News & Events

Page updated 12 September 2026

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 This Week 
 13 – 19 September 2026 

The Lord is merciful and gracious,
    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
    so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
 as far as the east is from the west,
    so far he removes our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion for his children,
    so the Lord has compassion for those who fear him.
Psalm 103:8, 11-13

On the Labor Day holiday, I visited the Harvard Museum of Natural History and the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnography with my family. It had been years since I’d visited; when Elena was much younger, she used to love going to see the dinosaur bones and animals from all over the globe. Paleontology was one of her early fascinations.

 As I walked through the galleries, I was reminded of just how very small we are in the universe, and how fleeting the span of our lives are in comparison to the eons the Earth has existed. From creatures that dominated the Earth millions of years ago to newly discovered species scientists are still learning about, the museum covers a wide range of history, science, and cultural education. There are meteor fragments from outer space and a skeleton of a Dodo bird. The glass flowers and plants display alone is worth a visit — in the late 1800s, a father and son team produced hundreds of painstakingly exact replicas of living specimens in glass for study. I couldn’t believe that they weren’t real! There was an excellent exhibit on climate change which discussed both natural and human-made consequences of our changing planet, and what we can do to mitigate some of the worst effects.

When we place ourselves in the timeline of the Earth itself, it is hard to believe that we can have such a profound effect on our environment. And yet, we can see that humans can, and do, have the ability to change things — for better or for worse. I think the words of the Psalmist about God’s abounding mercy and steadfast love even in our transgressions are relevant to our role in helping to shape the world around us. Our understanding of that world has evolved over time, as science and study have revealed new knowledge to us. But there remain many mysteries of the universe that are still beyond comprehension. As the prophet Isaiah wrote “for my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord,” (55:7-8). Faith and science teach us how to see the world, and to better understand our place in it. May we use that knowledge for the improvement of ourselves and to make the world a better place, for all God’s creation. 

We will celebrate communion this Sunday; if you will be worshiping at home, please prepare your bread and juice ahead of time so that you may partake with us during the service. Peace be with you! 

Reminder to bring your donations of cereal, breakfast items, or other non-perishable goods for our Second Sunday Cereal collection for the Burlington Food Pantry! Thank you!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Presbytery Leadership Day
is shaping up to be a great day for presbytery leaders to connect and learn from one another. Thank you to those who have already registered! If you are a Teaching Elder, Ruling Elder, or Deacon, you are invited to join colleagues from across the Presbytery of Boston for a day of worship, learning, and connection. Designed for leaders serving in congregations and a wide variety of ministry settings, this day offers opportunities to grow, connect, and be renewed together.

When: Saturday, 19 September 2026, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
Where: Korean Church of Boston (32 Harvard Ave, Brookline MA)
Lunch Provided

Schedule of Events
Morning Worship 
Boundary Training
(focuses on healthy systems and leadership development)
Lunch

Choice of Afternoon Workshops
Deacons: Called to Care
Treasurer Talk: Questions, Resources & Conversation
What Are You Doing? Worship & Ministry Ideas Worth Sharing
Re-Energizing Mission: Connecting Church & Community

Registration is Now Open: Presbytery Leadership Day
Registration link: https://form.jotform.com/262154735136052

Sunday School Starts 20 September
We’ll start our year with a blessing of the backpacks/briefcases and encourage everyone to bring their backpack/work bag/volunteer bag/craft bag to church for a special prayer and blessing for the coming school year.  The elementary class will be starting the year with “The Plagues” as we jump back into Moses’ story and see what the next chapter is. 

Women’s Bible Study
It is not too late to join us at Women’s Bible Study.  We started last Thursday with an introduction.  We are using the Presbyterian Women’s Horizons Bible study, “United Through Christ, Bound to Each Other”.  Let Marylou know if you are interested — we meet on Thursday mornings at 10 am in the front classroom or over Zoom (link below). 

Worship Assistants
We are on the verge of Fall. Soon the leaves will begin to turn colors, followed by a crispness in the air. Fall is always a time of new beginnings. Perhaps, you would like to have a new beginning as a Worship Assistant. Sign up below

Farmer Dave Assistants Needed – September & October
Welcome September! We have had a few people sign up. We have 3 openings left. We need one person each Monday in September and October to assist at the Farmer Dave CSA on Monday afternoon from 3:30 – 6:30 pm. This includes clean-up.  One of the perks of volunteering is you go home with some fresh from the farm veggies and fruits. If you have volunteered before, thank you. If you have never done this, give it a try. It’s a peaceful afternoon, with good company and a great perk at the end!!! Click link below to sign up!!!

Coffee Hour
We have enjoyed sharing the Summer with our friends and neighbors from UCC. Now it is time for us to settle in for the Fall and plan for our church coffee hours. If you are able to help, please sign up for one of the Sundays in the sign-up in the link:
:

Camp Wilmot 5K Registration Now Open

Are you already missing camp or wishing you had made it up this summer? Sign up for our annual 5K on Saturday, 03 October! Join us for a weekend of fun and fellowship. This annual event raises money for our Campership Fund through registrations and additional donations. This fund allows us to welcome all campers to Camp Wilmot, regardless of a family’s ability to pay. More information can be found at https://www.campwilmot.org/fall-5k.

FAITH FORMATION

NE GLOW

Confirmation Class – Register here! by October 12
New England GLOW will offer a regional confirmation class for the 2026/2027 school year given enough interest. We will be using the “Changing the World: Confirmation for the Missional Church” curriculum.  Joint confirmation class will run from October to June. We will meet roughly every other week on zoom throughout the school year.  Joint confirmation class will begin with 4 one hour zoom sessions followed by an in person half day retreat in December. Then we will spend 5-6 months completing a Faith in Action program with mentors from home congregations. During this time we will complete 8 mentor/large group sessions and regular whole group zoom check ins. In total, we will have 3 in person half day retreats (December, February, and May) (location TBD). We will complete at least 1 Faith in Action project with mentors from home congregations/communities. We will complete at least 1 Faith in Action Project as a whole group. This class is open to any youth age 13 and up who would like to participate. Leadership will be shared across participating church communities.

“Changing the World: Confirmation for the Missional Church” was published by the Presbyterian Outlook.  Find more information here. If you have questions contact Jen at newenglandglow.rym@jenmcarver

Game Night & Youth Lead D&D 
Sunday, 20 September 20 at 5:30 pm at Burlington Presbyterian Church. Did somebody say Exploding Kittens? Poetry for Neanderthals? Happy Salmon? Our next game night is Sunday, September 20!  We will gather for a family game night at the Presbyterian Church in Burlington, MA (335 Cambridge Street, Burlington MA) at 5:30 PM.  We will have supper and play board games.  Bring your favorite game or browse our growing collection!  There is a game for everyone.  Everyone is welcome; singles, doubles, trios, quadruples, families, friends, young, less young, in-between!  Please, let me know (newenglandglow.rym@gmail.com) if you are coming so I can organize food!  

Queer Bible Study 
Monday 21 September 21 at 7:30 pm on Zoom. We will continue our study of Hebrews with Hebrews 11:20-40.  Come join us for some conversation whether you are familiar with Hebrews or not.  It is a great time to connect with other people of faith and explore our faith together. 

Faith Talks 
Sunday, 27 September 27, 5:30 pm on Zoom and in-person at the Presbyterian Church in Burlington (335 Cambridge Street, Burlington, MA).  We will explore how being a disciple of Jesus and the Bible inform our actions and how we can share our beliefs with others.

Winter Camp at Camp Wilmot
Middle & High School Winter Weekend Friday–Sunday, 19–21 February 2027. Join Youth from across New England for a weekend of fellowship and fun hosted by New England GLOW! We’ll gather after dinner Friday night and wrap up with Sunday breakfast in time for everyone to make it back to their respective churches for worship. In between we’ll enjoy outdoor games, art activities, baking, bible study, worship and plenty of sledding. The cost of the weekend is $100 per youth. If cost is prohibitive, please contact Jen as there are scholarships available!

JOIN US THIS WEEK

Sunday Morning Worship
10:30 am EDT

Women’s Bible Study
Thursday, 17 Sep 2026, 10:30 am EDT