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M A R C H 2 0 1 5
I N T H I S I S S U E
Pastor’s Pages Worship Services
1-4
Worship in Action 4
Adult Mission Trip
5
Noelle’s Dattilo Ordination
5
Music Sunday 6
Pastor Parish Relations
7
SHYG Mission Trip Stock Sales
7
Coffee House Pics
8
Poetry by Our Members
9
Important Info. Bits & Pieces
10,11
Vestry News
A Letter from Rev. Cindy
Greetings friends,
At UCCB, we’re marking the Sundays
of Lent a little differently this year.
Right, I know, why would there possi-
bly be any reason to change the cycle
of Lent? Bear with me…
As you know, Lent is the 40 days (not
counting Sundays) that lead up to East-
er. It is, traditionally, a time for self-
examination and redirection. Lent builds and
builds, one week after another, until you come to
Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. That
week is full of worship possibilities, at this or oth-
er churches: Palm / Passion Sunday, Maundy
Thursday, Good Friday, Saturday vigil, multiple
services on Sunday. Those final services on Sun-
day are full of light and color and joy. They are
designed to be in stark contrast to the services
that come before, solemn worship experiences
full of darkness and difficult stories.
Maundy Thursday is one of those services. It’s my
favorite of the church year. You can read a bit
more about it elsewhere in this newsletter. But
I’d rather you just come and see (Thursday, April
2, 7 p.m.). However, even though it is
thought of as the most meaningful wor-
ship experience of the year by those
who attend it, we usually have fewer
than 20 people. Which it means that
many of us are coming to Easter Sunday
without the juxtaposition of the stories
about suffering.
And for us humans, light is brighter
when we’ve known darkness; joyful is more uplift-
ing when it follows pain.
And so we want to take a Sunday morning to re-
flect on those more difficult stories. Not to
drown ourselves in them, just to connect with
them a bit. So on the Sunday before Easter, we’ll
focus on the “passion” stories – these describe
the suffering Jesus experienced in the last days of
his life.
C O N T . O N N E X T P A G E
UCC Boxborough Explorations Session & Brunch
Sunday, March 8 - 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
Whether you are a recent or a long-time visitor, would you like to learn more about our church? Would
you like to get to know others who are searching for a faith home and share your stories and questions?
Please join us for the opportunity to share our faith journeys and to learn more about this congregation
and the United Church of Christ. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have during this time as
well. Childcare will be provided. Please just let us know if this would be helpful to you by calling or emailing
Rev. Cindy at 978-263- 7387 or [email protected]. Should you choose to join the
church, please note the church will be welcoming members during the worship service, on Sunday, May
17th. We look forward to getting to know you better and hope that this session is useful to you, whether
you wish to join the congregation at this time or not.
With Blessings,
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry and Deacon Ministry Team: Laurel Dickson-Bull, Heidi Matthew, Jennifer
Royce,Larry Shade, Nancy Stillman and Larry Wellington
P A G E 2
Past
or’s
Pag
e
Technically, the Sunday before Easter is known as Palm AND Passion Sunday; churches are invited to re-
member both Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem AND those suffering stories. But it’s hard to fit it all
in. Some years I focus more on one, some years on the other, and sometimes I try to squish it all in. I
know kids love Palm Sunday; I don’t want to take away that experience of pageantry (and opportunity to hit
a sibling with a palm frond).
Last year, I discovered one of my colleagues did something incredibly simple. He just separated Palm and
Passion Sundays. He made Palm Sunday two weeks before Easter, and kept Passion Sunday at the beginning
of Holy Week. I can’t believe I’d never heard that before! After reflection and conversation (it’s worked
very well in his congregation), I’ve been convinced to try it here. So this year we’ll celebrate Palm Sunday
on March 22, Passion Sunday on March 29, and Easter on April 5. As with any new thing, we’ll discover
what works and what doesn’t, and adjust as needed.
Just to be clear. I’m not focusing on the stories of suffering and imprisonment and betrayal as a way of mak-
ing us feel guilty, or sinful, or bad about ourselves. I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t known suffering
at some point, someone who hasn’t felt terminally alone at least once, someone who hasn’t been hurt by
the people who were supposed to love them the most. So I want to reflect on these moments in Jesus’ life
so we can reflect on our own. And, most of all, in order to remind us all that it is in these moments that
God is the most with us.
Peace,
Rev. Cindy Worthington-Berry
Easter Vigil Can you watch one hour? We begin at 7 p.m. on
Saturday, April 4 and concludes at 6 a.m. on Easter
Sunday, April 5 just in time for Easter Sunrise Wor-
ship! Participants are invited to pray, meditate, listen
to music, read… whatever would make this time
sacred. The Easter Vigil is an old tradition that has
renewed meaning for us today as we discover the
need to slow down and reflect in the midst of our busy lives. The Sanctuary is a special place when the
world outside is asleep and the inside is filled with candlelight, music, and peace. You are encouraged to
bring a non-perishable food pantry contribution with you, so that our meditative time might reach out into
the world.
Please sign up in the Gathering Room or with Rev. Cindy at [email protected]
PASTOR’S OPEN OFFICE HOURS Coffee, conversation, connection! Pastoral out-of-office open office hours
continue on Tuesday mornings, 10 - 11:30, at the Dunkin’ Donuts near Not
Your Average Joe’s (299 Main Street, Acton).
Stop by for 10 minutes or an hour and a half to connect with me and with
each other. No purchase necessary. Also not necessary: a particular issue
to discuss. Just come say hello! And remember, if this schedule / location
doesn’t work for you, or you’d prefer to meet one-on-one, be in touch and
we’ll set that up (978-263-7387, [email protected]).
C O N T . F R O M P A G E 1 – L E T T E R
March 1 - Communion with Art-full Music. Deacons will serve us communion in our seats on this first Sunday of the month.
Our worship will be enriched by special music in memory of parishioner Art Day. Gifts given in celebration of Art’s life have been
set aside to bring special music to UCCB. We begin with baritone Dean Murphy, who will bless us with several selections during
worship.
March 8 - All Good Gifts. Last fall, the Senghas family “won” this Sunday’s sermon. They’ve invited us to reflect on the bless-
ings and challenges of our gifts. Members of the congregation have shared their thoughts with Rev. Cindy, and she’ll share them
with you! If you’ve got a gift you’d be willing to share in worship that day (sing? pray? write a poem?) please let Rev. Cindy know.
March 15—The New England Innocence Project. As a result of conversation at last June’s congregational meeting, we are
welcoming representatives of the New England Innocence Project to share with us the work their organization does. We will also
take a collection for One Great Hour of Sharing (see information elsewhere in this newsletter).
March 22 - Palm Sunday. This year we are separating Palm Sunday and Passion Sunday, so we can focus on more of the story
of Jesus’ last week. And so two weeks before Easter we remember the story of Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. We’ll
wave some palms of our own during this joyful service.
March 29 – Passion Sunday. As we begin Holy Week, we remember the story of Jesus’ deser-
tion, betrayal, trial and death. As we reflect on the valley Jesus walked through, we see parallels
with our own.
April 2 - Maundy Thursday, 7 pm. In this Holy Week, we gather to face the darkness in Jesus’
story, in our world, and in our own lives. Our service in the sanctuary will include communion,
handwashing, and the extinguishing of candles. See more information elsewhere in this newsletter.
April 4 – 5 – Easter Vigil. From 7 pm on Saturday night until 6 am on Sunday morning, folks are
invited to “watch one hour” in the sanctuary. See more information on page 1.
April 5 - Sunrise Worship, 6:15 am. Greet the sun on Easter morning with worship at North
Cemetery (at the intersection of Middle Road and Hill Road). Following worship, a delicious
breakfast will be served in Fellowship Hall.
April 5 - Easter Worship. At 9:30 in the Sanctuary, all ages join together for worship full of celebration and joy. We will
celebrate communion by intinction, and flower the Easter cross. Easter egg hunt to follow!
P A G E 3
March and April Worship Schedule
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING March 15
Shelter. Food. Clean water. School. These are the resources we can help bring to children, families, communities around the
world through One Great Hour of Sharing. This special offering of the United Church of Christ combines the gifts of local con-
gregations to bring significant, concrete assistance to those in need and crisis around the world. At UCCB, we’ll take this collec-
tion on 3/15. For more information about OGHS, feel free to visit www.ucc.org/oghs or see Rev. Cindy or a member of the Mis-
sions Team.
P A G E 4
Worship
in
Action
Helping homeless families in Bedford and
Northboro.
February 22nd
MAUNDY THURSDAY Thursday, April 2, at 7 p.m. experience Maundy Thursday worship in
the Sanctuary including hand washing, communion, and the extinguishing of
candles.
The word “Maundy” means Commandment – on Maundy Thursday we
focus on Jesus’ commandment to love one another (John 13:34). Jesus
modeled that commandment by washing his disciples’ feet and sharing the
Passover meal with them; we wash each other’s hands and share communion instead. Maundy Thursday worship will also include
Tenebrae, from the Latin word for “darkness”. As readings are shared, candles are extinguished, until the last candle – the
“Christ candle” – will be carried out of the Sanctuary, symbolizing Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross and his burial in the
tomb. In recognition of the physical and emotional pain that the service represents, participants leave in silence, such a contrast
to the greetings and celebration we typically share on Sunday morning. As with all worship at UCCB, every aspect of the service
is open to anyone who desires to participate; those present are also free to refrain from participating in any part of the service
that does not speak to their tradition, or to their heart.
Ubi caritas et amor, Ubi caritas; Deus ibi est. Where there is caring and love, Where there is caring, God is there.
P A G E 5
Join the First-Ever UCCB Adult Mission Trip July 19 - July 24, 2015
You are invited on the inaugural Adult Mission Trip to Cherryfield, Maine. Cherryfield is in Washington County, Maine, among
the poorest areas of the Northeast. Maine Seacoast Mission was started in 1905 by two brothers who were both pastors
who realized that the spiritual needs of the island residents of far Downeast Maine were not being met. Today, Maine Seacoast
Mission’s focus includes rural
education and healthcare issues.
While they provide a wide array
of support services, they only
utilize mission trip volunteers in
their Housing Repairs Program.
Downeast Maine has an old and
decaying housing stock and the
need for repairs and weatheriza-
tion on these homes is constant.
With the support of volunteers,
Maine Seacoast Mission is able to
help their most vulnerable neigh-
bors.
The UCCB has reserved 20 spots
for this trip. To join us you only
need to be 18 or older (too
“old” to participate in one of our
youth mission trips). While this is a “hammer and nails” experience, all levels of physical ability and expertise are welcome. For
more information on Maine Seascoast Mission: http://www.seacoastmission.org/housing_repair.html
Please contact Peter or Kellie Senghas with any questions or for more information ([email protected]; ktsen-
[email protected]; or 978-263-5508)
Noelle’s Ordination & Reception Sunday, March 29th at 4:00PM
Last fall, I was called to Worcester Fellowship as their new Prison Ministry Director. As a church
that ministers to people who are homeless or on the fringe of homelessness, Worcester
Fellowship felt that they weren’t meeting the needs of people leaving prison and returning to the
Worcester area. People leaving prison often struggle with finding suitable employment and housing
and as a result, also struggle with homelessness. I was called by Worcester Fellowship to bridge this
gap by creating communities of support for people coming out of prison and for members of Worcester Fellowship who be-
come incarcerated and need support during their time of incarceration.
The next step after receiving my call to Worcester Fellowship is ordination, which will take place on March 29th at 4p.m. in the
UCCB Sanctuary. The ordination service will celebrate my journey up to this point and the anticipation of what is to come.
During the service, several people, who have influenced me along the way, will share briefly about their experiences ministering
in the community and in unconventional places. There will be some inspirational music during the service and a reception to
follow. I am also fortunate to have my mom and sister fly out from California to be present at my ordination.
I want to thank everyone in the congregation for your encouragement and support throughout my journey. I certainly wouldn’t
have gotten as far as I have without all of your support. Indirectly, you have touch many, many lives by your willingness to open
your hearts and minds and support ministry to people who aren’t able to walk through the doors. For that, I thank you deeply.
I am looking forward to sharing this wonderful day with all of you and I hope that you can be there.
Noelle Datillo
P A G E 6
2014 Music Sunday Concert May 3 at 4:30PM
INVITATION FOR SINGERS AND MUSICIANS! This year the Music Sunday Concert
is scheduled for Sunday afternoon, May 3 at 4:30 pm. Mark your calendars for this special con-
cert! Musicians and singers of all ages are invited to join in this special musical concert. Here
is an opportunity to perform a solo, duet, or more! Involve the entire family to play an instru-
ment and/or sing a song together. Invite musical friends to join in the fun. All are welcomed! For more information about how
you can participate in this special musical program, contact Gloria Roe 978-264-0052 , [email protected] or Cindy
Blanchard at 978-266-8954
Women's Retreat April 10—12, 2015
Forgiveness, a Gift we Give Ourselves
Forgiveness can change our experience of life itself. It can release anger,
fear, judgment and resentment, and open the door to peace and a posi-
tive future.
Retreat leader : Andy Migner
Location: Barbara C. Harris Center
108 Wally Stone lane
Greenfield, NH
Click here for registration form: http://www.boxboroughucc.org/wp-content/uploads/Womens-Retreat-FebVN_April2015.pdf
Deadline to Register: Sunday, March 8, 2015
Any questions, you can also contact:
Karen Hamlin [email protected] or 978-263-9238
Mary Pavlik [email protected] or 978-264-4796
Jennifer Royce [email protected] or 978 263-0707
Nicolette Wellington [email protected] or 978-263-3034
Scholarship Funds for Financial Assistance in the Healthcare Fields Every year, two scholarships are awarded to people who would like to enter into the medical field or further their education in So-
cial Work, Public Health or Education. Doris Custance and Eleanor Voorhies.
Click link below for application. You can also pick up an application at the church office.
Doris Custance
http://www.boxboroughucc.org/wp-content/uploads/Doris-Custance-Memorial-Scholarship-Application-2015.pdf
Eleanor Voorhies
http://www.boxboroughucc.org/wp-content/uploads/Eleanor-Voorhies-Memorial-Scholarship-Application.pdf
The applications should be completed and returned to the Deacon Ministry Mailbox by April 18, 2015
P A G E 7
Pastor-Parish Relations Team
The PPRT is a group of three to five parishioners who meet
monthly with Rev. Cindy.
The heart of our work together is to support and maintain
healthy relationships between the Pastor and the Congrega-
tion. We do this by helping the Pastor and Congregation share
their ideas openly. Such communication can help guide and
clarify the mission of the church and can serve as a catalyst in
planning new programs to enhance the spiritual life of our
church and community.
The PPRT also provides a framework to respond effectively
and creatively with conflict. In these and in all meetings we
respect people’s privacy and confidentiality.
Beyond these aspects, we hope to work proactively to identify
the sometimes unspoken needs and wishes of the congregation
which can help inform new approaches to respond to those
needs and wishes.
How can you participate in this process? You can speak to
Rev. Cindy or any member of the group about any ideas, con-
cerns or suggestions you may have. We encourage open com-
munication so you won’t see any anonymous suggestion boxes
anywhere at UCCB.
If you have a concern or idea but you are hesitant to speak
directly with the Pastor, we can help you find ways to discuss
your concern with the Pastor in a way that is construc-
tive. Rev. Cindy welcomes feedback - positive and nega-
tive. Such conversations can be rich opportunities that help
the Pastor shift or fine-tune the focus of our work together
and to respond to issues in a timely and creative way.
- Ginny Harris, Chair
Ron Vogel
Andy Migner
Alan Rohwer
Mission Trip Stock Sales Begin
We invite you to support our Senior High Youth Group
Mission Trip by buying “Stock in Our Youth”. Stock Certifi-
cates will be on sale during Fellowship beginning
Sunday, March 1st. This year we will be traveling to a
Native American Indian Reservation in south-central Montana.
Crow Reservation, the fifth largest reservation in the county, is
a place of culture, tradition and beautiful landscape. Like many
Native American cultures, people struggle with poverty and
unemployment. While there, our group will reach out to the
people of The Crow Reservation and serve the community by
assisting with children’s programs and home improvement pro-
jects. Our summer mission trips have been life-changing expe-
riences as we strive to set an example of God’s love in our
world and be touched by those we serve.
In thanks for your support, you will receive a personal Stock
Certificate, a postcard during our travel, and an invitation to
our Stockholder’s reception in the fall! Our reception will
feature a slide show of our trip and first-hand stories of the
experience. Please make checks payable to "UCC Box-
borough" with Mission Trip stock on the memo line. Your
donation may be tax deductible subject to IRS rules and re-
quirements.
Stay tuned for other upcoming fundraising events such as our
annual Youth Service Auction, Youth Coffee House and car
wash opportunities to spruce up your – and your neighbors -
cars for Spring!
Thank you in advance for your support of this important mis-
sion outreach experience for our youth and the adult leaders!
Folk Coffee House
On a COLD winter’s night…….
Gretchen Pinkava
Devon Dipaolo and friend Zion
Sam Griffin
The Saturdays…...minus one
P A G E 8
Journey through Life
Now it is winter, (as in all seasons,) a time to pause and to reflect,
to remember that spring will come again as the snow keeps falling.
Lent, which means spring is approaching.
This poem from the Spring Arboretum Walk that seems timely .
Walking in Joy; Walking in Sorrow
Loving God,
In the brilliance of your blue sky, new buds emerge every day,
Birds build nests-sometimes neat, sometimes messy
-even on the outside lantern, pressed against the walls of a home
We walk at one with you and our world.
And then sometimes we walk- stunned, saddened by the seeming unfairness
of this beautiful life.
At times like these, we need to walk; alone and together letting
your love shine,
reminding us that even in the darkness, the shadow of death,
your love shines clear as a bell
beckoning us home to you and your warm embrace.
Amen Nicolette Wellington
Winter
Wind-swirled snow, like a whirling dervish, dances across the frozen meadow Roaring through ice -crusted
tree tops and jettisoning airborne crows on a new course.
Winter gifts us with
Snow-painted trees,
Ermine landscapes
And glass like icicles
Inviting us to slow our pace
savor the precious, present moment, to simply be, Allowing God to enter more deeply into our hearts.
Winter Thrush
Amidst the howling wind driven snow
A hermit thrush, long separated from its kin Squats in a protected corner fluffing its wings against the threat
of a frozen end.
Though he has no sense of God
in his tiny avian heart
God 's heart aches for his fragile, feathered frame.
And if he were to succumb to hunger or cold, God's heart would mourn for him Though no obituary or
epitaph would mark his passing.
Ginny Harris
P A G E 9
Poet
ry b
y Ou
r M
embe
rs
P A G E 1 0
Planned Giving Cottage Meeting Saturday evening, March 7, at the Royce Home at 6:00 PM
Join us for a light dinner hosted by Walker and Jennifer Royce for our second cottage meeting. We will discuss what our faith
community means in our lives and why and how we can include UCCB through a planned gift. As we share hopes and dreams,
fears and hurdles, we can each reflect and discover how can we continue to unfold God's Ministry and deepen our practice of
generosity.
If you have any questions or are interested in attending, please reach out to Jennifer Royce, Griet Dehandschutter or
Gregg Hamlin.
Communities Reaching out to Support Homeless Families Eleventh Annual Forum on Family Homelessness
Sunday, March 1, 2015, 2:30-4:30 PM First Parish in Bedford, 75 Great Rd., Rt. 62, Bedford Center.
Never have there been more homeless families in Mass. Each night, nearly 3,100 families are in shelters and 1,850 more families are in motels with great risk to their children’s
health and development.
Join us to understand more about this crisis, and what is being done in the Bedford area to help homeless families in a motel.
Learn how two organizations provide recently homeless families with the necessary resources to obtain and maintain
employment. Find out how you can focus your advocacy efforts to have the greatest impact.
Program:
Homelessness Comes To Bedford: How A Community Responds: Ann Guay and Sue Baldauf, Bedford Housing Task Force
Secure Jobs Partnership: Providing families with resources to obtain and maintain employment: Sher Omerovic, Jewish Voca-
tional Services, Greater Boston
Eliminating Barriers To Employment: Jessica Cohen and Connie Martin, Secure Jobs Program, Community Teamwork, Inc.,
Greater Lowell
CHALLENGES OF MASS HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS AND KEY ADVOCACY ISSUES for 2015: Exa Mendez, Commu-
nity Organizer/Legislative Advocate, Mass. Coalition for the Homeless
How State Government Can Help: Comments from area lawmakers
Meet leaders of area homelessness and housing organizations: 2:00 to 2:30PM
The free forum, organized by The Advocacy Network to End Family Homelessness, is open to all. See
www.endfamilyhomelessness.net.
Two beautiful photos taken by Ginny Harris
Bits
and
Pie
ces
P A G E 1 1
March Birthday Blessings
“If your birthday doesn't appear in the appropriate edition of the Vestry News, please
inform the church office of your birth month and day. We'd love to celebrate you!"
Christian Habersaat, 3/2
Jessica Shade, 3/3
Channing Migner, 3/4
Bob Lane, 3/6
Devon DiPaolo, 3/6
Ethan Rejto, 3/6
Grace Warwick, 3/6
Kayla Pieri, 3/8
Jimmy Connor, 3/13
Stephen Rejto, 3/13
Victoria Robinson, 3/15
Jodi Bond, 3/17
Janet Glidden, 3/19
Sarah Maker, 3/20
Colin Boyden, 3/21
Cheryl Daigle, 3/22
Donald Cumming, 3/25
George Boyden, 3/25
Laurel Dickson-Bull, 3/25
David DeLise, 3/27
Matthew Mayo, 3/27
Shawn Abetz, 3/28
Katherine Howie, 3/29
Baby News from friends of UCCB Phoebe Rose Duyser
1/2/2015 6lbs 7oz. 21"
The parents are Bethany (Soule) and Mitch Duyser
Chicago, IL..
All are doing well and all grandparents are over the
moon happy for them....
Jane Soule
Project Linus Calling on all knitters, crocheters, sewists and quilters. Project Linus is always in
need of blankets for infants and children . The blankets are distributed wherever the
need is greatest at the time, i.e., hospitals, shelters, hospices. The size of choice is
36"x36" up to 40"x60" but any size will be gladly accepted, the only stipulation being
that they are handmade.
This project will be ongoing until the end of April so there is ample time to complete a blanket (or
two?). Please help so we can set a new record this year. Thank you.
Any questions, contact [email protected]
www.boxboroughucc.org
978-263-7387
Vestry News articles, ideas and
submissions are welcome and due the
third Sunday of each month. The Vestry
News is published prior to the first
Sunday of each month.
Please submit to:
March 2015
United Church of Christ, Congregational
723 Massachusetts Avenue
Boxborough, Massachusetts 01719
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Youth Coffeehouse “Open Mic” concert featuring performers 18 and under
Saturday March 28, 2015 at 7 PM
Tickets $5
(All proceeds to benefit the UCC Boxborough Senior High Mission Trip)
Concert will be held at:
UCC Boxborough
723 Massachusetts Ave.
Boxborough, MA
