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Greetings UCCB,
This Sunday 10 people from UCCB are heading to Maine for the adult mission trip. They will once again partner with Maine Seacoast Mission (https://seacoastmission.org/), helping people repair and winterize their homes. Particular gratitude to Peter S. for coordinating the group, and Greg T. for his patient tutoring in home repair, but everyone in this group brings something special to the week!
There are a few people going on this trip for the first time. I am particularly excited about that – as we get a little older, sometimes it is more daunting to try new things. We know what we’re good at, we get used to familiar environments and routines, and it can even be harder on our bodies to try something new. So extra prayers and cheers go with these folks embarking on new adventures!
Whatever happens in the week ahead – especially if you happen to hear some bad news close to home or far away – remember these 10 people in Maine. Swinging hammers, making dinner, having conversations, planting gardens. The church is still leaving the building – and the state! – and being the Good News in the world.
We send out prayers with these folks for their week of learning, caring, and connecting, and look forward to hearing their stories.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
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Hybrid Worship
Sunday, July 9th, 9:30 am
In person and via Zoom
Bulletin
The Easy Yoke (Matthew 11:16-19, 25-35). This Sunday summer worship continues! We will be at UCCB throughout the month of July, in the air conditioned Gathering Room. Same Zoom link, and we will also be on Facebook. Rev. Cindy will lead worship.
Please note: our worship services are streamed live via Zoom and Facebook, and recorded for posting on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh1ayswOH7Ta7LYVK-BcAyA). Facebook offers closed captioning (subtitles) for those who find that helpful.
Zoom link with Passcode embedded (cut and paste if necessary):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84586884054?pwd=aFR1NkR6ZnViUXRKRmZGR0dEQllVdz09
Phone in: 929-205-6099
Meeting ID: 845 8688 4054
Passcode: 7387
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Rev. Cindy Schedule
Rev. Cindy is off July 10 – 16. In the event of a pastoral emergency, please leave a message on her cell phone and she will be back in touch with you as soon as possible (978-204-0473).
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Guest Preacher on July 16th
Welcome back Rev. Cindy Maybeck!
Fabulous preacher and storyteller Rev. Cindy Maybeck will lead worship on July 16.
Rev. Cindy Maybeck, an inspiring and accomplished preacher, will grace our pulpit on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Founder of Spirit Story ministry, Rev. Maybeck designs original presentations blending scripture telling and storytelling to bring God’s word to life and to inspire the church to move forward in faith with hope and joy. She tells the Gospel by heart as it was first told in the early church. To receive the word spoken with love transforms our understanding of the Bible as a living instrument of God’s grace. Her sermons are filled with stories and you will be transfixed and perhaps touched with laughter or even shed a healing tear.
Rev. Maybeck served as pastor for fourteen years at Trinity Church in Northborough and ten years at Bethany Christian United Parish in Worcester. She has master certification from the Academy for Biblical Storytelling. A spiritual director, she helps individuals deepen their spiritual life. You may learn more about Rev. Cindy’s ministry and invite her to teach workshops, lead retreats, provide individual spiritual guidance, or give storytelling presentations www.cindymaybeck.com
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UCCB is Bursting with Pride!
UCCB marked Pride Month in a number of ways. A $100 donation from Faith in Action earlier this year secured a booth for UCCB at the first Acton Pride Festival. Thank you to Nancy Stillman, Tineke Vandegrift, Jeff Vandergrift, and Rev. Cindy for dodging the raindrops and doing an amazing job staffing the busy UCCB booth. The cancellation of Fifer’s Day left UCCB with pounds of pound cake, gallons of strawberries, and many canisters of whipped cream. No matter - Mary and Dave Pavlik set up shop in the Community Center and were able to sell it all, in under 90 minutes, to church and community members. The $230 in profits from the sale were donated to the Trevor Project, an organization that focuses on suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. In late June the Faith in Action team purchased a set of Adirondack chairs in the rainbow colors of the pride flag. The chairs have been placed on the front lawn to serve as a visible reminder to the wider community that UCCB is an Open and Affirming Congregation, one that welcomes LGBTQ people as members and advocates for their basic rights. Reverend Cindy offered to pay for the chairs using the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, leading Faith in Action to match the cost of the chairs with a $200 donation to the LGBTQ Asylum Task Force. This organization provides housing, food, and other services to LGBTQ asylum seekers. There’s no doubt - pride is alive and well at UCCB!
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Memory Lane Café at the Acton Senior Center
Tuesday, July 25th and August 29th, 12:00-1:30pm
Open to all/free
A Memory Café is a welcoming place for people with memory impairment and their care partners /caregivers. Cafés are a place to talk with others, enjoy lunch and an activity or entertainment together. We do ask attendees to bring their care partners. Lunch will be provided. Sponsored by Acton COA, Concord Park and Cooperative Elder Services. Please let us know if you plan to attend, 978 929-6652.
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Ornament Table Seeking Crafters
The Ornament/Decoration Table co-chairs have begun plans for the 2022 UCCB Merrie Christmas Fair. We are looking for help in making ornaments and holiday decorations over the summer months into the Fall. If you already have ideas and are working on ornament projects on your own, that is very appreciated! Starting on June 11, we will have a few project kits (primarily needlework type crafts) available to do. There is also a sewing group that meets in the UCCB Gathering Room the first Wednesday of each month from 10:00-3:00 (June 7, July 5, Aug. 2. You are welcomed to come and work on ornaments any of those dates. Please let us know if you would like to help. Contact Gloria Roe 978-502-9625/email gloria.roe@comcast.net, Linda Morse at kcmorse@verizon.net / 978-314-3272, or Connie Brown at conniebcmc@comcast.net /978-263-3852.
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UCCB Summer Worship (and Pastoral Care)
with South Acton
continuing this Sunday, July 9th
“Summer” worship continues this week! All are at 9:30 am and on the UCCB Zoom Link.
July 9, 16 and 23 we will worship at UCCB, with Rev. Cindy preaching every Sunday except July 16. (South Acton folks will be attending West Concord Union Church – and UCCB folks are always welcome to join them!)
July 30 we will worship outside at Flerra Meadows in Boxborough, with Rev. Cindy preaching. Hybrid option still in progress…
Looking ahead, we will collaborate with South Acton again in August – and the first Sunday in Sept. Aug. 6 and 13 in Acton, then Aug. 20 and 27 as well as Sept. 3 in Boxborough.
Watch the Flash, website and Facebook for reminders!
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Summer Church Office Hours & Vacation
The Church Office will be closed for vacation July 31st through August 4th.
The Church Office will be switching to summer hours July 10th. The office will be open on Tuesday and Thursday from 9-2 pm.
If you have questions, please call Jenn at 978.263.7387 or email at boxborochurch@verizon.net.
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Little Free Pantry - Spring is in the Air!
As the sun shines and buds emerge, we begin stocking the Little Free Pantry with items that won’t melt instead of won’t freeze! 😉 Please sign up to steward the pantry for a week or two and help stock it with some of your favorite non-perishables of the season. Neighbors will certainly enjoy!
Perhaps team up with some neighbors, or with a group you are a part of – book group, scouts, athletic team. You can access the sign-up form via the following link (UCCB LFP sign-up) or by contacting Jenn in the church office. Dates currently available through the end of August.
Many folks in our community are benefiting from its presence – following the motto “Give What You Can. Take What You Need.” Cheers!
Questions? Contact Kellie Senghas (ktsenghas@gmail.com), the church office (boxborochurch@verizon.net), or the church’s website for more info: https://www.boxboroughucc.org/little-free-pantry/.
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Weekly Bible Study
Every Tuesday (some weeks without Rev. Cindy)
10 a.m. via Zoom (meeting opens at 9:45 for visiting)
Aug. 8 we will be in person at LifeCare Center in Acton - see Rev. Cindy for more info.
Zoom link (cut and paste if necessary):
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81402428901
Meeting ID: 814 0242 8901
Passcode: 7387
Join Rev. Cindy as we dive a little deeper into a scripture passage. Many weeks we’ll be looking at the passage for the upcoming Sunday. No preparation, no homework, no experience necessary!
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Boxborough News
Boxborough News is growing and now has a website along with some printed articles in the weekly Friday Boxborough edition of Action Unlimited delivered to Boxborough residents by mail. The volunteer news team is committed to independent, neutral reporting of town news and information. For more info, go to https://www.boxboroughnews.org/ or sign up for Friday links to the latest stories at boxboroughnews@gmail.com.
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Do you have something you want to share in the weekly Flash?
Submissions for the weekly newsletter are due on Thursday morning at 9:00am. Please submit your camera ready announcement and the dates which you would like it run to boxborochurch@verizon.net. Any questions, please contact Jenn in the church office at 978.263.7387.
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