What’s Going On
Kindness Advent Calendar
Each day of Advent, this calendar will give you a suggestion for how to show kindness to strangers, loved ones, and even yourself. Click on the button below to open the calendar online. Each day will reveal a new photo, which when clicked on reveals a suggested act of kindness. Visit our Advent Calendar daily here, to reveal a new photo and suggested act of kindness. Or, click here to download a PDF of the calendar which you can print for easy reference. We hope you will find these ideas to be fun, easy, and meaningful ways to spread a little hope, peace, joy, and love during this holiday season.
Collecting Winter Gloves & Hats
This December Crawford is again collecting hats and gloves for the homeless. Donations may be brought to church on Sunday and left in the box outside of the parlor or can be left in the bin on our front steps, along with any donations of food for the Woburn Council of Social Concern. Hat and glove donations will be delivered to those in need in early January. This is our 10th year collecting winter wear for the homeless in Boston and we thank you in advance for your donations! If you have any questions, please reach out using our contact form.
Treats for Troops
Crawford is collecting extra or unwanted, unopened Halloween candy for “Treats for Troops.” If you have leftover candy following Halloween, bring it to Crawford and leave it in the bin marked “Treats for Troops” on the front steps. We will collect thru Sunday, November 12, before delivering it all to a nearby distribution site.
2023 Holiday Faire, Nov. 11
Our annual Holiday Faire is coming up soon! The members of Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church are hard at work preparing for this year’s Holiday Faire, to be held Saturday, November 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Our home-made apple pies fill our freezer. Our crafters have been knitting, crocheting, and sewing handmade treasures to sell all year. Our bakers and soup makers are getting ready to fill our baked goods table and snack bar, so you’ll have plenty of tasty options if you get hungry while shopping. Our White Elephant and Book Sale tables will soon be groaning with treasures. Plus the jewelry table and Christmas Room! See you on the 11th!
Sindy Skinless, “Live” in Concert 10/28
WHEN
Saturday, October 28, 7:00-8:00pm.
WHERE
Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church
34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA
This concert is being offered free of charge (donations welcome). No registration required. Refreshments will be available.
Life Line Screening coming Monday 10/30
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!
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.