A note from Pastor Travis 3/31/23
Spring is a wonderful time in the life of the church, and we have many powerful opportunities to gather over the next few months for worship, learning, and fellowship.
I want to make sure that you are aware of all of these services so that you can participate. Below I am highlighting these events so that you can mark your calendars and join us.
Trans Day of Visibility:
This Friday, March 31, at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Shalom. As part of their regular service this Friday evening, Temple Beth Shalom has invited the other communities of faith to join them for Trans Day of Visibility. They have generously invited some of the Christian clergy to lead some of the prayers in the service.
Holy Week Schedule:
Sunday, April 2 – The Ecumenical Palm Sunday Service
8:30 a.m.–Breakfast at First Baptist Church
9:00 a.m.–Depart down Main Street to Ell Pond Gazebo
9:15 a.m.–Blessing of the Palms Service at the gazebo
9:30 a.m.–Depart from the gazebo for our Palm Sunday service at FUMC!
April 6, 7 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service
April 7, 7 p.m. Good Friday Service
Sunday April 9 – Easter Sunday
6:30 a.m. – Sunrise Service at Mt. Hood
9:30 a.m. – Children’s Egg Hunt at church
10:00 a.m. – Easter Service
Hub Celebration:
Sunday, April 30, 1:30 p.m. at Aldersgate UMC in North Reading.
What is a hub? It is the group of United Methodist Churches in a geographical area. Think of a hub as the new version of a United Methodist Cluster. As part of this celebration, each church will be sharing a ministry in which we are involved, and there will be a hymn sing. If you would like to be a part of the joint choir, please let me know.
Reconciling Sunday:
On Sunday, May 7, we will be celebrating our 11th Anniversary of being a Reconciling Church.
10:00 a.m. – Worship. The Rev. Laura Everett, Director of the Massachusetts Council of Churches will be our guest preacher
11:00 a.m.– Church potluck followed by an education session on our evolving understanding of gender by Bert Whittier
All of these are wonderful opportunities, and we encourage you to invite family and friends so that they, too, will be blessed.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Travis