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The Eliot Church of Newton
474 Centre Street, Newton MA 02458
617-244-3639
www.eliotchurch.org
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you're welcome here. |
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Greetings!
 "And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these." (Matthew 6:28-29)
This is the time of year when we notice great expanses of flowers blooming-crocuses, daffodils, tulips, and little purple lawn flowers. Sometimes the flowers are hidden beneath dried leaves left from last Fall. Sometimes the flowers poke their heads up so soon that we worry about a frost or cold spell stunting their growth. Sometimes flowers emerge in difficult places...a crack in the sidewalk or between the rocks in a stone wall.
The flowers are like people, emerging and expanding and growing in unexpected places, producing unexpected beauty, and they cause us to laugh and to be joyous in unexpected moments.
Find your joyous moments at church. Holy Week moves us from the celebrative parade of palms through the Holy Passion and then the promise of life resurrected from dark and somber times. In church you will find the warmth and care of the fellowship. You will see the bounty of human life in all its array of colors, shapes, and experiences. You will delight in hearing Dr. Greg Mobley preach on April 15. You can celebrate the earth with us on 4/22. You can witness the confirmands entering into the membership and life of the covenanted people on 4/29, committing their lives to God's mission and purpose. This is a community in which you can find yourself coming to life and emerging in grace.
We will look for you, and we will pray for you, we will bless you, and we will rejoice in new life with you.
Easter hope and joy to all!
Rev. Dr. Debbi Carter
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| From Rev. Karla
Just Eating
During our Lenten Series, I presented on the topic of "Just and Compassionate" Eating. The point of our session was in short, being mindful of where our food comes from, the environmental impact of factory farming, inhumane practices of factory farming, and looking at the topic from the standpoint of being charged with being caretakers of our Earth Home and all of her creatures.
It is a large and complicated subject, and many issues "feed" into it, including hunger, economic injustice, and more. However, making small changes and being intentional about knowing where and how our food makes it to our tables can significantly impact our carbon footprint, offer health benefits, and reduce animal cruelty.
We learned a few new words, like "flexitarian" which simply refers to someone consciously adding more plant based food to a daily diet, and "locavarian" which means someone who intentionally seeks to purchase food from local sources, such as Volante Farms in Needham. (Thank you to Susan Nason for the source)
Finally, we talked about the challenge of going meat-free once a week, and what that might mean. The article below offers some interesting thoughts.
Happy compassionate eating to all of you!
Karla
Why Meatless?
Going meatless once a week may reduce your risk of chronic preventable conditions like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. It can also help reduce your carbon footprint and save precious resources like fresh water and fossil fuel.
Read about these benefits below. and when you do eat meat, we strongly recommend grass-fed, hormone-free, locally-raised options whenever possible.
Health Benefits
* LIMIT CANCER RISK: Hundreds of studies suggest that diets high in fruits and vegetables may reduce cancer risk. Both red and processed meat consumption are associated with colon cancer.
* REDUCE HEART DISEASE: Recent data from a Harvard University study found that replacing saturated fat-rich foods (for example, meat and full fat dairy) with foods that are rich in polyunsaturated fat (for example, vegetable oils, nuts and seeds) reduces the risk of heart disease by 19%
* FIGHT DIABETES: Research suggests that higher consumption of red and processed meat increase the risk of type 2 diabetes.
* CURB OBESITY: People on low-meat or vegetarian diets have significantly lower body weights and body mass indices. A recent study from Imperial College London also found that reducing overall meat consumption can prevent long-term weight gain.
* LIVE LONGER: Red and processed meat consumption is associated with increases in total mortality, cancer mortality and cardiovascular disease mortality.
* IMPROVE YOUR DIET. Consuming beans or peas results in higher intakes of fiber, protein, folate, zinc, iron and magnesium with lower intakes of saturated fat and total fat.
Environmental Benefits
* REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization estimates the meat industry generates nearly one-fifth of the man-made greenhouse gas emissions that are accelerating climate change worldwide . . . far more than transportation. And annual worldwide demand for meat continues to grow. Reining in meat consumption once a week can help slow this trend.
* MINIMIZE WATER USAGE. The water needs of livestock are tremendous, far above those of vegetables or grains. An estimated 1,800 to 2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. Soy tofu produced in California requires 220 gallons of water per pound.
* HELP REDUCE FOSSIL FUEL DEPENDENCE. On average, about 40 calories of fossil fuel energy go into every calorie of feed lot beef in the U.S. Compare this to the 2.2 calories of fossil fuel energy needed to produce one calorie of plant-based protein. Moderating meat consumption is a great way to cut fossil fuel demand.
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Worship Services of April
Sunday, April 1 - Palm/Passion Sunday 10:00 AM: Worship Thursday, April 5 - Maundy Thursday 7:30 PM: Worship Friday, April 6 - Good Friday 7:30 PM: Worship Service led by Seminary Intern Earl Rogers Sunday, April 8 - Easter Sunday 10:00 AM: Worship We will be welcoming new members. If you are interested in joining, please speak with Rev. Debbi or Rev. Karla Easter Egg Hunt Following Worship. All children great and small are invited to our annual Easter Egg Hunt after our Easter Celebration Worship on April 8th. We will have two settings--for our younger children, there will be a hunt in the Tot Lot; and the greater Farlow Park will be the scene for our older children. Bring a basket! Sunday, April 15 - Easter 1 Rev. Debbi, Rev. Karla and Earl Rogers will be out of town this week. We will have a Guest Preacher Dr. Greg Mobley, Professor of Old Testament at Andover Newton Theological School 10:00 AM: Worship Sunday April 22 - Earth Day Celebration 10:00 AM: Worship Sunday, April 29 - Confirmation Sunday 10:00 AM: Worship |
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Stone Soup - Sunday April 1
We are reviving the celebrated Stone Soup this year on Aprils Fools Day! No, it is not a joke. Please mark your calenders and plan your (stone) ingredient donation to throw in the big pot(s). Diane Pullen will be there in the Eliot kitchen with her crew whipping up some fab soups to serve for lunch after church on April 1st. Look for the sign-up sheet in the corridor. This event will be a fund-raiser to assist the Eliot Youth on their Mission trip to Washington, DC this April spring vacation, where they work in food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens. Thank you in advance for your help. Anyone wishing to be a kitchen assistant with Diane should call or email her at dizee56@yahoo.com, 617-435-0712 |
| Mission Trip
Please keep in prayer and good thoughts our Mission Trippers as they travel to Washington DC for a workcamp with Youth Service Opportunities Project during April vacation week. During the week they will cook and serve dinner for a small shelter, work on projects in several non-profits, learn about hunger and poverty and homelessness issues, visit with Congressman Frank, and much more.
There is still time to purchase "shares" in the trip--just contact one of our nine youth to do so!
Youth: Josie Pettingell, Isabella von Wendt, Jessica Pullen-Schmidt, Jasmin McNeil, Billy MacDonald, Timmy Flanagan, Jonathan Dare, Jeremy Holt, and Ben Bassett.
Chaperones: Earl Rogers, Andrew Edwards, Diane Pullen, and Rev. Karla
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| Sunday School Assistant Teachers Needed for April & May
For the Spring Term, due to lack of volunteers, the CE Commission has decided to combine grades 2-7 into a multi-age classroom. Using our Spark curriculum as a guide, we are creating lessons that are age-appropriate and hands on. Although we have lead teachers for each Sunday, we still have a need for adults to assist the lead teachers in implementing the lessons and activities. This is a fantastic opportunity to get to know our children in meaningful and fun setting. Please consider volunteering for at least one Sunday this spring.
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| Reminder: FY13 Pledge Cards are Due!
If you have already turned in your pledge of financial support for Eliot's next fiscal year, thank you very much. If you have not yet turned in your pledge, PLEASE do so as soon as possible. We base our next year's budget on your pledges. Without them we cannot plan effectively or make a good-faith estimate for next year's expenses. This is how we pay for the life of the church, so please do your part and mail in or turn in your pledge cards. Lost yours? Find cards in the pews on Sunday or email our Financial Secretary, Mary Anne Schoonover, with your pledge at financial.secretary@eliotchurch.org. Thank you.
If you will be paying your pledge on a monthly basis, you might want to consider our EFT option. For information, please contact Mary Anne Schoonover. |
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13th Annual Earth Day Charles River Clean Up
Saturday, April 21 from 9:00 - Noon
Time for Spring Cleaning! Join Team Eliot for the 13th annual Earth Day Charles River Clean-up on Saturday, April 21 from 9AM to Noon. We welcome you to join us again to pick up trash along the river banks and to make our watershed healthier and more beautiful. This is a terrific intergenerational project for the whole family. There will be a signup sheet on the Mission and Social Justice bulletin board or contact Ellen Abele (617-244-4284) or Betsy Harper (betsyharper@rcn.com)
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Eliot Church Spring Musicfest
Friday, April 27 at 6:00 PM
The Eliot Community Spring Musicfest is scheduled for Friday, April 27 at 6:00 PM. At this gala music concert, folks from the Eliot community will display their musical talents to the wider Newton community. So far, we expect to showcase a wide variety of styles that include: pop, rock, folk, comedy, rap, art songs, jazz, and a cappella. If you would like to participate, please contact Michael Benn at 617-327-2174 or mabenn6@gmail.com. Be sure to visit our website: www.eliotchurchmusic.org. When you are there, "Like Us" on Facebook.
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Church Family News
Prayer Circle
Did you know that there is a Prayer Circle of volunteers who hold in prayer throughout the week every spoken prayer concern and every prayer written in the friendship folders? We could use a few more volunteers to join us!
Happy April Birthday!
2 Christine Couturier
5 Philip Jasset
5 Wayne Jasset
5 Miriam Morrow
6 Marissa Apstein
7 Bob Rombauer
10 Rhys Hackford
13 Daniel MacDonald
15 Ann Lennihan
15 Isabella Link
15 Nick Link
17 Alison McPherson
17 Caleb McPherson
17 Ann Ghormley
18 Brianna Albers
18 Joe MacDonald
19 Gabe Perrone
19 Andrea Whitney
20 Paul Couturier
21 Gretchen Hunt
21 Adam Rutherford
22 Jeff Jasset
24 Louisa Carey
25 Rachel Hargreaves
25 Charles Raines
24 Connor Vasu
25 Allison Stoner
28 Katy Albers
Happy April Anniversary!
4 Elizabeth & Dan Flanagan
23 Siu Wai & Rich Stroshane
Newton Food Pantry Collection
Joslin and her Girl Scout troop in there Journey to the Gold award are taking over the food drive , and collecting for for the Centre St Food Pantry. Please remember the elderly and think of items like low salt and high fiber . Food can be put in a box in the Narthex. If you have any questions, contact Cammie Haase-Pettingell at chaase@mit.edu or 617916-1210.
Congratulations!
On Sunday, April 1, we celebrate the Baptism of Ryan Blake Post, Ryeli Scott Post and Mackenzie Lee Post. Ryeli and Mackenzie's Godparents are Justin and Cathy Post. Standing with Ryan are Marge and Patrick O'Reilly.
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