’s day, brighten a room or spread a smile… now they can fight hunger too. Every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a hunger organization local to the Stop & Shop in which it was purchased. Crawford’s Micro Pantry was selected by our Winchester store leadership as the August beneficiary! We will receive a $1 donation for every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet purchased at the Winchester Stop & Shop (695 Main Street, Winchester, MA) during the month of August. Learn more about Stop & Shop’s Bloomin’ 4 Good program here.

Ending food insecurity is an important mission of Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church whose members serve dinner regularly at The Dwelling Place in Woburn, and have been longtime supporters of the food pantry run by the Council of Social Concern. They opened their first micro pantry (the first in Winchester) in June 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges it created for both those in need and the organizations that had to limit their assistance in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. In February of this year, an Eagle Scout project completed by Kenny Xu (Troop 507) provided a sizable expansion of the pantry. It’s now large enough to include both shelf-stable food products and essential personal products. And occasionally, fresh produce from our garden. (Learn more about Crawford’s micro pantry and other missions and ministries here.)

Easter At Crawford

Easter At Crawford

Join us on Easter Sunday, April 17, for any or all of our services and celebrations:

  • 6:00 a.m. Sunrise Service around the fire pit (weather permitting, otherwise inside)
  • Easter breakfast immediately following the Sunrise Service in Gifford Hall
  • 10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the sanctuary, featuring live music by the Occasional Brass Quintet
  • Easter Egg Hunt for the kids immediately following the 10:00 service

Read Pastor Anne’s Easter greetings here.

If you can’t join us in-person on Easter, you can join us via the livestream on our Facebook page or YouTube channel. And you can download a copy of our Easter Sunday bulletin here.

Join Our Palm Sunday Parade

Join Our Palm Sunday Parade

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!

Crawford’s Chili Cookoff is Back!

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!

Update on Afghan Resettlement

Update on Afghan Resettlement

The Afghan family we’ve been fundraising for, has settled into their new home and they are very appreciative of all that has been done for them by the Winchester Interfaith Committee. Members of the Neighborhood Support Team are working hard to meet the family’s needs, both in terms of support and home furnishings. Their apartment is a tight fit for seven people, but they have identified a few specific items that would be useful and appreciated: If you’d like to help, here’s list of items that would make them more comfortable in their new home:

  • A standing coat rack for front hall
  • A thermos carafe for tea that holds 8-10 cups
  • 3 covers for pans that are 8 inches, 10 inches and 12 inches
  • 6.9 qt. cast aluminum Caldero (Dutch oven) with lid ($20 at Target)
  • A large outdoor toy bin
  • A free-standing outdoor bike rack
  • Bike locks

If you have any of the items to donate, please take a photo of the item(s) and send it to Reva Shapiro at revashapiro-at-gmail-dot-com or 908-229-6336. (If you are willing to purchase any of them, please let Reva know that as well.) If the item meets their needs and hasn’t already been donated, you can deliver it to one of two  drop-off locations in Winchester or Arlington. We will keep this list updated to the best of our ability… thank you!