Hancock United Church of Christ, Congregational
1912 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington MA 02421 | www.hancockchurch.org

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CONTENTS

In This Issue
This Sunday...
Children's Corner
Youth
SPOTLIGHT
EVENTS
EDUCATION & SMALL GROUPS
SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES
CALENDAR
RESOURCES

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WORSHIP

10 am Service
Join us this week for inspiring music and quality preaching.

Rev. Dana Allen Walsh preaching: "To Be Determined"
Music by the Hancock Carillon

CLICK HERE for last week's sermon: "A Still Speaking God"

6:15 pm Join us @ the Well in Clark Hall. 

 CHILDREN 


 Sunday morning,
10:15 -11am

November 18th - We'll be exploring the Old Testament story
of "manna from heaven" from the book of Exodus.  Come Join the Circle!

If you have questions our programming for children at Hancock, please contact Pam Cochrane: pam@hancockchurch.org

 YOUTH

Hancock Youth Group

Matt Edmonds, Matt Zanin, and Jack Foley at the Foley household cooking for Rosie's place!

This past weekend HYGers and their parents opened their hearts and their kitchens as they made several casseroles for Rosie's Place. The casseroles were blessed during the morning worship service this past Sunday. Rosie's Place is a safe haven for women who are in need of shelter, food, and hope. A special thanks to Marcia Gens and Linda Kilner Olivier for coordinating and taking the lead in this effort. Thank you also to the Pushak's, the Partyka's, the Sheehan/Bose's, the Gens, the Foley's, the Eddy's, the Tambone's, and the Zanin's for cooking and/or offering their kitchens. Another thank you to everyone who bought ingredients and helped in other ways to make this donation to Rosie's Place possible.

Coming Up @ HYG!

This week:
This coming Friday HYG will be spending time in Dorchester volunteering at the Coat Drive.  @ this Sunday's HYG meeting, we will debrief our experiences at the school in Dorchester and discuss our thoughts on the speaker.  Come to share your thoughts and listen to others.


And just in case you bring a friend who hasn't registered--do it here!:

HYG Registration


Hancock Weekly and other Communications Deadlines

The deadline for submitting news for this e-mail newsletter each week is Tuesday at 3pm. Submissions should be sent to: office@hancockchurch.org

Kindly send text and images as separate attachments.  Thank you! 

Click Here for the Communication Deadlines resource sheet.

Hancock Weekly

 SPOTLIGHT

Faith Promise Sunday! Join the Procession and Celebration
 

Come to offer your pledge for 2013 at Faith Promise Sunday, November 18th, at Morning Worship at 10am and @ The Well 6:15pm. Bring your yellow pledge card for our joyous procession as we pledge to work together next year. Our 2013 Stewardship packets were mailed last week. The packet includes a narrative budget illustrating Hancock Church Doing God's Work, and a 2013 pledge card. Please complete and bring your pledge card for our Stewardship procession this Sunday as we celebrate God's gifts. Join us for a celebration at Fellowship Hour following worship.

 

Can't make the service? To email your confidential pledge commitment, send a message including your name, address, and 2013 total pledge amount to Kim Gladstone, Financial Administrator at Hancock: financial.administrator@HancockChurch.org

Online Giving: The most exciting news to hit Stewardship Season at Hancock since the invention of the "A" and "B" boxes--  Giving is now easier than ever--our online giving page is now up and running. Try it out! : Give  

 

Jump-Starting Faith Promise Sunday 

 

Thanks to our lay leadership,  Hancock has   "jump started" our 2013 Pledge campaign in advance of  Faith Promise Sunday this weekend. A group of 19 members of Standing Committee made their individual financial commitments ahead of this weekend, and the total pledged by this group exceeds $135,000 dollars! Thank you for stepping forward; you are an inspiration to the rest of us.
With thanks,

Stewardship Task Force

 EVENTS 

Love our Building! Indoor/Outdoor Workday, Saturday November 17th, 9am-1pm

 

The Prudential Committee has held several highly successful Work Days this fall and we appreciate the participation of those who have come out for them.  There is one more scheduled this fall -- an INdoor/OUTdoor Work Day on Saturday, November 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., to finish up the final projects before the holiday season is upon us. We are always collecting projects to add to our list, so if you have recommendations of additions, please contact Carmen Kalsow (information below).  

 

You don't need any special expertise to join us for some work, some fun and some fellowship over mid-morning snacks, so PLEASE come join us on November 17 for even a few hours? Call or email Carmen Kalsow with questions (<kalsow@rcn.com> or 781-258-9286).  We hope to see you soon!   

 

Third Sunday Sermon Series: Faith Across the Lifespan November 18th, 11-12:00 in the Dining Room

  

This week's sermon series explores the wondrous nature of childhood.  After worship the conversation continues during fellowship hour. Look for the Faith Across the Life Span display in the dining room.  
  
  New to Hancock?  Let us introduce you...Sunday November 18th, 11-11:45 am in Wilson

 welcoming@hancockchurch.org

The Welcoming Committee invites all who would like to learn more about Hancock Church to come to a mini coffee hour this Sunday, November 18th following worship. The Welcoming Committee and minister Paul Shupe will be available from 11 am to 11:45 to answer questions about the church and what it means to be a member of Hancock, and give tours of the building. This is an opportunity for casual conversation and a chance to ask questions about activities at Hancock you may be interested in as well. For more information, please contact Welcoming Committee co-chair Julia Potter, at 781-648-2178 or
  
Full Gathering of the Congregational Care Team-Sunday November 18th, 11:30-1pm in Wilson

 

Are you helping others at Hancock?  Do you want to? 

Everyone who participates in -- or would like to help with-- Congregational Care at Hancock, is urged to attend this Congregational Care Team meeting. 
  • We need your input if you knit shawls; deliver flowers at Christmas, Easter, or on Sundays; help with collations; prepare meals; drive others; visit shut-ins; or carol at Christmas.
  • Who else could use our assistance? Who else can help us?  
  • What do you think of programs we've offered:  Grief groups, Sandwich Generation Dinners, Elder Care informational seminars? 
  • What are our future plans?

Exhibit Opening and Reception, Sunday November 18th 5pm-6pm!

 

Join us in celebrating The Corridor's New Photo Exhibit, 2nd floor Hancock Church Education Wing

 

The Women of Panama & Their Stories, curated by Sustainable Harvest International.

Meet 22 rural Panamanian women working with SHI to improve the lives of their families and communities and hear them speak and show what is important to them.

This photo essay is being shared with us by SHI. Florence Reed, founder of SHI, visited Panama with fine arts students from Ohio Wesleyan University. After interviewing 22 women from 2 communities, the students took pictures of the women and then loaned each woman a camera to take with her for a few days to document her own life in photos. These interviews gave Flo a chance to once again see that she still doesn't know all the ways that SHI's work is impacting the environment and the lives of the people we serve.
Sandwich Generation Dinner: Sunday, November 18, 7-8:30pm, Pearson Room

 

Anyone who is providing care to both parents and children, or who has done so in the past, is invited to the third Sandwich Generation Dinner.  This group shares practical advice, emotional support, and spiritual guidance. A light, warm dinner is provided (5 suggested contribution). Topic: How does care for your parent impact your relationship with other family members - siblings, spouses, children?

Please Come! Join us in welcoming Roy Lara of Sustainable Harvest International on Monday, November 19th

 

Roy is one of Sustainable Harvest International's Honduran Field
Trainers. He works together with families, individuals and communities in rural Honduras to preserve tropical forests while overcoming poverty. He has worked with Hancock volunteers to provide training and community support in planting organic vegetable gardens, tree nurseries, and fruit tree orchards, and in building chicken coops, fish ponds, wood-conserving stoves, and biogas digesters.

We welcome Roy to Lexington on Monday, November 19, 7:30 pm at Mark and Lisa Sandeen's home at 10 Brent Road. All are invited.

Roy will also speak at the Lexington Interfaith Thanksgiving Service at First Parish on Tuesday evening, November 20.

Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service: Tuesday, November 20th 7:30pm

 

The Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Worship Service will be held Tuesday, November 20, 7:30 pm at First Parish Unitarian/Universalist Church.  Clergy from many Lexington faith communities will lead the service, with music from a massed choir.  Featured speaker will be Roy Lara of Sustainable Harvest International, who worked with our mission team in Panama this summer.  The offering will benefit the relief efforts of the Red Cross in the United States and in Haiti for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

   

Wine Raffle to Benefit Sustainable Harvest International--Winners drawn November 20th--get your tickets today!

 

What's Good for the Land is Good for the Grapes, Good for the Wine, and Good for You.

Three winners will be drawn, each to receive six bottles of organically produced fine wines.  The wines are donated and proceeds will fund Hancock's sponsorship of SUSTAINABLE HARVEST INTERNATIONAL's work to restore forests and end hunger in Piedras Negras, Honduras.

All wines are made using organically certified farming
techniques. No chemical insecticides, pesticides or fertilizers are used:

Montinore Estate (Oregon)--2011 "Borealis", a blended white wine
Perrini Estate (Apuglia, Italy)--2010 Primitivo
Frog's Leap (Napa Valley, California)--2011 Sauvignon Blanc
De Villaine (Burgundy, France)--2010 Aligote
Tablas Creek (Paso Robles, Calif)--2011 Patelin de Tablas Rouge
Domaine Gramenon (Rhone Valley, France)--2010 "Sierra du Sud" Cotes du Rhone

   

The retail value of each case is $150.  Rafle tickets are $10/each or three for $25.  Tickets will be available at coffee hour after church on Sundays and at other fall church events.

For questions or to purchase tickets, contact Charlotte Dougherty at 781.863.8018 charlottepdougherty@gmail.com   

 

Order Christmas Poinsettias Now through December 7th!

Every year, the sanctuary is filled with beautiful poinsettias in memory or honor of those loved by members of the congregation at Hancock. Dedicate a poinsettia to a loved one in your family by submitting this form no later than Friday, December 7th. Checks made out to Hancock United Church of Christ can be left in the church office. The suggested donation for each memorial plant is $10.

Click HERE to place your order on-line!

Troop 119: Wreaths for Sale Now through November 25th!

Boy Scout Troop 119 is selling beautiful, 20" to 22" diameter holiday wreaths during coffee hour on Sundays until November 25th to raise money to purchase equipment, subsidize camping trips and summer camp, and to provide scholarships.These beautiful wreaths are decorated with a red velvet bow and will look lovely on your door during Advent.Please consider supporting Troop 119 with the purchase of a wreath.  Wreaths are $15 and can be picked up on December 2nd in room 205.  Thank you very much for your support of Scouting!
Sunday, November 25th come join in Hancock's Advent Wreath Making Workshop


Children and youth will gather for a special Advent Program from 10:15 - 11:00am to get things started.   After worship, an all age event begins in Clark Hall for fellowship hour.  Come make an advent wreath, share a Christmas story or make an ornament as we share in the preparation of the Advent season.  Greens, wire frames, and candles, will be provided along with other decorating projects and tips for bringing Advent home. 

Hanging of the Greens: Sunday, November 25th

 

The Christmas season will be upon us very soon, and our church will be filled with the wonderful pine scents of garlands and wreaths.  Please join the Music and Arts Committee for the Annual Volunteer Wreath and Garland Hanging Sunday, November 25th after church at 11:30am.  We need your help attaching ribbons to the 14 beautiful wreaths to be hung around the church, and hanging garlands across the balcony and along the walls of the altar.  Hope to see you there!   There will be music, refreshments and holiday comraderie as we prepare the church for Advent and Christmas!

 

 

 
Cookies for Sale!  Proceeds to benefit Christian Service Missions


The Christian Service Committee will be selling plates of homemade Christmas cookies, for the benefit of Women's Lunch Place, a day shelter providing meals and services for homeless women in Boston.We are taking orders for plates of homemade Christmas cookies at coffee hour (see Amy Swanson or Linda Kilner Olivier) or email Linda at LAKilner@aol.com. Each plate of 18 homemade Christmas cookies costs $10. Please pay at time of order or during coffee hour. You pick up the plates on December 2, at the Holiday Fair at the Women's Lunch Place table. Everybody needs homemade cookies over the holidays for one's family, for entertaining at home, as hostess gifts for parties, as potluck contributions, for Yankee swaps, taking to work for colleagues, and for giving as gifts.   If there is enough interest we will also sell plates on Sunday, December 16.

 

 

143rd Manger Sunday: December 2nd, 2012


Please join us for Manger Sunday, December 2nd. Please bring new, unwrapped gifts or gift cards to be delivered to City Mission Society's distribution center in Winchester. At the distribution center they are sorted and distributed to families in need. Volunteers needed to help deliver the gifts to Winchester after the service on Sunday, December 2nd from 12:30-1:30 PM, and to help sort at future dates. For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Kristen Eckler at kristen.eckler@gmail.com or 617-372-6474. Thank you! 

 

 
Sunday, December 2nd--12th Annual Hancock Holiday Fair with Gifts that Care

 

Hancock's popular Holiday Fair with Gifts that Care, will be held on Sunday, 12/2. As always, the Fair will be held in Clarke Hall and the Dining Room, with shopping hours from 11a.m to 1 p.m. You can buy distinctive and unique gifts that will benefit 26 local and international charities, while enjoying entertainment and refreshments. Bring your friends! For more information, contact Sandra Shaw at sj.shaw@verizon.net.  Also--visit the Holiday Fair Facebook page and "like" it to be entered into a drawing for coffee or hot chocolate with Dana:)

 

 

 

 

 EDUCATION & SMALL GROUPS 

Bagels and Bible every Sunday 9-9:45 am in the Wilson Room: will not meet during Thanksgiving Sunday, 25 November 2012. We will resume class on 02 December 2012.

Join us in the Wilson Room at 9am as we continue our investigation of the parables. We'll explore the cultural context of first century Judea, trace connections between the Old and New Testaments, and examine the rich symbolism of Jesus' most instructive stories. We will provide the resources to start the conversation but we're most interested in hearing your personal interpretations. This discussion-based group is designed for individual adults or families with high school aged children. Childcare is available for younger children. Drop in for a single session, a couple of meetings, or the entire six weeks.

If you would like to learn more about Bagels and Bible, please contact Kerra Fletcher at harold3513@hotmail.com or Jason Troutman at j.e.troutman@hotmail.com.

Hancock Poetry Group meets on Second Tuesdays of every month: Next meeting is November 14th, 7pm, Pearson

Are you a poetry lover? Do you consider poetry an important part of your spiritual life? Or do you simply find that poetry often touches you in a spiritual way? We invite you to get in touch with your spiritual and creative side! The Hancock Poetry Group will meet the second Tuesday of every month at 7pm. We'll be getting to know each other, and everyone is welcome to bring a poem that has touched you. We will read some poetry by Jessie Brown, who will be giving a reading at our November meeting. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Kerra Fletcher at harold3513@hotmail.com or Amy Kelly at akelly99@gmail.com 

Jessie Brown works as a poet-in-residence in schools, libraries, and community centers in the Boston area. Her poems have appeared in various journals, such as The Comstock Review, Peacework, and Soundings East, and translations in The American Poetry Review. She received her Master's degree from the Stanford Writing Program, where she studied with Denise Levertov, and won the American Academy of Poets prize. Her collection Lucky was the 2011 winner for the Anabioisis Press Chapbook Competition. Her second chapbook, What We Don't Know We Know, will be forthcoming from Finishing Line Press in 2013. A founding member of the Alewife Poets, she gives frequent performances and workshops both in collaboration and alone. She lives in Arlington, Massachusetts.
When God's People Grieve--Wednesdays, open to all

"Abraham's wife Sarah died at Hebron, and Abraham went in to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her." Genesis 22:2


What do God's people do when their hearts are broken with grief?

United States Public Domain

Come join with others who are mourning losses, to explore this question that has perplexed faithful people from the beginning of time. Come to a safe space to quietly look at scripture, art and music, as ways to begin to heal our hearts. Facilitated by Joy Fallon, Congregational Care Coordinator

Wednesdays, October 17, 24, and November 7, 14, morning session  9:30 - 11 AM or evening session 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. This group will be offered twice on Wednesdays, so that it can be accessible to those who prefer daytime gatherings, and those who work during the day. (Note that the group does not meet on Oct 31st).

If possible, please plan to come to all four sessions, but drop-ins are also welcome.

   

 SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES   

Donate Your Old Instruments to Hancock Music Programs

We are looking for a few instruments to help us in our music program her at the church. Specifically, we are looking for a french horn, electric bass, and percussion equipment. We are happy to entertain other possibilities as well. So if your child used to play something and that instrument is now sitting in a closet taking up space, donate it to the church and get a tax write off to boot! Please contact Mark Morgan at mark@hancockchurch.org or 781-862-4220 ext. 212.


Hurricane Relief Fund 

Thanks to the Christian Service Committee's Hancock Response Fund, established to help in times of crisis or disaster, Hancock has made a donation to the UCC's efforts to aid those affected by Hurricane Sandy.  Through the One Great Hour of Sharing and the UCC National Disaster Ministries, people are receiving aid in the Caribbean as well as in states such as Virginia, New York, Pennsylvania and others.  Funds provide blankets, hygiene kits, clean-up buckets as well as helping those in Brooklyn with grants for getting emergency food stamp credit, among many other ways the UCC is responding.  If you would like to donate, please visit their web site:  http://www.ucc.org/disaster/hurricane-sandy-update.html

Gearing up for this Year's Concord Prison Outreach

For over thirty years, Concord Prison Outreach has been providing holiday gift bags for the inmates at the Concord Reformatory and the Northeastern Correctional Center. Hancock became a part of this tradition several years ago and the generous donations of the Hancock Congregation have helped to ensure that all of the1700 inmates at the two institutions will receive a bag. Sadly these gift bags are sometimes the only holiday remembrances that some of the men receive.

The Mass Department of Corrections has approved the items on the list so it is important that donations meet the specifications. Multiples of items are welcome and of course it is not necessary to purchase all the items on the list but all contributions will be gratefully received. Starting on Sunday Nov.11, boxes for the donations will be placed at the lower front entrance and near the dining room. The contents will be taken to the Trinity Episcopal Church in Concord where they will be sorted by volunteers. All donations will need to be at the church no later than December 10 to be sure that they are included in this year's distribution.  Also starting on /Sunday Nov 11, a scrapbook containing some of the many letters received from the recipients will be on display.


1 bar of deodorant soap (4-5 oz.)
1 tube toothpaste, 5.8 oz. or larger
1 pad WHITE paper 6" x 9" or 5" x 8", 100 pages (no wire)
White envelopes #6 3/4 (6 1/2" x 3 5/8") 
1 pair white CREW socks (no tube socks, knee- highs or "tennis" socks)
1 bottle (plastic) shampoo (12 -15 oz.)
1 stick deodorant (no roll-ons, 2.75 oz. or larger)
A handmade holiday greeting card, first names only
Homemade cards from children are especially welcome

If there are any questions, please call me, Louise Haldeman 978 369 8562 
City Mission Society: giving the gift of Time

The best gift you can give is the gift of your time. Give back to a child. City Mission Society needs volunteers to read to the students at Russell Elementary School either during lunch or after school. We are only asking for one hour of your time, once a week. Make it a group thing! Bring a partner or team down to the school.

 

For more information e-mail or call Melanie Sonsteng at 617-742-6830 ext. 208, interncms@gmail.com.

 

Russell Elementary School is located at

750 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125

-free parking at school

-short walk from the red line JFK/UMass stop

 
Seeking Heifer Catalogs

Please drop your unwanted Heifer catalogs in the box in the hallway by the church office.  We use them to make Heifer gift cards to sell at the Fair on December 2nd.

Contact Deb Holland for more information: debra.holland@verizon.net
Heifer International  
Lexington Food Pantry - November is canned vegetables/ December is Stew, Hash, and Chili

 

If you donate food in November, please consider giving canned vegetables - in December stew, hash and Chili. Donation baskets are in the narthex, as well as outside the office and dining room.Volunteers are also needed for DEcember 8 to help distribute the food at the Pantry.  The commitment is from 8:45  to about 11:30 am and the learning curve is short!.  . For more information, contact Caroline Nijenberg - 781 862-4465 or carolinen@rcn.com    

 
Cooking for Rosie's Place:  

Hancock will be cooking for Rosie's Place for the weekend of December 8-9. Anybody who is interested in December should contact Linda Kilner Olivier at LAKilner@aol.com. Regular Rosie's Volunteers will receive an email next week. 

 
 Drivers Wanted

Congregational Care knows of people who would like to come worship on Sunday mornings, but are unable to get here on their own. If you'd be willing to drive occasionally, you'd make a big difference.  Not only will more people get to church;  those of us at church will get to see friends we've been missing!


Call the church office or talk with Joy Fallon if you're interested.  

 CALENDAR   


Wednesday, November 14:
9:30 Grief Group--Wilson
11:30 Memorial Garden Committee--Conference Room
1:15p Consort--Kathie Stuart
7p Carillon--Bell Room
7p Poetry Group--Pearson
7p Grief Group--Chapel

Thursday, November 15:
12:30 Girl Scouts--Conference Room
6:30p Boy Scouts
7:30p Hancock Environmental Action Team--Wilson
7:30p Chancel Choir--Choir Room

Friday, November 16:
9:30 Morning Glories--Bell Room

Saturday, November 17:
8 AA Women's Step Study--Chapel
9 Prudential Workday--throughout building
10 AA Meeting--Dining Room
2p Brass Group--Choir Room

Sunday, November 18:
9 Bagels and Bible--Wilson
10 Morning Worship-Bells, Faith Promise Sunday-Sanctuary
10:20 Church School--Classrooms
10:20 Junior Youth Org.-Upper Room
11 Fellowship--Dining Room
11 Welcoming Coffee for Newcomers-Wilson
11:15 Choristers Rehearsal--Room 212
11:30 Faith Across the Lifespan--Dining Room
11:30 Congregational Care Team Meeting--Pearson
5p Art Opening Reception--Corridor Art Gallery and Kathie Stuart
5p Confirmation Class--Upper Room
6:15p Worship @ the Well-Clark H.
7p Our Whole Lives--Kathie Stuart
7p Hancock Youth Group--Upper Room
7p Sandwiches for the Sandwich Generation--Pearson

Monday, November 19:
9:30 Projects with Purpose--Conference
1:30p Skyloom--Kathie Stuart
7p Carillon--Bell Room
7:30p Theology on Tap--Orlean's in Davis Square


Schedule is subject to change.  Please call the church offices if you have questions about any of the events we have listed here. 
Hancock United Church of Christ | 1912 Massachusetts Ave. | Lexington, MA 02421
781.862.4220 | hancockchurch.org