What’s Going On
Winter Clothing Drive
Winter is upon us and we are all feeling the chill in the air. Help us to help those who have insufficient protection from the icy cold.
Crawford is collecting gently used or new coats, sweatpants, sweatshirts or hoodies, backpacks, and winter hats, gloves, & masks which we will distribute to those who need them most in the new year. Bring your donations of cold-weather wear to Crawford (34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA) any time between now and January 31. Please place them in the large plastic tote outside of our parking lot door. Thank you!
Refugee Resettlement Update
In the early months of 2022, Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church joined with other members of the Winchester community to form the Winchester Interfaith Resettlement Partnership. Our goal was to provide support to a family of Afghan refugees – two parents and five children – resettling in the area. One of the Partnership’s co-leaders provided this heart-warming update in mid-November.
“Many wonderful things have happened with this lovely family including improving their medical and dental care, providing childhood healthcare immunizations and assessments (including in one case physical therapy and adaptive equipment), moving forward with advanced immigration status which will enable them to more easily integrate into American society, educational and language opportunities for the children and parents, recreational and social programs in the community, two jobs for Ihsanullah to contribute to the household and friendship from our over 70 volunteers.
“Your financial support of the family has allowed us to continue in reasonable housing, managing educational, food and household purchases and working toward self-sufficiency as the family begins to stand on their own over the next several months.
“One of the greatest miracles of this whole journey from Afghanistan to America has been the arrival on Monday, November 14 of a baby girl to the proud parents. Aisha Rawan has just now returned home to the embrace of her five siblings with lots of kisses and hugs. She is the first US citizen of the family with hopefully more of them to follow.
“We invite your faith community to offer prayers of thanksgiving and safe delivery for Aisha and Zahida. We look forward to continuing our Interfaith partnership with each of your communities in the next critical months of transition and self-reliance for the Rawan family.
“Betty Stone and I as the co-leads of our Winchester Interfaith Resettlement Partnership give thanks for God’s many blessings during this season of Thanksgiving,”
– Bob Davidson
2022 Holiday Faire, Nov. 12
Crawford Presents: Sindy Skinless and the Decomposers
You’re invited to a holiday concert like you’ve never seen, for Halloween! On Saturday, October 29, Sindy Skinless and her skeleton pals will perform “live” on stage from 7 to 8pm. Young and old will enjoy their parodies of popular tunes (eg Elvis Deadly, O Zombie Boy, and Cannibal Girl) as well as new songs for this season presented for the first time! Doors open at 4:30 with Halloween crafts and spooky activities for all ages. Costumes encouraged! Have your photo taken with Sindy and her pals! Donations at the door, free popcorn for all and, at the Crawford Cafe, hotdog (or vegan dog), chips and drink for $5.
Blessing of the Animals, Oct. 2
Please join us for our third annual Blessing of the Animals, outdoors, under the tent in front of our church at 34 Dix Street, Winchester, MA, on Sunday, October 2, at 10am. Our prayer time will include moments to give thanks for our animal companions, to acknowledge the holes in our hearts left by pets who are gone from us too soon, to honor animals that serve in public safety and wellness, to mourn the loss of species, and to 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 keeping the peace between our blessed pets at the service.)
Get Screened for Stroke and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Life Line Screening is coming to Crawford Memorial United Methodist Church on Thursday, October 20. Sign up to assess your risk for cardiovascular disease.
Why should I screen? Life Line screening has the potential to provide benefits including:
- Early detection of serious conditions
- Prevention of disease progression
- Peace of mind so you can enjoy life
- Savings with more affordable screenings
- Control, no insurance required
What tests are run at a Life Line screening?
- Carotid Artery Disease: An ultrasound is performed to screen the carotid arteries for buildup of fatty plaque.
- Peripheral Arterial Disease: An Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test is performed using blood pressure cuffs on the arms and legs.
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An ultrasound is performed to screen the abdominal aorta for the presence of an enlargement or aneurysm.
- Atrial Fibrillation: A 6-lead electrocardiogram (EKG) is performed by placing sensors on the arms and legs to screen for irregular heartbeat.
- Osteoporosis Risk: An ultrasound is performed to measure the shin bone for abnormal bone mass density.
For more information, download a flyer about the October 20 event here.
This event is open to the public and appointments are limited, so make your appointment today. To reserve your time, call 1-800-690-0323, or visit LLSA.SOCIAL/HS.
Musical Guests: Sunday, Aug. 7
This Sunday, we will be joined by Asako Shibata (piano) and Kevin Owen (French horn). They will provide our prelude and postlude, as well as some special music during communion. All are welcome… join us if you can!
Kevin Owen and Asako Shibata have been performing together throughout New England for about 15 years. Kevin is a professional French horn player, arranger and conductor. Asako is a performer and piano teacher with students throughout Winchester. They are married and live in Medford. When the Red Sox are losing, they often retire to their music studio and sing, play recorder and piano duets as well a piano/horn repertoire, for the entertainment of their two cats, Luna and Julius.
Back 2 School Supplies Drive
Again this year, we are supporting Housing Families by contributing to their annual school supplies drive. On Sunday, August 7 and Sunday, August 14, we’re collecting ball point pens, pencils, highlighters, magic markers, loose leaf paper, rulers and more. (Click here for a complete list of items needed.) If you can’t bring your donations to church on Sunday morning, the church office at office@crawfordumc.org or 781-729-5056 to arrange a time to drop them off. Thanks so much!
Bloomin’ 4 Good
Flowers can make someone’s day, brighten a room or spread a smile… now they can fight hunger too. Every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet with the red circle sticker sold supports a hunger organization local to the Stop & Shop in which it was purchased. Crawford’s Micro Pantry was selected by our Winchester store leadership as the August beneficiary! We will receive a $1 donation for every $10.99 Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet purchased at the Winchester Stop & Shop (695 Main Street, Winchester, MA) during the month of August. Learn more about Stop & Shop’s Bloomin’ 4 Good program here.
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. They opened their 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. In February of this year, an Eagle Scout project completed by Kenny Xu (Troop 507) provided a sizable expansion of the pantry. It’s now large enough to include both shelf-stable food products and essential personal products. And occasionally, fresh produce from our garden. (Learn more about Crawford’s micro pantry and other missions and ministries here.)
Easter At Crawford
Join us on Easter Sunday, April 17, for any or all of our services and celebrations:
- 6:00 a.m. Sunrise Service around the fire pit (weather permitting, otherwise inside)
- Easter breakfast immediately following the Sunrise Service in Gifford Hall
- 10:00 a.m. Worship Service in the sanctuary, featuring live music by the Occasional Brass Quintet
- Easter Egg Hunt for the kids immediately following the 10:00 service
Read Pastor Anne’s Easter greetings here.
If you can’t join us in-person on Easter, you can join us via the livestream on our Facebook page or YouTube channel. And you can download a copy of our Easter Sunday bulletin here.