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.
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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, will be offered on 5 different dates.
Click on the date of your choice below to register and save the date!
We’re grateful for your leadership and look forward to seeing you!
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.
by Stacey Hilliard | Apr 10, 2025 | Crawford Excursions
Explore your creative side at Rolling Ridge this spring. “SoulCollage® is a playful, gentle, often joyful way of exploring your life and your deep self. Using cutout images from magazines, individuals create their own unique 5” X 8” cards, where each card represents a different part of themselves or their world. There is a deeper level of knowing that is accessed through images.” While you’re there, enjoy the beautiful grounds of Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center, situated on the shore of Lake Cochichewick. Learn more and – if interested – register HERE. If you’re interested in car-pooling, call or text Bernadette at 617-947-3161.
by Stacey Hilliard | Nov 19, 2024 | Uncategorized
Join us on Saturday, December 21 for a Christmas concert by the Back Bay Chorale, of which our own Barb Siftar is a member! This concert is a local favorite every Christmas season!
From bbcboston.org:
Don’t miss this annual highlight of the holiday season, featuring the mighty Back Bay Chorale, brass, organ, and Boston’s favorite carol sing-along…The Back Bay Chorale’s “A Boston Christmas” returns, bringing the warmth and cheer of the holidays to our audiences through choral music. The grand but inviting, historic space provided by Old South Church, the sounds of brass and organ, and the invitation to sing carols that many of us have known since infancy all signal that this is a time of year for reflection, connection, and hope.
When: Saturday, December 21, 2024 • 4:00 pm
Where: Old South Church, 645 Boylston St., Boston , Copley Sq.
How to get tickets: Tickets are Dress Circle, $65.00 floor, fully accessible. Preferred balcony seats are $36 each. Bernadette needs your ticket request and money to buy the tickets no later than Sunday, December 1.
Good to know: Parking will likely cost approximately $45. The MBTA is also an option, as the Copley Sq Green Line station is very near the venue.
Questions? If you’re interested or have any questions, Bernadette would appreciate a text or phone call to let her know (617-947-3161).
