by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 30, 2026 | Uncategorized
submitted by Pam Reeve (pdar)
I have expressed my deep gratitude to the community at Crawford for the work done in our space over the summer. The purpose of this message is to provide a bit more context, detail and specific recognitions.
What was done? In Gifford Hall: new technology (sound, video, and projection systems, drop-down screen, lighting); HVAC; windows; painting; acoustics ceiling; minor repairs. In the kitchen: HVAC. In the bathroom area: repairs, painting, new signage. In the sanctuary: ceiling repairs and painting. Throughout the building: 22 additional wireless access points and a central communications control room.
In addition, cleaning of carpets in the foyer and Crawford Room and numerous upgrades and repairs in the parsonage round out a very active summer period.
Who worked on this? It takes a village! In addition to a terrific group of well-vetted and experienced outside contractors, this work could not have been completed as well (or on time!) without: Pam Donaldson, George DeRedon, Alyssa DiMarzo, Frank Leathers, Robert McAlpine, Stephen Black-Schaffer, Doug Marmon, Sue DiMarzo, Peter Reeve, Colin Simson, Stacey Hilliard, and all the people from the congregation who provided input, specifically regarding colors.
What did the work cost? The work in our building ran over $300,000 in total. The Board of the New Song Fund has approved $100,000 toward that amount; the remainder comes from Crawford capital and operating funds. In addition, there were many valuable inputs (and time!) from Crawford volunteers, noted above and not included in a financial number, that really made the whole thing come together. We could do this work because of the generosity of our people inspired by the vision of a future in which we are even more engaged and welcoming to our community, and seeking new ways to be of service.
Now What? Imagine the possibilities—concerts, plays, community gatherings, safe havens for young people to engage. It is now up to us to make the best use of this wonderful gift to share the love of Christ and grow the beloved community Pastor Jen has been talking about.
Let’s get on with it!
by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 23, 2026 | Uncategorized
Please mark your calendars and plan to attend our annual Church Conference, which will be held at 1:00pm on Sunday, Nov. 1 at Wilmington United Methodist Church, including lunch beforehand. We will be conferencing with the five other churches of the East Middlesex United Methodist Cooperative: Aldersgate in North Reading, Old South in Reading, Tewksbury UMC, Wilmington UMC, and Woburn UMC.
Some background on church conferences: Each year, United Methodist congregations gather with the District Superintendent (or their designee) for Church Conference. This is the time we conduct important annual business: approving budgets and leadership nominations, voting on candidates pursuing certified ministry, and deciding other important matters of church vision (Reconciling, capital campaigns, building projects, etc.). In recent years, there has been an effort to infuse these meetings with more time for worship and connection. In very recent years, church conferences have been combined for missional and practical reasons. Given our assignment to a cooperative in 2026, it makes sense that we would conference together with these churches.
There are concerns that this joint format, tried for the first time last year, does not allow ample time for churches to discuss and celebrate their own ministries. (Stay tuned for how we may approach this challenge at Crawford outside of the official conference.) However, Nov. 1 will be a chance to connect and think missionally about the opportunities of this new cooperative, as well as to take the official votes required each year of each church. We hope to have a large Crawford contingent—especially of our nominated leaders!—in attendance at this important meeting. Please reach out to Pastor Jen with questions or comments as we prepare our hearts (and paperwork) for Church Conference.
by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 16, 2026 | Crawford Excursions
Our next Church Potluck will be on Thursday, October 8. Please join us for fun, fellowship, and lots of good food! To ensure we have a nice variety of entrees, sides, and desserts, please let us know what you plan to bring by signing up HERE. We also need a few volunteers to help with set-up and clean-up. If you have any questions or suggestions, or want to help in any way, please contact Bernadette or the church office (office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056).
by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 16, 2026 | Crawford Excursions
Autumn is in full swing! The Back Bay Chorale, with our own Neil Cudmore is returning on FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2026 at 7:30 pm at their home in the Old South Church (645 Boylston Steet, Boston).
“The Courage to Create” will feature the works of
- Benjamin BRITTEN: Prelude and Fugue on a Theme of Vittoria, and Rejoice in the Lamb
- Zachary WADSWORTH: Beyond the Years, De Profundis (World-Premiere) and
- Leonard BERNSTEIN: Chichester Psalms
More information about the concert is available on the Chorales website, here.
Dress Circle Senior tickets have opened up. They are $71.40. Bernadette will collect money on Sunday, September 27 and October 4 after church. Carpooling is available. Please call, text or see Bernadette for more information.
And be sure to come…it won’t be the same without you!!!
by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 15, 2026 | Crawford Excursions, News
Crawford Memorial United Methodist is excited to announce it is hosting a performance by the award-winning Spirituals Ensemble of The Boston Arts Academy. This FREE concert is open to the public and will be held on October 25 at 2pm in Gifford Hall at 34 Dix Street in Winchester, MA.
While this event is free, please RSVP HERE so we know how many seats to set up.
Spirituals Ensemble
Founded in 2009, The Boston Arts Academy Spirituals Ensemble explores the evolution of the African-American sacred choral music tradition. This auditioned group of 30 sophomores, juniors, and seniors at Boston Arts Academy (BAA), the city’s only public arts high school, is directed by Music Department Chair, Michael Bradley. They have performed at numerous community events, including recently for the inauguration of Governor Maura Healy. Several members of past ensembles have majored in music in college and have received full scholarships at leading music colleges including Boston University, Berklee College of Music, New England Conservatory, Oberlin and the Hartt School of Music. Other performances include the 50th Anniversary Concert of Sweet Honey In The Rock, the American Choral Directors Association Eastern Conference in March of 2024 and sharing the stage with James Taylor. They also released an album, Genesis, landing at #1 on Billboard’s Classical Crossover Albums Chart. This remarkable achievement marks the first time in the history of Boston Public Schools (BPS) that a music ensemble has charted on Billboard. A second album they recorded, The Kidz at North Station, was subsequently nominated for a Stellar Award in 2025, again making history as the first BPS ensemble to be nominated in the professional Gospel Music community. The Spirituals have competed and won several Grand champion titles in competitions across the country.
Director Bio
Michael W. Bradley has been an active educator in the arts community and K-12 education for over fifteen years and has become an experienced writer and director in the fields of Choral and Gospel music, respectively. Michael’s choirs have competed and won Grand Champion Awards in national competitions and have performed for Yo-Yo Ma, Damien Woetzel, and at the White House for First Lady Michelle Obama. Michael graduated from Berklee College of Music with a B.M. in Music Education in 2012 and a Master’s in Public Administration at Belhaven University . Currently Michael is finishing his Master’s in Choral Conducting at Boston University where he studies with Dr. Daniel Parsley. Now in his twelfth year of teaching, Michael is the Co-Chair of the Music Department of Boston Arts Academy. Michael’s teaching responsibilities at BAA include Freshmen Vocal Technique, Junior and Senior Contemporary Vocal Technique, Lyric Choir, Men of Valor, Concert Choir, and the award-winning “Spirituals.” In 2024, The Spirituals released three albums, “Genesis,” a classical crossover album that reached #1 on the Classical and Classical Crossover Billboard Charts, “The Kidz At North Station,” a kids album that reached #1 on the Kids Album Billboard Charts and “American Dreamers,” a Spoken Word Album. The Spirituals have performed for the inauguration of Governor Maura Healy and Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, the homegoing celebration of Civil Rights Activist, Melvin King, for the 50th Anniversary Concert of “Sweet Honey In The Rock”, the American Choral Directors Association 2024 Eastern Division Conference and shared the stage with six-time Grammy Award winning songwriter, James Taylor. Michael manages a Worship and Arts Consulting Firm, Motif Creative Services, whose sole purpose is to strengthen the administrative and liturgical practices and systems of Worship and Production teams of churches of all sizes. Although Michael has joyfully led and served in the Creative and Liturgical Artistic communities, his greatest joy is being married to his amazing wife, Daniella K. Bradley.
by Stacey Hilliard | Sep 14, 2026 | Uncategorized
This September, Crawford’s Food Ministries will receive $1 for every specially marked $11.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet sold at our local Stop & Shop, 695 Main Street, Winchester MA.
Ending food insecurity is an important mission of Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church whose members serve dinner regularly at The Dwelling Place in Woburn, and have been longtime supporters of the food pantry run by the Council of Social Concern. We opened our first micro pantry (the first in Winchester) in June 2020, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges it created for both those in need and the organizations that had to limit their assistance in an effort to stop the spread of the virus. An Eagle Scout project completed by Kenny Xu (Troop 507) provided a sizable expansion of the pantry.
Funds raised through donations and programs like Bloomin’ 4 Good help fill the gaps in our missions readiness, sometimes buying items for the food pantry and other times helping to purchase meals for the guests of the dwelling place (though most of the time, the meals are home-cooked with love). Learn more about Crawford’s micro pantry and other missions and ministries here.
Brighten someone’s day with flowers today!
