What’s Going On
Peace w/Justice Sunday, 5/26
Peace with Justice Sunday is one of our denomination’s six special Sunday’s. Peace with Justice Sunday encourages United Methodists to participate in transforming the world and challenging injustice by calling on our leaders and elected officials to prioritize policies that support communities and reflect God’s economy of abundance and grace.
If you’d like to contribute to this special offering, you can give by cash or check in the offering plate on Sunday morning. If you’re not able to join us on Sunday morning, you cangive online or set up monthly giving at UMC.org/SSGive.
Half of the gifts from the Peace with Justice Sunday special offering stay with local ministries in this conference, and half support the work of Church and Society globally. Learn more here.
UMC General Conference
The postponed 2020 General Conference of the United Methodist church was successfully held April 23-May 3, 2024, in Raleigh, NC. Pastor Anne Robertson summarized many of the decisions made there in a sermon she delivered on Sunday, May 5 (read her sermon here) In addition, United Methodist Communications produced this video that includes brief interviews with conference delegates and information about the worship, work, and fellowship that happened at this year’s conference.
Personal Care Packages
Over the winter we collected blankets and pillows for the refugees being homed at Logan Airport before being moved into shelters. They are transported daily by Massport to local churches and shelters to shower, but they need to bring with them toiletries which are not readily available. Our children and youth are now making care packages for as many of these people as possible. We delivered 200 care packages at the end of April, and have extended our collection of travel sized toiletries (shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes & toothpaste, etc.) and personal products (tampons & pads, diapers, baby food, etc.) through the month of May. If you have items to contribute, please bring them to church with you and leave them in the bin in our lobby. If you have any questions or would like to drop off outside of regular church hours, please contact us via the contact page on our website.
Dress for Success
Dress for Success‘ mission is to “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire, and development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.” This April we will collect gently used, nearly-new professional attire for their clients. Look for clothing racks outside of Gifford Hall, where you can hang your donations. (There will also be bins for shoes, handbags, etc.) If you have any questions about the collection or what Dress for Success does, contact us in the church office or via our contact page.
Last Hope K-9 Returns
Last Hope K-9 is a non-profit all-breed dog rescue based in Massachusetts. They save abandoned, neglected, and abused dogs from high-kill shelters in Central Arkansas and beyond. The dogs are fostered by families here in Massachusetts until they can be adopted through individual inquiries or events like the ones Crawford has hosted over the years. Learn more about the adoption process at lasthopek9.org. If you’re interested in adopting, get your application in right away, and meet the dogs awaiting their furever homes at Crawford on Saturday, April 6, between noon and 2:00pm.
Holy Week at Crawford
Sunday, March 24: Join us as we kick off Holy Week with our 4th annual Palm Sunday Parade, led by the Occasional Brass and Strings. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. in front of the church, where everyone will be invited to pick up some palms and join us on a joyful stroll through the neighborhood. The parade will end back at the church in time for our worship service at 10:00 a.m. where we will celebrate Palm Sunday and welcome new members to our congregation.
Thursday, March 28, at 7:00 p.m.: We will gather for a more somber service of Holy Communion and Tenebrae. During this 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. All are welcome.
Then on Sunday, March 31: We hope you’ll join us as we celebrate the miracle of Easter!
- 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service at Sandy’s Island, in Winchester’s Mill Pond. The closest parking is behind the Winchester Public Library at 80 Washington Street.
- 8:00 a.m. (approx.) Join us for our traditional light breakfast between services at Crawford
- 10:00 a.m. Service at Crawford with music provided by our Chancel Choir and the Occasional Brass Quintet
- 11:15 a.m. (approx.) Our annual egg hunt on the church lawn for kids of all ages
Flower Power
For the entire month of March, 2024, Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church has been selected by store leadership to benefit from the Stop & Shop’s Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, created to fight hunger across the communities served by Stop & Shop. During the month of March, the purchase of a $10.99 bouquet in the sleeve marked “Bloomin’ 4 Good” from the Winchester Stop & Shop will brighten a home or make someone’s day while also directing a $1 donation to Crawford’s mission to eradicate food insecurity. Crawford battles hunger by stocking a large micro pantry on our property at 34 Dix Street, Winchester, and by supporting like-minded organizations including Dwelling Place in Woburn, The Council for Social Concern, Winchester Got Lunch, and more.
WCSC’s Backpack Program
In addition to the usual needs for their food pantry, the Woburn Council for Social Concern needs help for their backpack program. Each Friday, they send backpacks filled with food home with 55 food insecure students in the Woburn Public Schools. They would appreciate donations of:
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- Chef Boyardee microwavable meals
- juice boxes
- fruit cups
- hot chocolate
- small milks or powdered milk
- individual snacks and cereals
- tuna fish
- macaroni and cheese
When you bring your donations to Crawford, please leave them in the large plastic storage tote on our front steps, or indoors in the big yellow box just outside of the sanctuary.
2024 Chili Cook-Off – Feb. 3
Crawford’s annual Chili Cook-Off, benefitting New England Justice For Our Neighbors! The cook-off will be held:
Saturday, February 3, 2024, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
at Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church
34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA
Bring your family and friends, and your appetite! Good will offerings will be accepted at the door, and we will sell “ballots” for $1 each — tickets you can use to vote for your favorite chili(s).
Support an important cause.
There is no charge at the door, though good will offerings are welcome. The money we raise through this event helps support free legal counsel for immigrants, asylum seekers, and refugees in the area, provided by New England Justice For Our Neighbors, in their clinics located across Massachusetts (Lawrence, Lowell, Springfield, and Worcester). Visit newenglandjfon.org for more information.
Take the night off from cooking.
Taste as many chilis as you like and accompany them with extras including salad and corn bread to round out your meal!
Enter the competition!
Do you have a favorite chili recipe? We’re hoping for a wide variety of entries — from sweet and mild to flaming hot. To enter, sign up here, or contact the church office by calling 781-729-5056. On the 11th, plan to bring your chili in a slow cooker (Crock Pot) and serving spoon to Crawford by 5:15. Please also bring a description of your chili including all ingredients, for those who may have food allergies. Everything else (bowls, utensils, napkins, etc.) will be provided.
Christmas at Crawford
We hope you will make Crawford part of your Christmas celebration this year. We have three services planned on the day of Christmas Eve, and a community carol sing-along as well! Seeing that Christmas Eve is on a Sunday this year, we will hold our regular Sunday worship service celebrating the Fourth Sunday of Advent at 10:00am. Later that day, we will hold two Christmas Eve services of Lessons and Carols — at 5pm and 9pm. Both of our Christmas Eve services will feature music by Occasional Brass and Strings, and at the 9pm service, they’ll be joined by our chancel choir. In between, we invite the community to join us at 6:30pm in a carol sing-along accompanied by the brass quintet and led by choir member Kate Frisoli on the steps in front of the church. You won’t want to miss any of it. Join us as we listen again to the story of Jesus’ birth, and sing together the Christmas carols we love and know so well. Bring your friends and family — all are welcome!
Christmas Eve Day 10:00am
Worship service celebrating the fourth Sunday of Advent
Christmas Eve 5:00pm
Service of Lessons and Carols, Children’s Message, Occasional Brass Quintet
Christmas Caroling 6:30pm
Community Carol Sing-Along outdoors in front of the church
Christmas Eve 9:00pm
Service of Lessons and Carols, music by our Chancel Choir and Occasional Brass & Strings