by Stacey Hilliard | Aug 19, 2025 | Uncategorized
Celebrating the life of
Michael Patrick McGee
July 6, 1963 – July 22, 2025
Whether or not you are able to attend Mike’s service on Saturday, August 23, Michael’s family invites you to join them as they sit shiva on Saturday, 8/23 (5-7 pm) and Sunday, 8/24 (4-6 pm). Sitting shiva is a Jewish mourning practice observed for up to seven days following the burial of a close relative, allowing everyone to continue processing their grief and give/receive support. Friends and family visit the mourners at their house and often share memories and stories about the deceased. Come whenever you wish during those hours and stay for as long as you like. Light snacks will be available for noshing. Your presence is warmly welcomed. The McGees live at 28 Brentwood Road in Woburn.
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
This year’s Annual Conference passed a resolution that 100% of our clergy and as many of our laity as possible should participate in A Long Talk, a program developed to interrupt racism (and other isms). See a video of the introductory session presented at Annual Conference, 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 3:00:30).
The program is available online and includes just two interactive Zoom sessions of two hours each plus other activities and information you can do for a few minutes a day at your own pace. The organizers recently added a session in August, and two more in September. If you haven’t already, please sign up 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.
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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, 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 | 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).
