Cooperative Christmas Ministries

Cooperative Christmas Ministries

Rev. Bill Hoch at the United Methodist Church of Woburn has invited us to join him and his congregation in two programs they have planned for this Advent and Christmas season: An Advent Bible Study, via Zoom on Sunday evenings 11/23-12/14.

Advent Bible Study.  Pastor Pat Odour (Weston UMC), Reverend Alecia Reeves-Freeman (Fisk Memorial UMC, Natick), and I (Rev. Bill Hoch, Woburn UMC) are planning an Advent study which we will hold on Zoom on Sunday evenings from 7:00-8:00. We are planning the four Sundays from November 23-December 14. We are using the book “A Thrill of Hope” from Foundry Publishing. The study focuses on readings from The Gospel of Luke and the theme of Hope. Please let your folks know they can join us for this and come every Sunday or just a few. You do not need to read the book to join the conversation. We will send out the Zoom link as it approaches.

Songs of Hope and Light –  Christmas Concert and Carols for All Ages, Sunday December 21 at 2pm.  Tewksbury United Methodist Church, 2335 Main St., Tewksbury MA featuring traditional and contemporary musical selections for the season. We will enjoy organ music, voice and bell choirs, and caroling. Join us, bring a friend, be blessed by powerful musical messages. Bring a food donation for local food pantries serving our Communities. Sing with us as we prepare for the Light of Christ to be born again in our world! Please let us know if your church will send folks to join us. We would love to fill the church as we celebrate together. This is a combined project by Tewksbury UMC, Wilmington UMC, Woburn UMC and Aldersgate UMC in North Reading. All are welcome.

Creative Contemplation for Women, November

Creative Contemplation for Women, November

WHEN: November 7 and 21, 1:30-3:00pm

WHAT: Readings and creative prayer activities will be centered around discernment.  We will look at the circumstances of our lives and ask these questions: Where have I been? Where am I going?  What are my choices?  Who am I?  Who do I say that God is?

WHERE: Ring the bell at the church office door at First Church Stoneham, 1 Church Street, facing the common; go down ½ flight to the Parlor

QUESTIONS / RSVP: Sandra at sandy.laperche@gmail.com or Bernadette

2025 Holiday Faire Updates

The 2025 Holiday Faire is coming up fast… with your help, let’s make this the most successful faire yet. Every year our volunteers report that helping out at the faire is a great time, and there is something for everyone to do, 

HELP SET UP  OR CLEAN UP

This year setup will begin at 12 noon on Friday November 7th.  And as far as clean-up goes, those of us who will have been at the Faire all day would really like help breaking down at 2pm. We also need 3 or 4 people with dump stickers to help transport unsold White Elephants to the transfer station after the faire. If you have any questions, contact Pam Donaldson at 781-729-2124 or 617-460-2385

TAKE A SHIFT IN ANY AREA ON FAIRE DAY
Our faire area chairpersons need you to sign up to help monitor the various areas of the faire on Saturday. We always have a great time greeting new faces and reuniting with old friends from the community. There is a signup sheet outside Gifford Hall.

There are many opportunities for you to help. If you have any questions, reach out to one or more of our holiday chairpersons listed here:

Christmas Room – Laura Myers
Cookies Table – Linda Yew
Jewelry – Karen Beals
Bake Table – Sue Powers
Boutique – Sandra & Sonja Lawson, & Joanne Hobson
Books – Audrey Killion
Snack Bar – Colin & Linda Simson
White Elephant/Books – MaryJane Sullivan
If you need anyone’s contact info, let us know in the church office: office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056.

BRING YOUR WHITE ELEPHANTS STARTING SUNDAY, NOV. 2
Beginning this Sunday, November 2nd, you are invited to bring in your “white Elephants.” Please unpack your bags and boxes onto the tables that will be set up in the Sunday School hallway, downstairs — they will be labeled with signs explaining what types of items go on which tables.  Then please put your bags and boxes under the tables to be used at the end of the faire to transfer unsold items to the transfer station.

As you go through your house, choosing things to donate, please pick items that you can imagine wanting to buy yourself. Reminder that we will not accept any electronics, computers, printers, stuffed animals, or pillows. If you can’t bring your items on Sunday, you can come to the church during office hours (Mon-Thur, 9-3) to drop off. (Earlier in the week is better, to give our volunteers time to price and organize all items for sale.)

We also need 3 or 4 people with dump stickers to help take what is left over to the transfer station on Saturday after the Faire. With enough volunteers, you would only have to make 1 or 2 trips. 

SNACK BAR

In addition to signing up to work at the snack bar, as of  today (10/29) we still need a few soups, hot dogs and buns; baked goods, and beverages to serve! If you can bring any of that, please click HERE and sign up to let us know!

BAKE TABLE

We are also looking for baked goods for the bake table at the fair. Breads (lemon, pumpkin, banana, apple), jelly, coffee cakes, brownies, fudge, chocolate sauce, bars and candy. Methodists are known for their baking so let’s see what you can bring to the fair.

Remember to label the items you bake, letting shoppers know if they contain nuts or other potential allergens. Gluten free items are also welcome. No need to sign-up ahead of time, just please bring your items to the church on Friday, November 7, after 1:00 pm. If you have any questions please contact Sue Powers (617-650-6511).

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS TO THE FAIRE

While we’ve been advertising for some time, personal invitations are the best way to get people to come to the fair. Please invite your family and friends to this year’s Holiday Faire on November 8.

  • Share our facebook post available HERE.
  • Click HERE to download a copy of our faire flyer to email to friends
  • Or pick up a printed copy  at Church on Sunday, and post it on your favorite community bulletin board.

 

2025 Holiday Faire

2025 Holiday Faire

On Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church, 34 Dix St., will hold its annual Holiday Faire, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come for Crawford’s famous apple pies and fabulous cookie bar; the Christmas room with a splendid array of lovely holiday decorations and other exciting items not found in local stores; beautifully handcrafted goods and gift baskets; delightful and unique gift ideas for everyone; fun vintage jewelry; scrumptious baked goods; delicious breakfasts and lunches at the snack bar, and the white elephant sale including books, housewares, toys, the holiday room, and much more! Proceeds will benefit various church efforts. For more information, contact the church at 781-729-5056.

Back Bay Chorale 50th Ann. Concert, 10/18/25

Back Bay Chorale 50th Ann. Concert, 10/18/25

Please join us for the 50th Anniversary Concert of the Back Bay Chorale. Among the many reasons to attend – our own Barb Siftar sings in the Chorale! And for this event, the chorale will be joined by 2025 Grammy® Award-Winner Karen Slack, Soprano.

When: Saturday, October 18, 2025 at 4:00pm
Where: Old South Church, 645 Boylston Street, Boston 
How to get there: MBTA Copley Green Line
If you drive, Parking: Back Bay Garage www.backbaygarage.com

The program will include works by composers including Brahms, Mozart, Verdi, and more:

Sergei RACHMANINOFF: Bogoroditse Djevo
Maurice DURUFLÉ: Tota Pulchra Es
Franz BIEBL: Ave Maria
Alice PARKER: Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal
Johannes BRAHMS: Geistliches Lied
Florence PRICE: Desire / Winter Idyl
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Requiem, I. Introitus
Johannes BRAHMS: Ein Deutsches Requiem, IV & V
Guiseppe VERDI: Macbeth: Patria oppressa
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART: Le nozze di Figaro: Dove sono
Guiseppe VERDI: La traviata: Brindisi
Giacomo PUCCINI: Madama Butterfly: Tu, tu
Guiseppe VERDI: Nabucco: Va, Pensiero
Margaret BONDS: I Wish I Knew
Margaret BONDS: Set Down, Servant

Bernadette will begin collecting for tickets after church on Sunday, September 28th. Tickets are $68 for Seniors. Carpooling and rides are available. Final day for tickets is Sunday, Oct 5th. Depending on interest, we may have dinner after the show. For questions or more information, call or text Bernadette 617-947-3161 or see her at church.   

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

“Murder for Two,” A Boston Stage Co. production, 10/29/25

“Murder for Two,” A Boston Stage Co. production, 10/29/25

Murder for Two is a zany musical comedy whodunnit, offering the perfect blend of music, mayhem, and murder.We are seeing the Wednesday matinee at the Boston Stage Company formerly Stoneham Theater on Wednesday, October 29 at 2pm.  Tickets are $52 with purchase of ten seats.  Group rate.  Carpooling and rides are available.   Dinner may be an option after the show depending on interest.

Bernadette will begin collecting for tickets after church on Sunday, September 21st. Cash or checks, please. If you have any questions or need a ride, please call or text Bernadette at 617-947-3161 or see her after church.

Last day for tickets is October 5.  If you want to go and you’re not able to meet up with Bernadette,  please call or text her to hold you a ticket.

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

Click HERE for more information about the show.