The Church Council was to have a retreat on May 2 to discuss the future of our church, what we wanted to be rolling into the future.  Covid-19 made sure that didn’t happen.  So the heads of the ministry committees (worship, music, youth, missions, membership) met virtually to discuss how we can be Crawford NOW.  We kept coming back to the particular challenges of our sisters and brothers of color and the immigrant community in Chelsea, a city hardest hit by the pandemic. Pastor Mirna Rodriguez  of the Nueva Vida UMC in Chelsea has 60 families, from 6 Latin American countries, 90% undocumented, over half out of work, sick, afraid.  In our discussions with her we learned that she is trying to support her congregation with few resources.  I am so grateful that during this crisis Crawford was able to contribute $10,000 to the Benevolence Fund of the Nueva Vida UMC, which will be put to good and important use.   We are able to do this because for many years the Crawford congregation has generously donated and carefully stewarded money to be used for our needing neighbors.   So. on the first Saturday in May, instead of talking about what the church should be, we WERE the church.   Thanks be to God.

Our current Adult Study, based on From Jesus to Christ / The First Christians a PBS Frontline documentary, will run Sundays from April 19 through May 31 at 9:00 am.  Details can be found on our Adult Programs page.

A Bible story and a reason to smile: Arlo makes his acting debut in the story of Ezekiel and the Dry Bones (Ezekiel 37:1-14).

Please join the Lenten Adult Sunday School class, led by Frank Leathers, as we read and discuss the book He Set His Face to Jerusalem by Bishop Richard Wilke.  This study explores Jesus’ decision and commitment to travel to Jerusalem, where he would challenge the religious leadership structure and face the consequences.  He heard God’s call to go from the countryside into the center of religious and Roman power, to preach his message.  We will use the stories in the Bible to follow his journey, consider the distractions and events along the way, and reflect on Jesus’ determination to follow God’s direction and face his fate.  We will also reflect on what it means for us, in our lives today, to hear God’s call and set our faces (and bodies and spirits) to follow God’s will.
March 1 through April 5 (Palm Sunday) Books will be available on Sunday, February 23.

Family Filled Fun– Beach Blanket Bingo!  Sunday, March 1 directly after the 10:45 service.  Afternoon filled with summertime fun–Dress in summery clothes and join your Crawford friends for beach games, sandwiches, milkshakes and more!  It might be cold and dark outside but it’ll be hot and sunny in Gifford Hall!  Bring a friend, everyone is welcome!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with your Crawford friends!  Kids of all ages, come and help make Valentine’s cards to send to our Crawford friends on Sunday, February 2 and 9. Then on Sunday, February 9 join us for a special Valentine’s themed coffee hour!  Lots of sweet treats to love!!!

The kids, youth, and folks from the Christian Education Committee will be preparing Coffee Hour for the congregation on Sunday, January 12. Since Coffee Hour is frequently noted by our younger people as a favorite part of their church experience, they look forward to being on the giving end. Kids and youth: we will meet at our regular time (after choir at 9:50) to cook and set up.