Melrose Highlands Congregational Church
An Open and Affirming congregation of the United Church of Christ
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Winter Musings

2/18/2016

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Sunday after worship, we are having our winter Congregational Meeting. There will be chili and child care as we listen to updates on the Music Director Search, the Beer & Bites event and the Variety Show. We will also consider plans to lease the library to Teachable Moments. This is a time for us to be together in community enjoying a bowl of chili  as we hear about the ministries of the church. 

In our tradition, the Executive Council leads the church in its day-to-day operations. But any big decisions of the church are made by the entire membership through congregational meetings such as this one on Sunday. In these meetings, we decide the direction and funding for ministry at the Highlands. We believe that when we are gathered together to do the work of the church, that God is among us. God speaks through each one of us and so all are welcome to speak and given equal voice. By engaging in conversation and listening to one another, we begin to discern what we trust is the path to follow. 

We hope you will join us and be a part of the conversation on Sunday!
Rev. Beth
 

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Lent Musings

2/16/2016

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Lent  has begun. About 40 of us worshiped together at First Congo and left with the ashes of our mortality on our foreheads or hands.  It is both humbling and freeing to recognize that this life will end. The discipline of remembering our mortality helps to make this moment and the next more real and precious. 
As I mentioned last week, this Lent, rather than giving something up, I am trying a new devotional, 40 Days of Decrease, A Different Kind of Hunger  by Alicia Britt Chole. The book is a daily devotional that offers readings and reflection as well as a daily fast.The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers and can be ordered for your Kindle or other reader. I've started it and like the way it focuses me and reminds me that these 40 days of Lent are to be a time when we prepare for Easter. Each day, you are welcome to post, if you like, your thoughts about any part of the reading that was especially meaningful to you. Below is a google doc link. If you would prefer to have me send you the google doc link in an email, please let me know. 

40 Days of Decrease google doc

See you Sunday, 
Rev. Beth

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Winter Musings

2/5/2016

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Lent  begins on February 10th, Ash Wednesday. It has come quickly this year. To celebrate the feast before the fast, we will have King Cakes after worship on Sunday and will proclaim our own King or Queen of the Highlands. 

The 40 days of Lent is our time of preparation for Good Friday and Easter. Ash Wednesday is an ancient church ritual to mark the beginning of Lent. Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. The cross shape hints at the good news yet to come on Easter. Please join us on Ash Wednesday for a Union Service, with imposition of ashes, at First Congregational Church, 121 West Foster Street. The evening will begin with a pancake supper at 6 P.M. and then worship at 7 P.M.

This Lent, rather than giving something up, I am trying a new devotional, 40 Days of Decrease, A Different Kind of Hunger  by Alicia Britt Chole. The book is a daily devotional that offers readings and reflection as well as a daily fast. If you decide to use this devotional as well, please let me know. We could make a time to check in with each other during our Lenten journey. The book is available from Amazon and other booksellers. 
See you Sunday, 
Rev. Beth
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    Rev. Beth Horne

    Beth has served the Highlands Church as our teacher and pastor since 2009. In addition to preaching and pastoral care, Beth leads our congregation alongside our deacons and stewards. Beth lives here in Melrose and in Newburyport. She attended Boston College graduating with a B.A. in Philosophy and Management (cum laude). Beth also attended Andover Newton Theological School graduating with a M. Div. (honors).  Beth enjoys tilling the soil and planting the seeds to see what might grow.

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Melrose Highlands Congregational Church, © 2016
355 Franklin Street 
Melrose, MA 02176 
781-665-4200


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