What’s Going On
Coming Soon: Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 1
Our annual Blessing of the Animals will take place at 10:00am on Sunday, October 1, 2023, under the tent in front of our church building. All well-controlled animals and their people are welcome: dogs on leashes, small pets in pet carriers, etc. Pastor Anne will teach us all a blessing so that even if you can’t bring your pet with you, you can bless them yourself at home.
Last Hope K9 Adoption Event, October 14
We are thrilled to welcome Last Hope K9 Rescue back to Crawford on Saturday, October 14th for another Adoption Showcase! There are so many loving dogs searching for their furever families… we love it when people choose to adopt, rather than shop. If you’re interested in adopting, please visit Last Hope K9’s event page to learn more how this event will run and then come meet these amazing adoptable dogs in person!
Backpack Drive: Now Thru Sept. 10
We are collecting backpacks and school supplies for the Haitian refugees in Woburn, most if not all of whom are families with young children. We need small, medium, and large backpacks, for kids of pre-school age through high school.
If you’d like to stock your donated backpack with some school supplies, here are some suggestions:
- Pencils
- Crayons
- Rulers
- Glue sticks
- Tissues
- Pencils, sharpeners & erasers
- Ball point pens
- Loose-leaf paper
- 2-pocket folders
- Index cards
Please bring your backpacks and/or school supplies to Crawford by September 10. There will be a large plastic tote in the hallway outside Gifford Hall to collect them. If you have any questions, click here to email the church office.
Life Line Screening returns to Crawford, October 30
On Monday, October 30, Life Line Screening will return to Crawford to hold another screening clinic. Life Line Screening offers a simple, convenient way to help anyone learn their risk for cardiovascular disease and other chronic conditions. These painless screenings go beyond a regular checkup to identify dangerous plaque buildup or blockage, a major risk factor for stroke and heart disease. For more information, download this flyer describing the 5 screenings offered:
- Carotid Artery Disease
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
- Atrial Fibruillation
- Osteoperosis Risk
Life Line Screening will be on site on Monday, October 30th in Gifford Hall to conduct these valuable screenings. Schedule your appointment ASAP because this service is open to the general public and appointments are limited. To schedule, call 1-800-690-0323, or visit LLSA.SOCIAL/HS today!
Wisdom Tree Children’s Center Open House 8/12
Stop by 34 Dix Street in Winchester this Saturday, August 12, between 10am and 5pm to tour Wisdom Tree Children’s Center, the new preschool opening this fall in our former United Methodist Nursery School space. Meet the school’s director, Jinchong Liu, and find out about the programs and activities she has planned for her students. For more information, visit the Wisdom Tree website (bwisdomtree.com) or email info@bwisdomtree.com.
Free School Meals Made Permanent
Late last year, Crawford’s church council voted in favor of signing on as supporters of a bill put forth by ProjectBread, that would make free school meals permanent. In doing so, we became part of the Feed Kids Coalition. Earlier this week (August 9, 2023), we received word that Governor Healey has signed the FY24 state budget, including the funds required to make “School Meals for All” permanent! Read more, here.
Porchfest 2023
Porchfest is returning to Winchester and to Crawford on June 10, from 12:00 noon to 5:30 pm. Crawford is happy to host the following acts:
- 12pm – The Morningside Messengers – Jazz sextet playing bop, swing, Latin standards (and some rarities) – John MacRae – drums, Jeff Bates – bass, Michael Rosen – keys, Bob Salitzky – guitar, Jefferson Xu – trombone, Bruce Raisner – trumpet”
- 1:30pm – Randall Kromm – (pictured here performing at Crawford during Porchfest 2021) Singer-songwriter playing original acoustic music.
- 3pm – Mark Hastings – Solo performing songwriter on keyboards with vocals. I play a variety of covers and originals in the genres of Classical, Swing, Boogie, Pop, Folk, Blues.
- 4:30pm – Gaia Mobilij – A sophisticated loop sensation that brings different travel experiences into her work. Istanbul, Mexico City, Barcelona, Mumbai: Gaia has been at home in many places and processes the influences of these cultures directly in her performance. Armed with vocals, an accordion, electronics and a variety of small instruments, audiences quickly wonder what a single person is musically capable of.
We hope you’ll join us under our tent to enjoy one or more of our musical guests! The full Porchfest schedule can be found here.
Candles & Cookie Tins for Ukraine
The energy infrastructure in war-torn Ukraine has been destroyed. Volunteer civilian defenders on the front lines have asked for candles and small tins, which can be used for light, heat, and cooking, and for metal containers (like cookie and popcorn tins), which are needed to store food and protect it from rodents.
Dr. BonnieJean Butler has shipped 5000+lbs of supplies to Ukraine since October, to known and trusted people for distribution. BonnieJean’s friends and family have generously paid for shipping costs to date but urgent needs persist.
How you can help:
During the month of May, Crawford will serve as a collection point for additional candles and cookie tins. Now through the end of May, bring your contributions to church on Sunday, or leave them in the bins by our front or parking lot doors.
- Nearly any wax candles will do: new or used; pillar, votive, tea light, taper or birthday; scented or unscented; even those in glass.
- And we’ll take metal tins of all sizes: from small food cans to cookie tins and popcorn tins (with lids)
More ways to help:
- Get the word out to your friends to collect as many candles and tins as possible.
- Volunteer for our packing party on June 3, when we will pack our donations for shipping to Ukraine. (Boxes and more details will be provided.)
- Transport filled boxes to the shipping company in Norwell, MA.
- Contribute to the shipping cost. You can contribute by check made out to Crawford Memorial UMC, online at crawfordumc.org/give, or text CrawfordUMC to 44-321. (Please note in the memo or comments section that your gift is for “Candles for Ukraine.”)
Dog Adoption Event
We are happy to be hosting an adoption event for Last Hope K9 Rescue (LHK9), on Saturday, April 22. From their website, “LHK9 is a registered non-profit, all-breed dog rescue based in Massachusetts.We are dedicated to saving abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs from high-kill shelters in Central Arkansas and beyond. Though our rescue efforts are focused in the Central Arkansas area, we also serve as a resource for local dog surrenders, shelters, and special rescue efforts in other areas. We don’t discriminate on the basis of age, pre-existing medical conditions, or breed, because every dog deserves to know love.”
Only potential adopters with applications on file will be able to enter the adoption event space on Saturday. LHK9 volunteers encourage interested adopters to learn more about the event and the dogs available for adoption on their website or facebook page, and to complete an online application here.
Please Join Us for Holy Week
The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is at the center of our Christian faith. Holy Week is the week we immerse ourselves in this most important story. We begin with the celebration of Palm Sunday. On Thursday, we remember Jesus’ final meal with his friends and disciples, and the week ends with the new beginning of Jesus’ resurrection, celebrated on Easter morning.
Palm Sunday – April 2nd
We look forward to our third annual Palm Sunday parade, celebrating Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Sunday, April 2nd. We will gather at 9:30 a.m. in front of the church, where we hope you will join us as we are led thru the neighborhood by a New Orleans Street band (members of Occasional Brass and Strings). There will be palms for everyone to wave, and handheld percussion instruments for those who would like to join the band! The parade will end back at the church in time for our Palm Sunday worship service at 10:00 a.m.
Maundy Thursday – April 6th
On Thursday, April 6th, we invite you to join us for a service of Holy Communion and Tenebrae at 7:00 p.m. During this somber service, we remember Christ’s betrayal, trial, and crucifixion through a series of scripture readings and hymns, while slowly extinguishing the light in our sanctuary. When we leave, in darkness, we do so with the hope for Christ’s triumphant return on Easter morning.
Easter Sunday – April 9th
When we’ve completed our Lenten journey through the mountains of the Bible, we will gather to celebrate the risen Son. All are invited to join us at either or both of our services on Sunday, April 9th:
- Sunrise Service at Sandy’s Island, 6:30 a.m. You’ll find Sandy’s Island in Winchester’s Mill Pond. The closest parking is at the Winchester public library (80 Washington Street).
- Breakfast at Crawford, 8:00 a.m. Join us after the Sunrise Service or before the Easter Service for a light breakfast at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church (34 Dix Street).
- Easter Service at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church, 10:00 a.m. Come early for a light breakfast and/or stay after the service for our Easter Egg Hunt.
- Annual Easter Egg Hunt for kids of all ages, at approx. 11:15 a.m.
