by Stacey Hilliard | Jul 1, 2025 | Uncategorized
As SPRC puts together the congregational profile that the Bishop and Cabinet will use to find us a new pastor (planned for 2027), and the Church Council continues discussions about the future of our church, we need your input and ideas. We will host small groups on Zoom on three separate dates in July. See the dates, times, and links below:
If you would rather write your thoughts, a questionnaire is available to download and print here. After completing it, please return it to the church office or give it to either Pam Reeves or Neil Cudmore.
All input will be aggregated without individual attribution to assist in the creation of the profile, provide feedback to Church Council and to be read back to the congregation in the fall.
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 30, 2025 | Uncategorized
Annual Conference this year welcomed two special guests: Kamal Carter and Kyle Williams, the directors of a national program called A Long Talk that helps people figure out effective techniques for interrupting racism (or any of the other “isms”) when we encounter it. It’s no longer enough to “not be racist.” To really interrupt and put an end to racism, we must become “anti-racist.”
Carter and Williams did two presentations at Annual Conference—one an introduction to the work and the other a practice session. You are strongly encouraged to watch a video of the introductory session, here. (If the video doesn’t begin with Bishop Bickerton’s introduction of Carter and Williams, you can get there by forwarding the video to hour 3:00:30). Despite the heaviness of the issue it seeks to address; the presentation was fun, engaging, and motivational.
After hearing them, the Annual Conference passed a resolution that 100% of our clergy and as many of our laity as possible should participate in one of their free trainings, which can be done online with two interactive Zoom sessions and other activities and information you can do for a few minutes a day at your own pace. With several sessions being offered during July, you’re strongly encouraged to sign up. We’ve been promised that there will be additional dates posted in the next few weeks, but why wait? You can see the training sessions currently available and learn more here.
WHAT NOW?
I strongly encourage you to at least watch the presentation at Annual Conference (see the link in the second paragraph above) and then consider whether the skills they teach would be useful in your life, no matter what kind of difficult conversation you may be having. Spoiler alert: they will be!
Once you realize that, sign up for a training. I will be doing it as soon as I get back from vacation.
In hope,
Anne
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
My name is Tina Rathbone, I am currently serving the Mass Council of Churches as their Congregational Coordinator for Immigration. Laura Everett has spoken very highly (and very warmly!) of you, and I am wondering if you might have some time for a zoom conversation about some opportunities to engage with an ecumenical group from East Boston which has gathered to serve their immigrant neighbors and is now looking for broader support from neighboring faith communities.
In particular, I am wondering whether you and/or anyone from Crawford Memorial might be interested in joining us all in weekly vigils of prayer and song. These are not protests against anything so much as manifestations of support for our immigrant neighbors, and everyone who has been involved so far – both in East Boston and in New Bedford where the vigils originated – has found the experience to be moving almost beyond belief: full of love and communion and, ultimately, hope.
The idea is simple: we gather for an hour in places where many immigrants live, and then pray (and sing a bit too) as we hold signs of support and solidarity. “Thank you for your courage. We are with you.” reads one sign. “In God’s love, all people are one” says another…. In this way, people who have been so violently targeted and demonized, receive word from Americans with more stable citizenship status that they are valued and important.
Peace to you, and much gratitude for all you do,
Tina
The Rev. Cristina Rathbone
Congregational Coordinator
Massachusetts Council of Churches
The next vigil is THIS Friday, June 20. Participants are asked to meet at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 28 Paris Street, East Boston at 4:30pm. The group will walk together to the Maverick Square T Station for the vigil.
—————————————————————————-
Come for the Vigil, Stay for the Party If you can, stay after the vigil for our Celebration of World Refugee Day from 6-8 PM to honor the courage and resilience of those who’ve fled their homelands seeking peace. This will be a
potluck celebration with live Brazilian music (read more about our musicians
here!), and we would love to see all of you there. Almost all of us have an immigration story in our family tree. Come hear some amazing music and bring a favorite dish from your family’s tradition to share. Kids welcome!
Register here.
by Stacey Hilliard | Jun 11, 2025 | Uncategorized
We’ve been invited to join this important meeting arranged by the Reconciling Ministries Network.
We’ve been invited to an RMN webinar designed for leaders and members of Reconciling Churches like Crawford! This will be a chance for us to:
- Share the challenges in our setting and learn about resources that might be helpful.
- Explore how we can partner to meet the moment with next-level leadership.
- Hear about RMN’s big staff changes, current challenges, and key focuses.
Meeting the Moment with Next Level Leadership, a one hour webinar, was offered several time during the month of June, and will be repeated three more times this summer. Click on the date of your choice below to register!
by Stacey Hilliard | May 27, 2025 | Crawford Excursions
Enjoy a free concert by the Compaq Big Band, featuring our own Bryan Hilliard on lead trumpet, outdoors on the Weston town green, (11 Town House Road, Weston, MA) on Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm. Bring a blanket and/or lawn chair. Contact Bernadette if you’d like to car pool!
The Compaq Big Band has been delighting fans for 50 years. Their repertoire includes classics from the 30s and 40s as performed by the bands of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Tommy Dorsey, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and other greats, and their shows intersperse instrumental charts and horn features with vocal numbers such as those popularized by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Bobby Darin, Frankie Randall, Nancy Wilson, Diane Schuur, and many more.
Learn more about the band at compaqbigband.com. If you’d like to see/hear them, but can’t make it on July 9, see their full list of summer concerts HERE.
by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 12, 2025 | Crawford Excursions
On Monday, June 2nd, Rolling Ridge will host a special day with author Lawrence Kessenich, Rolling Ridge staff, and afternoon tea. With the Rolling Ridge gardens and rhododendrons in full boom, it will be a glorious day of community and conversation with tea and time to stroll. Seating for Afternoon Tea begins at 2 pm, end time is approximately 4pm. The grounds and gardens will be open all day for people to walk, enjoy, and explore.
Prior to the Afternoon Tea, from 1:00-2:00 pm, Lawrence Kessenich will share excerpts from his new book, The Further Adventures of Daisy Miller (released in April, 2025). Copies of Lawrence’s book will be available for purchase and autograph during the Author Chat. The tea is $45 per person, but the Author Talk prior is free and open to the public. See more on the Rolling Ridge website, HERE.
Bernadette plans to attend the Author Chat (at 1:00) and the Afternoon Tea (at 2:00) and invites you to join her! You can register yourself HERE or let Bernadette know that you’re interested and ask her to sign you up. Also, let her know if you’re interested in carpooling. You can call or text her at 617-947-3161.
