What’s Going On
Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 4
Please join us for our annual Blessing of the Animals, outdoors, under the tent in front of our church at 34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA, on Sunday, October 4, at 10am. We will celebrate communion*, have animal-themed music and have individual blessings for every pet who comes. We will give thanks for our animal companions, honor animals that serve in public safety and wellness, and celebrate those who have taken on the difficult work of animal rescue, shelter, and care. All are welcome (people and animals), so please join us and bring your critters, big or small. “If you can control it, you can bring it.” (Along those lines, please read these tips for keeping the peace among our blessed pets at the service.)
If you are unable to bring your pet – either because they died, or they don’t travel well/play nicely with others, you are invited to bring a photo of them. We will bless their memory or bless them in absentia.
*In the Methodist Church, we practice an open table. You do not have to be a member of this church or any church to join us in Holy Communion. Where Christ is the host, all are welcome.
BAA Spirituals Ensemble Concert at Crawford, Oct 25
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.
Founded in 1998, Boston Arts Academy (BAA) is an autonomous school within the Boston Public Schools that prepares a diverse community of aspiring artists, scholars, and global citizens for success in their college or professional careers as engaged members of a democratic society. As the city’s only full inclusion public high school for the visual and performing arts, BAA offers a competitive arts and college preparatory education that creates unique opportunities for its students. Over the years, BAA has earned recognition as a leader in arts education from prestigious organizations such as the President’s Council on the Arts and Humanities, The GRAMMY Foundation, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and the National Education Policy Center.
As a full inclusion school, students with learning differences are educated alongside their peers. In line with our educational philosophy, BAA’s admissions process (by audition only) does not take into account academic or behavioral challenges as criteria for admission.
Founded in 2009, The Boston Arts Academy Spirituals Ensemble is an award-winning high school choir that performed at Carnegie Hall, the inaugurations of Governor Maura Healey, Mayors Marty Walsh and Michelle Wu, the 60th Anniversary at the JFK Library Presidential Tribute among other events. The group won a Grammy (the Signature Schools Enterprise Award) and have achieved gold status in numerous competitions around the country.
Bloomin’ 4 Good
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!
School Supplies Drive in July
HOUSING FAMILIES, in Malden, a charity that supports families in need of housing or in need of support after being placed in housing (and to which we deliver Bombas socks), is having its annual drive for back-to-school supplies.
Here’s what they need:
Magic Markers, Colored Pencils or Crayons, loose-leaf paper, Rulers, Erasers, Pencil Sharpeners, #2 & mechanical pencils, single-subject notebooks, backpacks (New), 1″ & 2″ binders, 2-pocket folders, ballpoint pens, and highlighters. (Blue = most needed items.)
Any school supplies that you can donate will be enthusiastically welcomed! Please leave them in the Crawford Room by July 14. We will transport all donations to Housing Families in Malden on July 15. Any questions? Ask Brian Rogers.
Porchfest: Saturday, June 13
Winchester Porchfest return to Crawford Memorial UMC on Saturday, June 13! We are happy to be one of many venues around town, hosting musical groups during this fun, family-friendly tradition in Winchester. Bring a lawn chair or grab a seat at one of our picnic tables and join us under the tent to enjoy musical acts starting at 1:00pm:
1:00: Philip Corcoran and the Ash Street Cowboys, class country and pop from 1950s-80s
2:00: Chuck Foley’s Blues All In My Head, blues in the Mississippi Delta and Hill Country traditions
3:00: Our neighbor and return performer, Randall Kromm, singer-songwriter
4:00 Standard Deviation, featuring our own Kathryn Frisoli on vocals!
Porchfest Organizers have set a rain date of Sunday June 14. In the event of inclement weather, check the Porchfest website (https://porchfest.win/) for information.
Winchester Pride
Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church is happy to be an event sponsor of Winchester’s 6th annual PRIDEfest, taking place on the Winchester Town Common on Thursday, June 11th, 4:30-6:30PM (rain date Friday, June 12th, same time). This is an outdoor, community-centered, Winchester-based event featuring multiple ways for attendees to educate themselves about LGBTQIA+ rights and issues and celebrate Pride! This is a FREE event for ALL AGES – family attendance is encouraged! For more information, visit https://nfsj.org/events/winchesters-6th-annual-pridefest/.
Dress for Success Clothing Drive, May 17-28
Dress for Success® Worldwide is the leading resource for advancing women in the workplace globally. Our purpose is to empower women to achieve economic mobility by providing a global network of support, workplace attire, and development tools for success. For the past 8-10 years, Crawford has held a spring clothing drive to help support the important work of Dress for Success. This year’s drive will run from May 17 to May 28.
Bring your gently used women’s OR men’s suits, shirts, shoes, handbags, and other business attire/accessories to church with you on Sunday. There is a clothing rack in the lobby outside of Gifford Hall for items on hangers. Shoes and accessories can be placed in the bin provided. Our collection will take place through May 28 – just under two weeks! So clean out your closets soon!
If you have clothes to donate but can’t make it to church on Sunday, contact the church office (office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056) to arrange a time to drop them off during the week.
Wanted: Empty Ink/Toner Cartridges
Crawford Memorial UMC is serving as a collection site for used printer toner/ink cartridges, in support of Protect Global Children, a local 501c3 charity that helps vulnerable global populations with urgent humanitarian relief.
There is a plastic bin on the front steps of the church where you can place your empty cartridges. The bin will remain there until May 31. The empty cartridges will be purchased by one or more companies that refill and resell them. The proceeds from this fundraiser will help support the meaningful work of Protect Global Children. In addition to raising funds, this keeps the cartridges out of the land fill!
If you have any questions, please speak to BonnieJean, or leave a message for her in the church office (office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056).
Holy Week & Easter 2026
AT-A-GLANCE:
Palm Sunday, March 29: Parade at 9:00am | Service at 10:00am
Maundy Thursday, April 2: Service at 7:00pm
Easter, April 5: Sunrise Service 6:30am | Family Service 10:00am
Palm Sunday, March 29, 9:00 a.m. parade and 10:00 a.m. worship service
On Palm Sunday we’ll again celebrate Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem with a New Orleans brass and percussion ensemble, starting with our annual parade around the neighborhood. (Gather at 9:00 to join us in the parade.) The musicians will stay for the service and join the choir in a selection from Handel’s Messiah.
Maundy Thursday, April 2, 7:00 p.m.
During this somber service, we partake in Holy Communion as Jesus did with his disciples, and 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 Sunrise Service MOVED TO CRAWFORD’S FRONT STEPS, April 5, 6:30 a.m.
Join us if you’re able on Crawford’s front steps where we will celebrate Christ’s Resurrection with a service of Holy Communion and a few well-known hymns. If the weather is uncooperative, we will move inside. Please join us after the service for a light breakfast in Gifford Hall.
Easter Service at Crawford, April 5, 10:00 a.m.
For Easter, a brass quartet will help us sound the Resurrection in collaboration with the Chancel Choir, including an open-sing of the Hallelujah Chorus! This service will be followed by Easter games and goodies in Gifford Hall for all children in attendance.
Join The Faithful Resistance, Online 2/25
“The General Board of Church and Society and the General Commission on Religion and Race are participating in an ecumenical and interfaith worship service and march calling for the humane treatment of immigrants. Faithful Resistance: A Public Witness for Immigrant Justice is happening in Washington D.C. on Wednesday, February 25. The day will begin at 10AM ET with worship, followed by a prayerful march to the U.S. Capitol and afternoon congressional visits. United Methodists are encouraged to attend in-person, follow the event on social media, or hold simultaneous events in your own local area. This is an opportunity to show solidarity for immigrants and call upon Christians everywhere to live out Christ’s call on all of us to ‘welcome the stranger.'”
Click HERE for more information and to learn how you can participate virtually.
– from resourceumc.org