Reopening Update
We are grateful for your patience as we navigate the health and safety protocols necessary to contain the spread of COVID-19. Under the direction of the Board of Elders, the first stage proposed by our health protocol committee and pastors is to invite adults in small groups of up to 12 to gather outdoors at two locations: the Ministry Center lawn and the lawn between the church building and the WC House.
All groups must register their meetings through the appropriate staff member: Pastor Kevin for small groups and men’s groups and Margot Rox for women's groups. This staff person will be responsible for communicating the protocols and procedures for gathering. As always, we ask that you consider the following guidelines provided by our health advisors, before attending any gathering at the church.
The second stage in the reopening process is small groups for high school and middle school students beginning in July. Click here for information and registration for these small groups, and contact Pastor Chelsea with any questions. Student registration is required. Parents will be contacted about their students' group assignments and meeting times.
Our health protocol committee and pastors are working on a stage three proposal, the planning of which will include our new Senior Pastor, Jeremy McKeen. |
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Sunday's Sermon
This week we continue our series in the Psalms as Dr. Sean McDonough preaches a sermon entitled, Old, and New, Dominion.
In preparation, please read Psalm 110.
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Help us praise God on Sunday, July 5
We are so excited that Pastor Jeremy and his family will soon be here! God has blessed our church in many ways and this is another good gift. On that day we will be focusing on God's sovereignty from Psalm 47, and one of the major themes is our response of praise as His people to His greatness.
We invite you to send in a 1-3 sentence (5-10 second) video that begins: “I/ We praise God because/for ….” We are going to use these to creatively express our praise to God as a congregation. Please go to WeTransfer (wetransfer.com) to upload your video and email kbaird@fcchamilton.org, before July 1.
One important note: Please film in landscape (horizontally).
Contact the church office with any questions, 978-468-1940.
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“See, But Don’t Touch”
David Horn
I remember my mother taking me to the department store in town and telling me as a young boy that “I can see but don’t touch.” We are so excited to find our new pastor and family almost at our doorsteps. Jeremy, Lindsay, Hanna, and Ezra will be arriving in Hamilton on July 1 and Jeremy will begin his ministry with us immediately. His first day in the pulpit will be August 2.
We have, however, just realized that, we, as a congregation, will have to abide by my mother’s dictum a while longer: We can see our new pastor and his family, but will not have an opportunity to greet them face to face. We just recently realized that the McKeens will have to be quarantined for the two weeks because they are moving from outside of Massachusetts. This means that our original plans to greet them in person on Sunday, July 5, with a drive by will have to be postponed until July 19.
We will be sending you more information on our welcome in the weeks ahead. Until that time, Jeremy will be helping in the planning of worship services starting July 5, and will be begin virtually working with the staff starting on July 2.
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Opening Conversations on Racism and Christian Faith
Finding the correct starting point to open up conversations where learning, listening, and growth can happen sometimes seems hard. The way to begin is to offer an opening for conversation. This 6-week adult Sunday school class will bring a variety of African American voices from literature, first person accounts, and historical research to help us go further in this important conversation. The class will follow the Sunday morning worship service on Zoom from July 12 - August 16. There will also be three breakout small group sessions for smaller group conversation and deeper investigation. We will be sharing more information on how to sign up and other details in the next few weeks.
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Summer 2020 Middle and High School Small Groups
We are thrilled to be able to gather with middle and high school students outdoors in small groups this summer! Groups will meet for six weeks, beginning the week of July 6 and wrapping up during the second week of August. We’ll be studying Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, as well as playing ice breakers and just catching up with one another. In order to participate, students must register for small groups online and have a 2019-2020 Youth Waiver on file. Most groups are slated to meet from 5:00-6:00 pm or from 7:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings on one of the church lawns, but we will be in touch with your group’s exact time and location once the rosters are established. Please register here no later than July 5 to secure your spot.
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Amiriah Webinar: Race & Sex Trafficking: Survivor Perspectives
The long-standing history of racism in the sex trade continues to cause immense harm to women and girls of color. In this conversation, Audrey Morrissey, Associate Director & National Survivor Leadership Director of My Life My Choice, and Mary Speta, Chief Impact Officer of Amirah, share about how systemic racism unfolds in the arc of "the life" of exploitation - the vulnerabilities systemic racism creates for women and girls of color, racism within prostitution and exploitation, and the barriers to exiting the life that women and girls of color face.
July 1, 2020, 1:00 pm, Register here.
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Family Promise of the NorthShore Boston
This summer, FCCH is partnering with Christ Church again to support the ministry of Family Promise. That's about the only normal part of our ministry this year. While we have been comfortable in our own homes, the guests of Family Promise have been in the day center on Rantoul St. in Beverly, since the middle of March. Due to COVID 19, host congregations have been asked to donate to the meal ministry by submitting an online donation of up to $20 or by mailing a Stop and Shop gift card to the center.
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FCCH is scheduled to provide meals for six weeks:
June 21-July 4 & July 26-August 8
In partnership with Christ Church, Hamilton
July 19 -July 25 & August 30- September 5
FCCH only
Since we are not making meals, we are asking you to please consider donating $20 to Family Promise to cover the cost of the meal. Anyone may donate, no training is required!
We are providing a sign-up to indicate you will donate as a way of making sure we are meeting our commitment.
SIGN UP HERE – Five spots remain!
Once you have signed up, please go to the Family Promise food ministry page to donate.
Donate to Family Promise
Thank you all for your flexibility and willingness to help.
For more information or questions, please contact Shelly Moran or Pastor Kevin Baird.
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Women's Ministry Summer Opportunities
Book Group
For those of you looking to read a good book that is pertinent with our times this summer, we will be reading White Picket Fences as a book group. This book gently addresses the challenging topics of privilege and race, power and inequality, and is a memoir of Amy Julia Becker's growing awareness of the unequal benefits (and secret harm) she received by virtue of her white skin, Protestant heritage, education and able body. If you would like to participate in this discussion, let me know. We haven’t determined a day or time, so indicate what might work for you.
Summer Something
Tricia Johnson and Nelia Brooks are leading a Zoom study, Entrusted, by Beth Moore, based on 2 Timothy on Tuesday mornings at 10:00 am (Join Zoom Meeting). Accompanying videos for this study can be found on YouTube to watch before or after the group class.
The book can be purchased here for $13.99 + $4.25 shipping and tax, or contact Tricia to purchase the book for you to be picked up at her home.
PLEASE let them know you plan to participate, even if you are unable to attend every week.
As always, we are praying for you in this continued time of separation. I encourage you to safely get together in small groups as you are able. Let me know if you have any questions.
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Weekly Opportunities for Community
Adult Sunday School
The Book of Revelation
Dr. Eckhard Schnabel
10:45 am, Sunday
Sign up today to be added to Sunday's Zoom invite.
Elders Prayer
Prayer for the needs of our church family, community and the world.
Every Tuesday from 12:00 -12:30 pm
Join the prayer chain to participate
Women's Ministry Summer Something
Entrusted by Beth Moore
Tuesdays 10:00 am
Contact Margot Rox or Tricia Johnson for Zoom invitation
Men's Saturday Bible Study
Meets virtually at 8:00 am. Contact Steve Jamison
to receive the link to the Zoom study.
High School and Middle School Small Groups
Tuesdays and Wednesdays beginning July 7
Sign up here.
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Drive-By Vacation Bible School and Explore! are Comin' to Town!
For PreSchool - Grade 8 kids! Registration is FREE!
You must Pre-Register to receive a t-shirt, given out on the first day. Register today!
This summer's Drive-By VBS & Middle School Explore will feature:
* Mrs. McGillicuddy (aka Jill VanderWoude) and her hallmark skits on video
* New take-home stuff each day to do at home with friends and siblings
* Catchy playlist of songs
* Fun Christmas activities
* Cool summer treats |
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Sunday's Little People's Church Story read by Elisa Pitkin
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