CONCERTS

THIS SUNDAY 

Forty-two years ago this spring, the Sharing Good Friday Walk was born to combat malnutrition in children which had been documented at the time by a Tufts Medical School study. This act of sharing with those, particularly children, in 3 of our most poverty stricken southern states, has been generously supported by Hancock people for nearly that many years, both as walkers and as sponsors.  

This year, as in the past, Harriet Chmela and Faith Fenske will walk the 20 miles on Good Friday, raising money for food cooperatives, day care centers, scholarships, and other needs of the children of poverty. More than 94% of the money raised by all the walkers, so far more than 3 million dollars, goes directly to the organizations that are making a difference in the lives of children mainly in Georgia, Mississippi, and Alabama. Faith and Harriet will be happy to take pledges of support at coffee hour up to Good Friday.

EVENTS 

On Sunday, March 30, Hancock will take the Lenten offering for One Great Hour of Sharing® (OGHS). OGHS is the Lenten Offering of the United Church of Christ that supports disaster, refugee, and development, often referred to as missions. An envelope for your gift will be enclosed in the bulletins for Sunday, March 23 and 30th. Envelopes are also available in the narthex. Please give generously to this important cause.

"For almost seven decades now, nine denominations in the U.S., united as one, have together been connecting people through this offering. Sisters and brothers living in poverty, the woman who has been a victim of war, families across North America, still struggling to survive after a devastating storm, are accompanied for the long haul, thanks to funds from One Great Hour of Sharing."

Support the HYG Annual Mission trip to Kentucky by volunteering, donating, and attending the Auction on March 30th! 

Here's How To Participate:

1. Donate an item for the auction (deadline for donations is Friday, March 21) 
2. Attend the auction and bid on a silent or live auction item
3. Purchase lunch and baked goods at the auction
4. Donate cash directly to HYG's Mission Fund
5. Visit our HYG Auction 2014 website

Why has the concept of God caused so much division and strife in our nation and in the world? A new book One God for Everyone claims that theological divisions and strife often result from the failure "to distinguish between human understandings of God, which are many, and the actual reality of God, which is understood to be one."  

By getting underneath narrow theistic, non-theistic, or atheistic understandings of God to focus on the common concerns and realities of many conflicting perspectives, this book offers a new theological approach designed to bring greater peace and wholeness within and among many conflicting understandings of God to better the lives of everyone in our human community.

Come to a brief presentation followed by lively discussions on the book One God for Everyone in the Pearson Room after church on April 6, from 11:30 to 12:30 pm. Everyone is welcome - including those who have not yet read the book. Join in the open discussions to try to better understand the reality of God.

Indoor/Outdoor Work Day Saturday, April 12th from 9am-1pm. Join members from the Prudential Committee for a spring work day. No special skills required! Many hands make light work. Weather permitting we will have a few outdoor projects as well.  

Refreshments provided. Come for all or part of the day. Look for us in the Pearson Room. Contact Prudential Committee member Susan McClements with any questions: skmcclements@gmail.com or call (781) 676-1979.  

SMALL GROUPS 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

This June our Choir will be singing a terrific piece for Cantata Sunday called The World Beloved: A Bluegrass Mass. Accompanying us will be the award winning bluegrass band Monroe Crossing. They are from Minnesota, and the piece was written for them and recorded by them. They will be with us for a Saturday evening concert, and then play with the choir on Sunday morning before heading to New York to play the piece at Carnegie Hall (for the second time!.

We need to provide 4 hotel rooms for them and their kids to stay in for two nights (home stays are not possible). If you have any connections to an area hotel or B & B that might be able to get us discounted rooms, please contact Mark Morgan at 781-862-4220 ext 212 or mark@hancockchurch.org. Thanks!

It's time to think about Interfaith Garden 2014! Hancock will be celebrating the garden's 5th anniversary and its many successes over the years and we want you to be part of it! Garden coordinators are planning the April-October growing season-and excited about raising some amazing vegetables for Lexington's Food Pantry!

Interfaith Garden relies on volunteers from 14 faith communities in and near Lexington. Volunteers of all ages and levels of gardening experience work together each Tuesday afternoon and Saturday morning, from spring to early fall. The garden is conveniently located near the Lexington Green. Parking is available behind First Parish Church.

Visit interfaithgarden.org or contact Hancock liaisons Amy Swanson  at amy.swanson@rcn.com, or Laurel Cooley at cooley.laurel1@gmail.com for more information about how you can become involved.

IN MEMORIUM