Low: An Honest Advent Devotional

Low: An Honest Advent Devotional

In addition to the weekly Adult Study with Laura Myers, Crawford will also offer an “At Home” personal Advent Devotion.
Using the book Low: An Honest Advent Devotional by John Pavlovitz. Participants will be partnered and encouraged to text, talk, email, or meet daily with their partners to discuss the simple, poignant, and practical day’s reading. Partners can be randomly chosen for you or you may join the Devotion with a friend.
Although you can join with a partner or even choose to participate alone, I encourage you to consider sharing the days of Advent with someone you may not know well or at all. I have done similar Devotions and although it was a little scary to be vulnerable with a woman I didn’t know well, I can tell you that I certainly knew her and myself better by the end of Advent! I found it both an enriching and joyful experience.
Participants will be offered discussion topics and questions to facilitate their devotion. We are hoping for new connections, new ideas, and new ways to connect with ourselves, others, and our God as we wait in joyful hope for our dear Savior’s birth.
Books are available for $5.99, HERE, on Amazon. If you are unable to purchase the book on your own — either from Amazon or your local independent book seller — let Stacey know in the church office (office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056) and she will order one for you (in which case, we hope you will consider making a donation to cover the cost of the book and/or shipping).
You can sign up HERE or on the Events Bulletin Board in the lobby. A list of questions and discussion topics will be sent to participants via email. Hard copies will also be available upon request.
If you have any questions, please contact me via talk or text at 617-947-3161 or grab me at church.
Please join in…it won’t be the same without you!”
– Bernadette
Advent Excursion: Advent Quiet Day

Advent Excursion: Advent Quiet Day

“In the busy-ness of the season, we invite you to come away to the Ridge and gather together IN-PERSON as we make time to embrace the waiting and settling in as we take time to breathe in the hope, joy, peace and love that this time of Advent offers.”

Rolling Ridge Retreat and Conference Center in Andover is holding its annual Advent Day Apart retreat on Monday, December 2, 2024, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Several of us have attended in the past, and plan to go again. We hope you will join us!

WHAT TO EXPECT: “In the quiet and silence of this retreat, we invite you to sit, linger, ponder, behold, wander, wonder…wait. We will offer some reflections and spiritual exercises to prepare you for the holy-days of Advent. During the times of silence, there will also be nativity scenes from around the world for reflection, Christmas stories, items to create, coloring pages and mandalas to capture your feelings and reflections of the day.  We will also have both indoor and outdoor labyrinths as you walk through the day…We invite you to sit by the fire, enjoy the beauty of the Ridge, and live into the season of Advent as we prepare our hearts for Christmas with an extended time to lean into the silence with an overnight retreat linked into our Advent Quiet Day.” (See more on the Rolling Ridge website.)

GETTING THERE: We will leave Winchester at 8:30 am and can help arrange for car pooling if needed. If you have any questions, please contact Bernadette through talk or text at 617-947-3161 or grab her at church!

HOW TO REGISTER: Cost for the day retreat on Monday, December 2nd is $87 and includes the program, pastries, hot drink service, and lunch. Register online HERE or call 978-682-8815.

Please come, it won’t be the same without you!  And you won’t be the same if you do!!!  It’s a beautiful experience.

Crawford Excursion: Dinner for One, 11/16

Crawford Excursion: Dinner for One, 11/16

Our first excursion will be to the New England premiere of a comedic play entitled “Dinner for One,” at the newly renovated Greater Boston Stage Company (formerly the Stoneham Theater). Inspired by the iconic comedy sketch that has delighted Europe for over six decades, this charming performance is packed with physical comedy, music, and heartwarming nostalgia.

Show synopsis:
“Experience a New Year’s Eve party like no other in ‘Dinner for One,’ where Miss Sophie’s devoted butler, James, hilariously impersonates four of her long-lost lovers. As the night unfolds, unexpected mishaps and a bit too much wine lead to uproarious and unpredictable outcomes.”

Details: NOTE THE TIME CHANGE BELOW
We will see the 7 pm show (changed from 2pm… the 2 pm matinee has been cancelled) on Saturday, November 16. The discounted group ticket price is $49.50 (for groups of at least 10). Bernadette will begin collecting payments on Sunday, September 1. Please pay by check (made out to Bernadette Higgins) or exact change, please. Deadline for tickets is Sunday, Sept 15. Any questions,  please see Bernadette at church or text/call her at 617-947-3161.

Why should you go?
This is our first Crawford excursion post Covid! It will be after the Holiday Fair, and 2 weeks before Thanksgiving.  The theater is fully accessible. Carpooling or rides can be arranged… NO excuses!

Please come, it won’t be the same without you!

Last Hope K-9 Returns

Last Hope K-9 Returns

Last Hope K-9 is a non-profit all-breed dog rescue based in Massachusetts. They save abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs from high-kill shelters in Central Arkansas and beyond. The dogs are fostered by families here in Massachusetts until they can be adopted through individual inquiries or events like the ones Crawford has hosted over the years. Learn more about the adoption process at lasthopek9.org. If you’re interested in adopting, get your application in right away, and meet the dogs awaiting their furever homes at Crawford on Saturday, April 6, between noon and 2:00pm.
Lenten Walks

Lenten Walks

2024 promises to be an “historic” year–wars around the globe; consequential national election at home; strife and division; and individuals, families, companies, and churches  trying to figure out how to be in the next stage after a global pandemic. Sometimes it may be hard to feel hope in the midst of all this turmoil.

During the seven Saturdays of Lent, we will meet at Horn Pond (Sturgis Street parking lot – see map) at 9am. for a reflection — we’ll consider how hope has sustained us in the past, and how we might remain hopeful in the face of today’s challenges. Then will walk as long or as little as each of us wants, solo or with another member of the community.

Bring your coffee and join us for one or all of our walks!

Lenten Walks

Lenten Walks at Horn Pond

2024 promises to be an “historic” year–wars around the globe; consequential national election at home; strife and division; and  individuals, families, companies, and churches  trying to figure out how to be in the next stage after a global pandemic. Sometimes it may be hard to feel hope in the midst of all this turmoil.

During the seven Saturdays of Lent, we will meet at Horn Pond (Sturgis Street parking lot – see map) at 9am. for a reflection — we’ll consider how hope has sustained us in the past, and how we might remain hopeful in the face of today’s challenges. Then will walk as long or as little as each of us wants, solo or with another member of the community.

Bring your coffee and join us Saturday February 17 at 9am for our first walk!  If you have any questions, ask Pam Reeve.