by Stacey Hilliard | Jan 26, 2025 | News
The New England Conference of the United Methodist Church has planned an online prayer service for those looking for ways to show solidarity with our immigrant neighbors during this harrowing time. The service will be held on Thursday, January 30 at 7:00pm via Zoom. We will “pray for our immigrant neighbors, who are particularly vulnerable at this time. Following the prayer service we will share information on the current policy changes initiated by the Trump Administration and how they impact our neighbors and our ministry.” Leaders will also offer some best practices for how to be in ministry with those who are vulnerable, and take questions.
If you’d like to take part, see more details and register on the NEUMC website, HERE:
by Stacey Hilliard | Jan 13, 2025 | News
In this email, sent on Monday, January 13, 2025, Pastor David Arruda, Disaster Response Coordinator for the New England Annual Conference, shares a bit about emergency response efforts underway to help those displaced or otherwise affected by the wildfires in CA.
“In partnership with Methodist churches, UMCOR set up relief centers that provided evacuees shelter, food, and essential supplies. Volunteers, guided by compassion and solidarity, offered material aid, an empathetic ear, and comforting support to those burdened by loss…Congregations worked tirelessly to deliver donated items, prepare meals, and offer their buildings as temporary shelters, exemplifying the true spirit of Christian compassion.”
Read the full email HERE.
He also says, “for those of you who feel moved to support these vital efforts, donations to UMCOR’s U.S. Disaster Response and Recovery fund directly aid such ongoing projects. DONATE HERE..
by Stacey Hilliard | Jan 5, 2025 | News
We are happy to partner with Winchester Girl Scout Troop 77025 by serving as a collection site for their service project collecting new and gently used clothing (all sizes, all seasons, all types) for Cradles to Crayons! Cradles to Crayons is a non-profit organization that aims to eliminate children’s clothing insecurity — the lack of access to appropriate, affordable, and adequate clothing. By the end of their fiscal year in late March, they are on track to distribute 400,000 packages to kids across the Commonwealth living in families at/below 200% of the federal poverty level ($62,400 for a family of 4). Donation bins are outside of the church’s front doors. Please put your donations in the bins outside, where they will be collected regularly by the scout leaders. Do not leave them in the lobby outside of Gifford Hall. Drop offs will be accepted through Jan 26.
When:
Through January 26
Where:
Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church
34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA
What:
New or gently used clothing, winter coats, and shoes
New PJs, socks, and underwear
by Stacey Hilliard | Dec 15, 2024 | News
Please join us on Christmas Eve
We will celebrate with a service of lessons and carols at 5:00 p.m. and again at 9:00 p.m. Both services will feature a retelling of the age-old Christmas story, singing beloved carols, and special music by Occasional Brass and Strings.
And, as is tradition here at Crawford, we invite you to join us in a Christmas Carol Sing-along from 6:30 to 7:00pm in front of our church, led by our Chancel Choir member, Kate Frisoli, and accompanied by members of the Occasional Brass. Caroling is outdoors so do dress for the weather!
Bring Your Baby Jesus
Throughout Advent, we have spent time talking about the characters found in a typical nativity scene and offering blessings over a different categoy (the beasts, the angels, the shepherds, etc.) each week. We invite you to bring the baby Jesus figure from your home nativity with you to either Christmas Eve service for a special blessing.
by Stacey Hilliard | Dec 14, 2024 | News
“In response to the recent series of disasters throughout the United States, there has been a significant increase in interest in the New England Annual Conference (NEAC) offering Early Response Team (ERT) and Volunteer in Mission (VIM) training. These trainings represent an excellent opportunity for individuals to develop essential skills that contribute positively to disaster response and relief efforts within our communities.”
Does this sound like something you’d be interested in? Learn more and complete the NEAC’s survey HERE (by January 12, 2025).
by Stacey Hilliard | Dec 5, 2024 | News
Sunday, December 8, is Winchester’s 6th annual Unite With Light (rain date: Sunday, December 15). Members of Crawford will gather after our Sunday morning worship service to assemble the luminarias, and again in the afternoon to place them along the retaining wall on the Church Street side of the building and light the candles. While casting a lovely glow, the luminarias have a greater purpose than just beautifying Winchester. The proceeds from the sale of luminaria kits are donated to a charity of the organizers’ choosing. Crawford’s 100 luminaria kits for this evening and another hundred for Christmas Eve were purchased with a generous donation by a Crawford member. All proceeds raised by Unite With Light-Winchester this year will benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of MA & RI, helping to grant wishes to children living with serious, chronic illnesses. Learn more about Unite With Light – Winchester and see photos from past events on their facebook page, HERE.
