This Sunday we celebrate Reformation Sunday by welcoming new members. It seems fitting to mark the 500th anniversary of our tradition by adding more names to our book of names. The book has over 4000 names who have counted themselves as part of the Highlands family. It is with joy that we welcome five more friends.
 
Throughout the coming year we will continue to mark the anniversary of the Reformation. After the holidays, there will be an opportunity to watch the movie "Luther."  In worship, we are planning a dialogue sermon with a historian, and will offer a four-week group study, after worship, on the big ideas of the Reformation. 
 
The Reformation motto, "Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda"--the church reformed and always reforming--is as timely today as it was 500 years ago. The church is always returning to her roots, back to the new commandment given by Jesus (John 13:34)--love one another. As we explore our Reformation roots, we could ask, "How could we best live out the commandment to love one another?" What is it that needs to be reformed here at the Highlands?
 
Come Sunday and celebrate our newest members! 
Rev. Beth
 

I admit I was speechless on Monday-another mass killing on our soil. Yes, we prayed for the victims, both those who died and those wounded and their families. We prayed for our nation as well. But we also need to take action to find a way out of this being "normal." I refuse to become numb to what has become an all-too-frequent reality. We can do better. We will do better. And we will not live in fear. The Biblical statement, "be not afraid" reminds us to live grounded in faith fully alive. 
 
On Sunday, we have a baptism. We welcome into our church family another little one. I hope you can be there to share in this joy filled moment. 
 
See you Sunday, 
Rev. Beth

We hold in prayer all those struggling in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. We hold in prayer as well our neighbors to the south in Mexico who are reeling from yet another earthquake.

Our hearts ache from the images. Should you want to help, there are many organizations offering relief. Send funds to a trusted agency. Our UCC has the advantage that 100% of your donation will go directly to the survivors of the storms. Should you choose to donate to our denomination, at this point, it is best to not designate the donations to a specific storm. Rather send them as relief to "2017 Disasters." You can learn more about donating to United States relief efforts here: Emergency relief_USA. 
Should you want to provide relief to our neighbors in Mexico, you can learn more here: Emergency relief --International.

We are registered to learn about future mission trips to the areas devastated by the hurricanes. Once information is available, I'll share it with you.

Blessings,
Rev. Beth

I am back from a wonderful week at the beach with my extended family. I was off my computer and social media for the most part but was and am deeply saddened by the hateful message and the violence which occurred over the weekend at the White Nationalist rally in Charlottesville, VA. I feel that as individuals and as a church we need to denounce the messages of hate and acts of violence from extremist groups. There are Christian denominations that support white supremacist ideology.  We as the Progressive church need to be loud and clear in our message of inclusion and love.
 
As Dr, King put it so well, 
 
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
 
Through our love we can dispel the hate. King also said, 
 
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
 
We were made for these times. It is up to each one of us to stand for inclusion and love each and every day. 
 
Blessings, Beth

 “Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Matthew 28:9-10
 
 
Easter Blessings,
 
“Do not be afraid!” These might be the most important words in the telling of the resurrection story from Matthew’s Gospel, and we hear them twice. First, the two Marys encounter an angel, an otherworldly presence, who announces to them that Jesus is risen. He begins by saying “Do not be afraid.” I mean really, who wouldn’t be terrified by the double whammy of an angelic creature and a dead man raised. And then we hear the words spoken by Jesus to those same two women, “Do not be afraid.”
 
These words are for us, too. Do not be afraid for even in times like these, times when the world as we know it is ending, God is breathing new life where no life seems possible. The Spirit is stirring us to action as connections are being made in the most unlikely places. As Easter people, we are meant to challenge those who say the end is here, for out of death comes new life. We are meant to look at all the endings as a new beginning, a way to practice our faith, as a way to practice resurrection.
 
In the words of poet Wendell Berry,
 
So, friends, every day do something
that won’t compute. Love the Lord.
Love the world.
Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection.

On the home page of this website is the schedule for Holy Week and Easter. Please join us as we “practice resurrection.”

Blessings,
Rev. Beth
 

 
This week we move through the mystery of the Christian faith. What seems like an ending on Good Friday, instead marks a new beginning. On Thursday we begin the ancient Paschal Triduum, the great three days:  Holy Thursday evening, Good Friday and Holy Saturday culminating in the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. The traditions of this week date back to the early days of the church. We hope you can join us as we journey towards Easter.

Blessings along the Way
Beth

 
Are you wondering what action you can take to ensure that love, not fear, is the driving force in our communities and nation? Could we create a Highlands Social Justice Team? Let's explore that possibility on January 22nd after worship.
 
Some things to consider:

• The Women's March in Boston and Washington D.C. Could we hear from those who went?
• New UCC Curriculum: White Privilege-Let's Talk. When is the best time to offer it?
• Debbie Irving, author of "Waking Up White" April 24th workshop at the Highlands. Mark your calendar!
• The Sanctuary Church movement
• Supporting Refugees

In this season of light, may our light shine brightly.
 
Blessings, 
Beth 
 

Advent Musings,
 
The days are getting shorter and the winter cold has arrived. But at the Highlands the light is getting brighter and brighter. This Sunday in worship there will be special Christmas music and poinsettias. After worship there are gingerbread houses to decorate and cookies to swap. We hope you will join us. 
 
Next Sunday, December 18th, is our no-practice, no-fuss pageant. Everyone gets to help tell the story of Jesus' birth. Please remember to arrive about 15 minutes early to pick out your costume in Fellowship Hall. This year will you be an angel, king, shepherd, donkey or lamb? 
 
We remember those in need by giving of ourselves. This Sunday is our food pantry collection. The need at the pantries increases at the holidays. The details are below. The Giving Tree gifts are also due and will be collected during worship. 
 
Merry Christmas, 
Beth

 
August has arrived. The nights will start to get cooler. The fall clothes are appearing in shops and school supplies are popping up everywhere. Enjoy and hold onto these August days.  
 
This Wednesday night at 7 P.M., I'll once again be in the sanctuary to offer a time of prayer. Last week the simple service took about 20 minutes. Join us if you would like to be together to offer a prayer and light a candle.
 
I'll hold drop-in office hours this week at La QChara (506 Franklin Street) from 4-6 P.M. on Wednesday. Please stop in if you can. As mentioned above, I'll be in the sanctuary at 7 P.M. 
 
Please make note of the following request from Carol Rosseland and help if you are available.
 
Our next date to feed the homeless through The Bread of Life Feeding Ministry in Malden is coming soon - Wednesday, August 17!   We do the final prep of the meal from 4:00 to 5:15 PM and serve it at5:30.  We are usually done by 7:15 PM at the latest.  The meals are now being served at the American Legion building at 368 Pleasant St. in Malden.  If you would like to coordinate the meal, just help out, or have questions please contact Carol Rosseland at carolatmelrosema.com.