Advent Wreath Workshop

Sunday, December 3 after worship

For many years it has been our tradition to have Advent Wreath workshops the first Sunday in Advent. The wreath consists of 5 candles - a mix of purple, pink and white. The candles represent: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and Jesus - the white candle which would be lit on Christmas Eve. The circular shape of the wreath represents the infinite, ever-lasting love God has for us.

People bring greens and berries from their surrounding environment. The deacons supply the other tools so you can create a beautiful wreath to take home to your families.

This can be a fun and meaningful project for everyone. There will be goodies and Christmas music. Come join us in the Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 3 after worship.

RIP Medical Debt in the News

The New York Times published a piece this week on the story of a young woman who recently succumbed to ovarian cancer.  Grateful for the excellent medical care she had received throughout her illness, she made plans to hold an online fundraiser to benefit RIP Medical Debt, which buys bundles of uncollected medical debt at a steep discount then forgives the debts of families that are struggling to pay. So far, the young woman’s posthumous campaign has raised enough money to forgive almost $20 million dollars of medical debt.

We at UCCB are in the midst of our own campaign to support RIP Medical Debt. Each November, in honor of longtime member Eleanor Voorhies, we donate the proceeds from the interest of Eleanor’s endowment and supplement that donation with contributions from the UCCB community. We’re collecting until the end of November, so there’s still time to donate. And remember, even a $10 donation can result in the forgiveness of $1000 of medical debt! Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB.  Please put “RIP Medical Debt” in the memo line. Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “RIP Medical Debt” in the memo. Thank you for your generosity!

Concord Prison Outreach Holiday Gift Bag Project

For many years now, UCCB has supported the Concord Prison Outreach Holiday Gift Bag Project. This program provides a bag of toiletries, writing materials, a pocket calendar, and a greeting card to people incarcerated in Massachusetts prisons. For some of the men and women who will be served by the project, the gift bag will be the only gift they receive this Christmas.

Until a few years ago we used to support the project by buying the toiletry items ourselves. But because the program has expanded in recent years to serve more than 3000 incarcerated people, CPO now buys the items in bulk and asks for monetary donations. This year, the cost to fill each gift bag is $14, but donations in any amount are greatly appreciated. If you would like to contribute, we will be collecting during the month of December. Checks may be sent to the church, payable to UCCB. Please put “Holiday Gift Bag” in the memo line. Alternatively, visit UCCB’s Giving page. Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “Holiday Gift Bag” in the memo. Thank you!

Hats for the Homeless

It’s time to think about Hats for the Homeless! The collection basket will be in the lobby following the Merrie Christmas Fair, so you have time to knit a hat or two (or a scarf or mittens), or include some items as you do your Christmas shopping.

For information contact the Marchmonts at marchmont922@gmail.com or at 978-266-1775.

Christmas Stars 2023: Six stars left!



Six stars left out of thirty! The six stars are together on the front of the tree in the Gathering Room. To get a match from home, email Mary. Place WRAPPED gifts in a large bag/box with your star’s #/name (or attach the star) in the Gathering room by Sunday Dec 10 (or sooner). Any questions? Contact Mary Pavlik mary.j.pavlik@gmail.com

Christmas Trees

Greetings! Christmas trees and wreaths have been ordered and are on their way! Our Christmas Tree elf needs help to make this another successful sale. Should you be at all interested in helping unload trees when they arrive or covering a shift to sell trees and wreaths, please contact our trusty Christmas Elf to let him know (Rob Warwick – 978-394-6811).

Many thanks and Merry Christmas!

Family Folk Chorale

Boston based intergenerational chorus is celebrating the music of The Traveling Wilbury’s, on Sunday, Dec. 10th, at 4 PM, at the Arlington Town Hall. It is going to be a rocking good time, fun for the whole family.

Andy Migner has been singing with this amazing group for 23 years, and she has discounted tickets. Adults are $18 at the door, and on-line. Directly from Andy tickets are $14 (for children and adults) 508-397-8737/andymigner@gmail.com

Little Free Pantry – Inside Storage!

Have you wondered what the food storage area on the first floor by the elevator is all about? Well, a few months after we dedicated the Little Free Pantry, we decided that a small area to store donated non-perishables made sense. We don’t intend to store a lot of food here, but some storage is helpful after a food drive to support the Little Free Pantry stewardship effort. 

Speaking of the stewardship effort, here’s how it works when you sign up to be a steward:

• First, you do NOT need to personally buy items to contribute to the LFP. If you decide to buy some items to contribute during the week, awesome, but you do not have to.
•  Ideally, check the pantry at the beginning of the week and then a few times during the week. Demand may outpace supply, so the LFP may empty during your week. That is okay! Irregular supply can moderate consumption and help manage traffic.
• Please stock from the previously donated items found on the shelving units inside the church first so those items get into circulation and we keep our contributions from passing the expiry date. 
• About those expiration dates - please check them and dispose of expired items or take them home if you are comfortable using them. Thank you!
• What to place in the pantry?
• Try to provide a good cross section of items with varying nutrition facts
• When in doubt, err on the side of providing shelf-stable protein options
• If you do bring donations, they can go directly into the pantry or onto the inside storage area.

We and our neighbors would benefit from additional stewards so please sign up if you are able for a week or two. Perhaps team up with some neighbors, or with a group you are a part of – book group, scouts, athletic team. You can sign-up by contacting Jenn in the church office. Dates currently available through the end of December 2023. 

Many folks in our community are benefiting from its presence – following the motto “Give What You Can. Take What You Need.”  Thank you for showing your love for neighbor in this specific and caring way!



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/.

Weekly Bible Study

This Tuesday, November 28 at 10:00 am, Rev. Cindy Maybeck will lead our Bible study about Mark 1:1-8, in which John the Baptist prophesies the coming of Jesus Christ. John understands that Jesus fulfills a promise God made long ago. Looking back into tradition and looking forward into hope happens simultaneously in Christ. There is a new beginning threaded with ancient teaching. This virtual class on Zoom is open to everyone. No experience necessary, but laughter and friendship are encouraged. 

10:00 a.m. via Zoom (meeting opens at 9:45 for visiting)

Zoom link (cut and paste if necessary):

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81402428901

Meeting ID: 814 0242 8901

Passcode: 7387