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Greetings UCCB,
For some reason I am entranced by a live stream of a water hole in the Namib Desert, in Namibia (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydYDqZQpim8). I check it out for at least a few minutes every day. I found I can even go back through the recording to see the sun come up in the desert. There is something about the stillness of the landscape, and the sound of wind or oryx lapping up water, that just feels like meditation.
Of course I know for those who live around the water hole, things aren’t so peaceful. Some of the animals who come to drink are clearly on alert for predators. And I fear how much smaller the water hole become as the impact of climate change worsens.
I think part of my draw to the live stream is this real-time glimpse of life half a world away. So many creatures, just going about their daily lives. In a place I will never visit in person. Somehow, watching them live, I feel the connection among all living things.
There is a chat box on the same page as the live stream. I pretty much ignore it, as I check out the stream for the quietness of the animals, not the chatter of the humans about the animals. But I’ve looked at it enough to see that there are moderators of some sort, answering questions. And there are regular visitors to the stream who chat together about what the animals are doing. Not exactly riveting observations about how many animals are standing and how many are sitting…. But there is clearly a bit of community there, return visitors chatting with each other and wishing each other well.
I know technology can be a terrible distraction and interpersonal weapon. But I’m also struck by how humans can use technology to connect to each other, show each other the world, create art and share ideas.
Technology is like the watering hole in Namibia. It can be a place of threat and danger. It can also be a place of community, connection and life. That’s up to us.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy
P.S. Don’t forget that worship this Sunday is at First Parish Berlin, and on their Zoom! See info below.
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Hybrid Worship at First Parish of Berlin
May 7th, 10 am, 24 Central Street, Berlin, MA
NO worship at UCCB
Join us for worship with First Parish Berlin in their sanctuary or at their Zoom ID! Our choirs will sing together, we’ll share communion (folks at home are encouraged to have food handy) and we’ll celebrate the joy of being together!
Zoom Log in info:
Link: https://zoom.us/j/8617420554?pwd=QjBESUZMbGcyYXdQaVlOa3JpVVRvZz09
Phone Number: (929) 205-6099
Meeting ID: 861 742 0554
Password: 951472
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Remembering God's Love (Dementia Friendly Worship)
Thurs., May 18, 11 am
UCCB Sanctuary
Join Rev. Cindy and lay leaders for a short, simple worship service designed particularly for those dealing with dementia and their caregivers. Familiar hymn, a few readings, songs by Sounds of Peace, all in less than 30 minutes, simple snacks. You do NOT need to have dementia or be a caregiver to attend this service. A diverse congregation is welcome, and people in all life situations find the service meaningful and peaceful.
Any questions, contact Rev. Cindy.
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Heifer Fundraiser
Donations are still coming in for the Heifer International fundraiser sponsored by the Faith in Action team during the month of April. Many thanks to Rev. Cindy for putting together a fun, funny, and educational “competition” for the heifer-themed Worship in Action service on April 30. Who knew that goats have been credited with discovering the coffee bean?
Thank you to all who participated in the competition and made the culmination of the fundraiser such a joyful event. And thank you to all who have donated - the final tally will be announced during worship on May 14. If you would like to contribute, donations are still being accepted. Make out a check to UCCB with “Heifer” in the memo line. Or, visit UCCB’s Giving page . Click the “Donate” button, and in the Special Collections section indicate the amount and put “Heifer” in the memo. Thank you!
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Hold the Date!
May 21, 2023, Immediately after Sunday Worship
Please plan on joining us for the Annual Visioning Meeting, to be held immediately after church on Sunday May 21. Please keep your eyes open for details in future Bulletins and Weekly Flashes. It should be a great time to reconnect with UCCB friends and families. Hope to see you there!
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Reflecting on Charitable Gift Annuities
On May 25th, we will live out our Open Doors vision by co-sponsoring an Estate Planning Seminar with the Boxborough Council on Aging in the Community Center at 2pm. The seminar will be led by Cathleen Summers, an attorney at Generations Law Group in Acton. We have known Cathleen for many years, as she advised Janet and me on elder care matters and estate planning for Janet’s mom. Cathleen has been a very caring and helpful resource for our family.
As we ourselves age, we continue to consider, “What legacy can we provide for our family, our friends and for our Church?”. We have been inspired by Reverend Cindy’s leadership, and impact that our church has had on so many within the wider community.
As one important part of our estate plan, we have provided for a bequest (gift) to our Church. Our gift includes a “Charitable Gift Annuity” to UCCB, which we made in 2015. A Charitable Gift Annuity is a commitment of funds to our church “today,” which provides current annual income to us throughout our lifetime. And upon our passing the value of our “Charitable Gift Annuity” will go to UCCB as an unrestricted gift to our Church’s endowment. These endowment funds will in turn provide resources for our Church’s programs for future generations.
Current lifetime payout rates to donors of Charitable Gift Annuities, generally range between 5% and 8%, depending upon your age(s). A Charitable Gift Annuity is just one type of bequest, Ms. Summers will also discuss various other ways to continue your legacy of commitment.
If you have any questions regarding estate planning or “Charitable Gift Annuities” at UCCB, please feel free to reach out to me.
Jeff Glidden
Generosity Team
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Porchfest 2023
Sunday, June 4, immediately after Fellowship (approx. 11:00)
Join us on the UCCB Church lawn for a celebration of the musical talents of our community. Do you have a song you’d like to share? If so, reach out to Steve Griffin (sgri617@comcast.net).
Bring your lawn chairs and sunglasses!
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You’re Invited to Get Curious about Joy!
Lumunos—an organization which focuses on helping people discern their call in their lives—is getting curious about Joy on Thursday, May 11th from 7:30-8:30pm. This event is free and open to all and led by Sarah Maker, a member of UCCB. Please find event details below, and the link to register!
What It's About:
The Lumunos program theme for 2023 is Courageous Listening. Each month we will be offering one event on listening to your emotions. This month's topic is joy.
Author, speaker, and seasoned social worker, Brené Brown suggests that joy may be the most vulnerable emotion humans experience. She describes how we recognize the preciousness of it when it happens, and fear its demise if we allow ourselves to feel it. So our response is to rehearse what could go wrong or numb from the feeling altogether in order to stave off disappointment. This notion creates a conundrum: How do we stand in joy long enough to be able to carry it forward into our lives to make our corner of the world better?
In our gathering on the topic of joy, some thought provoking questions and emerging insights will be presented and modeled by the presenter, and then in true Lumunos style, participants will have time to reflect together about their own understandings regarding the topic. Attention will be given to consideration of what brings us joy. How do we recognize it? How do we carry our connection to joy forward in a sustaining way? What brings staying power?
Sarah H Maker is a seeker of meaning, and cultivator of holy curiosity. She also happens to be ordained clergy within the United Church of Christ, a spiritual director, expressive arts therapist and a licensed mental health counselor. Her greatest joys are named Emily and Hannah—her daughters. Sarah lives and works in Boxborough, Massachusetts with her life partner.
Register Here
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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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Project Linus
The basket for collecting your donations for the Linus Project will be available in the Church lobby until May 14. If this is not convenient, please contact the Marchmonts (marchmont922@gmail.com) to make other arrangements.
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Acton Pride
Sat. June 17, 12 – 3pm
The town of Acton is holding its first Pride Festival! Unfortunately it’s the same day as Boxborough’s Fifer’s Day, but hopefully folks can visit both and make it a day full of celebration!
UCCB is a sponsor of Acton’s Pride Festival, which includes the option to have a booth. If you would be interested in staffing a booth for all or part of the 12-3 pm event, please let Rev. Cindy know.
We’re hoping this will become an annual event, won’t always be the same date as Fifer’s Day AND maybe will come to Boxborough as well!
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Weekly Bible Study
Tuesdays, 10 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
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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Want to learn more... click the links below!
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