In recent weeks, the Justice and Love in Action Team (formerly the Board of Wider Mission) has received correspondence from several organizations we support, letting us know that our efforts make a huge difference. Here are some updates. For several years, the African Community Education Project in Worcester has received Seeds of Grace grants […]
Devotionals
Gardening in the Alley
Matthew 25:34-40; Luke 15:3-6; Matthew 11:28-30 They took us to the alley–and the doorways and the park bench and the late-night restrooms. Garrett and Leigh–one homeless, one recently housed, both on the staff of common cathedral’s City Reach youth weekend. I have attended the overnight twice, each time with a confirmation class. Garrett took Jacob […]
What has Open and Affirming Meant for Me?
A Devotion by Willie Sordillo I write on the evening of the day one of my closest friends for over 40 years died. George was a multi-talented musician whose primary instrument was piano, but who also played double bass, clarinet, sang and could tap dance if called to. He was my musical partner on many […]
Kind Notes
A Devotion by Willie Sordillo The poet Naomi Shihab Nye says: Before you know what kindness really isyou must lose things Before you know kindness as the deepest thing inside,you must know sorrow as the other deepest thing. More than two months into the altered world of sheltering in place and social distancing, we’re all too […]
10 Years Later…
A Devotion by Liz Garrigan-Byerly Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6 Tenth grade was a tough year for me. I was going through a lot personally and to protect myself, I wore an armor of sarcasm and self-sufficiency […]
Unblurred Vision
An Easter Devotion by Brandon Jones Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me;your rod and your staff—they comfort me. Psalm 23:4 November 2009 Crinkle. Crinkle. Crinkle. I labored over, slowly hunched down, and picked up the envelope that was slid beneath the door of my […]
Able to Greet
An Easter Devotion by Joe Hudock Peace to you. The friends send you their greetings. Greet the friends there, each by name. 3 John 1:15 I was a greeter. That was the first volunteering I did at Christ Lutheran Church, when I lived in Harrisburg Pennsylvania. Unlike here, sometimes there weren’t even ten people showing […]
Big John
An Easter Devotion by Clair Ball Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2 Several summers ago I was driving from Framingham to upstate New York. I was on route 90 just outside Albany and noticed that my “Low Air Pressure” light […]
Thoughts and Prayers
An Easter Devotion by Debbie Clark Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them…. James 5:13-14a On Monday, the Framingham Interfaith Community Association, along with Mayor […]
Two Leaves
An Easter Devotion by Shelly Cichowlas Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Matthew 14:31 Last winter, Kate and I were helping to clean up the hall after coffee hour when we stepped out the back door to shake the crumbs off […]